On The Texas Border (15 page)

In the morning, he’d find Rios and get some answers. Then he’d go with her when she confronted Brewster. By afternoon it would all be over, and he’d be there for her, no matter what happened. The night would be theirs. This time he wouldn’t push her away.

He turned onto his side and thought briefly about the future. After tomorrow, would she go back to Dallas? How would he feel when she did? Suddenly his heart tightened in pain—real pain that he recognized. The type of pain he’d felt when they’d taken his sister. Pain he’d vowed he would never feel again.

He grabbed the remote control and turned on the TV. He pushed the volume button to high to block out everything he was feeling. But he couldn’t keep the questions from niggling at him. Did Abby want something he wasn’t willing to give? Or was it the other way around? Did he want something
she
wasn’t willing to give?

W
HEN
A
BBY WOKE UP
, it was five o’clock in the morning. She couldn’t believe she had slept all afternoon and all night. Sitting up, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and switched on the lamp. She stared at the phone. Was Jonas awake? Unable to resist, she dialed his number.

Jonas was headed for the door when he heard the phone. He wanted to catch Rios before he disappeared. He started to let it ring, but then yanked it up.

“Yeah,” he barked into the receiver.

“Jonas?”

“Abby.” He sank onto the sofa, melting into her sweet lilting voice and recognizing that his feelings for her were getting stronger and stronger.

“Did I wake you?”

He swallowed. “No, I’ve been up since about four.”

“I went to sleep after I got in yesterday, and I’m just now waking up. I wanted to talk to you last night, but I slept right through.”

He held the receiver closer. “You can talk to me now.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. And you?”

“I’d be better if I were with you.”

Me, too.
“We still have a date tonight?”

“I’m looking forward to it, but first we have to deal with Delores and Brewster.”

“Yeah, I talked with Brewster yesterday and he has me baffled. He seemed genuinely concerned that you were in danger.”

“He was?”

Jonas heard the surprise in her voice. “He got so upset, I thought he was going to have another heart attack. He even ordered me to find out who paid Rios.” Then he told her that Jules and Darby were the ones who’d locked her in the file room and slashed her tires.

“I can’t believe it. When I talked to the sheriff, he said he hadn’t found anything.”

“The sheriff answers to Brewster first,” he said. “Brewster said he’d taken care of them…whatever the hell that means.”

“So Mr. Brewster didn’t know what they were doing?”

“No, it was their own idea. I’m sure it was instigated by Edna.”

“Do you think they hired Rios?”

“No, Brewster threatened to disinherit them if they lied to him. They’d be afraid not to tell the truth.”

“I suppose,” she murmured.

“They just wanted to scare you.”

“God, that makes me so angry.”

Jonas told her what he’d done to them.

“You didn’t.” She laughed.

“Yes, I did, and they won’t be locking anyone in a room again.”

“Oh, Jonas, I feel so much better.”

“I’m glad, because I enjoyed doing it. I wish I was coldhearted enough to have left them in there a whole lot longer.”

“But you’re not that type of person.”

He felt bolstered by the faith in her voice. She believed there was good in him, and he was beginning to think there might be, too.

He shook his head. “I hate to cut this short, but I want to catch Rios.”

“Jonas, please don’t do that,” Abby cried. “The man is dangerous.”

“Sorry, I’d already made up my mind to find him before Brewster mentioned it. That’s where I was going when the phone rang.”

“Then, I’ll go with you. I can be dressed and ready in less than fifteen minutes.”

“No. I don’t want you near Rios. Besides, you have to meet Delores.”

She gave in grudgingly. “Okay. But if Delores doesn’t show, I’ll need your shoulder to cry on.”

“It will be there as soon as it can,” he promised, “along with the rest of me.”

“Please be careful.”

“I will, because I’m not missing our date tonight.”

“Jonas,” she whispered.

“Hmm?”

“Tonight we’ll talk about us.”

He was silent.

“Don’t panic, I’m not asking anything of you.”

Why aren’t you?

“Jonas?” she prompted.

He swallowed hard. “I’m not panicking,” he assured her.

“Yeah,” she said in a disbelieving tone. “I know this is hard for you, and I won’t pressure you as long as you don’t push me away.”

