“Whenever you’re ready, you are welcome. And you can come eat with us any time you want.” She squeezed his upper arm. “You aremuy flaco.”
Austin leaned forward and hugged her again, holding on a little longer. “Thank you,” he whispered into her hair before releasing her and closing the door.
Then Javi swept his mom into his arms and held on tight.
“Thank you, Mom. Thank you. Let’s go home.”
He wished he had more to offer his friend besides a shared room in a trailer but Austin had to know they were offering more than space. They were offering acceptance and love.
Maybe one day Austin would take them up on it.
CHAPTER1
Fourteen years later
Javi pulledhis DPS cruiser over to the side of the road in front of the two passenger vans parked on the gravel shoulder of the ranch road. A group of people clustered around the back of the second van, some of them eating sandwiches, others drinking bottled water, none of them looking too happy at the moment.
Javi radioed dispatch that he was checking on the situation, and settled his khaki cowboy hat on his head as he emerged from the patrol car to approach the gathering.
“What’s going on here?” He addressed one of the women, who looked less upset than the others.
“The first van broke down, so we’re stuck here for a while until they can get it fixed.”
Javi scanned the group of ten people. A young guy sagged against the back of the van, one arm across his chest as he scrolled on his phone. A man and woman stood a little way apart, the woman holding out a bottle of water to the man like an apology while he gestured back at the van.
“Why can’t we at least take the good van and go into town out of the heat?” the man was demanding.
That request seemed reasonable, but Javi couldn’t figure out who was in charge. He walked over to the second van, saw the open doors, and through the windshield, saw the hood was up. As he passed, he read the words “Twister Sisters” on the front passenger door, along with a cartoon of a tornado with gloved hands and google eyes.
He circled around the front of the van. His gaze traveled from the pavement to the step stool, where sneakered feet were on tiptoe, then up curvy brown legs to the frayed cuffs of denim shorts, short enough the pockets peeked out the bottoms, and to the round booty practically pointed in the air as its owner leaned under the hood.
“Can I help you?” he asked the part of her that was hidden beneath the hood.
She braced her hands on the frame and lifted herself up to look at him. When she saw the uniform, she straightened suddenly, and clocked her head on the raised hood.
Javi stepped forward instantly, hand extended, as she lifted her hand to the back of her head. “Are you all right?”
She scowled, then checked her hand, presumably for blood. When it came away clear, she hopped off the step stool and shielded her eyes to look up at him. “Looks like it might be the water pump.”
He drew in a breath through his teeth. “Good thing you stopped.” She could have ruined the engine. He angled his head to look around her. The vans didn’t look old enough to be having problems.
“You want me to call a tow truck for you?”
“Um.” She ran a hand through her chin-length curly hair and looked back at the vehicle. “You know someone who will come way out here?”
He tapped his badge. “I have connections. Should I—should I call a bus for your passengers?”
She frowned and looked down the road at the gathered group. “How long would it take to get it out here? I think we might be able to squeeze them into the one van. How far to the nearest mechanic?”
“Broken Wheel is about half an hour that way.” He pointed. Then, “Are we expecting storms?”
Her big brown eyes brightened at that. “Oh, yes. Looks like tomorrow. I hope we can get the water pump replaced by then.”
He didn’t want to dim her excitement, but he was pretty sure they wouldn’t. “Are you sure it will be safe to fit ten people in that other van?”
“It seats twelve, but we always drive two vans, because it’s more comfortable for the passengers. They’re able to spread out, and that’s better for business. This.” She motioned to the broken van. “Is not. But yes, if you’ll please call for a tow truck, and I’ll get everyone in the other van so they can take off.”
She stepped back onto the asphalt to look around the stalled vehicle. “Angelica! We’re getting a tow truck. You all just take the other van and go.”