He made sure the baby’s bracelet was around her wrist, plopped her into her crib, and kissed the top of her fuzzy red head. He was beginning to have serious doubts about the whole bracelet thing. Sure, it kept her from vanishing, but what if this wasn’t a safe place for her, and she actually needed to disappear? After his sleepless night, it felt like danger was hiding around every corner, waiting to say, Gotcha!
Gabe exited the childcare facility and loped toward A building and his first period class. Running late as usual.
“Hey, Gabe! Wait up, dude.” Kevin McFadden, laden down with an enormous athletic bag as well as a backpack, hurried to join him. “Practice starts tonight. You ready for some B-ball?”
Gabe shook his head. “Can’t make it tonight. Still lining up the baby sitter.”
“Boomer won’t be happy. I heard his wife wants to take care of her. Go for it, man. She’s smokin’ hot. Wish I had a kid she could babysit.”
At one time, Gabe would have agreed that “being hot” was the perfect description for a childcare provider. No more. He grinned and punched Kev in the shoulder. “Careful what you wish for, bud. It’s not all about sexy babysitters.”
Kevin punched him back, a little harder than necessary. “Whatever. Just get your butt to practice. Okay? We need you.”
They walked in silence toward their respective classrooms. It suddenly occurred to Gabe that, other than basketball, he had nothing whatsoever in common with Kevin McFadden.
Before they parted company, Kev said, “If you’re not busy Saturday night, I’m having a little function at the house.” He winked. “Parental units needed a break. They’re in Napa Valley for the weekend. Hey, bring the kid along. She’d be a real chick magnet. Kinda like a new puppy. The girls would be all ‘Oh, she’s so cute! Let me hold her.’” He slugged Gabe’s shoulder again. “Score!”
Gabe took a moment to form an answer, having decided against his first reaction. What the fuck, Kevin! You comparing my kid to a dog? Through lips stiff with outrage, he managed to murmur, “Thanks, Kev. I’ll try to make it.”
It had been too late last night to contact Abby about caring for Birdie during basketball practice. Especially after he’d completed the list of “cleaning lady” duties Papi had prepared for him. After thinking it over, he’d decided Papi was right. It had to be Abby. Who else could he trust with the baby? Yeah, she was a witch, but she was a white witch. According to Abby, that was a good thing. Maybe a witch was just what he needed to keep Birdie safe.
Well past the point of exhaustion from lack of sleep, endless worries, and a long to do list, Gabe trudged to his classroom. Now, if he could just make it through the day.
Chapter Nineteen
AFTER SCHOOL, Gabe took the long way to his car, skirting the gym. He felt a little sneaky, but the last thing he needed today was Boomer’s accusing stare. With any luck, Gabe would be suited up and ready for practice tomorrow. Providing Abby was willing to babysit. Strangely, he’d been unable to connect with her all day. He’d caught a glimpse of her between classes, but she’d melted into the crowd before he could catch up to her. It felt like she was trying to avoid him; probably reacting to something he’d done or said without realizing it. Gabe’s brain swirled in confusion. Too bad the school didn’t have a class called, What the Hell Do Girls Want?
Back home, Gabe steered his car around Henry who was practicing his soccer footwork in the driveway. Inside, Simon sat at the table, alternately taking bites of a sandwich, studying the screen of his laptop, and scribbling notes. He greeted Gabe by saying, “Next time you go to the store, we’re outta peanut butter.”
Since Gabe had an agenda, he bit back his preferred response (get it yourself) and added peanut butter to the list pinned to the fridge by a magnet shaped like the state of Washington. Birdie was sleeping soundly in her car seat. Gabe placed her next to Simon’s chair. “I need to go next door for a few minutes. I’ve got my phone. Call me if she wakes up.”
Simon glanced down at the baby and gave a brief nod.
Before Simon could change his mind, Gabe exited the house and pushed through the gate leading to Abby’s. He lifted a hand to knock. Before his fist landed, Abby appeared before the glass slider. Unsmiling, she hesitated a few moments before opening the door.
“Can I come in?”
Abby stepped back. “Suit yourself.”
