Finding Her Family

by Syndi Powell

  Page had said the girl was seven months pregnant, but Ruby looked ready to deliver now. He hoped she could get settled at Page’s before that happened. He hit his fob to unlock the car doors, and Page and Ruby both got in the back seat.

  “So I’m your chauffeur?” he mumbled and got into the driver’s seat. He started to drive them to Page’s house when someone’s stomach growled. He looked at them in the back seat via the rearview mirror. “Should we stop for dinner?”

  Page glanced at Ruby, then at him. “Do you have time? Don’t you have another client to see?”

  “You’re my only client today.” He checked his mirrors and changed lanes. “Do you like Mexican food? My uncle owns a great place not far from here.”

  Ruby nodded. “My favorite. Unless you don’t like it, Page?”

  “I love tacos, so that sounds great to me.”

  Tío Javier met him at the door when they walked inside the cantina. They embraced before Javier spoke to Page and Ruby. “You brought dates?”

  “Clients.” Mateo introduced them and then Javier ushered them to a table. Mateo took a menu, but his uncle grabbed it from him. “I’ll cook you something special.” He turned to the women. “Feeling adventurous?”

  Page looked at Mateo, her eyes showing a little apprehension. He gave a small nod to her. “Easy on the spices, though. They’re not used to what we like.”

  Javier nodded and headed straight for the kitchen while his Tía Sara brought a basket of freshly fried tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa. Ruby dug into the chips and salsa and groaned. “This is my favorite part of eating at a Mexican place.”

  Page took a chip and broke it in half before dipping it into the salsa, only letting a little of the sauce get onto the chip. She put it into her mouth and chewed. Her eyes closed and she smiled.

  “You like it?” he asked.

  She nodded and dipped her other half in the salsa, putting a little more onto this one. “I have to be careful with onions and spices, but this is fabulous.”

  Ruby asked, “Why do you have to be careful?”

  Mateo and Page exchanged glances before she took a deep breath. “I just have to be careful with what I eat. Sensitive stomach.”

  “Because of the cancer, right?”

  Page gave a quick nod. “Certain spices make me more nauseous than others. But this seems to be okay.”

  “Ugh, I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t eat what I want.” Ruby took a chip and added some hot sauce along with the salsa.

  “Speaking of food, we should go grocery shopping. What do you like?”

  But the conversation got cut short when Javier brought platters of food. They filled their bellies, enjoying every amazing taste.

  In between mouthfuls, they covered a wide range of topics. At one point, Page narrowed her eyes at Ruby. “You like musicals?”

  The teen stopped the fork halfway to her mouth. “Why is that so shocking? My mom played them on the stereo while we cleaned the apartment every Saturday morning. South Pacific. The Sound of Music. Even The Phantom of the Opera and Les Mis.” She put the food in her mouth and continued talking. “And on Sundays she put on gospel music. It was our thing, I guess.”

  “What can you tell me about your mom?” Mateo asked. “Did you have any aunts or uncles? Grandparents?”

  Mateo knew that it was too soon for the question the way Ruby’s face suddenly seemed to shutter. He regretted putting the questions out there. He reached under the table and took Page’s hand in his, squeezing it as if to tell her he was sorry for asking.

  Page gripped his hand and waved her other in front of her face. “We can talk about that later. Let’s get to know more about you. What about books? Do you like to read?”

  And the teenager started talking about the last novel she’d been able to get her hands on before coming to Michigan.

  * * *

  WHILE MATEO PAID their bill and Ruby visited the restroom for the fifth time, Page checked her cell phone. She found a text from April. How’d it go?

  She’s coming home with me. But I don’t know anything about taking care of a teenage girl.

  Page paused and erased the second part of the text. She wasn’t ready to admit that she was feeling in over her head, although the idea of being responsible for Ruby had started to sink in. It was August, and schools were out. But she’d have to get her registered for the fall semester. And what school would she go to? What grade was she even in?

