A Texas Child

by Linda Warren

  Leaning forward, Myra could see a video playing of them driving in and Marco’s men shooting at them; the whole scene was there. The kid who owned the car must have taken it. Probably to put up on YouTube.

  “I apologize for any inconvenience or disturbance this may have caused,” Levi said. “As you can see we were literally racing for our lives.”

  “Sí. We like to maintain a good relationship with our friends in Texas and with the FBI.” Sergio tapped his fingers on the desk. “You and the child are free to go, but do not return to Mexico anytime soon.”

  “Thank you. Señor, I hate to ask another favor.” Levi picked up the phone from the desk. “But the car belongs to a young man who is outside. I borrowed it from him to get here. Can he please have it back? He knew nothing of what was happening.”

  Sergio sighed heavily. “His car will be waiting in the parking lot.”

  Levi held out his hand. “Thank you.” They shook hands and everyone added their thanks and appreciation. After exiting the room, Levi rushed over to the young couple and returned the phone. Myra was amazed at his ability to convince and con people, but in Levi’s case, it was always in a good way. He was genuinely concerned about Aaron and Amber.

  Steve cleared them through U.S. customs and they wasted no time in making their way to the helicopter. Daniel woke up as they boarded. His schedule was so mixed up; he was sleeping in spurts.

  The chopper lifted off and Myra sagged with relief. They were back in Texas. Going home. And they had recovered Daniel just like they had set out to do. But it would never have happened if it had not been for Levi’s cunningness. He was an amazing man. She’d known that, though, from the first moment she’d met him years ago. How she wished there was a way to go back and undo all her mistakes.

  But life wasn’t that easy.

  * * *

  THE EASY RHYTHM of the chopper was relaxing and the knot in Levi’s stomach unclenched. Daniel would go back to his family, and Levi and Myra would say goodbye. The way they both knew it had to be. The last twenty-four hours had proven to be an exorcism of all the pain and heartache from their relationship. They were two strong-willed people and neither had been willing to bend to save their love. He would never get over not being there for her when she’d needed him the most.

  “Oh.” Tom interrupted his thoughts. “I called Stu to let them know you found the baby and were trying to get him across the border. That’s how I got all the information on Daniel. He sent some of the baby’s things in case you needed them.” He pointed to a bag on the floor.

  “Why didn’t you say something?” Myra snapped. “His diaper needs changing.”

  “I was hoping that smell was the baby,” Tom joked.

  Myra laid Daniel on the bench seat between herself and Levi and pulled the bag forward. Levi placed his hand on Daniel’s chest to hold him steady, but he was content chewing on the nipple of the bottle. He’d only drunk about half of the formula.

  Myra pulled baby wipes and powder out of the bag with a diaper. She removed his jeans and dirty diaper and quickly cleaned his bottom. In a few minutes, Daniel had clean clothes and smelled better. It was obvious to Levi that Myra had done this many times.

  Holding Daniel in her arms, she asked Tom, “How’s Natalie?”

  He shrugged. “No change.”

  “And Stu?” Levi inquired.

  “Stu’s going to hang on until his family is safe. Seeing his grandson is going to help him a great deal.”

  Levi felt good about that. It was always rewarding to repay an old friend. He sincerely hoped Stu found some peace.

  “Will you be able to drive us to my apartment?” Myra wanted to know.

  “Will do, sweet cheeks.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  Tom eyed Myra. “I must say that grungy gang look is not working for you.”

  Steve snorted. “You just can’t help sticking your foot in it.”

  “Hey, I’m being nice. She was throwing her clout around back there and I saved her ass.”

  Steve groaned.

  Levi knew by the fed-up expression on Myra’s face she was about to unload on poor old Tom.

  “If you call me ‘sweet cheeks’ one more time, I’m going to knee you where your clout lives. Got it?”

  “Come on, Myra. You know I’m always joking.”

  “Well, stop it, or you’ll be singing soprano for a while.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Myra’s pride and her temper were her two worst enemies and sometimes they were her best assets. She was cool in a crisis, compassionate to a fault and stood firm in what she believed in. Why hadn’t she believed in them?

  He shifted uneasily and wanted to say something to Tom, but she didn’t need him to fight her battles. She did fine all by herself. And Levi had to wonder if Myra had ever really needed anyone.

  Daniel played with the bottle and babbled to himself. Everyone watched and it was a soothing, welcome release from the tension.

  Before they landed, Levi told them about Marco’s vowed retaliation. They planned to meet later to discuss the situation. In the meantime, Levi would make sure Myra and Daniel were safe until the police had everything under control.

  They landed at police headquarters and Tom drove them to Myra’s apartment in his personal car. Very little was said.

  Levi was surprised to see a car seat in the vehicle and more surprised to learn Tom had a kid. Levi knew he was a good cop, a little rough around the edges, but Stu trusted him and Levi did, too. He just didn’t like his arrogant attitude.

  While Myra showered and changed, he watched the baby. Daniel crawled around on the white rug, babbling. He pulled himself up on the glass coffee table and beat his chubby fists on it, leaving streaks. This immaculate apartment wasn’t designed for a baby. Or a man, he couldn’t help but think.

