A Texas Child

by Linda Warren

  It was dark and Myra could barely see her hand in front of her face, but she could hear Levi moving around, agitated. And she could hear bits of conversation.

  “No, I don’t see any headlights. They’re not stupid enough to turn them on at this time of the morning. It might alert us. If there are just two of them, I think I can handle it, but I’m going to need backup quick.”

  “Don’t worry, missy,” Pop whispered. “Levi’ll take care of us.”

  She knew that. She knew Levi would protect them with his life and she prayed that wouldn’t happen. Clutching Daniel, she prayed like she’d never prayed before. They sat waiting and raw terror crept around them in chilling silence.

  The hum of the refrigerator sounded like an eighteen-wheeler. The clock in the dining room ticked with the urgency of a bomb. Myra held Daniel a little tighter and waited.

  And waited.

  Then Levi was there.

  He squatted close to her. “If a sensor goes off, don’t move from this spot. I’ll handle it.” He handed Myra her gun that she’d left on the sofa. “You might need this.”

  “You don’t have to worry about us, son. We can follow orders. I was in the Korean War and I know that when there’s danger, you follow orders.”

  “Thanks, Pop.”

  Levi’s cell beeped. He looked at his phone. “Someone just opened the barn door. Damn it!” He ran to the living room, talking to Tom.

  “They’re in the barn for some reason. I need backup.”

  Myra trembled and gripped Daniel a little tighter.

  “I’ll see if I can spot a vehicle, but I don’t want them to know that we’re awake.... No. I can’t see a thing. Wait. I see two shadows headed toward the house. Damn! It’s fixing to go down, man!”

  Levi was in the hall again. “They’re probably planning to burst through the front door. If you hear shots, have your gun ready. Do not let them in the hallway.”

  “Got it,” Pop said. “This old shotgun’ll take ’em out in a minute.”

  “Just be prepared.”

  “Levi,” she called. “Please be careful.”

  “I will, and don’t fire unless you absolutely have to.” He moved back to the living room with catlike movements and she waited for the sounds of holy hell, one arm clutching Daniel and the other her Smith and Wesson.

  “This is it,” Levi said. “They’re coming in.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  LEVI STOOD WITH his arms outstretched, his right hand gripped tight around the Glock, his finger on the trigger. His feet were planted firmly on the hardwood floor. As he waited for Marco’s thugs to come crashing through the door, his hand was steady, his nerves rock-solid. But all was quiet. All he heard was the pounding of his heart in his ears.

  He counted in his head. One. Two. Three. They should be at the door. Maybe they were coming through a window or the back door. He took several steps backward, so he could get a better view of the whole house. Nothing.

  Something was wrong.

  Sensors monitored all the windows, so if one was opened he would know. But everything was silent.

  Too silent.

  His phone was in his shirt pocket and he had Tom on the other end. “Something’s not right,” he whispered. “They should have been here by now.”

  “Just stay put. We’re almost there.”

  “I’m going toward the door to check things out.”

  “Stay put, Levi. Don’t draw unnecessary fire.”

  Levi lowered his arms, but kept the gun tightly in his right hand. Myra, the baby and Pop were safe—for now—and he had to make sure they stayed that way. His eyes stayed trained on the front and the back doors. Still nothing was happening.

  His cell beeped. He drew it out of his pocket. “Tom, a vehicle just went over my cattle guard. For some reason, they’re leaving. I never expected that.”

  “We’re on it.”

  Levi shoved the gun into his waistband and went into the hallway. The early-morning light seemed to brighten up the house.

  “It’s safe to come out,” he told them.

  “Good.” Pop got to his feet. “Because I got to pee.” He disappeared into the bathroom.

  He helped Myra to her feet. “Are they really gone?” she asked, her voice a little shaky.

  “Yes. I’m not sure what’s happening, but Tom and the highway patrol should be able to stop them. Maybe we’ll have some answers then.”

