by Lee Rose
Becky nodded and Abel headed back to his car. His rising blood pressure kept him from feeling the falling temperatures. His mom first, then Jane.
His dad and mom were sitting in the living room watching TV when he walked into his childhood home. He felt the love he’d grown up with. This was not going to be easy. He loved his mom but she was stubborn to a fault just like him.
“Hey son, this is a surprise. Is the training going well?” his dad asked, looking away from his favorite detective show.
Abel sat down. “Yes. I do want your help going over some procedures. If you can spare the time.”
“Sure, you know I’m free this week.” He chuckled at his own joke, since his retirement he was always free.
Abel looked at his mom dreading the conversation he was about to have, but knowing it was necessary. He was committed to Mia and the baby whether she agreed to it or not. It was time to show not only Mia, but his mother and this town’s busybody who had nothing else to do but play with people’s emotions. “What is going on between you and Mia and Jane, Mom?”
His mother looked surprised by his question. Abel also saw a hint of guilt in her brown eyes. “I have no idea what you mean, son.”
Abel told them what happened at the shop and who they thought did it. His mother gasped. “Jane would never do something so horrible, Abel. The poor girl loves you and is heartbroken. I have been trying to cheer her up.”
“Heartbroken? Seriously, Mom.” Abel snorted. “You have been blinded by her fake persona, but I see through the real Jane Lopez. Maybe dealing with Lydia taught me to see behind the fake smiles and perfect words. Jane is as fake as they come. There was never a snowball’s chance in hell of us being a couple.”
Oscar Ramirez looked between his wife and son. Clearly he had been as clueless as Abel in all of this mess. “Is Mia okay?”
“She is shaken up. I left her with Becky, but I am going back there to take care of her,” Abel answered, giving his mom a look to let her know he was serious.
“I know you want your baby, Abel. I do, too,” Delores told him eagerly. “Jane knows a good lawyer who can help you get custody. I will help you raise the baby. You will be better off without that Mia girl in your life.”
“Without Mia?” He couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mother’s mouth. Before the wedding she was behind him to fix things with Mia. “Did you tell Jane about the baby?”
She nodded, looking a little guilty. “The words slipped out at the wedding, Abel. Jane was crying because you rejected her feelings for you. You told her there was no hope because of Mia. I was trying to comfort her and told her why you were wanting Mia in your life.”
Abel stood up, feeling agitated. He glared at his mom, feeling hurt and betrayed. “Jesus, Mom. I love Mia with or without the baby. I fell in love with her the moment she looked at me so scared with her big blue eyes. I fought it and messed everything up. You filling Jane’s head with nonsense has made everything worse. Jane has done nothing but torment Mia, and you and your cold attitude only added fuel to the flames. Now Mia is suffering and my baby, too. She wants to leave this town and go far away. You will never see your grandchild then.”
“I am sure your mom didn’t mean it, Abel.” His dad frowned, sticking up for his wife. Abel wasn’t surprised but he ignored his father.
“I don’t like Mia, but I wish her no harm,” Delores admitted, getting up to stand in front of him. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I like Jane. She is so much better for you, Abel. Why can’t you see that? Mia wanted to abort the baby and forced you to stay in her life by holding the baby hostage. Who does that? I didn’t want to hurt Becky’s feelings, but Mia is no good just like her uncle Donald. Didn’t he take off on Becky as soon as things got a little rough?”
“What the hell,” Abel yelled and looked up at the ceiling. He wiped his face with his hands so he wouldn’t go ballistic on his mom. “Once again, Jane has filled your heads with lies and you fell for it. Mia grew up an orphan and she sees this baby as a miracle. She is so excited about being a mother. She gave me a way out, not expecting anything from me. She would never harm this child in any way. You could have been a mother figure to her, Mom. Instead you chose Jane, who is a vicious bitch.”
Abel sat down and told them who Mia really was and why she was in Brook Hollow.
“See, I told you she was up to no good,” Delores told her husband, who had been listening with interest.
