Trouble With Tonya

by Lorna Michaels

  “What do you take me for, young lady? Just because I’ve had another birthday, you think I’ve lost my wits? Of course Claudia’s stuffy. Stuffy, stodgy and stiff as a board. Always has been, always will be.”

  Tonya burst out laughing. “Granddad, you devil.”

  “So,” Clint said when her laughter had died down, “are you going to let this attention disorder get the best of you? Or are you going to beat it?”

  Tonya’s chin rose automatically. “Beat it. Damn it, I’m going to beat it”

  “That’s a Brewster for you,” Clint said, nodding in satisfaction. “Now, what about this Butler you’ve been shedding tears over? Is he worth it?”

  “Definitely worth it”

  “And you think he’s the right man for you?” Clint asked.

  “At first glance, we seem totally wrong for each other, but I know we’re right.”

  “Well then, all you have to do is make him see it, too.”

  “Easier said than done,” Tonya muttered.

  Her grandfather cupped her chin with his big hand. “I didn’t hear that and you didn’t say it. My granddaughter would never let some fellow beat her down.”

  Tonya couldn’t help smiling at that “Maybe you’re right,” she said.

  “Maybe?”

  “For sure you’re right” Clint nodded in satisfaction, and Tonya continued. “I have to go to El Paso tomorrow to arrange a mystery weekend for Betsy at Whodunit But I’ll be back.”

  Clint’s eyes twinkled. “And when you come back, you’ll go over to that Our Kids Center and give that fellow Kirk what for.”

  “I will. If I have to hog-tie him and drag him in, I’ll make him see how right we are together.”

  Tonya suddenly felt her grandmother’s hand on her shoulder. “Tonya, dear, are you talking about a man or a rodeo bronc?”

  She laughed. “Same thing, Grandmother.”

  “SAM, THE IS Kirk Butler.”

  “Yes?” Samantha Phillips’s voice was chilly.

  Kirk shifted uncomfortably on the hard chair in his office. “I’m trying to locate Tonya.”

  There was a long pause, then Sam said, “I believe she’s meeting with Betsy Potter at the mystery bookstore this morning, then leaving town.”

  “Leaving? She’s leaving?” His heartbeat shot up.

  “Yes, for El Paso.”

  “But she’s coming back.” He didn’t phrase it as a question. She had to come back.

  Sam’s voice cooled a few more degrees. “I assume so, but why don’t you ask her?”

  She knew damn well why. He could hear it in her voice. Aware how close they were, he knew that if he’d made Tonya angry, she’d have told Sam. “Tonya and I had a...misunderstanding.”

  “Mmm.”

  “If you talk to her before she leaves, tell her I’m trying to reach her.”

  “I don’t think so,” Sam said. “I think you should take care of that yourself.”

  “Damn it, I’ve been trying. She doesn’t answer her phone. She’s not at her town house.” He took a breath to stifle his frustration. “I know she had a doctor’s appointment on Monday. I don’t even know why.”

  “I’m sure she’ll explain, but I’ll ease your mind. She isn’t sick.”

  “Thanks.” He was relieved to hear that, glad Sam had relented enough to tell him. He disconnected and tried Tonya’s one more time. Still no answer. Then he tried the mystery bookstore, hoping someone would pick up even if business hours hadn’t started yet. No one did. Damn, he’d drive over to Whodunit right now if the assistant police chief for this area wasn’t coming over in fifteen minutes to meet with the center directors.

  When she gets back, he promised himself. Then they’d talk things over, work something out A live-in arrangement until they decided if they were really right for each other. He could handle that.

  They’d discuss the disorder she thought she had, too. He’d driven past a bookstore the other day and found a book on attention deficit disorders and begun reading. He wanted to understand what made her the person she was.

  Satisfied that he’d solved his dilemma over Tonya, he got back to work. The meeting with the assistant police chief went as scheduled, and for the first time in several days Kirk felt as if he was back to normal. Amazing how coming to a decision could change things.

  Then the fire alarm in the hall went off.

