Sunny was so sick that she didn’t think she could make it to work. She really had to see an obstetrician pretty soon. Hiding her head in the sand wasn’t going to make the baby go away. In fact, she didn’t want him to go away. She was fascinated with the changes in her body, the knowledge that she had a tiny baby growing inside her. It was wondrous. She was so grateful that the drug Rado had given her hadn’t caused her to lose it. That was a blessing. Probably a minor miracle as well.
But she couldn’t stay in San Antonio. She’d filled out an online application for a children’s hospital in Houston and she’d given references. It was a sad thing, but necessary. She was going to miss Tonio. She’d miss John, too, the playboy rat. She’d only been another conquest. She wondered if he’d settled his attentions on some new woman. Probably. Well, it didn’t matter to Sunny. She was going to start over, in a new city, with her baby. She’d been on her own for a long time. She could manage.
She went into work and there was Tonio, in the canteen.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi.” He frowned. “Sunny, you look awful!”
She swallowed. “Some bug I caught, I guess. Oh, dear...” She left her coat and purse on the table and ran for the restroom.
Tonio waited, worried, until she reappeared, wiping her mouth with a paper towel from the bathroom. She sat down, but she looked like death warmed over.
“Sunny, you need to see a doctor,” he said gently.
She swallowed down another bout of nausea. “I guess I do,” she replied. She smiled, but it was an effort. “How’s the hot chocolate?”
“It’s not bad.”
“I think I need something fizzy.” She got a dollar bill and went to the machine, fed it in and got a ginger ale. She sipped it slowly as she sat back down. It did help the nausea, just a little.
Tonio was watching her closely. He was adding things up in his mind. His father had been with Sunny a lot. Tonio knew about pregnant women, because Adele had three children, all born since Tonio was in grammar school. Adele had thrown up a lot, and she’d look washed out like Sunny. What if Sunny was pregnant?
His eyes widened as he stared at her. “Sunny,” he said gently, “is there a reason you’re throwing up? Is that why you want to move to Houston, so that nobody here will know you’re pregnant?”
As a wild shot, it was genius. Sunny flushed and then she burst into tears. “Oh, Tonio, it’s such a mess,” she wept. She wiped at her eyes with the paper towel. “I did a stupid thing. Stupid! He didn’t want me. He was just out for a good time, he even said so. And here I am, like this, and I don’t know what to do... I hate him!” she added harshly.
Tonio was grinning from ear to ear. He had to hide that smile, quickly, because she looked at him suspiciously.
“Why are you smiling?” she wanted to know.
“Sorry. I’m sorry about you. But I was thinking that I’m going to get to go out for soccer,” he said suddenly. “Just a stray thought.”
“Oh.” She wiped her eyes. “You don’t tell anybody, okay?”
“Don’t go to Houston,” he said.
“I have to. I sent in an application already.” She wiped her eyes one last time and took one more sip of the ginger ale. “My mother would be so ashamed of me,” she said, and started crying again.
“No, she wouldn’t,” Tonio said firmly. “People make mistakes.”
“This is going to be one very large one, I’m afraid.”
“Do you want it?”
“More than anything in the world, despite everything,” she confessed. She managed a smile. “I’ll get through it somehow. But I have to leave San Antonio. I can’t explain. It’s just...complicated.”
“Well, you’re not going right now, today, right?” he asked.
“Not today,” she agreed.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
She smiled. “You bet. You watch out for Rado,” she added gently.
“You, too.”
“I’m safe enough here. See you.”
“See you.”
She went to work and he pulled out his cell phone.
* * *
John was just finishing a report on a robbery he’d helped solve when he heard the tone for a text alert on his phone.
He took it out of the holder, read the message and burst out with such a cry of joy that his coworkers gaped at him.
He didn’t say a word. He grabbed his hat and coat and ran out the door.
* * *
Sunny was just going on break when a tall man in a shepherd’s coat and a Stetson suddenly came up to her, picked her up gently and started kissing her madly.
“What do you think you’re—?!” was all she got out.
