“Yes, I did. They’re very good.” Lissa gave Marcus a questioning look, and he didn’t feel inclined to give answers.
Alex didn’t stop. “Marcus is an artist.”
“Okay, end of discussion. That’s private.”
“He sells them at a store in San Antonio. On the River Walk.” Alex grinned, enjoying himself a little too much.
Marcus turned his attention to the window. Forget it. He wasn’t winning this one.
Her phone rang. Marcus watched as she glanced at the caller ID.
“Block the caller.”
She looked up. “What?”
“Same caller you’ve been ignoring for a week now. Block it if you don’t want to talk.”
“I’m not answering because he wanted to give me his opinion and try to control my days, my time and my life.”
She couldn’t be any clearer than that. It wasn’t his business. One kiss didn’t give him the right to tell her what to do. He got it.
“Your life. I’m not telling you what to do.”
She dropped the phone back in her purse. “If I block him, I won’t know what he’s up to.”
That got his attention. “Are you afraid of him, Lissa?”
“Not afraid. As you know, I can take care of myself. But he does make me nervous. He has met me in the parking garage of the hospital. He says he’s there to make sure I get safely to my car.”
“Have Security take you to your car. I’m not making that an order, just a friendly suggestion.”
And now he wanted to pound this guy. A man he didn’t know. A man he would never meet. But a man who made her expression tight with fear, even if she didn’t call it fear. So much for not getting involved. Without trying, she’d pulled him into her life and made him care.
They turned into the church parking lot and the conversation ceased. He willingly let it go. It wasn’t his business. She wasn’t his business.
An ambulance pulled in behind them. That got all of their attention. The attendants climbed out the back. As they did, Marcus noticed a woman emerging. She was wrapped in blankets, and her hair was soaked and hanging around her pale face.
“Pearl’s mommy,” Lissa whispered, her voice wobbly with emotion. “Please God, let that be Pearl’s mom.”
They got out as Pastor Matthews was running toward the ambulance. The woman sobbed, falling into his arms. They could hear him telling her she had saved her daughter.
Lissa’s hand slid into Marcus’s, the most natural gesture in the world. He gave her slim fingers a slight squeeze and she leaned into his shoulder, surrounding him with her warmth.
“There’s your answer.” He whispered the words against her hair and then, carefully, he kissed the top of her head.
“Yes, there’s the answer.” She smiled up at him. “You guys go rescue the world. I’ll be here with Doc.”
They watched the reunion between Pearl and her mother, and then they left. As they drove through town, Alex and Marcus were both shocked. The water had come up over the tracks and was rushing along the side of the café. It wasn’t inside the building, but it was close. “Let’s make a sweep through town before we tackle the café,” Marcus suggested. “I’ll check the state website and see if they have changed the projected cresting of the creek. If they haven’t, the water probably won’t get in the café.”
“I think the rain is supposed to move out of the area later this afternoon,” Alex answered. “But I’m afraid that isn’t going to do us a lot of good.” They drove down a side road lined with houses. The waters from the creek had become a river, rushing out of the banks and sweeping through houses that were a good hundred feet from the banks of the normally shallow creek.
“Is that Dan Godfrey on his front porch?” Marcus asked as they drove along the street above where the flooded creek had overtaken the houses and the road that ran parallel to the water.
About a half block ahead of them Marcus could see the elderly man standing on his porch, his pants rolled up to his knobby knees. He had a big box in his skinny arms and a cat sitting on the box.
“What in the world?” Alex hit the brakes and pulled his truck to the side of the road. “How did search and rescue miss him? I heard they rescued Chet Wilkins and that crazy pig of his. The two were sitting in a canoe next to Chet’s house.”
“If I know Dan, he probably didn’t answer the door. Or he hid, thinking he’s lived there his whole life and that creek has never gotten close to his house.”
“Yeah, there’s a big X on his door, so they did check the house. And you’re right, he probably hid.”
The two of them got out and headed in the direction of Dan’s house. Alex yelled, telling the older man to stay put. The waters were rushing, and no way could Dan stand up against that current.
“Do you think we can get to him?” Marcus asked as they neared the house. The water was already to his knees and it would be deeper when they got to the front porch.
“I think we can stand up against the water. I like that Dan has his pants rolled up to his knees. The water is probably up to his waist.”
“I’ll carry Dan if you grab the box and the cat,” Marcus offered.
“You hate cats so much you’re willing to take the old man?”
Marcus grinned at that. “Yep.”
The current pushed against them as they walked. All the time, Dan remained on the porch with his box and the cat. Water rushed around his house and was already several inches over the porch where he stood.
“Time to get you out of here, Dan.” Alex took the box and the cat.
“I didn’t want to leave Annie’s house.” The old man swiped at a tear as he mentioned his wife. “She loved this place. I had to get her doilies and the pictures of the kids. And this old cat.”
“Did search and rescue let you stay?” Marcus asked.
Dan shook his head, his gray eyes faded and sad. “No, I climbed up in the attic when they came. I guess they thought I left with Billy. But Billy couldn’t find me, either.”
Billy was Dan’s son. He lived in Killeen and got back as often as possible to see his dad.
