"Wise, but crazy old man." Colby shook his head and stared ahead.
"Why won't you dance at the Pow-Wow?"
"How did…?" His arms dropped to the sides. "Grandfather," he said, sighing. He ran his tongue over his teeth. "He sent you here to change my mind."
A chuckle arose from deep inside. "I'm flattered you think I have powers," Megan said, "but no. I don't care if you dance, but why not? It sounds fun."
"Well, it's not."
"Why?" she asked, now pulling her feet from the water.
"Do you have to know everything?"
"Yes."
Speechless, Colby looked past her. The hunched shoulders and hands shoved in his pockets showed conflicting sides. He wanted to talk but feared speaking the words. He sat, pulling his knees to his chest. Despite the distance, electricity flowed between them, connecting them on a deeper level. Megan's heart beat faster and faster until it was ready to explode. She glanced at Colby, but he did not look at her. If he heard her heartbeat, it did not faze him. She wondered if his was beating as fast and that is why he refused to look her way.
"This was my favorite place as a kid," he said, looking straight ahead.
"I like it too. This is where your grandfather helped me find answers." "Answers to what?" he asked, facing her.
"Life." Curiosity shone in his deep black eyes as his gaze never left Megan's face. Though heat rose to her cheeks, Megan never looked away. She wanted this man to know her past, present, and future. Over the next hour, family and school were discussed. "We can't forget Clay," she said, and then glanced away, her cheeks bright pink. What made me mention him? When Colby laughed, Megan glanced his way. His eyes shone with happiness and this helped return her color to a normal shade of pink.
"Clay's reputation will outlive him," Colby said with a laugh." His animated gleam told stories she wanted to hear.
"Care to share any of those stories you're remembering?" she asked.
"Later." Colby inched closer to Megan, their hands almost touching. "Sorry you experienced that," he said with a gentle tone.
"It's okay." A smile eased across her rose-colored lips as she looked into the face of a different man. He was softening around the edges. His laugh showed a person who enjoyed this place, but fear lurked in his black eyes. He's afraid of staying too long and losing himself to his grandfather's world. Why did he leave? Doesn't he realize the modern world and his heritage coexist? Is he a private person, or will he answer my questions? Colby cleared his throat. "How did you escape the boss man? Or did you get time off for good behavior?"