A Texas Child

by Linda Warren

  “Yeah.”

  “She don’t talk much.”

  “She just buried her friend.”

  “Yep, that’ll sap the life right out of you.”

  “Levi,” Myra called from the hallway, and he immediately went to her.

  “In the rush, I didn’t bring anything to sleep in. Can I borrow a T-shirt?”

  “Sure.” He went into his room and pulled out a white V-neck and carried it back to her.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  The sadness on her face twisted his gut. “Are you okay?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s been a rough day.”

  He had the urge to hold her again, to let her know she wasn’t alone, but that would only cause one more problem. “If you need anything else, just let me know.”

  He went back to the living room, and soon he and Pop both went to bed. Around midnight, Daniel woke up crying. Levi jiggled him, talked to him, changed his diaper, but nothing helped. The baby even spit out his pacifier.

  “What’s wrong?” Myra asked, walking into the room. Her hair was tousled and her eyes were sleepy. He’d seen her like this so many times and it triggered memories of better days.

  “Let me have him. I’ll take him to bed with me and maybe he’ll calm down.” She took the baby and went into her room, but the wails continued. She got up and walked with him. That didn’t help, either. Daniel continued to cry heart-wrenching sobs.

  Myra kissed the baby’s forehead. “It’s almost as if he knows he’s lost his mother.”

  Levi couldn’t deny that. Daniel had seen too many strange people and been in too many strange places. It was normal for him to be upset. They just had to figure out a way to calm him.

  Pop stomped out of his room in his cowboy boots and boxer shorts.

  “Pop, where’s your robe? We have company.”

  “I don’t know. I can’t find it. I’m not even sure I have one.”

  “I gave you one for Christmas a few years ago.”

  “Ah, who knows.”

  “So you decided to put on your cowboy boots instead?”

  “It just seemed right.”

  Levi shook his head.

  Daniel’s wails continued with intermittent hiccups. “Let me have the boy,” Pop said.

  “If we can’t calm him, how do you think you can?”

  Pop took the baby from Myra. “Because you’re young and I’m old, and I know a hell of a lot more than you do.”

  Pop stomped off to the living room with a crying Daniel. Sitting in his recliner-rocker, he began to rock and sing to the baby. “Booger was a bumblebee with a stinger on his butt. Buzz buzz buzz, all day long...”

  “Oh, no.”

  “What?” Myra asked, standing next to him. A whiff of gardenia reached him and he had trouble thinking for a second.

  “It’s a god-awful song he made up when I was a baby. It doesn’t even rhyme.”

  “Does it work?”

  “I have no idea. I just remember it.”

  Pop continued to sing and Daniel’s crying turned to hiccups and then silence. “Booger was a bumblebee with a stinger on his butt. Buzz buzz buzz, all day long, looking for a bud to bust.” Pop’s voice rose. “Oh, no, Booger can’t get me. Buzz buzz buzz.” Pop used his hand and fingers as the bee buzzed around. “Buzz buzz buzz. Booger can’t get me.” Pop’s hand came down and tickled Daniel’s stomach. “Oh, no. Booger just got me. Buzz buzz buzz-z-z-z-z.”

  Daniel cackled out loud, his little chest shaking with laughter.

  “I guess laughing is better than crying,” Levi said, the childish laughter filling the room.

  “You guys go to bed,” Pop said. “I got this.”

  “You have him wound up,” Levi told him. “He’ll never go to sleep.”

  “Go to bed, Levi.”

  He knew that tone...the one that said Henry Coyote wasn’t going to budge.

  “What do you think?” he asked Myra.

  “Daniel’s not crying, so I guess we go back to bed.”

  They turned toward their rooms. Levi stopped at his door. “I’ll check on them in a little while.”

  “Daniel’s just upset. He was crying like that at the compound. Poor little thing just wants his mommy and I―”

  “Myra...”

  “I’m okay.” She walked into her room and Levi knew she wasn’t okay. It was going to take a whole lot of healing before everyone could move forward.

  At two, Levi got up and went into the living room. Everything was quiet. Pop and Daniel were sound asleep. He lifted the baby out of his grandfather’s arms and carried him back to his baby bed. Pop stirred and went to his room. The rest of the night everyone slept.

  The next morning they slept in and it was the first time Levi realized they were going to be confined here until this was over. But then when would it be over? Marco would continue to fight for his son and that put Myra in extreme danger.

  As they finished breakfast, Tom called and Levi spoke to him for a minute.

  “What did he say?” Myra asked, wiping Daniel’s mouth.

  “The two guys stayed outside your apartment until two and then went to a motel. They’re back there this morning. They’ll continue to watch them.”

  “They’ll soon figure out I’m not there.”

  Levi got out of his chair. “We’ll wait and see what they do then.”

  They could hear the sound of a vehicle and Levi immediately went to the door. “It’s my friend Ethan. I had him pick up some stuff for me in Austin.”

  Levi met Ethan at the gate.

  “How’s it going?” Ethan asked as they stood by his truck.

  “It’s rough and could get rougher,” he replied. “Did you get everything I asked for?”

  “It’s in a box in the backseat.”

