A Texas Child

by Linda Warren

  Without Levi, she wouldn’t have been able to get through any of it. Normally, she was a strong person, but when it came down to life or death, she needed him. She really should have told him that. She should have told him a lot of things, but she was feeling her way through a minefield of emotions. Right now she had to focus on Stu and Daniel and sort her love life out later. It was more than her love life, though. It was her whole life.

  Stu was sitting in his recliner, still in his pajamas with a big smile on his face. “They got that bastard and he’ll never hurt my grandson.”

  “Did Tom call you?”

  “Nah. Very little happens in the police department that I don’t know about.”

  “Mmm. I’m aware of that.” She sat close to Stu. “I think Marco’s wife, Bonita, did us a favor.”

  “You think it was the wife, huh?”

  “She probably knew Marco had sent his men for Daniel. Because of her hate for the baby, Bonita helped us escape. The thought of the baby returning must have sent her over the edge. She seemed a little deranged. Since her father is Antonio Guzman, I can only imagine that they might have done it together.”

  “Well, kid, we’re not going to analyze it too much. We’re not going to question this gift, this blessing. Marco is dead and he can’t take Daniel now. I can die in peace.”

  “Stu, please don’t say that.”

  He patted her hands. “It’s a fact of life. Don’t be sad. I had a wild adventure while I was here. I have a lot to be grateful for. Also, I have a mountain of regrets. But it wouldn’t be life otherwise.”

  Myra swallowed. “Have you made a decision about Daniel?”

  Stu nodded. “Yes, so don’t worry. He’ll have a good life, the one I want for him filled with love and happiness.”

  Myra was taken aback. His answer surprised her. She’d thought he would have asked her to take Daniel. She didn’t know how she’d manage with her job, but a big part of her was pulling her in Daniel’s direction. Now it seemed it didn’t matter. Stu had made plans that didn’t include her. She tried hard not to feel hurt. Then she thought of all the times she had told him she didn’t want to be a mother, so she could only blame herself.

  “Where is my grandson?”

  “Levi’s bringing him.”

  “Ah, Levi. Trustworthy Levi. There are a lot of men in this world and I’ve worked with a lot of cops, but when it comes to trust and loyalty, you’ll never find a better man than Levi Coyote.”

  Her cell buzzed and prevented her from answering. Not that she had a response. She knew Levi about as well as she knew anyone and she couldn’t dispute a single word Stu had said. Levi was the best.

  She stood to talk to Clarence. “I can be there in about fifteen minutes. Oh, wait. I need to change. It’ll be about forty-five minutes....Okay. I’ll see you then.”

  Before she could click off, her cell beeped again. This time it was Steve. “I’ll be in my office within the hour.”

  She stared at Stu’s questioning eyes.

  “What?”

  He shook his head. “It’s not worth it.”

  “Stu, I have a job and I’ve been away about a week now, so it’s time to get back to work.”

  “Is that really what you want?”

  She slipped her phone into her purse to avoid looking at him because he always seemed to know when she was lying. So she decided not to tell a big whopper. At the moment, she was struggling just to remember her name without Levi’s face coming into view.

  Swinging the strap of her purse over her shoulder, she said, “Try not to celebrate too much today. I’ll check back later.”

  “Aren’t you going to wait for Levi?”

  She glanced at her watch. “I really have to go.”

  She was running like a scared teenager. In the next few hours she would have to make a decision that would affect the rest of her life. Maybe somewhere in the maze of confusion, she would discover just what she wanted.

  “Bye,” she called, and rushed out the door. And ran straight into Levi pushing Daniel in a stroller.

  “Oh, you startled me.”

  Daniel beat a fat fist on the front of the stroller and babbled something she couldn’t make out. He smiled at her and for a moment the world made sense.

  “Did you talk to Stu?” Levi asked.

  Her eyes swung to his and suddenly her choices were very clear, and that just made everything more complicated. More emotional. And more heartbreaking.

  She collected her thoughts. “Yes. He’s very happy he no longer has to worry about Daniel’s safety.”

  “Did he say what his plans were?”

  “He said he had plans and I wasn’t to worry. I’m assuming he’s contacted a family member and they’ve agreed to take Daniel.”

  Levi frowned. “You didn’t ask?”

  “It’s Stu’s decision.” Her cell beeped and she turned away. This time she was glad. Anger rolled off Levi in waves and it was all directed at her. “Yes, Clarence, I’m coming. I just spoke to Steve and he knows I’m running late. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “You’re going back to work,” Levi remarked.

  “Yes.” She slipped the phone back into her purse. “The Dawson trial is moving forward and Clarence wants me there.”

  “What about Daniel?”

  “Stu will fill you in.” She started to walk off, unable to take any more, when he caught her arm.

  “What about your promise to Natalie?”

  She exhaled deeply. His fingers on her skin tripped her response in another direction and she was struggling to deal with her feelings. “I promised to look out for him and I’ve done that.”

  “I’m the one looking out for Daniel,” he said sharply. “You’re going back to work. There’s a difference, Myra.”