He couldn’t stop. He’d never been so happy in his life. She belonged to him. He was never letting her go again.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked against her soft mouth. “Never mind, I know now. It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry.” He kissed her again, aware of curious, amused stares all around them from her coworkers. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Where do you want to get married? I’d prefer San Fernando, but I’ll compromise. Just so long as we get married.”
She was certain that she’d gone mad and she was hearing voices. She held on tight, afraid that he might drop her. But of course he didn’t. He was so overjoyed that she was shocked. He didn’t seem like a man who was just playing with her.
“I don’t understand,” she tried again.
His mouth settled tenderly on her lips. “You’re pregnant,” he whispered. “I’m so happy. Oh, God, it’s like a miracle! You and a baby...!” He kissed her harder.
She kissed him back. She was beginning to realize that he actually meant it. He was happy about the baby. He wasn’t going to push her away. “You want the baby?” she whispered softly, searching his black eyes.
“Of course I want it!” he said huskily. He studied her hungrily. “I want you. I’m sorry I was so stupid. I was jealous of Hollister. I didn’t understand.” He kissed her again. “God, I’ve missed you! ¡Mi vida, mi alma, te quiero!”
“You love me?” she faltered.
“With all my heart. With all I am,” he breathed into her mouth. “You have to marry me.”
She started to speak when the elevator opened and a tall man came into the room. He was a Texas Ranger, like the man beside him.
“Sergeant?” Lieutenant Avery asked, because his subordinate was acting in a very odd manner. He was carrying a pretty blonde nurse and he looked...spellbound.
John stared at him blankly for a minute, then he grinned. “We’re pregnant,” he said. “She’s going to marry me. You are, right?” he asked Sunny, who nodded, stunned.
“Well!” the lieutenant replied.
“We’ll need somebody to give her away,” John said, eyeing his boss. “Would you?”
Avery chuckled at Sunny’s expression. “Sure. Just tell me where and when. But for the moment, Ruiz, you might put her down. We’ve got some people to interview. One of them’s here, in the ER. Your son said you were headed this way.”
“My son. Oh, God, I have to text him back,” he said. He put Sunny down. “I’ll pick you up after work, okay? We can make plans. You can come down to the ranch with me.”
“Plans. The ranch. Your son.” She just stared up at him blankly, her mind whirling.
“Plans.” He kissed her one last time. “I’ll be here when you get off duty.”
She watched him go blankly.
“I suppose congratulations are in order,” Merrie York teased. “I’m so happy for you! For two reasons!” she added with a pointed glance at Sunny’s stomach.
Sunny burst out laughing. “I guess congratulations are in order,” she said. She hugged Merrie, with tears of utter joy rolling down her flushed cheeks. “And I thought he was just playing, that he didn’t really want me! Oh, I’m so happy!”
“I’m happy for you, sweetie,” Merrie replied. “He’s gorgeous.”
“He truly is.”
“But right now, we’d better get to work. Mayes is growling in our direction.” She indicated the stoic supervisor at her desk.
Sunny made a face. “I’ll explain it all to her.”
“Take her a cup of coffee before you do. It works wonders,” Merrie teased.
* * *
Sunny wondered who’d told John that she was pregnant. Merrie knew Ruiz, and she’d known about the morning sickness that didn’t seem to happen just in the morning. But Merrie only knew Ruiz as a Ranger. Besides, she didn’t think Merrie would sell her out. And Tonio didn’t even know Ruiz.
She gnawed on the question all through her shift, until she went downstairs with her coat and purse and found a radiant John waiting for her.
He helped her into the coat, kissing her soft hair. “Let’s go home, sweetheart,” he whispered, and he led her out to the SUV.
* * *
She felt like treasure. He held her hand the whole way to Jacobsville and filled her in on Rado’s case. They’d tracked him down to Victoria, where he was hiding out with a cousin. Law enforcement officers from several agencies had surrounded the house and arrested him for capital murder.
It was like a dream come true. With Rado and most of his gang out of the way, Sunny and especially Tonio would be safe. She’d have to tell John about her young friend. He’d like him, too.
John pulled up in front of the massive house and Sunny just stared as he lifted her down to the ground.
