“World would be a poorer place, without you in it,” he whispered back, actual y whispered.
“I’m okay,” I repeated, putting my arms around his waist, or trying to, he was a big guy they didn’t fit al the way around.
If you told me two weeks ago I’d be hugging Tex, I would have laughed in your face. But there you go.
His arms loosened and he turned me towards Mom who was standing there. She pul ed me to her, one-armed and this started the rounds of hugs, cheek-kisses (except for Blanca, who laid one right on my lips) and a lot of me saying, “I’m okay.”
I had to admit, this brought it al home to me. You get caught up in your chaos, you don’t realize just how much you’re dragging everyone along with you.
In the end, I was slouched, exhausted, on a couch between Mom and Trixie, my head on Mom’s shoulder, her head resting against mine. Ada’s handkerchief with most of my mascara on it was clutched in my hand.
“I’m sorry,” I told Mom, “I just wanted to fix things.” Her head came up and she looked down at me.
“Can you do me a favor, dol face?”
I nodded.
“This time, can you let someone else fix things?” I looked to Eddie, who was the someone else who was going to fix things. He was talking low-voiced to Mace. They broke off and stepped outside.
Damn.
I sighed.
As Eddie would say, one thing at a time.
“Sure,” I said to Mom.
Mom relaxed into me. “That makes me feel a whole lot better.”
Blanca, sitting across from us, said something in Spanish. I looked at her.
“Pardon?” I asked.
She shook her head but Gloria answered.
“She said you were worth the wait.”
I clutched the handkerchief tighter.
Yeesh.
Was I in trouble or what?
“Thank you,” was al I could think to say.
It was then Ada shuffled up, her eyes gleaming and she pointed to Vance.
“That boy over there is a bounty hunter and he’s got a motorcycle and he said he’d take me for a ride.” Dear Lord.
I visualized Ada on the back of Vance’s Harley and I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing.
Mace disappeared, but Eddie came back and I wasn’t certain I could read his face, except for the fact that whatever he was thinking was not good.
I got up and went to him. The minute I came within reach, he grabbed my hand and pul ed me closer, sliding an arm low around my waist, he drew me into his body and touched his lips to mine.
“Gotta get to work,” he said when he was done.
“Gotta get to work,” he said when he was done.