  Daniel stirred and rubbed his eyes. Opening them, he smiled at Levi and held out his little arms.

  “Hey, buddy, stay with Myra. I have some things to do.”

  Daniel stuck out his lower lip and Levi was hard-pressed not to take him. But to ensure their safety, he had to be ready at all times.

  Luckily, Pop came out of the bathroom and Daniel’s attention was diverted. “Missy, let’s get some coffee going.” He took Daniel from her. “I’ll watch this little guy.”

  “He needs changing,” Myra said.

  “Dang it.” Pop frowned. “Should have kept my mouth shut.” He carried Daniel into Levi’s room and flipped on the light.

  “What do you think is going on?” Myra asked.

  “I don’t know. It might just be teenagers out for a joyride. We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I could really use some coffee.”

  She smiled and the stress of the night seemed to disappear. “I don’t make coffee for just anyone.”

  “Who do you make coffee for?”

  She looked into his eyes and saw everything he wanted, including the heartache and the pain, forgiveness and love. How did life get so complicated when it really should be so simple?

  “For a big old guy who’s willing to die for me.”

  His cell beeped and he dragged his eyes away to answer it. It was Tom. Myra leaned in close and he pushed the speakerphone button.

  “I have you on speakerphone, Tom.”

  “Okay.”

  “Did you catch them?”

  “We got them.”

  “Was it Mortez’s men?”

  “Yes. They’ve been booked into the San Marcos jail and I’m almost back to your house. Talk to you in a minute.”

  They could hear the sound of a helicopter as it drew closer and closer.

  Pop came out of Levi’s room, carrying Daniel, who wore nothing but a diaper. “What the hell is that?”

  “It’s Tom, the detective from Houston,” Levi told him. “Daniel needs more than a diaper.”

  “Why? I’m fixing him breakfast and he just gets it everywhere. He’s easier to wash than his clothes.” Pop strolled off to the kitchen and put Daniel in his high chair. “There’s no coffee,” he shouted to Myra. “What have you been doing?”

  Myra walked into the kitchen. “I’m not your personal maid.”

  “Damn.” Pop grinned. “You can’t blame an old man for trying.”

  She poured water into the coffeemaker and added grounds. “That’s just because I like you so much,” she said with a teasing light in her brown eyes.

  “You know, I’m starting to like you, too. You got guts, missy.”

  Pop never knew when to shut his mouth, but Myra took him for exactly who he was: a grouchy old man with a compassionate heart.

  The sound of the helicopter became deafening and they waited for it to ebb.

  “I’ll take care of the little guy,” Pop said. “You two do what you got to.”

  After grabbing a cup, Levi joined Myra in the living room. He opened the door and Tom came in. “What’s the story?” Levi asked.

  “Man, I could use some of that.” Tom glanced at the coffee cup in Levi’s hand.

  “Sure.” Levi hurried to the kitchen.

  Tom sat on the sofa and Myra sat beside him
, sipping her coffee. “You’re not going to believe this one,” Tom said.

  Levi handed Tom a cup and took a seat. “What were they doing in my barn?”

  “They were eager to talk in order for protection.”

  “Protection?” Levi shook his head. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “They left their car not far from the cattle guard and walked in. They planned to hide in the barn until morning and jump you then. Their orders were to get the baby and to take Myra alive.”

  Myra gasped. “Then why didn’t they?”

  “They got a call from one of their buddies in Mexico. Seems Marco, his father and his mother were shot in their beds. They’re dead.”

  “What!” Levi could hardly believe his ears.

  “That’s what they said. I called Steve to check it out. It’s true. Antonio Guzman, Marco’s father-in-law, has taken over the compound. An agent in Mexico confirms the bodies are those of Marco and his parents.”

  “So this friend from Mexico told them they better get lost and fast?”

  “They figure Guzman is going to take out all of Marco’s men unless they’re willing to pledge their allegiance to him. These two seem to be Marco’s right-hand men and they think Guzman’s hoods will be after them.”

