The Book Babes Boxed Set (Texas Ties/Texas Troubles/Texas Together)

by Jean Brashear

  “Carlos says Ramon has never hurt him. Despite his history, Ramon seems to be trying to start a new life.”

  “But we can’t be sure, can we?”

  “Carlos knows he can come to us.”

  “I told him that.” She looked intently at him, her face a study in pain. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done to let him go in peace. But I realized that I’d lose him forever if I turned it into a battle.”

  “You did the right thing. And he’s not a helpless child anymore. He’s as tall as Ramon if not as heavy, and he’s still growing. He’s also very smart.”

  Her voice turned fierce. “If Ramon hurts my son, I’ll kill him myself.”

  “Maybe he’s really changed. He’s stopped drinking.”

  “It won’t last.”

  “Luisa, you did the right thing. You kept the lines of communication open. You can’t keep Carlos away from his father, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders. And if it will make you feel any better, I’ll go up to school this afternoon and catch him after band practice, just to make sure he knows he can still call me, too.”

  She was weeping again. “Thank you, Tom. I—you’re a good friend. I’m so afraid, and you’re right—I needed to talk to someone.”

  “You have Ava’s cell number, don’t you?”

  “I’m fine now. You helped me. Thank you, Tom.”

  He wasn’t so sure. She seemed so fragile, and he wanted to make her sorrow go away. Luisa had suffered enough. And she was so alone.

  “I’m here if you need me. Ava will be back at the end of the week, too. Are you getting any sleep?”

  “His birthday was hell. I’ve been tutoring to save the money to buy him that car, but now I’ve handed him a way to get away from me. I don’t know if I’ll ever sleep again.”

  She looked exhausted. She needed someone to pick her up and tuck her into bed. And then go beat the hell out of Ramon. Tom wasn’t so sure he believed all the reassurances he’d given her.

  “I’ll call you after I’ve talked to Carlos.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “And answer to Ava if I didn’t?” He smiled.

  She gave him a tiny smile. “Heaven forbid. I’m sorry I disturbed you. And I’m really sorry about Sofia. I’ll figure out some way to explain things. I just hate to have to tell her about Carlos.”

  “Don’t do anything for my sake. I don’t care about what Sofia thinks. I’m just trying to help a friend who could use a break.”

  “You’re a good man, Tom.”

  “I’ll talk to you later, after I’ve seen Carlos.”

  “All right.” Her voice was leaden.

  “Are you finished with classes?”

  “I have office hours next.”

  “I think it’s time for the teacher to play hooky. Go home, Luisa, and get some rest. I have to teach in thirty minutes, or I’d take you myself.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Don’t think about it. Do it.”

  “Is that why Ava’s so bossy? To keep you from running over her?”

  “Me? I’m a lamb.” He smiled, then shook a finger at her. “Go home. You’re no good to anyone like this.”

  She nodded faintly and said no more.

  Tom headed for class.

  * * *

  Ava glanced around the hastily-picked-up living room. After returning yesterday to hear the news of Luisa’s fiasco, she’d volunteered to move this month’s meeting to her house from Luisa’s. She’d called all the others and warned them that it had been all she could do to secure Luisa’s promise to attend. Her agreement had been based on Ava’s assurance that no one would make her talk about Carlos unless she brought it up.

  She was eager to see Luisa for herself. Her friend seemed to be hanging on by a thread. Tom had assured Ava that Carlos seemed to be doing much better than his mother. Tom wasn’t as worried about Ramon posing a threat as he was about Luisa. Ava had felt terrible not being here when Luisa needed her, but Luisa had assured her that Tom had been a rock she’d sorely needed. Other than that, her friend had all but refused to talk about it, saying talking didn’t help anymore. She was just trying to survive.

  The doorbell rang, and Ava crossed to open the door. “Thank goodness. I appreciate your help.”

  Laken stepped inside, bearing two bottles of wine and a tray of crudités. “Hey, no problem. Central Market knows my birthday and favorite colors, I’m there so often.” She grinned widely. “Where do you want these?”

  Ava led her to the kitchen. “You’re a lifesaver.”

  “How was the trip?”

  “Weird. Wonderful. Awful.”

