Roman's shoulders twitched. "I... we aren't going anywhere if we can stay with you, Holt."
"I'll be glad to take them to my place," Lacy said.
Holt shook his head. "They're my responsibility, Mayor. This is one I can handle. Want to handle."
She nodded and backed away. He knew her so well. And she knew he was building the bond with Roman even stronger. Besides, these kids were more comfortable with him.
"Okay, let's clear out of here and get a bite to eat. We can talk about what happened over a meal."
Although it was nearly midnight, they found a fast- food restaurant open near the main highway. The four of them scooted into a booth. Soon everyone had steaming cups of cocoa while Roman and Hanna devoured cheeseburgers and fries.
Holt let them eat before he began. "So you lied about your aunt."
"Had to," Roman explained evenly. "We couldn't have stayed, otherwise. You wouldn't have let me alone if you'd known."
"I certainly wouldn't," Lacy said sternly. "How did you live? What did you eat?" She gestured toward Hanna. "How could you do this to your little sis?"
He raised his chin defensively. "I took good care of her. We lived okay on handouts. A couple of restaurants in town gave us their extras. Places like this throw away lots of food. And she had a good lunch at school every day. The state provides."
Lacy felt sick. For a minute she thought she'd burst into tears at the thought of these two going around town scrounging for food. She recalled how Roman had taken the leftover pizza and cake when Holt had moved in. And she remembered the times she'd eaten alone or tossed out bits of edible food, enough for a child's meal. She'd heard about kids like these, but had never imagined them living in her town. Her town.
Under the table Holt slipped his hand around hers and squeezed. He could see her anguish, and his touch said, Take it easy.
"Let's start at the beginning." Holt took a sip of cocoa. "Where'd you come from, Roman? The truth, now."
"L.A."
"Why did you chose this town? Do you have any relatives here?"
Roman shook his head.
Hanna tugged on his sleeve, and he gave her a frown.
"Look, you two are in big trouble," Holt responded tightly when he saw their visual exchange. "It's time you started telling me the truth. Otherwise, I can't help you. I can tell you this. If we don't get something worked out, they'll send you right back to L.A. And there you'll be wards of California."
Hanna tugged on Roman's sleeve again. "We don't want to go back. Tell him."
Roman tried to pull away from her. "Shut up."
"Tell him about—"
"Hanna! Button yo mouth."
"I don't want to go back there." She laid her head on his arm.
Holt's voice was low and firm. "I can only help you if I know the truth."
Roman gazed at Holt, then Lacy, then back to Holt, with a trapped expression in his eyes. He was no longer free, and he knew it. "I'm only doing this because of her. If it was just me, I could make it. But with Hanna, she's just a little kid and needs a better life than this. I hope you understand, Holt. You've got a kid like her and—"
"Tell him, Roman," Hanna whined. "I'm sleepy. I want to go to bed."
Roman took a deep breath and blurted, "Our old man is in your prison. We came to Silver Creek so we could visit him. Mama's gone, and we're all he has left. And he's all we have."
There was a moment of drop-dead silence in the booth. It was an answer that neither Holt nor Lacy had expected.
"Well, that explains some things. And complicates others," Holt said honestly.
"Look, man, don't blame him. This wasn't his idea that we come here. We just decided that we didn't want to be in L.A. without our dad."
"Besides," Hanna piped up, "he got arrested way out here, and who would come see him? He don't know anybody here except us. Please don't let them send us back."
Roman shifted uncomfortably. "I only told you because I thought you might be able to help. You could tell the judge that I've got a job and I'm learning a trade. I'm trying to do better in school."
"I don't know if that's enough," Holt said with a sigh.
"Plus," Lacy added with a proud grin. "We can vouch that Roman's politically active and takes an interest in his new community. I think we have some positive things to tell the judge."
Holt nodded. "We'll see what we can do. For tonight, let's go back to my house and catch some z's. I have a couple of sleeping bags if you kids don't mind sleeping on the floor."
"Sleeping bags?" Hanna's voice was shrill. "Goody!"
As the two kids rushed ahead and climbed into the back seat of the Jeep, Holt draped his arm around Lacy's shoulders. "How could she be so excited to sleep on the floor?"
"It'll probably be the warmest she's been in weeks." Lacy hugged her own arms. "Oh, Holt, they're just so desperate. They need so much. Even Mr. Wise-Guy, Street-Smart Roman needs love."
"Yes, my dear, big-hearted mayor." He chuckled and whispered. "Don't we all?"
She pulled back and looked at him solemnly. "Do you really mean that?"
He looked away. His voice was low. "Yes."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Lacy dressed conservatively for court the next morning. No red tee shirts and jeans today. This was important and serious. She didn't know what the judge would say about these kids and the way they had been living for months, but she wanted to put the best face on the situation and was willing to step forward, if necessary.
As she pulled on a jacket and draped a scarf around her neck, she was reminded of something Annie said about her job as mayor. "Silver Creek is like a child, always demanding attention." Maybe that's what she loved about it. This was her job, but also her 'child' in a way. It was where she wanted to be, not in the corporate world. She just simply loved this little struggling town. And mostly, the people in it.
