Chapter Sixteen

Sedona The Pursuit

G ail tiptoed into Luna's room, carrying a mug of coffee. She whispered, "Good morning, sunshine."

Luna stretched and yawned. "What time is it?"

"Ten minutes to five." Gail handed her the coffee. "I hope it's okay. I tried using a dash of allspice and cream."

Luna took a whiff of it. "Smells good." Then she took a sip. "Not bad for an amateur."

"Ha. Come on. Shake a leg. We've got a sunrise to catch."

They put on denim shirts, long pants, and hiking boots. Gail stuffed two pairs of cotton gloves with grips on the palm side into her back pocket. "Just in case we need to grab onto something." She handed Luna a small flashlight.

Gail knew they would be back at the B&B before it got blazing hot, so their attire was appropriate for climbing the ledges early in the day.

When they arrived at the foot of the butte, several cars were already parked nearby. "Not an original idea." Luna chuckled.

They walked along a path that took them to the famous vortex and began to ascend the sandstone monument one plateau at a time. It didn't require climbing hand-over-hand, but it did require some balance.

They passed several other people nestled against the rock formation and kept moving until they found an unoccupied area. The two women settled down and waited for the landscape to come alive. It was more than watching the sunrise. The scenery changed colors, glowing gold and crimson, and the sounds of awakening birds captivated the soul. It was probably one of the most peaceful experiences anyone could ever have.

Neither woman spoke a word. They remained in a place of internal serenity for almost a half hour as the sun came into full view. Intuitively, they both stood at the same time, knowing each had been renewed. They silently walked back to the car.

Once inside, Luna sat back and let out a huge sigh. "That was incredible. How often do you do this?"

"Not often enough," Gail replied.

"I guess it's like New Yorkers who've never gone to the Empire State Building. You know it's always there, but for some reason, you never get around to it," Luna offered. "Although the energy is certainly different."

"That's for sure." Gail started the engine, and they went back to the B&B to change into lighter clothes. They had a couple more shops to visit, and then it was off to the spa.

The spa was situated next to a rapidly running creek. In the distance was another vista of red rock formations. The scent of pi?on filled the air, mingling with the gentle music of a Native American flute. As soon as you entered, you could feel the stress begin to melt away.

The hostess showed them to a changing room and gave them turbans for their hair and plush robes. She showed them where they could store their personal things and gave them keys for the wooden lockers. She walked them out to the terrace, where a warm effervescent tub awaited them. "I'll leave you to your privacy."

The two disrobed, stepped into the healing waters, and rested on seats so their bodies were submerged up to their necks. Groans of delight emanated from both of them. Soft pillows were strewn around the edge so they could lie back and be surrounded by the restoring waters.

"How long do you think we can stay in here before we turn to stew?" Luna asked.

"They'll come out and get us. They don't want to have to call the coroner's office," Gail grunted.

"I suppose you don't do this very often, either?" It was only half a question.

"Same as Bell Rock. Not often enough." Gail moved her arms in rhythm with the water.

"We need a lecture in self-care." Luna sighed. "We preach it, but do we do it? Nope. At least not enough, in my book."

"I couldn't agree with you more. We are the ‘always doing something for somebody else' girls," Gail noted. "Not that I'm complaining or whining, but you're right. Self-care is not being selfish."

"Let's be sure we remind each other." Luna gave her a high-five on her soon-to-be prune-like hand.

Twenty minutes later, the massage therapist appeared and signaled it was time for their massages.

"Well, I think I'm parboiled right about now anyway," Luna said, as she pulled her naked body from the bubbling water.

Luna had signed up for a ninety-minute energy balancing treatment while Gail had ordered a deep tissue massage. By the time they were both done, they were mush. The two had staggered back to the car when Gail's phone pinged. It was Robert, asking if she could stop by Whole Foods and pick up some more fruit. The musicians were on a natural sugar high. She held back from groaning and agreed. The store was on the way home, anyway.

They pulled into the parking lot, and Gail asked if Luna wanted to wait in the car. She replied, "If you don't mind."

"Be right back."

Luna leaned against the headrest, but then shot up like a jack-in-the-box. It was him! Again! The same dark-haired guy with Brendan's gait. He was wearing what looked like the same green shirt. She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of him as he got into a truck with C ANYON F ARMS stenciled on the side. She enlarged the photo on her phone. It had to be him, or his twin. She started to shake. Too bad Gail wasn't in the car, or Luna would have asked her to follow him. But then again, maybe Gail would think she had totally lost her mind. She decided she wouldn't say anything to Gail for fear of starting an argument. Luna knew she was sounding like a woman obsessed. She also knew she wasn't hallucinating. If it wasn't Brendan, then she would let it go. But what if it was Brendan? What would she do?