“I’m not doing that, either.”

“That means we’re making progress.”

Silence again.

Her soft voice wrapped around him and unfamiliar emotions surfaced. He wasn’t denying them. He just didn’t know how to accept them.

“Abby, I’d better go,” he finally said. “I don’t want to miss Rios.”

She took a breath. “Be careful, because I need you, Jonas. I need you with me when I confront Mr. Brewster and I need you tonight.” She had a feeling she would need him for the rest of her life, but how could she tell him that? She didn’t want to scare him to death. How did you get a man to admit love when he’d never known love? She could only keep trying.

J
ONAS FOUND
F
IFTH
S
TREET
and waited. There was a small grocery store on the corner where he knew a lot of drug dealing took place. This had to be where Rios hung out. He parked some distance away and watched the store. He had driven one of the field trucks that didn’t have the Brewster logo on the door. That way he wouldn’t be recognized.

Soon he saw a green pickup pull up to the store. It was Rios. He recognized him immediately. Several Mexicans appeared as if out of nowhere and gathered around the vehicle. Packages and money changed hands. Rios was selling drugs out in the open, and the sheriff didn’t make a move to stop him. He didn’t dwell on it because he had other things on his mind right now. He wanted to talk to Rios, but he couldn’t do that in front of all Rios’s customers. Jonas had to wait until he could get the man alone.

The transactions over, Rios drove away. Jonas followed at a safe distance. He noticed it was almost eight o’clock. He didn’t have much time, if he wanted to meet Abby. Rios headed to town, and Jonas couldn’t imagine where he was going. Suddenly the green truck stopped at Brewster’s Park. Jonas drove by and came up a back street to watch Rios from behind. Rios appeared to be waiting for someone.

Jonas was about to get out and confront Rios, when he saw a car drive up and stop behind Rios. Jonas settled back in his seat. He recognized the car and the person inside. Rios got out and walked over to the car. Jonas understood what was happening, and anger filled him. Rios started swearing and waving his arms. The two were arguing. Rios yanked an en
velope from the person, and the car sped away. Rios flung curses after it.

It took Jonas a split second to recover from his shock, then he got out and hurried toward Rios. Rios was getting into his truck with a scowl on his face. Jonas caught the door before the man could slam it. He grabbed Rios by the neck and forced him back against the seat.

“Stay away from Abigail Duncan,” Jonas warned. He didn’t have to ask who was paying Rios because he already knew.

“Ain’t got nothing to do with that bitch.” Rios choked, his face turning red.

“You’d better keep it that way.” Jonas’s hand tightened around his throat. “Understand?”

“Sì.”

Jonas released his hold and noticed the small pistol on the seat. Rios’s hand edged toward it.

Jonas’s mind clicked into action. Rios would shoot him in a heartbeat. Mick had warned him. “Go ahead,” Jonas told him. “I’m not the only one watching you this morning. One false move and you’re dead. You should watch your back a little closer.”

The bluff worked. Rios’s hand stilled and his black eyes darted around.

Jonas stepped away from the truck.

“Son of a bitch,” Rios spat out as he slammed the door. He gunned the engine and sped away.

Jonas let out a long breath and ran to his vehicle. He had to get to Abby. He had to tell her before she saw Brewster. It was almost nine o’clock. Dammit, he had to hurry.

Jonas tried to make sense of what he’d just seen,
but he couldn’t. Inside, though, he knew something bad was about to happen. Maybe Delores wouldn’t show, he kept thinking. Then he’d have time to talk to Brewster and try to stop… What the hell was he thinking? There was no way to stop it now.

A
BBY PACED
by her car in front of the Brewster mansion. She glanced repeatedly at her watch. It was after nine. Delores wasn’t going to come. Well, Abby could tell Brewster what Delores had said. If he didn’t believe her, that would be the end of it. She couldn’t upset her mother any more and she couldn’t keep up the crusade to vindicate her father. He was at peace, and now she had to find some peace of her own.

She moved toward the steps, then heard a sound. A beat-up car came through the gates, smoke billowing from the tailpipe. A man was at the wheel. The passenger door opened, and Delores climbed out. She had on black stretch pants and a red tank top that showed off her full breasts. Brightly colored beads adorned her neck and wrist. She tottered on red high heels toward Abby.