  “Thanks.” Levi got the box out of the truck. “I’m adding some security measures just in case. Sensors at the cattle guard will let me know through my phone when a vehicle crosses it and I’m putting sensors on every door and window so I’m not caught by surprise.”

  “Carson’s keeping an eye on the road.”

  “I knew I could count on my friends.”

  Ethan thumbed over his shoulder. “Myra Delgado’s inside?”

  “Yeah.” Levi didn’t mind talking to his friend. They’d shared a lot since they were kids and Carson and Ethan knew all about Myra. They’d kept him sane during that rough patch. “It’s a little awkward, but we don’t have any choice.”

  “You were crazy about her,” Ethan commented.

  Levi shook his head. “Don’t go there.” He placed the box on the hood of the truck and told his friend what had happened.

  “Damn. You’re supposed to be the sensible one.”

  “I’m wondering if I have any sense at all at the moment.”

  Ethan slapped him on the back. “Love does that to you. Call if you need anything else.”

  As Levi opened the screen door, he heard, “Buzz buzz buzz...” Pop was teaching Myra the song and Daniel sat in her lap, clapping his hands and cackling every time the bee tickled his stomach. It was a Kodak moment and one that would stay with him long after Myra had left his life.

  “Want to sing with us?” Myra asked with a twinkle in her eye. She was much better today and he was glad to see that. Or maybe not. She was just that much more tempting to a man who obviously didn’t have much willpower.

  “I’ll pass. I’m going to be installing some extra security, so I’ll be outside most of the day.”

  “Man has no taste in songs,” Pop grumbled.

  By the time he finished putting sensors at the cattle guard, on the doors, windows and barn entrance, it was late. Myra and Pop were cooking supper and seemed to be g
etting along, which was odd because it took a while for people to warm up to Pop. He had his own unique annoying personality and Levi loved him for that—most of the time.

  Dressed in jeans and a knit top, Myra looked young and eye-catching as she hurried around the kitchen to do Pop’s bidding. Daniel was in his high chair, waiting for food. They seemed like an ordinary family and a small part of him, the part that had loved Myra seven years ago, wished it were so.

  After the kitchen was clean, they gave Daniel a bath and put him in his stroller and went out to the front porch, hoping to tire him out before putting him to bed. Daniel bounced up and down with glee when he saw John Wayne, and when the dog barked, Daniel tried to do the same.

  He and Myra sat on the porch swing. “Have you talked to Tom any more today?” she asked.

  “Just that the two men have made no move to enter the apartment and that at noon they left for the courthouse, I guess trying to catch you at work. Tom hasn’t called since, so I assume everything is the same. He did say that Steve was stymied. He was sure they would’ve made a move before now.”

  “I did, too. I talked to Stu and he said to keep my ass here, but I have the Dawson trial that starts in a month and I need to be back in my office soon. And Clarence informed me that if I’m not back within the week, he has to appoint a new prosecutor.”

  “That bothers you?”

  “Yes. That creep killed two teenage girls and he deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

  “What about your life?” The swing moved gently as the shadows deepened across the ranch.

  She looked toward the barn, a faraway look in her eyes. “I don’t know. My life has been turned upside down.”

  “It might be time to rethink your life.” He hadn’t meant to be so blunt, but the words just slipped out.

  She pulled her feet beneath her and sat facing him. “It’s nice here. Peaceful and quiet.”

  “What did you expect?”

  She shrugged. “I have to be honest. When you talked about it years ago, I thought it would bore me to tears.”

  “And now?”

  * * *

  MYRA ROLLED THE answer around in her head and wondered if honesty was the way to go. In truth, she felt as if she’d found the missing part of herself, the one she kept trying to fill with a career, with long days and little sleep, and a schedule that would kill a younger person. Stu said it wasn’t worth it and now she had to weigh his words concerning her own life.

  What did she want out of life? The career? Or a family?

  She couldn’t ignore all the years she’d put into her career. And she couldn’t ignore the yearnings she experienced just being here with Levi and his grandfather. It was hard for her to get away and relax, but today, even with Marco’s henchmen on her trail, she felt more relaxed than she ever had.

  Instead of answering, she asked, “Did you talk to Valerie?”

  He ran his hand along the chain that held the swing in place. “Yeah, yesterday.”

  It was hard to ask such a personal question, but she had to know. “Did you tell her?”

  “Yes, and she was understanding and forgiving.”

  Myra was surprised. “Oh. I’m, um, happy for you.”

  He looked at her and the darkness of his eyes rivaled the warmth of the night. “Really, Myra?”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “I think we’re both going to have to admit that there’s a lot of feelings left from the old days. Also, we have to acknowledge that we’re still attracted to each other. And that we still have different goals. Your life has always been about your career and you’re a damn good prosecutor, but someday you’re going to have to decide if that’s all you want.”

  She had already figured that out for herself. What she wanted was sitting next to her. She wanted him in her life and in her bed. That was called having it all. For her to accomplish it, she had to make some changes. Her heart had always known what it wanted. But how would she manage a career and a family? The thought created more doubts and fears.

