Crouching before her, he took her hand. “I won’t be far. Will you be all right?”
She smiled. “I hardly think she bites.”
“You’re absolutely right, although I may decide to make an exception for one young man who’s treading close to the edge with me.” But love filled every word. “Now go on with you, Joshua Antonio. We women cannot talk properly with you hanging around.”
Josh stood up, still holding Elena’s hand, reluctance written on his face. He lifted her fingers to his mouth and brushed the knuckles with a kiss. “I won’t be gone long,” he promised.
Bemused, Elena could only nod, her heart too full and sore to answer as she watched him walk away.
“You are good for him, mija. You remind him of what is real. So much of his life and the people around him are not.” Sorrow colored her voice. “Quinn has found such happiness with Lorie. I want Josh to have his own.”
“But I’m not what he needs, Señora.”
The dark eyes turned to peer into her soul. “Please call me Tía, as my loved ones do.” She squeezed Elena’s hand. “And I take issue with your assumption. I think you could be exactly what he needs.”
It was foolish to want that so. Elena looked away quickly, eyes brimming.
“Tell me, mija, what troubles you. I sense many levels to your pain.”
How could she discuss with this woman that her beloved grandson would tear her heart out when he left, as he inevitably must? And how could she discuss her past, when she wouldn’t do it for Josh?
But then she surprised herself. “I’m afraid I’m falling in love with him.” She swiped at the tears that threatened. “He’s so far out of my reach. It’s ridiculous for me to want him. I’m nothing.”
“Do not speak of yourself in that manner,” she ordered, placing her hand over Elena’s. Again Elena experienced the blessing of comfort and understanding. “You bring him back to himself, to his roots. He is a man of great depth, living in a shallow world. He feels the disparity, though he denies it. There is much in his heritage that Josh has left behind. It is this loss that troubles his heart and leaves him empty. To ignore the roots of who we are is to put at risk our very souls.”
Elena thought of her own land and heritage. Had she done the right thing? She’d obeyed her father’s desperate, dying plea and fled to save herself. But what of the land and the people who had worked on it? Could she desert both and leave them at Richard’s mercy?
“What is that you have left behind in your running?”
Elena turned to face her, seeing no condemnation there, merely deep concern. “My land,” she whispered. “My people.” Suddenly hoarse with unshed tears, she wanted to tell someone, have someone tell her what to do.
“My father,” she began, “Made me promise, as he lay dying, that I would leave and save myself.” Her voice dropped to a whisper once more. “It may mean my life if I go back, but what kind of life is it if I stay away? If I leave my family’s heritage and keep running?” Her head lifted, and she stared into the old woman’s eyes, desperate for answers. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Can you not summon the authorities?”
She shook her head.
“Very well. Your heart knows the answer, Elena. You need only listen.” The old woman stroked her arm. “Talk to Josh. He wants to help. I see it in his face, his longing to understand and to help you.”
“But he’s in danger,” she cried. “He’ll be hurt if he helps me—I feel it.” Helpless to explain the strength of her foreboding, she stood up and paced. “I am filled with fear for him. I have dreams…”
The old woman’s head angled. “Tell me about them.”
Elena sighed. “I can’t remember anything except green eyes like his.” She turned back to face the woman. “And another man’s name.” She knelt before Josh’s great-aunt. “And the feeling that Josh will be hurt, badly hurt…”
The old woman’s hand stroked her hair. Elena laid her head in Tía’s lap.
The eyes of both were troubled.
That evening, Elena looked around the large table, the room filled with love and laughter. This was her dream, a home filled with caring, a family she could cherish. Different generations, sitting down together, facing troubles and fears with love and courage.
Tía Consuela sat beside Clarissa, listening seriously to the little girl’s story about gathering eggs.
“And that big old mean rooster tried to chase me again, Tía,” she shook her curls. “But I showed him.”