“It’s magnificent,” she said.
“An old Spanish land grant,” he told her, holding her hand as he led her to the front door. “I also own property in Argentina. A lot of property. A thriving thoroughbred stud farm and thousands of acres surrounding it.”
“My gosh!”
He bent and kissed her tenderly. “One more surprise left,” he whispered. He opened the door.
“Sunny!” Tonio exclaimed. He ran forward to hug her and hug her. “Is she going to marry you?” he asked his dad excitedly. “She likes yellow roses, I told you. If you bring her a big bouquet and a pint of hot chocolate, I know she’ll say yes!”
Sunny was shell-shocked. “Tonio?” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s my home,” he said with a smug grin. “That’s my dad,” he added, indicating the man beside her, who was also grinning.
She felt her face going numb. “I need to...” she began, and fainted dead away.
When she came to, Tonio was holding her hand and John was sitting on the sofa beside her, bathing her face with a cold, wet cloth.
“You have to see a doctor,” John said firmly. “You need special vitamins and checkups and things so we can have a healthy baby.”
“Gosh, that’s so cool,” Tonio exclaimed. “I won’t be an only child anymore!”
Sunny smiled at him. “I’m so happy,” she said, and choked up.
“It’s the baby,” John said indulgently. “Hormones.”
“I read about hormones in school,” Tonio volunteered. His eyebrows arched. “Would you like some ice cream and dill pickles?”
Sunny burst out laughing. “No, but I wouldn’t say no to a nice cup of black coffee.”
“Decaf,” John said. “Not the strong stuff. I’ll make it...”
“You will not. I’ll make it,” Adele said from the kitchen. She’d been eavesdropping. She came in, leaned over and hugged Sunny. “A baby in the house! I can hardly wait! My sons are too big to be hugged, they say. I’m Adele.”
“I’m Sunny,” she replied, returning the hug. “You can hold the baby any time you like,” she added with a tearful smile.
“If you can get around me,” John teased. “I love babies. I used to give him his bottle when his mama was sick. He was a sweet baby. He grew into a brave boy,” he added, and Tonio beamed.
“I am so dumbfounded,” Sunny said, breathless as she looked around her. “Tonio told me his father was always working.”
“I am,” John confessed sheepishly. “I get called out all hours. I’d always go, because we had married Rangers with babies and I covered for them. Not anymore,” he chuckled. “Now I’ll have one of my own and somebody can cover for me!”
“All this time,” Sunny said as she sat up and Adele went to work in the kitchen. She looked from Tonio to John. “I never knew you two were related.”
“I couldn’t tell you,” Tonio said sadly. “I was afraid you’d tell him about David if you knew who he was. And I couldn’t tell him about David because I was afraid he’d make me stay away from him.”
“Secrets,” Sunny said, shaking her head. “How’s the video game?” she asked suddenly.
“It’s great! I play it all the time.”
“That new one?” John wondered. He sat down beside Sunny and linked his fingers with hers. “I wondered where you got it.”
“Admit it. You thought I’d lifted it from a shop,” Tonio teased.
“No,” John said, smiling indulgently. “My son wouldn’t steal. He’s above such things.”
Tonio flushed with pride. “Thanks, Dad.” He plopped down on the other side of Sunny. “So when are we getting married?”
John chuckled. “We’ll get the license first thing in the morning. There’s a seventy-two-hour waiting period, but I can get a judge to waive that,” he said easily. “So day after tomorrow. That will give us time to outfit your new mother in a spiffy wedding gown. We’ll get one from our local designer, Marcella. She does couture stuff for a design house that belongs to one of Tippy Grier’s friends in New York City.”
“A designer gown? But, John,” Sunny protested, worried about the expense.
“We own a thoroughbred horse stud in Argentina,” he said, surprising his son. “I used to drive a new Jaguar sports car, every year, before I married your mother,” he told the boy. “We both agreed that you should grow up as normally as possible, so we dressed you out of department stores and never put you in private schools.”
“Jaguars,” Tonio said, with wide eyes. “Horse stud. Argentina.” He was spellbound.