  “Damn!” Kirk muttered. They’d had several fire drills since the Sabers’ threat, and here was another. He glanced at the pile of papers on his desk. He was behind on just about everything, thanks to his mooning over Tonya for the past few days. He heard footsteps hurrying down the hall, but he was tempted to skip the fire drill and continue working.

  Then he heard shouts.

  He glanced down and saw a gray curl of smoke spiraling under his door. No drill. Good God, this was a real fire. The Sabers! he thought.

  Cautiously, he felt the doorknob. It wasn’t hot, so he opened the door slowly. Down the hall, smoke billowed from an open doorway.

  The day-care center.

  As he ran toward the room, smoke filled his nostrils. He began to cough. “Anyone in there?” he shouted.

  No answer. But smoke could have overcome them—

  He heard sounds behind him and turned. A teenage girl ran toward him with Corelle at her heels.

  “Shawnetta, stop!” Corelle yelled, but the girl kept on.

  “My baby. She’s in there.” Eyes wild, hands outstretched, Shawnetta tried to dodge past Kirk.

  He caught her, held her still. “You can’t go in.”

  The girl kicked him. “Let me go. I have to get her.” She bit his hand, drew blood.

  “Help me keep her still,” he shouted to Corelle. The hallway was filling with smoke. They didn’t have much time. “Where’s your baby?”

  “I told you. In there.”

  “You have to tell me where.” Shawnetta didn’t answer. Her eyes had gone blank. Kirk shook her. “Damn it. Tell me where she is.”

  “Playpen,” she sobbed. “Back corner.”

  “Get Shawnetta out,” Kirk yelled to Corelle. He pulled off his shirt, soaked it at the water fountain near the day-care room and held it over his face.

  Crouching, he edged into the room. Now he could hear the crackle of flames, see them devouring the beanbag chair where Janene had sat a few weeks ago. Rick did this, he thought as he dropped to his knees. His eyes smarted, his lungs filled with smoke. Soon the oxygen would be gone. Could the baby have survived this long?

  But he heard a weak cry. He had to go on.

  Feeling his way, he inched toward the corner. Hot. It was so hot. Got to...keep...going. Got to...get her out. And he had to get himself out, too. If he didn’t, he’d never see Tonya again. Never have a chance to tell her he loved her.

  A shape loomed in front of him. The playpen. He could barely make out the tiny figure slumped in one corner.

  No breath left, he thought, but he had to reach the infant. What if it were his baby? His and Tonya’s?

  He reached out and touched the playpen. Hot! He could feel blisters pop out on his hand. Ignoring the pain, he rose, reached inside and grabbed the baby. Its hands flailed weakly as he lifted it.

  Now, out. He wrapped his shirt around the infant and crawled back toward the door, cradling the child in one arm as he’d once cradled a football. He moved fast this time. Hot ash fell on his back. Flames licked at his shoes, smoke obscured his vision...

  Can’t go any farther. His movements slowed. He thought of Tonya. Too late... So damned sorry...

  TONY PULLED ONTO the freeway, heading toward Intercontinental Airport. She drove her Jaguar today, and the dashboard clock read twelve o’clock. As usual, she’d gotten a late start. Would she have time to park and make her El Paso flight?

  She switched on the radio and searched for music. Instead she got news.

  “In local news, a two-alarm blaze is raging at an inner-city facility. Arson is suspected in the fire at the O
ur Kids Center on Magnolia Street on Houston’s east side.”

  “Our Kids. Oh, my God.”

  Where was the next exit? She had to get off this blasted freeway and turn around. “Tell me what’s happening,” she muttered at the radio news commentator as she swerved around a van and into the lane for the off ramp.

  “A male staff member has been reported missing—”

  “Kirk!” Every ounce of blood seemed to drain from her body.

  “Possibly inside the building.”

  No, not Kirk. Not anyone. Let it be a mistake. She shot down the ramp. A prayer on her lips, she careened around a corner and headed back, dodging other cars, speeding through yellow lights, even a couple of red ones. Damn, where was a cop when you needed one? She could use a police escort.

  The newscaster shifted to an item about a proposed tax hike by the county. Tonya fiddled with the radio dial as she drove. Nothing more about the fire. She turned back to the station she’d first heard the news on, hoping for further information. Nothing.