Quinn started laughing, and everyone else at the table turned to look at him. “I’m sorry. It’s just that—” He chuckled again.
Lorie swatted at his arm. “It’s your fault, you know.”
“What is?” Josh inquired.
Elena was curious herself.
“A young lady has no business talking like that.”
Quinn tried to look serious. “I didn’t intend her to take me so seriously, but you can’t deny it was funny as hell.”
Lorie grinned in spite of herself. Turning to Josh, she explained. “We have this rooster who’s inordinately protective of the hens. One of Clarissa’s jobs is to gather eggs, and she’s very good at it.” Casting a glance at her daughter, she smiled. “But the rooster has gotten more aggressive the last few days, and Clarissa became afraid to go into the henhouse.”
Clarissa piped up, “So Daddy gave me a hammer to take with me, and I did just what you said, didn’t I, Daddy?” Her voice reflected her pride.
His eyes sparkled as he nodded. “You sure did, honey.”
Josh turned to his niece. “What was that, Clarissa?”
“Why, I beat the hell out of that old rooster, Uncle Josh.”
All the adults burst into laughter.
“Quinn, stop laughing,” Lorie admonished, hiding her own smile behind her hand.
He wiped his eyes while his shoulders shook. “I’m trying, sweetheart.”
“So how is the rooster now, Quinn?” Josh asked.
Grant answered for him. “The last time I saw him, he was circling the chicken coop, looking a little dazed.”
“He won’t bother me tomorrow, will he, Daddy?” Clarissa asked.
“No, honey,” Quinn choked out. “I don’t think he will.”
“Good.” Clarissa beamed, turning to meet her father’s gaze. “I don’t like that old rooster.”
Josh grinned. “I think he probably understands his mistake now, kiddo.”
Everyone laughed again.
Elena soaked in the merriment and understood the allure this place held for Josh. She felt at home herself.
Home.
Sobering, she thought of Carmen, her only friend back there. What must Carmen be thinking about her absence from their weekly meeting? She’d tried so hard to stay apart from Carmen to protect her, but Carmen was a force of nature. However distant Elena had tried to be, Carmen simply wouldn’t give up on her. Week after week she returned, finding ever more creative ways to communicate with her. Sometimes there would be a note shoved in between cans of the tomato soup Elena preferred, sometimes they would have conversations while facing separate sides of the aisle.
Carmen would be worried. Elena was terrified she would eventually face Richard down.
She couldn’t risk that.
And it felt wrong to give up on her land.
Her land. Not his.
Though living next door to Richard was an impossibility. He would never let her go.
And the price she would pay for leaving…she shivered.
Something had to be done to stop him, but she still hadn’t figure out how to find someone in authority who would make use of the information she’d garnered.
Meanwhile…Carmen.
Seeing Lorie and Quinn rise, each lifting a twin from a booster chair and wiping sticky fingers, she spoke up. “May I make a phone call?”
She felt Josh’s sudden, intense stare.
Quinn responded, “Make yourself at home. Would you
like to call from my study? It’s probably the quietest place in a not-so-quiet house.”
She nodded gratefully, avoiding looking at Josh. She was afraid he would ask questions she wasn’t ready to answer.
Quinn gestured for her to precede him.
“Elena,” Josh called out.
She kept going as though she hadn’t heard him. If she stopped now, she was afraid she’d lose her nerve.
Quinn showed her the room and settled her at his desk. “If you need anything, let me know.”
She nodded, lips suddenly dry and hands shaking.
“Elena.” Quinn’s voice drew her gaze toward where he stood near the door. “Don’t shut Josh out. He wants to help you.”
She bit her lip.
“We all do,” Quinn offered. “You’re not alone.”
She swallowed against the emotion swamping her. “Thank you,” she whispered. “But this is something I have to do myself.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Then I’ll go and try to hold off my brother.” With that, he left the room.
She picked up the receiver and dialed the number from memory.
“Hello?”
