“I doubt that. Not against three men, not in the dead of night, not against those powerful currents. Only a woman as strong as you, emotionally, mentally, physically—with a heart as big as the ocean—would have tried.” He meant every word.
“Jordan, I didn’t do it to put myself in your debt. Jailbreaking is not the way to pay me back, even if I did think you owed me. I don’t want you ending up in jail.”
“Or you, either, which means this better be one well-planned jailbreak. And that’s almost as crazy an idea as you trying to smoke out John Doe by selling your salvage rights. I think that’s the butcher store ahead,” he said. “Take a left.”
The semipaved road became more dirt than pavement, and then the pavement disappeared completely after another mile. Scraggly vegetable patches lined the dry fields on either side of them, with the occasional bony goat or two tied among the scrub. How could anyone beat starvation living off those sparse fields? A bumpy fifteen minutes later, they drove onto the third dirt road that led to Roberto’s house.
Jordan blinked. “This can’t be it,” he said, gazing at the wood scraps and tin parts that made up a boxy shape, the holes serving as windows covered by cardboard. Obviously no running water or electricity would be found here, judging by the rain barrel and the stack of spindly firewood.
“Welcome to south of the border,” Aurora said, parking the truck. “Don’t get out yet. Mexico is full of stray dogs.”
Jordan paused in midreach for the truck handle. “I don’t see how a dog could survive here, let alone people.”
“Sad, isn’t it?” Aurora shut off the ignition and rolled down her window. “At least you actually care about things. Animals, people... I respect that. I wish there were more men—and women—like you.” She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then pulled the keys out of the ignition. “Here comes Roberto. And I was right. There is a dog—and Roberto’s little brother, maybe? I didn’t know about him.”
She climbed out of the car before Jordan could get her door. The scruffy tan-and-white dog, obviously some kind of small terrier mix, yipped as they all greeted each other, the boy clutching Roberto’s leg.
At a curt command from Roberto, the terrier slunk away. “Mancha isn’t much to look at, but she’s a good watchdog for the women when I’m working. She also keeps mice and snakes out of the house and garden.”
“Rattlers?” Jordan asked.
“The mice go after the tortillas. The snakes go after the mice.” Roberto ignored the child tugging at his shirt. “I’m glad you found the place.”
“Your directions were very clear. And who is this young man?” Aurora asked.
“Papa, we don’t have to feed them, too, do we?” the boy asked in Spanish.
“I am not your father,” Roberto replied. “Go help my sister pull weeds. I’ll see you later.” The boy hesitated. Roberto bent down and gave him a firm push toward the house. “Obey me, Barnacle.”
The child stared one last time, then ran out behind the house, the terrier at his heels.
“What did you call him?” Aurora asked.
Roberto shrugged. “Barnacle, since he clings so tight to me, especially around mealtimes. He won’t leave as long as he smells food.”
“Or sees the kindness in your eyes,” Aurora said softly.
“He has no real name, nor any real home. Later, you must drive him to the orphanage,” Roberto said brusquely. “The nuns will care for him. It’s too far a walk from here, and I cannot feed all the hungry who follow me home.”
“We could do that,” Aurora agreed, distressed by the hard facts of life across the border.
“First things first,” Jordan said. “Let’s go see Dorian and your niece.”
* * *
THE PARKING LOT seemed even dirtier and drearier than Aurora remembered from their last visit. Green horseflies buzzed over dirty diapers and donkey dung as the children with the patched football played among the rubble. As she drove in, Aurora watched them run toward the truck. When they recognized Roberto, they realized no money could be made and returned to their game. One boy remembered Jordan from the previous visit and threw the football to him. Jordan tossed it back in a long, spiraling arc. The children ran to catch it as Jordan and Aurora headed toward the visitors’ entrance. Roberto elected to remain with the vehicle.
“I don’t want the guards becoming too familiar with me,” he said. “I’ll watch the truck.”