The plan was to meet Holt and the two errant kids at the courthouse. As she climbed the brick steps, Lacy saw that damned black cat again, running ahead of her. Somehow it slipped through the massive double doors and disappeared.
Lacy paused, expecting someone to shout or yell or recognize the cat in some way. But, nothing. Just a vision in pink coveralls coming in the opposite direction.
"Mornin' Mayor."
"Good morning, June. Did you just see a black cat go into the courthouse?"
June stopped and grinned. "You still visioning that critter?"
"Well, sometimes."
"You still having good luck?"
Lacy shook her head and looked askance. "Um, sometimes. But you know I don't believe that stuff."
"You don't believe a black cat can be good luck as well as bad?"
"What I want is to catch that stray black cat. Before something bad happens."
June moved closer. "Nothing bad can happen as long as Lorena is around."
"Lorena. Is that her name? Who does she belong to?"
June pulled her chin back. "I believe that cat is the spirit of Lorena Humbolt, who was the self-appointed sheriff of Silver Creek a hundred years ago. A distant relative of mine who made her own place in history."
"Now wait a minute, June – " Lacy balked at the spirit story.
June propped her hands on her hips. "Oh yes. Everyone around here knows. Lorena felt protective of the people in this town and always felt guilty that Pancho Villa and his gang kidnapped that girl and took her deep into Mexico. She never returned. Lorena vowed that would never happen again, that she would always protect the people of Silver Creek. She kept a black cat and claimed it was the city's good luck charm. But she kept a gun around as backup."
"June, please. . . " Lacy checked her watch. "I don't have time to listen to this." She paused. "Tell me, where was the good luck when the mines shut down and Silver Creek started this southbound spiral?"
"That's why Lorena came back. To bring us good luck again."
Lacy shook her head in dismay. "Just please, see if someone can catch that feral
cat before she attacks someone."
June shook her head. "She's not going to attack. She represents good things. Let me give you a clue. Daddy is thinking about willing the ranch to Re-grow Silver Creek, that development corporation you started. But there are a few strings attached. If you ever have time," she paused dramatically, "Daddy wants to talk about it. And maybe we should have a lawyer present."
Lacy was stunned. "What? Your daddy . . . the ranch and hot springs? Yes, please, we can meet anytime."
"How about today?" June asked as a challenge.
Lacy couldn't get the words out of her mouth fast enough. She had really let this situation slip through her fingers. It could mean salvation for the town. "Yes absolutely, bring him in this afternoon. Around three. I don't have anything planned."
June pointed a finger. "Right-o. We'll be here."
Lacy headed up the stairs, her head spinning with what might transpire this afternoon with June and her rancher father. She entered the courtroom where Holt stood talking with Roman and Hanna. The kids were spit-polished clean and dressed in new clothes. Hanna's hair was braided and Roman's hair was brushed back.
"You guys look great. Braids, Hanna?"
She nodded happily. "Roman made them. And Sofia gave me the ribbons."
"I love them." Lacy reached down and hugged Hanna. "Everything's going to be all right. You'll see."
Then she looked at Roman. "I see you have even more skills than what Mr. Henderson is teaching you. Good job on those braids."
"I'm going to teach Mr. Henderson to do it so he can fix Sofia's hair. He needs to know how."
They all laughed. Lacy squeezed Holt's hand. "This will be a valuable skill for the daddy of a little girl."
Holt rolled his eyes and squeezed her hand back.
He looked fantastic today in a leather jacket, one that made his shoulders look a mile broad. His eyes were dark and serious. The creases in his tan slacks were razor sharp. Obviously he, too, wanted to impress the judge when he made his appearance before the bench.
What he did right now, though, was impress the devil out of her. Lacy remembered how he'd garnered her attention and admiration in her office when he was interviewed… and a thousand beautiful moments ago when they were alone together, or naked sitting by the window with rain falling outside or making love in her sanctuary bedroom. She took a deep breath and shook the images off. Today was important for these kids and she needed to stay focused.
Holt's positive attitude engulfed her with the most valuable asset he owned. Hope. She clung to that. And maybe just a little to the potential good luck promised by the stray cat. Right now, she wanted to believe, just a little bit.
In a few minutes, the judge entered and the proceedings began. Holt and Lacy stood before the judge, flushed, nervously exchanging glances and tight smiles. Roman wore a new shirt, and it took Lacy a minute to recognize it as one of Holt's.
Hanna's braids were decorated with a bright red bow at the end of each one. She had this bizarre image of Roman hovering clumsily over the little girl's hairdo.
The sheriff's deputy presented a folder of papers explaining the Barrios children's case, and the mood became somber. Judge Corona studied the papers through wire-rimmed glasses, then lowered them to scrutinize the group. "These kids spent the night with you, Mr. Henderson?"
"Yes,Your Honor."
"Any problems with them?"
"No ma'am. Not a bit. I've known them for some time, and we get along well. We have a good rapport. They're really good kids." Holt cleared his throat. "But there's more to their situation than what's written in the report you're reading."
