“April is the perfect time to be here in Sedona,” Mila said to Arianna. The late-morning sun had brought the temperature up by twenty degrees since dawn, and the early spring breezes blew fresh and crisp.

“We better dress in layers tomorrow since we leave so early for the hot-air balloon ride.”

“I’ve wanted to experience that for most of my life.” Mila looked up, wishing to see at least one decorating the sky, even though all the balloons must have landed by now.

Having spent an hour or so strolling downtown and stopping in any shops of interest, the friends passed a tarot reader.

“Ari, can you believe how many so-called psychics there are here?” A backward glance flipped her left braid over her shoulder. The beaded hair tie nearly hit her friend in the ear.

“Geez, Mila.” Ari ducked. “You could take someone out.”

“You’re gruesome. I don’t want to do that.” She grabbed the ends of her braids and shook her head.

“That tarot reader would probably say you’ll meet a handsome man on vacation and marry him.”

“Probably, but that’ll never happen.” Mila pointed across the street. “Let’s get lunch from World Market again.”

They went to the prepared food counter of the grocery store, which offered better food than the lackluster restaurants they’d tried.

Ari pointed at a row of what looked to Mila like mini pies with flaky crusts and asked for two.

“What are those?" asked Mila.

“They’re feta-cheese-filled pockets of delight with olives and tomatoes.”

Mila’s nose twitched. “Feta? I’ve never had it.”

“Really?" Ari shot her an incredulous look. “Feta is as common to Greeks as frybread is to your people. Trust me. You’ll love it. It’s tangy and delicious.”

“I’m sure. I just never ate it before.”

“You’re in for a treat,” said a man from behind them.

His butter-smooth voice made Mila’s belly tingle. She whipped her head around in surprise, repeating her unintended attack.

Smiling broadly, eyes twinkling with mischief, he snatched her braid before impact. He studied the beaded tie.

“The four directions from Black Elk’s vision.” He nodded. “Wašté.”

Mila looked into his soulful eyes. He’s so familiar. I feel like I know him from another life.

Ari took a step closer to him, fists balled as if ready to punch. “Wash day? Her hair is clean.”

He chuckled deep in his throat and pronounced it again. “Means ‘good.’” He cut a glance at Ari’s hands.

“Oh.” Ari relaxed.

“In Lakota,” Mila said. She held the man’s gaze and felt a heart connection blossom between them. She started to ask what brought him here to Dine’ lands, but his order was ready.

“Back to the gallery.” He took the food and started to go, then turned to Mila. He pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Maybe you’ll come visit me?”

Before Mila could answer, he had gone. She stared down at the paper in her hand.

Ari wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Sparks were flying, girl.”

Mila smiled softly. “He’s so familiar, but I know I’ve never met a painter named Soaring Hawk.”

“Wouldn’t it be hilarious if you met someone on vacation?”

“Oh, stop.” She did feel something, but that didn’t mean anything. “He’s just a nice, handsome man promoting his shop.”

“Mmmm-hmmm.” Ari crossed her arms. “I saw that heart energy flowing between you two, you know.” She took their bag of lunch and started toward the door. “A pink, fizzy cord.”

Mila followed. “Yes, but in just a few days, we’ll be back home, and he’ll be here creating his art like always.”

“So? What if you let yourself enjoy a moment with him, even if that’s all it ever is? Would that be so bad?” She stopped walking and stared Mila down.

“You Greek women are as hard-headed as us Lakota.” But under her friend’s unyielding gaze, she thought about it.

“You have to follow your heart.” Arie stood, hands on hips, an immovable force. “You know I’m right,”

Mila sighed in resignation. But yes, she could enjoy getting to know someone and not worry what, if anything, might come of it.

“You’re right. I can live in the moment.”

“And?”

“And I will follow my heart.”

“My work here is done.” Ari grabbed Mila’s hand, and they strode off together.

They went to Tlaquepaque, an art district on both of their must-see lists. They found an empty table between the stores and enjoyed their lunch. Mila agreed the tart was yummy. The tang of feta and kalamata olives, the sweetness of tomatoes, and the buttery goodness of the crust made a wonderful combination. Intricate works of art for sale in the shops surrounded them, and dozens of chattering tourists walked about or sat at tables.

“This is like a village of museums,” Mila gestured at various animal sculptures nearby, then pointed skyward to spinning metal pinwheels. She knew she looked every bit the tourist as she gaped at the abundant talent on display.

“I hope I can find something Yeye will like.”

Mila cocked her head. “That means grandmother, right?”

“Yes. I’m sure I can find her something unusual here.”

“For sure,” Mila agreed. “Let’s go explore.”

A sign for Soaring Hawk Gallery, bearing a majestic emblem, caught Mila’s eye, and she pointed.

Ari smirked. “Let’s go see your new friend.”

A metal hawk sculpture with outstretched wings hovered just inside the door, suspended on wires.

 “That’s an appropriate greeter,” Ari said.

“And there’s a guardian spirit in it.” Anyone entering the shop was under the watchful eyes of the magnificently detailed bird.

A fair-skinned woman wearing a tie-dye midi dress greeted them and helped Ari find a gift.

