by Reeni Austin
Patty brought her hand to her heart, her lips in a sympathetic pout. “Aw. So nurturing.”
They both turned to the sound of small feet running into the kitchen.
Isaac stopped at Patty, hugging her leg. “You gonna make me somethin’ good, Gwammah?”
Patty opened her mouth wide in a quiet gasp. “Of course I am!”
Cara smiled. This house felt a little more like a home now.
* * * * *
When his conference call was over, Armando took off his jacket and emerged from Ramon’s office to the echoes of excited voices filling the hallway. As he arrived in the foyer to turn to the living room, Isaac ran out of the kitchen toward him.
“A-mando!” Isaac reached for his hand, pulling him toward the kitchen.
Chuckling, Armando went where Isaac led him. He spent a few minutes chatting with the vivacious Patty in the kitchen, then he went to the living room where Victor introduced him to Patty’s husband, Tom.
After several minutes of greetings and pleasantries, Victor gave both men a serious glance and suggested they go to Ramon’s office for some privacy.
They entered the office and closed the door. Armando sat behind the desk, while Tom and Victor sat in front of it.
Tom spoke first. “So, I guess this is regarding that job you told me about on the phone yesterday?
Victor nodded. “Yes.”
Groaning a little, Tom said, “Well, I gotta tell you, I’m not sure how much I can help. The reason I’m good in New York and New Jersey is because I know people. I know exactly where to look for everything. But I’ve never been to Texas until today.” Tom squinted at Victor. “Seems like a couple of guys like you should be able to pull some strings and find some information.”
Armando spoke up for both of them. “We’ve both made some phone calls, called in a few favors. But this good ole boy network…” Armando rolled his eyes.
Victor let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah. My guy at the IRS says everything looks squeaky clean so far. And he’s not the first person to tell me I might as well give up. We don’t know how far back this goes.”
Tom licked his lips and took a tiny notepad out of his back pocket. “Let’s go back to the beginning here. I need to know what I’m dealing with. So, the guy who moved you to Texas. His name?”
“Henry Platt,” Victor said.
The brothers took turns explaining that Henry found them in Mexico and moved them to Turnbrook, Texas to work on his ranch when Victor was twelve, Armando was ten, and Ramon was eight.
Victor and Armando shared an uncomfortable glance when Tom asked if Henry was romantically involved with their mother before she died. Armando reluctantly answered, “Yes, but in secret.”
Next, they explained what happened to Armando ten years earlier. When Tom heard the part about Armando being kept in a holding cell then waking up in Mexico, his face took on a horrified look, but he continued taking notes.
They went on to explain that Henry left the ranch eight months earlier, after selling his remaining part of the business to Ramon, but they had their doubts about what really happened.
When they took a break, Tom shook his head. “I really don’t think I’m the man for this job. I don’t know where to start. Probably the courthouse. Find whatever public records I can find. Maybe I’ll make up a reason to meet with Judge Dwayne McCormack, act like it has something to do with Henry. If he’ll even meet with me.”
Victor chuckled. “See? That’s more than I probably would’ve thought to do.”
“Yeah.” Armando nodded in agreement. “You probably know how to tell if someone’s lying, at least. Talk to people. Pay attention to how they respond. And whatever you do, don’t tell anyone you know us. You’re probably at an advantage. You’re the Yankee from out of town, asking innocent questions.” Armando shrugged.
Victor said, “Anything you find will be helpful. And don’t feel like you have to spend all your time on this. Do this only if you want to. And please know, we don’t expect a miracle.”
“Good.” Tom grinned. “Because the more you tell me, the more I have doubts about it.”
“I’m sorry,” Victor said. “Seriously, if you don’t wanna help, it’s okay. We’ll pay for your time, regardless.”
Tom shrugged. “It’s okay. It’ll be fun for me to get to know a new place. So, your brother Ramon can’t know about this?”
Armando and Victor both groaned at the same time.
