Lonestar Sanctuary

by Colleen Coble

  "You think he'd mind?"

  "Nope. They won't be any trouble, and he's off today anyway."

  "Then let's do it!" Allie found the more she dug under Rick's brawny surface, the more tenderness she found.

  ONE OF RICK'S FRIENDS FROM CHURCH WAS A BORDER PATROL AGENT. RICK knew Walker Rivera would be his only hope of getting some insider information. After stopping at the checkpoint, he was directed out to one of the landings along the Rio Grande.

  Cactus tore at his tires and bumper, and he nearly bottomed out in the potholes along the narrow dirt road down to the river. The area was a desolate desert until he got close to the water where trees grew and vegetation sprouted, grabbing onto the moisture the river gave up. The fresh scent of water made the day brighter.

  Walker's SUV sat on hardpan clay. A large patch of prickly pear cactus sprouted from under it. Rick parked behind his friend's vehicle, then followed the voices he heard echoing off the red canyon walls that lined the river. The walk down to the river was a little steep and treacherous, with small pebbles sliding away from his boots.

  Walker and his partner were interrogating two handcuffed men. About five ten with stocky features and a handlebar mustache, Walker had been with the border patrol nearly twenty years. The other agent was younger, blond, and scared.

  Walker fired questions at the prisoners in Spanish, then turned to march them to the SLIV. The Baggies of brown weed in his hands told the story.

  When he saw Rick, he motioned for his partner to take the prisoners on to the vehicle. "Hey buddy, what are you doing out here?"

  "Looking for information. Drugs?" he asked, nodding toward the men who were nearly to the top of the slope.

  "Marijuana."

  "Seen any evidence of coyotes running illegals through the area?" When Walker raised his eyebrows, amused, Rick added, "More so than usual."

  Walker's gaze sharpened. "How'd you know? There have been nearly three times what we usually see."

  Rick told him about the group he'd seen on the ranch and about Allie's situation. "I even checked out the brother of the guy she sent to prison, and he seems clean. He was up in Albuquerque."

  The men had started walking up the hillside. Walker stopped and grabbed his arm. "Albuquerque. What's his name?"

  "Luis Hernandez."

  Walker began to smile. "He's been on our radar, and I've got a search warrant to deliver. That's my next stop."

  Rick could have sworn the young man was clean. He was losing his touch. "I'd like to tag along."

  Walker studied Rick's face. "You know, maybe you can get us in the door without him running. I've got a pilot ready to go. You free right now?"

  "You bet. Let's hit it."

  The men climbed back in their vehicles and headed to the post. Walker and his partner turned over the prisoners, filled out their forms, and came out to join Rick at his truck.

  Two hours later they parked outside the same dilapidated apartment house that smelled of black beans and tacos.

  "Let me go to the door first," Rick said. "Once they open the door, I'll motion to you." He still worried it might be a waste of time, but Walker obviously had something on the kid.

  He got out, veered around four Hispanic children playing dodgeball in the street, then went to the door and pounded on it. "Luis? It's Rick Bailey again. I've got a couple of questions."

  The baby wailed, and a woman's voice spoke soothingly. The door swung open, and Luis didn't look nearly as patient and understanding today. His glare stabbed at Rick, and his mouth was pinched.

  "What now?"

  Rick flicked his fingers at his side. Moments later, the two border patrol agents were showing the warrant. Walker had his foot stuck between the doorjamb and the door to keep Luis from slamming it in their faces.

  Luis turned to run, and Walker grabbed his arm. "Not so fast, amigo. We've got some questions." The men shoved inside.

  Rick shot an apologetic glance to the young woman, who stood off to one side, her dark eyes full of fear. The wails of the baby added to the chaos as Walker pushed Luis into a chair and stood over him.

  "Keep an eye on him,"Walker said. "I need to help Mike search."

  Rick stood between Luis and the door. The young man sat on the edge of the chair like he might bolt. Waves of animosity rolled off the kid, and he kept glaring daggers of betrayal at Rick.

