It did seem, though, that she would not get the chance to photograph the Navaho, unless she was deceptive. And she did not like the thought of sneaking around doing anything that might displease not only the Navaho as a whole but Runner. After being held by him, and melting in his arms as he kissed her, she did not want anything to stand in the way of their loving one another.
“Yes, love,” she whispered, feeling as though she were floating on air at the thought of being with Runner again. “I am truly in love. For the first time in my life I am—”
“Sis?”
Adam’s voice outside her car door made Stephanie stop with a start and lose her train of thought. She tightened the sash at her waist and drew her long, lean fingers through her hair to straighten it, then went out to the door and opened it.
“I’m having a hell of a time sleeping,” Adam growled, brushing past her. “There’s so much to do. I just can’t turn my brain off.” He turned to her as she closed the door behind them, the moon’s soft glow the only light in the room. He smiled mischievously over at Stephanie. “And you? I don’t think I have to ask what has kept you awake.”
Stephanie struck a match and lit a kerosene lamp, turning the wick up high enough to spray its faint light around her private car. She shook the match out and dropped it in an ashtray, then sank down into a soft, cushioned chair.
“Taking photographs tomorrow, Adam,” she said, pulling her feet up beneath her. “That’s why I couldn’t sleep.” She ignored his obvious reference to what he knew had transpired between her and Runner only a few hours ago. “It’s the first time I’ve tried to take my camera among Indians. It worries me.”
“Aw, you’re worrying about nothing,” Adam said, slouching into a chair opposite her. “Leave it up to Runner. Because of his attraction to you, he’ll make sure you can do as you damn please.”
“I would rather you didn’t discuss Runner’s feelings toward me with me, or anyone else for that matter,” Stephanie said stiffly. “But I do thank you for coming to my defense tonight. Damon Stout is a rogue. How can you associate yourself with him for any reason? I bet if you would look long enough you would find that he has had scrapes with the law. Adam, I see it in his eyes. He is a man with no feelings. He is surely a criminal of some sort.”
“You asked me not to discuss Runner with you,” Adam said, glowering over at her. “Well, then, sis, I ask the same of you as far as Damon Stout is concerned. My association with him is purely one of business. Once I’m done here, I’ll not bother with him anymore.”
Stephanie leaned forward. She questioned Adam with her eyes, then leaned back again, knowing that he would not say any more about business affairs with Damon were she to pursue the matter.
Perhaps she was better off not knowing. She feared that whatever Adam’s association with Damon might be, they would not be in the best interests of the Navaho. She would never forget how coldly Runner and Damon had treated one another.
Perhaps it best to stay out of those situations. She had enough to worry about, herself, with her own problems at hand.
“Sis, even though you told me not to discuss Runner with you, I’ve got to ask,” Adam said, giving her a guarded look. “Is there a strong attraction between the two of you?”
“Adam, please,” Stephanie said, standing quickly. She went into her darkroom and lit a lamp. She stiffened when Adam came after her and held a satchel open, so that she could place plates inside it.
“Stephanie, since there is obviously already something going on between you and Runner, play up to him,” Adam said, his jaw tight as he watched for her reaction. “Get him on my side. I need Runner, Stephanie. If I’m to expect no trouble from the Navaho, I need Runner’s alliance.”
Stephanie turned angry eyes to Adam. She placed her hands on her hips and spoke up into his face. “Now, you listen here, Adam,” she warned. “Just keep your suggestions to yourself. Especially those concerning Runner. You know I’m not the sort to play those types of games with men.”
“Aw, sis, this is different,” Adam said, setting the satchel of plates aside. “Come on. For me? For your brother? You know how important this project is to me. I want to have this town worse than anything else I’ve wanted in my entire life. With your help, it could happen much more easily and quickly.”
“I’ll have no part in your schemes,” Stephanie said, brusquely brushing past him. She left the darkroom and stepped to a window. She looked at the shadowed mountains in the distance, wondering where Runner was and if he was also having trouble sleeping. She had felt the need and hunger in his kiss. She knew without a doubt that he was falling in love with her. She would not take any risks that might turn his feelings into loathing.
Adam placed his hands on her waist and turned her around to face him. “Stephanie, I’ve never asked for much from you,” he said thickly. “But this time, I’ve got to. You’ve got to do whatever you can to get Runner on my side. Do you hear? Anything.”
St
ephanie’s lips quavered as she stared up at her stepbrother. “You would even have me seduce him if it comes to that, Adam, to draw him into your schemes?” she said, her voice breaking. “You truly want me to do even that?”
“Well, yes, if you believe that is what it would take to achieve my goals,” Adam said. He jumped and gasped when Stephanie slapped him across the face.
“How could you, Adam?” Stephanie said. She glared up at him, her fists doubled at her sides. “Now listen well to what I have to say, for it is the last time I shall say it. If you see me with Runner, and should I be showing affection for him in any way, it will only be because I want to be with him because I have true feelings for him. I won’t be with him because of a brother who is blinded by greed.”
Adam’s eyes narrowed as he gingerly stroked his stinging cheek. “Dear, sweet sister,” he ground out between clenched teeth, “you are as blinded by greed as much as I. You have come a long way to make money by taking photographs, haven’t you? You knew that the Indians would not want you here, yet you came anyway. Because of money, Stephanie. That’s why you’re here. Nothing else.”
Stephanie paled and took a step away from him. She was shaken by what he had just said, knowing that, in part, it was true.
“Touché, brother,” she said flatly, then walked away, her chin held high.
The money that she had expected to make had sounded good to her. But now, after meeting Runner . . . ?
Money was no longer the entire fascination of being in Arizona Territory. She had to find a way of balancing her love of photography with the love and passion of the handsome “White Indian.”
Money came last, now, in her list of priorities.