Oh, great. She’s pissed and I have to figure out why. Gabe tried to remember how he’d dealt with former girlfriends when they’d lapsed into hissy fits. Seemed like he’d told them how pretty they looked, blah, blah, blah. Probably wouldn’t work with Abby. She was too smart for lame compliments.
Gabe took a deep breath and dove into the deep end of the troubled waters. “Okay, I get it. You’re mad. What did I do?”
Abby perched on the edge of the couch. Cautiously, Gabe joined her, making sure he left some open space between them.
“Think about it, Gabe. All the way back from Yakima, you barely said a word to me. Just a grunt every now when I asked you a question. Obviously, it’s the witch thing.”
Oh, yeah. Talking. Damn! I forgot how much girls like to talk about every little thing. Talk, talk, talk.
“It wasn’t the witch thing. I just had a lot to think about. That’s all. I had to think about Lizzie. About what happened to her. About how Becca Sampson had no idea Birdie could vanish. About how I can keep her safe. It had nothing to do with you.”
Abby stood, folded her arms across her chest, and glared down at him. “Face it, Gabe. You’re afraid of me.”
“Afraid of you?” Her accusation was so unexpected, Gabe had to fight back a grin. Don’t do it, Gabe. Grinning would definitely not help the situation.
He sprang to his feet and placed his hands on her shoulders. “If I was afraid of you, would I touch you?”
“Be honest.” She jerked away but her glare softened a bit. “You were scared. I know you were. And, you called me a bruja.”
Gabe took a step toward her and cupped her face in his hands. “Sorry about the bruja comment. It’s a Mexican thing. Okay, maybe I was a little scared at first, but not now. God Almighty, girl, think about it. You’ve got some powerful mojo. You conjured up a bulletproof shield with your mind. I think most everybody would be surprised by that.”
This time, Abby didn’t pull away. She leaned into his hands. Tears sprang into her eyes. “You don’t know how hard it is, Gabe. Trying to act normal. Sometimes I get urges I can hardly control. When some snotty bitch looks at me like I’m gum stuck to the bottom of her shoe, I want to do something bad.”
Gabe unleashed the grin he’d been holding in and used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. “Like turn her into talking veal?”
Abby smiled back at him. “No, I’m thinking white rat or warty toad.”
Gabe touched his forehead to hers. “If you decide to do it, be sure to let me know.”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
Gabe slid his hands over her shoulders, down her back, and encircled her waist. Without giving it a second thought, he pulled her in tight to his body. Abby took a shaky breath and snuggled into his chest.
“You know,” Gabe murmured, breathing in her fragrant hair. “Birdie’s also one of those kids who has, um, special abilities. Someday, she’ll have to fake it. Just like you. Think you could help us out?”
Abby lifted her head and nodded.
In a split second, Gabe was aware of her warm, curvy body pressed against his. He had to kiss her. He had to. He lowered his head and touched his mouth to hers. Abby’s lips, parting under his, tasted soft and innocent. Sweet as caramel candy. Just as he wondered if this was her first kiss, Abby pushed away, her eyes bright with an emotion Gabe couldn’t identify. Fear? Lust? Triumph? He had no clue. He tried to back away but her arms snaked around his neck.
“I thought
you’d never get around to kissing me.” She pulled him close and lifted her mouth to his.
It was different this time. Gabe groaned as he felt his body respond to the soft breasts pressing against him, warm lips hungry for his kiss. Stop now, Gabe. She’s an innocent kid. Man up and step away.
Even though it was the last thing he wanted to do, Gabe took hold of Abby’s shoulders and pushed her away. Breathing hard, he said, “Whoa, where did that come from?”
A flush rose in Abby’s cheeks. Her gaze dropped to the floor. “I don’t know . . . I guess I got carried away. I’m sorry.”
She looked so miserable, Gabe did the only thing he could think of to comfort her, even though it meant re-entering the danger zone. He wrapped her up in a big bear hug. “Hey, you don’t need to apologize. I started it. Remember?”
When she wouldn’t meet his gaze, he lifted her chin with his index finger. “Hear me?”