Victor said, “No. We told him we called some connections but he won’t know we’ve told you a thing.”
Tom’s eyes flashed around the room. “Well, from what you’ve told me so far, I have a feeling there’s some answers in his office right here about what happened eight months ago.”
Armando shook his head. “We’ve already looked through everything. Even the stuff he’s got locked up. Nothing.”
Tom said, “Well, you may not know what to look for.”
Armando chuckled. “You’re right.” Then took let out a deep sigh, hoping his brother wouldn’t judge him too harshly for what he was about to ask. “I actually have another request. It’s about Dwayne’s daughter, Katie.”
Victor almost smiled. Tom leaned forward, ready to take notes.
Armando continued. “She’s engaged to this guy. Mitch Nelson.”
Tom nodded and wrote his name down. “Okay.”
Armando said, “He just became the youngest partner ever at the biggest law firm in San Antonio. One of the biggest firms in the state. I wanna know if Dwayne had something to do with it.”
“Hmm,” Tom said as he wrote.
Armando folded his hands together on top of the desk. “You see, Dwayne’s an elected official, and I know Mitch is considering politics. I keep thinking maybe Dwayne didn’t like me because I was born in Mexico. Can’t run for President.” Armando rolled his eyes. “But I really doubt it’s something that simple.”
Victor’s head shook. “No, it’s way more serious than that. I can’t imagine anyone caring that much about politics to chase you down across the state and do what he did to you.”
Sighing, Armando said, “I know. It’s just a thought. Besides, Katie overheard that conversation about Dwayne making a deal with Henry.”
Tom straightened his glasses, then started writing again as he said, “You never know. Might be a reason in there somewhere. You guys both U.S. citizens?”
Armando and Victor both nodded and said, “Yes.”
“Hmm.” Tom nodded. “Well, Dwayne might’ve helped grease the wheels. Might’ve done something that would get him in trouble for a long time. Immigration laws have gotten stricter the past few years but he might’ve pulled some strings back then to get you legal faster. And maybe he didn’t want you marrying his daughter because he wanted a lot of distance between the families. Shady men with a lot to lose will do just about anything to keep their misdeeds from catching up with them.”
“Huh.” Armando put his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair, thinking about what Tom said.
Victor nodded. “Yeah. You might be on to something.” He looked at Armando. “I can’t believe we didn’t think about that.”
Tom shrugged. “It’s just a theory.” He cleared his throat and said to Armando, “So, what’s the name of that law firm where Mitch Nelson works?”
They discussed the case for a few more minutes until Cara knocked on the door to tell them lunch was ready.
After lunch, Armando took a few more conference calls. Then he prepared for his next move with Katie.
* * * * *
It was Tuesday evening, and Katie was just about to do her final walk-through of the restaurant when one of the servers whistled for her attention. With a knowing grin, he pointed at the front door.
Sure enough, it was a bouquet from the flower shop down the street. The third one she had received today from Mitch. One bouquet awaited her when she arrived at work that morning. The second bouquet came at lunchtime. The third and biggest bouqu
et was a box filled with two dozen long-stemmed red roses.
Katie begrudgingly signed for it and turned around to the almost empty dining room to see the employees all laughing at her.
Jonny, a bartender, called out from behind the bar as she walked by, “Whatever he did wrong, I say you forgive the poor schmuck!”
Katie gnashed her teeth and swallowed her retort as she breezed by on her way to the back of the restaurant so she could toss this gift into a dumpster. She hadn’t told anyone why she wasn’t wearing her engagement ring today, or why she had received all those flowers. Rumors were spreading and she didn’t care. Heck, she didn’t even care enough to read the cards that came with all those flowers.
She used the same routine with each bouquet:
Remove the card.
Toss the flowers in the trash.
Rip up the card and toss into trash next to flowers.
She had kept her phone off all day as well. Surely, if Mitch had sent three apology gifts to her place of work, he was probably trying to call her. But her stomach couldn’t handle the thought of talking to him. It wasn’t so much about the girl he kissed, or the fact that she suspected he was cheating.