“
Señorita,
I come for my money,” Delores said as she reached Abby.

“First we talk to Mr. Brewster, then I’ll give you your money,” Abby told her.

“Sì.”

As Abby rang the doorbell, she added, “I’ll do all the talking. You just follow my lead.”

“What does that mean?” Delores asked.

“It means when I ask you a question, you answer it truthfully.”

“Sì, señorita.”

Maria opened the door and let them in. Abby glanced toward the street, wondering where Jonas was. He should have been here by now. Had something happened to him? No, she wouldn’t believe that. She said a silent prayer, and followed Maria up the stairs.

Edna was waiting at Mr. Brewster’s door. She spoke sharply to Maria. “I told you not to let her in.”

“Mr. Brewster said he wanted to see her. He’s my boss,” Maria replied staunchly.

“Simon is in no shape to see anyone.” Edna’s eyes settled on Delores. “You’re not trying to pass her off as Simon’s daughter, are you, Abigail? It’s laughable.”

Maria slipped around Edna and opened the door.

“Abigail, is that you?” Mr. Brewster called.

“Get out of my way,” Abby warned Edna. “And you can tell Jules and Darby to stay out of my way, too.”

Edna stepped aside. “You’ll regret this, missy.”

Abby ignored her and walked into the room.

Mr. Brewster was sitting in his rocker by the large windows. He had on blue pajamas and a blue silk robe. His short gray hair was sticking out everywhere, but his color was better and he looked like his old self except for the oxygen tubing in his nose. A nurse stood by his side.

“Ah, Abigail,” he said, a slight smile on his face. “I see you found Delores.”

Delores seemed to shrink a couple of inches beside Abby. She sympathized—Mr. Brewster had that effect on people.

“Out,” he ordered the nurse and Edna.

“Now…Simon…”

“All right, stay,” he shouted. “I don’t give a damn. Now you’ll see I’m not senile and that I do have a daughter.”

Abby walked closer to him and tried to figure out what kind of game he was playing. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jonas enter the room. Thank God. She turned and smiled at him. He didn’t smile back. He had a worried frown on his face. Something was wrong.

“Come in, Jonas,” Mr. Brewster said. “You’re in time to hear the truth.”

“I’m not sure you know the truth,” Jonas replied.

“Yes, I do, and now Delores can tell everyone about my daughter.”

All eyes stared at Delores, and Abby could see that she was very nervous and ready to bolt for the door.

“Delores did not have your daughter,” Abby stated.

“I knew it,” Edna said under her breath.

“I know she didn’t,” said Mr. Brewster.

Abby took a long breath, not sure why she was shocked. She’d known that Mr. Brewster was aware of what Delores would say. “Then, why did you send me to find her?”

“Because she is the only one who knows the mother of my daughter.”

Delores was shaking her head, and Abby’s shock turned to annoyance. “Delores doesn’t know what you’re talking about, and I’m tired of playing your games. You and I had a deal and—”

“I’m not reneging on the deal.” He tapped the white envelope on the table beside him. “The letter’s
right here and you can read it anytime you want, but first I wish you’d listen to what Delores has to say.”

Abby put a hand to her head, which was beginning to pound with the rhythm of a jackhammer. “Mr. Brewster, this is pointless. Delores doesn’t—”

“Jog your memory, Delores,” Mr. Brewster broke in. “Who did you see in this room—in this bed—with me?”

Delores shook her head, her eyes huge.

“She doesn’t know,” Abby said, reaching the end of her patience. “And you can keep the letter. I don’t care anymore. My father was a good man, and most people know that. Those who don’t…well, it’s their loss. I’ve finally realized that, so it’s over and you can stop this ridiculous hoax.”

“It’s not a hoax, Abigail,” Mr. Brewster said quietly. “I’m surprised you’re giving up so easily. I never thought you were a quitter.”

“I’m not,” she declared. “But enough is enough.”

As Abby turned to leave, her mother stepped into the room.

Delores pointed a finger at her and said, “That’s the woman I saw in your bed. She’s older, but it’s her.”

“You see, Abigail,” Mr. Brewster said into the silence. “You’ve been looking for yourself.”

