Mentally groaning, she responded, “Can it wait until after my office hours?”
“I don’t think so. There’s a problem with Tom.”
“Tom? What’s wrong?”
“He’s postponed our meeting again. I know he’s distracted by his new case, but I need his help with something.”
“Can’t one of the law students help you?”
“No. I need Tom.”
“Tom’s very busy these days. It’s an important case.”
“Not too busy for you.”
Luisa narrowed her eyes, temper sparking. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Sofia’s brows lifted. “You tell me. I’ve seen you two together.”
The memory of Tom’s arms around her flared to life, the sense of shelter one she couldn’t forget. The knowledge of how much she craved a repeat of that comfort sharpened her voice. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I suggest you leave your imagination out of this. Tom’s a friend, nothing more.”
“Does his wife know that?”
Luisa glared. “Ava is one of my closest friends. And I don’t see that any of this is your business. What is it that you need that only Tom can supply?”
Sofia quirked one brow, the corners of her mouth lifting. “What a loaded question.”
“If you want to engage in clever by-play, find someone else. I have office hours.”
“Why so touchy?” Her tone said the opposite. “Unless, of course, your conscience troubles you.”
“My conscience is perfectly fine, thank you. Now what is it that you need me to do?”
Sofia’s chin lifted. “Never mind. I’ll handle it.” She turned and walked away.
Luisa stared after her, wondering if she’d spilled her poisonous conjectures to anyone else. Unbelievable. Tom was a good friend, nothing more. Yet again, she had reason to wish she’d never laid eyes on Sofia Sanchez.
Glancing at the clock, she groaned and raced into the department office.
“Oh, thank goodness, Dr. Martinez. Your son’s school is on the phone.”
“Is he hurt?”
“I don’t know. They won’t talk to anyone but you.”
“I’ll take it in my office.” Whirling, she ran down the hall, fumbling with her keys, then throwing everything in a side chair while she grabbed for the phone.
“Hello?”
“Dr. Martinez? This is John Calvert, the principal here at McCallum.”
“Yes, Mr. Calvert. What’s wrong? Is Carlos all right?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? What’s happened?”
“Carlos is absent today, and today is the day his grade takes the state test.”
She leaned against the desk. “I didn’t know.”
“We sent a note home with all the kids last week.”
“I didn’t—Carlos doesn’t—” She took a deep breath. “Carlos has been staying with his father.”
“The school is supposed to be notified of a change of address.”
“I thought—I hoped it was temporary.”
“Well, that may explain some things.”
“What things?”
“Some of his teachers are worried about his performance.”
“He’s failing?”
“No, he’s not failing. Not yet. But he’s not turning in all his homework. You’ll see on his progress report.” She could hear him shuffling papers. “Are there family problems, Dr. Martinez?”
“Carlos is fine. It’s his father who’s the problem.”
The principal chose his words carefully. “Dr. Martinez, we often find that parents who are not on good terms hurt the child more than each other.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” she cried. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done to let him move, but he threatened to drop out of school if I stood in his way.”
“I see.” The principal was silent for a moment. “Have you considered family counseling? Or is there some other adult who could talk to Carlos?”
Luisa immediately thought of Tom, then discarded the idea just as quickly. “Not really.”
“Dr. Martinez, I don’t think I can over-emphasize how critical this is. Stopping a student’s slide as early as possible is the best way to insure that he or she can recover the ground lost. Carlos is a fine student who has a bright future, but a GPA, I’m sure you know, is more and more difficult to impact the longer something like this goes on. We can work with Carlos to re-take the test, just this once, because this behavior is unlike him, but he needs intervention now. I don’t want to lose him.”
“Neither do I,” she whispered.
“Then you’ll talk to this other adult who might reason with him? And you’ll consider counseling for your whole family?”
Ramon would never go to counseling. And how could she ask this of Tom, when he was so overworked already? How could she afford to lean on him again, especially knowing how much she wanted it?
But how could she sacrifice her son to his father’s weaknesses? The mother in her overrode the woman.
There was no real contest. Tom could say no, but she had to try. Her son’s future hung in the balance.
“Yes,” she answered. “I’ll do everything I can.”
“Fine, then. I hope I’ll see Carlos here tomorrow.”
“You will.” If I have to drag him there myself.
When the principal said goodbye, Luisa depressed the receiver hook, then lifted it and dialed again. When Tom answered, she went weak with relief.
“Tom? I’m sorry—I know you’re really busy and I know you don’t have time for this, but I’m desperate. I need you.”
When he answered calmly and surely, his very tone of voice warm and confident, Luisa’s knees gave way. She sat down heavily, clutching the phone like a life raft, and began to answer Tom’s questions, praying he could help save her son.
Texas Together: Book Babes Trilogy Part Three
Jean Brashear
Chapter One
‡
February
Ellie Preston trudged down the sidewalk toward Saxon Gaillard’s studio, every step hesitant, her thoughts ranging over her conversation with her friend Ava. You’re not happy lately. Marriage doesn’t always provide everything you need.
