She almost lost her nerve, but she deserved to know why he’d skipped out on her so fast. “What happened last night? Why did you have to leave?”
“Jarrod asked me to keep an eye on some of the boys at the home. One of them texted me about some trouble that was going down.”
This was why she couldn’t let herself fall in love with him again. It was just like Tony to go rushing off to help other people, even when he wasn’t on the job. Wasn’t he helping out a kid when he got shot?
Tony’s phone rang and he glanced at the caller ID. Whoever it was, Tony didn’t look excited about talking to them. “I really have to take this. It’s my captain.”
Why was his work calling him if he wasn’t due back for three more weeks? She stepped far enough away to give him some measure of privacy, but still hear the gist of the conversation.
“Hello, Captain Rodriguez,” Tony answered quickly. A smile broke out a few moments later. “That’s fantastic. Thank you.”
A short silence followed and Sabrina felt his eyes on her. “I appreciate the opportunity, sir. Can I think about it and get back to you?”
He ended the call and leaned against her car.
“Good news?”
“Yes. The mayor was pushing for an investigation and threatening to file charges against me. He’s dropped them.”
“Why would he want to do that? What did he accuse you of doing?”
Tony ran a hand through his hair. “He’s been pushing an anti-gang coalition. I talked Mr. Chan out of pressing charges against the teen who tried to rob his store. The mayor thought I was too close to some of the gang members and accused me of hampering the investigation.”
“Is that true?” Her pulse roared. How close was too close to gang members?
“Adolfo wasn’t a gang member yet. I was trying to get to him before the leader of one of the gangs did. Adolfo volunteered to wear a wire and help bring him down.”
Sabrina swallowed. How much more dangerous could his work be? “The mayor dropped his charges. That means your job isn’t in any danger, right?”
Tony smiled, excitement hummed in the air. “Better than that. Adolfo and several others came forward because of the relationship I’d developed with them. The captain had no idea how much influence I had over some of the kids. Not only does he want to give me a promotion, he wants me to lead my own undercover task force.”
Sabrina’s heart went from racing to stopping. Undercover? That was the most dangerous thing there was. She pasted a smile on her face. “Congratulations.”
He nudged her. “How about going out with me on Friday night? There’s supposed to be a great band playing in Llano this weekend. We can celebrate.”
“I can’t. I’m working all weekend.” Dancing together at Little Mountain had unnerved her and that had just been one dance. An entire night of dancing with him? Nope. She couldn’t do it. Especially when she felt like he’d just signed his own death warrant.
Tony’s face fell. “Okay.”
Levi looked up, a chunk of wood in one hand and a pocketknife in the other. Piles of wood shavings littered the ground.
“Hola, Mom.” Levi hopped up. “That’s Spanish for hello. Abuela is teaching me.”
“Muy bien,” Sabrina said. “That’s Spanish for very good. Are you ready to go?”
“I gotta get my stuff.” He ran into the house.
She let out a sigh of relief. Although things weren’t completely back to normal, they were better. Tony had been right. Once she put her foot down, Levi’s bad behavior stopped. Tony’d had something to do with it, as well.
Elaina stepped out on the porch. “Hello, Sabrina.”
The tension in her shoulders relaxed. They didn’t seem angry with her. She hadn’t seen them since that day at the hospital. Before they found out about Levi.
“I’m ready.” Levi bounded out the door with a bagful of chocolate chip cookies.
“What’s that?” Sabrina stared at his hand.
“Your favorite.” Abuela gave Sabrina a hug. “Levi and I made them special for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I told you they weren’t mad at you,” Tony whispered in her ear as he walked her and Levi to her car. He opened the door for her. “It looks like Levi’s not, either.”
“Mom, can we go with Tony to the barbeque next weekend? They’re even having fireworks.” Levi fastened his seat belt.
Sabrina shot Tony a look. “Are you volunteering at the barbeque?”
The annual Little Mountain Barbeque had been the topic of the town for a week. Held at the regional park, the children set up a booth to sell handmade arts and crafts and the money raised from the barbeque made it the biggest fundraiser of the year. The addition of a talent show, open to the public, was supposed to bring people in from all the neighboring counties.
“Yes.” Tony leaned against the side of the car. “What did you get wrangled into doing?”
“Actually, nothing.” She pushed a lock of hair back up into her bun. “I have a previous engagement that I couldn’t get out of, so I’ll be attending as a spectator only. By the way, Dad is plowing a new field tomorrow and won’t be back after lunch. Can you babysit Levi all day tomorrow?”
Tony flinched. He leaned forward and spoke too low for Levi to hear. “He’s my son. It’s not babysitting. And he comes first. Always.”
She wasn’t going to argue with him in his grandparents’ driveway. “Except when duty calls,” she said softly.
The muscles in his jaw twitched. He only gritted his teeth when he was upset. It seemed like he did that a lot around her. Maybe she should cut him some slack.
“Mom,” Levi groaned from the passenger seat of the car as soon as they’d pulled out of the driveway. “I’m not a baby.”