A rush of emotion clogged her throat.
“Hello?”
“Carmen…”
“Elena, oh, thank God! Are you all right?”
She swallowed heavily. “Yes, I’m safe.”
“Don’t come back,” she warned.
Elena’s breath froze. “Why not?”
“You got away. Don’t come back.”
Elena swallowed. “I don’t want to, but…I think I have to.”
“Why? Surely you can’t love that man.”
“I hate him.” Words she had never allowed herself to say erupted from her throat. If she’d ever given them voice before, even in her own head, she would have fought him.
And her father would have paid for it.
“Then stay away. You’re not safe here, you know that. I know that, even though you won’t tell me anything.”
Because he would hurt you, too, she wanted to say. But couldn’t. She wouldn’t drag Carmen into this. “What about my land?” Her land. In her heart it had always belonged to her father. “What about the other people he hurts?”
“What do you mean?”
“I—I think I might know a little about something Richard is doing, and it’s…bad.”
“So tell…” Carmen’s voice trailed off. “Of course you can’t tell Sheriff Carlson.”
“I tried once to tell him what Richard was doing to me. He told me a man needs to keep his woman in hand. Then he went to Richard.” And Richard nearly killed me.
“That fat bastard.” A long string of Spanish obscenities rolled from Carmen’s tongue. “But listen to me—there is a new deputy named Greg Blackwell. I think he would listen.”
“Who is he? He must be very new.”
“Ayyiiee, que padre, that one.”
What a man, she meant. What a hottie. Elena wouldn’t have believed any discussion involving Richard would ever make her smile. “Carmen…”
“I know, I know. But he’s not just hot. I think he’s on the up and up.”
“Then he won’t last long.”
“Probably not.” Carmen sighed. “But for now, he’s been helping me try to figure out if Richard had buried you in the desert.”
Elena shivered. “He wants my land, and something is time-sensitive.”
“Why doesn’t he just take it? Use it however he wants—you’re not going to stop him.”
“I’m not sure. I think it has to do with a partnership. He was determined to make me sign the land over. I heard part of a phone call, and I think he’s going to sell young girls.”
“Dios.” Carmen swore beneath her breath. “He’s already richer than any ten men.”
“He’ll never be rich enough. I can’t let him win.”
“Elena, you can’t fight that man. He’s evil. He hits you, right? I think he does. He has broken your spirit, hasn’t he? You are not the cold bitch others believe, are you? You’re only…scared.”
“I am scared. He used Papa as leverage. He was furious that Papa refused to deed me the land when we married. I think Papa sensed that Richard was up to no good.” She sighed. “I wish I had.”
“You need to talk to Greg. He can help you—but you stay where you are. I’ll get you his cell number, but you don’t come within miles of this place, do you hear me? Where can I reach you?”
Elena hesitated. “I don’t have a cell phone.” Josh did, but she wasn’t going to involve him. “And I need to think about this. You don’t really know this deputy, right?”
“Not as well as I’m going to.” Carmen laughed lightly. “I’ve barely begun playing with him.”
Despite the worry clenching her stomach, Elena had to smile. “I pity the poor man.”
Then Carmen sobered. “Where are you? Are you sure you’re safe?”
If Elena told her who she was with, would Carmen ever believe it? Or be able to keep that news to herself?
Her friend was many things, but discreet was not one of them. Next thing she knew, something would be on the internet about Josh. Then he, too, would be in danger.
“I’m fine.” For now, at least. She felt safe with Josh, with his family, though it couldn’t last. “I’ll call back when I can and get the deputy’s number from you.” She hesitated. “Carmen, be careful. Richard has eyes and ears everywhere.”
“That culo doesn’t scare me.”
“He should. I have to go, but seriously, Carmen…watch your back.”
“I’ll be fine. You call me soon, oye?”
