More than a Maid (32 page)

Ramon didn't want to fight with her. He just wanted to surprise her and hopefully sweep her off her feet.

At twenty minutes till eight, Ramon knocked on Marcy's door with a bouquet of roses in his hand. His palms were sweaty and his chest felt tight. This was the first time in his entire life that he'd gone to such trouble for a woman, and he prayed it'd be worth it.

Ramon's heart pounded furiously as the door swung open. But when he saw that nerdy little prick standing there, he clenched the bouquet, staring him down. With a smirk, Ramon asked, "Who the fuck are you?"

The guy smirked back at him. "Who the fuck you think?"

This had to be Andrew.

Ramon immediately imagined an uppercut to his jaw. He made a fist with one hand, cracking his knuckles, and gruffly said, "For Marcy's sake, I'm gonna be the bigger man here and walk away." Besides, with the bad luck he'd had today, he'd end up in jail in New Jersey.

Blood boiling, Ramon turned around and walked down to the car as Andrew slammed the door behind him. Did Marcy lie to him? She had Saturday night plans all along?

With
him
?

Ramon chucked the roses at a bush before opening his car door.

But he couldn't find the strength to leave. He gazed up at her door, ready to fly into a rage. She'd made a fool of him.

But damn it, he needed to see Marcy. The thought of her with any other guy made him want to bend the steering wheel in half.

Marcy was the one for him. He didn't need to wait and see if they should start a long distance relationship. After all the women he'd been with, none of them intrigued him enough to be more than a distant memory. But he'd been captivated by Marcy from the day they met—their first real conversation in her bedroom. He knew a good thing when he found it. She fit him, the same way the ranch fit him from the day he moved there.

And today, she was coming home with him.

Ramon flung the car door open and ran back up to her door. He simply pounded on it, yelling, "Marcy!"

In seconds, the door opened and she stood there, looking more beautiful than ever. Her hands went to her mouth and her eyes went wide. Then she dropped her arms to her sides and said, "What are you doing here? I was waiting for you to call!"

Shrugging, Ramon said, "This was better." He looked at Andrew and nodded at the door. "Get out."

Andrew sneered. "What the hell? Didn't she move back here to get away from you?"

Ramon glared at him, this time not caring whether or not he went to jail. "I'm gonna show you a little mercy and let you walk outta here before she sees me put your head through a wall,
cabrón
."

Marcy looked at Andrew. "Go. Just go. Take the food with you."

Ramon didn't wait around to see if he left. He rushed past him, found Marcy's bedroom, and opened her closet. He pulled a suitcase from a shelf at the top and threw it on the bed. Instantly, Ramon opened drawers and started piling underwear into the suitcase.

Marcy rushed into the room. "What are you doing?"

"Packin' for you." He shot her a quick glance. "You're comin' home with me."

"What?" Marcy gaped at him. "No! You can't just bully your way in here and do this!"

"I'm just settin' things right, baby doll." He tossed a few bras into the suitcase, then went to her closet for shoes. "You'd still be livin' in my house if I hadn't fucked up." He turned over his shoulder to look in her eyes. "Right?"

"I guess so… maybe…" Marcy went to the suitcase and began removing the items he'd put there. "But we both know we were moving too fast."

Ramon spun around, grabbing her wrist, stopping her as he caught her eyes. "When somethin's right, it's right. And I don't blame you for gettin' pissed about those other girls. Shit, I can't stand the thought of you and that jerk," he made a face, "or any other guy." He tightened his grip, his voice firm. "Fuck what anyone thinks about us. We can make our own rules about how fast we're supposed to move. You belong with me and you know it."

Stunned, Marcy shook her head. "Ramon—"

"Shh." Ramon placed a finger against her lips to quiet her. Staring into her eyes, he shoved the suitcase off the bed and pulled her forward, his mouth locking on hers.

Their kiss was perfect. Better than familiar. Better than anything Ramon ever felt in his life.

But a moment later, her palms went to his shoulders, pushing him away.

"What's wrong?" Ramon asked, dumbfounded and breathless. "You don't want me anymore?"

For the life of her, Marcy didn't know exactly why she pushed Ramon away.

