by H. L. Wegley
“Mr. Jacobs, perhaps I was too harsh in my judgment about your disqualification at the Beijing Olympics two years ago. If you were to be reinstated, proving you are worthy of the responsibilities of sponsorship, perhaps I would reconsider your request to sponsor the Santiago’s.”
Where was the judge’s bait luring him? Reinstatement would take time. “Your Honor, if I agree to seek reinstatement, will you allow the Santiago’s to stay in with U.S. under my sponsorship?”
“That’s not exactly what I said. If you sign as their sponsor, your responsibilities will not allow you time to train for the Olympics. I could not allow you to be their sponsor under those conditions. However, if you were to be reinstated, Mr. Jacobs, it would prove to The Court that you are a worthy sponsor. And I would, at a later date, consider your request to sponsor the Santiago’s.”
Allie’s hand took his.
Jeff looked down into her warm, brown eyes. “Jeff, this can work out for the best. You don’t have to give up your dreams.”
Allie wasn’t getting it. She understood, in part, how deeply he wanted to fulfill his Olympic dream. But she didn’t know about …
Jeffrey, get re-instated. Go back and win gold. Do it for your father.
The empty spot in our trophy case isn’t for my medals. It’s for you, son. For Olympic gold. You were born for this, not me.
He had made promises to his mother but, given the circumstances, wouldn’t she understand?
Dude, you can win gold in two years. But you wait six years or more, not gonna happen.
Judge Lynchesky’s sadistic little game was forcing Jeff to make a painful choice. “And what happens to the Santiago’s while I wait for a reinstatement ruling, Your Honor?”
The judge folded his hands on his desk and smiled at Jeff. “ICE must hold them in detention, of course.”
“For how long, sir?”
“By law, not more than six months, but—”
“But the Santiago’s are seeking asylum. How long for asylum seekers?”
The judge gave Jeff a crooked smile. “Asylum. That’s quite another matter. The time period is indefinite, but they could also be deported at any time.”
Deported at any time. That was probably the judge’s plan all along.
“Mr. Jacobs …” The judge resorted to his voice of authority. “I’ve had the van held for the Santiago’s, pending your decision.”
“Jeff …” Allie’s eyes looked up at him full of concern. “Larry can find us another sponsor.”
“Mr. Jacobs …”
Jeff ignored the judge. “You don’t understand, Allie. For you, immigration detention wouldn’t be any safer than sending you back to Nogales. And I think this judge means to give you both.”
“Guard, have the Santiago’s escorted to the van.”
Jeff couldn’t ignore these words from the judge. He whirled toward the bench. “No! Give me the blasted I-864. I’ll sign it.”
Larry grabbed his arm. “Settle down, Jeff.”
“I could hold you in contempt.” Lynchesky’s voice boomed out from the front of the court room.
A Freudian slip? The judge already held Jeffrey Jacobs in contempt. “Your Honor, I just want to sponsor the Santiago’s. They’re good people. The kind America needs. They helped to take down a drug operation along the California border.”
“Guard, you know where the forms are. Bring Mr. Jacobs an I-864.”
Larry pulled some papers from his briefcase. “May they fill it out online, Your Honor?”
“No, Mr. Wendell. I don’t want this case added to my backlog. The form is about twelve pages.”
“I know, Your Honor. I have the form.” Larry held up the papers.
“Very well, then. You may go to the holding room to fill it out. Give it to the guard, then you are free to go.”
The guard gave the all-rise order and the judge left whistling the Olympic fanfare.
Larry and Rafael huddled at the far end of their row of seats.
Allie looked up at Jeff, eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Are you sure about this, Jeff? All you get instead of the medal you deserve is me. No advertising contracts, no—”
“Allie, stop.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “For you, I would give up all eighteen gold medals that U.S. swimmer won.”
“You mean nineteen. You earned another one when you ran down those ATVs and saved me.” She smiled for the first time in hours.