“You’re not to let it go to your head,” John said firmly.
Tonio crossed his heart. “Sure. But you have to promise me a Jaguar sports car when I graduate from college,” he added mischievously.
“Done,” John chuckled.
* * *
Dinner was a boisterous affair. Sunny had never felt so much a part of a family, not since she lost her own.
“It’s magic here,” she told John while they sat in the living room, after Adele had gone home and Tonio was immersed in the video game Sunny had given him for Christmas. “I love this house. And Adele’s so sweet!”
“Her husband is just as nice as she is.” He kissed her softly, his black eyes full of love. “I hope you don’t want to stop at one child,” he teased.
She smiled under his mouth. “No, I don’t,” she whispered back.
He drew her across his lap and kissed her hungrily. But suddenly she caught her breath and looked green. “I’m so sorry, but...!”
He anticipated what was coming. He carried her quickly down the hall to his bedroom and put her down inside the bathroom. She barely made it in time. He stayed with her, brushing back her long hair, whispering soft words. When she was finished, he gave her mouthwash in a cup and helped her rinse out her mouth. Then he carried her to bed and laid her on the coverlet.
“No way are you going back to your apartment,” he said firmly. “Not in this condition.”
“But, John,” she began.
“He’s right,” Tonio said, coming into the room. “Sorry,” he said with a smile. “I heard the commotion and came to see if I could help. You have to stay here, Sunny, where we can take care of you when you’re sick.”
“See?” John added with a smile toward his son. “You’re outvoted. Majority wins.”
“But I don’t even have a nightgown,” she protested.
“I can fix that.” John pulled out his cell phone and punched in numbers. “Adele? Sunny’s too sick to go back to a lonely apartment, can you loan her a gown? Yes. Sure. Thanks!”
John hung up. “She’ll bring you one. Luckily you’re about the same size,” he teased.
She bit her lip and tears ran down her cheeks at the affection she saw on her men’s faces. “You’re so sweet... Oh, dear...” She was up and running for the bathroom.
John turned to Tonio as he started to follow her. “Pregnant women 101,” he said. “An educational experience.”
Tonio burst out laughing as he followed his father to the bathroom. “It’s okay, Sunny, we’re here! We’ll save you!”
She made a reply but it was lost in a burst of nausea.
* * *
Nausea notwithstanding, they went the next morning early to get a marriage license. John had taken a day off work, and notified his lieutenant that as soon as he could talk to a judge about waiving the waiting period, they were en route to Jacobsville, where Marcella had a wedding gown in Sunny’s size. Father Eduardo was going to marry them. Sunny had taken two sick days as well.
“You’ll love Father Eduardo,” he told Sunny after they obtained the license, and got a judge to waive the seventy-two-hour waiting period. They were on the way to Jacobsville, to Marcella’s Boutique. “He’s got a big heart. He and Hollister used to run together, in the old days.”
“He was a mercenary?” Sunny asked, shocked.
“A good one, from what I hear. He’s even better at handling gang violence.” And then he related the story he’d been told about the priest who was attacked by seven of Los Diablos Lobitos and put several of them in the hospital.
“Wow,” she said softly.
He chuckled. “Not your usual priest.” He glanced at her hungrily. “My own nurse, with my own little cowboy right under her heart,” he whispered. “You can’t imagine how that excites me.”
Her hand tightened in his. “I’m sorry I’m such a sick mess right now.”
“You’ll get better,” he promised. “Morning sickness doesn’t last forever. Honest.”
“I do hope you’re right.”
“You’ll see,” he said easily.
* * *
The gown Marcella had in stock was one she’d designed for another client, who backed out of her wedding at the last minute and ran off with another man. It was a symphony of white lace with delicate pastel embroidery in the hem and the fingertip veil. It fit Sunny like a glove, and when she stared, spellbound into the mirror, she saw a pretty woman who looked as if she owned the world. It was a shame that she couldn’t let John see her in it, but she was just superstitious enough not to.
“You’ll be the most beautiful bride ever,” Marcella teased as she put the gown delicately into a carrier.