A
BIGAIL LAUGHED
. It was the only response she could make to such an absurd statement.

Jonas moved close to her. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Stay out of this, Jonas,” Brewster roared.

Abby glanced from her mother to Brewster, then back to her mother. At the look in her mother’s eyes, her world started to spin out of control. She took a couple of steps backward and came up against the solid wall of Jonas.

“Jonas,” she whimpered. “What’s going on?”

Before Jonas could answer, Brewster said, “Tell her, Gail.”

“Shut up,” Gail screamed at him.

Brewster stared directly at Gail. “I promised you I’d never tell her, but I didn’t promise that someone else wouldn’t. Delores has all but told her, so I’ll give you the option of telling her before I do.”

“You bastard,” Gail said between her teeth.

The words didn’t phase Brewster. His gaze swung to Abby. “You’re my daughter.”

“Oh my God,” Edna muttered, and began to fan her face.

Gail ran to him and grabbed him around the throat. “I’ll kill you, you bastard. I’ll kill you.”

Brewster was gasping for breath, and Jonas pulled
Gail away. “Stop it,” he ordered. “You’re no better than he is. Hiring Rios. What were you thinking?”

Gail began to tremble.

“She hired Rios?” Brewster choked out.

“What?” The word emerged as a squeak from between Abby’s dry lips. She heard the voices in the room and saw the people, but she felt as if she were in a nightmare.

Gail hurried to Abby. “Let’s go home, sweetheart, and we’ll talk.”

Abby repeated the last thing that had registered on her brain. “You hired Rios?”

“I was desperate for you not to find out, but as soon as
he
hired you to write his memoirs, I knew what he was up to. I had to do something. I didn’t know those men would do those dreadful things. I didn’t think…I just wanted them to keep you from finding Delores.”

At the mention of her name, Delores came to life. “I want my money,
señorita.
”

Jonas pulled out his wallet and stuffed one hundred-dollar bills into her hand, and without another word she left the room.

“You put our lives in danger,” Abby said, as if there hadn’t been an interruption. “Those men were going to kill Jonas and…” She trembled, unable to finish.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I’ve been half out of my mind.” Gail attempted to touch her, but Abby backed away.

“I’m…I’m Mr. Brewster’s…daughter?”

“Yes, you are,” Brewster said.

“Mama,” Abby appealed with desperation in her voice, and Jonas moved to stand beside her.

Gail bit her lip, and tears ran down her cheeks.

“Mama?”

“Yes,” Gail moaned. “Brewster is your biological father. That’s all. He’s nothing else. He’s not even human.”

“You didn’t used to think so,” Brewster quipped.

“Shut up,” Gail screamed at him again.

A sob solidified in Abby’s throat, and her legs were like rubber.
She was Simon Brewster’s daughter.
The room and the people faded into a pearly gray light. She felt herself sinking, and she fought to control the weakness. Then two strong arms caught her.
Jonas.
She knew it was Jonas. His strength gave her courage to ask the question.

“Did Daddy know?”

Gail brushed away a tear. “He knew about a year before he died.”

Abby held both hands to her trembling lips, remembering the kind, loving man who was her father. Gradually anger swept away all the other emotions. Slowly she lowered her hands.

“How could you? How could you do that to him?”

“Abby, try to understand. I was young and stupid. Your father and I were having marital problems. We couldn’t have children, and I wanted to adopt. Abe wouldn’t hear of it. He said we hadn’t given it enough time. Things just got worse between us.” She paused. “I had my teaching degree, but no job yet, so I started working in the office hoping that would draw Abe and me closer together. But then
he
—” she glared at Brewster “—took an interest in me, and I was flattered. Abe didn’t seem to want me any
more, and I wanted to show him that… Oh God, I was so stupid.”

“But it happened,” Brewster said.

Gail swung to look at him. “But as soon as your wife wanted to come back, you dumped me.”

“I wanted my son in his rightful home.”

“You have no right to Abby. She’s Abe’s daughter,” Gail shouted.

“She’s mine,” Brewster shouted back.

Abby blocked out their bickering. “Why did you tell Daddy?”

