Touched by Angels Page 0,30

down his teacup. "Tell me what happened between you and Roberto Alcantara."

"It's nothing," she said, preferring to make light of their differences. "Actually Roberto's been most helpful. My car broke down and he's fixing it for me."

Father Grady said nothing.

"I was on my way to pick it up now."

"Roberto's been through some difficult times," the priest told her. "I'm not at liberty to tell you all the circumstances, but . . ."

"Oh, please, no. I wouldn't want you to break a confidence. It's nothing, really."

"If Roberto offended you . . ."

"He didn't. We had a difference of opinion."

Father Grady seemed relieved. "I'm glad to hear that. If you do find him disagreeable, all I ask is that you give him a bit of slack. He's a good man. I'd vouch for him any day."

"I'm sure what you say is true." Brynn stood and set the teacup back on the tray. "Now I really must be going."

Father Grady escorted her to the front door. "I'll see you Friday evening, then, around seven?"

Brynn nodded. "I'll be here."

The priest's eyes brightened with a smile. "Thank you, Brynn, I promise you won't regret this."

Brynn briskly walked the few blocks to Roberto Alcantara's garage. Earlier that afternoon, Emilio had personally delivered the message that her car was ready for her. The youth made sure the entire class heard him, as though the two of them had a personal business arrangement. Brynn had been forced to conceal her irritation.

As the afternoon progressed, she discovered she wasn't looking forward to another encounter with Emilio's older brother. The man was way off base. It was impossible to reason with anyone who regarded education as a waste of time. The fact that he'd actually urged his younger brother to drop out of school was nothing short of criminal.

"Yo, Miss Cassidy." Emilio, Modesto, and a few more of the boys from her class drove past her slowly and waved.

Brynn returned the gesture automatically. It wasn't until they'd turned the corner that she realized the boys were joyriding in her car.

Brynn bristled and hurried the last block to Roberto's. When she reached the garage, she stormed in the door. "Emilio's driving around in my car."

Roberto, who was working on another car, straightened. "Yes, I know."

She blinked. "You know."

"Yes, I gave him the keys myself."

The man had a way of flustering her unlike anyone she'd ever encountered. "Well, I want it back."

"You'll get it." He returned to the truck he was working on, disappearing behind the hood.

"Do you generally allow Emilio to ride around in your customers' cars?"

"No." His answer was clipped and didn't invite further inquiries.

His attitude - in fact, everything about Roberto - irritated Brynn. "I want my car returned," she insisted, her voice raised and tight. No matter what Father Grady claimed, it was plain to her that this man didn't have one shred of responsibility.

"And you'll have it."

Brynn crossed her arms and started to pace. Twice she made a show of looking at her watch.

"Emilio will be back any moment," Roberto said, continuing to work on another vehicle.

Bent over the engine as he was, Brynn couldn't see his face, but she had the distinct impression the mechanic was smiling. Her irritation amused him. That infuriated Brynn all the more.

"I want you to know that I don't appreciate being kept waiting."

Roberto straightened and reached for an oil rag; his dark, intense eyes meshed with hers. "I'm not one of your students, Miss Cassidy, so there's no need to yell."

"I was not yelling." She realized she was and lowered her voice immediately.

Roberto grinned broadly. "I suppose you'd like to send me to the principal."

"Aha!" Her arm flew out and she pointed at him with her index finger, wagging it while she gathered her thoughts. "I thought as much. You blame me because your brother was suspended."

"On the contrary. Emilio knows not to fight on school grounds. What is it the law enforcement people are so fond of quoting? Do the crime, pay the time. My brother deserved what he got."

"But you blame me?"

"No, I just wish you'd quit filling my brother's head with garbage."

Brynn clenched her jaw in an effort not to argue. This was the same mine-riddled ground they'd covered earlier. Brynn had no desire to do battle with Roberto a second time.

From the corner of her eye, she saw her car pull into an empty parking slot in front of the garage.

"Yo, Miss Cassidy," Emilio called out. "Your car's running like a dream."

Despite her misgivings, Brynn managed a