“She already is,” John said huskily, as he joined them and handed Marcella his credit card.
Sunny was lost for words. She pressed close against John’s side, so much in love and so happy that she couldn’t even express it in words. But he knew. He was feeling the same things she was, the wonder of being in love and being loved in return.
* * *
They drove back to her apartment. She changed into her gown and he left to go to the church. By the time she was dressed, Colter Banks was in the living room, ready to drive Sunny to Father Eduardo’s church. That had been agreed on earlier, since Sunny wouldn’t let John see her in the dress before the wedding. Lieutenant Avery, who was giving her away, was also en route. Banks would serve as best man. But at the last minute, John caved in and phoned Hollister to invite him to the wedding. Hollister was amused, because he could still hear traces of jealousy in John’s deep voice. But he agreed to come. He’d always been fond of Sunny. He was happy that things had worked out for the two of them.
He was surprised to find Tonio in the seats on the groom’s side of the interior. Several nurses, including Merrie York, and a few off-duty residents and interns, were also sitting together on Sunny’s side.
Hollister slid into the pew beside Tonio. “What are you doing here?” he teased. “I thought you’d be on the bride’s side over there.”
“I’m on my dad’s side,” Tonio replied, grinning.
“Your dad?”
Tonio nodded and pointed to John, who was standing at the altar, waiting for the music to begin. “My dad.”
“Oh, good lord,” Hollister said, remembering his conversations with Tonio. “I never knew who your dad was. Well, you come from good people.”
“Thanks. Sunny’s going to be my mom. It’s like a dream come true,” he added, beaming.
“I can imagine.”
The music interrupted any further comments. The “Wedding March” played on the pipe organ, while Sunny came down the aisle on Lieutenant Avery’s arm. As Tonio looked back, he noticed some burly, unsmiling men in expensive suits, including one big one who had a little blonde woman and a toddler with him, and, across from them, some boys in gang colors. Serpientes! Friends of the priest, Tonio imagined, who were there just in case any of the wolves showed up to cause trouble. What a mixture, Tonio thought, laughing inwardly.
Father Eduardo smiled as the lieutenant turned Sunny over to John and sat down. Colter Banks stood beside John, as best man. Merrie York joined Sunny as maid of honor. The ceremony began.
Tonio watched with delight, as his father married the nicest woman he’d ever known, besides his own mother.
* * *
The priest pronounced them man and wife. John raised her veil solemnly and kissed Sunny with aching tenderness. They smiled at each other as if they were the only two people who’d ever been in love. In the audience, Tonio beamed. So did Hollister.
As they made their way to the back of the church, the big man in the expensive suit stepped out into the aisle.
Sunny, who recognized him, stopped to introduce her husband to the big man, who was her landlord.
“John, this is Marcus Carrera,” she said. “His wife, Delia, is from Jacobsville.”
“It’s an honor,” John said, shaking the big man’s hand. “Thank you for being so kind to Sunny.”
“She’s easy to be kind to,” came the reply. Carrera smiled. “Money’s no good if you can’t do useful things with it.”
“My thought exactly,” John said, without elaborating. Later, his wife and son would discover that he funded scholarships at several colleges and helped fund many outreach programs at local hospitals and churches.
“I hope you’ll be as happy as we are,” Delia said, smiling as she jostled her son on her hip. “You just need one of these to make your marriage perfect,” she added teasingly.
“Oh, we’re already there,” John said, pulling Sunny close. “Just a few more months,” he added. “It’s like Christmas already.”
“I know the feeling,” Marcus said. “Be happy. If you ever need help, I’ll be around.”
“Thanks,” John said, and Sunny echoed the sentiment.
Merrie York came up to hug them both on her way out, standing beside Colter Banks. “Congratulations. I know you’re going to be happy.”
“Yes, we are,” Sunny said. “We’re going to wait on our honeymoon, so I’ll see you day after tomorrow,” she added.
“I’ll see you,” Merrie replied with a smile.
Banks watched her go. “She’s nice,” he said.
“Her whole family’s nice,” Sunny replied. “Her brother has a ranch in Jacobsville.”