When she nodded, he took her hand and led her to the couch. “Now, the real reason I came over. I have a job offer for you.”
“You want me to take care of Birdie while you’re at basketball practice.”
“How did you know?”
Abby grinned. “I’m a witch. I know things.”
Five minutes later, they’d worked out all the details. Each day after school, Gabe would drive Abby and the baby home, even though it would make him late to practice. Boomer would just have to live with it. Papi had agreed to take care of Birdie on weekend game nights, which meant Abby had a four-day workweek.
As Gabe headed for the door, his phone rang. He looked at the screen. Simon. “Yeah? Birdie wake up?”
“She’s awake but that’s not the problem.”
“So, why are you calling me?”
Simon’s voice was thrumming with tension. “You need to get home. Now.”
The baby was awake but not a problem? So what was the cause of Simon’s panicky phone call? Maybe one of his mathematical equations hadn’t worked out. “What’s the big deal?”
Simon snarled. “Just get your ass home. You’ll see.”
Gabe broke the connection, told Abby goodbye, and trotted home. Strangely, the family room and kitchen were empty. Unless they were sleeping, the Delgado family never strayed far from the food source and TV. His heartbeat kicked up a notch when he noticed Birdie’s car seat was empty. He heard voices coming from the living room, one of them female.
The scene in the living room was like an old-fashioned photograph from a previous century, everyone frozen in time. Henry and Simon were side-by-side, sitting on the beautifully upholstered davenport they never ever used. Hands tucked beneath his armpits, Henry’s dark unblinking gaze was fixed on a woman he barely remembered. Simon too seemed unable to move although his eyes glittered with suppressed anger.
The woman, her back toward Gabe, was perched on a chair across from Simon and Henry. Her hair was artfully styled and streaked with golden highlights. Tanned arms worked like pistons as she bounced Birdie up and down on her knees. Her bangle bracelet tinkled rhythmically.
Birdie’s face was a study in confusion. Her wide-eyed gaze never left the stranger’s face as she cycled through her range of emotions. First the frowny face. Next, the quivering lower lip. But, before the tears began to flow, she changed her mind, emitted a loud “Eeep,” flapped her hands and smiled. Repeat.
Gabe studied the back of the woman’s head. Was it? Could it be? Why now?
Gabe walked around to the front of the chair. “Mom?”
Chapter Twenty
“GABE!” THE WOMAN squealed. She sprang from the chair and threw one arm around Gabe’s neck, trapping the baby between their bodies. Birdie started to squall. Before Gabe could disengage, she whispered, “You were always my favorite.”
Gabe glanced over at Simon and Henry, certain his long-absent mother had murmured the same words to both of them, in spite of the fact they hadn’t seen her for years. She did call them every year at Christmas. Gabe supposed that counted for something.
He reached for the baby. She clung to his shirt and cast furtive glances at her grandmother before burying her face in Gabe’s chest.
Connie (Mrs. Dr. Barry Bernstein) formerly Connie Delgado, wife of Ernesto, mother of Simon, Gabriel, and Henry, gazed at her second oldest son. “Look at you with that baby! Why didn’t you call me?”
“It was kind of sudden. I’ve been a little busy.”
One eyebrow shot up in mock surprise. “Didn’t you think I’d want to know I had a granddaughter?” Her question hung in the air between them.
Gabe took a deep breath and let it out. Sometimes offense was the best defense. “Does Papi know you’re here?”
Connie tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear and returned to her chair. “I believe your brother Simon already informed him.”
“So, he had no idea you were coming?”
“Since when do I need an appointment to see my family?”
Gabe’s politeness filter suddenly imploded and he blurted, “Since you took off and never came back.”
“You think you know the whole story, but you don’t.” Connie’s eyes flared with anger. “You only know one side of it. Your father’s.”
Henry was blinking hard, trying to hold back tears. A muscle twitched in Simon’s clenched jaw. For the last six years, Gabe had stored up the words he wanted to fling at his mother. Angry words he’d held close and nurtured. Words like hot coals held in his hand. Burning his flesh. Scarring his soul. But now, looking at his mother, he realized her soul was untouched.