  Ruby had nothing with her when she’d been admitted into the ER, so she was going to need clothes, shoes, personal items. Page didn’t like shopping much, and that idea alone made her take a step back. What had she been thinking?

  When Ruby emerged from the restroom, a hand holding her belly, all thoughts fled Page’s mind except one: take care of her and the baby. Page approached her and put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “You feeling okay?”

  Ruby looked up at her and nodded. “I think I ate too much. But it was so good, I couldn’t help it.”

  Mateo’s uncle’s face split into a smile. “I like this one. You bring them both back to me and I fatten them up good.”

  Mateo tucked his wallet into his pocket. “Well, Ruby, you’ve won my uncle over. How about we go buy you some clothes and things? Then I’ll take you to Page’s house so you both can rest.”

  Page frowned. “Seriously, don’t you have clients other than us?” She didn’t want to monopolize his time if he was needed elsewhere.

  “I told you. You’re my only client today.” He walked to the front door of the restaurant and held it open for them both.

  Page paused as she passed by him. “I can take her on my own.”

  “You look like you could fall asleep on your feet. I’d just take you back to the house and suggest you shop later, but Ruby definitely needs a few things right now.” He glanced at the girl, who was waiting by his car. “I’ve got the impression she’s been wearing that same top and pants for days, if not weeks.”

  “Fine. You can still play chauffeur, but add it to my bill.”

  He saluted her, walked to his car and helped Ruby inside. Page knew he was only doing his job, but sometime during their day together it had begun to feel personal. He’d finally admitted that he wanted to be friends, but she sensed there could be more. Besides, they had a pregnant teenager chaperoning them, so it could hardly be construed as anything romantic. Yet the way he’d held her hand under the table...

  She got in the car beside Ruby in the back seat.

  When Mateo pulled up in front of a store that carried everything from clothing to groceries, she let out a sigh, thankful it wasn’t a mall, and they could get everything they needed in one stop. Mateo left them to their task and opted to go on a solo mission.

  Unfortunately, the store didn’t carry maternity clothing. Still, Ruby was able to get some oversize T-shirts and roomy pants, as well as a couple of bras and underwear that would get her through a few days at least, until they could get to a department store with a maternity section. She also picked up some toiletries and magazines and a pair of sandals she could slide into. They hit the grocery section next and took their purchases to the registers near the front of the store. Page looked inside the cart. “Anything else you need that you can think of?”

  Ruby gave a shrug. “Maybe.”

  “What is it?”

  The girl let out a breath and pushed her hair out of her eyes. “That doctor friend of yours mentioned something about the baby needing vitamins or something.”

  “Prenatal vitamins? We can get some generic ones here until I can get you to a doctor who can prescribe you something better.”

  “Another doctor?” Ruby seemed shaken, but followed Page as she headed for the pharmacy. “I told you. I’m feeling fine. I don’t need a doctor anymore.”

  “You need one now more than ever with a b
aby on the way.”

  “I got you, don’t I? You’re a nurse, so why do I need a doctor, too?”

  Page found a bottle of prenatal vitamins and put them in the cart. “Sorry, kiddo. But you’re not going to win this one. You’ll see my friend Dr. Achatz. She’s already familiar with your case, and she’s one of the best.”

  Ruby groaned as Page added another bottle of folic acid. “I don’t like taking a lot of stuff.”

  “This will be good for the baby. Trust me.”

  “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

  They returned to the registers, where Page noticed Mateo waiting for them with a bag. She quickly paid for everything in the cart and she and Ruby joined him. He handed the bag to Ruby. “I thought you might like this.”

  Ruby smiled and opened the bag. She took out a CD of a musical that Page had seen in New York City with her friends this past spring. The girl squealed and gave Mateo a hug. “Thanks.”

  Mateo blushed and seemed uncomfortable with the attention. “You said you like musicals.”

  “I’ve been dying to listen to this one.” She began humming one of the tunes and walked out of the store.

