On The Texas Border

by Linda Warren

  She patted her hair. “We’re his relatives.”

  “That’s a fact,” Jonas conceded, and stared directly at her. “If I find out you had anything to do with Victor Rios, Brewster will disinherit you in a heartbeat.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Victor Rios, Edna,” he emphasized. “If you know him, you’d better start covering your tracks.”

  “You’re talking crazy, and I’m not listening to any more of it.”

  “Heed my warning, Edna,” he said, as she walked past him.

  She shot him a piercing glance and disappeared into Brewster’s room.

  Now for Jules and Darby. He could still hear their voices in the family room. Jonas had a surprise in store for them. He went into the kitchen and found Maria.

  “Maria, do you have the keys to that closet in the downstairs hall?”

  “Sì, Mr. Jonas.”

  “How many do you have?”

  “Two. Why do you ask?”

  Jonas held out his hand. “Let me have them.”

  “But, Mr. Jonas I—”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll get them back to you.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly, then walked to a desk in a corner. She picked up a large key ring, removed two keys and handed them to Jonas.

  “Thanks, Maria, and I don’t want you opening that door for any reason. Understand?”

  She shrugged. “How can I? I don’t have a key.”

  “Good,” Jonas said, and went into the family room.

  Jules and Darby were resting on the sofas, drinking beer, eating snacks and watching football on TV.

  “Bet you a ten he doesn’t make it,” Jules said.

  “Ten?” Darby laughed. “What the hell kind of betting is that? I’ll bet you a hundred he makes this one and the next.”

  Darby was the first to see Jonas. “Jonas, my man, did you bring back the long-lost daughter?”

  Jules snickered.

  “No, afraid not.” Jonas scratched his head. “But I have something I’d like you boys to see.”

  Jules turned down the TV. “What?”

  “It’s in the hall.” Jonas turned to leave, but neither Jules nor Darby made a move.

  “It’ll be worth your while,” Jonas promised.

  “Why didn’t you say so?” Darby got to his feet and so did Jules. They followed Jonas to the hall closet. Jonas opened the door.

  “What’s in there?” Jules asked.

  “Something for both of you.”

  When they leaned in, Jonas gave them a push and locked the door behind them. They immediately began to yell and beat on the door.

  “How does it feel, boys?” Jonas called. “Get used to it. You’re going to be in there a while.”

  “You bastard,” Jules screamed. “Let us out of here.”

  “How does it feel to be locked in a small space?” Jonas shouted back.

  Maria came running from the kitchen, and Edna charged down the stairs.

  “What’s going on?” Edna demanded.

  Jonas pocketed the keys. “Your son and Darby will be locked up for a while. When I feel like it, I’ll let them out. It will give you and them some time to think about what you did to Abby.”

  Jonas strolled past her to the front door.

  “Come back, Jonas Parker,” she shouted after him. “You can’t leave them in there. Simon will fire you. Come back here.”

  Jonas drew a deep breath and went to his office. He had to take care of business, but a smile kept threatening his composure. He’d go back soon and let them out. Maybe they’d think twice before doing something like that again.

  TWO HOURS LATER—after Jonas and Stuart had gone over everything that had happened at Brewster Farms while he was gone—Jonas returned to the house and let Jules and Darby out of the closet. Edna was wringing her hands. When Jonas opened the door, they fell out coughing, cursing and breathing heavily.

  “How could you?” Edna screamed at Jonas as she embraced Jules.

  “The same way you locked Abby in that room,” Jonas said. “It’s not a good feeling, is it.”

  “Uncle Simon will fire you for this,” Jules choked out.

  “As soon as he does, I’ll be outta here faster than you can say slash my tires.” With that, Jonas turned on his heel and left.

  “You smart-ass,” Darby yelled after him.

  It was after six by the time he got to his apartment. He lay on the sofa and stretched out. Damn, he was dog-tired. He noticed something on the coffee table and reached for it. It was Abby’s clip. He’d forgotten to give it back to her. He rubbed it gently with his thumb and he could almost see the light in her eyes and hear the warmth in her voice. He closed his eyes as he let her presence wash over him. He had never dreamed he could care for someone so much. His eyes flew open. Care? Was that what he felt? Or did he just desire her? Could it possibly be the L word?

