Only You [Red Hook, Texas 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 8

  “You will spoil him.” Alana smiled from behind her desk. She had a pencil in her hand. She wore casual clothes today, so Alicia assumed she was only doing paperwork today.

  “I will be out front,” Mrs. Garcia told the girls. She closed the door. “Your father is in the kitchen with Ray since Ray’s assistant is off today.”

  “So, you spent the night with Deputy Smith.” Alana grinned, wiggling her eyebrows up and down when their mom closed the door. “Do tell.”

  Alicia blushed. “In his guest room.” That was the truth. She was unsure of what was between them, so she did not want to give out too much information yet. Ray and Alana knew all about John. Alicia had been ashamed they knew. Her pride would not admit she had a lot of hope for her and Tony. What if he just wanted friendship? She’d be embarrassed if everyone knew she was pining after another man who didn’t want her. She’d been so humiliated when everyone knew how John had fooled her. “We are friends for now.”

  “That is good. I like him, for the record,” Alana said. She got up and stretched. “He is a solid guy with morals. Noah has a lot of respect for both Smith brothers. John is a loser and I hope he has picked up some dreaded disease by now.”

  Alicia laughed. It no longer hurt her heart to think of him. She still felt bad she made a mistake, and she always would, but that was life. She was twenty-five, and was sure she would make many more.

  Alana’s phone rang and she answered it with a smile. “Hey, babe, what is going on?”

  She listened for a few minutes and the look on her face told her it was not good news. Alicia held her breath until Alana hung up.

  “Noah says Morehead’s sheriff raided Novak’s rental house and it was empty. They found your wrecked car in his garage and will be looking it over. “

  Alicia was disappointed. She hoped it would be over soon. She would not be able to relax until Mario Novak was behind bars and she could remember what happened to her. Part of her wanted to remember, and another part wanted to forget forever. She had a few dreams that made no sense.

  “I knew he would not stick around. Janice’s death was all over the news. I am sure he killed her and kidnapped me,” Alicia told her sister.

  Alana got up and picked up Carlos. She gave him a toy and put him in his playpen. “Tomorrow is Janice’s funeral. Noah is worried he will show up there, but why would he? He knows he is a wanted man. By now, his picture has been spread all over the state of Texas. If he was smart, he’d leave the country.”

  “I don’t understand the criminal mind.” Alicia stood up and looked out the window. The sun was shining and the autumn brought cooler temperatures. Usually she felt safe and warm when she surveyed the small town she had been raised in. Today those feelings were missing. “I am sure he has plenty of money. You would think he would have left the country during the summer after all his men got busted. Why stick around?”

  Alana nodded but stayed quiet, lost in thought. Alicia’s heart felt heavy. Janice had been young and foolhardy, but she did not deserve to die. She had people who loved her and would mourn her. Tomorrow would be a nightmare.

  * * * *

  Alicia stood between her brother and Tony at the funeral. Alicia did her best to hold it together. Her family had been against her attending the funeral. They felt it would be to upsetting, but she felt so guilty she could not remember that night’s events.

  Janice’s parents had opted for a short funeral service. A preacher gave the eulogy. The casket had been closed and she was glad about that. She had a heavy heart as they lowered the casket into the ground. What a waste of a life. Janice had gotten involved with drugs by her choice but she did not deserve to die. Knowing it was Novak made her angry. She was the last one to see Janice alive and she couldn’t even remember. Novak couldn’t get away with this. He had to pay for this and all the other crimes he’d committed.

  Holly was leaning against Matt, looking upset. It brought back a lot of bad memories for her left over from the summer. Alicia knew this had to be disturbing for her. Tony put his arms around her shoulder and she leaned against him. Janice’s mom was weeping and being comforted by a brunette with short hair. Most of the town had shown up. Noah and Drake were on duty, keeping watch for Novak. Sam and his family attended since he knew the Sands family. Alicia thought Novak would be foolish to show his face here, but Noah said he was arrogant enough to try.