  Page followed and said to Mateo, “You didn’t have to do that. Feeding us and buying gifts isn’t part of your legal services.”

  “I know. But maybe I wanted to do something more.”

  He drove them home and helped them get everything inside. Page walked him to the door, and he stood on the front porch, his hands in his pockets. “You’ll be okay?” he asked.

  “I figure I’ll give Ruby the five-cent tour. Then we’ll both take a nap. We can hammer out rules and such later.” She took a step outside so that she was standing close to him. “Thank you for everything, Mateo.” Before she could stop herself, she kissed his cheek.

  Mateo gulped visibly as she backed away. He stared into her eyes for a moment and took a step toward her. She wondered if he was about to kiss her.

  But then he turned, walked away, got in his car and left, and she could only ask herself what had just happened?

  * * *

  MATEO PULLED INTO the driveway of the house he’d grown up in and parked behind his dad’s car. He hadn’t called ahead to see if his dad was home, but he wouldn’t have known what to say if he had. When he’d left Page’s place, he had been confused. Scared. And completely out of his league.

  For a moment there, he’d been tempted to kiss her back. But not on her cheek. Thinking of her lips, he groaned and rubbed a hand over his eyes. He hadn’t had friendship on his mind when she’d kissed him. He needed to stop thinking. That’s what he needed to do.

  He got out of the car and started walking up the driveway. By the time he made it to the front door, his dad was there waiting for him. He pulled Mateo inside the house and gave him a tight hug. “It’s not Sunday. Did we have plans?”

  Mateo patted the old man on the back. “Can’t I stop by and see how you’re doing?”

  They broke apart and his dad narrowed his eyes. “One of your aunties talked about seeing me on a date with a woman, I bet.”

  “Are you surprised? Lulu asked me to talk to you about it.” Mateo claimed a seat on the sofa and his dad took his usual seat in the recliner. “You haven’t dated anyone since Mom, so this is big news.”

  His dad rubbed a hand along his jaw. “Not that big.”

  Mateo would rather lose a dozen cases than talk about his dad’s love life, but here he was sitting in his childhood home talking about his dad dating. He blamed his sister. Lulu balked at the hard conversations, but he’d been having them with his dad for years. It was what had gotten him through his teenage years. He knew he could tell his dad anything and hoped it was a two-way street. “Is it serious, Dad?”

  “It’s only been two dates.”

  “You proposed to Mom on your first date.”

  His dad sighed and sat on the edge of the seat, his hands on his knees. “A man gets lonely and thinks about how it might be nice to spend time with a smart woman who looks and smells good. That having someone to talk to over dinner sounds better than staring at an empty chair across the table and eating another frozen meal.”

  “That’s all this is? Loneliness?”

  “No. I’m saying it wrong.” He looked out to the front lawn. “You kids are grown up. Lulu’s married and ready to start her own family and you’re busy with your job. I started to think about having something just for me.” He paused and turned his head to face Mateo. “I’m not looking to replace your mom. Still, she also wouldn’t want me to be sad and alone.”

  Mateo nodded. When his mom died, he hadn’t expected his dad to die along with her. He’d still had to raise two kids and get them through college. He’d been there for everything for both him and his sister. Graduations, first dates, heartbreaks, Lulu’s wedding. He would be around for much more.

  “Will there be a third date?”

  His dad grinned. “Maybe. She’s a nice woman.”

  “Would the aunties approve?”

  “The better question is whether they would approve of your dinner date today.”

  Tío Javier must have called. Mateo narrowed his eyes at this. “She’s a client, nothing more.”

  His dad sniffed and gave a shrug. “Aren’t you lonely, too? Don’t you want to have dinner with a smart, pretty woman some time?”

  “I’m not looking to date, Dad.” He returned his father’s grin. “I’ll leave that to you.”

  His father colored, but shared the smile. “It’s nice to have someone to spend time with. To take to dinner and a movie. You can’t spend your whole life in the courtroom and your law books. I mean, the family’s been worried about you. You seem to have closed yourself off to all that.”