Abel had it. His temper was going to get the better of him. He had to leave. “I am sorry you can’t see Mia for the beautiful gentle woman she really is. I stand behind her, Mom, and never with Jane who is vain, spoiled and rotten to the core. My child doesn’t need that poison in his life, so we will stay away from you and Jane.”
“Abel.” His mother looked horrified, putting her hand over her mouth. “You can’t say that to me. I am your mother.”
Abel looked at his dad. His dad looked sad but he stayed out of it. “If you still want to help out, let me know.”
He walked out and headed for Mia. He was going to prove to her once and for all she was his soul and heart, and to hell with what this town thought. He’d follow her to the ends of the earth if he had to. As much as he loved being sheriff, he’d quit if it came between them. Mia was his world and it was time to stake a claim and let the world know who she belonged to.
Chapter Sixteen
“I’ve made up my mind, Abel. I can’t raise my child in a town filled with so much hatred.” She felt sad because she loved Becky and working at the coffee shop. She felt like she finally found a purpose in life, but this was too much stress. He had explained how Jane poisoned his mother’s mind against Mia. Mia understood better now, but Delores had fallen for Jane’s words so easily. She could never allow her baby that close to her. What if Delores turned her child against her? No way.
“Gwen is making me some reservations and I will be out of here. If you want, I will call you when he or she is born.” She was determined to be strong and put her baby first. She loved Abel and her heart was breaking at this moment, but the stress was too much. Becky had taken her into the clinic and she was told her blood pressure was much too high.
Abel walked up to her grabbing her arms gently but firmly. “Mia, I have made so many mistakes with you it feels impossible to fix them all at once. It will probably take me the next fifty years of begging at your feet. The moment I saw you in that parking lot I wanted to hold you on my lap and do this.” He kissed her and made her open her mouth to his tongue. He explored her as if he never kissed her before. She felt his passion and her body began to feel heated. She felt his tenderness, his love, and her heart melted. She felt his hard cock rub against her belly and her pussy became wet. When he let her go she had to sit down on the couch before she fell onto it.
“Give me time to prove to you that I want you in my life. The baby is a bonus, but I love you, Mia. I want us to be a family and to hell with whoever doesn’t agree. To hell with Jane and her stupid friends. Even if my own mother doesn’t accept you I will put you first. Always.” He held her hand and kissed her knuckles.
Mia opened her mouth but no words came out. She felt so confused but he seemed so sincere. He had never said the words that she ached to hear. Was it too late?
“Abel, I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, feeling a little confused by this new determined attitude he was displaying. He always let her know he found her desirable, but he never involved emotions. “This is so unexpected. I gave up on you, even though I knew I loved you a long time ago. I was attracted to you the moment we met but I fell in love on our first date. You smiled and I was a goner from that moment on. Hell, I slept with you on our first date.”
“So we have a chance,” he insisted, looking relieved and happy. “Don’t leave. Give me time to show you how much I need you, want you, love you. I can’t do that if you’re a thousand miles away.”
“This town stresses me out,” she complained, thinking of the w
indow. It scared her. What was next? Broken windows or a personal attack on her? “I’m scared, Abel. I know Jane is behind all of this. What if she comes to harm me and the baby? First, I had Frank stalking me. Now he is in rehab and hopefully getting his head clear, but now I have a new stalker. Jane. I feel like I just can’t win. Why me?”
Abel picked her up and set her back down on his lap. He felt so warm and she felt herself relax for the first time since this morning when she saw those hurtful letters on Becky’s window. He hugged her tight, sheltering in his strong arms.
“I’ll protect you, Mia. Trust me?”
She nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. She yawned. “I called Gwen already. She is making all the arrangements.”
“Even though your crazy friend scares the hell out of me, I will call her and cancel. I will reassure her I am going to handle all of this mess and protect you.” His voice was strong and firm as if his mind was made up. Mia was the one having a hard time letting go of her fear.