Gail looked down at her hands. “Abe had to have a complete physical for insurance purposes. They sent the results to the office, and Brewster opened the package. He read that Abe was sterile and unable to father children.”

“Then, Daddy knew all along?”

“No, he thought you were his. He considered you our miracle.”

“So why tell him?”

“Brewster put two and two together and knew you were his, but he promised to never tell you, but he began asking Abe about you. As time went by, things got worse. Brewster wouldn’t let up, and I knew he was going to tell Abe, so I told him myself. I didn’t want him to hear it from Brewster. He took it hard…and immediately quit. Brewster didn’t fire him. I thought Abe would leave me, but he didn’t. Because of you he stayed. He couldn’t stand the thought of hurting you.”

Abby bit down on her lip, trying to still the turbulent emotions inside her. None of this was real. All that was real was the memory of her father’s gentle face. She looked at the woman she called
Mother, and she didn’t know her. Gail had hurt the most wonderful man on earth and then had done everything she could to keep the secret from coming out—even risking her daughter’s life. Who was this woman?

“Abby, sweetheart, let’s get out of here,” Gail whispered. “We’ll straighten all this out.”

Abby shook her head. “No, I’m not going anywhere with you,” she said vehemently. “I’m going back to Dallas, and I never want to see you again.”

“No, Abby, no,” Gail cried.

“This is your home,” Brewster added.

“Home.” She laughed sarcastically. “I don’t even know where that is anymore. I only know that I have to get away from both of you. Don’t call or try to get in touch with me, because I won’t respond and I’ll never come back. There’s nothing here for me.”

The pain in her voice was like a knife through Jonas’s heart. He had wanted to shield her from whatever Brewster was up to. But he had never dreamed it was anything like this. He wanted to tear into everyone, to make them pay for what they’d done to her. But those were Brewster’s tactics, not his. Now, he had to find a way to help Abby.

She ran from the room before Jonas could stop her.

“Abby,” Gail called plaintively.

“Go after her,” Brewster ordered Jonas.

Jonas glared at him. “I’ll go after her, but not for you. She didn’t deserve this. Your manipulative, controlling ways have driven her away. You’d better pray it’s not forever.” He glanced at Gail. “And you…how could you do this to your own daughter?”

Gail whimpered, and moved toward the door.

“No.” Jonas stopped her. “Don’t follow her. She
doesn’t need another scene. Give her some time…that’s the least you can do.”

Then he whirled on his heel and left the room.

J
ONAS RAN DOWN THE STAIRS
and out the front door, in time to see Abby’s white car drive away. Dammit. He immediately jumped in his truck and followed her. She went directly to her mother’s house. He got out and hurried to the front door. It was unlocked, so he went inside. He found her in her bedroom, sitting on the bed holding a picture of Abe. A suitcase lay open on the bed. His heart twisted at the expression on her face, and he sat beside her. That was all he could do—be there for her.

“How could she, Jonas?” she asked in a tortured voice. “She broke his heart. How could she?”

Jonas didn’t have an answer for her, and Abby didn’t seem to expect one.

“Why did she have to tell him? Why couldn’t she leave him with his pride?”

“He probably knew,” Jonas said. “He’d read the reports, but the truth was something he couldn’t admit because he loved you so much.”

Her hand touched Abe’s face. “Yeah,” she murmured weakly. “When I started school, he thought I’d be afraid. I told him I wasn’t, but he waited outside my classroom all day just in case I was. That’s the type of person he was.”

“Abe had a big heart, just like you.”

“I thought I got all my good qualities from him, but I didn’t. I don’t have his blood in my veins. I don’t have anything of his—” The last words came out on a choked sob.

“Yes, you do,” he assured her. “You have all the
love and care he gave you. No one can take that from you.”

“Oh, but they did,” she said tersely, strength returning to her voice. “They took everything from me. I may look the same on the outside, but I don’t feel the same. I’m different now.”

“Abby…”

“It’s true,” she insisted, and turned and gently placed the photo into the suitcase. “Nothing’s real anymore. I had all these wonderful feelings for you, and now I’m not sure about them. I’m not sure about anything.” She brushed away tears with both hands. “You’re probably very relieved.”

“I’m not.” The words came from the deepest part of his heart, but she didn’t seem to hear them.

