by Robyn Grady
He forced a smile. “You did?”
“After looking into all the faculties’ courses and searching myself about what I really wanted to accomplish, you won’t believe what I’ve decided to be.”
Out the corner of his eye, that email seemed to taunt him. “What did you decide?”
“I want to study law. Not criminal, like Dad, but human rights. I want to do my best helping those who don’t have the education or means or, in some cases, the status to help themselves.”
“That sounds…worthy.”
Absently watching the motion, she curled some hair behind his ear. Where normally he would lean in against her touch, this minute it was all he could do not to wince. She had big plans.
Who was this woman?
Did he know her at all?
“Bridging courses are the first step,” she went on, “a chance to catch up on high school stuff before tackling the full on units.” She let out a happy sigh. “I’m so excited.” Nuzzling down into his neck, she murmured against his jaw. “I missed you today. Where have you been?”
Mateo thought of the item in his pocket, and the rock that filled the space where his heart used to beat grew harder still. He shut his eyes and groaned. God, he wished he’d never seen that note.
Her cuddling stopped. Her lashes fluttered against his neck an instant before she drew away and searched his eyes, head slanting as she reached to cup his cheek.
“Is something wrong?”
His gaze penetrated hers as his jaw clenched more. He should ask her point blank, lay it on the table, and this time he wouldn’t be hoodwinked. How could he be when the truth was there on that screen in black and white?
“You left your inbox open,” he ground out.
She bit her lip. “Sorry. I rushed off when I heard your car.”
“You sent a message to a friend.”
She blinked. “That’s right.”
“It didn’t go through.”
Her brow furrowed and her gaze shot to the screen before it slid back to him. He could sense her mind ticking over. “Did you read it?”
When he moved, she shifted and he got to his feet.
“Mateo…”
He headed for the door. His throat wouldn’t stop convulsing. He needed fresh air. Needed to get out of here and be alone for a while. But she stayed on his heels.
“Mateo, tell me what’s wrong.”
He peered down toward the foyer, to his elaborate staircase that, as large and grand as it was, didn’t really lead anywhere…except to more furniture and art and antiques. He’d accumulated so much. Right now he felt as if he’d been stripped of everything.
When she touched his arm, his stomach jumped. He tried to find his calm center as he edged around. Her beautiful pale blue eyes were clouded with uncertainty, the indigo band around each iris darker than he’d ever seen. Blood pounded and crashed in his ears. She’d been caught and she knew it.
The words—his accusation—were on the tip of his tongue when the doorbell sounded. He thought of ignoring it, but he couldn’t get what he needed to off his chest with some unknown person lurking on his doorstep. Leaving a desolate Bailey, he strode over, opened the door and was caught between a groan and smile.
Alex Ramirez stood with his hands in his pockets. Natalie, looking as beautiful as ever, was at her husband’s side. Reece sat perched on her hip.
“We were on our way to a picnic,” Alex said, sliding his shades back on his head. “We thought you guys might want to join us.”
“It’s such a gorgeous day,” Natalie added breezily, but a certain shadow in her eyes let him know something was amiss. Perhaps she was just overly tired.
“A picnic?” Bailey came forward. “I’d love to get out,” she said as she looked across, “but Mateo might have something planned.”
Mateo stepped aside. “Come in out of the heat.”
“We have plenty of food and drink.” Natalie entered the foyer while Reece kicked his legs as if he was riding a horse. “There’s chicken and homemade potato salad. And plenty of room in the car. When you start a family you need to trade sports cars for roomier, safer options.”
Mateo didn’t miss the emphasis Natalie placed on safer or the way Alex’s lips pressed together as he looked down and crossed his arms.
Mateo folded his arms too as he shared a look between them. “Is something wrong?”
Alex said, “No,” at the same time Natalie said, “Actually, we wanted to speak with you—”
Alex groaned out a cautionary, “Nat.”
“—about France,” she finished.
