The Texan's Surprise Return

by Jolene Navarro

  “You remembered?”

  “No. The boy was in the camp. I didn’t interact with him, but I saw him. I thought he belonged to one of the rebels. He’s still there or he was at the time I left.” Excitement colored his words. “Since I can confirm he’s with them, we can go in and retrieve him and get him to his aunt. She’s waiting for the boy here in the States.”

  Her body went numb. This was it. He was going back. Everything inside her wanted to scream no. “You and Trent made plans?”

  There was a quick nod before he stood and walked to the fireplace. The fire was low, almost burned out. “Basic plans. There’s still information we need to gather, but between what I know from being in the camp and the intel he has, we should have enough to act within the week.”

  Everything inside her froze. “A week?”

  “This is time sensitive, and we need to act fast.”

  “But you’ve only been here three weeks. The doctors weren’t even going to talk about any kind of medical release until at least six weeks.”

  “I see my primary Monday morning and I have PT in the afternoon. I feel great. My sight hasn’t blurred on me. The doctors have all been impressed with my recovery. I can’t just sit around and wait for my memories to come back while that boy needs me to take action.”

  Her tea had grown cold, but she clenched the cup, needing the warmth that wasn’t there. “When are you leaving?”

  “Not sure. The end of this week maybe.”

  Her head shot up to look into his gaze. “You’ll be gone for Christmas?” She wanted to ask him why he’d even bothered to come back, but she knew that was petty and just the hurt lashing out.

  “This has to be a fast mission. I should be home by Christmas Eve.”

  She’d heard that before. Her whole life. Promises her father had made, then her husband. Promises they had broken.

  They stood in the same room, but they were miles apart. “Well, I guess it’s done. I’m going to warm my tea then go to bed.”

  He nodded. Then a thump from above them had them both heading to the stairs. Xavier put his hand on her arm. “Go heat your tea. I’ll get the escape artist. If I need backup, I’ll let you know.”

  He turned and headed up the stairs. She almost followed him but took a deep breath and went to the kitchen. They hadn’t even talked about the divorce papers.

  After warming the tea, she went to the boys’ room.

  The door was open. The sight brought a fresh round of tears to her eyes. It hadn’t been Sawyer like they’d assumed. Xavier was standing with his back to her and Oliver in his arms.

  He had hard hiccups as though he’d been crying. His little fingers were curled in his daddy’s short hair and he lay against Xavier’s broad shoulder. They swayed back and forth as her husband’s deep voice sang their son back to sleep.

  “It’s okay, little man. Go back to sleep.” Xavier kissed him on the head. That’s when he saw Selena. He smiled. “He let me hold him.”

  “I see that,” she whispered back. In the spark of his eyes, she saw the man that had been her whole world...but then her world had fallen apart. She hadn’t handled disappointment and heartache well.

  He was making plans to leave her again. Not just her. Now that included their three sons.

  Her heart was ready to trust him again, but no way would she allow that to happen. She must be smart and protect them.

  Lowering her head so he wouldn’t see her tears, she prayed. God had gotten her through some dark nights and He would get her through this.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The week with Xavier and the boys went by so fast. They made cookies, watched classic Christmas movies and went caroling with the church choir. At the Wednesday night service, the Christmas songs had brought her to tears. She’d stood with her family. Four generations and her husband, the De La Rosa clan in the pew behind them. She had lifted her face and closed her eyes. God’s love had filled her as she praised him with music.

  At the end of the service, tears were running down her cheeks. Dropping her head, she prayed, releasing the anger she had been denying. Anger at God, at her father and husband because they hadn’t given her the life she had wanted the way she had wanted it.

  But standing here surrounded by family and all the love they gave her made her feel unworthy. She had been given so much.

  That had been two days ago. Now it was Friday morning and she stood in the kitchen afraid to go into the living room and see his bag. She’d always hated the days he left, but now it was worse.

  He wasn’t ready to travel. The doctor had released him, but there was no way he could be fully recovered. He was putting his life in jeopardy again, without considering what it would mean to his family if something happened to him.

  Anger bubbled up. She braced against the edge of the counter as she looked out the window above the sink. She couldn’t stop the tears.

  She was a fraud. Just two days ago, she had asked for forgiveness, but the self-pity was back. She was feeling sorry for herself and avoiding the real issues.

  He would be leaving again. Turning on the cold water, she splashed her face, tried to wash off the evidence of her sleepless night.

  “Selena?”

  She jumped. “I didn’t hear you come downstairs.”

  Xavier crossed the kitchen and turned her to face him. “Have you been crying?”

  “I’m good. It’s the music.” With one hand she wiped her face, while with the other she gestured at the song playing. “‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ gets me every time.”

  She smiled at him. His mind was set; there was a job he needed to finish. What was the point of bringing up old issues, issues he didn’t even remember? She poured water into her teakettle.

  “I’ll be back Christmas Eve.” He rested his hands on her shoulders.

  His warmth was so close she was tempted to lean into him. Why was she so weak around him? She held herself upright and nodded.