  “So they want the state of Texas to protect them?” Myra asked.

  “That’s the gist of it.”

  Myra stood. “Is Guzman to blame for the murders?”

  Tom shrugged. “The housekeeper found the bodies. According to her, Bonita Mortez had been given something to help her sleep. When the housekeeper checked on her, she was still out, but alive. The housekeeper then contacted Mr. Guzman and he got his daughter out of there. No one knows where Guzman has her hidden and they never will.”

  “What’s the motive?” Myra asked. “Could be drug-related. But why would they kill Ava Mortez, too? And why was Bonita spared?”

  “Who knows?”

  “Bonita was extremely upset about Daniel and Marco’s unfaithfulness. Ava and César expected her to just accept it, but she wasn’t in an accepting mood. Bonita has a very good motive, but it’s not in my jurisdiction. Since I don’t have to worry about Marco, I consider it more than a blessing for Daniel and me.”

  Tom got to his feet. “Do you want to come back to Houston with me and tell Stu? This is going to make his day.”

  “I’ll get my bag.” Myra headed for the hall and quickly turned back. She looked at Levi. “Can you bring Daniel later? I’m sure Stu is going to want to see him.”

  Just like that she was back to being Myra, the lawyer, the prosecutor, and her personal life had been shoved aside. He had been shoved aside. As had Daniel.

  “Yeah. I’ll bring him later. I have to find out what Stu wants to do about his grandson.”

  This is where she should say she would raise him because that’s what Natalie wanted. But what she said was “I’m sure Stu has a plan.”

  He watched her leave with an ache in his heart. He’d been torn between two women, but he really hadn’t. His heart belonged to Myra and she didn’t want it. She didn’t want a stable home and a family. She wanted her career.

  Within minutes, she was back in the living room, her hair brushed and her eyes bright. She kissed Daniel as Pop was feeding him cereal. “Bye, sweetie.”

  Daniel held up a finger with cereal on it and tried to touch her face. She licked it and laughed. Daniel chuckled, too. Why couldn’t she see what a great mother she would make? Maybe some things just weren’t meant to be.

  “Thanks, Levi,” she said, her eyes holding his, and he could almost feel the gulf between them getting wider. “You seem to be saving my ass a lot these days and now I’ll just disappear out of your life and make you happy.”

  Is that what she really thought? If she did, they really had nothing to talk about.

  “I’ll see you at Stu’s,” she called as she rushed out the door with Tom. In a few minutes, the whirl of the chopper accelerated and she was gone. As if she had never been here. As if she had never needed him.

  * * *

  LEVI HAD TO give Daniel a bath before he could dress them. Cereal was plastered in his hair and smeared across his face. The baby wanted to play in the water and wasn’t too happy when Levi whisked him out. He wasn’t sure of what to take with him to Houston, so he took just what Daniel would need for the day.

  He wasn’t moving that baby bed around until Daniel had a permanent home. With Daniel dressed and the diaper bag packed, he was ready to go.

  “Where you taking him?” Pop asked.

  “To see his grandfather.”

  Pop turned from the sink, his eyes narrowed. “But you’re bringing him back, right?”

  “Depends on what Stu says. He might have a relative willing to take the baby.”

  Pop’s eyes narrowed to thin lines. “The boy needs a home and we got a home. He needs to stay here.”

  “I have to work.”

  “I can take care of him. I do a better job than you young folks, anyway.”

  Levi was at a loss for words for a moment. “Pop, I have to take him back.”

  “It’s just like I told you. Rip my heart out by the roots. That’s what you’re doing. If you don’t bring that baby back, I’ll never...” He stomped out the back door and John Wayne slipped through the doggie door after him.

  Forgive you. That’s what his grandfather meant to say. Damn, this was getting out of control. He should’ve never involved his grandfather. Now he had to hurt the one person he loved most in this world.

  Life was a damn bitch.