His face was red and she knew she’d embarrassed him in front of Tony. “No, but Grandpa is going to be out in the fields all day. You can’t stay home alone.”
“I’m big enough to stay by myself.” He groaned.
“The last time I let you stay alone, I came home and you had a fat lip and a black eye.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “That was a long time ago. Besides, that was in Houston. Who am I going to get in a fight with? The chickens?”
She smiled at his scowl. “I know you’re big enough to stay by yourself. But you’re not used to living in the country. Lots of things could happen and you won’t know what to do.”
“Like what?”
“One of Grandpa’s cows could break through the fence and get stuck in the yard. The rooster might want to use you for a flogging post. You could wander out in the pasture and step in a prairie dog hole and break your ankle. You could get bit by a rattlesnake. You could—”
“All right, all right.” Levi waved his hands at her. “I get it.”
“Good.” She nodded. “Because Tony is picking you up again in the morning.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
IT WAS FRIDAY before the barbeque. Tony’s time was almost up. Sabrina had tossed and turned all night, thinking about what Tony had said the week before. An undercover task force. Just the word undercover sent her heart into a frenzy. What if something happened to him? Levi was barely getting his emotions back under control. Levi would never be the same. She had to put a stop to this now.
As soon as got off work, she drove straight to the Montoya house.
“Sabrina, what a nice surprise.” Elaina greeted her with a kiss to the cheek. “Tony and Levi are in the backyard building a rabbit hutch.”
“Thanks. I know the way.” She walked around to the back of the house.
Tony was helping Levi measure for a side wall of the hutch. He was the perfect teacher. Slow. Patient. He’d be the perfect father if he didn’t like putting himself in a position to get shot a
ll the time.
Could she blame him for wanting to return to a job he loved? No. She’d heard the pride in his voice when he talked to the kids at Little Mountain about boys who’d gotten out of gangs with his help. Not bragging, though. He never boasted or implied that he’d rescued them from gangs. In his stories, the boys were the heroes for being brave enough to want more from life.
If only he wanted to stay in Salt Creek. But there was nothing for him here and it was selfish of her to want him to stay.
“Hi, Mom.” Levi saw her watching from the corner.
“Hi, Levi. You better run inside and get your stuff.”
Tony watched her with narrowed eyes. “I know that tone. What’s wrong?”
As soon as Levi left, she pasted on her best smile. “I’m sorry, Tony. But Levi won’t be able to go with you to the fireworks tonight.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“I have some friends from Houston who are coming down for the barbeque.” She held her breath.
Tony’s eyes narrowed. “That’s okay. I’ll take Levi so you can spend time with your friends.”
The word friends dripped with sarcasm. “You don’t understand. They want to see Levi, too.”
Tony’s jaw clenched, but he nodded. “Fine. I’ll pick him up in the morning.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Actually, Levi won’t be available until Monday. I’m sorry.”
“I’m getting some pretty intense vibes from you. Did I do something wrong?”
“No.” Sabrina’s stomach flipped. “You’ve spent every day with Levi, but when we get visitation set up, you’re both going to have to adjust to seeing each other occasionally.”
“Visitation?” Tony snapped to attention. “I thought we were doing okay. Since when do we need to establish visitation?”
“I think it’s past time we do. That way Levi will always know what to expect.”
“Is that really what you want?” Tony stood rigid.
Crossing her arms, she looked him in the eye. “Yes. It is.”
“Fine. I’ll see Levi Monday morning.” She went out to the car to wait for Levi. He jumped in the car. “Tony said I couldn’t go to the fireworks with him tonight. Why not?”
“Julie and Craig will be here this afternoon. They wanted to take us to dinner and to the fireworks. You don’t mind, do you?”
Levi’s eyes lit up. “No, it’s okay. I see Tony all the time. What time will they be here?”
Sabrina backed out of the driveway and headed for home. How could she tell him that he wouldn’t be seeing Tony as often? Would his anger return?
* * *
TONY SLAMMED HIS palm against the rabbit hutch. His frustration turned to anger. What had he done to cause Sabrina to threaten him with visitation? Visitation. The word left a sour taste in his mouth. He didn’t need a judge to tell him when he could and couldn’t see his son.
The rancor in her voice had surprised him. Had he been fooling himself into thinking they might have a chance? And who were these friends who had come to visit?
His phone chimed. I need an extra set of eyes at the fireworks tonight. You in? Don’t let me down.
After a quick text conversation, Tony discovered that Jarrod had received a tip that something was going down at the fireworks tonight. Tony really hoped it was more than a gut feeling and rumors overheard by his teenage son. Jarrod would be tailing Nick Johnson all night and was counting on Tony to keep an eye on Martin.
In the mood he was in, he didn’t want to be around anyone. He’d rather sit at home and wallow in self-pity. The realization hit him hard. When did he start hiding from his problems? Maybe an evening with the boys was exactly what he needed to remind him of what he needed.
He stared at the screen, and before he could change his mind, he typed, I’ll be there.