  “Selena, it’s been a great week. I don’t want to leave you upset. Do you want me to stay?”

  She scoffed. “How can I ask you to stay when you’re saving children from monsters?”

  “What do you want from me?” His lips brushed her ear.

  She closed her eyes and prayed for God to give her the right words, because she knew the words she wanted to use came from her anger and hurt. “I want you to be happy. I want you living the purpose God gave you.” Opening her eyes, she faced him. His arms slipped around her. “Truth? I am worried about your health. Your memories aren’t all back either. We...we lost you once and we just got you back.”

  His forehead fell against hers. “I haven’t had a headache or vision issues for more than three weeks.”

  “If you had, would you have said anything?”

  Lifting his head, his eyes looked more gray than green as he searched her face, then looked away. He didn’t have to say anything.

  “I knew it. You’ll never admit to having a weakness if you can hide it.” Turning, she walked to the dining room.

  “Selena.” He was on her heels. When she stopped and looked at him, he leaned into her space. His arms were on either side of her, his hands pressed against the wall, pinning her.

  She was trapped between his arms, but she wanted to stay. He had been her safe place for most of their lives.

  “What am I supposed to do?” Raw and rough, his voice tore at her already bruised heart. “I’m falling in love with you all over again. I want you to give me another chance, but I can’t stay here when they call out. I hear their voices, locked in dark unseen places, and I have to take action. I...I don’t know what to do.”

  Her eyes glistened with tears. She wanted to give him a bright smile, but she was sure it was a pathetic shadow. “I don’t have the answers. We need different things. I do know that our faith has to lead us to t
he plans God has.” Her heart twisted. “That might not be with us as a couple.”

  He looked down. “No. I don’t want to give up on something that I’m just getting back.” He spun away from her, both of his hands on the top of his head. “But before I can do that, I have to finish this job. There’s this gut instinct that I need to do something. I think on one level I knew that the boy was still alive and in danger. I want to do this one job and then I’ll be back. I just need to finish it. We’ll talk then.”

  “This is who you are. I’m not stopping you. But you have to be honest with yourself. There will be another job after this one, and then another. There’s no end to the monsters. Your job will never be finished.” She took his hand in hers. “What you do is so important. I’m not going to tell you not to do it.”

  “What you do here in town is important, too. I might save kids from the big ugly hiding in the shadows, but you give kids a safe place to grow up and feel safe.” He lifted his hands and caressed her cheeks. “Because of you, I know the monsters can be beaten. I was raised by a monster, but you showed me that I didn’t have to be the monster.”

  Her hands slid across his jaw and cupped his face. “You were never a monster. You always said I was your light. But you, Xavier De La Rosa, were the lighthouse keeper who guided me home and kept me safe.”

  She smiled. “You gave me everything I dreamed of. Everything. I will always love you. I’m not going to stop you from doing what you have to do.” She laid a hand flat against his beating heart. “You know what you need to do. It’s here, between you and God.”

  He bent down and captured her lips with his. He poured all his emotion into the kiss, into her, not holding any part of him back from her. She wanted to weep at the rightness of it, but his career was always between them and what they could be.

  It had been so long. His hands trailed down her arms, then back up. Her hand went under his jacket to pull him closer. If she held him tight enough, would he stay here with her forever?

  His strong fingers moved to her neck, and then he pulled away and pressed his forehead against hers. The urge to cry burned her eyes.

  Why now? For the first time since his return this was all him and her.

  He was going to give her this, then leave? Lids shut tight, she bit down hard to hold back the crying.

  “I have to do this,” he whispered.

  Her hand covered his. “I know,” she managed to choke out.

  The rough pad of his thumb rubbed the soft skin under her eye. “Look at me, preciosa.”

  Her eyes flew open as a soft cry escaped from her parted lips. “You haven’t called me that since...” She bit her bottom lip.

  He searched her eyes. “I’m beginning to understand how precious you really are. You’ll be waiting for me, right?”

  The feelings were too deep for words.

  “I hate the sadness I see in your eyes,” he whispered. “I put it there, but I can’t figure out how to get everything done that needs to be done. When I get back, we’ll talk. No divorce papers, okay?”

  She lowered her head, then lifted her chin and looked him in the eyes. “You have to follow your heart. I don’t know what this means for us, you and me. That’s not a threat. I honestly don’t know.”

  “Selena. I—”

  The kettle whistled. Ducking around him, she went to the kitchen and fixed hot cocoa, stirring it with a candy cane. She shrugged. “I’m used to everyone in my life having other priorities. I’m not going to make you pick between me and your missions.”

  “I know you think I’ll keep going out, but this time will be different. When I come back, I’m staying. This is the last job.”

  She shook her head. “You’ve said that before. Lying to yourself—lying to me—will not change anything.” Turning, she looked out the window.

  He moved to stand right behind her but didn’t touch her. It would be so easy to lean into his warmth. To ignore all their problems.

  “I never wanted to hurt you.” He gently swept her hair over her shoulder, then let it slip through his fingers.