Her smile drew Jeff closer to her. “I'd give up all the gold in Fort Knox. Allie, I know I’ve failed in too many ways to count. But you can count on this. If I ever hurt you or break your heart, you can trust me to fix it or die trying.”
She laid her head on Jeff’s shoulder. “Can we—how do you say it here in the U.S.—close the book on this issue? Please? And can you forgive me for doubting you?”
“Yeah. I can do that and the book’s closed.”
Allie circled Jeff’s neck with her arms and pulled him so close their lips nearly touched.
Jeff cast a sideways glance at Rafael.
He had pulled out of the huddle with Larry and was definitely watching.
Jeff returned Allie's hug, then whispered in her ear. “Before we do that in front of them, I need to have a talk with your father.”
“If you’re sure, absolutely sure, Jeff Jacobs, then I think you should have that talk right now.”
“I will. Right after Larry explains the ramifications of what just transpired. If I understand correctly, with me as your sponsor, we're good to go with only minor restrictions.”
“That's about the size of it.” Larry's voice. He had been listening to them. “Aren’t you glad you signed that employment contract last month? Otherwise, this would have been a much harder sell.”
“Yeah. And thanks for reviewing it for me.” Jeff looked down into Allie’s searching eyes.
“You said you were going to teach some college classes online. Is that your only work?”
“It’s my only paying work. I’m an assistant coach at the middle school. A volunteer.”
Rafael’s watching eyes were still focused on Jeff.
Larry's voice rose. “To sum it all up, Jeff, you've got Mrs. Connerly's house to rent for as long as you need it. I'll provide any advice you need when the cartel trials start. The only unanswered question is who's going to rent a car so we can take you all back to Cave Junction? And we need to check with the marshals about protection. My guess is that it won't be needed much longer.”
“There is another issue, Larry.”
“Did I overlook something?”
“A couple of things. First, we need to send Special Agent McCheney a really nice gift for sticking his neck out and his nose in. Maybe Mariner's or Seahawks’ tickets. I think you all recognize what he did for us. And second … Larry, would you take this group to the holding room and start on the form. I need to have a private talk with Mr. Santiago.”
Allie smiled at Jeff.
Rafael did not.
Chapter 29
Jeff stood waiting until Larry followed Allie, her mother, and Benjamin out of the court room and closed the door. Alone with Rafael now, Jeff's pulse revved. “Mr. Santiago?”
“To you I am Rafael. Also, I am very indebted.”
“But I believe this is a Mr. Santiago kind of question.”
“I see. Does this concern Allie?”
“Yes, sir. And me.” He took a breath, then blew it out to release the tension. “May I have your permission to court Allie, if she is willing?”
Rafael sighed heavily. “Every father who has a daughter knows such a time is coming from the moment she becomes his baby girl. The question you ask fills a father with dread, especially when they have only known the suitor for a short time. But Jeff, you have proven yourself to me. Yes, you have my permission to pursue marriage with my daughter. That is what you mean by courtship, is it not?”
Jeff nodded.
Rafael placed a hand on Jeff’s shoulder. “And you have my bl
essing when she accepts your proposal.”
Jeff released the air in his lungs in a single blast, not realizing how long he had been holding it. “Thank you, Rafael.” He reached out his hand.
Rafael gave him a firm handshake.
“I have one more thing to ask of you, sir.”
Rafael gave him a thin-lipped smile. “Isn't Allie enough? You can't have any more of my family.”
He returned Rafael's smile. “Actually, I want all of your family. As your sponsor, I would like you to make your home with me for now, and for as long as you wish, while you are adjusting to life in the United States. I have plenty of room and a place for a large garden, actually for a small farm. Well … I will have when my house is rebuilt.”
“So your house needs to be rebuilt, but you are asking us to live with you? I do not understand.”