  Daniel was occupied, so he pulled his briefcase out from under the sofa and opened his laptop. Since he had all his information saved, and had an autodelete app on his lost hardware, he wouldn’t have a problem setting up a new iPad and iPhone. He needed to do that as soon as possible.

  Myra came down the stairs in a formfitting multicolored dress and heels, looking like her old self. And looking dangerous to his peace of mind. He always liked her in dresses. The skirt swayed above her knees, showing off her smooth legs.

  He hurried upstairs to shower. He didn’t have any clean clothes, so he had to wear his old dirty ones. But his top priority was getting the baby to his mother and Stu.

  Ready to go, he was once again surprised to see a car seat—this time in Myra’s car. At his startled look, she said, “I have it for Jessie’s boys.”

  “You’re a puzzle, Myra Delgado, and I’ll never understand you.”

  “Good. It’s sexy to leave a little mystery.”

  “Well, lady, you have it in triplicate.”

  Her face grew somber. “Not really. You know everything about me.”

  He buckled Daniel in. “No, I don’t know why you don’t want children when you’re obviously very fond of them.”

  She handed him the keys. “It’s not that hard to understand. I have a very busy career and a child needs attention, especially from its mother.”

  “A lot of women with careers have children.”

  She got in on the passenger’s side. “Well, I don’t want to be one of them. Could we drop the subject, please?”

  Levi got in and adjusted the seat. “Mmm. Fancy car. I’m not sure if I can drive it.”

  “It’s a car, Levi. I’m sure you can figure it out.”

  He glanced at her as he backed out. “You’re rather testy.”

  “It’s been a harrowing time and I just want to get Daniel to the hospital.”

  The trip was made in silence. Something was
bugging Myra and he wasn’t going to push her. Right now, they had other important things to consider.

  As he negotiated traffic, a store caught his eye and he whipped into the parking lot.

  “A thrift store? Really, Levi?”

  “I need clothes and I’m not picky. My jeans and shirt smell like refried beans from those trash cans.”

  “Don’t take long.”

  “Ten minutes tops.” He left the engine running and jumped out.

  He darted into the store, found his size in jeans and grabbed a couple T-shirts off the rack. He then quickly tried them on and was out of the store in less than eight minutes.

  “I’m impressed,” Myra said as he got back in the car.

  “And I feel and smell a hell of a lot better.”

  “I didn’t think men worried about things like that.”

  “Only in the extreme.” He backed out and headed for the hospital.

  Levi stayed in the waiting room with Daniel while Myra went to check on Natalie. In a minute, Myra was back. “The doctor said you can come in, too.”

  He wanted to tell her there was no need, but she might need help with the baby. Natalie lay lifeless in the bed, hooked to machines. Dark bruises covered one side of her face and neck. Myra took Daniel to the bed.

  “Daniel’s here, Nat. He’s safe and sound and looking at you with big brown eyes.” She gently sat Daniel on the side of the bed and touched his little hand to his mother’s. “Can you feel him, Nat? He needs his mother.”

  There didn’t seem to be any change in Natalie and Daniel was fidgeting around, so Myra lifted him from the bed. Daniel pointed to his mother.

  “Yes, that’s Mommy.” Daniel’s puzzled look showed he wasn’t quite sure. He turned and held out his arms to Levi and Levi gathered him close.

  “I think this might be too much,” he whispered to Myra. “It’s confusing. She looks different to him.”

  “I know,” she said in a low disappointed voice.

  “We’ll meet you in the waiting room.”

  Myra came out looking defeated.

  “You can’t expect a miracle the first time,” he told her.

  “She has to wake up soon or...”

  Daniel whined.

  “It’s probably time to feed him again,” she said absently. “The bag is in the car.”

  Before they could leave, the doctor came in. “Good. I caught you. There have been some subtle changes in Ms. Stevens’s condition and tomorrow we’re going to try to take her off the ventilator and see if she can breathe on her own.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful!” Myra exclaimed.

  “We’re hoping for the best.”

  “Thank you,” Myra said. “What time?”

  “Around eight in the morning.”

  Daniel let out a wail, demanding attention. The doctor walked off and they hurried to the car to make a bottle. Myra was on a high now, her face flushed with excitement as she talked.

  “Natalie’s going to make it. Stu’s going to be so happy.”

  “He’ll get to spend more time with his daughter,” Levi said as he pulled into the nursing home.

  He pocketed the keys. “After we see Stu, where do we take the baby?”

  “What?”

  “Natalie can’t take care of her son and neither can Stu, so who keeps him?”

  “I’ve been so concerned about Daniel’s safety I hadn’t even thought about who will keep him. He stays in day care while Natalie works, but other than that, there’s no one.”

  “No close relatives?”

  “None that I know of.”

  “We’ll have to discuss this with Stu.”

  Stu was waiting for them, sitting in his recliner, flipping the TV channels. He turned it off when he saw them and held out his arms for Daniel. Levi placed the baby in his lap.