Ava wasn’t right. She couldn’t be. Everything would be fine if only Wyatt would give her one more baby, get her life back on track. She’d quit her lessons and go back to what she was best at doing: taking care of her family.
At the door, she stood there for an endless time, debating whether to go inside. A part of her warned that she should go back home and never return. Another part of her desperately needed the surcease within these walls.
And a part of her could still see Saxon as he’d been the last few weeks: quiet, watchful…the space humming with a tension that pulled at her incessantly.
Ellie closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, and lifted her hand to knock. Before she could, though, the door opened.
“Hi,” Saxon said.
She glanced quickly at the blue eyes so warm and open, then cast her own down again. “Hi.” She frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“No, I—” He stepped aside. “Come on in.”
She felt his tension as well as her own. She didn’t say a word, just crossed the floor and began to ready herself to paint.
When Saxon spoke, she jumped, not realizing he was so close behind her.
“Okay, look—I’m sorry if you don’t like this, but Sylvie was here and saw your painting.”
Ellie’s heart seized. Carefully she asked, “Oh?”
“She was insistent. She lifted the cover before I could—”
Ellie kept her hands busy, still not looking at him. Striving for an even breath, she went on. “What did she think?”
Saxon was silent too long. Ellie’s spirits sank. “She didn’t like it, did she?”
“No—” he said quickly. “That’s not it at all. She was impressed, truly impre
ssed by your work. She wants it in her gallery as soon as you’re willing.”
Ellie blinked. “She…does?” Finally, she turned to face him, looking for confirmation. “Really?”
“Really.” Then he smiled, and the sun came out for her. “I told you it was good.”
“You did not.”
He looked offended. “Sure I did.”
“No, Saxon, you never said it was good. You grunted and told me what else needed fixing.”
“I told you—” He stopped, then his grin widened. “Okay, maybe not in so many words. But I thought you could tell…”
Ellie found herself smiling back. It wasn’t often one could catch Saxon at a disadvantage. “Because you think I’m psychic, is that it? You have never once told me that this painting was good or that I’m making any progress.”
“I wouldn’t waste the time telling you what to fix if it wasn’t.”
“Do your women get this same sensitive treatment?”
He frowned. “What does that mean?”
She was treading in dangerous territory. “Never mind. Your private life is none of my concern.”
“Ellie, I don’t—” Raking impatient fingers through his hair, Saxon began to pace. “I’m no good at this. I don’t know how to deal with how I—”
Ellie’s breath caught in her throat. “With what?”
“Nothing.” He just stood there, staring at her, sunlight flaring white off his blond hair. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was a creature of myth, a man of legend.
She wished she could capture him, in his many complexities. “Let me paint you, Saxon.”
“What?”
She’d startled him, she could tell.
His eyes darkened. “Why?”
She should back away, but she realized she wanted this, wanted to take this memento with her when she left, as she soon must. “Why what?”
“Why do you want to paint me?”
So I can remember you, remember this time, for the rest of my life.
His gaze compelled her to return it. She saw a tenderness, a wondering…a yearning. For one moment, just one tiny moment, she let herself think about answering. About drowning in the blue lake of his eyes.
“Ellie?” His voice was deep and whisper-soft. He moved a step closer.
She whirled, reaching for a brush with trembling fingers.
“I don’t want to hurt you. But I want you.”
“Don’t say that.” She shook her head violently. “Don’t even think it.”
“I do think it. All the time.”
“Please, Saxon…”
“There’s a light inside you, Ellie, that chases away the darkness in me. You make me want to be more than I am.”
Maybe… Her hungry heart, so torn and confused, wanted to hear more. It overrode the voice in her head that told her to run away. Now.
She didn’t move, merely bowed her head and listened. Tantalized. Tempted.
Saxon’s breath was warm on her nape. Gooseflesh danced over her skin. Her nipples tightened, her body softening, readying itself for him.
Still she said nothing. She didn’t dare. They teetered on the brink of something very dangerous, and she would not tip the balance.
He exhaled roughly. “Damn it, Ellie. What the hell am I supposed to do with you?” His warmth vanished from her back. She heard his steps moving away.
Tears flooded her eyes. Arousal and shame warred in her body. Not caring about her open paint tubes or her brushes, she grabbed her purse and left everything behind, racing across to the door.
“Ellie, wait—” Saxon shouted.
But this time she ran for her life. She never knew if he followed; the second she reached her car, she was inside and roaring away, desperate to flee.
But she couldn’t flee the true villain of this piece.
Her own aching heart.
* * *
Ava spread the icing on Tom’s favorite chocolate cake, smiling as she envisioned the night ahead. He’d agreed to set aside the Briscoe case for one night and take the evening just for themselves. She’d planned a meal with all his favorite foods, and as soon as she finished here, she was heading for a long, leisurely bath. She’d put off her own work on finishing Coltrane’s book today, not wanting to risk getting all worked up or absorbed in it when she needed to concentrate on Tom.
It seemed like forever since they’d had the kind of time together they once took for granted.
