“He will need you to shine your light in all things to find his peace throughout your life together. This is your job as his wife, his partner,” Toko added.
Her voice shook as she said, “I will, Toko. I’ll be his light.”
He gave her a curt nod and a pat on the cheek before coming to me. I stood still as he curled a hand around my nape and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Let us cook, my Kasaraibo.”
For the rest of the morning we cooked, laughed and ate. The coffee cake crumble went over smashingly. Toko had three pieces he enjoyed it so much.
Later, I’d just come out of the bedroom in my pale yellow sundress with flirty little cap sleeves to find Suda Kaye in her brilliant, burnt-orange spaghetti strap dress. It looked amazing with her light brown skin tone. The colors would go well against the sunlight and the desert mountain view where Evie and Milo would be married. Evie wanted us to match with the view, not take from it. She planned on having lots of photos, too. So much so that she’d hired a local tribesman from the reservation to take candid pictures so none of us would be bothered and could simply enjoy the event.
The sound of a car approaching down the rock-and-dirt road had my heart skipping a beat and excitement pouring through my veins.
“Kyson’s here!” I whooped and dashed out to the back of the house, hearing Suda Kaye’s laughter as I went.
Lincoln pulled up in his red GMC and I bounced on the balls of my feet on the small back porch. Kyson exited the car wearing a pair of super-dark blue jeans and a button-up, short-sleeve yellow dress shirt that went amazingly with my dress. He held a brown leather jacket over his shoulder with one finger. Black aviators were on his strong nose, and his skin glowed a warm tan color that made my mouth water. His dark hair was swept back away from his face but still, there were stubborn, sexy layers falling down over his forehead. On his feet were an espresso-colored, well-worn pair of leather cowboy boots. My man was utterly edible.
I squealed like a little girl and ran to him. He saw me coming and thankfully braced because I flew into his arms, my lips slamming against his so hard I felt his teeth. My guy did not care. He looped one arm around my waist, the other dove into my hair and he slanted my head so he could kiss me fully deeply. I tasted cinnamon gum and Kyson. The best flavor ever.
Behind me I heard a manly squeal I recognized. I pulled my head from my man and turned to see Jasper responding exactly the same way I did. Only when he got to Lincoln, he jumped up and wrapped his legs around his boyfriend’s waist. Lincoln caught Jasper at his small booty without any problem, crushing their mouths together.
Both Kyson and I laughed, and I lifted my head to stare into his handsome face. “I missed you.”
He grinned and butterflies took flight in my stomach. “I can see that. I missed you, too, but not as much as Hope. I thought I might have to bring her with me when she realized we were here for Auntie Evie’s wedding.”
I frowned. “Maybe you should have. We could have made it work.” Now I wanted Hope to be there, dammit.
Kyson kissed me quick and nuzzled my nose. “This was a big moment for you. I wanted you to have it without either of us needing to be looking after a boisterous six-year-old. Besides, I like to take a lay of the land in new places before I bring my girl.”
“Makes sense. Come on.” I pulled back and took his hand. “I want you to meet Toko!”
He hooked me around the waist as we walked from the new parking area to the front of the house. The parking in front had been cut off and Milo’s parents and sister were already in full decorating mode. Right in the center of the space sat a long line of three picnic tables complete with colorful bushels of sunflower-and-feather centerpieces, all on top of a stunning handmade beaded table runner streaking down the center. There were unlit torches placed around the area with additional seating for two here and there so people could chat one on one when we weren’t eating. Native American blankets were laid over hay bales that were set in a circular shape around a fire pit that had not been there yesterday.
“Wow, this looks amazing.” Kyson took in the large space.
Standing in the center with his arms crossed over his ceremonial attire was my grandfather. His gaze was set on the desert and mountains. He licked his thumb, put his hand out and scanned the space as though he were assessing the sun and the wind placement.
We approached just as he turned around. His hair was already braided perfectly, parted down the center with feathers and beads dangling down his chest. He wore an ivory-and-bone chest plate that ran in a chevron shape down his chest over the burgundy ceremonial robe-like outfit. It was magnificent and seemed to come right out of a Native American fairy tale, but this was real life for him. For all of them on the reservation. Sure, they’d merged and comingled—the kids now went to school off the rez, friends were allowed to come and go with permission from the people who lived there—but they held fast to their traditions. They had their own cattle, horses, gardens and still hunted a lot of the desert for food. They built their own homes. Most of the women sold some type of handmade art, in order to bring in additional monies to their home. The elders of the tribes led the community and were respected in all things. And my grandfather, Tahsuda Tahsuda, was one of them. It showed from the lines in his skin, the gray streaks in his hair and the wisdom in his eyes.
“Toko, I would like you to meet my boyfriend, Kyson Turner. Kyson, this is my grandfather, Tahsuda.”
Kyson held out his hand and bowed as he did, much to my surprise. “Elder Tahsuda, it is an honor, sir.”
Tahsuda took Kyson’s hand and gave it a good shake before nodding.
“Thank you for having me and my brother at your home,” Kyson added.
Toko held Kyson’s hand and focused his gaze on him.
Kyson didn’t move a muscle, just stood there and took my grandfather’s lead and waited.
Toko gave a small smile then looked at me. “I see good things in your future, Kasaraibo. Very good things. But you must remember, all good things come with the bad. You will need to be strong.” He patted the top of Kyson’s hand and let it go.
Kyson’s head turned toward me and I shrugged.
Tahsuda looked over our shoulders to where Lincoln and Jasper were making out against the side of the truck. The two were going at each other as though they hadn’t seen one another in a year, let alone two days.
I closed my eyes. “Dammit, Jas. Two days. You only made it two stinkin’ days,” I grumbled.
Toko’s lips lifted into a barely there smile as he took in the wild pair. “He is who he is. And who he is, is honest. He does not hide himself. There is honor in this.” Toko spoke but it felt like he was teaching me a lesson. A good one. Something I needed to remember.
People were who they were. You accepted them as they were or not at all. You couldn’t have it both ways. And those who were free to be themselves were the ones who lived truly free.