  He opened his mouth to refute that view, but his dad had a point. He hadn’t dated anyone seriously since Camilla, and that had been over five years ago. Not since law school. It wasn’t that he wanted to be alone. He thought that it would be nice to be married and have a family someday.

  Someday.

  “Like I said, I’m not looking for anything more from Page than helping her with her case. And being her friend.”

  “And I’ve discovered that sometimes you find what you didn’t even realize you’d been looking for in the first place.”

  * * *

  RUBY PERCHED ON the edge of the bed and looked up at Page, who was hanging the clothing that they’d bought earlier. “I’m off work the day after tomorrow. We can go to the mall then and get you more clothes and things.”

  The girl wrinkled her nose. “The mall?”

  Page turned to look at Ruby. “What’s wrong with the mall? They’ll have what we need.”

  “I hate shopping.” The girl groaned and flopped back on the bed.

  Page couldn’t hide her smile at such a dramatic display. She closed the closet doors and took a seat on the bed next to Ruby. “I’ll let you in on a secret. I do, too. I’d much rather pick something online and have it delivered. One click, and I’m done.”

  Ruby propped herself up. “Couldn’t we do that instead?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Page went and retrieved her laptop. Huddled together on the bed, they looked at several websites until Ruby found several items she liked. When Page got her credit card to make the purchase, Ruby started to rub her belly, something that Page noticed she did when she appeared to be thinking and was unsure of what to say. “What is it? Was there something else you’d like to order?”

  Ruby shook her head and picked up a magazine from the plastic bag lying on the bed. “I’m good.”

  “You can tell me anything.” Page motioned to the screen. “Did you change your mind about these?”

  Ruby quit paging through the magazine and asked, “Why are you buying me a bunch of clothes if I won’t be here long?”

  That’s wh
at she was worried about? “You’ll be here for a while, at least. You said you didn’t have any family, but we need to confirm that. The search may not be easy or done quickly.”

  “And what if we find him, and he doesn’t want me?”

  “You mean your dad?” Page peered into the girl’s eyes. “What do you know about him?”

  “I told you all I have is his name and Detroit. Mom didn’t talk about him much.” Ruby gave a shrug as if she didn’t care, but the tight cords in her neck told Page otherwise. She scooted closer to the girl. “And what if we can’t find him? Would I stay with you?”

  “I promised to take care of you, and I’m not going to turn my back on that.” She reached up and brushed the hair from Ruby’s eyes. “I told you. You’re stuck with me, kid.”

  Ruby still seemed skeptical, but gave a nod. “All right then. I’ll find a way to pay you back for all this.” She gestured to the online order on the laptop.

  “You don’t have to pay me back. This is part of my taking care of you.”

  “But this is too much.” Ruby put her hand on Page’s before she could finalize the order. “I shouldn’t take all of this. Let’s delete some items from the cart.”

  “No, I think we should get this. Besides, we don’t know how anything will fit. What if we end up having to send some back?”

  Ruby started to rub her belly again and Page put a hand over hers. “It’s okay, Ruby. I want to do this for you.”

  The girl squeezed her hand. “Okay.”

  Page entered her credit-card information and completed the order. “Now, about this room. How would you like to decorate it?”

  Ruby shook her head. “Not right now.” She stretched out on the bed. “I think I have to take a nap.”

  Page shut the laptop and set it on the dresser. She removed a blanket from the closet and laid it over Ruby. “Sleep as long as you want. We can figure the rest out later.”

  The girl didn’t say anything, but closed her eyes. Page watched her for a moment then left the room with her laptop. She kept the door ajar, just in case Ruby needed her.

  She knew Ruby wasn’t an infant who needed constant monitoring, but Page wasn’t sure how else to do this. She didn’t have a clue as to how to be a parent. It wasn’t like she’d had great examples herself. She was floundering here.