  “Levi, please.”

  “What?”

  When she didn’t respond, he went on. “It always comes down to your job, Myra. So go. I’ll make sure Daniel has everything he needs.”

  A piercing pain stabbed her in the heart. She was making all the wrong decisions and she couldn’t help herself. She needed to talk to Levi, but she wasn’t sure what talking would accomplish. They were still at a stalemate. She had to get her thoughts straight and the only way to do that was to be alone. Obviously, he didn’t understand that. At times she didn’t, either.

  “What do you expect from me?”

  “I expect you to tell Clarence to stuff that job and that you’re going to do everything you can to give Daniel the life you promised Natalie.”

  Her legs trembled, so she knelt down to Daniel’s level and kissed his cheek. “Bye, sweetie.” She stood and ran down the hall toward the entrance and her car. Once inside, the tears flowed. Tears of regret. Tears of shame. Tears of sorrow.

  There was no way to go forward now.

  Levi hated her.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  LEVI KNOCKED ON the door and pushed Daniel into Stu’s room.

  “There’s my boy.” Stu clapped his hands and Daniel bounced around excitedly in the stroller. Levi unbuckled the baby and placed him in Stu’s lap.

  “Look at that face, Levi. He looks like my Natalie. Hopefully, he’ll have none of that bastard in him.”

  Levi took a seat. “A loving home is what Daniel needs.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more, my friend.”

  Levi rubbed his hands together. “I saw Myra in the hall....”

  “Is that why you look like somebody just shot your horse?”

  “Maybe. Things are kind of tense between us.” Levi saw no reason not to be honest.

  “Why? You two worked together to save Daniel and that should have brought you closer together.”

  “It’s the same-old same-ol
d.”

  “Her job?”

  Levi sighed. “And the past. There’s a lot of heartache between now and then.” He didn’t know how else to explain it. “Sometimes it takes more than love.”

  “You mean, if she quit her job that would prove she loved you more.”

  “What?”

  “You want her to prove she loves you more than her job.”

  “No.” That wasn’t it. Was it?

  Daniel held out his arms for Levi. “Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.”

  He lifted the baby from Stu and Daniel laid his head on Levi’s shoulder.

  “Now, I would be insulted if I didn’t know you so well and that you cared for my grandson.”

  Levi padded Daniel’s back. “The little guy and I made a connection and he’s absolutely stolen my grandfather’s heart.”

  “Old Henry’s?”

  “Yeah. Kind of hard to believe, isn’t it?”

  “Nah.”

  “Myra said you have someone to care for Daniel.” Levi thought it was a good time to bring up the subject.

  Stu adjusted the oxygen tubing in his nose and then had a coughing fit. It took a few minutes before he could speak. “I’m...working on it. Could you keep him a couple more days until I get everything set the way I want?”

  “I don’t mind, but whoever you’ve chosen should get to know Daniel as soon as possible. He’s been handed off too much and needs a home.”

  Stu nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. The lawyer should have everything drawn up in at least two days. Will that work for you?”

  Levi watched his friend. “What would work for me is that you stop being so cagey. Why can’t you tell me who you’re leaving guardianship to?”

  Stu gave a half grin. “Always the cop, huh?”

  “I get a little suspicious when people avoid telling me things.”

  “I...I don’t blame you.” Stu put a hand over his mouth and started to cough again, loud hacking coughs. “Sorry. Sometimes it just gets...hard to breathe.”

  Levi put Daniel back in the stroller and buckled him in. He’d known Stu a lot of years and the man had taught him everything he knew about police work. Stu had stood by him in good times and in bad and he couldn’t have asked for a better friend when the higher-ups had wanted his ass canned all those years ago. For that reason, he would let Stu play out his little game or whatever it was. But there was something he needed to know.

  “Have you asked Myra to take Daniel?”

  Stu rubbed the arm of his recliner for a second. “No. She made a career choice years ago and she also made a choice not to have children. I respect that and wouldn’t put the responsibility of Daniel on her shoulders. She’s been too good to Natalie and me.”

  His response made Levi feel like an ass and he had a sneaky suspicion that’s what Stu set out to do. Levi did not respect Myra’s decisions. Staring at his friend, he had a revelation. He wanted her to bend to his way of thinking. It wasn’t up to Levi to change Myra. It was up to him to accept her the way she was or get the hell out of her life and stop wanting her to be someone she wasn’t.

  Levi held out his hand and Stu shook it. “Give me a call when you want me to bring Daniel.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”

  “No thanks required, but I think we’re even now.”

  Stu shook his head. “We’ll never be even. I’ll never be able to repay my debt to you. You’re the best friend a man could have and, Levi, I wish you nothing but the best.”

  “You’re getting a little mushy.” Levity was the only response Levi had for the years of friendship that required no thanks. “Catch you later.”

  “Bye, Levi.”

  Without another word, he pushed the stroller to the door.

  “Levi,” Stu called.

  He glanced back at his friend.

