Armando Returns (Barboza Brothers)

by Reeni Austin

  “I’m afraid to go to my apartment tonight. What if he shows up? What’ll I do?”

  “Don’t let him in. What’s he gonna do? Break the door down? Then you call the cops. It’s simple.”

  “It’s not that. I don’t think he’s a threat or anything. I just dread hearing him knock at the door. What if he knocks and knocks and I have to deal with him? I don’t wanna have that conversation again, telling him to leave because it’s over. I’ve never heard him so persistent.”

  “Are you sure you don’t think he’s dangerous? Like, he’d threaten you or hurt you? Sit outside your apartment to see who’s coming and going?”

  “I think he’s harmless but he might be jealous enough to stalk me a little. He really wanted your name for some reason.”

  “Just come straight over here after work tonight, okay? Keep a look out in case he’s following you. If you want I can arrange someone to pick you up.”

  “No, I’m not scared of him.”

  “Well, maybe you should be. Okay, I just made up my mind. I’ll be in touch before you leave work about finding a way to get you here, unnoticed. Don’t argue with me about it. It’s a done deal.”

  “Okay. No arguments. I can’t wait to see you tonight.”

  “I can’t wait to see you either. I gotta go, but give me a call if you need me. I can make time for you. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  * * * * *

  Katie made it through the rest of her day at work with no more gifts or contact from Mitch. And she practically held her breath all day, wondering if her parents would call. But thankfully, they didn’t. And that meant Mitch hadn’t gone running to them about the breakup. But she knew she had to tell her parents...soon.

  How quickly she would tell them about her new relationship with Armando? She had no idea.

  But Katie was on her way to the ranch from work, traveling according to Armando’s instructions. First, she had to drive to a specified parking lot five miles from work. She left her car there and hopped inside a chauffeured Chrysler sedan that Armando rented from a San Antonio limousine service. The driver was friendly but quiet as they rode to the ranch, mostly in silence.

  When Katie arrived at the door, Cara answered, happily welcoming her inside to sit with her in the living room.

  “Armando’s in a conference call,” Cara said. “He should be finished in a few minutes. So, you’re having dinner with us?”

  “Yeah. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Oh, sure. It’s perfect. My mom’s at the grocery store right now getting some last minute items for dinner. She’s staying here for a while and she loves having so many people to cook for.” Cara scowled. “Personally, I don’t get it. She lives for cooking, but I hate it.”

  Katie nodded, relaxing a bit as she listened to Cara’s small talk. “I understand. I like to cook sometimes but I definitely wouldn’t call it something I love.” She paused, glimpsing around the room, suddenly feeling nervous again. “So, is Ramon here?”

  “No. He’ll probably be gone for a couple more hours.” Cara gave her a sympathetic frown. “The guys filled me in. Look, don’t let Ramon bother you.”

  Katie shrugged. “How? This is technically his house, right? It’s sorta hard to feel welcome inside a house where you know the owner doesn’t like you.”

  “It’s not that he doesn’t like you. He’s just angry about what happened to Armando. But he wants his brother to be happy. And if Armando wants you here because you make him happy, Ramon will just have to accept it.”

  Katie shook her head as she stared away at nothing. “Feels so weird. Sitting here in this house after all this time.” She looked at Cara. “Do you know if Armando’s staying in his old bedroom?”

  “Yes. He is.”

  Chuckling, Katie said. “Wow. I can’t believe it. This has to be the strangest couple of weeks of my entire life.” She turned around to the sound of footsteps in the hall, then stood when Armando entered the room.

  Armando flashed Katie a warm smile. “Hey beautiful.” He walked up to her and pulled her into his arms.

  Katie glanced nervously at Cara.

  Armando waved a dismissive hand in Cara’s direction. “It’s okay. She knows. She’s cool.”

  Katie half-smiled. “It’s a little unfair that you can tell people but I can’t.”

  Armando shrugged. “Well, tell your parents not to be such jerks and we can shout our love from the rooftops.”

  Katie was about to reply when her phone rang in her purse with a personalized ring tone that instantly made her head hurt. “Oh no. It’s Mom.”

  “So?” Armando asked. “Do you wanna answer it or not? It’s up to you.”