  Daniel touched his face with a chubby hand and Levi looked at the cherub face. “It’s all your fault. Your cuteness is affecting all of us.”

  Daniel clapped his hands and made a purring sound.

  “Are you trying to say ‘buzz buzz buzz’?”

  Daniel clapped that much harder and Levi just smiled. How was he going to give Daniel back? Oh, yeah, this was going to hurt.

  “We better go, buddy. It’s a long way to Houston.” The sound of a vehicle caught Levi’s attention. Was that Pop’s truck? He was probably going to Walt’s.

  Levi was about to go out the back when someone tapped at the front door. It couldn’t be Pop. He went to see who it was. First, he glanced out the window. It was Valerie. The last thing he needed today. But he opened the door.

  She frowned the moment she saw Daniel. “Oh, you still have the baby.”

  “I was just taking him to Houston.”

  Her face relaxed into a smile. “Good. I was hoping we could go out tonight.”

  Daniel was babbling, “Buzz buzz buzz,” or something similar, oblivious to the tension. Levi had to end it today and it wasn’t something he would enjoy. “Sorry. I’ll be busy getting Daniel settled.”

  “Can’t someone else do it? Haven’t you done enough?”

  “Daniel’s grandfather is a very good friend of mine. He supported me through bad times, and when I look at his grandson, I don’t see a half-Mexican baby. I see a little boy who needs love.”

  “Levi, please, you know I didn’t mean anything by my remarks the other day.”

  “When I opened the door, it was on your face the moment you saw him.”

  She flipped back her blond hair. “Okay. I might have a little problem in that area. But it doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”

  “What would you say if I told you I was thinking of adopting him?”

  “You can’t be serious!”

  Levi had heard all he needed to hear. He wasn’t thinking of adopting Daniel, but he knew he and Valerie would never make it as a couple. He’d thought they had the same views and goals in life, only to learn they were nowhere close to being on the same page.

  “Valerie, I don’t think you and
I have anything left to talk about. I don’t have any plans to adopt Daniel, but I can’t be with a woman who resents a baby for his nationality.”

  “It’s her, isn’t it?”

  How he wished he could say it was Myra. She had made her own choices and he knew he was not included in them. And it wasn’t all Myra’s fault. They just couldn’t seem to connect the way they should. The way they used to.

  “Now that the danger is over, Myra has gone back to her job in the city.”

  “Do you plan on seeing her?”

  He glanced at his watch. “I have to go. Daniel’s grandfather is waiting.” He had no intention of answering her or fueling her jealousy.

  “When you come to your senses, call me.”

  “I won’t be calling.” He didn’t want to be that blunt, but she forced his hand.

  Her eyes narrowed in anger. “I only went out with you as a smoke screen to cover up my affair with the doctor I work for.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “His wife was getting suspicious and I needed a boyfriend quickly to throw her off the trail. You see, she’s very wealthy and on the hospital board and could very well end his brilliant career. When I ran into you that day at the hospital, I knew I’d found my new boyfriend. At first, it was just a ruse, but it turned into so much more. Now you’re throwing it all away.”

  He looked at this woman he thought he knew and saw someone who was just a figment of his imagination: the perfect woman who would love him the way he loved her. What a joke that was. He was beginning to question if he even knew what love was. It certainly wasn’t what he felt for Valerie. He had a sick feeling in his stomach.

  “Goodbye, Valerie. Don’t ever call me again.” He closed the door and walked away, feeling as if he’d escaped the biggest fiasco of his life.

  * * *

  From the helicopter pad, Myra and Tom went to the police station to get an update on Marco’s men from the San Marcos police. Stu would want every detail. For information on the Mortez family, the FBI were discussing a deal. Myra left Tom to handle things. A cop drove her to her apartment and then she was on her way to Stu’s.

  A weight had been lifted and she felt as if she could float along the ceiling like a helium balloon if she didn’t hold on to the handrails that lined the wide corridors of the facility. Marco was not a threat to her or Daniel anymore.