  “I’m going to give you a piece of wise advice. If you want things to work with Myra, tell her you love her and say you’re sorry. Everything else will fall into place. Trust me. It’s that simple.”

  Levi just nodded because there was nothing left he could say. It was now up to Myra. Not him. Like Stu had said, it was her choice and Levi had to respect that and stop wanting her to be mother of the year. He never felt about anyone the way he felt about her. So maybe he was the one who needed to change.

  * * *

  MYRA SPENT THIRTY minutes in a meeting with Steve. They were still working on a deal with Mortez’s men and they’d raided the Mortez house in Brownsville and discovered a basement, as Levi had suspected. It was full of guns and drugs ready to be shipped all over the United States. The expensive cars were only a front.

  The FBI was now checking into a snitch at the Brownsville border crossing. Someone was allowing the trucks filled with guns to cross. Steve was pleased with the progress being made. Finally, they’d caught a break.

  From there, she met with colleagues to discuss the Dawson case. Jury selection started in a week. A wealthy boy of nineteen had raped and murdered two girls; one of them had ID’d him before she’d died. The boy’s father had hired a high-priced defense attorney and gotten the boy out on bail. But Myra was determined to put him behind bars where he belonged.

  Adrenaline rushed through her veins as always when she started a trial. She tried to concentrate, but voices went right over her head. What was wrong with her? Then she heard Levi’s voice: Do what you promised Natalie. And then Stu’s voice: It’s that simple.

  The sad truth was she wanted nothing more than to be Daniel’s mother. It came back to her lack of confidence in herself as a mother. She could handle a murder trial and she was balking at raising a little boy. Suddenly, she knew what was wrong with her.

  Under her breath she began to sing, “Booger was a bumblebee with a stinger on his butt. Buzz buzz buzz...”

  “Myra. Myra!”

  She glanced up and saw everyone staring at her.

  “You were singing,” Kyle said.

  “Was I?”

  “Something about a bumblebee.”

  She wanted to laugh at the expressions on their faces. Cool, collected Myra Delgado was losing it right in front of them. She got to her feet.

  “Well, I guess you’re boring me to death. Take over, Kyle.”

  “But you’re the lead prosecutor.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. Kyle was an eager beaver, dying to replace her, and she was about to make his day. “You can’t handle it?”

  “Damn right I can.”

  “Then have at it.”

  “Does Clarence know about this?”

  She stepped a little closer to the young man. “Never question anything I tell you.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She walked out and toward a future she wanted. But first she had to talk to Clarence. She couldn’t leave otherwise.

  The little shark receptionist was not at her desk and Myra tapped on Clarence’s door.

  “What?” came from within.

  She walked in. Clarence was on his laptop and didn’t even look up.

  “I quit.”

  “Tell Kyle to sit down like a good little boy and everything will be fine.”

  “Clarence, I’m serious. I’ll write up a resignation letter, but I really don’t want to take the time. I have to go.”

  Clarence looked up, frowning through the glasses on his nose. “Are you serious?”

  “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”

  The D.A. leaned back in his chair. “Take a few more days if you need to. You’ve been through a lot. I understand that.”

  “Thank you, but it’s more than that.”

  “Myra, this is your life. That’s why you’re such a good prosecutor. You put everything you are i
nto it and I don’t want to lose you.”

  She bit her lip in thought. “Do you see me as a woman?”

  “What?” Clarence looked confused.

  “I’m a woman, Clarence, and I’ve been denying that part of myself. My biological clock has been silent for a long time, but now the sound is deafening. I’ve lost myself in this maze of fighting for the good guy. It’s time to find me, the woman I should be, the woman I want to be.”

  Clarence removed his glasses and laid them on the desk. “You are serious.”

  “Yes. I’d like to leave right away, but I’ll stay and work the Dawson trial if you prefer. I wouldn’t be giving you my best, though.”

  “Do you think Kyle can handle it?”

  “Yes. But you have to keep an eye on his enthusiasm, or maybe that should be his ego. It gets the best of him sometimes. He’s a good lawyer, just young.”

  Clarence came around the desk and hugged her, which took her by surprise. He wasn’t known for hugging. “You’ve given a lot of yourself to this department, so go, and I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.”

  She hugged him back, fighting tears. All of a sudden she was a weepy mess. “Thank you.”

  “And for what it’s worth, my wife has forbidden me to notice other women so, no, I never see you as one, just my prosecutor and I’m really sorry to lose you.”

  She walked out, leaving everything she’d worked for behind. She should be sad, but she wasn’t. She actually felt a lot lighter from the release of the enormous responsibility she carried as a public servant.

  It didn’t take long to clean out her office and soon she was in her car, driving. She headed to the one person she could pour her heart out to and would understand what she was going through.

  She went to Jessie.

  * * *

  AS LEVI DROVE up to the house, he saw Pop sitting on the front porch. Before he could get out of his truck, Pop was at the door ready to get Daniel out. He had to have a long talk with his grandfather and it wasn’t going to be easy.