“Henry was only six when you left. He hardly remembers you.” Gabe took a shaky breath and forced himself to speak calmly. “If you had a problem, you should have stayed and worked it out. Instead, you took off. You dumped your husband and abandoned your kids. That’s all we need to know.”
Connie’s mouth opened and closed. “How dare you speak to me like that! I’m still your mother.” Two spots of red burned high on her cheekbones.
A strangled sob burst from Henry’s throat. Gabe shifted Birdie to his right shoulder, sat on the couch and wrapped his free arm around his younger brother. As if sensing the tension in the air, Birdie began to wail. Simon slumped forward, elbows on his knees, and covered his face with his hands.
Gabe searched for something to say but came up empty. Just then, the door leading from the garage flew open and Papi strode into the room. Without saying a word, he checked out his distraught family and held out his arms to Henry who was losing his battle with tears. Papi embraced him and ruffled his hair. “It’s okay, mi hijo, Papi’s here.” He dropped a kiss on Henry’s head. “You want to go watch TV?”
Henry swiped at his eyes, nodded and made his exit. Next, Papi took the baby from Gabe and began murmuring to her in Spanish. He swung her gently in his arms, to and fro. When Birdie’s sobs subsided into little hiccups of self-pity, he handed her back to Gabe. When Simon lifted his head, Gabe noticed his glasses were misted with tears.
“How about you boys go find something to eat. I need to talk to your mother,” Papi said, nodding his head toward the family room.
Simon headed straight for the bathroom, went inside, and locked the door. Gabe went into the family room, spread out a blanket, and put the baby on the floor next to Henry. She rolled onto her back, grabbed both feet in her hands and smiled up at Henry.
“Hey, look!” Henry said, swiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. “She grew a tooth.” Taking note that Henry’s finger was in her vicinity, Birdie grabbed it, stuffed it in her mouth and chomped down.
“Ouch, she bit me!”
Gabe chuckled. “You’ll live.” He handed Henry the bottle he’d warmed in the microwave. “Do me a favor and feed her. I want to hear what’s going on in there.” He jerked his chin toward the living room. “Don’t forget to burp her.”
As he left the family room, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. Henry smiled down at Birdie, his face still streaked with tears. The baby was so intrigued by the fact that someone new was feeding her, she’d take a few pulls on the bottle, push it away, do her happy baby chortle, and then start sucking again. Stick that one in the old memory bank, Gabe thought as he slid silently along the wall separating the hall from the living room. Out of sight but not out of earshot.
Gabe heard high-pitched sniveling and knew his mother had pulled out the big guns. Papi hated it when she cried. Don’t fall for it, Papi. She’s manipulating you.
Her sobs were punctuated by muffled words. Gabe was pretty sure he knew why they were muffled. He risked a quick peek into the room. Sure enough, Papi was holding Connie stiffly in his arms, patting her back. Stifling a groan, Gabe ducked back out of sight.
Papi’s voice: “You should have let me know you were coming. I’d have prepared the boys. Did you think they’d welcome you with open arms?”
Way to go, Papi!
Gabe couldn’t catch all of his mother’s response but he clearly heard, “So rude. Came all this way. Wanted to see baby.”
Papi responded with, “Then here’s what you must do.”
A long silence followed. Oh my God, are they making out? Another quick peek into the living room revealed the pair chatting softly on the davenport with plenty of space between them. Whew!
Just as Gabe was tiptoeing away, Papi called, “Gabriel, I know you’re out there. Your mother has something she’d like to say to you boys.”
Startled, Gabe froze for a few seconds. “Yeah, okay, I’ll get Simon.” Gabe rapped once on the bathroom door. “Family room. Now.”
Holding his ex-wife’s hand, Papi led her into the family room. She perched on the oversized ottoman, directly facing her sons who were lined up on the sectional couch. Henry, attempting to follow Gabe’s burping orders, was struggling with Birdie. Each time he placed her over his shoulder, she’d push away and squirm around to check out the stranger in their midst. Finally Gabe grabbed her and laid her, tummy down, across his knees. Simon, arms folded across his chest, stared into the space over his mother’s head, still as a statue.
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