  Katie sighed. “No use burying my head in the sand anymore. I’d rather not be surprised later.” Katie pulled her phone from her purse and hurried outside to the porch before answering. “Hi Mom.”

  “Hey Katie-bug. I won’t keep you. Just wanted to confirm we’re all still on for lunch tomorrow.”

  “Uh…” Katie winced. She had forgotten about her dad’s new idea of a weekly lunch every Thursday at the restaurant “Uh, no. We’re not.”

  “Oh. Is Mitch working out of town again?”

  Katie sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, dreading the words she was about to say. But she knew she had to tell Mom the truth before Mitch did. “No.” She inhaled a deep breath through her nose and quickly said, “I broke up with him.”

  “What? No! You can’t be serious!”

  “Yes, I’m absolutely serious.”

  “Why, though? Are you okay? Are you sick? Not feeling well?”

  Katie gritted her teeth. “Did you really just ask if I’m ‘sick?’ Like, out of my mind, sick? Because Mitch is the best I’m ever gonna get and I should just settle, even if I’m not in love with him?”

  Her mother let out a breath. “That’s not what I meant. I just wonder if maybe you’re not thinking clearly right now. I remember how happy you were when he proposed. You were in love. And now, suddenly, you’re telling me you’re not?”

  “No, I’m not in love with him.”

  Her mom simply breathed into the phone, quiet.

  Katie waited for a response, her anger increasing as she thought about all those biting, snarky comments from Mom about her finally getting married. Finally doing the “right thing.” Katie was soon boiling inside, ready for the insults and unsolicited advice.

  But, to her surprise, Mom’s tone was calm. She said, “I think we need to have this conversation again in a few days after you’ve come to your senses. There’s no reason to panic just yet.”

  “Well, whatever. But I guarantee I won’t change my mind.”

  “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” Mom chuckled. “I’m sorry hon, but I only had a minute to call you. Your dad and I have a banquet to attend tonight. I’m not gonna tell him what you just told me. It’ll only upset him. But I’ll be in touch soon.”

  And then the phone went silent.

  Katie rolled her eyes, unsure whether she should be pissed off or relieved. Then she stood and walked into the house, heading to the living room.

  Armando stood from his chair when he saw her. “That was fast. What’d she say?”

  Cara’s eyes were wide with interest.

  Katie tossed her phone inside her purse, then slumped down on the loveseat. “Not much. She didn’t take me seriously at all. Thinks I’m gonna come to my senses and get back together with Mitch. And she’s not even gonna break the news to dad. She’s just gonna go on like we didn’t have that conversation.”

  Armando shrugged then sat next to her, draping his arm around her back. “Well, maybe that’ll work in our favor.”

  Shaking her head, Katie said, “I don’t know. I figure she’ll talk to Mitch, because she obviously thinks he’s the more level-headed one. He’ll give her some theories. Tell her about me kissing a nameless ex-boyfriend from high school.” She patted Armando’s knee. “And that’s when she’ll fi
gure it out.”

  Cara asked, “Are you sure? Didn’t you have any other boyfriends back then?”

  Katie sighed. “None that mattered. And Mom knows it.”

  They all heard a car driving up the long driveway. Cara stood and looked outside. “Well, there’s my Mom.” Then she scuttled off to the front door.

  Armando squeezed Katie closer to him and gave her temple a long kiss, then whispered in her ear. “Don’t worry. We’ll get through this. I love you.”

  Katie looked in his eyes, weary, but hopeful. “I know. I love you, too.”

  With his hand cupping her face, he kissed her lips until they heard the sound of footsteps trudging up the stairs to the porch. Armando pulled away and said, “Come on. Let me introduce you.”

  As they walked to the foyer, Katie heard an unfamiliar woman’s voice say, “Did you put those lasagnas in the oven like I told you?”

  Cara answered, “Yes I did. They’ll be ready on time,” as she came through the door carrying a bag of groceries.

  Then an attractive older woman with dark hair pulled up on top of her head walked in. She appeared as though she was about to speak, but stopped when she saw Katie, her eyes brightening. “Oh, hello! You must be Armando’s friend.”