“Is there anything else you want out of here, Dan?” Alex offered.
“No, I’ve got my memories. Sixty years’ worth. Annie and I built this house the year we married. Back then there was money working in the oil fields.” The older man looked at his house, all the emotion visible in his expression. “We had a good life here, me and Annie. Raised four kids. Had a passel of grands.”
“You’ll be able to come back,” Alex assured him.
“No, I don’t think Billy will let me. I heard him tell his wife that I’m slipping. I ain’t, but that’s what they think. After this they’ll probably move me to the city and one of them homes.”
Marcus felt for the man. He couldn’t imagine leaving the place he’d built and lived in for sixty years. It was hard enough envisioning losing the home he’d had for less than a year. A home with memories built through another family, not his own.
“Maybe he’ll let you stay in town, Dan.” Marcus offered. “But we can’t stay here right now. The water is seeping into the house and it’s still coming up.”
“I guess we’d better go.” Dan sighed as he looked at the swollen creek. “I didn’t think it would get like this. I thought a few inches, and if it came up, I’d just walk out. I didn’t even move my old Ford out of the carport. I guess I won’t have a truck after this.”
Sure enough, water was pouring through Dan’s old truck.
“It looks like you’ll have to say goodbye to that truck.” Alex held on to the cat and Marcus bit back a smile. That cat was going to have to ride in his brother’s truck.
“Come on, Dan, time to go.” Marcus scooped Dan up, and the older man kicked a little.
“I ain’t no silly woman needing you to carry me out of
here, Marcus Palermo.”
“I know you’re not, Dan. But that water is strong and you don’t weigh much.”
“I can walk out of here,” Dan insisted in a stronger voice than he’d used in a while. Marcus set him on his own two feet. “I don’t mind if you hold me steady, but I’ll not have you carrying me. What would Annie think if she was here?”
Marcus didn’t argue. A man had his pride. “Come on, then.”
Slowly they trudged back through the water. Dan had a hard time staying on his feet, but Marcus kept hold of him. He understood that the older man wanted to preserve his dignity. Marcus would help him do that. Besides, at least Marcus didn’t have to hold on to that screaming, yowling cat.
* * *
The house Marcus grew up in was a sprawling, single-story ranch house. The stable and arena were several hundred feet from the house. Lissa walked through the stable with Oliver. Lucy had picked up Essie and Oliver and driven to the church to get Lissa. The guys were still busy in town helping people save what could be saved and rescuing those who hadn’t gotten out in time.
Ahead of them, Marissa Palermo talked about the horses her husband, Alex, raised and the cattle. He also had bucking bulls.
Marissa taught at the local school, but school had let out for summer break. As she talked, Marissa touched her belly. Often. If Lissa had to guess, she would say that other woman was pregnant.
“Can I ride a horse?” Oliver hurried ahead of them and stopped at a stall door where a big, gray head stretched over the door, eager for attention. The horse lipped at Oliver’s hair and then blew out a breath. Oliver laughed and backed away, but then he inched forward again, raising a hand to pet the same velvety nose that had snorted on him.
“I think maybe when the rain stops we can arrange that.” Marissa stood next to Oliver, her hand going again to her belly. “This is Granite. He’s Alex’s favorite.”
“I like him, too.” Oliver smiled up at her.
She was his aunt. Lissa realized that as she watched the two, Alex and Marissa. Oliver had no idea that he was surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. Marcus was right—they needed to tell him as soon as possible. Oliver deserved to know these people and to know they were his family.
The more time she spent with them, the less she worried about Oliver’s future. He would have these people in his life. The more she got to know them, though, the more she felt her heart ache with loss that was eminent.
Oliver spotted a cat and took off, eager to catch it.
“Be careful, some of these cats are a little wild,” Marissa cautioned. “But if you look around, you might find kittens. Just don’t go in stalls with horses.”
When he heard the word kittens, Oliver slowed his pace and started a search. Marissa sat down on the bench placed midway along the aisle. Lissa sat with her.
“How far along are you?” Lissa asked.
At the question, Marissa smiled a sweet smile. “Just a few months. We haven’t told anyone.”
“I think you’ll have to tell them soon,” Lissa advised. “You’re glowing.”
At that, Marissa turned a shade of pink and her hand went to her belly again. “We’re just so excited. It’s twins. They did an ultrasound last week and there are two little Palermos on the way.”
“Wow! That’s exciting.”
“And frightening,” Marissa added. She watched as Oliver crawled under the door of a stall.
Lissa checked to make sure it was empty and then sat back, relaxing. The rain had slowed and was now a gentle patter on the metal roof of the stable.
“I watch him and I think, I’m going to have one like him. He’s so stinking cute that I just can’t wait.” Marissa glanced at Lissa. “They’ll be cousins.”
Lissa nodded, keeping an eye on Oliver as he continued the search for kittens. At one time Marcus would have been a child living here, playing in this barn. No, she rethought that. Did he ever play? Did the Palermo children have happy memories? It would be a shame if they didn’t have those good memories, having grown up in a place like this, with so much to offer.