* * *
THE PARKING LOT of Little Mountain was a whirl of activity. Three vans with the home’s logo on the side were parked together. Tony pulled his SUV in behind them. He inhaled deeply, waiting for the tightening in his chest to disappear.
A bang made him jump. Kyle leaned over the hood of his vehicle, his hands tapping the metal like a drum.
Tony opened the door and got out, forcing a smile onto his face. “Hey, Kyle. Trying to give me a heart attack?”
“Tony!” Kyle jogged around to his door and bumped fists with him. “I didn’t know you were going with us tonight.”
“Ready for some fireworks?” Pretend everything is okay. He could do this. After all, he’d had plenty of practice pretending everything was fine. For years, he’d managed to convince his teachers that his home life was as normal as the next kid’s.
Kyle shook his head. “The girls are gonna make us late. Why do they have to take so long?”
“Might as well get used to it.” Out of the corner of his eye, Tony saw Martin watching him.
The kid hung back from the others, a look of trepidation on his face. Tony approached him. “Hey, man. You okay?”
Martin’s dark eyes dropped to the ground. “Yeah.” He leaned against the van with his arms crossed over his chest. There was a wall around him screaming “Keep away.”
Tony walked on to the next kid, stopping and chatting with all of them, but never letting Martin out of his sight. Something was going on with him. Tony would keep a close eye on him tonight.
Once they made it to the park, Tony and the other chaperones ambled through the park with four teenagers each. Music blared from the outdoor stage and the smells of popcorn, cotton candy and caramel apples bombarded his senses. He couldn’t believe how many people had showed up to support the children’s home. People jostled everywhere, trying to get a good seat for the talent show.
The constant push of the crowd had Tony on high alert. Crowds provided cover for activities that would seem suspicious elsewhere. The boys ahead of him joked and punched each other. Except for Martin, who hung back searching the crowd.
Up ahead, Tony caught a glimpse of Nick. Martin hurried to join the boys in front of him, suddenly eager to get in on the festivities. What was he up to? Tony recognized a distraction when he saw it. The boys stopped to check out a sunglasses booth and Tony stood back so he could keep an eye on all of them.
Nick stood at the booth closest to them, closely examining a leather belt. Martin’s shoulder brushed against Nick’s, but the two boys ignored each other. Tony’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t miss the exchange of a small plastic bag between them. Now, for the distraction.
It didn’t take long. Martin popped a goofy pair of sunglasses on his head. “How do these look on me?” His loud voice drew attention while Nick slipped away.
Tony pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and sent Jarrod a text. You’re right. Package delivered.
Seconds later his phone buzzed. Thanks. I’ll take it from here.
The boys continued perusing the booths as they made their way through the park. Patriotic music blasted through speakers, signaling that the fireworks were about to begin so Tony and the boys found an empty area in the grass and sat down.
Tony continued to scan the area. Dozens of couples were scattered around the grass, cuddling together to watch the night sky, but one couple at the far end of the park drew his attention. Something about the woman, as she wrapped her arms around a man and hugged him.
He directed the teens through the crowd, closer to the couple. The man said something in her ear and her musical laugh drifted above the noise of the crowd. Sabrina’s laughter.
Tony’s blood ran cold. Her shoulders were missing the tension he’d become accustomed to seeing. Who was the man she was so completely relaxed with? Was this Craig?
Levi sat cross-legged by their feet, munching on popcorn and watching the fireworks. He turned and said something to the man. Tony couldn’t hea
r what was said over the pounding in his ears. His breath came in short gasps. The temper he’d been able to control for years flared and he’d never wanted so badly to punch something.
He turned his attention back to the boys.
“You okay, man?” Kyle held out a bag of popcorn.
Tony took a handful. “Fine.”
The sky lit up with a dazzling display of colors, but Tony wasn’t able to appreciate it. His eyes kept drifting to Sabrina.
Halfway through the show, she got up and strolled down the pathway toward the portable bathrooms. He got the attention of another chaperone. “I’ll be right back. Watch the kids for me.” Before he could talk himself out of it, Tony jumped up and followed her. Surprise flickered across her face when she saw him. “Tony. Hi.”
“You neglected to mention that your friend from Houston was a man. Is he your boyfriend?”
Her head whipped around. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“So you get that cozy with every man you hang around with?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them.
Her nostrils flared. “What I do and who I do it with are my own business.” Tossing her long hair over her shoulder, she pushed her way through the crowd.
Tony clenched his fist and walked in circles. His pulse thundering in his ears was louder than the fireworks.
“Excuse me,” a voice behind him said. “Are you Tony?”
The woman standing in front of him smiled. Dark brown hair hung in curls around her face. “Yes. I’m sorry, do I know you?”
Her mouth, a tad too wide for her narrow face, grinned. “I knew it had to be you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Who are you?” The woman seemed friendly enough, but she wasn’t very good at answering questions.
“I’m Julie,” she said, like he should know who she was.
“Have we met?”
“Oh, no. Never.” Julie waved her hand at him. “I’m a friend of Sabrina’s. Levi looks just like you, so I knew it had to be you.”
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