  When the funeral service ended with no mishap, Alicia was relieved. She thought she felt like she was being watched, but she had searched the crowd. There was nothing but familiar faces everywhere she turned. She spotted John in the crowd. He smiled at her, but she turned her head away. She did not want to have to be polite to him right now. Her emotions were in turmoil dealing with all that had happened to her.

  “You okay?” Tony asked. She nodded. She was wearing a long-sleeved dress but she still felt cold. “Just tired, I guess. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

  “Nightmares?” He sounded like he really cared, but she was afraid to place so much hope in him again. What if he was being nice because he felt guilty?

  Alicia nodded and rubbed her forehead. “It’s there, but when my eyes are open, I lose it.”

  Tony rubbed her arms. “You are thinking too hard. Let’s go get something to eat. I know this small Italian place, very low-key. I like to go and relax there after a long, hard day. The home-cooked food hits the spot.”

  She looked up at him. He had his eyes focused on her, but she wanted to know what he was feeling. “You’re being really nice to me, Tony. I haven’t even seen Dee around.” She hated mentioning the blonde’s name.

  He frowned at her and she wanted to smooth the wrinkles on his forehead. She wanted his motives to be pure, not because he felt obligated to watch out for her. She’d rather be alone.

  “I never do anything I don’t want to do, sweetheart. I missed you. Our argument left a void in my heart.” he said. She could see the sincerity glowing in his eyes. It made her feel better. She had to stop putting John’s sins on every man. Tony had honor.

  “Dee finally got the hint and moved on. I am so glad.”

  She let out a sigh of relief and nodded.

  “Okay. Food sounds good,” she told him. “Let me tell Ray I am going with you.”

  He nodded and she went to find her brother. Ray would try to talk her out of it, but she needed to know if she and Tony had any chance at a life together. Hope was stronger than her fear. That was a very frightening feeling, worse than facing Novak again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Alicia sat with Jasmine and Holly in a booth at her family’s restaurant. She was on a lunch break. She felt good enough to work again. Her face was clear of bruises and she was still slightly achy, but she didn’t want to sit around doing nothing. That left her with too much time to think.

  “It’s good to see you back to normal, Alicia,” Holly commented with a smile.

  Alicia picked up her glass of water and took a sip. “It feels good to stay busy. Doing nothing gives me too much time to sit around and mope. Novak hasn’t been seen, and that is good and bad.”

  “I bet you want it over once and for all,” Holly said with sympathy. “I want Novak behind bars, too. Only then will I feel safe again.”

  They all nodded and stayed silent for a few seconds.

  Jasmine looked at the pumpkin sitting on the bar and changed the subject. It had a traditional Jack O’Lantern face. “I had so much fun with all of us picking out pumpkins at the farm. We took ours to Eva’s house. Yours looks good, Alicia.”

  Alicia smiled, feeling warm with the memories of that day. She loved being around Tony again. It was like before, but better. She knew he desired her. She hoped he also cared for her. “I can’t take credit for it. I bought two pumpkins. Tony carved that one and Ray carved one for our porch at home. It’s a cat and a moon. We didn’t want Carlos to be scared.”

  “So what’s going on between you and Tony?” Jasmine asked, looking curious. Holly
didn’t say anything, but she also looked interested. Alicia wasn’t exactly sure how to answer her friends. She felt confused.

  “We haven’t talked much about where we stand. You both know I have been in love with him for months now. That is why it hurt so much when I saw him with Dee that night,” she explained sadly. “I just want him to spend time with me because he wants to, not because Noah ordered him to protect me.”

  Holly patted her arm in sympathy. Alicia had spent time with Tony in the last few days. They went to the farm and had dinner at his house. Alicia had helped Holly cook. He was a complete gentlemen. He hadn’t even tried to kiss her again. She was very disappointed. They were all very busy working with Noah to find Novak. They had been disappointed he didn’t show up at Janice’s funeral or been seen since.