Judge Corona turned the corners of her mouth downward. "Oh, really? What's that?"
"We have learned that Manuel Barrios, their father, is in the prison here. He's serving one to five years for transporting stolen goods across state lines. The reason Roman and Hanna came to Silver Creek in the first place was to be able to see their dad on visiting days."
"Well, well, well, this is new information, indeed." The judge folded her arms and leaned forward on the desk. "During this time, they've been living in an empty house. No supervision whatsoever?" Her gaze went from Roman to Hanna. "This little girl has been living like a homeless waif?"
"No, ma'am." Roman took the defensive. "I took good care of her. She ate three squares a day and had a roof over her head."
"And just what did you plan on doing to keep her warm later this winter?"
"Well, I, uh, hadn't planned that far ahead. But I'll find her someplace warm."
"Who braided her hair?" Judge Corona wore a half-smile.
"I did, Your Honor," Roman said.
She nodded silently.
"I have a suggestion, Your Honor," Holt said, stepping forward to drape his arm around Roman's shoulders. "These children have no real home. Back in L. A. they were living with an elderly aunt while their father was in prison here. If we can arrange it, they're better off staying here in Silver Creek so they can have some relationship with their only living parent, their father. Apparently the man does care for his children. Obviously they care for him."
"In my opinion, loving and taking care of your children are two different things." Judge Corona looked stern, obviously taking her job seriously. "So what's your suggestion, Mr. Henderson?"
"I'd like to have temporary custody and keep them in my home until their father can take over as he should. With good time, he'll be getting out of prison in another year and a half, at most. I know these kids. I care what happens to them. Roman has worked for me after school for over a month. And I have a little girl around Hanna's age. They'll do fine together."
"Foster care, eh?" Judge Corona leaned back and evaluated the situation. "That'll require a social worker to investigate your home, Holt. But I can tell you right now, the fact that you don't have a wife, a real family, won't set well with the state agency."
"But we are a family," he objected. "Sofia and me and Mrs. Carson and Lacy and. . . everyone."
"You know what I mean, Holt. 'It takes a village' doesn't count here." The judge spoke in a monotone. "What Child Welfare might suggest is that the children stay in foster care in Tucson since we don't have such a service here. Then maybe they can visit their father occasionally."
Lacy stepped forward. "But what if he has a wife? Would that count as a real family? Make a difference to Child Welfare?"
Judge Corona lifted her head and leaned back. "What are you saying, Lacy? You?"
"Yes Your Honor. Me," she said proudly, and slipped her hand into Holt's. "If . . . you were speaking the truth."
Every eye in the small courtroom turned to them. And the low chattering hushed to silence.
"Why, Lacy, this is quite a surprise," the judge said.
"I know." She giggled nervously. "It is to me, too. But I like to keep everyone on their toes."
"Well, I'd say you've just knocked us back on our heels. First these kids, then a marriage. Are you sure?"
She smiled up at Holt. "Very sure. Never more sure about anything in my life."
"Yo, man, what a scene!" Roman said excitedly. "We just got ourselves a real family."
"And I just got myself a bunch of kids," she said laughingly. "If Holt will agree."
"Was that a marriage proposal?" he asked, then looked at the judge. "In front of witnesses Your Honor."
"When do you plan to make this all legal and proper?" the judge asked. "I need to notify Child Welfare."
Lacy shrugged. "As you can tell, there is no plan. But I'd say as soon as possible. If the potential-groom agrees."
"I more than agree." Holt put an arm around Lacy. "Judge, do you mind if I kiss the bride-to-be?"
His kiss was deep and meaningful, but much too short for Lacy's liking. She smiled at him, her devious mind concocting another scheme, this one the wildest yet. Lacy turned to the judge. "Lena, er… Judge Corona, do you have the legal power to marry someone?"
"Well, it's not the usual sort of thing a
juvenile judge does, but... I do have that vested power."
"Great! How about this afternoon at my house? And bring along whatever papers you need to make a marriage official and legal. Can we get the license now? We'll provide the witnesses. I've got to call Annie." She paused to giggle. "Won't she be surprised? And don't worry about the text. We'll provide the words of commitment."
Holt blinked and looked down at her. "You sure? Today?"
"Never more. Are you?" Her head reeled with happiness. Was this happening, really happening? Was it happening now? Would she have a husband and extended family before sundown?
"Can't fight the powers of love." Holt kept one arm around Lacy and placed a hand on Roman's shoulder. "If we do this today, can we keep the kids?"
"With both of you so committed, I don't see how I can keep you from it."
Lacy raced home to get ready for a wedding, calling Annie along the way. "Get here quick. I'm going to do it."
"Do what? Take a pup?"
"No! Not a pup! I'm going to get married. To Holt and – oh damn, just get here quickly. I'll tell you all about it. And wear something decent for the wedding."
"How about a reception?"
"Hmmm, haven't thought about that."
"Not to worry. I'll bring something. Lacy, stop a minute. Are you sure?"
"I am. I love him. . . more than I ever thought possible. And I want you to stand with me."
Under The Desert Sky (Desert Sky Series) Page 18