Elena hung up the receiver without answering, her mind racing. She stared off into the distance, her thumbnail caught between her teeth. She wanted to get this over with, and she had no idea when or if she’d get another opportunity without involving Josh.
With every second that passed, her resolve slipped a notch.
The young girls will bring the highest price.
Children. He would build his wealth on the backs of children. On their suffering. She couldn’t be responsible for that. Every day that passed could jeopardize innocents, and she might be the only person who knew the danger.
But oh, God, she was so scared of him. Of what he would do to her.
She couldn’t wait for the deputy’s cell number. Quickly, before she could lose her nerve, she dialed information for the sheriff’s office and placed one more call.
“Deputy Blackwell, please,” she requested.
“Just a moment, please. May I say who’s calling?” the receptionist asked.
Elena hesitated. “Carmen Zaragosa.”
“Just a moment, please.”
“Hey, babe. Ready for another round?”
“Deputy, this is Elena Navarro.”
A hiss of exhalation rushed through the receiver. “Just the woman I’ve been wanting to talk to. Are you all right, Ms. Navarro? Where are you?”
“I’m fine, but I’d rather not say.”
“As long as you’re safe. Carmen is very concerned about you. Can you tell me why you left?”
Elena didn’t know where to start. “Before I say anything, tell me why I should trust you.”
“Because you can’t trust the sheriff? You’re wise to understand that.”
Every word rang with sincerity, yet…
“I learned the hard way.” She shook her head to reject the memories of the aftermath of seeking the sheriff’s help.
“I’m very sorry for that. Look, I don’t know that it’s safe for us to talk on these phones. Give me your number, and I’ll call you right back.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Here’s my cell.” He rattled it off. “Call me in five minutes, but before you hang up, you can trust me, I swear it. We have the same goal. There are deep roots of evil here, and I need your help to expose them.”
Could she? Did she dare?
“Please call. I want to help you.”
“I don’t think anyone can,” she whispered.
Then she heard the door knob turn and hung up.
Can I trust you? Josh heard, and for a second, he thought about retreating. Who was she wanting to trust?
And why not him?
She sounded terrible, so frightened and weary.
Only minutes ago, she’d been laughing at the dinner table.
Maybe he should walk away. He’d tried his best to show her that he cared, that he wanted to help her, and still, stubbornly she resisted.
His grip tightened on the door knob. He looked back toward the family. He didn’t have to get himself involved with whatever it was.
Then he shook his head and knocked softly. “Elena?” He opened the door.
She straightened quickly from where she’d been hunched in defeat, but she couldn’t disguise how her face had gone paper white.
“What’s wrong? What can I do?” Then a thought occurred to him. “Were you talking to him?” Even he could hear the venom in his voice.
And worse, the sense of possession.
“No!” The horror on her face was proof enough.
“Please, sweetheart…talk to me. I can help. And Quinn was a cop, I told you. If you won’t trust me, talk to him.”
“I trust you, Josh, I just…” She looked away.
“You don’t, or you wouldn’t keep hiding the truth from me.”
“I’m trying to protect you! Richard would kill you if he knew—” She clamped her mouth closed, and her eyes went wide.
“Richard…Kruger? At last, something to go on. I’m going to get Quinn to tap his contacts and—”
“No—Josh, no. I’m not kidding. He will kill you.”
“We’ve discussed this before. I’m not afraid of this creep.”
“Well, you should be!” she cried.
Quinn entered. “What’s going on?”
Her gaze shifted back and forth between them.
“She’s in trouble, and I think she’s running from an abusive husband, but she’s got this idea that he will hurt me, so she’s trying to protect me.” Fury mingled with disgust, rising like acid. “But hey, I’m just a pretty face, so—” He threw his hands up in defeat and turned on his heel.
“Slow down, Josh,” Quinn snapped. “Is he right, Elena? You’re in trouble and you’re trying to protect Josh?”
The Marshalls Boxed Set (Texas Heroes: The Marshalls Books 1-3) Page 43