  Rick stared down at the young man. "Did you try to implicate Allie Siders in running illegals through the rodeo?" he asked quietly.

  Luis turned his head, but not before Rick saw a knowing smirk twist his lips. Rage simmered along Rick's nerves. If this guy had been terrorizing his wife all this time . . . He heard the border agents tapping along the walls, dragging drawers open, looking in cabinets.

  Nervous energy jittered along Luis's body. His hands shook, and Rick could see he had something to hide. A boulder began to form in Rick's stomach at the thought he might have ended this nightmare days ago if he'd been able to see through the guy. Allie was suffering, and he'd had the power to stop it.

  He was losing his touch. A few years ago he could read these degenerates like reading spoor in the forest. He'd let this guy bamboozle him. Some protector he was.

  Walker came back holding a ledger book. "It's all in here." He flipped it open and showed Rick the money trail. Hundreds of thousands of dollars. When he handed the book back to Walker, something fell from between the pages. He picked it up and found a picture of Allie standing by a horse trailer at a rodeo.

  "It was you," he said. "You were trying to frame her."

  "She killed his brother, destroyed his business," the woman said, taking a step forward.

  "Callete!"Luis snarled.

  The woman clamped her mouth closed at Luis's command to be quiet. She scuttled back to the couch with the baby.

  Rick let his contempt show in his eyes as he stared at Luis. The young man looked down, but his mouth still held a line of defiance.

  It was over. Rick's relief couldn't be described. He could go home, tell Allie to let the fear drift away like puffs of cottonwood seeds. They could begin to work on making a new life together. Once the adoption was final, he would have a real family.

  The thought made him smile.

  24

  THE CARE FACILITY WAS ONE OF THE NEWER ONES THAT LOOKED LIKE A Victorian mansion rather than an institution. Allie could hardly wait to get inside. What if she was able to find Rick's brother? What a kick it would be to reunite them and see Rick's face.

  She and Dolly stopped at the nurses' station and got directions to Rosanna Hilgers's room. They found her seated in a chair, her beefy arms propped on a side table and five cards in her hand. The green sweater she wore over her housedress had more pills than straight fibers.

  "Mrs. Hilgers?"Allie said.

  "I'll call you," she said in a shrill voice.

  Allie glanced at Dolly and touched the woman's shoulder. "My name is Allie Bailey, and I'd like to ask you about a former student."

  The woman's bleary eyes blinked, then she pulled her gaze from the cards in her hand and focused on Allie. "I taught you?"

  "No, ma'am, not me. But you taught a boy named Chad Bailey. I was wondering if you knew how I might get in touch with him."

  "Who wants to know?"

  "I do. My name is Allie Bailey."

  "You're his sister?"

  "His sister-in-law. Do you know where he is?"

  The woman shuffled her slippered feet. "Who wants to know?"

  "Me, Allie Bailey."

  "Want to play poker? I promise not to take too much of your money."

  "I don't know how to play."

  "Sit down and I'll show you."

  Allie gave Dolly a helpless look and pulled over a chair from under the window. "About Chad," she said.

  "Such a good boy," the woman said. "Terrible he had to go to Africa."

  Dolly rolled her eyes, butAllie leaned forward. "He went to Africa?"

  "With his parents. I was so upset. H
e came to see me on his giraffe when he got back though. So grown up and handsome."

  "When was he here last?" Allie knew this was likely all false, but she might find a glimmer of reality in the stories somewhere.

  "Just last week. He came on his elephant this time. He could name every part of that beast. I taught him well." Her eyes glazed over, then closed, and her mouth sagged. A snore ripped from her throat.

  "She's not making any sense," Dolly whispered. "Let's go."

  "I'm going to talk to the nurse."Allie rose and followed her friend from the room.

  "Poor lady. She's delusional. All that talk about elephants and giraffes. I doubt you'll learn anything from the nurses."

  "Just a quick question." Allie stopped at the hubbub of activity by the entrance and waited until one of the women was free. "Excuse me. I was wondering if you knew if Rosanna Hilgers gets many visitors?"