“Wow, you’re willing to call Gwen? That is huge, Abel,” she teased.
He tickled her. “Brat.”
She looked at him seriously. “You are so busy, Abel. I don’t like being a burden.” She hated doing that to him. She always wondered if she had been more behaved as a child maybe her mother would have kept her. What if Abel got tired of having a wife and a crying baby as a responsibility? He already had every citizen in Brook Hollow to take care of. “You will get sick of me, of us. This town needs you. You are a good sheriff. You truly care.”
“I need you, Mia. You make me happy. I will never get tired of taking care of my family.” He forced her chin up so she could see his eyes. They were such a dark brown and filled with promise. A look she had not seen coming from him until now. Passion yes, desire sure, but this felt different. He played with the gold chain she wore every day. “I lived for my job, but it was a way to keep the loneliness at bay. I was bitter and cold before you came along. I have more help now and Lincoln is coming home in two days. Stay with me, Mia.”
How could she say no to his sincere plea? It was what she wanted, too, only she had been afraid to reach out and grab it. It was time to let go of fear. He let go of bitterness for her.
“Okay,” she whispered and closed her eyes. She was safe in his arms. She promptly fell asleep and he carried her to her room and stayed wrapped around her for the rest of the night.
* * * *
Abel listened to his dad give his lecture to the new officers and some of the rookies. Abel was pleased with the two men and one woman he hired. He was proud of his dad, too, as he shared some of his experiences as former town sheriff. Lincoln stood with Abel against the wall. When the class was over, Abel thanked his dad for the help.
“Any time, Abel. I am glad to help.” Oscar gave him a hug. He turned to Lincoln. “And you look well rested, Lincoln.”
“I am. Not liking the cold and the snow though. The beach and sand are calling me back.” Lincoln pretended he was freezing, making them laugh.
“Oh no, sir,” Abel teased him. “You are stuck here acting as stand-in sheriff for a week. Mia and I have rented a cabin at the lake in Ozarks. We plan to bond and not get out of bed.”
“Too much information, bro.” Lincoln punched him in the arm. “It’s about time you got your head out of your ass. Jessy and I love Mia.”
His dad looked sad. “I know you are upset with your mother, Abel, but you should talk things out with her. She feels bad.”
“Why hasn’t she called me or apologized to Mia?” Abel had to stay firm on this. His mother could not go around hurting Mia’s feelings because she could not open her eyes about Jane. “As long as she is on Jane’s side, I can’t have her upsetting Mia. She is stressed out and the doctor is worried about her high blood pressure. This vacation is also a good excuse to help her relax and not worry about all of the stupid rumors Jane and her buddies are spreading about me being forced to stay with Mia. What bullshit.”
“If I hear one word against Mia, I will have Jane in a cell so fast her head will spin,” Lincoln growled. “She was always cruel and cold. How Mom can’t see that is a mystery.”
“Jane puts on a good act. She reminds me of Lydia.” Abel shuddered.
Oscar shook his head. “I never saw Jane as mean hearted, just too full of her own worth, but with your mom she is as sweet as sugar. Your mom is starting to come around. Give her time.”
“I will, Dad, but I have to protect Mia and my child. I gave Mia my word and I have no intention of breaking it. She holds my heart and without it I will go back to my dark cave,” Abel told them.
Lincoln broke the silence by taking out his phone. “Say it into the recorder one more time. Jessy will never believe me even if I told her.”
Abel shook his head and gave his dad a pleading look. “Please say he is adopted, Dad.”
Oscar chuckled. “As far as I know we picked him up in the hospital same as you, son. I’ll be around to keep him and the rookies in line, Abel. Go have your vacation without worry.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad.” Lincoln chuckled. “Let’s go have lunch. I need some warm chili in my belly.”
