A Texas Child. Linda Warren

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СКАЧАТЬ with a chart in his hand. “Good evening, Ms. Delgado.”

      “Good evening,” she replied. “Is there any change?”

      He scribbled something in the chart. “No. Sorry.”

      “If her son was here with his baby chatter, would it be a stimulus for her?”

      He closed the chart. “Yes, that’s why we allow her father to visit. A familiar voice can be a trigger to bring her out of this deep sleep. Have they found her son?”

      “No. I was just wondering.”

      “Keep positive thoughts,” he suggested. “Her body and mind have been traumatized. It takes time to heal.”

      “I’ll try to remember that.”

      She reached out and touched the limp hand on the bed. “Get better, Nat. I’m doing all I can, but you have to help me. You have to get better.”

      There was no response and Myra knew there wouldn’t be. As she stood there in the quiet room, with only the hum of the machines, a calm came over her. Doing nothing wasn’t in her nature. If she let Marco have Daniel, she would never be able to face Natalie again. Natalie looked up to her, but it was more than that. Natalie trusted her, and now Myra had to trust her own instincts. She had to tackle the most dangerous job she’d ever attempted.

      But first she had to tell Jessie and her parents.

      * * *

      LEVI DROVE STEADILY toward Willow Creek and home. His services weren’t needed and there was nothing else he could do. Thinking about Myra and her ridiculous plan only pissed him off. She’d been told the risk repeatedly and, as always, Myra did as she pleased. His conscience was clear.

      He wasn’t sure why he kept glancing in his rearview mirror. He had no reason to feel guilty. Going to Houston in the first place was a crazy thing to do. He’d sworn he wouldn’t help Myra, but both Stu and the thought of a kidnapped baby who needed his mother had swayed him. And then there was that little matter of living with a conscience that continually mocked his decisions.

      The more miles he left behind him, the more his conscience chimed in. Myra’s body would probably be found on the banks of the Rio Grande within days. If there was one thing the drug cartel didn’t like, it was Americans asking questions, and Myra was good at asking questions. It was her forte and it would be her downfall.

      He pulled over to the side of the road. Cars whizzed by on the warm September day, the heat intensified by revving motors and blacktop. He told himself he wasn’t responsible for Myra’s actions. Her number was on his phone and he quickly found it. What could he say to her that hadn’t already been said? Could he go back to his safe life and leave her to face an untimely death? Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, he knew there was only one answer. He finagled his way back into traffic and headed for Willow Creek.

      * * *

      MYRA SPENT AN hour with Stu explaining the situation and, though he was upset, he didn’t try to stop her. He left that decision up to her, but strongly suggested she hire guards to go with her. Stu wanted Daniel home with Natalie and he offered to pay for a bodyguard.

      Nothing much was said about Levi. Stu only commented that Levi wouldn’t let them down. Telling him Levi already had seemed cruel, so she didn’t.

      On the way home, she stopped at a sporting goods store and got appropriate apparel, plus hiking boots. Then she went home to figure out her next move.

      After eating yogurt and an apple, she called Jessie and told her the situation and quickly added, “I just wanted you to know in case you don’t hear from me for a while.”

      “My, are you sure about this? Let the authorities handle it.”

      “It’s a delicate situation, but I’ll try to stay in touch so don’t worry.”

      “Oh, please. This sounds a little insane even for you.”

      “Thank you very much.”

      “You know what I mean.”

      “Yes. I’ll admit I’m a little scared, and if I feel the situation is too dangerous once I get to Matamoras, I’ll call everything off. I haven’t lost my mind completely.”

      “That’s good to hear.”

      “I was going to call Mama and Papa, but they wouldn’t understand and we’d just get into an argument. If they mention they can’t get in touch with me, make an excuse or something.”

      “I’m not lying to them, My.”

      Myra sighed. She knew Jessie wouldn’t lie. That was one of the things she loved most about her. She was very honest and up-front.

      “Okay. I should be back in a few days. Say a prayer for me, and I love you, kiddo.”

      “Myra, please ask Levi to go with you.”

      “He made it very clear he won’t go into Mexico, but I’ll hire someone, so don’t worry. I’ll call as soon as I get there.”

      “Take care of yourself.”

      Myra sat for a long time with the phone in her hand. She should call her parents, but it would turn into a big argument she wasn’t in the mood to deal with. Since her parents had moved so far away, she didn’t talk to them as much. If she was lucky, she’d be home before they realized she’d been gone, and by then she’d be prepared for the lecture.

      Even she couldn’t make that argument sound convincing. She touched the number to call home. Her mother answered.

      “Hi, Mama. I’m sorry I was short today. I just have a lot on my mind.”

      “I know you’re worried about your friend.”

      Myra didn’t expect so much understanding and she was speechless for a brief second. “Yes, it’s been very stressful.”

      “Well, then, come home for a few days and relax.”

      Myra chewed on her lip. “I can’t right now. I’ll probably be leaving for Matamoras tomorrow. We have a lead on the baby.”

      “Matamoras?” She could almost see the worry gathering in her mother’s eyes like clouds before a thunderstorm.

      “I’ll be careful.”

      “Why do you have to go? Aren’t the police supposed to do that?”

      Myra didn’t feel she needed to go into a long explanation. “I just wanted you to know in case you were trying to reach me. I’ll call as soon as I get back.”

      Her mother wasn’t having any of it. She called to Myra’s father, “Felipe, talk to your daughter. She’s doing something crazy.”

      She explained the situation all over again to her father. “Papa, I have to go. I just wanted to touch base before I left.

      “Take care of yourself, bebé. We love you.”

      That’s СКАЧАТЬ