  Laken’s eyebrow lifted. “All that? So you like being a big cheese author?”

  Ava felt her cheeks warm. “I’m not a big cheese author.”

  “Only a matter of time. So what’s up with Luisa?”

  “Laken, remember—”

  “I know, I know. I’m asking you, not her.”

  “I don’t know much. I wasn’t here, and Tom handled it. Luisa’s not talking. All I know is that Carlos decided to live with his father—on the night before his birthday, no less.”

  “Did they fight?”

  “I don’t think so. Tom says Carlos really doesn’t want to hurt his mother, he just thinks his dad needs him more.”

  “Damn.”

  “Yeah.” Ava traded glances with her. “Luisa’s been too good at juggling everything. Carlos doesn’t see that she needs him, too.”

  “He’d be graduating and leaving in a couple of years, anyway.”

  Ava eyed her friend. “Trust me, Laken. You don’t want them leaving one second before they must. Even when they’re the most difficult, you still don’t plan on them leaving at sixteen.”

  “Is she seeing him at all?”

  “On his birthday and once more since then, I think. God, I feel so sorry for her.”

  “Me, too.”

  “But we can’t show it. She’ll clam up and run like mad. Luisa’s a proud woman.”

  “We’re her friends.”

  “But she wouldn’t thank us for pitying her.”

  “I hear that.”

  “We can just talk about you and Michael instead,” Ava teased.

  Laken bared her teeth and growled, reaching for a wine bottle. “Give me a corkscrew so I can stab you with it.”

  Ava laughed, then heard the doorbell. Handing over the corkscrew, she left the room.

  “Sylvie,” she cried in surprise. “You look wonderful.”

  The Ice Queen’s gaze was dubious. “Thank you, darling. I wasn’t aware I’d turned into a hag.”

  Ava pulled her into an impromptu hug. One didn’t hug Sylvie on impulse, but Ava didn’t care. To her surprise, Sylvie clung, just for an instant.

  “It’s Gabe, isn’t it? You’ve come to your senses.”

  Sylvie stiffened and stepped back. “My senses have never been misplaced.” But there was something in her eyes, a release of the brittleness that had dogged her.

  Ava laughed. “Oh, don’t play Miss High-and-Mighty with me. You look happier than I’ve seen you in months.”

  “Here’s your wine, Ava—” Laken stopped. “You look great, Sylvie. You and Gabe back together?”

  The slight flaring of Sylvie’s nostrils made Ava want to laugh again. “We’re not supposed to notice, Laken.”

  “Oh, bullshit.” Laken crossed over and handed Ava her wine. “I’m just glad you’ve—”

  “Don’t say come to her senses. She’ll growl at you.”

  “No way. Sylvie wouldn’t know how to growl. It’s not elegant.” Laken turned toward the cool blonde. “Make yourself comfortable, but don’t say one word until I return with your wine. I want to hear it from the beginning.”

  Sylvie looked down that elegant nose at Ava. “You are a troublemaker.” But she smiled, though shadows still clung to the corners of her eyes. “How was New York?”

  Ava led her over to the sofa. �
�Amazing. Tedious. Thrilling.”

  Laken re-entered the room. “The writer’s suffering conversation block. She can’t seem to come up with whole-sentence descriptions.” Handing Sylvie her chardonnay, Laken settled in the rocking chair next to the sofa. “So we’ll let her tired little brain rest while you tell us about Gabe.”

  Sylvie frowned. “The man won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Tell me about it,” Laken chimed. “But good for Gabe. What did he do, kidnap you?”

  “He—” The doorbell rang again.

  “Oh, hell,” Ava complained. “Just as it was starting to get good.” She yelled out, “It’s open.”

  The door opened slowly. Luisa stood there, looking ready to run.

  Ava leapt up. “Luisa, come on in.” Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, Ava went on smoothly. “You’re just in time to hear about Gabe kidnapping Sylvie.”

  Relief flared in Luisa’s gaze. She relaxed a little. “Oh? What happened?”

  “I might as well wait until everyone gets here,” Sylvie sighed. “So why don’t you tell us why you’re looking like the cat who ate the cream, Laken?”

