by Diana Palmer
He eased back onto school property and met the school policeman at the front door. He apologized for being off campus and added that he’d take his lumps for skipping class. The officer, a father of five, just smiled. It would be all right, he said. He wasn’t a bad kid, and the principal was a nice guy.
Tonio didn’t even get in trouble. He went back to his next class after a heartfelt apology. He hoped he wasn’t going to fare worse when his dad found out what he’d done.
* * *
John had been almost sick with worry. He stopped by the principal’s office at San Felipe, only to be told with a kind smile that the boy had turned up already and was safely in class.
He went back to work with a lighter heart. But it didn’t solve his problem. Tonio was going to be watched from now on. He’d arranged for one of Eb Scott’s men to shadow the boy in San Antonio, but that wasn’t to start until the following day. Meanwhile, he had to decide what to do about Sunny. It was the worst possible time to be hit with his son’s opposition. He’d been intimate with her. There could be a child.
How was he going to break the news to her, that he had a son, that there was no immediate future for them? He was devastated. Tonio had threatened to run away. The boy had escaped him for half a day. If he followed through on the threat, and kept running, how would John live with it?
* * *
Tonio’s steps dragged as he headed toward the children’s hospital after school. He knew he was going to catch hell from his dad; the principal had told him his father had come by looking for him.
He thought it couldn’t get any worse when Rado and two of his minions were suddenly in front of him. He stopped short, his heart racing.
“Hey, Tonio, where’s your buddy David?” the gang leader drawled sarcastically.
“I don’t know,” Tonio said, and it was the truth.
Rado noticed that. He was good at reading people. He moved a step closer. “If he calls you, you better find me quick and tell me,” he said in a threatening tone. “Because I’ll know, Tonio. And you’ll pay for it. You understand? I got a friend who’s a cop,” he added. “He’ll do anything I tell him. Anything! You remember that.”
He turned, motioned to his buddies and brushed past Tonio so hard that he almost toppled him.
Tonio watched him go with cold chills running up his spine. Rado wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. But it wasn’t himself he was worried about. Sunny was involved. His father had said anybody around him was in danger. What if Rado found out about Sunny talking to Cal Hollister for him?
He brightened just a little when he saw her sitting in the canteen. She smiled as he approached.
“Hi,” she said gently. “How’s it going?”
“I want to go to Canada,” he said on a sigh as he dropped his book bag and sank into a chair.
“Why Canada?”
“I don’t think Rado would find me there.”
“Oh, dear. What do you want? Hot chocolate?”
“I’ll get it.”
“My treat,” she said softly, and smiled.
“Okay. Hot chocolate.”
She bought two cups and put his in front of him as she sat down. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“My dad and I fought,” he said miserably. “I cut class and he came looking for me. If that wasn’t bad enough, Rado just stopped me outside and said if I heard from David I’d better tell him or else. He says he’s got a cop in his pocket, somebody who’ll do anything he tells him to.”
“That’s bad news,” she said. “You can’t tell your father?”
He shook his head. “He’s mad at me.”
“Tonio, you can’t cut class and run away. Problems follow you. They’re portable,” she said gently. “You have to face them. Your dad will get over being mad at you.”
“He’s got a girlfriend,” he said through his teeth. “He brought one of them home before. That’s why I ran away. She was cold as ice. This one... My dad’s got no sense about women.”
“That’s not true,” she contradicted softly. “He married your mother, didn’t he? And she sounds as if she was a wonderful person.”
“She was.”
“This is hard for you to understand,” she said. “But grown-up people don’t do well alone, especially people who’ve been married. I know your dad is happy that he has you. But I imagine he’s just lonely, Tonio.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to see her,” he said. “She’ll be just like that other one. He never talks to me. He tells me what to do and he goes to work. If I ever try to talk to him, the phone rings. Maybe he’d be happier if I was out of the way.”
“Don’t you say that,” she chided. “Shame on you for even thinking it.”
He drew in a breath. He managed a smile. “He did go looking for me today.”
“Of course he did. You’re his son. If he loved your mother, he must love you, too. You’re part of her. You’re all he has left of her.”
She had a way of making things easier, making him see the good things instead of the bad. “Thanks,” he said gruffly.
She smiled. “Sometimes it helps to just take a step back and look at things from a different perspective.”
“That’s hard.”
“Life is hard,” she countered. “We get through it one day at a time. But Hollister needs to know what Rado told you, about the policeman he’s got in his pocket.”
“If he comes here again, people will notice,” Tonio said. “I don’t want to get you in trouble. Rado’s killed two people already.”
“More than two,” she said. She frowned. “I think I know a way. I’ll talk to him myself.”
“If you go to his office—”
“Oh, I won’t do that,” she said, smiling. “I’ll come up with something.” She checked her watch. “I’ll be late. When does your school let out for the holidays?” she added, thinking that he’d probably be safer at home than walking around the city after school to get to the hospital.