“Yeah. I guess you wouldn't. You see, the Marshall, Wes, saved Allie's life and mine by sending us to the cellar just before a cartel thug sent an RPG into my house. It took out the—”
“Ai yai yai.” Rafael shook his head. “They wanted badly to kill you. Would my family be safe staying with you?”
“Would you be safe if you didn't stay with me? I'm still under protection by U.S. marshals. That U visa that Larry Wendell mentioned is granted to foreigners testifying against those who have committed crimes in the United States. I believe it comes with protection, if that is deemed necessary. What better arrangement for protection than having us all in one place?”
“You do have a point.” Rafael rubbed his chin. “But do you have a place to live?”
“My insurance company will pay for temporary housing until my place is rebuilt. The house Larry mentioned, Mrs. Connerly’s place, is a nice five-bedroom house along a mountain stream. Plenty of room for all five of us until my place is rebuilt, which may take until next spring”
“You are a generous man, Jeff. But what about the next few days?”
“The rental should be available by tonight. Allie and I scavenged enough beds, blankets, and other necessities from my house that we can all stay in the rental tonight.”
“Thank you again for your offer. I will need to talk to Mama before we decide. I'll let you know later today.”
“My big old house has been a lonely place since my mother died. I really would like for you to stay with me.”
“Don't you have any other relatives?”
“Only aunts, uncles and cousins. My parents couldn't have any more children.”
“It is not good to live without family. But let me talk to Mama first.”
* * *
Allie hooked Jeff's arm when they exited the building. Two cars rolled to a stop down on the street. Wes sat in the driver's seat of one, Cliff drove the second car.
She pulled Jeff toward Cliff's car. “Come on. Let's ride with Cliff. It will be quieter there.”
“Since when did quiet become important?”
“Since things … quieted down. We haven't had any quality, relaxing time together. Wes talks a lot.”
“Allie?”
A tug on her arm pulled her gaze down to her little brother's eyes. “What is it, Bennie?”
“Can I ride with you and Jeff? Papa says it's okay with him.”
Benjamin idolized Jeff. She couldn't say no to his pleading eyes. “Sure. You can ride with us. But Jeff and I get the back seat, okay?”
“I know why, Allie. You and—”
“Enough, or I'll change my mind.”
His eyes widened until he saw her smile.
“Cliff is a U.S. Marshal. Maybe he can tell me some marshal stories.”
“Cliff's a little quiet.” Jeff mussed Benjamin's hair. “But if you pester him enough, he'll talk to you. Ask him to tell you about the RPG.”
“What's an RPG?” Benjamin's furled brow turned toward Jeff.
“It's a rocket propelled grenade. Designed to take out tanks.”
“Holy smoke! That is a story I want to hear.”
Allie's eyes scolded Jeff. “You shouldn't have suggested that.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “It might scare Bennie.”
“Not as much as it scared you and me.”
“It's not funny, Jeff.”
“Then I'll tell him about how you and I rolled that boulder and squashed that loud-mouthed—”
She clamped her hand over his mouth.
Bennie glanced toward the back seat. “Can I hear that story, too?”
* * *
Bennie's large brown eyes stared up into Jeff’s.
Jeff gasped when he saw eyes that so closely resembled Allie's. This bright-eyed boy would soon be his brother. That's what he needed to be discussing with Allie.
“Can I hear the story about the rock that squashed the bad hombres?”
“Sure, Bennie. Sometime I'll tell you. But right now you'd better take advantage of Cliff. Have him tell you his marshal stories. And while you do, I have another story that I need to tell Allie.”
Allie stood silently reading him until she seemed satisfied, then stepped close. She circled him with her arms and gave him a quick hug. “Come on, Jeff, Bennie. Cliff is waiting … and, Jeff, I’m waiting, too.”
Allie held his gaze and waited.
The new look Allie's eyes held seemed open, nothing held back. She was inviting him into her life, intimately, completely, and was waiting for his words to give her that same invitation.