  The young woman's tired smile brightened. "Oh, Mrs. Hilgers! Isn't she a sweetheart? We just love her. Some of her former students drop by from time to time, though since her mind has failed more, not so many.

  Allie allowed herself a glimmer of hope. "I'm looking for a young man who would be in his early twenties now. Chad Bailey?"

  The woman frowned. "Bailey. The name isn't familiar. There's another Chad that comes by though. He's about that age."

  Allie exchanged a glance with Dolly. "Do you know how I might get hold of him?"

  "No, I'm sorry. Visitors don't leave their information or anything"

  Allie dug in her purse for a pen and paper. "Listen, could I leave a note for you to give him if he comes in again?"

  "Sure. I'll put it in her file."

  Allie scribbled out a note explaining who she was and what she wanted, then folded it and handed it over. "Thanks so much."

  "No problem. I hope you find him."The woman tucked the note into a file folder.

  It was the best Allie could do, but it felt like a pitiful attempt. Still, God was in control of this, and he could move mountains.

  The women drove back to Dolly's house, but the conversation was much more subdued on the trip home. They stopped at the corner grocery and bought some milk, then went to the O'Sullivan home.

  As they pulled into the driveway, she saw Rick's truck parked along the curb. "Don't tell him where we were," she told Dolly.

  "I won't. I warned Grady to keep it mum too." Dolly held up the gallon of milk. "We'll tell him we went after this."

  "I hope he hasn't been here long," Allie muttered. She got out and followed Dolly to the house. "Rick?" she called.

  His voice came from her left. "In the living room."

  Allie went to find him. "Did you find out anything?" She eyed him, noticing the triumphant grin he wore.

  He stood from his seat on the couch and stepped to where she stood.

  "It's over." Rick folded Allie in his arms.

  She could hear his pulse thumping against her ear, sense the elation that filled him. "What do you mean?" she asked against his shirt.

  His hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her out so he was staring into her face. "It was Luis Hernandez. They found the money trail and a picture of you at the rodeo. He put money in your account and tipped off the authorities, then pulled out the money and moved it around to some other accounts of his own offshore."

  She felt giddy, and her knees threatened to buckle under her. She clung to Rick's strength. The nightmare was over. "How did he know I'd come here?"

  Rick shrugged. "I suppose he tapped Yo's phone or something. The border patrol will figure it out. Let's celebrate. I'll take you to supper."

  She wanted to smile, but it didn't seem real. "Are you sure? I never met him."

  "He had a picture of you, and the money trail was clear."

  For someone to hate her so passionately when she'd never even met him saddened her. "He must have loved his brother very much."

  "You're feeling sorry for the guy? Get over it," Rick said. "He deserves what he's got coming to him. He murdered your family."

  Allie shuddered. "It's hard to understand."

  "I think the two of you need some time alone," Dolly said. "The girls would love to be together tonight. Why not let Betsy stay with us? There's no need to worry about her now"

  It felt strange to let go of her anxiety, to let loose of her daughter. She felt light, airy, as the reality sank in that the danger was behind her. The future stretched ahead like a beautiful blue sky.

  "Allie?" Rick said. "It's safe. You can leave Betsy with no worries."

  "She's not used to being without me." Going off without Betsy would be like losing her arm.

  Dolly laughed. "Listen to the girls chattering. She won't miss you."

  Sure enough, Allie could hear the high, sweet sounds of the girls talking. Talking. Betsy was talking again, and life might actually return to normal, whatever that meant. "If you're sure." She couldn't look at Rick.

  "I'm positive." Dolly made a shooing motion with her hands. "Get out of here, you two. Go celebrate."

  Rick took her arm, and his warm fingers jump-started her pulse. "We'll get her first thing in the morning."

  "No rush," Dolly said, smiling.

  Rick led her from the living room and out the door. "What sounds good for supper? Let's walk. It's not far."

  "Do we have a choice?" She turned to smile at him. The air suddenly smelled fresher, clean with the scent of citrus from the groves along the path. The sunset cast a subdued light over the tiny village, bathing it with a heavenly glow.