Luna saw Gail exiting the supermarket and tucked her phone into her bag.

"Melons! Lots and lots of melons. That's all Robert seems to want lately." Gail shrugged. "If it makes him happy. At least he got off the chips."

Luna was trying valiantly to hide her anxiety about the mystery doppelganger. Seriously, what if it was Brendan? What on earth would she do? She took in several deep inhales. "Today was fabulous. Incredible. Divine."

"I don't know if I would have scheduled a day like this for myself if you hadn't come out here."

"Me either." Luna yawned. "What should we do about dinner? Takeout?"

"I have a favorite hole-in-the-wall Tex-Mex place. Husband and wife. Both have Mexican parents, but they grew up here. Great food."

"Sounds good to me." Luna's stomach growled. "Sounds good to my stomach, too." She laughed nervously.

Gail sensed something was up with Luna. Maybe it was all that relaxation. She decided to let it go. For now. Gail pushed the button for her cell phone's voice prompt. "Phone Lobo and Leela."

The mechanical voice replied: "Calling Lone Star Leaf Blowers."

"Ugh! Cancel. Cancel," Gail yelled into the center of the steering wheel. "Geez, why doesn't that woman listen?"

Luna cracked up. "I say the same thing. It's embarrassing when you can't stop the call before it rings through. Then they call you back and ask if everything is okay," Luna huffed. "I tell them my phone doesn't understand me."

"Yeah. So much for AI. That's why it's artificial. Like sweetener. It ain't the real thing," Gail pointed out.

"For sure. It's like those imitation burgers. They taste pretty good, but still not the same."

Gail handed Luna her phone. "They're in my contact list."

Luna obliged, and a cheerful voice came over the car speakers. "Hola, Gail!"

"Hola, Leela. How are you?" Gail asked in a similarly cheerful tone.

"Very good. Thank you. And you?"

" Muy bueno . I'm with a friend, and we want to pick up some dinner to take out. Can you give us the usual?"

"Guacamole, queso-filled peppers, smothered enchiladas, chicken with tortillas. Do you want corn bread, too?" Leela asked.

"Sure. Why not?" Gail looked at Luna and smirked. Luna licked her lips. Gail continued, "And can you pour us a batch of that spicy watermelon refresher?"

"Of course. How soon do you want it?"

"How soon can we get it?" Gail laughed.

"Twenty minutes?"

"Make that thirty," Gail replied.

"Okay."

"Perfect. See you then." Gail hit the END CALL button. She then began the five-minute drive to Airport Mesa, another well-known vortex in Sedona. "I think it's only fitting we go to one more vortex before the day is over."

"Cool."

"We don't have to get out and hike to get the vibe."

"Good, because I don't think my body is up to it. My legs feel like spaghetti. That massage was amazing. I didn't realize how out of balance my energy was." Luna chuckled.

"I didn't realize that not only do I live among the Red Rocks, but I had a few in my neck and shoulders." Gail laughed.

"Today was amazing," Luna repeated. "Thanks for arranging it."

Airport Mesa was said to have an uplifting, masculine energy field, and was considered one of the four major vortexes. If one climbed to the top, it was possible to get a 360-degree view of Sedona. But for this trip, the girls would skirt around the formation. Gail knew a back road that her Jeep could scale. It was little-known. Gail looked at Luna. "Kinda like Fight Club ."

"Ah. You mean rule number one?"

"Precisely." Gail was referring to the movie in which members were not allowed to discuss their secret club. "You realize not everyone knows what that means."

"Yeah. Pop culture, underground lingo. It's interesting that so many expressions are from movies and TV shows."

"Imagine if you had to pay money to quote a TV show in conversation?"

"How would they be able to quantify it?"

"Don't you know about those chips they want to put in our heads?" Gail raised her eyebrows.

"You're not serious?" Luna paused. "Are you?"

"It isn't that farfetched. One celebrity billionaire's company has been given federal approval for clinical trials with humans."

"Oh, that's just swell," Luna huffed. "I heard about it, but I never delved into it. Too creepy."

"I don't know why they want to create robots and AI. Just plug us in, and we'll do everything automatically."

Luna shivered. "I think this is why I'm happy in my own little world of Stillwell. Sure, I interact with people, but I'm not a news junkie. I recoil when I see the same blathering faces on TV."

Gail looked over at her. "That's my girl. And I agree. Electronics and technology have taken over our lives. At least they're trying to." Her voice got louder. "No wonder people feel so dehumanized. It's really happening!"

Gail looked around for a place to park. "Can you manage to get out of the car and walk about a hundred yards?"

"That I can do." Luna unbuckled her seat belt and slithered out of the car.

They couldn't see the entire vista from their vantage point, but they could feel the energy emitted by the rocks that stood before them.