  “Oh no, you don’t. You’re not sidetracking us that easily, Ms. Everett,” Laken warned.

  They looked ready to go at it, hammer and tong. Ava leaned over to Luisa and spoke in an undertone. “The water’s hot. Want a cup of tea?”

  Luisa smiled faintly. “Please. I’ll come help you.”

  Just what she wanted. “Go ahead and argue, you two, but nothing juicy until we get back.” Ava led the way into the kitchen, but before she poured the boiling water, she turned and put her arms around Luisa, hugging her and feeling Luisa’s initial resistance give way to a desperate hug.

  “I’m so sorry, Luisa. I really think he’ll be all right.”

  Luisa’s voice broke. “I wasn’t going to get into this.” She tightened her arms around Ava once more, then stepped away, wiping at her eyes. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without Tom.”

  “I’m really sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

  “It’s okay. There’s nothing you could have done.”

  “I could have listened.”

  “Tom did a good job. He’s a compassionate man.”

  Ava smiled, but it wasn’t whole-hearted. She should have been here. “He’s had enough practice. Both Siobhan and I are regular water spigots.”

  Luisa’s mouth turned up slightly, then her face crumpled. “I don’t know how I’m going to stand this, Ava. I feel like I’m dying. It’s my fault. I should never have let my career become so important.”

  “You had to take care of them. There was no one else. You’re a good mother, Luisa.”

  “I can’t be, or he’d still be at home. You were right—I made him choose between us. I—I don’t know how to fix it.”

  Ava stepped closer, one arm around her tiny friend, the other hand stroking her hair. “He still loves you, surely you know that. If anything, you’ve done your job too well. He’s a responsible, empathetic young man who wants to help a father whom he sees struggling.”

  “I need him, too. Why do I always have to be the strong one?” She pulled away, eyes snapping in anger. “I’m tired of being strong. I haven’t had anyone to take care of me in years. I tried to do the right thing, so why am I being punished?”

  Ava tried for reason. “I’m sure it feels like punishment, but you know it isn’t meant that way.”

  Luisa turned a stricken gaze on her, clutching one fist to her breast. “I hurt, Ava. So badly I think I can’t bear it.”

  Ava started to answer, but the doorbell rang again. Luisa’s expression turned to horror. “I said I didn’t want to talk about it tonight.”

  Ava touched her arm. “Then we won’t. No one will ask you about it. But you know you can talk to me anytime, don’t you? Tom and I will help you through this. You’re not alone, Luisa.”

  Her friend moved toward the teakettle, her body settling into the same defeated posture as when she arrived. “I know you mean that, and I appreciate it. But I have to be able to do this alone.”

  Ava squeezed her shoulder. “No, you don’t. I won’t press you, but don’t you dare forget that you have friends who care.”

  Luisa nodded, her back still turned. In a small voice, she asked, “Would you please give me a minute?”

  Ava poured Ellie’s wine and added spring water, her heart aching for her friend. “Sure thing.” She left the room, more sorry than ever that she hadn’t been around when she should have.

  Entering the living room, she noticed immediately that something was wrong with Ellie. Ellie glanced up, a brittle smile pasted on her face, her eyes artificially bright.

  I was only gone a few days, but everything’s changing. Ava felt a stab of fear at the thought of her upcoming reader event tour.

  But she responded to Ellie’s all-but-invisible plea by simply greeting her and handing her the wine.

  “Thanks. Where’s Luisa?”

  “In the kitchen.”

  Ellie’s voice lowered. “Is she all right?”

  Ava shook her head and spoke softly. “But we promised. She really doesn’t feel like talking right now.”

  Then she raised her voice back to normal pitch. “Hurry up, Luisa. It’s time for Sylvie to spill her guts.”

  Laken laughed.

  Sylvie frowned and warned. “Don’t get too cocky. I’m waiting to hear the adventures of Michael.”

  Ellie leaned over. “How’s the puppy? The one you’re sharing?”

  “We’re not sharing. He’s the one with the savior complex.” Laken looked around her for an escape route.

  Sylvie’s clear bell of a laugh echoed. “See? Not much fun is it?”

  “Oh, go to hell,” Laken shot back.