“Friday,” he said. He sighed. “I won’t see you again until after the new year,” he added miserably.
“I might have a surprise for you Friday,” she said, her eyes brightening.
He laughed. “I might have one for you, too,” he returned. He looked at her sadly. “At least I have my dad, even if he gets mad at me. You don’t have anybody, Sunny.”
“I have you,” she teased.
“Yes, but it’s going to be Christmas...”
“I go to church. There are people I know. And there’s this guy.” She flushed.
“The special guy, right?” he asked, and tried not to look as disappointed as he felt.
“Very special.” She drew in a long sigh and smiled dreamily. “I’ve been alone so long. I never thought I’d find anybody who’d want me for keeps.”
“He has to share you,” he said firmly. “I’m not giving up half my family to some strange man.” He grinned.
She laughed, delightedly. “I’ll be sure and tell him. I’ll be off after today, but I come back to work Friday. So I’ll see you then. Don’t worry about Rado. I think he’s going to be in some serious trouble very soon.”
“It won’t be soon enough for me. See you.”
She smiled. “See you.”
* * *
Tonio finished supper before his father showed up. He looked as apprehensive as he felt.
John put up his hat and coat and slung his gunbelt over the back of a chair. He glared at his son.
“I apologized to everybody,” Tonio said quietly. “I did a dumb thing. I’m sorry.”
John didn’t reply. He sat down, filled a plate and ate in an icy silence. He’d worried the problem all day. He was no closer to a solution.
“I’m going,” Adele called from the hall. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Nothing. Thanks,” John added.
She glanced from one set face to the other, grimaced and let herself out.
“No video games for the rest of the week,” John said when he’d finished eating.
Tonio swallowed. It was what he’d expected. “Yes, sir.”
“And if you leave school again in the middle of the day, for any reason whatsoever, I’m going to start looking up military schools.”
Tonio’s heart stopped. He’d never see Sunny again. “But, Dad—”
“You know how dangerous Rado is,” he said icily. “Your friend David has put you in harm’s way. I’m not taking any more chances with your life.”
“I’ll do better. I will!”
John didn’t reply. He sipped coffee instead.
Neither of them was addressing the real issue, that Tonio had run away because of John’s woman friend. But it was on both their minds.
“May I be excused?” Tonio asked in a subdued tone.
“Help yourself. Bed at eight.”
Tonio didn’t bother to argue. It wouldn’t have done any good. He was in enough trouble. “Yes, sir.”
John watched the boy walk down the hall with dead eyes. Today had been a near thing. He couldn’t lower his pride enough to let Tonio see how frightened he’d been when he couldn’t find him. He didn’t want to give up Sunny. He wished there was another option.
But he couldn’t lose his child over a woman, not even this woman. He’d have to tell her. He just didn’t know how. And he had to pray that there would be no consequences from his headlong rush into intimacy. He should never have compromised her. She was innocent. He’d robbed her of courtship, proposal, marriage, all in one fell swoop. He’d made promises he couldn’t keep.
He wondered if life could get any harder.
* * *
Sunny phoned Hollister after work, once she got home and kicked off her shoes.
“Do you still dance the tango?” she teased.
He chuckled. “Like a pro. Why?”
“I need to talk to you, but I can’t do it at work. Rado’s watching. I found out something pretty important. I can’t come to your office and I really don’t want to tell you over the phone.”
“How about Friday night, at Fernando’s?” he asked. “That’s the soonest I’ll have any free time. I’m tied up for the next couple of days. Something intense.”
“That suits me. I’ll see you there about six?”
“I could pick you up.”
“Rado might be watching,” she said. “Too risky. I’ll get a cab.”
“Okay. I’ll see you Friday.”
She hung up. She wondered if John was going to call her at all? Surely he hadn’t been lying, about wanting a future with her? He didn’t seem the type of man to lie. She hoped she was right.
* * *
But the very next day, he was at her door, just after lunch.
“Hi,” she said, smiling breathlessly at the unexpected visit.
“Hi.” He was quiet. Subdued. He indicated the living room. She winced inwardly at the sofa where they’d been so intimate, but he seemed not to notice. He sat on the edge of her one armchair and leaned forward, his hat in his hand.
“Something’s happened,” she guessed as she perched on the arm of the sofa.
“Something.” He looked up. His face was hard as stone. “I haven’t been truthful with you. I’m a widower,” he added quickly when he saw her expression. “That part was true. But what I didn’t tell you is that I have a son.” He averted his eyes. “I was involved with a woman last year. I took her home. He ran away.” He looked down at his boots. “I thought if I could just get him to meet you...but he took off again. It took me a long time to find him.” His lips made a thin line. He couldn’t look at her. “I made promises to you that I can’t keep. At least, not right now. I have to work things out at home first. I’m sorry.”
She hadn’t moved. She hadn’t breathed. She just sat there. She was a little paler but she didn’t speak. She stared at him with such pain that one glimpse was enough to keep his eyes elsewhere.
“I see,” she said finally.