  Then, a few minutes later: “That fire at the Our Kids Center is still raging. Sources say the center received a threatening call several days ago from someone who identified himself as a member of a juvenile gang. Police are looking for the alleged gang member.”

  “Rick,” Tonya muttered. If the courts didn’t lock him up for good this time, they were crazy.

  “No word on the missing staff member, who is thought to have gone into the building to search for an infant still in the day-care center,” the commentator continued.

  Doesn’t mean they haven’t found him, Tonya tried to reassure herself. It just means the newscaster doesn’t have the information yet. She knew it was Kirk. He’d be the one brave enough—or foolhardy enough—to rush in to rescue a baby. Don’t let him die. I need him. I love him.

  Magnolia Street materialized before her. As she made the turn, she vowed she wouldn’t break down no matter how bad the news was that awaited her, then prayed she wouldn’t have to keep that promise.

  As she came within sight of the OK Center, she saw cars parked on either side of the street, a fire engine, two police cars and an ambulance. She’d have to park here and go the rest of the way on foot.

  She got out of the car, slammed the door and ran. People thronged the yard at the center, all of them milling about, pointing, chattering. Heart pounding, Tonya raced down the sidewalk. The smell of smoke and charred wood met her nostrils.

  She looked anxiously for someone who could tell her what was going on. Ladonna stood alone, staring at the building. Tonya rushed to her side. “Where’s Kirk?”

  Ladonna didn’t question Tonya’s sudden appearance. “Inside,” she said, and Tonya saw that she was crying.

  She didn’t stay to comfort Ladonna. Instead, she ran toward the building. She had to find someone—anyone—who could tell her about Kirk. She shoved through the crowd, elbowing people aside, moving blindly forward—

  “Hey!” A hand gripped her arm, held her in place.

  She barely spared the young firefighter a glance. “Let me go.” She jerked her arm.

  “You can’t go in there.”

  She knew that, but—“I have to—”

  “Lady.” He dragged her back a step. “Can’t you see there’s a fire? You can’t go any closer.”

  “I know.” Tears streamed down her face. “But there’s a man inside. I have to find him.”

  The sandy-haired young man glanced around as if looking for help. “They’ve gone in after him. They’ll get him out. Come on now,” he coaxed, “you sit down over there, and as soon as they find him, I’ll let you know, okay?” His voice was quiet now, but he didn’t let go of her arm.

  “Please.” She tried to pull away.

  Agitated now, he took her shoulders and forcibly sat her on the ground. “Lady, do us both a favor and sit down so I can get back to work, or...or, damn it, I’ll have you arrested.”

  Tonya gave him one defiant glare, but she didn’t get up when he dashed off. Eyes on the doorway of the building, she prayed.

  “HERE HE IS!”

  Voices, footsteps. Kirk saw black boots. Firefighters. One of them reached for the baby, someone else gripped Kirk under his arms and dragged him into the hall. A mask was shoved over his face. He coughed once, twice, then drew in a breath.

  “Let’s get them out of here.”

  Arms grasped him, but he pushed them away. “No,” he managed to say, and struggled to his feet. He’d walk out under his own power. When he got outside, he’d sit for a while until he could breathe again. Then, by God, he was getting on the next plane for El Paso. Wherever Tonya was, he’d find her and bring her home.

  God, he was dizzy. He staggered, and the firefighter caught his arm. “Door’s right in front of us, sir. You’d better let the medics have a look at you. Here we are.” He opened the door, and Kirk stumbled outside.

  Someone—a paramedic, he guessed—led him away from the building. “I’m okay,” he insisted. “The baby?”

  “We’re going to take a look at it. Sit down. I’ll be right back.”

  The fellow didn’t have to ask him twice. He slid down and leaned against a tree, marveling at how many people were milling around. Even a TV cameraperson.

  He shut his eyes and Tonya’s face swam into view. He’d have a chance to tell her how he felt after all. And he’d do it.

  He’d had enough of this playing around. He was in love with her. All the way in love.

