Armando Returns (Barboza Brothers) (26 page)

Patty
’s eyes widened. She patted his back. “I don’t feel obligated. I enjoy this.”

Ramon grinned.
“Well, thanks.” Then he covered his mouth as he produced a big yawn. “Excuse me. It’s been a long day. I gotta go check on everything out back before I call it quits.”

Patty said,
“Well, dinner’ll be waiting when you’re ready.”

Isaac gasped.
“Can I come? Pwease?”

“
We need to ask your mom,” Ramon said, tilting his head to the side, giving Cara a pleading look.

Cara
’s worried eyes passed between Ramon and Isaac. She hesitated, then said, “Yeah, I suppose.”

Ramon nodded at Isaac and said,
“All right. Come on.”

In seconds they rushed out of the kitchen and down the hall to the back door, chatting like old friends.

Cara smiled at Patty and said, “Worked like a charm.”

Katie asked,
“What are you talking about?”

“
Well,” Patty said, “I’m staying here under somewhat false pretenses, to cook and make Ramon’s life a little easier. Give him some motherly love.”

Nodding, Cara said,
“Yeah. And it’s working much faster than we thought it would.”

“
Why?” Katie asked. “To make him less of a jerk?”

“
Yes,” Cara said, flatly.

Patty shot Cara a scolding glance.
“He’s a sweet boy. He just needs a little love, that’s all.”

As Cara was about to reply, Armando walked in, making a beeline for Katie.

Katie dropped her knife and smiled when he came up behind her, his arms around her waist. He brushed her hair off her shoulder and gave her neck a quick peck. She closed her eyes and let the sensation from his lips rush through her...wishing they were alone.

Cara and Patty acted like they weren
’t watching.

Armando kissed Katie
’s cheek and pulled her closer. “Sorry about that. Been in meetings most of the day.” He reached into his pocket and produced a credit card, which he slipped into Katie’s hand. “Here. Tonight, maybe you and one of these ladies can go shopping after dinner. You need something to wear to work tomorrow.”

Katie
’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Huh? I can just go to my apartment in the morning before work.”

Armando shook his head.
“No.” His voice softened. “I’d rather you not go back there until I think it’s safe.” He kissed her cheek again.

Rolling her eyes, Katie said,
“You’re
really
overreacting about Mitch. He’s not that kind of a guy.”

Armando shrugged.
“Well, humor me, then. Besides, even if he wouldn’t hurt you, he might be jealous enough to camp outside your door and beg you to get back together. And who knows what your parents might do. We don’t need any more stress. I think it’s best you just stay out of that apartment until we get back from L.A. on Sunday night. I’ve got a security guy looking after it in the meantime.”

“
What?” Katie’s jaw dropped and she looked up at him over her shoulder. “That’s excessive.”

Armando cast her a doubtful look.
“No, it’s not. I’ll do anything to keep you with me. After all we’ve been through, do you really think I’d take a chance on losing you again?” He smiled. “Trust me, it’s not excessive. It’s caution. So, just go shopping tonight. Get anything you need to last you through the next few days. If you must have something from your apartment, I’ll send someone to get it for you. But you’re not going back there. And tomorrow morning I’ll have someone drive you to work and bring you back to the ranch.”

Katie fumbled with the credit card in her fingers.
“Okay...I guess…”

Patty chuckled.
“Honey, if a man gives you a credit card and tells you to buy whatever you want, you take it and buy
whatever
you want.”

“
No,” Katie said. “I’ll only use it for what I really need, I promise.”

Armando smiled down at her.
“It’s okay. Spoil yourself a little.”

Cara glared at Patty with a groan.
“And Mom? Remember. You keep your mouth shut. No long talks with random strangers. A lot of people around here probably know Katie’s family. Word travels fast.”

Patty
’s voice was sad. “But that’s how I met my husband.” Then she closed her eyes and raised a hand like she was taking an oath. “But I’ve learned my lesson. I promise, my lips are sealed.” Patty opened her eyes and saw their confusion, so she explained. “You see, my new husband is the man Victor’s ex-girlfriend hired to spy on us.”

Armando and Katie both said,
“What?” at the same time.

Katie now understood the odd glances Cara
gave her mother when they spoke earlier about keeping their secret.

Patty nodded.
“Yes. Tom took a seat next to me one afternoon at the park. Such a sweet, handsome man. He started talking. I started talking.” She shrugged. “How was I supposed to know he was a private investigator?”

Cara said,
“He quit that job the very next day to be with Mom.”

“
Yes,” Patty said. “He’s a wonderful man. We hit it off right away.”

Armando cleared his throat.
“Please promise me you won’t strike up any random conversations here in Turnbrook. People are nosy, especially if you’re from out of town.”

Katie nodded.
“Yes. And everyone around here knows Ramon, at least in passing. And they
all
know my parents. If they hear you’re staying in this house—”

Patty interrupted.
“I swear, I understand. Not a peep outta me.”

* * * * *

Tom and Victor arrived at the house just before dinner. Victor took Katie and Armando aside and told them they needed to have a talk afterward.

Dinner was not as awkward as Katie previously feared. Ramon was too tired to do much besides shove food into his mouth. And there was enough conversation to keep her sufficiently distracted from her worries, even if her appetite was non-existent.

As the others cleaned up after dinner, Victor signaled for Katie and Armando to come down to Ramon
’s office.

When they entered the room, they saw Tom sitting behind the desk. He nervously ran a hand through his gray hair, then adjusted his glasses.
“Have a seat,” he said.

Katie and Armando sat in front of the desk. Victor sat
on a stool close by.