“It’s only temporary,” he said, trying to make the best of it. “I just need to make him understand that I have a life apart from being a father. I need...a little time.”
She knew what he was saying. He was too kind to blurt it out, but she knew. She got up, forcing a smile. “Okay.”
He looked up. “Okay?”
She walked to the door and opened it. “I’ve got a dentist’s appointment,” she lied, and the smile stayed. “I know you’ll work things out. It’s fine.”
He hesitated. “Sunny,” he began. She was too calm. Far too calm.
“It’s all right,” she emphasized. She looked up at him. “We’ll just back away for a while. No problem. I hope you have a good Christmas.”
He hadn’t thought about presents. He hadn’t thought about much, since Tonio had run away. “I’m not handing you a line,” he said quietly. “I meant everything I said.”
She nodded. She looked at the clock. “I really have to go... I’m sorry!”
He let out a harsh breath. “Okay. But I’ll call you in a few days. I was going to take you to the lieutenant’s Christmas party, but I can’t go. I have to work a double shift Saturday, so that another Ranger can be off with his family.”
“I’m working overtime, too,” she said. “I’ll see you, John.”
He went out the door but before he could get another word out, she’d shut it behind her. He heard the lock slide into place. He closed his eyes and shuddered inwardly. He knew what she was thinking. He loved her. He wanted her. If only he could find a way around one stubborn, hardheaded eleven-year-old, there might still be hope. But for now, all he could do was retreat.
Sunny heard the SUV crank up. She threw herself down on her bed and cried until her eyes were red.
* * *
She was so miserable Friday that Tonio winced at the sight of her ravaged face.
“Something’s gone wrong,” he said worriedly.
She managed a smile. “Just another disaster. Nothing to worry about. Hot chocolate?”
He could have groaned. “It’s that guy, isn’t it? The special one?”
“I’m just stupid, Tonio, that’s all it is,” she said. “I don’t know anything about men. I thought he cared.” She laughed. “More fool me.”
“I’d punch him for you, if I could,” he said with some heat.
“Thanks. But it’s nobody’s fault.” She opened her purse and pulled out a small, wrapped present. “Merry Christmas.”
He reached under the table and pulled out a bud vase with a single yellow rose in it, tied with a bright yellow ribbon. “Merry Christmas!”
“Oh, Tonio!” She hugged him and hugged him.
He thought he’d never felt so happy in his life. He hated feeling glad that Sunny’s guy hadn’t worked out, because now he had a chance to introduce her to his dad. If he could just find some way to do it. First, he thought miserably, he’d have to find a way to get rid of his dad’s present heartthrob. But where there was a will...
“What is it?” he asked, turning the package over.
“Open it and see.”
“I don’t have to wait?”
She laughed. “No. Open it!”
It was a game disc for the Xbox One. In fact it was a brand-new space game that he’d read about online.
“I wanted this one so much!” he burst out. “Thanks, Sunny!”
She grinned. “The man at the game store said it was popular and very good. Thank you for mine,” she added. “I love yellow roses.”
He grinned back. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas. I wish I could stay, but I’ll be late, again.”
“I’ll see
you next year,” he said. He smiled sadly. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
“What about Mr. Hollister?” he asked under his breath.
“All arranged. And no danger to either one of us.” She smiled. “I’ll tell you all about it. Next year. You stay out of trouble.”
He crossed his heart.
She laughed as she went off to the elevator.
* * *
Friday night, she and Hollister danced the tango.
“Okay, so tell me,” he chided at her ear. He looked around. “It looks like we’re a normal couple on a date.”
“Hopefully if it gets back to Rado, that’s just what he’ll think. He told my young friend that he has somebody in the police department, a man who’ll do anything he tells him to.”
Hollister stopped dancing. “What?!” he exclaimed.
“Dance,” she said “or we’re going to draw attention.”
“Of all the damned outrages. My own department,” he muttered.
“It explains how he knows so much.”
“Hopefully, he doesn’t have a line into my office. I’ll get some people on it today. People I know I can trust. Thanks, kid,” he teased.
“You’re welcome.” She cocked her head up at him. “It’s such a shame that I don’t like blond men. You’re a great dancer.”
He grinned. “Well, I’m partial to blondes.”
“Sorry. One broken heart a year is enough,” she said.
“Ruiz?”
She nodded. She drew in a breath. “I thought it was getting serious. But he didn’t.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. But no harm done,” she lied. “None at all.”
“If you say so.”
He put her into a cab and went back to his office. He had a mole to flush out.
* * *
Sunny went back to work the next day, only to have John Ruiz show up on her floor during her break and take her downstairs and out the front door.
“Hollister,” he said icily. “You said you didn’t have anything going with Hollister. But you were on a date with him!” He didn’t add that he’d been near the restaurant on a case. He’d seen her go into Fernando’s and followed, just inside the door. She’d been doing the tango with Hollister, dancing close. So much for her lies about not liking blond men! He was livid.