And something else. Something important enough for them to show up unannounced. Not that he minded friends dropping in, but beneath the cheery exterior, some kind of trouble was upsetting Nat and Alex’s usual state of marital bliss. And it seemed Natalie, at least, wanted him to referee.
Unfortunately, this was far from the ideal time. But he couldn’t simply turn his good friends around and on their way. Not when Natalie’s eyes were pleading with him to leave with them.
Mateo unfolded his arms. “Sure,” he said, smiling, “we’d love to go.”
Bailey spun on her heel. “Let me just race upstairs for a moment.”
Natalie headed down the hall. “Do you mind if I use a bathroom? Reece sicked up a little on his shirt. He’s had a cough.”
“Of course.” Mateo ran an assessing eye over the baby, but he didn’t look flushed or ill. A little restless perhaps. “You know where the closest one is.”
Alex waited until Natalie was out of earshot before he stepped closer.
“Sorry about this.”
“No need to apologize. You’re welcome any time.”
There were simply more convenient times than others.
“It was Nat’s idea we drop in. She values your opinion.” Alex shrugged. “I do too.”
“What’s the problem?”
“Nat wanted to pin you down to get your take on—”
“All set!”
Alex stopped mid-sentence and both men’s attention swung to the stairs. Bailey was bouncing down, a big bag over her shoulder. When she reached the foyer floor, she glanced around. “Where’s Nat?”
“Here we are.”
Natalie emerged, baby Reece resting on her hip, his cheek on her shoulder. Carefully, she handed him over to Alex. “I’m afraid he’s getting a little too heavy for Mummy to carry.”
“Babies do grow up,” Alex said, swinging Reece onto his own hip.
“But they still need protecting.”
“In lots of ways,” Alex pointed out.
Mateo opened the door. “We should go.”
As they headed out the door, Bailey went to loop her arm through his but he hadn’t forgotten that email. How the truth had made him feel. Grinding his back teeth, he hastened his step, caught up with Alex and helped him put Reece in his seat.
As they all buckled up and Alex pulled out down the drive, Bailey tried to keep her spirits high even though she felt completely off balance.
When Mateo had come home she’d been on cloud nine. Now, for reasons she couldn’t explain, there was nothing but tension all around. Between Mateo and her. Alex and Natalie. Even Mateo and Alex! Hugging the gift bag containing that builder’s kit close, she studied Reece when he coughed. Even the baby didn’t seem overly happy.
As if to prove it, the little guy barked again.
Natalie swung around to check on him but Alex put his hand on her arm and spoke to those in the back, as if he wanted to divert the focus.
“So tell me, has Paris changed?”
Mateo was glaring out the window. “The Louvre’s still there.”
“So you said hello to the Mona Lisa?”
Bailey answered Alex this time. “It was amazing to see her for real.”
“And the orphanage?”
Mateo again. “Going well.”
“Did you see that little boy? Remy?” Natalie peered around again. “Is he still there?�
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“Quite a few have found families,” Mateo said, and Bailey almost shivered at his tone. A stay-away-from-that-subject-today timbre.
Still, Natalie persisted. “But not Remy? He hasn’t found a home yet?”
When Mateo’s hands bunched on his lap, Bailey answered for him.
“Remy’s still there. Barely says a word. But his little girlfriend makes up for it. Clairdy never stops talking.”
“How old is he now?” Natalie persisted. “Five? Six?”
Mateo leaned forward. “This is a good park. Plenty of shade. Great views of the harbor.”
Alex pulled in and they unloaded the picnic basket from the back while Natalie and Bailey took care of the baby. They found a shady spot overlooking the blue water and spread out two large checkered blankets.
“Would you like to go again?” Natalie placed Reece down and fished for a toy to occupy him from her diaper bag. “To France, I mean?”
“Actually, we’d kind of discussed that.” Bailey slid a glance over.
Mateo’s chest tightened as he took in her curious look. “Depends on my schedule,” he replied as he found the thermos.