  Armando took the bags of groceries from Patty’s arms as he introduced her to Katie. Then Isaac came through the door, huffing strenuously, his little eyebrows furrowed like he was working hard with the two small bags he carried.

  Armando went back down the hallway to the office to finish some work. Katie was grateful to busy herself by helping Cara cut up the fresh vegetables Patty bought at the grocery store. Isaac sat on a stool, barely able to see over the island in the kitchen. He chimed in once in a while as Patty gave Katie the details of her recent wedding. After a while, Isaac grew restless and went to the living room to watch cartoons.

  When Isaac left the room, Cara craned her head to make sure he was where she could see him on the couch. She softly said, “Hey, about that day care you told me about? The one where your sister works?”

  Katie said, “Yeah?”

  Cara focused on the carrot she was slicing. “We drove past it yesterday. Isaac flipped out when he saw all those kids playing outside. He misses that. I called them but they haven’t called me back yet. Are you sure they have an opening? They looked busy.”

  Katie nodded. “From what Chelsea tells me, yeah. I’ll give her a call and speed up the process. Or you could drop by in person. Tell her I sent you.”

  Cara said, “I may do that. I was afraid to say anything in front of Isaac in case he remembers you from the other day, when you said your sister works at the day care. Armando swore all of us to secrecy about your...uh...situation?” Cara shot Patty an odd glance, but Patty was oblivious, her attention focused on a tray of garlic bread she was arranging. “Anyway, I was afraid my son would say something about you and Armando to your sister. Does she know yet?”

  Katie let her knife fall to the cutting board and drew her hands to her stomach, her eyes closed. “Oh my God. I don’t even wanna think about telling Chelsea.”

  Patty’s mouth fell open in a slow gasp. She rushed over to Katie, putting an arm around her shoulder. “Oh honey. I wish you could see it like I see it.” Patty raised her other hand in the air in dramatic fashion, her voice dreamy. “Forbidden love.” She pulled her hand to her chest. “It’s so romantic.”

  Katie sighed. “Yeah. In a way, I suppose.”

  Cara widened her eyes. “Mom’s a dreamer.”

  With a tired grin, Katie said, “She’s a lot nicer than my mom.”

  Patty gave Katie a hug, then let go of her and smirked at Cara as she walked past her to the stove. “I don’t know how I raised such a cynical daughter.” Then, her attention turning back to her garlic bread, Patty said to Katie, “I think maybe you should give your family the benefit of the doubt. All any mother wants is to see her children happy.”

  Katie quickly shook her head. “No. My mom reminded me last week. I think she might strangle me when she hears about me and Armando.”

  Cara looked at Patty. “You heard the story, remember? About how her family broke them up in high school? Do you really think they’d ever be happy about them getting back together?” Then Cara winced at Katie. “Sorry to be so blunt.”

  Katie took a deep breath. “It’s okay. You’re absolutely right about that.”

  “Well…” Patty’s lips pursed, angry. “I can tell you one thing. If that had happened to one of my brothers back in Jersey, the person responsible wouldn’t have lived to tell about it. On my mother’s side I’m related to some,” she winked at Katie, “wealthy Sicilians, if you know what I mean.” She arched a brow.

  Cara shook her head at Katie, silently mouthing, “No.”

  Patty smirked at Cara. “Yes, it’s true.” To Katie, she said, “You know that show, The Sopranos? It’s loosely based on some distant cousins of mine.”

  Cara groaned and shook her head at Katie, mouthing, “No.”

  Katie laughed, but stopped when she heard a car drive up. She rose from her seat to look out the window. “Who’s that?”

  Patty looked outside. “Oh, it’s just Ramon.”

  Under her breath, Katie muttered, “Great. Just great.” She gave her full attention back to slicing the the pile of vegetables in front of her.

  Chapter 15

  Katie steeled herself, concentrating fully on the cucumber she was slicing. She braced herself for Ramon’s coldness—the same coldness he had displayed those rare times when she saw him around town.

  She wished she and Armando could just go to Los Angeles tonight instead of enduring this awkward evening. But unfortunately, she had to work tomorrow.

  Isaac ran to the front door to greet Ramon as soon as he walked in. “Wuh-moan!”