Katie’s heart belonged to someone else.
But was she ready for the fallout? She contemplated waiting a few days before telling her well-meaning sister Chelsea, who would probably—for the billionth time—just tell her to give Mitch another chance.
The obvious choice was to call Armando and let him help her sort out her feelings. But he had already made his own feelings clear.
Katie stuck her palm to her forehead in a futile effort to stave off the impending dizziness that accompanied her nervous lack of eating, and the constant swirl of thoughts that left her mind spinning. All she wanted to do right now was get rid of those roses and get the heck out of that restaurant before Mitch showed up in person, causing every single employee to take up for him without knowing any of the facts.
As Katie charged through the kitchen, she was met by a pouting Jennifer.
“What?” Jennifer glared at the box tucked under Katie’s arm. “Another one?”
Katie’s tone was flat and cold as she brushed past the sulking blonde, hoping today wouldn’t be one of those days when she would have to fix something for Jennifer that required working late. “Yeah. It’s not a big deal.”
Jennifer scowled at the back of Katie’s head as she went by. “Maybe not a big deal to you. But most girls would love a man who sends flowers. Geez. What happened with you guys, anyway?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Katie replied over her shoulder.
Jennifer huffed and said something else Katie didn’t hear as she pushed the loud metal door open and descended the stairs to the back parking lot.
Katie tore the card away before hurling the box into the dumpster. As she was about to rip it apart, she rolled her eyes and decided to read this one. After all, he had sent three bouquets. Maybe she should at least glance at one of the cards.
“You’re the only one who matters, Katie.
You’re the only one who will ever matter.
Love, Mitch.”
A deep grunt of disgust escaped Katie’s throat. That’s the best he could do? She tore up the card and let the pieces float over the lid of the dumpster. From the light tone of his sentiment, he was completely clueless they were over for good.
Suddenly trembling, she pulled a hand to her unsteady stomach.
She knew she needed to talk to him. Break up officially. But she may need a few days to let the notion simmer. Summon the strength to break the news to her parents.
Then hope there was enough strength left over to deal with the repercussions.
Katie would have stayed outside to take some deep, calming breaths, but the air reeked of a garbage, so she rushed back inside and filled her lungs with the pleasing smells of the kitchen. Tonight’s dinner special would be what Katie considered timeless comfort food—mashed potatoes and beef tenderloin—and thankfully the smell of it didn’t make her wretch, even though her appetite was nowhere to be found.
She stayed there for a few more seconds before heading out of the kitchen to check on a few things before leaving work for the night.
But on Katie’s way through the dining room, she was met by a wide-eyed Jennifer, and her jaw tensed. “What is it?” Katie asked.
“Someone’s here to see you. He’s sitting at the bar.” Jennifer’s lips snapped shut and she turned away for a second, then quickly turned back. “Oh, and it’s not Mitch.” Then Jennifer sauntered off to a nearby table where a customer was flagging her down.
Trying to appear professional in front of the diners, Katie swallowed her complaint about Jennifer’s lack of detail as she straightened her suit jacket with a big smile. She then rushed through the dining room, hoping whatever nuisance awaited her would go away quickly.
The bar was a little more crowded than usual this time of day. It took her a moment, but when she saw the back of Armando’s head, her heart swelled...then quickly ached. She inhaled deeply through her nose and gingerly slid onto the bar stool beside him.
Armando’s brows went up and he gently turned to her with a mischievous smirk. “So, you decided not to call me?”
She shrugged. “You could’ve called me.”
His head slowly shook as his eyes fixed on hers. “No, you never gave me permission. I’m determined not to overstep my bounds again.”
Katie rolled her eyes and tried not to let her insides melt from his sexy, searing gaze...or the way his tight body filled out that perfectly fitted Italian suit. “So, you just show up here where I work and ask for me? Is that not overstepping?”