“Well, Mrs. Ruiz, ready to go home?” John asked with a grin.
She pressed against his side. “More than ready. Tonio, I wish you could come, too.”
“I’ll be along after school,” Tonio replied, hugging Sunny. “It was nice of the principal to let me out for the wedding.”
“It was, indeed. We’ll drop you by on the way home. Maybe we can talk to the principal in Jacobsville about getting you reinstated next year,” he added.
“Not until after soccer season’s over,” Tonio protested. “I’m going to be a star!”
“He is pretty good,” John said.
“I imagine he’s good at anything he wants to do,” Sunny said with an affectionate smile. “I love having a son of my very own,” she added softly.
Tonio fought a lump in his throat. “I love having a mom of my very own,” he replied after a second.
“Will you two stop before I start bawling?” John grumbled. “Imagine that, if anybody sees me, a grown Texas Ranger with tears rolling down his face? We’d be disgraced!”
“Sorry, Dad,” Tonio said.
“Sorry, John,” Sunny added. But she grinned from ear to ear. She knew that John was fighting some strong emotions of his own.
“That’s all right, then,” he said. He smiled indulgently.
* * *
They dropped Tonio off at school and went home to a blessedly empty house. An hour later, they were draped over each other in a damp, spent tangle.
“Better than ever,” he whispered huskily.
“Much better than ever,” she agreed, stretching and wincing. It had been a rather overly enthusiastic coming together, and she was sore. She laughed. “It just gets better and better.”
“Yes, it does.” He pulled her over and kissed her softly. He brushed back her tangled hair. “Have I mentioned that I’m crazy about you?”
“Several times. Did I mention that I’m also crazy about you?”
He nodded. “Several times.”
She drew in a long breath. “I feel like I’ve come home.”
“Me, too.” He wrapped her up tight. “I’m sleepy.”
“I’m sleepy, too.”
They dozed off.
* * *
“Mom? Dad?”
There was knocking on the locked bedroom door. Loud knocking.
John came awake at once, attuned to sudden interruptions. “Tonio?”
“Can you come out?” Tonio called. “I have a surprise!”
John kissed Sunny awake. “Our son has a surprise,” he teased.
“Oh. Of course.” She got up, nude, looked around at her beautiful wedding dress and her underthings draped over a chair and made a sudden realization. “John, I have no clothes!”
He looked at her with sated passion. “I suppose we have to dress you in something. Okay. I have an idea.”
He pulled out a pair of jeans that were too small for him and a thick flannel shirt. His eyebrows arched as he handed them to her hesitantly.
She burst out laughing. “They’ll do. But we have to go back to San Antonio and get my clothes tomorrow, okay?”
He had some shopping in mind, but he didn’t tell her. “Okay.”
She dressed quickly and they went out into the living room. Tonio called from the kitchen. They went in, and their faces brightened. Adele had made a wedding cake. An elegant, beautiful cake, with a bride and groom on top. Beside the cake, there were covered dishes of every sort.
“People have been bringing food for the past hour,” Adele said, grinning at them. “But I made the cake. There are cards and flowers from so many people,” she added, shaking her head. “You’d think the President just got married here!”
Sunny and John exchanged delighted looks. “I don’t think we even know this many people,” he said when he saw the stack of cards on the table.
“How sweet of them!” Sunny exclaimed.
“We could take wedding pictures, but,” John said worried, noting how poor Sunny was dressed.
She hugged him. “I’ll have real clothes tomorrow. We can take them then. It’s okay. Honest.”
He shook his head. “Adele, thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.” She had a mischievous look. “You need something borrowed and blue for the wedding, even if I missed it because of my doctor’s appointment. You come with me and I’ll provide both,” she told Sunny.
And she did. Sunny had her wedding photos with John taken in a beautiful borrowed blue shirtwaist dress with all the appropriate underthings, while her new son stood by and watched with loving eyes.
Their new baby, Rafael Wesley Ruiz, was born several months later. A daughter, Angelica, followed the next year. And they did live, all of them, happily ever after.
* * * * *