Last Warrior

"You need to get laid." Joe Youngblood shot a narrowed look at Arnie Benally as they crossed the Navajo Tribal Police parking lot toward their cars. Correctly interpreting the danger in his colleague's glare, Arnie held up his hand placatingly. "Okay, hear me out. All I'm saying is this whole disagreement with your grandfather isn't like you. Most of us don't like the Tribal Council's decision to bring in abelaganato write this book on Navajo culture, but is it really worth being at odds with Charley over? You have different opinions. End of story." "And this involves a woman...how?" "You're too tightly wound, man." They paused beside Joe's unmarked blue Jeep, and Arnie winked. "What you need is a night of hot, mind-numbing sex with some sweet young thing to clear your head. Sex relieves stress. There's research." "That's charming," Joe said drily. He dug in the pocket of his jeans for the keys. "Now I can see how you convinced Brenda to marry you. You've got the heart of a poet." "Brenda would agree with me." ButArnie cast a quick glance over his shoulder, as if half expecting to see his short plump wife behind him. "She's even mentioned fixing you up sometime. She's got a friend who's..." Meeting Joe's gaze again, his words trailed off. But the only sign of Joe's temper was the tightness with which he clenched the keys in his fist. His voice when he spoke was mild. "I'm capable of finding my own woman. And I'll take your other suggestion... under advisement." "Sure." Arnie shrugged, and started edging toward his own vehicle. "I--we--just want the best for you, Joe. You know." "Yeah. I know." Opening the driver's door of his Jeep, Joe slid inside. He slammed the door with a bit more force than necessary, but he wasn't really angry with Arnie. They'd known each other too long to stay annoyed every time the other man's mouth ran ahead of his brain. But the thought of anyone, even his friends, discussing his private life made Joe wince. His separation last year had started the public speculation; the final divorce decree four months ago had fueled it. The Navajo Nation lands encompassed an area the size of West Virginia. But its grapevine was as reliable as Mayberry's. He started the car and drove off the lot. He wondered if it was the gossip that had driven Heather, his ex, to move out of Tuba City a few weeks ago. But such conjecture was useless. If he hadn't been able to figure out what she was thinking in the last few months of their marriage, he sure wasn't going to be any more successful now. He was long past the point of caring, at any rate. The only thing he did care about was that she'd taken his son with her. The familiar burn settled in his chest, spreading. Having joint custody abruptly reduced to every other weekend wasn't something he planned on accepting. But until the new hearing date arrived, Heather had effectively limited his options. He smiled grimly, remembering Arnie's earlier words. The man had been correct about one thing. It was time to make peace with his grandfather. Their relationship had always been too close to let a minor disagreement come between them. But as for the rest of Arnie's advice...Joe shook his head. It was a female who'd caused all his problems. The last thing he needed was another woman in his life. For any reason. It was nearly dusk when Joe pulled up to his grand-father's log hogan just outside Tuba City. Noticing the single light on inside, he abruptly remembered that tonight was Monday, Charley Youngblood's poker night. If Joe's grandfather followed his usual routine, he wouldn't be back until nearly midnight, after doing his best to fleece those he called his closest friends. Joe may as well head for home. Fence-mending was going to have to wait until tomorrow. But as he drove away, Joe found the thought of home particularly unappealing. The house always seemed emptier following one of his weekBrant, Kylie is the author of 'Last Warrior ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373275076 and ISBN 0373275072.