  Free. She was free to love Rick and build a new life with him. And that's what this emotion she'd been unwilling to name was. Love. How did he feel? She glanced at him from the corners of her eyes. He'd said if he acted love, maybe he'd feel it. Sure enough, the transformation had occurred in his heart as well. How was she to know about her own heart though?

  The emotion swelled within her, lodging in her throat, choking off anything she might say. Not yet. She couldn't tell him yet. Maybe after supper.

  He kept possession of her hand as they strolled along the sidewalk to the little cafe two blocks down. Allie glanced in the windows of the homes they passed, noticing the families living and loving. She wouldn't have to envy the other families any longer. She had a place of her own.

  Carrying this much joy felt overwhelming.

  Rick held open the door of the cafe for her, and she stepped onto the battered wooden floor. Red-and-white checked tablecloths covered the square tables, and the air was thick with the smell of chicken enchiladas, tonight's special according to the chalkboard. A few locals looked up and spoke to Rick, tipping their hats to her as well.

  Rick led her to a corner table that looked out on the patio where pots of flowers bloomed. He sat across from her and smiled with so much contentment that she had to smile back.

  His smile changed as he looked over her shoulder at someone. "Judge," he said.

  Judge Thompson was smiling, and Allie let herself hope. The older woman stopped at the table. "You two look awfully happy."

  "The border patrol just arrested the man who's been giving Allie so much trouble," Rick said. "And if that's not enough, Betsy is talking again, so we're celebrating."

  The judge's smile widened. "Glad to hear it. Come see me tomorrow, and I'll give you the ruling. I think you'll be pleased." She winked and walked away.

  "Ah, the joys of small-town living," Rick murmured. "No tightly held secrets." He laughed, then stretched his hand across the table to take Allie's. "Enchiladas just doesn't sound like a celebratory meal. I think we should have steak."

  "Me too." Though right now she felt she couldn't eat a thing. They placed their order, and the waitress left them alone.

  "What are we going to do about Jon's parents?" Allie asked. "They are going to still want to see Betsy, even if the adoption goes through."

  "How do you feel about it?"

  "They're her grandparents. I'd like her to know and love them, but I hate for her to be forc
ed to visit when she doesn't want to."

  "Sometimes blood can't make family," he said. The sun dipped below the horizon as he spoke, and the shadows deepened on his face. His voice darkened as well. "Adoption can. Love is what counts."

  "You never talk about your family," she said. Maybe he would open up now. She wanted to know more about this man who'd slipped into her heart when she wasn't looking.

  The triumphant smile he'd worn since she first saw him tonight took a dip. He pulled his hand away and took a gulp of his water. "Not much to say. I haven't seen my parents in years. Last I heard, my dad was in prison for assault and battery over a dispute at work, and my mom was waiting tables in San Antonio and living with man number six."

  "Dolly told me about your brother, Chad."

  His brows drew together. "You could have asked me instead of gossiping behind my back."

  Her cheeks heated. "You're right. I'm sorry. So tell me now." She held his gaze.

  He took her hand again, rubbing his thumb over it. "I haven't seen him since he was five. I looked for him for a long time, ever since I threw over my career with the military and came back to Bluebird. Every door was shut though, and I finally had to accept it. Maybe he'll come looking for me someday."

  Her trip today was on the tip of her tongue, but she so badly wanted to surprise him. She choked back the information, imagining his expression when Chad finally stood before him. No matter what it took, she would find his brother.

  "Why so serious?" he asked.

  She put as much of her love into her gaze as she dared. "What happened to your back? The scars, they're dreadful."

  A slight smile tipped his lips. "My mother didn't take kindly to me burning the chili when I was ten. She took a whip to my back."

  Tears burned Allie's eyes. "Oh, Rick." She squeezed his fingers. "I can't imagine a mother doing that."

  "Most people can't," he said dryly. "It was one reason I swore I'd never marry. I didn't trust women. But watching you with Betsy has shown me how a real mother loves her child."

  With his thumb rubbing her palm, she found it hard to think. "My parents were good to me," she said.