“You kept a picture of us?” That had to mean something. “How’d he take it?”
“Not well. He wouldn’t even speak to me before he left with my dad.”
“He’s probably mad at me, too.” Tony sank back onto the sofa.
“No. He knows I kept the truth from you.” She fought back a sob. “He said he hates me.”
Her tears were too much for him and he wrapped his arms around her. “You must be doing something right, then. Don’t all kids hate their parents at least once a week?”
A small laugh escaped between the tears. “I guess. My dad said he’ll get over it. But it hurts so much.”
He stroked her head, the blond tresses like silk under his fingers. She was the one who’d lied to him and kept him from his son for almost ten years, but here he was, comforting her. How’d that happen?
“Can’t you understand what I’m scared of? Even a little bit? You’re here now. But what will happen when you’re not?”
“I’m not going anywhere. I want to be a part of his life. Whatever your terms are. Whatever you want.”
Sabrina leaned her head back to look up at him, her hand resting on his chest. “Fine. On two conditions. One, you never lie to him. And two...don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“Done.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
IT WAS ALMOST three o’clock in the afternoon when her dad’s dusty Ford bounced down the road to the farm. The flatbed trailer behind it carried his finds from the auction. Sabrina waited on the porch, unsure if she should greet Levi, or let him say something first.
The heat was unbearable and sweat dripped down her neck. She wasn’t sure if she’d make an entire summer with no air-conditioning. Levi slammed the door to the truck and stopped at the gate. She held her breath. He walked by her without a word. A few seconds later, the door to the bathroom slammed shut.
Dad strolled up the walk and stopped in front of him. “Things are going to be okay. Did you talk to Tony?”
“Yes. He’s coming to dinner tonight to meet Levi officially.”
“I think I’ll go to Arnold’s and have dinner with him and his wife. I haven’t seen them in a while.” He took his cap off and dusted it off against his pants. “I’ll get all the feeding done early, but make sure Levi still does his chores. I’ll unload the trailer tomorrow.”
Sabrina heard the toilet flush, followed by the sound of running water.
“Be careful going to San Saba.”
Levi perked his head up. “You’re going to San Saba? Can I go?”
“No, Levi,” Dad told him. “You need to stay here and do what I said.”
Levi’s gaze darted back and forth between his grandfather and his mother. “Hi, Mom.” His welcome lacked warmth, but at least it wasn’t dripping with anger.
“Did you have a good trip?”
He shrugged, looking down at the ground.
She stepped toward him and placed her hands on his shoulder. He didn’t push her away or take off, so maybe there was hope. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I want to say I was trying to protect you, but I think that would be another lie. I was trying to protect myself. And that was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Levi lifted his chin. “Protect yourself from what? Is Tony a bad guy?”
“Not at all.” She tried to think of an easy way to explain love and fear to a child. “You know the way you felt yesterday? When you found out I lied to you? Well, that’s how Tony made me feel once. But instead of talking about it with him, I ran away. And I was so scared of feeling that way again, I lied to everyone.”
“Does he still make you feel like that?”
A flashback of yesterday’s kiss went through her mind and her heart did a little stutter. “No. And if I had talked to him about how I felt before, things wouldn’t have gotten so messed up.”
“Grandpa said you were going to talk to him while we were gone.”
“I did.”
Levi looked over her shoulder toward the house and back to the driveway. “You told him and he doesn’t want me.” His chest heaved.
“No. Why would you think that?”
“Then how come he isn’t here?”
She clasped her hands together. “He’s coming over tonight to talk to you. That’s why Grandpa wouldn’t let you go to San Saba with him.”
Levi’s lip stopped quivering. “Really?”
Sabrina stared at her son. Anticipation replaced anger in the blink of an eye. If he could get excited that quickly, how much faster could he be crushed? She was trying to do the right thing but looking at her son’s hopeful expression reminded her how fragile his ego was.
She waved her hand at the door. “He’s coming for supper. Now go do your chores and I’ll start cooking.”
He paused in the doorway to look back at her. “Do you think he’ll like me?”
Sabrina took a deep breath. “He already does.”
With that, Levi sprinted to the barn to gather the eggs and lock up the chicken coop.
As she started cooking, she tried to keep her panic under control. Levi paced around the house like a caged lion, asking question after question about Tony. Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Go get in the shower so you don’t have to do it after he gets here. That way, you can stay up as late as you want.”
Levi froze. “You’re gonna let me stay up past my bedtime?”
“Yes. Only if you go take a shower right now.”
A couple of minutes later, gravel crunched in the driveway signaling Tony’s arrival. After checking her hair, she met him on the porch. He smiled as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hi.”
Goodness, he looked nice. A light blue shirt tucked into black slacks, emphasizing the muscular figure beneath the clothes. He’d even gotten a haircut. She bit back a smile as he rocked back and forth on his feet. She’d never seen him so nervous. “Levi’s in the bath right now.”
Tony shifted from foot to foot. “Does he think I abandoned him?”