  “Look at this boy. Isn’t he something, Levi?”

  “Yes, you have a fine-looking grandson, Stu.”

  “I thought I’d never see him again.” Stu wiped away a tear. “You guys really came through for me and Natalie.”

  “You’d do the same for us,” Levi said.

  Stu started coughing and Levi took the baby.

  “Tell...tell me everything that happened.”

  Myra took up the story before he could and she made him sound like a real hero.

  “Nat forced his hand about marriage?” Stu asked.

  “That’s what Marco told his father,” Myra replied.

  “That bastard.” Stu drew a ragged breath. “He thinks he can come to Texas and take Daniel again?”

  “Those were the last words he screamed at us.”

  Stu pointed a finger at Levi. “You have to be on top of this. Hell, what am I saying? If I know you, you have a foolproof plan in mind.”

  “Right now my concern is who’s going to care for Daniel.”

  Stu scratched his head. “That is a problem.”

  “I have some time off,” Myra said. “I can keep him for a while, or at least until things cool off and Natalie is better.”

  Levi thought of that white apartment and wondered what she was thinking or if she was thinking at all, other than to please Stu.

  “Myra, you have to be careful,” Stu told her. “Marco’s a coldhearted killer and he’ll stop at nothing. I’ll talk to some friends in the department and see if we can set up some guards.”

  “I’ll look out for them,” Levi said without thinking it through. This not-thinking thing must be contagious. He had to go back to Willow Creek. He had a job, a family, a woman who loved him.

  “Now, that’s what I like to hear.” Stu sucked in oxygen and struggled to breathe. “I can rest better knowing you’re caring for my grandson.”

  “Stu, Levi has a life in Willow Creek. I think we can handle things from here.” Myra must have sensed his conflicted feelings and tried to change the plan.

  Stu shook his head. “You have to let people help, Myra. You can’t do this all on your own. Levi’s here and willing, so let’s not take his help for granted.”

  There was a long pause. After that, the silence grew a little awkward, as if no one knew what to say.

  “You’ve always been one stubborn jackass,” Myra said.

  “Yes, ma’am, so don’t argue with me.” Stu gulped for air and they waited until his breathing eased.

  Myra kissed his cheek. “We’ll have to get Daniel some things from Natalie’s apartment.”

  “The keys are on my dresser. Take whatever you need so the baby will be comfortable. Nat would want that.” Stu had another coughing fit, so they left him to rest.

  Myra picked out what they needed for Daniel from Natalie’s apartment. She got permission to enter from the police and since she was an assistant D.A., there was no problem. There were still bloodstains on the rug in the living room and Levi noticed Myra avoided looking at them.

  They took the stuff back to Myra’s apartment and set up a Pack ’N Play. But first Myra gave Daniel a bath, fed him some baby food and put him down for a nap. Levi watched all of this with keen interest.

  “Are you sure about keeping the baby here?” he asked while she rinsed out a bottle.

  “Yes, why?” She gave him a narrow-eyed look.

  He glanced around the apartment. “It’s not exactly designed for a baby.”

  She shrugged. “It will do, Levi.”

  “If something happens to Natalie...” He had to state the obvious.

  “She’ll be fine.” Those dark eyes flashed at him and he knew a whole lot of attitude was coming his way.

  “You deal in facts, Myra. Face the facts. Child Protective Services needs to be involved.”

  “Shut up. I’m not listening to this.”

&nb
sp; “You told me earlier that your job is very demanding and a baby needs a full-time mother. Did you change your stance on that in a split second?”

  “No.” She turned to the sink, not looking at him. “You don’t understand.”

  “Myra...”

  She swung back. “I promised Natalie I’d look after him.”

  That threw him. “When?”

  “When I found her in the apartment after the beating. She was conscious for a few seconds and she begged me to take care of Daniel. Those were her last words before going into the coma. I don’t think she realized Marco had taken him.”

  He leaned against the cabinet, watching the stubborn lines of her face. “I’m not going to say anything else, but you have to realize that your apartment will be the first place Marco will look. And his goons will be coming.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  “That’s good to hear. We meet with Tom and Steve this afternoon and we’ll figure out something. While Daniel is sleeping, I’m going to get a new iPad and iPhone. And a razor to shave off this beard.” He started for the living area.

  “Levi?”

  He looked back.

  “Do you think I’d make a good mother?”

  Her dark eyes begged an honest answer. “Not if it’s out of some guilty obligation you feel you owe Natalie. You’re not doing yourself or the baby any favors.”

  She ran past him for the stairs. Damn! Who knew she was this sensitive? In the old days, she gave as good as she got. What was going on in her head?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  MYRA WAS IN a foul mood and she didn’t understand why. She’d gotten what she wanted—Daniel was safe and back in Texas. But as Levi had said, she was a person who dealt with facts and, right now, she was ignoring them. She needed to get her head on straight. Maybe some days she was allowed to be optimistic and a dreamer because, above everything else, she wanted her friend to get better. To take care of her child. To have the life she wanted.

  If she didn’t...