  It was a tragic thing when a grown man couldn’t even identify his own emotions. But somewhere between the little boy who had never known love and the adult who was afraid to love hovered an unfamiliar emotion. Was it love? He really wasn’t sure.

  All he knew was that he cared for her, wanted to protect her and longed to be with her in the worst way. He stared at the phone and resisted the urge to call her. She was exhausted and probably asleep; he wouldn’t disturb her. His body ached for her, but the thought that they’d be together tomorrow night made the ache less intense.

  In the morning, he’d find Rios and get some answers. Then he’d go with her when she confronted Brewster. By afternoon it would all be over, and he’d be there for her, no matter what happened. The night would be theirs. This time he wouldn’t push her away.

  He turned onto his side and thought briefly about the future. After tomorrow, would she go back to Dallas? How would he feel when she did? Suddenly his heart tightened in pain—real pain that he recognized. The type of pain he’d felt when they’d taken his sister. Pain he’d vowed he would never feel again.

  He grabbed the remote control and turned on the TV. He pushed the volume button to high to block out everything he was feeling. But he couldn’t keep the questions from niggling at him. Did Abby want something he wasn’t willing to give? Or was it the other way around? Did he want something she wasn’t willing to give?

  WHEN ABBY WOKE UP, it was five o’clock in the morning. She couldn’t believe she had slept all afternoon and all night. Sitting up, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and switched on the lamp. She stared at the phone. Was Jonas awake? Unable to resist, she dialed his number.

  Jonas was headed for the door when he heard the phone. He wanted to catch Rios before he disappeared. He started to let it ring, but then yanked it up.

  “Yeah,” he barked into the receiver.

  “Jonas?”

  “Abby.” He sank onto the sofa, melting into her sweet lilting voice and recognizing that his feelings for her were getting stronger and stronger.

  “Did I wake you?”

  He swallowed. “No, I’ve been up since about four.”

  “I went to sleep after I got in yesterday, and I’m just now waking up. I wanted to talk to you last night, but I slept right through.”

  He held the receiver closer. “You can talk to me now.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. And you?”

  “I’d be better if I were with you.”

  Me, too. “We still have a date tonight?”

  “I’m looking forward to it, but first we have to deal with Delores and Brewster.”

  “Yeah, I talked with Brewster yesterday and he has me baffled. He seemed genuinely concerned that you were in danger.”

  “He was?”

  Jonas heard the surprise in her voice. “He got so upset, I thought he was going to have another heart attack. He even ordered me to find out who paid Rios.” Then he told her that Jules and Darby were the ones who’d locked her in the file room and slashed her tires.

 
“I can’t believe it. When I talked to the sheriff, he said he hadn’t found anything.”

  “The sheriff answers to Brewster first,” he said. “Brewster said he’d taken care of them…whatever the hell that means.”

  “So Mr. Brewster didn’t know what they were doing?”

  “No, it was their own idea. I’m sure it was instigated by Edna.”

  “Do you think they hired Rios?”

  “No, Brewster threatened to disinherit them if they lied to him. They’d be afraid not to tell the truth.”

  “I suppose,” she murmured.

  “They just wanted to scare you.”

  “God, that makes me so angry.”

  Jonas told her what he’d done to them.

  “You didn’t.” She laughed.

  “Yes, I did, and they won’t be locking anyone in a room again.”

  “Oh, Jonas, I feel so much better.”

  “I’m glad, because I enjoyed doing it. I wish I was coldhearted enough to have left them in there a whole lot longer.”

  “But you’re not that type of person.”

  He felt bolstered by the faith in her voice. She believed there was good in him, and he was beginning to think there might be, too.

  He shook his head. “I hate to cut this short, but I want to catch Rios.”

  “Jonas, please don’t do that,” Abby cried. “The man is dangerous.”

