The Texan's Secret Daughter. Jolene Navarro

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СКАЧАТЬ women were working behind the counter. Jazmine recognized two of them from the summers she’d spent at the beach. Their eyes went wide when they saw her.

      “Well, I’ll be. Jazmine Daniels De La Rosa, it’s been ages.” Kate glanced at Elijah, then back to Jazmine. “This is quite the surprise. So, what are you doing in Foster?”

      “I’m at Port Del Mar with my parents. We’re staying at the beach house, so my father can recover.”

      The other woman, Martha, nodded. “Sorry to hear about what happened. Y’all brought him to the right place to recover. The beach is so much better than that city. The salt air at Port D has healing powers. We’ll keep him in our prayers. You should take him over—”

      “Martha.” Kate shook her head. “She’s not here to jibber jabber.” Smiling at Jazmine, she took the bags. “Interesting that you and Elijah brought these donations in together. We haven’t seen you in what? Over six years? Your parents don’t come as often, either.” The women glanced between her and Elijah, waiting for an explanation.

      Obviously, Kate wanted to talk as much as Martha. The news of her being in Port Del Mar with Elijah would be flying as if a town crier was dashing up and down the boardwalk. Another reason she should get out of here.

      The way Elijah found out about Rosemarie needed to be well planned. The gossip mill was not how a man should discover he was the father of a five-year-old girl.

      Elijah gave in to the silent pressure first. “I was as surprised as you when she walked in the door. I was just helping with the bags. Nothing interesting here.”

      “That’s sweet of you.” Martha looked as if she was about to ask more questions, but Kate interrupted her.

      “Well, we need to take these to the back and start the dishes. Y’all have a good one. Tell your parents hi and that they’re in our prayers.”

      They all smiled at Elijah as if he was a favorite son. Then they disappeared through the back door.

      It shouldn’t have surprised her that they still adored him, even if he had fallen on hard times. Despite his uncle’s reputation in town as a mean drunk and cheat, Elijah had charmed everyone. Except for his uncle and Jazmine’s parents.

      She blamed his uncle for teaching him the family tradition of drinking. But then her parents had made his life even harder. They had all had a hand in destroying their marriage.

      Shaking her head, she cleared her thoughts. They might have made his life difficult, but she had promised to quit making excuses for him. He made his choices, and she was not going to feel guilty. She wasn’t.

      And if she said that enough maybe she’d believe it.

      His decision to turn to the bottle instead of to her and God had been his alone. Elijah had put an end to their happily-ever-after. There was no going back once trust was lost.

      He turned to her and ran his long fingers through his hair. He focused on the counter, not making eye contact.

      “Well, by dinnertime everyone in Port Del Mar will know you’re back and that we were seen together.” Finally, he looked at her. The corner of his mouth twitched.

      Her stupid heart fluttered and skipped a beat.

      He took a step closer. “It’s amazing that you’re here. I was going to try to contact your parents again. I really have to talk to you.”

      Her heart hit her ribs in double time. Had he found out about Rosemarie?

      He stared at her for a long, silent moment, then gave her that old half smile he used whenever he thought he was in trouble. Unfortunately, it had worked way too many times.

      She had a long track record of giving in to his promises, promises that never survived forty-eight hours.

      She was stronger now. Straightening her spine, she made sure to look him right in the eyes. “What is it, Elijah?”

      Something on his fingernail became the center of his world.

      “Elijah, I have to go, but if you give me your number, I’ll call and we can...talk.”

      He took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ve practiced this speech for years, and now that you’re standing in front of me all the words have disappeared. Jazz, you’re the only person left on my list that I need to apologize to.”

      She frowned. “List?” Then she understood. “You’re doing the twelve steps?”

      Scrutinizing his features, she looked for any clue that he was lying. Would she be able to tell if he was sober?

      He nodded as he stuffed his hands into the front pockets of those worn jeans. “Yeah. I started it a few years back, but well... I haven’t been able to reach you. And I...”

      “Momma! Look what GiGi got me!” Rosemarie, her five-year-old daughter—their five-year-old daughter—rushed through the doorway, holding up a fragile-looking doll in a Victorian dress and oversize hat.

      Jazmine looked over her daughter’s shoulder but didn’t see her mother. Yet. “That’s lovely, sweetheart. Can you go wait with GiGi for a minute? I need to take care of some business.”

      “But I thought we were going to—”

      “Jazmine?” Behind her, Elijah’s voice was even rougher than before. She dropped her head and shut her eyes. Putting a hand on Rosemarie’s tiny shoulder, she turned to face him.

      “Elijah. We need to talk—”

      “Obviously.” The word was barely audible through his clenched teeth.

      The clicking of heels on the concrete flooring told her that time was up. Her mother was going to take this stressful moment up another level. It was like watching a collision about to happen in slow motion and not being able to stop it.

      Gasps sounded at the doorway. “Jazmine. What is going on?”

      Calming her mind, she waited a few seconds before turning to her mother with a smile on her face. “Mother, you remember Elijah?” She glanced at Rosemarie, hoping Azalea would take the hint. “He was having lunch and offered to help me with our donations.”

      “Jazmine, this is exactly why I told you to stay away.” Azalea Daniels pinned a hard glare on Elijah. In a few quick steps, she had Rosemarie’s hand in hers. She pulled the little girl closer to her side, staring Elijah down. “You’re eating lunch at the food bank? Did you lose your home, too? Homeless. It shouldn’t surprise me.”

      “Mother! Not helping.” Jazmine rubbed her temple. A massive headache was climbing into her frontal lobe.

      With an indignant nod, Azalea dropped her gaze to the five-year-old. “Papa is waiting. The nurse will be leaving soon, and I must talk to her.” She gave a tight nod to Elijah before heading to the door. When Jazmine didn’t immediately follow, her mother’s spine stiffened. “Jazmine?”

      “Mom, take Rosemarie to the car. I’ll be right there, I promise.” She made a point of looking at the innocent little girl standing there without a clue of the drama swirling around her. “Please.”

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