Luna placed her hand on the first spot that was within reach. "Electromagnetic energy. It's so fascinating."

"How true. Sedona is known for it, but sometimes I wonder if half the people who live here actually align with it."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"Maybe it's because a lot of people moved here because it's beautiful, and relatively accessible, but they're not necessarily interested in the spiritual aspect," Gail explained.

"I suppose a jerk is a jerk, no matter where they are."

Gail howled. "Thank you for saying that. Sometimes I think I am being unkind if I think of someone as a jerk. I should be better than that."

"You're only human." Luna smiled. They turned and walked back to the car. "Smothered enchiladas are calling my name."

It was a quick drive to the restaurant, where Leela greeted them at the door. "Your order will be out in a minute."

Luna grabbed for her wallet, pulled out a credit card, and handed it to the woman. "Do not take her money. It's counterfeit," Luna joked.

Gail shook her head. "I wish you'd stop doing that."

"Listen, girlie, you have been a wonderful hostess and tour guide. It's the least I can do."

"If you insist, but I'm buying the beer."

"Deal!"

Gail stopped at a convenience store to pick up a six-pack of Pacifico, and then they headed back to the B&B. Luna unpacked the food and beverages while Gail set the table. Max gave her a forlorn look. "Sorry, buddy. This is too spicy for you. I've got something better." She opened a can of his favorite food and put it in his big bowl. If a dog could shrug, he would have before he begrudgingly sauntered over to his dinner.

The women chatted about books, movies, and music and watched a few more episodes of Bad Sisters before they called it a night. It had been a long but wonderful day, and they were ready to hit the sheets.

Once Luna was in her room, she pulled out her laptop and searched for Canyon Farms. The home page declared: Locally grown produce delivered to your door . She wrote down the address and checked her map app. It was about twenty minutes outside of Sedona. They opened at seven a.m. Luna set her alarm for five thirty. Her plan was to leave a note telling Gail she was going for a drive and would be back soon. As exhausted as she was physically, she could not turn off her brain. The idea that she might come face to face with her friend was both alarming and exciting. She rehearsed what she was going to say over and over. "Hey, Brendan. Remember me? Remember you ? What happened? What are you doing here?" But what if it wasn't Brendan? "Duh. My mistake." She tossed and turned and punched the pillow, the same way she had a few weeks before.

Luna didn't know how long she had been staring at the ceiling, replaying her rehearsed words in her head, when the light of day began to emerge. She shot up out of bed. She didn't want to run into Gail and have to explain where she was going. Luna quickly put on her jeans and a shirt and carried her shoes so as not to make any noise on the tile floor. She peeked out the bedroom door to make sure Max wasn't standing guard. He was nowhere in sight, so Luna figured he was in Gail's room. She tiptoed across the living room and left a note on the dining table:

Hey, honey pie. Was up early. Went for a drive. Be back soon. XO

She quietly opened and closed the door, then stealthily crossed the gravel driveway in her stocking feet. As soon as she got in the driver's seat, she put on her boots and started the car. She winced, hoping the sound wouldn't wake up Max or Gail. She backed out of the driveway, keeping an eye open for any movement from inside the house.

She put the address in the GPS. The map said it would take twenty-five minutes. It was only five thirty, so she had an hour to kill. Maybe stopping at Cathedral Rock would be a good idea. It was on the way to the farm. Its aura could strengthen her resolve, especially since it was considered an uplifting energy. It was a very steep climb, and she had no intention of navigating it. Simply being near the magnificent rock formation would be enough to give her a boost of courage.

Luna parked the car and walked as close as she could before the trail began for the long climb. She sat on the stump of an old tree and meditated, asking for the courage to complete this pursuit so she could finally lay her concern to rest. A half hour passed, and she returned to her car. She still had time on her hands. It was excruciating. She decided to drive to the farm and wait there. The closer she got, the more her body trembled.

A wooden sign with the words W ELCOME TO C ANYON F ARMS greeted her as she steered with quivering hands. She took a deep breath and began the quarter mile drive toward the building. Even though it was before seven, it looked as if there were people already working. She noticed there were three trucks similar to the one she'd spotted the day before, and everyone was wearing green shirts. What she didn't notice was another car on the property with someone inside snapping photos.

A young man walked over to Luna's vehicle after she had parked. "Morning, miss. We don't open for another few minutes. Anything I can help you with?"

She hesitated and took a deep breath. "Actually, I'm looking for an old friend from college. His name is Brendan Nelson."

The young man squinted. "Nobody by that name works here."

Luna pulled out her phone and showed him the photo she'd taken the day before.

"Oh, you mean Boyd Wilson?" the young man asked.