  “Sorry, I’d already made up my mind to find him before Brewster mentioned it. That’s where I was going when the phone rang.”

  “Then, I’ll go with you. I can be dressed and ready in less than fifteen minutes.”

  “No. I don’t want you near Rios. Besides, you have to meet Delores.”

  She gave in grudgingly. “Okay. But if Delores doesn’t show, I’ll need your shoulder to cry on.”

  “It will be there as soon as it can,” he promised, “along with the rest of me.”

  “Please be careful.”

  “I will, because I’m not missing our date tonight.”

  “Jonas,” she whispered.

  “Hmm?”

  “Tonight we’ll talk about us.”

  He was silent.

  “Don’t panic, I’m not asking anything of you.”

  Why aren’t you?

  “Jonas?” she prompted.

  He swallowed hard. “I’m not panicking,” he assured her.

  “Yeah,” she said in a disbelieving tone. “I know this is hard for you, and I won’t pressure you as long as you don’t push me away.”

  “I’m not doing that, either.”

  “That means we’re making progress.”

  Silence again.

  Her soft voice wrapped around him and unfamiliar emotions surfaced. He wasn’t denying them. He just didn’t know how to accept them.

  “Abby, I’d better go,” he finally said. “I don’t want to miss Rios.”

  She took a breath. “Be careful, because I need you, Jonas. I need you with me when I confront Mr. Brewster and I need you tonight.” She had a feeling she would need him for the rest of her life, but how could she tell him that? She didn’t want to scare him to death. How did you get a man to admit love when he’d never known love? She could only keep trying.

  JONAS FOUND FIFTH STREET and waited. There was a small grocery store on the corner where he knew a lot of drug dealing took place. This had to be where Rios hung out. He parked some distance away and watched the store. He had driven one of the field trucks that didn’t have the Brewster logo on the door. That way he wouldn’t be recognized.

  Soon he saw a green pickup pull up to the store. It was Rios. He recognized him immediately. Several Mexicans appeared as if out of nowhere and gathered around the vehicle. Packages and money changed hands. Rios was selling drugs out in the open, and the sheriff didn’t make a move to stop him. He didn’t dwell on it because he had other things on his mind right now. He wanted to talk to Rios, but he couldn’t do that in front of all Rios’s customers. Jonas had to wait until he could get the man alone.

  The transactions over, Rios drove away. Jonas followed at a safe distance. He noticed it was almost eight o’clock. He didn’t have much time, if he wanted to meet Abby. Rios headed to town, and Jonas couldn’t imagine where he was going. Suddenly the green truck stopped at Brewster’s Park. Jonas drove by and came up a back street to watch Rios from behind. Rios appeared to be waiting for someone.

  Jonas was about to get out and confront Rios, when he saw a car drive up and stop behind Rios. Jonas settled back in his seat. He recognized the car and the person inside. Rios got out and walked over to the car. Jonas understood what was happening, and anger filled him. Rios started swearing and waving his arms. The two were arguing. Rios yanked an envelope from the person, and the car sped away. Rios flung curses after it.

  It took Jonas a split second to recover from his shock, then he got out and hurried toward Rios. Rios was getting into his truck with a scowl on his face. Jonas caught the door before the man could slam it. He grabbed Rios by the neck and forced him back against the seat.

  “Stay away from Abigail Duncan,” Jonas warned. He didn’t have to ask who was paying Rios because he already knew.

  “Ain’t got nothing to do with that bitch.” Rios choked, his face turning red.

  “You’d better keep it that way.” Jonas’s hand tightened around his throat. “Understand?”

  “Sì.”

  Jonas released his hold and noticed the small pistol on the seat. Rios’s hand edged toward it.

  Jonas’s mind clicked into action. Rios would shoot him in a heartbeat. Mick had warned him. “Go ahead,” Jonas told him. “I’m not the only one watching you this morning. One false move and you’re dead. You should watch your back a little closer.”

  The bluff worked. Rios’s hand stilled and his black eyes darted around.

  Jonas stepped away from the truck.