  Ramon smiled and ruffled Isaac’s hair. “Hombrecito. You take good care of the cows for me today?”

  “Uh-huh!” Isaac replied.

  Katie smirked inwardly, astonished that Ramon could actually sound like a decent human being.

  Ramon walked into the kitchen with Isaac in tow. His eyes met Katie’s for a split second but his expression was blank. Katie expected him to be dirty from ranch work all day, but his jeans and T-shirt were clean. His boots looked well-worn, but polished. He patted Cara on the shoulder and said, “Hey there,” then walked over to Patty as he sniffed the air around him. “Smells good in here.”

  Patty beamed at him. “I hope you like lasagna. I’ve made plenty.”

  “That’s nice of you but you didn’t have to do that,” Ramon said. “You’re a guest here.”

  “Oh, don’t be silly,” Patty said. “It’s the least I could do. You’re letting me stay here with my daughter and grandson.”

  Ramon’s eyes skimmed the appliances on the kitchen counter. “Are those new?”

  Silently, Cara cast a sly glance over her shoulder at Ramon, then Patty, then she grabbed another pepper to slice.

  Patty nodded and placed a gentle hand on Ramon’s back. “Yes. I hope that’s okay. They were all on sale and I thought, why not? I’ll be here for a while and I love to cook.”

  “Huh.” Ramon’s eyes fell all around the kitchen, noticing a few things that seemed different than they way he had left them that morning. “Well, I guess that’s all right. But,” he grimaced, “I wish you didn’t feel obligated to do all this. You’re supposed to be on vacation.”

  Patty’s eyes widened. She patted his back. “I don’t feel obligated. I enjoy this.”

  Ramon grinned. “Well, thanks.” Then he covered his mouth as he produced a big yawn. “Excuse me. It’s been a long day. I gotta go check on everything out back before I call it quits.”

  Patty said, “Well, dinner’ll be waiting when you’re ready.”

  Isaac gasped. “Can I come? Pwease?”

  “We need to ask your mom,” Ramon said, tilting his head to the side, giving Cara a pleading look.

  Cara’s worried eyes pass
ed between Ramon and Isaac. She hesitated, then said, “Yeah, I suppose.”

  Ramon nodded at Isaac and said, “All right. Come on.”

  In seconds they rushed out of the kitchen and down the hall to the back door, chatting like old friends.

  Cara smiled at Patty and said, “Worked like a charm.”

  Katie asked, “What are you talking about?”

  “Well,” Patty said, “I’m staying here under somewhat false pretenses, to cook and make Ramon’s life a little easier. Give him some motherly love.”

  Nodding, Cara said, “Yeah. And it’s working much faster than we thought it would.”

  “Why?” Katie asked. “To make him less of a jerk?”

  “Yes,” Cara said, flatly.

  Patty shot Cara a scolding glance. “He’s a sweet boy. He just needs a little love, that’s all.”

  As Cara was about to reply, Armando walked in, making a beeline for Katie.

  Katie dropped her knife and smiled when he came up behind her, his arms around her waist. He brushed her hair off her shoulder and gave her neck a quick peck. She closed her eyes and let the sensation from his lips rush through her...wishing they were alone.

  Cara and Patty acted like they weren’t watching.

  Armando kissed Katie’s cheek and pulled her closer. “Sorry about that. Been in meetings most of the day.” He reached into his pocket and produced a credit card, which he slipped into Katie’s hand. “Here. Tonight, maybe you and one of these ladies can go shopping after dinner. You need something to wear to work tomorrow.”

  Katie’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Huh? I can just go to my apartment in the morning before work.”

  Armando shook his head. “No.” His voice softened. “I’d rather you not go back there until I think it’s safe.” He kissed her cheek again.

  Rolling her eyes, Katie said, “You’re really overreacting about Mitch. He’s not that kind of a guy.”

  Armando shrugged. “Well, humor me, then. Besides, even if he wouldn’t hurt you, he might be jealous enough to camp outside your door and beg you to get back together. And who knows what your parents might do. We don’t need any more stress. I think it’s best you just stay out of that apartment until we get back from L.A. on Sunday night. I’ve got a security guy looking after it in the meantime.”