The phone rang. She glanced at the clock. Still two hours before he’d planned to be home.
“Is Tom there?” a feminine voice asked.
Ava’s first thought was relief that it wasn’t Tom, changing their plans. “No, I’m sorry…have you tried him at the law school?”
“He’s not there. It’s actually Dr. Martinez I’m trying to reach. Since she’s not home and they left together, I thought maybe he could tell me—” Her voice broke off.
“Who is this?”
“Perhaps I misunderstood. But when I walked in on him holding her, I wondered if something was wrong, but—”
“Misunderstood what?” But it was too late. The woman had hung up.
Ava settled the receiver on the hook absently, staring but not seeing the icing that wasn’t yet smoothed.
Tom holding Luisa. Leaving with her. To go where?
Stop it, Ava. Tom is trustworthy. It was probably something to do with Carlos. She’d find out when he got home.
Maybe I misunderstood when I walked in on him holding her—
Ava forced herself to pick up the spatula and continue smoothing the icing, but her thoughts were far away.
What had the woman seen?
It wasn’t until she saw the spot form on the icing that she realized she was crying.
Wiping angrily at her cheeks, Ava drew in a deep breath, trying to push away the sharp pain in her stomach. This is nonsense, Ava Sinclair. You’ve loved this man for over half of your life. Your writer’s imagination is getting carried away, that’s all. This is not a novel. This is real life…with the man you love. Don’t jump to conclusions.
She should just come out and ask him. Laugh it off together. Let Tom tease her about her wild imagination.
Ignoring the tightness in her chest, Ava smoothed the last few strokes, then rinsed off the spatula. Then with careful steps, she removed her apron and headed for her bath.
* * *
Forty-five minutes later, pampered and relaxed, perfumed and legs shaved, dressed in a purple silk he’d always loved, Ava entered the kitchen, humming to herself and donning her apron once more.
The focaccia dough was rising nicely; time to make the pesto sauce from her own basil harvested earlier in the afternoon. The kitchen smelled terrific—rising bread dough, chocolate, and a faint whisper of cut basil stems.
It would smell even better soon. Ava smiled at herself for getting unnerved earlier. Adjusting to all of this so quickly was hard on her and Tom both. Neither had expected her career to heat up so suddenly, nor had this landmark case been anything but a huge surprise. But both were good, positive developments. Neither she nor Tom were ready for the rocking chair.
In many ways, life had just begun again for them, with Siobhan grown up and Grayson almost out of college. Yes, they’d enjoyed having a span of time to concentrate primarily on one another, but could they really do that for another thirty years? They both needed their independent interests—they were close, but not joined at the hip.
They would learn how to adapt to her traveling; once this case was finished, Tom could even travel with her, if he wanted. And while this case was hot, she’d be understanding of his absences. It was a shot of adrenaline for him, being center stage again. She would never deny him the pleasure of it. Especially not just because her new world scared her.
It would all be fine. Ava reminded herself that she and Tom had something special. Not to be smug, but they simply handled things better than many couples; they always had. It took strength and commitment;
it wasn’t always easy. But they had always put one another first, and the current situation didn’t mean anything had changed in that regard.
Ava glanced at the table, beautifully set, with candles everywhere in the room. She smiled. It was going to be an evening to remember.
The phone rang, and she was still smiling when she answered. “Hello?”
“Hi.” Tom’s voice always gave her a thrill.
“Hi, yourself. Ready for the meal of your dreams? This kitchen smells terrific.”
“You bet I am—but I might be a little late.” She heard a strain in his voice.
“Oh?” She kept her own voice carefully neutral.
“It’s Carlos. Luisa needs my help.”
“It has to be tonight?”
He sighed. “Unfortunately, yes. He skipped school today, and it was the state testing day.”
“Good grief, why?”
“I don’t know. We’re waiting to find out.”
“You and Luisa?”
“Yes, but I’m going to meet Carlos alone. He might say more to me than to her in her current state.”
Ava shoved away thoughts she didn’t want to have, and reminded herself that Luisa was her friend. “Do I need to take care of her?”
“No, I’m not going to ask that.”
“Tom, if you’re not going to be here anyway, it doesn’t matter when dinner’s ready.”
“I’m going to be there, you wait and see. I just—” He blew out a gust of air. “The principal asked her to have another adult talk to him, not her or Ramon. He also suggested counseling for all of them.”
“It’s probably smart. She and Ramon are tearing that boy to pieces.”
“You’re right, they are. And she’s taking this hard.”
The earlier call seeped into her consciousness. “So she turned to you.” Flat statement.
“Yeah. I guess because…”
“Because you were there for her and I wasn’t.”
“No, Ava. It’s because I’m a man, and she thinks Carlos will listen.”
And he was a man for Luisa to lean on. Her man. Ava swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump in her stomach. “I see.”
“I don’t like this any better than you do, but I don’t know what else to do. She needs me and she doesn’t have anyone else.”
The Book Babes Boxed Set (Texas Ties/Texas Troubles/Texas Together) Page 22