Bailey could go to France again but it wouldn’t be with him. She’d exchanged paying back the price of her ticket home from Italy for an all-expenses first-class trip to Europe. She’d done well. And when they were alone again, he’d tell her exactly that—a moment before he told her to pack her bag and leave.
He’d had doubts from the start. And when that security guard had delayed them in Paris, he’d suffered more than a niggle. Now he knew why. There was reason to be suspicious. Hell, even her own father didn’t trust her.
“Which part did you like best?” Natalie was saying, handing Reece a clear ball with jigsaw cut-outs and corresponding shapes inside.
“There were so many amazing things.” Bailey fumbled as she laid out the plastic plates and they went in all directions over the blanket. “I couldn’t choose just one.”
Reece threw the ball then let out another cough and another. Mateo’s doctor antennae went up.
“Has he had that long?”
“A couple of days,” Natalie said.
Alex added, “But the doctor explained he couldn’t give him his scheduled shots until he’s completely well.”
“If we decide he should be immunized,” Natalie said.
Alex ran a hand through his hair. “Nat, we’ve discussed this.”
“No. You made a decision for all three of us.”
Reece began to grumble. Making shushing sounds, Natalie folded down beside him and handed back the ball.
Alex set his hands on his hips. “Mateo, save me. Tell her children need to be immunized.”
“But there are side effects,” Natalie interjected. “Sometimes serious ones. There are risks, aren’t there, Mateo?”
Mateo considered the two of them—Natalie so passionate about protecting her boy from possible harm, Alex in exactly the same position, just looking at possible dangers differently. No one ever said parenting was easy. This decision might be a no-brainer for a lot of folks. For others, whether or not to immunize was the beginning of a whole host of moral battles associated with the responsibilities of being a mother or father. He should thank Bailey for inadvertently showing him her true colors and saving him from all this.
“In my professional opinion,” he began, “I would have to say that the benefits far outweigh any possible dangers.”
Natalie’s slim nostrils flared then she dropped her gaze. “It’s not that easy when it’s your own child, Mateo.” Holding her brow, she pushed out a breath and apologized. “I’m sorry. There was just this horrible story on the news the other night about the possible effects of shots. The footage was shocking. And then Sally from work said she knew of a couple who had a similar experience with their toddler. He was never the same again.” Natalie peered up with haunted eyes. “Some kids die. Once it’s done you can’t take it back.”
Mateo scrubbed his jaw. Natalie did need sleep. And reassurance. This decision obviously meant a lot to her. To both of them. As it should. But it wasn’t his decision.
When Reece began to whimper, confused at seeing his mother upset, Alex crossed over, kneeled beside his family and hugged them tight. He brushed the words over his wife’s crown. “We’ll work it out, darling. Don’t worry.”
Mateo sat down with his friends and while Bailey made chicken sandwiches, he spoke to Natalie and Alex candidly. With any vaccination there could be side effects, but most often minor ones. Immunization was a way to curb and even eliminate deadly diseases in both children and adults. Ultimately the burden of research and decision was on the parents’ shoulders.
But he conceded…Natalie was right. Rationalizing must sound pat when the child concerned wasn’t your own. Natalie seemed reassured somewhat.
In the dappled sunshine, they finished their sandwiches— Reece ate almost a whole one. The packing up had begun when Bailey remembered. “I left something in the car.”
She returned with a gift bag and handed it to Natalie. “This is for Reece. Mateo picked it out.”
Mateo averted his gaze. He’d been happy to choose the gift but memories of the day also brought back the image of that security guard and his own suspicions. Come to think of it, Bailey hadn’t emptied her pockets that day. She’d merely pulled out the bracelet.
But that was all water under the bridge. As charming as she was, that email had proven her more mercenary nature beyond a doubt. Duped by her own hand. He didn’t care what excuses she came up with.