She shook her head. “No. He’s very excited about meeting you.” Too excited.
* * *
HE WAS AT a loss for words as he looked at the woman in front of him. Her long hair was piled on top of her head in a messy semblance of a bun. An apron was tied around her waist and the smell of fried chicken followed her through the air. With her hands on her hips, she blocked his entrance into the house.
Before she could voice whatever was on her mind, a slamming door made them both jump. Levi came out to stand between them, his dark hair still wet. “Oh. Hey. I didn’t know you were here.” He eyed Tony for a moment. “Mom, I think the chicken is burning.”
“Oh, marmalade!” Turning, she ran into the kitchen, leaving Tony and Levi alone.
Levi rocked back and forth on his bare feet. “So you’re my dad. What am I supposed to call you?”
Tony swallowed. He’d approach him like he did the teens he worked with. Trust had to be earned. “How about what you called me before? Tony. I’d really like the chance to get to know you. To be your dad. But you don’t have to call me anything you don’t want to.”
The boy studied him through narrowed hazel eyes. The same color he shared with Abuela. Tony stood up tall, waiting for Levi to finish his inspection. What did Levi think of him?
“We better go inside. Mom thinks she makes good fried chicken, but she really doesn’t.” The last part came out in a whisper.
Tony chuckled and followed Levi through the living room into the kitchen. The house had changed since the last time he’d been there. An alcove had been added onto the end of the large country kitchen to hold the dining room table. The door to an additional room was open. Must be Levi’s room. Unless Sabrina had taken a liking to race cars.
Sabrina eyed them su
spiciously. “Go ahead and sit down. It’s almost ready.”
Sitting in the chair next to him, Levi propped his head up his hands, his elbows resting on the table. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“No. I’m an only child.” At least as far as he knew. His father had married shortly after abandoning him and his mother. No telling if they had children or not. Tony didn’t want to know.
Levi spooned some mashed potatoes on his plate. “Did you want kids?”
Tony gave Sabrina a wary look. “I always wanted kids, but I told everyone I didn’t. I think that’s why your mom was afraid to tell me about you. She was afraid I’d be mad and not want you.”
“So you lied about wanting kids, and mom lied about the one she had.” Levi wrinkled his nose. “It looks like my entire family is a bunch of liars.”
“Levi Michael Davis,” Sabrina snapped. “That was rude. Apologize now.”
Tony lifted his hand. “It’s okay, Sabrina. He’s right. Maybe it’ll teach him to always be honest about his feelings. No matter what.”
“Why did you lie about wanting kids?” Levi wasn’t ready to let the subject go.
“My mom died when I was young and I never really knew my dad. He left when I was very young.” Tony buttered a piece of bread and took his time answering the question. “I was afraid that I wouldn’t be a very good dad. I was so scared of it that I tried to convince myself I didn’t want kids.”
Levi asked questions between bites of food. Sabrina sat across the table from Levi and shook her head slightly as if to apologize. Tony gave her a slight smile.
At the end of the meal, Sabrina began clearing the dishes away and Tony turned to Levi. “My grandparents are dying to meet you. Do you think that’d be okay?”
“Can I, Mom?” His face was hopeful as he turned toward Sabrina.
She nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Tony relaxed. He’d worried she might be difficult about letting his grandparents know. “I’d like to pick him up for breakfast in the morning, if I could. I’ll have him back whenever you say.”
Sabrina shifted in her chair. “I have to work until two. I guess I could pick him up when I get off work.”
What? She was letting him take Levi without an argument. This was going far better than he’d hoped.
“I better clean up. Dad will be home soon. Why don’t you two go into the living room? Levi, you can teach him that new card game.”
Levi hurried to the living room to set up the game on the coffee table. Tony pushed his chair in and carried his plate to the sink. “Thank you. You could’ve turned him against me, but you didn’t.”
Sabrina toyed with the ring on her finger. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Levi. If he thought his father was a bad person, he might think that made him bad, too.”
“Whatever your reasons, thank you.”
“I’m ready,” Levi called. “Mom, you play, too. It’s more fun with three people. I’ll help with dishes later, I promise.”
Sabrina shot Tony a look of defeat. “Okay, Levi. I’ll be right there.”
Two rounds later, Tony had figured out the strategy of the game. He was just about to play his final card when Sabrina’s cell phone rang.
She stepped out of the room, but not before Tony heard her say, “Hi, Craig.”
Levi won the next three games, as well. Tony couldn’t pay attention. He was too busy trying to eavesdrop on Sabrina’s conversation. Jealousy was not something he’d ever been prone to, even in high school, but then again, he’d never been fighting to win Sabrina’s affections back.
The rumble of a truck engine got closer. Robert must be coming home. Funny, he’d been so worried about meeting Levi, he’d forgotten about Robert.
“I better get home. What time do you get up? I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
“I get up with the chickens.” Levi grinned.
“That early?” Tony laughed. “What time would you like me to pick you up for breakfast?”