“I’ve always run headfirst into everything, but I got bruised this time. I’m so bruised that I—”

He slipped an arm around her waist, and she rested her head on his shoulder. “I have to get away from here and think…to come to terms with everything that has happened.”

He kissed her forehead, and she turned her head to look at him. “I’ll never forget you, Jonas Parker.”

A lump formed in his throat and he couldn’t speak. Dammit, why couldn’t he do something to help her?

“What are you going to do, Jonas? Stay or leave?”

The blockage in his throat eased. “I’m not sure yet,” he admitted. “Brewster and I have a lot to get through.”

She got up and started putting clothes into her suitcase. “Don’t let him take anything else from you. He’s taken enough.”

She amazed him. Her first thoughts were of her
father, not of herself, and now she was worried about him. She might not want to admit it, but she did have a heart like Abe…always giving and never taking. He’d never met anyone that caring before—and now she was leaving.

“If you ever make it to Dallas, look me up.”

“Is that an invitation?”

Her eyes cleared. “Yes.” Then they darkened again. “Because I’ll never come back here.”

“Give it time.”

“I’ll never be back,” she stated with force, and he knew she meant it. He felt his heart wobble inside him, and for a moment he was locked in that pain he’d sworn he’d never feel again. Suddenly he could put a label on what he was feeling. He
loved
her. In that instant he knew it. He knew it by the agony in his gut, by the tears stinging his eyes and by the ache in his heart. This all-consuming emotion had to be love—and it was tearing him apart just like he’d known it would.

Gail appeared in the doorway. “Abby, please listen,” she begged.

Abby snapped her suitcase shut. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

“You can’t leave like this. Abby, please.” Gail’s voice grew desperate. “Let me explain.”

Jonas noticed that Abby’s hands shook as she placed the suitcase on the floor, and he recognized she was close to the edge. It was time for everyone to back off. This he could handle. He stood and pushed Gail out the door, then took her arm and led her into the living room.

“Jonas, please talk to her,” she said.

“It’s a little late for talk, Mrs. Duncan. You should
have done that weeks ago, when you knew what Brewster was up to. Instead, you let him manipulate the whole situation. Of the two of you, I’d say he has more concern for Abby than you. Hiring Rios? I’m still having a difficult time with that. Abby and I could both be dead right now. Is that what you wanted?”

“Oh God, no,” Gail cried, sinking onto the sofa and burying her face in her hands. “I didn’t know what to do. I tried talking Abby into going back to her job, but she wouldn’t listen. She misunderstood everything I said, and I was at my wit’s end. Then I heard some cleaning people at the school talking about a man who made problems go away for a price. Out of desperation I called him and told him that I wanted to keep Abby from finding Delores Alvarez. I thought he’d hide Delores or send her deeper into Mexico. I didn’t realize he was so vile. I didn’t. I would never hurt Abby. She’s my daughter, and I love her.”

Jonas could see that she loved Abby, but Gail Duncan now had to face the consequences of her actions. She had made some stupid mistakes, and she had to deal with losing what she valued most in this world—her daughter. And like Jonas, there was nothing she could do about it. They had to let her go.

Abby came out of the bedroom with two suitcases in her hands and a clothes bag over her arm. Jonas went to help her. He took the cases from her, and Abby walked through the living room into the kitchen. She didn’t even spare Gail a glance.

“Abby, please,” Gail said, but Abby didn’t stop until she reached her car.

Jonas slowly followed. He put her luggage on the
back seat, hung the clothes bag and slammed the door. Abby had the driver’s door open but she didn’t get in. She stared at him sadly.

“I’m sorry I got you mixed up in all this.”

He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I have broad shoulders.”

Her eyes caught his. “I know. You told me that once before. I want to thank you for—”

Jonas couldn’t bear the pain in her voice. Unable to stop himself, he cupped her face and gently kissed her. She moaned and returned the kiss with an urgency that broke his heart. Her arms wrapped around his neck and trailed through his hair. He drew her against him, wanting to feel every part of her. It would be all that he would have in the days and nights ahead. The kiss went on—neither of them willing to end the moment. Finally Abby moved away and got into the car. They didn’t speak. There was nothing left to say.