  Ava watched her friends laughing and felt the dark undertones of grief beneath. Was this her future, to lose her sense of connection? She’d only been gone a few days, just like a conference trip, but in another ten days, she’d be gone again already. Her whole world was changing. What would happen this time? How much would she miss?

  I’m not giving any of this up, she vowed. Not Tom, not these friends of her heart. She could figure out how to balance it all. Somehow.

  Surely.

  Ava reached out for Ellie’s hand and gave it a squeeze, looking around the room.

  “I’ve missed you all,” she murmured.

  Ellie squeezed back. “We didn’t go anywhere, Ava. And we’ll still be here when you get back.”

  “I’m counting on it.” She leaned forward, to drink in every word.

  Chapter Seven

  ‡

  February

  “Wyatt?” Ellie whispered into the heated darkness, the scent of their lovemaking redolent in the air. She loved this time, needed the closeness so often missing lately.

  “Hmmm?” His strong arm enfolding her, Wyatt’s body had already relaxed into near-slumber.

  He worked so hard. He was always tired, these days. Preoccupied with all the jobs his success forced him to juggle.

  Ellie almost bit back the question that consumed her, but its grip on her had grown more powerful every day. There was never a good time, not lately. But she longed too deeply to hold back and look for a better time.

  “Let’s have one more baby.”

  He went still and tense. She hurried to explain. “Just one. I know we said Sam was the last one, but with your business being so good these days, and I’ve still got the bed and baby clothes in the attic, it wouldn’t have to cost much at all…” She was rushing her fences and she knew it.

  Silence turned the air as stiff as Wyatt’s body.

  Instead of backing off, she tried harder. “You remember how it was with Sam? How much fun it was to have a baby in the house again?”

  “Ellie—” The note of protest said it all.

  Barely able to breathe, she found herself pleading. “Just one more, Wyatt. I’ll make sure the baby’s no trouble at al
l. You’ll never have a moment’s worry—”

  He rolled over on his side to face her. Even in the darkness, she could feel his stare. When he began to stroke to soothe her, she was shocked to realize that she wanted to slap his hand away. He was going to say no, and she couldn’t bear it.

  “Sweetheart, I—” Wyatt broke off, desperation threading through his voice. His hand went still.

  Ellie began to cry. Horrified and embarrassed, she turned away, putting distance between them.

  Wyatt’s hand hovered over her shoulder; she could feel the warmth of it.

  “Ellie, maybe…” His voice trailed off, then he rolled to his back. Weariness shadowed his soft-spoken words. “I thought you were enjoying your painting.”

  Raw and aching, she could barely force the words. “I was—I mean, I am.” She could see Saxon’s piercing blue eyes accusing cowardice. A quick flash of his golden body rocked her, the impact of it too much as she lay naked, feeling her husband’s warm body against her, Wyatt’s insight too piercing—

  Ellie threw aside the covers and vaulted from the bed, grasping for her robe.

  “Where are you going?”

  She stumbled through the darkness, jerking the robe tight around her. “I…I just forgot to write something down that Joseph needs for school,” she lied, desperate to get away. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Can’t it wait?”

  “No—I—no, I don’t want to forget it.” Gentling her voice, forcing a calm note, she continued. “You’ve had a long day. I’m sorry—it was just a moment of insanity. Go to sleep. I’ll be right back.”

  “Ellie, come let me hold you.”

  The ache in her heart clawed at her control. “It won’t take a minute, then I’ll be back.”

  “I love you, Ellie.” Fatigue blurred his voice.

  “I love you, too.”

  She almost ran to the stairs, one hand over her mouth, forbidding the sobs until she could get out of range of his hearing.

  * * *

  Sylvie looked out across Lady Bird Lake, waiting for Saxon to answer the door, the cool wind sifting through her coat. February in Austin meant winter was losing its grip. Already she could feel spring coming, and with it, hope.

  Maybe she didn’t have Alzheimer’s lying in wait. Gabe was leaving it up to her about getting tested, especially since no test had yet proven reliable until clinical symptoms appeared. But he’d made his own views clear on the subject, firm in his stand that whatever she decided, he was there for the duration.