In that moment, he caught a small glimpse of being the recipient of Allie's love, of being the recipient of Allie herself. The words he meant to say were lost in the presence of Allie as she looked up into his eyes.
“Jeff?” She whispered the question.
“You two need to get in the car.” Cliff's voice. But cliff would have to wait.
“Alejandra San—”
Her fingers stopped his lips. “Allie … just Allie.” She smiled as she corrected him.
“Your father said I had his blessing to—”
“I knew he would see what I saw in you. Well, part of what I saw.” Her lips found his, softly, sweetly, and far too briefly.
Cliff's hand found the horn. “Hurry up, you two. You're making me nervous. Save that for when you're safe inside the car.”
“Come on, Jeff.” She pulled him toward the big sedan. “We have a lot to talk about on the way home.”
Home? Yes. Even without a house, he had a home. Anywhere with Allie was home. And the courtship—a mere formality. They both knew where it would lead. So why not let it take them there now. All that remained was popping a certain question. But Allie had said there was more to talk about.
He followed Allie into the back of the sedan, wondering what else she had on her mind.
Wes’s car led the way out of the parking area.
Cliff drove behind Wes out onto city streets and into freedom. Freedom for Allie's family.
“I've got some news for you all.” Cliff's gaze met Jeff’s via the rear-view mirror. “About ten minutes ago they caught the last cartel member in the Southern Oregon gang. Looks like he was the big kahuna in that area, which means you and the Santiago's are probably safe unless the trials in a few months draw some more cartel attention.”
“Cliff, does that mean we might lose you and Wes?” Jeff hoped not.
“Not exactly. Depending on the housing arrangements, you'll probably be graced with either my face or Wes's ugly mug.”
“Haven't you got that backwards?”
“No. Wes is ugly and he knows it,” Cliff said.
“I asked Rafael if the entire family would stay with me.”
“For how long?” Cliff asked.
“Indefinitely.”
Allie's head snapped around toward him. “What did Papa say?”
“That he has to talk to your mother first. But they'll come. It makes good sense.”
“Makes it easier for us, too. Wes and I alone can watch all of you if you're in one place. That's a good thing because the marshals are getting spread a little thin these days.
”
Allie nudged him. “Look. Bennie's zonked. He was probably exhausted after all we’ve been through.”
Jeff slipped an arm around her shoulders. “How are you holding up?”
“I'm good for another discussion.”
Where was she preparing to take him? “Okay. Shoot.”
“Can we eliminate the shooting, please?” She folded her hands around his.” The main reason I entered the Pharm D program was to help support my family. The cartel’s extortion made it impossible for Papa to do that alone. But now, they just need a little help getting started in the U.S. Papa is a good businessman. He just needs some capital to get started.”
“Allie, you're not thinking about dropping out of school and giving up your scholarship are you?”
“Jeff, the best way I can help them is to work for a while, starting very soon. If I take the Pharm Tech exam—I know I can pass it because we've covered everything on it during my first three years of pharmacy school. I can make forty to fifty thousand a year.”
“Would you finish the Pharm D program later?”
“No. It might be difficult to get readmitted at OSU. Besides, I want to home school my kids.”
“You'll have kids eventually, depending on—
“Depending on you. Jeff, I'm talking about getting married, now. Beginning our life together as soon as possible. We've seen that you can't take life for granted. It can end in an instant.”
“Did you just propose to me?”
“No, you already proposed to me.
That's not how I remember it. You said you were going to marry me and that you knew how to convince me to do it.”
“Would you please forget all that and just do it, Jeff?
“Just like your dad. You get right to the point. But shouldn’t we court for a while first?”
“Why? Two days, two weeks, two months—regardless, it’s going to turn out the same way.”
He sucked in a deep breath, then peered into Allie's eyes until he was lost in their depths. “Allie Santiago, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Of course I'll marry you.” Her coy smile appeared. “On two conditions.”
“Am I going to like these conditions?”