  She decided to steer clear of her inner turmoil. “So you think you and Valerie can make a go of it?”

  “I’m not sure. Right now my focus is keeping you and Daniel safe.”

  She reached out and touched his forearm, feeling his taut muscles. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

  “I’m sorry I got so angry about the abortion thing.” His dark eyes begged for forgiveness.

  “Well, I think I told you every dark secret I have. Jessie doesn’t even know, so you can blackmail me anytime you want.” She was trying to bring levity to a tense situation, but it only created a different kind of tension.

  His eyes held hers with unwavering honesty. “You make me crazy sometimes.”

  “Sometimes?”

  His mouth curved into a smile and she was lost for a moment in everything she had thrown away. The squeak of the swing was as soothing as a baby’s lullaby. It wrapped them in warmth unequaled by anything she’d ever felt. But it was only temporary. Danger lurked just outside their comfort zone.

  Suddenly, the porch light came on and Pop came outside. “What are y’all doing sitting in the dark?”

  “It’s not dark yet. It’s dusk,” Levi told him.

  “Same thing.” Pop looked down at Daniel, who was leaning out of the stroller trying to touch John Wayne, who was stretched out on the porch. Every now and then the dog would lick his hand.

  “I’ve lost my dog to the little guy,” Pop said. “Maybe we need to get him a puppy.”

  “He’s not going to be here that long,” Levi reminded him.

  “Ah, every boy needs a puppy.”

  Levi’s cell rang, interrupting the conversation. Pop grabbed the handle on the stroller. “I’ll take the little guy inside and put him to bed.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Myra said. “He takes a bottle before bed.” They left Levi talking on the phone.

  With Daniel asleep, she walked into the living room. Levi sat staring at his phone.

  “What happened?” she asked. From his angry expression she knew something had.

  “That was Tom. He said Marco’s guys spent some time at the courthouse waiting and then one went inside and asked for your office. Someone told him you were out for the week. Damn it!” He stood in an agitated movement.

  “What’s wrong with that? They just know I’m not there.”

  “That’s not all. They lost track of the car. The last time they saw it, the two hoods were headed for I-10.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “We’re trying to figure it out, but the obvious is they found out where you are and they’re coming this way.”

  “But they couldn’t. No one knows.”

  “Marco has money and resources and he probably found out where I live. They put two and two together. Now we have to be ready.”

  A shiver ran through her.

  Pop came in and sank into his chair. Levi told him what had happened.

  “Son of a bitch! We gotta make sure they don’t take that baby.”

  Levi ran a hand through his hair and she could see his mind was working overtime with ways to protect them. “Everyone do exactly as I tell you. And, Pop, I really need you to listen to me.”

  “I’m listening with both ears.”

  “Okay. It would be best if we slept here in the living room tonight so we’re together. Myra, you take the couch. Pop, I know you can sleep in your chair.”

  “You bet. Spend half my life in this chair.”

  “We’ll also bring Daniel in here. We can’t leave him alone in the bedroom.”

  For the next few minutes, they rushed around and got pillows and blankets. Myra gathered Daniel out of his bed. He whimpered, but he didn’t
wake up. She padded his Pack ’N Play with a big quilt and she then laid him on it. Levi had moved the coffee table and they put the Pack ’N Play in the middle of the room.

  Pop got his shotgun and Levi brought a rifle and more ammo for his Glock. Myra had a small Smith and Wesson she kept in her purse for protection. She lay on the sofa with it beneath her pillow and they settled in for the night. Myra thought she wouldn’t sleep. So much was happening and all she could hear was Marco’s words: “I will find you.”

  She must have fallen asleep because the buzz of Levi’s phone woke her. He was immediately on his feet and she wondered if he had slept at all. Pop stirred in his chair, but Daniel was still sleeping.

  Sitting up, she asked, “Who is it?”

  “The sensor at the cattle guard just went off. Something has triggered it. Get into the hallway. Now! And don’t turn on any lights.”

  A shiver of alarm shot through her. She grabbed Daniel and ran. Pop followed with his shotgun in his hand. Levi hurriedly brought a chair for his grandfather.

  “Thanks, son. I can’t stand on this arthritic knee too long.”

  “Do you want a chair?” he asked her.

  “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

  In that moment, when fear was crawling along her spine like a killer scorpion, she marveled at how thoughtful and considerate Levi was of others. That personality trait was the reason he was involved with her and now fighting for his life and theirs.

  “Stay here. No one move until I tell you. If they start firing, and I don’t think they will because they won’t take a chance of hitting the baby, I want everyone safe as possible.”

  “John Wayne,” Pop cried. “Don’t let them hurt him.”

  “I’ll let him into the house, but the next few minutes are very crucial. Everyone be very quiet.”

  Levi left and in a few seconds John Wayne joined them, sitting very still by Pop as if he knew danger was imminent.

  Pop rubbed the dog’s head. “I told you to stay in the house, didn’t I?”

  John Wayne whimpered in response.

  Myra’s legs grew weak and she sank to the floor with the baby. She could hear Levi on the phone, evidently talking to Tom. “Get a damn chopper out here. Your guys screwed this up. We don’t have much time.”