  So they had some differences. They’d work them out If the woman thought she was going to walk out of here, go back to her world and forget about him, she’d better think again. He’d lay it on the line, tell her he loved her, ask her to be his wife.

  Oh, God, he thought, opening his eyes and fighting to subdue the butterflies dancing in his stomach, he was actually thinking about getting married. Maybe it was the smoke inhalation.

  No, it was real.

  Hell, if a tough guy like Wade Phillips could survive it, so could he. Never let it be said that Kirk Butler took second place to any man when it came to toughness.

  He smiled and closed his eyes again.

  FROM AROUND THE CORNER of the building, Tonya saw the young firefighter coming toward her, waving his arm. “We got him out, lady,” he called. “He’s okay.”

  She leapt up and ran.

  She came up behind him. He sat beneath a tree, a paramedic squatting in front of him. He was shirtless, covered with soot. But alive. Safe. She saw bandages on his back; his hair was singed. Oh, God, he looked wonderful.

  Tonya dropped to her knees beside him. “Kirk!”

  At her words, he turned. “Tonya.” His voice was hoarse.

  He started to get up, but the paramedic put a hand on his arm. “Just one minute, sir. We’re almost done.”

  Kirk barely glanced at the man wrapping gauze around his hand. His eyes were on Tonya.

  Tonya heard someone come up behind her, but she kept her gaze fixed on Kirk. They were close but not close enough. She wanted to touch him, gather him into her arms. Dear heaven, she’d come so close to losing him.

  He looked at her as if the crowd milling around them didn’t matter, as if they were the only two people here, as if—

  “All finished, sir. It wouldn’t hurt for you to go to the hospital and get checked out.”

  Kirk rose. Tonya got to her feet. In an instant, they were in each other’s arms, holding tight, kissing hard.

  Tonya drew away. “Kirk, I was so worried, so scared. Are you really all right?”

  “Sure.”

  She lifted his palm. Along the edges of the gauze wrapped around his hand, she saw reddened skin. “You went back in.”

  He shook his head. “I was already in. One of the babies was left in the nursery. If I’d waited for the fire department to get here, even as fast as they are, she’d have died.”

  “You could have died, too,” she whispered, touching his cheek.

  “Yes, but I didn’t, and I’m
fine.”

  She buried her face against his chest and burst into tears.

  “Hey,” he said, cupping her chin and tilting her face up, “I told you I was okay. What’s wrong?”

  She sniffled. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, no matter what, and look at me.”

  She put her arms around his waist and held him dose. Being with him again felt so good. So right

  He drew away and cupped her cheek with one hand. “What are you doing here? Sam said you’d gone to El Paso.”

  “I was on my way to the airport when I heard about the fire on the news. They said a staff member was inside.”

  “And you came back,” he said wonderingly, as if he couldn’t believe it was true.

  “Of course I did,” she said, amazed that he would doubt it “This place is part of my life. And I knew the staff member in the building had to be you. I figured if I had to go in and drag you out myself, I would. No way would I lose the man I love.”

  He stared at her. “Say that again,” he whispered.

  “I said, No way would I lose the man I love.” She stepped back and put her hands on her hips. “I love you, Kirk. You’ll just have to learn to live with it.”

  “That shouldn’t be a hardship. I love you, too.”

  “Well,” she said, and tossed her head, “for a street-smart guy, you certainly took long enough to realize it”

  He chuckled and hugged her close again. “I can’t believe I wasted so much time. Love was staring me in the face all along.” He bent his head and placed a tender kiss on her lips. “How about spending the rest of our lives learning to live with it? Is that long enough?”

  Tonya’s eyes widened. “Are we talking marriage?”

  “We sure are.”

  “In that case, yes.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him again, hard. The sound of applause had them springing apart. Ladonna, Ramon and several of the staff stood a few feet away, unabashedly watching and listening. Even the sandy-haired fireman was among the group. “Mister, you better believe this lady would have gotten you out. I almost had to call a cop to keep her outa there.”

  “Hey, it’s nice to have some good news along with the bad. Congratulations,” Ladonna said. The others added their good wishes, too.