One side of Armando’s mouth quirked up in a playful grin. “No. Maybe I’m just a customer who needs to plan a party here at the restaurant. I told you to call me for a reason. It means the ball’s in your court.”
Armando then shifted his knees toward her. As soon as she felt them touch the outside of her thigh, without thinking, she shifted around in her seat until they were facing each other.
Her heart hammered inside her chest as Armando’s eyes fell to her lap where she smoothed her palms anxiously against her skirt.
He inhaled sharply. “What’s this?” He covered her left hand, his dumbstruck eyes rising to meet hers. “Do my eyes deceive me, or do I feel a naked ring finger?”
A shiver passed through Katie as the word “naked” passed Armando’s lips. Somewhere inside her was a teenager, giggling inappropriately at naughty words. But right now, Katie was nowhere close to giggling. She was caught up in the feel of his warm skin against hers, and the way the words “naked” and “Armando” melted together and tickled her brain. She stared into his penetrating brown eyes and barely choked out, “I didn’t wear my ring today.” Then she swallowed and softly added, “I may never wear it again.”
Armando’s lips slowly spread into a broad smile. His eyes crinkled at the sides in a way that flooded Katie with memories. In high school, Armando was mysterious. Not quiet, but brooding, and very serious on the surface. But she quickly got to know who he really was. He was mature for his age, but he still possessed a sweet, boyish transparency. He loved with all his heart, and with reckless abandon. He was never shy to let Katie know how happy she made him.
Right now, she knew Armando was overjoyed—because of her. That smile was genuine and unassuming. He wanted her. He had always wanted her. And it would be so damn easy to give in and walk hand-in-hand with him out of that restaurant to a new life together…
But the cleared throat of Jonny the bartender plopped her right back down to Earth.
Jonny leaned across the bar with a sly nod as he asked Katie, “So, what’ll the lady be drinking tonight?”
Katie gasped and pulled her hands away from Armando’s, then looked around the restaurant. Several of the wait staff, including Jennifer—who should have been finishing up her shift in the dining room—were casting smug glances her way. Some were whi
spering to each other behind their hands. Her love life was definitely the talk of the restaurant today.
Katie’s eyes were huge. She stood up and said to the bartender, “I’m not drinking,” then to Armando, “I’m sorry. I…” Her mind went blank. She just knew she had to flee.
“What?” Armando gently grabbed her arm, his eyes sweetly pleading with her to stay. “Calm down. What’s wrong?” He looked around the restaurant, following the paths of her frantic eyes. “Are we being watched?”
She waited for Jonny to walk over to another customer, then lowered her voice. “Yes. The whole restaurant’s been talking about me all day. Mitch sent me flowers three times since I got here.”
Armando shrugged. “So? Fuck ‘em. Let ‘em talk. You get off work soon, right?”
“It’s not that.” A thin layer of tears filled her eyes, burning her nose. “I just...I can’t be seen with you.”
Armando closed his eyes, his lips flattening. He shook his head slowly, then said, “Your parents.”
Katie sniffled. “They know everyone.”
He rolled his eyes then let out a single, solemn laugh. “God. After all this time.”
She tucked her face down to hide her tears from her co-workers. “I know. It’s like we’re eighteen again. That same old crap with my parents.”
Armando sighed heavily. “It’s okay.” Then he surprised her with his lighthearted tone. “I always wondered what it was like to travel back in time. Now I know...I guess.”
Katie laughed as she wiped her tears away.
Armando wanted to touch her but he maintained his distance on the bar stool. “I probably shouldn’t have come here but I didn’t wanna just show up at your door.”
Her voice was weak. “I secretly hoped you would, though.”
“Aw, Katie,” he whispered. His fingers knitted tightly together to restrain himself, he said, “I Googled your address. Vista Glen apartments? Unit 522?”
She nodded vigorously.
“See you there in an hour?”
“How ‘bout twenty-five minutes?”