  “Son of a bitch,” Rios spat out as he slammed the door. He gunned the engine and sped away.

  Jonas let out a long breath and ran to his vehicle. He had to get to Abby. He had to tell her before she saw Brewster. It was almost nine o’clock. Dammit, he had to hurry.

  Jonas tried to make sense of what he’d just seen, but he couldn’t. Inside, though, he knew something bad was about to happen. Maybe Delores wouldn’t show, he kept thinking. Then he’d have time to talk to Brewster and try to stop… What the hell was he thinking? There was no way to stop it now.

  ABBY PACED by her car in front of the Brewster mansion. She glanced repeatedly at her watch. It was after nine. Delores wasn’t going to come. Well, Abby could tell Brewster what Delores had said. If he didn’t believe her, that would be the end of it. She couldn’t upset her mother any more and she couldn’t keep up the crusade to vindicate her father. He was at peace, and now she had to find some peace of her own.

  She moved toward the steps, then heard a sound. A beat-up car came through the gates, smoke billowing from the tailpipe. A man was at the wheel. The passenger door opened, and Delores climbed out. She had on black stretch pants and a red tank top that showed off her full breasts. Brightly colored beads adorned her neck and wrist. She tottered on red high heels toward Abby.

  “Señorita, I come for my money,” Delores said as she reached Abby.

  “First we talk to Mr. Brewster, then I’ll give you your money,” Abby told her.

  “Sì.”

  As Abby rang the doorbell, she added, “I’ll do all the talking. You just follow my lead.”

  “What does that mean?” Delores asked.

  “It means when I ask you a question, you answer it truthfully.”

  “Sì, señorita.”

  Maria opened the door and let them in. Abby glanced toward the street, wondering where Jonas was. He should have been here by now. Had something happened to him? No, she wouldn’t believe that. She said a silent prayer, and followed Maria up the stairs.

  Edna was waiting at Mr. Brewster’s door. She spoke sharply to Maria. “I told
you not to let her in.”

  “Mr. Brewster said he wanted to see her. He’s my boss,” Maria replied staunchly.

  “Simon is in no shape to see anyone.” Edna’s eyes settled on Delores. “You’re not trying to pass her off as Simon’s daughter, are you, Abigail? It’s laughable.”

  Maria slipped around Edna and opened the door.

  “Abigail, is that you?” Mr. Brewster called.

  “Get out of my way,” Abby warned Edna. “And you can tell Jules and Darby to stay out of my way, too.”

  Edna stepped aside. “You’ll regret this, missy.”

  Abby ignored her and walked into the room.

  Mr. Brewster was sitting in his rocker by the large windows. He had on blue pajamas and a blue silk robe. His short gray hair was sticking out everywhere, but his color was better and he looked like his old self except for the oxygen tubing in his nose. A nurse stood by his side.

  “Ah, Abigail,” he said, a slight smile on his face. “I see you found Delores.”

  Delores seemed to shrink a couple of inches beside Abby. She sympathized—Mr. Brewster had that effect on people.

  “Out,” he ordered the nurse and Edna.

  “Now…Simon…”

  “All right, stay,” he shouted. “I don’t give a damn. Now you’ll see I’m not senile and that I do have a daughter.”

  Abby walked closer to him and tried to figure out what kind of game he was playing. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jonas enter the room. Thank God. She turned and smiled at him. He didn’t smile back. He had a worried frown on his face. Something was wrong.

  “Come in, Jonas,” Mr. Brewster said. “You’re in time to hear the truth.”

  “I’m not sure you know the truth,” Jonas replied.

  “Yes, I do, and now Delores can tell everyone about my daughter.”

  All eyes stared at Delores, and Abby could see that she was very nervous and ready to bolt for the door.

  “Delores did not have your daughter,” Abby stated.

  “I knew it,” Edna said under her breath.

  “I know she didn’t,” said Mr. Brewster.

  Abby took a long breath, not sure why she was shocked. She’d known that Mr. Brewster was aware of what Delores would say. “Then, why did you send me to find her?”