“He usually eats around seven thirty.” Robert stood at the doorway. For once, he wasn’t glaring at Tony. “How are you?”
Tony jumped to his feet. “Fine, sir.” He stepped around the coffee table to shake Robert’s hand. “Thanks for letting me come over this evening.”
Robert hung his hat up on the antlers on the wall. “You lock up the chickens?”
“Yes, sir.” Levi imitated Tony’s stiff stance. “Fed them, too, and made sure there was water in all the troughs.”
“Good man.” Robert ruffled the boy’s hair. “Almost bedtime. You better go brush your teeth.”
A burning sensation traveled from Tony’s stomach to his chest. Pure jealousy. He should be the one getting Levi ready for bed. The one tucking him in. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.” Levi took a step toward him and then paused. “Good night.” Turning, he headed back through the kitchen. He disappeared into the bedroom that’d been added onto the house.
“Good night.” Tony nodded to Robert. “Tell Sabrina she can pick him up at my grandparents’ house when she gets off work.”
Sabrina was still on the phone when Tony left.
* * *
AS SOON AS she heard Tony drive away, Sabrina came back into the living room. Her call had ended fifteen minutes before, but she wasn’t ready to face Tony yet. Her heart had jumped in her chest when he looked at her across the coffee table during their card game... She shivered. What was he trying to do to her?
Levi emerged from the bathroom. “I forgot, I promised to help you with the dishes.”
“It’s okay. I’ll do them. I’m going to be up awhile, anyway.” Like she could sleep now.
He threw his arms around her waist and hugged her. “Thanks, Mom.”
At nine years old, his hugs were getting scarce so she pulled him tight. “You’re welcome. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
He waited for Levi’s door to close. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Me, too.” If only she had a crystal ball and could look into the future.
“I picked up the mail earlier.” He tossed some envelopes on the kitchen table. “There’s some for you.”
She sank into a kitchen chair and flipped through the mail. Her fingers stopped on a cream-colored envelope from the closest junior college. What if her credits didn’t transfer? Could she retake the courses and apply again?
She slid the envelope open. Yes! Everything had transferred and her application for admission to the college had been approved. Now she could submit her packet to the nursing program. By the time she got finished with the application process, her six-month probation period with Little Mountain would be complete and the bonus they promised her would cover the first semester of the two year program.
Dad had already turned off the living room lights and gone to bed, and the house was quiet. Trudging down the hall, she pulled a ledger from her nightstand. The original balance had been just large enough to disqualify her from financial aid and grants for school, but not large enough to pay for tuition and living expenses.
While she lived in Houston, she’d taken only one or two classes a semester. She worked enough hours to pay for her rent and living expenses and she’d only used her savings to pay tuition. She’d been able to stretch the money to complete her prerequisite classes. Of course, the process had taken her six years instead of two.
Once she got into the nursing program, she wouldn’t be able to work full-time. The program was too demanding. She’d planned to use what was left of her money for tuition and living expenses. The balance jumped off the page at her. She was going to have to come up with another plan. And fast.
The shrill ring of the phone made her jump. She hurried to answer before it woke Levi or her father
. It had to be a wrong number. No one called this late.
“Hello?” she whispered.
“Oh, good, you’re off the phone.” Tony’s rich timbre came across the line.
Was he calling to cancel the breakfast plans? “Yes. What do you need?”
“I thought I’d give you my cell phone number, in case you wanted to call and check in with Levi tomorrow.”
Oh. That was thoughtful. “Sure, okay. What is it?” She jotted down the number he gave her on a pad hanging on the wall.
“Could I get your cell number?”
She bit her bottom lip. Why did it seem like a big deal to give him her number? Her insides quivered like a schoolgirl with her first crush. She rattled off the number. “I won’t be able to answer my personal phone at work. But you know the number of Little Mountain if you need it.”
“Thanks.”
Sabrina waited but he didn’t say anything else. “Anything else?”
Tony sighed. “Who’s Craig?”
Was he jealous? “A friend I worked with in Houston.”
“A good friend?”
Yes. He was definitely jealous. “One of my best friends. I forgot to ask, how are your ribs? You’re not playing basketball anymore, are you?”
He chuckled. “A few aches and pains, but I think as long as I stay off the court, I should be recovered in no time.”
She bit her lip. “When are you supposed to go back to work?” What she really wanted to know was what his plans were when that day arrived.
“I go for a reevaluation at the end of August. Then they’ll decide when I can go back to work.”
“Are you taking any pain medication?”
Very few people knew the truth about Tony’s past. But Sabrina did. His entire childhood had been spent taking care of his drug-addicted mother. He avoided any type of drug at all, even for pain.
“I don’t take pills.”
She nodded. “They’re not all bad. Sometimes they help, you know.”
“Children of addicts are more likely to become addicts themselves.”
“But not all. If you were predisposed to be an addict, I think it would’ve shown up by now.”
Her Texas Rebel Page 15