Mila went where her senses guided. She breathed deeply of the sweetgrass and cedar incense and meandered among paintings showing various panoramic views and depictions of spirit animals.

He spiritually cleanses this place every day and runs a clean, grounded business.

She felt a pull to a little room at the back of the store. Its entrance behind a screen, she felt it might only show itself to certain people.

A dozen paintings, each showing outer space scenes, hung on the walls. She stood before one showing a ring of mirrors and a lizard dancing away from it. The mirrors reflected the depths of outer space. A line of human-shaped shadows stood watching from the lower left.

Mila hadn’t heard the quiet footsteps of one who, like her, walked gently on Mother Earth. Yet she felt the presence.

He stood close behind her. Subtle scents of lemongrass and citrus tantalized her nose.

“You’re a Traveler from afar, like me.”

He said it with a capital T. Mila always felt she came from somewhere far from earth.

Mila couldn’t form words, so she nodded.

“I knew you would find the Star People’s room. You like these best?”

“Except for the humans.”

Why did I find THOSE words?

He smiled. “I’m Cetan. Hawk in English.”

“I’m Mila. Just Mila.”

“Kimi Mila, the butterfly.”

“My parents enrolled me in school as Kim, but I refuse to go by that, so now, I’m Mila.”

He smiled. “Mine called me Sam for school.” He shrugged.

“Sam fits you about as well as Kim fits me.”

A painting of the Milky Way reflected in a lake caught her eye. “Is this Lake Lakota?”

“Yes. Memories of my boyhood.”

“I lived near there until college.”

Someone called for him, and Cetan looked conflicted.

“Mila, would you like to go for a walk with me? Your friend can come. I’d like to show you the energies at Boynton Canyon Vortex. Tomorrow afternoon?”

Her heart fluttered. “Uh, okay.”

“Call me tonight.” He wrote his number on a business card and handed it to her, then waved and left.

Feeling shocked at herself and a little light-headed, Mila slipped the card into her cell phone case and carried the lake painting to the register.

When Ari finished arranging the shipment to her grandmother, she turned to Mila. “You’re looking pleased with yourself. Hot date ahead?”

The closer they came to the Boynton Canyon Vortex, the more Mila felt the spirals of energy pulling her. Having one masculine and one feminine site, the twisting sensation might twirl left or right. She’d had the same experience at the other vortex sites they’d visited, but those only went one direction.

After the friends parked and got out of the car, Ari said, “I’m going to walk whichever path you two don’t take. I know you’ll be fine, but just text me if you’re in trouble.”

Mila made chicken noises and mimed fluffing protective wings. “Okay, mother hen.” She knew her friend would keep an eye on her from afar.

“There he is.” Ari pointed.

Smiling, Cetan walked toward them, long, black hair flowing in the breeze, beaded blue shirt looking so good against his brown skin.

Mila took unsteady steps toward him. “How does anybody walk a straight line near these vortexes?”

He put strong, steadying hands on her shoulders. “Root yourself and you’ll get used to the spiral pull soon.”

She breathed deeply and imagined a cord from her belly into the earth. Though she wanted to think it helped a little, she still had to focus on walking without veering.

They and the other visitors climbed up a trail where juniper trees twisted under the spiraling vortex energies rather than standing straight.

“I know how they feel,” Mila said. She stopped and asked the juniper’s permission to take a small piece that had already broken off. She left a strand of her hair in exchange for the gift.

Cetan smiled and nodded.

It felt so good to be with a man who understood honoring the old ways. They didn’t say much as they climbed, but each pointed to interesting plants and animals they encountered.

The wind picked up, whipping Mila’s braids.

She stuffed them into her shirt. “I don’t want to hit you in the nose.”

“Brother Wind is playing with us.”

The trail led them to a vast drop of several hundred feet. They stood inches from the edge. Cetan grasped her hand, and they gazed over the precipice at sparse shrubs and sharp rocks far below.

A hawk called out and flew toward them.

“Your friend has come to honor us,” Mila said.

Cetan squeezed her hand and waved to the raptor, which swooped directly over their heads before flying away.

A desire rose within Mila. She wanted to let her body express the swirling of these unique energies.

“Cetan, I have to dance.”

He held her hand over his heart for a moment. “Then, dance on the wind, Kimi Mila.” He stepped back and watched.

Mila felt as if all of nature bore witness to her ritual. After freeing her braids from her blouse, she lifted her arms and followed the rhythm in her soul. Bobbing and turning, leaping, and spinning, she let her spirit express all the longing and happiness she felt. The wind pushed her around, taking part on its terms and in its way.

Dancing on the edge of the cliff with its disastrous drop gave her no fear. She, the land, and the air moved and breathed together in a living prayer.

Turning away from the sheer drop, she saw Cetan dancing as well. His soaring motions, giant leaps, and graceful swoops let his hawk-spirit fly free.

First apart and now together, the hawk and the butterfly leapt and twirled together as if a lifetime of practice had perfected their choreography.

Then, he swept her up into his arms and twirled her around and around.

Once they had finished dancing with the land, the two came to a natural finishing pose, their arms entwining each other and hearts beating as one.