Natalie helped Reece unwrap the gift. He instantly grabbed the hammer and thumped the ground. He squealed with delight when the tool squeaked and whistled.
Alex gently ruffled his son’s head. “That’s my boy.”
Mateo took in the scene and knew he ought to be happy for them. But, even when he wanted to deny them, the truth was that other emotions were winning out. Ugly emotions like envy and disappointment.
This morning he’d come home thinking that soon he would be a married man. He’d been prepared to do what three months ago no one could have convinced him to try. He’d wanted to risk. Was willing to try for a family of his own. After finding the truth out about Bailey, he would never consider taking that kind of risk again.
After they’d packed up, Alex and Natalie dropped them home. Mateo headed for the door without waiting. He knew Bailey would follow, and out of the earshot of neighbors, he’d tell her precisely what he thought.
Bailey stood, stunned, watching Mateo’s broad shoulders roll away as he ascended the stairs to his porch then unlocked and entered the house. She held her sick stomach, unable to comprehend how he could be so angry over that email to Vicky. Yes, she’d been pretty open in suggesting she thought there was—and wanted there to be—a future for them. She knew how he felt about marriage and children. God knows she hadn’t wanted to get this involved either.
But now he was acting as though she was some weirdo with an attachment disorder. After the way he’d treated her—like a princess—dammit, that just wasn’t fair. He’d led her on, set her up to trust him and…yes, love him. She thought he was falling in love with her too.
Back straight, she started for the stairs.
If he thought she would cower in a corner and accept this behavior—the way Mateo had intimated she ought to take her father’s sorry treatment—he was sadly mistaken.
When she strode in the door, he was waiting for her by the stairs. Given her dark expression, he knew what to expect. She was primed to defend herself, but he wasn’t prepared to let this demise ramble on. He’d get to the point. Then she could leave.
“These past years I thought I had everything I could ever want,” he told her as she crossed over to where he stood. “I thought I was content. And then I met you.”
A range of emotions flashed over her face. First happiness. Lastly suspicion. “I’m not sure what you’re saying.”
“When I came home earlie
r I intended to ask you to marry me.”
He extracted the blue jewelry pouch from his shirt pocket, loosened the string and tipped the ring into his palm. Five carats. The jeweler said his fiancée would love it. More than ever, Mateo felt certain that she would have.
Her incredulous gaze drifted from the ring to his eyes. Then her cheeks pinked up and her throat made a muted high-pitched noise.
“When you were out this morning you bought this?”
He inspected the diamond, tipping the stone so the light caught then radiated pale geometric patterns on the walls.
“I wasn’t sure of the fit,” he said. “The jeweler said I could take it back.” That was precisely what he intended to do now. His fingers closed over the stone and his voice lowered to a rough-edged growl. “You have no idea how betrayed I felt when I read that email.”
Bailey simply stared, looking as if she were taken aback and even annoyed. “Betrayed is a pretty strong word.”
He almost sneered. “I shouldn’t feel manipulated when you told that friend you wouldn’t be cleaning floors for long?”
“I said that because eventually I’ll get my degree.”
“What you said was that you had big plans. That you’d lucked out.”
“Well, I did feel lucky to have—” she stopped, blinked, then coughed out a humorless laugh.
“Wait a minute. You think I’m here…that I share your bed…” Her eyes glistened at the same time her face pinched as if she’d swallowed a teaspoon of salt. “You think I’m sleeping with you for your money?”
He huffed. “I’m sure as hell not sleeping with you because of yours.”
When her eyes filled with moisture and hurt, Mateo cursed as a blade sliced between his ribs and twisted.
He inhaled deeply. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Mateo, if you felt you needed to say it, believe me, I needed to hear it.”
She wound around him and started up the stairs.
He called after her. “So you’re going.”
She stopped at the same spot where they’d made love a few days before. Her face was pale. Her hands trembled, even as they gripped the banister. He imagined she felt determined…and maybe, with her plans ruined, even crushed.