Luna laughed nervously. "We called him Brendan in school." She wasn't sure if that was a good recovery, but the young man didn't seem to question her. "Let me go see if Boyd is around. Be right back."

"Boyd Wilson," she whispered out loud. "Huh. Well, if it isn't Brendan, then he surely has a twin."

A few minutes later, Brendan's body double came around to the driver's side of the car. He didn't recognize her at first.

"Brendan. It's me. Luna." Tears started to well up.

He went pale. "Luna. You can't be here."

"But why? What happened?" she pleaded.

"Luna, please. Get out of here. Do not tell anyone you saw me. You have to go."

"But . . . but . . ." She was sputtering.

"Please, Luna. Just go." His voice was stern, almost harsh.

"Okay. Okay." She started her car and drove off the property, more tears streaming down her face. "Why? Why? Why?"

As she exited, she didn't notice a second car that had been parked on the other side of the entrance. When she returned to the B&B, Gail was reading a newspaper with the television on in the background. "Hey, chica . Where were you off to so early this morning?"

Luna looked pale. "I . . . I . . . went out to Canyon Farms."

"Canyon Farms?" Gail looked very confused. "Why?"

Luna sat down across the table and let out a long breath. "Don't be mad, but when you were in the grocery store yesterday, I thought I saw Brendan again, this time getting into a truck. I took a photo." She scrolled through her phone and showed Gail the picture of the man Luna claimed was her friend. "I just couldn't stand it. I had a feeling it was him, and it is him."

Gail almost dropped her coffee mug. "Holy guacamole. Wow. But why? How? What?"

"When I got to the farm, I asked if Brendan Nelson was there. A young guy said no one by that name worked at the place. Then I showed him the photo. He said the guy's name was Boyd Wilson."

"And then?" Gail's eyes were like saucers.

"And then the kid went and got Boyd. He didn't recognize me at first, but then told me to go away, I shouldn't be there, blah, blah, blah. He was almost mean about it."

"How long did you talk to him?"

"Two minutes. Tops." Luna's eyes welled up again.

"So you didn't have a chance to ask him about the boating accident?"

"Nope." Luna twisted her mouth. "I don't know what to do."

"I think you should do nothing. Maybe he's in some kind of trouble and doesn't want to be found."

"True, but Brendan was never one for getting into trouble. I don't think he ever got a speeding ticket."

"Sweetcakes, you need to put this away. Out of your head. You can't go snooping—" Gail was cut off by a news break on the TV.

"A thirty-seven-year-old man was run off the highway just outside of Canyon Ranch. He was one of the ranch employees. By the time the police arrived on scene, the other vehicle was found abandoned, and the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. If anyone has any information regarding the accident, please contact the local police department."

Gail and Luna were frozen, holding their coffee mugs midair. Finally, Gail grabbed Luna's mug from her shaking hands. "You don't know if it was Brendan. . . Boyd . . . whatever."

"No. It was him. I just know it. We have to go to the hospital."

"Oh no, we do not," Gail insisted. "You need to leave well enough alone."

"Well enough? Well enough?" Luna's voice was at an all-time high volume. Even Max barked in response.

"Listen, if there was foul play, you don't want to go anywhere near it. There is nothing you can do except send him good vibes. If it even is him."

Luna began to cry. It was a waterfall of grief and relief.

"Oh, sweetie, they said it was non-life-threatening injuries. So take some comfort in knowing he's not dead."

Luna wiped her nose and face with a napkin. "I don't think I've cried this much in years."

"Old memories. Shock. Plus, you know your relationship with Chris is going to morph into something else, and not knowing what that is can bring on a lot of anxiety." Gail got up to grab a box of tissues and put a kettle on. "Tea. The Brits think it's a cure-all for everything."

Luna laughed. "That's exactly what Ellie said when I told her about Brendan's death notice."

"Tea and Brendan. Is he a Brit, by any chance?" Gail was making an effort to lighten the mood.

"Irish."

Gail laughed. "Well then, I'll make some Irish breakfast tea."

"Maybe a shot of Irish whiskey, too!" Luna joked.

"Don't tempt me. It's not even noon!" Gail laughed as she lit the gas stove. "How about we take a ride to Oak Creek Canyon, where you can walk along the river and on the river rocks. I don't think we did that the last time you were here."

"Sounds refreshing."

Gail served up the tea, and they watched the TV intently for any more updates on the mysterious accident. Convinced there was nothing more to be learned, they piled into the Jeep with Max in the back.

The rhythm of the briskly moving river was indeed comforting. It matched the fluid lines of the canyon rocks. Opposite in material but equal in beauty. Luna was surrounded by the nurturing layers of Mother Nature. Everyone should have this kind of experience, Luna thought. But despite her newfound sense of calm, she had to admit that Boyd—or whoever the heck he was—had rattled her to the bone.