  “I know he was scared of his feelings for me. He has told me that. The problem is, what are those feelings? Friendship or more?” Alicia wondered.

  “I’d say more,” Jasmine answered with confidence. Her dark hair was up in a fancy twist that suited her style. “I see how he looks at you, like he wants to eat you up.”

  Alicia blushed and then giggled. She never caught that look on him. “He doesn’t make his feelings clear. Most men would have made a pass or tried to get me into bed. He is very…nice.”

  “So be bold and make a move on him,” Holly suggested. She was eating a taco salad. “Blow his socks off and show him what he is missing. You have more to offer than Dee and he knows it. Faith gave that advice to me when Matt and I weren’t speaking. I never had the confidence to do it. I wish I had now, but you are more confident than I am, Alicia. Let him know what you want.”

  Holly looked at her watch. “I have to go. I promised Hope I would attend her preschool Halloween party. She is a princess. Faith is on bedrest and she feels horrible missing it. She is so ready for this baby to be born.”

  “Video-record it so she can watch it later,” Alicia suggested.

  “I am. See you all later.” Holly slipped out of the booth and waved good-bye.

  Alicia looked at the restaurant. It was a slow time between lunch and dinner. They had hired a new waiter to take Kelly’s place. He was a young college student and was a good worker, but she missed talking to Kelly and Janice both. She hated all the changes and unknowns of life lately.

  “Any more nightmares?” Jasmine asked.

  Alicia shrugged. “Some. Not every day, but every once in a while I have them. Ray thinks maybe something triggers it, but what, I don’t know.”

  “Try keeping a journal. Write about your day. If you have a bad dream, you can go back and check to see what happened,” Jasmine said.

  “That is a smart idea.” Alicia liked it. She used to keep diaries when she was a teen but had stopped the practice. Maybe it was time to start it up again. Even though she was glad Novak hadn’t shown his face in Red Hook, she wanted this all over with. She was tired of worrying. Maybe then Tony would have time to sit down and tell her how he felt about her.

  * * * *

  Alicia was walking to her car after work with Alana. The day had been long and tiring. John had come by to see how she was recovering. She felt a little bewildered. What did he care after all this time? They had not parted on good terms. He had not been there long before Ray showed up and kicked him out of the restaurant. Alicia let him because she had no desire to hash out her past with John. It had taken time to get over it and she wanted it to stay in the past.

  “I am so glad Noah got off of work early today. He picked up Carlos from Papa’s house for me,” Alana said tiredly with a yawn.

  “Aww, I wanted to play with him.” Alicia pouted.

  “You can come by anytime and entertain him,” Alana said. “I can nap on the couch.”

  “What an old lady you’re turning out to be,” Alicia teased.

  Alana laughed. “I can’t deny that. Putting in a full day here and taking care of Carlos and the house exhausts me. Noah has been throwing hints we should add to our family like Adam and Faith, but honestly, I am not sure.”

  “Be honest with him,” Alicia suggested. “Carlos is just over a year old. You have plenty of time.”

  Alicia wished she had someone to cook for and snuggle with at night. She felt kind of lonely. Maybe Holly was right. She should be brave and just ask Tony how he felt. If all he felt was friendship, it would hurt, but it was better than being in limbo. She wasn’t getting any younger and someday she wanted a husband and a family, too. She waved to her sister and got in her car. The house was dark and she knew her parents were asleep. She went around the back door. Her room was at the back of the house and completely private. After showering and changing, she picked up the house phone by her bed. She hadn’t replaced her cell phone yet. She dialed Tony’s number.

  He answered right away. “Alicia?”

  “Yes. I just got home from work.”

  “Me too. We met with the sheriff of Green County. They think Novak is out of state or maybe even out of the country.”

  “What do you think?”

  He didn’t answer for a few seconds. “I want to agree. It would make our lives easier.”

  “But?” She heard the hesitation in his tone.

  “He didn’t give up last summer. Why give up now?” His answer made sense to Alicia. She didn’t like it, but it was true.