  “I know.” Bringing the mug of cocoa to her lips, she took a long slow sip before turning back to him. “The one thing I know for sure is that God has me, and I’m made of strong stuff.”

  He leaned in to kiss her again, but this time she sidestepped him. “There’s too much unresolved right now.”

  He opened his mouth but then closed it again when her father appeared at the doorway.

  “Are you ready?” Riff asked, his gaze shifting between the two of them. “Has there been a change of plans?”

  Xavier shook his head. “No.” He glanced at his watch. “We need to leave.”

  She wasn’t sure if it was pettiness or self-preservation, but she stayed in the kitchen, clutching the snowman mug. Her heart couldn’t take watching him walk out their door with his duffel bag over his shoulder.

  “Daddy. Daddy,” Oliver cried from the top of the stairs.

  She set the mug down and rushed to the front of the house.

  Oliver tried to climb over the gate, but Xavier was already up the stairs. “Hold up, little man. You’re going to get hurt.” Xavier swept him up and held him to his chest.

  “Go, Daddy. Go.” Oliver tightened his chubby arms around his father’s neck. He was barefoot, and his pajama bottoms were missing.

  “Oliver, baby. What are you doing?”

  “Not baby. Daddy’s li’l man.” His cheek was pressed against Xavier’s chest.

  Oliver, the triplet who wouldn’t let Xavier hold him, now clung to his father. They came down the stairs. She laid her palm on his back, feeling the tiny heart beating fast. “You’re right. You’re a big boy. Come here. Your daddy has to go.”

  “No.” He turned his face away from Selena. “Go wif Daddy and Wiff.”

  “Sorry, mijo.” Xavier pulled the arms from his neck. “Go with your mama. I’ll be back for Christmas.”

  She took Oliver from him, but he arched his back and screamed for his father. Xavier moved away from the door and back to them. He reached for the toddler.

  Shaking her head, she shifted Oliver to her other side. “Just go. The longer you stay, the longer it will take for him to settle down. Go.”

  Xavier’s face was set, but his eyes were full of doubt. Riff laid a hand on his arm. “We need to leave if you’re going to make it to the airport on time.”

  “All right. Oliver, I’ll be back.” He looked at her. “I’ll be back.”

  She nodded and soothed her son. Heading up the stairs, she pretended she didn’t jump at the sound of the car engine.

  God had a plan and her only job was to love her boys and make sure they were safe.

  * * *

  Riff was silent as he steered his Jeep along the shoreline. Xavier tried to calm his mind and think of the mission, but Oliver’s cries wouldn’t leave his thoughts.

  This is the right thing to do.

  Selena understood that the work he did was important. How was he supposed to sleep at night knowing there were kids out there waiting for someone to rescue them?

  How could he sleep knowing he’d hurt her?

  He’d come back as soon as he knew the Colombian boy was safe, and they’d work it out. This wouldn’t be like the other times. Or was he lying to himself? Would he need to leave again?

  His knuckles flexed. The last time they hadn’t worked it out, she had filed for divorce.

  As they drove through town, every storefront was covered in Christmas decorations. Selena’s perfect holiday vision had become a reality.

  He’d go, finish this job, and be back before Christmas Eve. He tapped his foot and moved forward in his seat. Even though it was winter, people were still on the beach. They weren’t in the water, just walking along the sand, enjoying the mild Texas weather.

  The snow machi
nes had been set up and fake snow covered some of the trees decorating the sidewalk. Greenery threaded with red ribbons stretched across the street from pole to pole.

  He leaned his head back. God, I’m doing the right thing. Right?

  If he was doing the right thing, why did it feel so wrong?

  He felt Riff turn to look at him before he spoke. “He’ll be okay. Once we’re over the bridge, call Selena. She’ll tell you. A quick escape is the best thing, otherwise it just drags on. I learned that early on when Selena was a baby.”

  Xavier wasn’t so sure. He had almost expected it from the other two boys, but coming from Oliver... Just two weeks ago, his youngest son wouldn’t even look at him. Now it just about broke him to hear the sweet little voice beg to go with him.

  How did he pick between betraying his son and letting another little boy die when he could stop it? It was an impossible choice.

  At a red light, a family crossing the road waved at them.

  A tapping on his window startled him. Elijah stood next to the door and tapped the glass again with his knuckles. Riff flipped the locks. His cousin slipped into the backseat, then closed the door.

  Xavier raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation. “What are you doing out on the street this early?”

  “Well, that’s a good question, because it looks like you’re heading out of town with a duffel bag.”

  Xavier was tired of explaining himself. He was tired of letting people down. “I’ll be back. I’ve got to finish this job...got to get down to Colombia and find that boy. He’s alive and he has family here in the States waiting for him. They can protect the kid, but we have to get him out.”

  “And you’re the only one that can do it.” Elijah leaned forward, his hand on the edge of the seat, as Riff drove ahead when the light changed.

  He didn’t get it. “I’m the one that was hired to protect him. I’m the one responsible for him. He’s alive and in danger. I need to make sure he gets out and that he gets to the right people. That’s what I was hired to do.”