Her Texas Rebel. LeAnne Bristow

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СКАЧАТЬ black hair hung in soft curls at the back of his collar as he gave her a familiar one-sided smile. “Hey, Bree.”

      “Tony?” Shakiness threatened to overwhelm her. Her heart pounded in her ears and she squeezed the box in her hands to hide their trembling. Seconds seemed to stretch into minutes as Sabrina fought to keep her composure. Years of anger, bitterness and betrayal warred against a ridiculous urge to throw herself into his arms. Her teeth worried her bottom lip as she struggled to speak.

      He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets, the muscles in his arms stretching the sleeves of his T-shirt. “My grandfather mentioned you were moving back.”

      Could he hear her heart pounding? “Good news travels fast. I read the article about you in the paper. You’re a hero.”

      Silence permeated the air between them and his eyes never left hers. Like a mouse caught in the hypnotic gaze of a cat, she couldn’t move. Breathe. You’re not eighteen anymore.

      The smile faded. He shook his head. “No. Just doing my job.”

      Exactly what she’d expect a hero to say. “I’m sure your grandparents are thrilled to have you home for a while.”

      “You should stop by and see them sometime. Abuela misses you.” He held her gaze. “How are you?”

      Was he really trying to make small talk? She clasped her hands together. “I’m fine.”

      The way his gaze swept over her gave her the impression that he was taking a mental inventory. She straightened the wrinkled T-shirt she’d thrown on in her rush to get out of the house.

      The dimple under his left eye deepened. “I’d really like to get together while I’m still in town. Catch up. Could I take you to dinner sometime?”

      He was close. Too close. Close enough for her to make out a faint scar under his jaw, just below his left ear. The scar—along with the bump on the bridge of his nose—that he’d gotten while defending her. She swallowed.

      The sandalwood scent of his aftershave sent her heart into overdrive. She took a quick step backward and bumped into the cart. Strong arms caught her inches from hitting the floor.

      His muscles tightened, and something flashed in his eyes. Before she could decipher it, thick black lashes blinked, and the mask she’d seen every time he wanted to hide his feelings returned. She pushed against his chest, struggling to right herself.

      “Are you okay?” His husky voice sent shivers along her skin.

      “I’m fine.” She took a breath in an effort to calm her galloping pulse.

      Her knees almost buckled and she reached for the grocery cart. Leaning on it for support, she pushed it between them, forcing him to step back. A flicker of pain crossed his face. “You’re still injured. Are you okay?”

      “I’m fine. It was only a flesh wound. What do you say? About dinner?”

      “It was a long time ago. No need to rehash the past. Goodbye, Tony.” She pushed her cart past him and hurried to the checkout line.

      She flinched as she slammed the groceries onto the moving belt. She kept her eyes trained on the items in her cart. Don’t look around for him. Don’t give him that satisfaction. How long had he said he was going to be in town?

      The beeping noises from the cashier were drowned out by the pulse thundering in her ears. She paid as quickly as she could and pushed the cart outside just as her father’s beat-up Ford pulled into the parking lot. She scanned the area once more for any sign of Tony before making a beeline to the truck.

      What was she afraid of? That Tony would be waiting to ambush her in the parking lot? What would he do if he found out the truth? Would he even care?

      Her lie had never bothered her before. It was simply a means to an end. She’d done everything she could to get Tony to stay and he still refused. He’d been long gone by the time she found out she was pregnant. If he was that desperate to be rid of her, she wasn’t about to use a baby to blackmail him into coming back. Especially when he’d made it clear he didn’t want a family.

      She pasted a smile on her face and opened the truck door. “How was the feed store?”

      “Levi was a big help loading the sacks,” her father said. “He’s pretty strong for a nine-year-old.”

      On the seat between them, Levi puffed his chest out. Sabrina let out a sigh of relief.

      What would happen if the truth came out? No. She wouldn’t let that happen.

      * * *

      TONY STOOD INSIDE the store, waiting for Sabrina to leave. The pain in her eyes cut him to the core. What had he expected? For her to fall into his arms? The engagement ring she still wore on her finger was proof that she’d moved on. If he needed further evidence, all he had to do was look at the little boy who hopped out of Robert’s truck to help her load up the groceries.

      David’s offer to deliver Tony’s SUV to Lampasas had been a godsend, and he’d given David directions to the H-E-B, right off the main road. His grandfather had dropped him off after his doctor’s appointment. What were the chances that Sabrina would be shopping there at the same time?

      Here. Where are you?

      Tony texted David back. Be right there. He stepped outside, looking for his Dodge Durango.

      A horn honked and Tony saw a short, stocky man waving at him from across the parking lot. Grinning, he hurried over to shake his partner’s hand.

      “How’re ya feeling, man?” David pulled Tony in for a quick hug.

      For the next few minutes, Tony and David discussed doctors, the kids from St. Paul’s Mission and the weather, all the while ignoring the one thing Tony wanted to know the most.

      Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer. “Is Captain Rodriguez still pissed?”

      David’s brow furrowed. “It’s not him you need to worry about. You screwed the mayor out of an opportunity to prove his anti-gang initiative is working. He’s the one gunning for you.”

      “But it’s not working.” The only way to combat gangs was to get to the kids before they joined up. But the results took longer than most politicians had in office. None of them had that much time or dedication. “So I guess I’m still exiled.”

      David shrugged. “It’s for your own good, you know. What would you be doing in San Antonio right now? Hanging out with the kids at St. Paul’s Mission? Tell me I’m wrong.”

      “I can’t.” Tony lifted his chin. “I’ve put a lot of time in with those kids. You can’t expect me to abandon them just because Captain Rodriguez doesn’t think I should be seen there.”

      “Most of those kids are known gangbangers and Cap is trying to keep you from being brought up on charges of hindering an investigation.”

      “But I didn’t do anything wrong.” It wouldn’t matter. Tony had seen it too many times. Once a political witch hunt started, it didn’t end until someone went down. So in the meantime, he’d been banished to Salt СКАЧАТЬ