  She sighed. “You’re right. It would be easier, but life is hardly ever easy.” She leaned back against her headboard. “So what happens now?”

  “We just wait and see, I suppose,” he replied. “I will have a more normal schedule now. I was hoping you’d go out with me tomorrow night.”

  “Like a date or as friends?” Her pulse picked up speed as she waited for the answer.

  “A real date.” He spoke with confidence. “I know I am a lot older than you, and maybe your parents won’t like me, but—”

  “I am over twenty-one, Tony. I like you. I have liked you for so long now. That is all that matters,” she insisted, not wanting to hear a lot of excuses. “So yes, I would love to go out on a date with you.”

  “I will pick you up at six.” He sounded happy and that made her smile.

  “Yes.” She pulled the blanket over her lap and turned off the lamp. “I love the sound of your voice, Tony. I feel warm and secure. Can we talk, or are you tired?”

  “I am never too tired to talk to you, baby girl,” he assured her. “What should we talk about? Our favorite color or favorite song? I have never been one for phone conversations.”

  “Me neither. My sister was, but not me.” She laughed. “With you, it’s different. I want to know you.”

  “Ask away.”

  Alicia snuggled down in her bed. This was the start of a good thing. She just knew it. Finally, she and Tony were on the same page.

  Chapter Thirteen

  They were not on the same page. That became obvious to her over the next week. He was late picking her up for their first date. He got caught up at work, which was fine. She understood. What she didn’t understand was why he couldn’t send a simple text saying, “I will be late.” Instead, he made her think he’d stood her up. She had been left all dressed up, sitting with her parents in the living room, completely embarrassed. He apologized and she forgave him.

  On their second date, a few days later, they went to the pool hall. Not very romantic, but she stayed quiet, determined to enjoy any time with him. They ran into a few old teammates, including Dee and Kyle, who were dating. Alicia wanted to leave, but Tony sat and drank with Hank while Kyle glared at him. Tony never even told them they were on a date.

  Dee flirted with him, and although he didn’t encourage her, he did not push her away or let her know he was on a date with Alicia. Was he ashamed of her because she was so young? It made her feel so sad. She’d wanted him for so long, but now it seemed like it wasn’t going to work out. She ended up driving him home and Holly drove her home.

  She was sitting with Jasmine at her shop trying to get advice from h
er friend.

  “Men can be ignorant.” Jasmine shook her head when Alicia told her the full story. “In his defense, I don’t think he has a lot of experience with relationships. I know he has had hook-ups over the years, but girlfriends, I doubt. Matt admitted he only had one or two before Holly, and that was years ago.”

  “So they are the ‘love ’em and leave ’em’ type?” Alicia concluded, and Jasmine nodded her head yes. Her aunt Kate had gone to lunch with some friends. Jasmine was all alone in the store.

  “Great.” Alicia felt frustrated. John had also been a playboy. She didn’t want another man like that.

  “Teach him,” Jasmine said.

  “How? John is my only experience and we all know that was a bust. I have seen a few romantic movies, but I doubt stringing lights from my house to his is doable in real life. I saw one movie where he serenaded the girl under her bedroom window. I could try that, but I have a rotten voice and never picked up a guitar in my life.”

  Jasmine laughed when Alicia sighed dramatically. “Yeah, I agree. Ask him out and plan the next date how you want it. That will give him some kind of guideline. I know he does like you, Alicia. We have all known it. Give him another chance.”

  Alicia thought about it. “Maybe. I’ll think about it. I have to get back to work. Thanks for listening.”

  “By the way, is your family passing out candy tonight at the restaurant?” Jasmine asked. “Kate and I are. Drake has to work, but Holly is bringing Hope by and Eva is bringing Julia and Diego.”

  Alicia smiled. Since she had no plans to go out and party, she agreed to help Alana. She was excited to see all the little ones in costumes. “Alana and I are. I just hope Carlos doesn’t get scared with some of the scarier costumes.”