Abe felt optimistic about is future. He had talked to Gwen and they called a truce on their dislike for each other. She assured him Frank was indeed in rehab for at least six months in Colorado. Part of the court order was that he stay away from Mia from now on. His parents had been horrified at the hell he put Mia through and how his uncle had covered it up. It had been a big scandal Gwen told him with glee. Now he only had to make sure Jane stayed away from him and Mia. That was going to be difficult.
Chapter Seventeen
“I can’t believe what a difference a week makes, Mia.” Reva sounded astonished. Mia was back to work after a weeklong vacation. She felt stronger, well rested, and so in love, she couldn’t stop smiling. Everything felt brighter and she was afraid her cheeks would never stop aching from smiling so much.
“I feel good.” The words didn’t even begin to cover how she felt, but it was hard to explain her feelings of deep happiness, a happiness that was settled all the way down in her soul. She felt close to Abel now. He showed her with every touch he was sincerely in love with her. It wasn’t in the sex but in his smile, in his simple caress as if he liked touching her, or his tender soft kiss that made her eyes water. The way he spoke to the baby, making her laugh so hard. They spent hours talking about everything under the sun. She liked who he was. She knew who he was now and that made her feel secure in the knowledge that this was the right decision. Her stomach was slightly rounder, but still not visible in her large gray sweatshirt she had bought at the lake.
“So was it romantic?” Reva winked with a smirk, nudging Mia playfully.
Mia giggled, feeling on top of the world. “Of course, girlfriend. There was a fireplace, a huge window that overlooked the frozen lake. A huge deck but we didn’t go out there. Abel promised we’d go back this summer and do some fishing. We went out on the trail once when it was snowing and it was beautiful. The snow looked unreal and it was so quiet. Out of the blue, he proposed to me.”
Mia held out her hand and showed off her engagement ring. Reva screamed and people started looking at them. When they realized what it was about they clapped for her. Reva told her Jane had not been to the coffee shop or her friends either. Abel admitted he had a stern talk with Jane, and warned her to never approach Mia again or deal with his wrath. And he said it loudly so others could hear. Mia was secretly pleased.
“Oh my God. I am so happy things finally worked out for you, Mia. You deserve it.”
“I am so lucky, Reva.” Mia sniffed, refusing to cry. She had already cried over the phone when she called Gwen, then Becky from the cabin. “Abel is the sweetest, most gentle man I have ever met. I feel like life is finally smiling down on me. He is everything I dreamed of as a kid and everything I never knew I wanted.”
“I never heard my son being described that way.” Mia
turned to see Delores coming from the back with Becky. Mia had not even realized she was there. She felt bad because she knew Delores and Abel were still not talking. Mia had tried talking to him about it, but he refused to budge saying it was his mother’s place to apologize. He made a stand and he was sticking with it.
“You raised a good man, Mrs. Ramirez. He is so wonderful to me and I am a lucky woman,” Mia said softly, feeling sorry for the lady. She loved her kids. Jane was an excellent actress and fooled Delores.
She wished Abel’s mom liked her. She never had a mom before, and it would have been nice to have a mother-in-law at least. She had seen how motherly Delores acted toward Jessy and Lily both. She had dreamed of that, but it wasn’t meant to be. Still, it would not detract from her happiness.
“He has a good heart,” Delores agreed, coming closer and looking at Mia’s ring with tears in her eyes. “He was hurt before and I saw the devastation in his eyes. I thought Jane was level headed and would be a balm to his passionate nature. Abel feels things deeply, too deeply at times.”
Delores gave Mia a genuine smile. “I see how wrong I was in trying to force something that wasn’t there. He loves you, Mia. His stand against me proves that. I hope you never hurt him.”
“Never,” Mia vowed. Reva had gone off to wait on a customer. Becky stood behind Delores but she gave Mia an encouraging smile. It said be honest with Abel’s mother. Mia placed her hand on her stomach. “He is part of me and this child I carry proudly, Mrs. Ramirez. To hurt him would be to hurt myself. I want to be his partner in life. I want to console him when he is overwhelmed and share in his joy when he is happy. I will love him with my dying breath and beyond that. I promise.”