Tom started with,
“Since we just met at dinner, let me formally introduce myself.” He gave Katie a gentle grin and leaned forward, his fingers knitted together on the desk. “Tom Sutton. Retired cop. Part-time investigator. Proud newlywed.” He cleared his throat. “Victor and Armando asked me to look into some things. You’re probably already aware.”

Katie gave a little shrug.
“Somewhat, yeah. I don’t know the specifics.”

Tom nodded.
“Basically, I’m trying to answer some questions about the past. Victor and I’ve spent most of the day researching public records. Seeing if we can find a starting point.”

Victor interjected,
“Haven’t found much so far.”

“
Nope,” Tom said. “And you’re probably wondering why you’re here. So, now that you have a little bit of background, I’ll tell you.” He continued to speak as he opened a drawer and pulled out an electronic tablet, tapping the screen with his finger. “Armando also wanted me to do a little research on Mitch.”

“
Oh Lord.” Katie’s stomach churned.

“
It’s okay,” Tom said. “Since you already broke up you may not even care about this anymore. But it’s only right that I inform you anyway.”

Armando
’s eyebrows shot up.

Katie groaned.

Tom let out a heavy sigh as he handed the tablet over the desk to Katie. “In short, he’s cheating on you.”

Katie set her mouth firmly as she shook her head and reached forward to take the tablet.
“I had a feeling. We had this big argument about it on Monday night. I feel like such an idiot.” She sighed. “Oh well. It’s over now…” Her voice trailed off as she examined the first picture. “Is this in the backseat of his car? It’s hard to see anything.”

Tom nodded.
“Yeah. I’m only allowed to take pictures in public places. Those are along the street or in a parking lot. There’s twenty-five pictures, total. All today. I gotta tell ya, it was too easy. He’s a bold one.”

Katie flipped to the next picture, and gasped.
“Oh my God!”

“
What?” Armando leaned over to see.

Katie gritted her teeth and went to another picture. This time she growled, then shouted,
“You’ve
got
to be kidding me! It’s Jennifer!”

Armando
’s eyebrows knitted. “Who’s Jennifer?”

Pausing long enough to make eye contact with him, she said,
“She’s the absolute worst employee at the restaurant. If she was any worse, I would’ve already fired her. The only thing she’s really good for is flirting with the male customers.” She snorted and went to the next picture. “What the hell? Kissing in broad daylight?”

Tom
’s eyes widened and leaned back in his chair. “Like I said. He’s a bold one.”

Katie
’s cheeks reddened as her anger increased. “It makes so much sense now. I bet they were together in Dallas over the weekend. That’s why she called out sick on Saturday. And that’s why she’s been so jealous of all the presents he sent me at work this week.” She brought the tablet to her lap for a moment and stared off at the wall. “How could I have been so stupid? I remember one night weeks ago I was complaining about her to Mitch and he was all like, ‘don’t fire her’ and I didn’t even catch on. It was right there in front of my face the whole time.” She looked at Tom. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been going on?”

Tom shrugged.

Victor said, “I was with Tom for a while when he took some of those. Seemed like they were familiar with each other, not like a new relationship at all.”

“
Yeah.” Tom nodded. “That’s what I was thinking. That argument this afternoon…”

“
This afternoon.” Katie shook her head as tears of rage filled her eyes. “It was after I broke up with him. He went straight to her.”

Confused, Armando asked,
“What’s wrong? Are you jealous or something?”

Katie scoffed as her eyes met his.
“Hell no, I’m not jealous. I’m pissed! After the way he played my emotions today? Begging me for another chance? He made me feel terrible for breaking up with him and the whole time he was…” She looked down at the tablet and saw the next picture of Mitch and Jennifer clearly making out. “Oh my God!”

She put the tablet on the desk and stuck her palm against her forehead.
“Oh no. No, no, no. I can’t believe this. I spent all weekend trying to be faithful when I knew I didn’t love him anymore. I tried to do what was right. And he’s been cheating on me. Probably for a long time.” She sniffled. “Why would he do this? If he wanted her all along, why didn’t he just break up with me?”

Armando softened his voice in an effort not to provoke more anger.
“Do you think it had something to do with your dad? Political connections?”

“
Maybe.” Katie stared straight ahead. “Yeah. Maybe he was just using me for that all along. Wow. I’m the dumbest person in the world.”

“
No.” Tom shook his head. “Don’t say that about yourself. This happens to the best of us and I see it all the time. There’s a million theories about why people cheat. Chances are, he wants to marry you for the right reasons. But there’s something about having a girl on the side that makes him feel good about himself. Maybe he’s told himself all along he’d stop when you got married. And please, don’t get me wrong. I’m certainly not taking up for this guy.” Tom gave her a sympathetic look. “But you’re not stupid.”

“
Thanks for saying that.” Katie nodded, then reached forward to take a tissue from the box on the desk. “Is it okay if I ask you to email me those pictures?”

“
Sure,” Tom said.

Katie then thought about some good that would result from Mitch
’s cheating.

It lessened her guilt over breaking up with him.

And it would certainly close the meddling mouths of her friends and family—especially her mother.

* * *
* *

The next day at work, Katie was determined to make time pass quickly until the end of the day when she could start her long weekend with Armando. So, she busied herself with any task she could find.

She also tried to stay the hell away from Jennifer, but it was nearly impossible. Katie considered Jennifer
“almost bad enough to fire,” but never found enough reason to actually do it. And she refused to fire her today out of spite. Katie had no intention of confronting Jennifer, at least, not yet. Today she simply wanted to be away from the perky blond server, lest she lose her temper in front of the customers.