Oliver continued his search through the barn. He stopped at a closed door and peeked at Lissa before turning the handle and slowly pulling the door open.
“I should check on him.” She stood. “He’s not been himself since we picked him up earlier. He might be getting homesick.”
Marissa touched her arm. “Don’t let him play in that room. Marcus wouldn’t want him in there.”
“No?”
“It’s a difficult story and not mine to tell.”
“Of course. I’ll go get him.”
Maria entered the barn as Lissa hurried to collect Oliver. The younger Palermo smiled a greeting before nodding toward the room Oliver had entered.
“Better get him out of there,” Maria warned. “Marcus and Alex just pulled up.”
Oliver, being five, didn’t understand the meaning of hurry. He had found a litter of kittens. The mama cat curled around them, licking them in turns and nuzzling them as they curled against her belly.
“Can I take one home with me?” Oliver asked as Lissa squatted next to him.
“No, we can’t have cats in our apartment. Remember?”
Oliver looked crestfallen at the reminder. “Yeah, I know. I like it here. There are cats and dogs and horses.”
“Yes, there are. But we don’t live in the country.”
“No, we live in a big, big city.” Oliver ran a finger over a little striped tabby kitten. “I like this one.”
“He is pretty,” Lissa agreed. “We need to go now.”
“What have you all found?”
The soft but gruff voice startled Lissa. She jumped a little and faced the door, feeling guilty for having been caught in the room that Marcus wouldn’t want her in.
He didn’t look upset. His expression softened as he looked from her to Oliver. His son had worked up the courage to pick up the tabby kitten.
“Kittens, huh?” Marcus remained at the door.
“Come in and see them. There are six.” Oliver kissed the kitten on the top of the head. “How does the mom get to them when the door is closed?”
“She goes up in the loft and comes down. See the little opening?” Marcus pointed at the ceiling, and sure enough the wall didn’t go to the top. There was a ledge and an opening that led to the loft. It was only about six inches wide, but big enough for a cat.
“I want a kitten, but we can’t have cats in the city,” Oliver informed Marcus with a glum expression on his face.
“Oliver, you should put the kitten back with his mommy. She’s looking for him.” Lissa stroked the kitten’s soft head, and then she helped Oliver return him to the mother cat.
“Have you seen the kittens?” Oliver asked, unaware of how Marcus seemed frozen at the door of the room. “You should see them. They’re all colors.”
“I bet they’re pretty. And if you didn’t live in the city, you could take one home with you.” Marcus looked from Oliver to Lissa and she wanted to tell him that was unfair.
“Yeah, but we can’t live in the country. Lissa has a job in San Antonio. And she doesn’t really think she could work for Doc Parker. We just came here so I could meet you.” Did his voice seem off? Upset? Lissa heard it, but she wanted to believe she didn’t.
“You have been eavesdropping again,” Marcus said quietly, as was his way.
“I hear a lot of stuff,” Oliver said, not bothering to look up. His attention remained on the cats. “I know that Marcus is my dad. That’s why I have his last name. And I’m the spitting image of him. Whatever that is.”
“Spitting image,” Lissa whispered, her throat clogged with emotions that felt like sadness, regret and loss. She was going to lose Oliver to this place and these people. They were his family, she reminded herself, and she had no claim to him. The
letter gave Marcus the rights. The right to choose Oliver. The right to keep him from her.
Marcus was at her side. She hadn’t noticed him moving into the room. She felt his hand on her shoulder, and then he squatted next to her, his hand sliding down her arm and then away.
“You are my spitting image,” he told Oliver in his quiet voice. “But you’re a far sight better than me.”
“My mom said I had a dad and that I couldn’t meet him because he would take me and he wasn’t no good.” Oliver looked him over and his mouth drew into a frown. “I guess she meant you.”
Lissa’s heart shattered. Sammy never should have told Oliver those things. Why would she do that to him? She sighed because she knew. Sammy hadn’t always thought about Oliver’s feelings.
Marcus sat on the floor, moving so that his back was against the wall. He pulled Oliver onto his lap. “I’m really sorry your mom told you that. And I wish I had known you a lot sooner so we could work up to this whole father-and-son thing.”
“Because you’re sorry that you didn’t want to be around me?”
Lissa looked at Marcus, unsure of what answer he would or should give a five-year-old child. His eyes reflected her surprise. Leave it to Oliver to ask the hard questions.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I’m trying to make up for those mistakes. Oliver, I am very sorry that I didn’t get to be around you.”
He didn’t say anything against Sammy, who hadn’t told him he had a son. Lissa mouthed a silent Thank you. He nodded and continued to talk to his son in a quiet and comforting tone.
“Will I live here now? Instead of with Lissa? My bed is at her house. And I have a bed at Grammy and Pops’s. We always lived with Lissa, though.” His little face fell as he looked from one adult to the other.
Lissa felt the ache of loss as never before. She’d been holding this little boy since he took his first breath. She’d changed his diapers. She’d helped Sammy potty train him. She’d taught him the alphabet and his colors.
Marcus’s gaze bored into her, questioning her without words. Oliver had revealed so much. More than she’d been willing to tell.
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