Her eyes fixed on the sexy man, trying to remember what rose up in her a moment earlier that made her stop him. All she could think about now was running her fingers through his dark, curly hair, letting her hands work their way down his body as they ripped each others' clothes off…

But then it came back to her—a memory flooding her thoughts like a tidal wave.

The pain. His trust issues. All those women.

Leaving home to start a brand new life with a guy who didn't want to let her in. She'd moved out just in time. Staying longer meant she would've fallen in love with Ramon and there'd be no turning back.

But deep down, Marcy feared she was already there.

Rapidly, she shook her head. "I can't go through this again. You always find reasons to shut me out. It's too painful."

"I'll stop doing that."

"How am I supposed to believe you?" She shrugged, her mouth hanging open. "Do you know how terrible it made me feel when you told me you didn't trust me, then took up residence out back in that trailer?"

"I'll get rid of that trailer."

"No! Then you'll just find other places to go. My point is, you shut me out. Twice! And we'd only known each other a month!"

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm goin' through a lot right now." Ramon let out an exhausted sigh, pain flashing across his face. "Look, I'm new at this."

"New at what?"

He rolled his eyes, then said, "This relationship…
thing
," as if he had to force the words out.

"You're not new at this. You've had girlfriends before."

"Not like you," Ramon said with a shy grin. "Believe me, I'm new at this."

Marcy slumped down on the bed, facing away from him, her stomach tingling with nerves. She was new at this, too.

Ramon sat down beside her, gently curling an arm around her back. "I'm so sorry for how I've acted with you. I—"

"Do you love me, Ramon?" She looked into his eyes.

"Uh…" He blinked, then stammered, then blinked some more, his eyes darting around at nothing specific.

She waited patiently.

Finally, Ramon gazed straight ahead at the wall and said, "That's a strong word. And we haven't known each other that long."

"I know." She placed a hand on his knee. "But you want me to uproot my life and move eighteen hundred miles away for you when you're not sure how you feel about me. Does that sound smart to you?" She sighed. "I know it doesn't seem like I have a whole lot going on here. I don't have a job or a house of my own. But I have friends. I have some family. And I have a history in this city. It's my home. And I can't just move for—"

"Do you love me, Marcy?"

Marcy gulped. She glanced in his eyes once, then looked away. Weakly, she said, "My feelings were headed in that direction."

Ramon drew her close to his side. "Then come back with me."

"I can't. It hurts when I think about it."

Ramon pulled his arm away, turned his face to the floor, and stood. Softly, he said, "I should get goin', then." Making no eye contact with her, he left the room, dragging along as if she'd punched him.

Marcy took a breath and almost said, "Stay." But maybe he was right to leave. Break it off completely before they really got serious. After all, she was only being honest with him. The thought of moving just so they could break up again caused her more pain than she had told him. Maybe he understood, and that's why he needed to go.

She watched him leave the room, and with a thin layer of tears in her eyes, she stayed on the bed, listening for the sound of the front door opening.

But instead, she heard his footsteps enter her bedroom again.

Marcy wiped her eyes and rose to her feet.

Ramon's sad eyes bored into hers but he kept his distance. "No," he said. "I think about you all the damn time. You just had to put your mark all over my house with your cleanin' and your," he let out a heavy sigh, "lookin' so pretty and shit. Then there's my car. My truck. My cows. Memories of you all over the fuckin' place. You're everywhere I look whether you're really there or not." He stepped forward, his tone earnest. "Damn it, woman. If you won't come back with me, I guess I'm gonna have to come here for you."

Gasping, Marcy brought her hand to her mouth. "You mean, move here?"

"Eh…" Ramon grimaced. "No. Sorry. I just meant flyin' up here every weekend, at least." He shrugged, an easy smile spreading across his face. "And don't bother sayin' 'no' 'cause I'm gonna show up at your door this Friday night and knock till you let me in. Or till you call the cops on me." His smile disappeared. "Please don't call the cops on me."

Marcy laughed. Tears drifted down her cheeks when she blinked. It may not have been as grand a gesture as moving to New Jersey, but she knew for Ramon, this was monumental. He loved his ranch and his town. And he never took that much time away from work. In a shaky voice, she said, "I won't call the cops."

Ramon smiled. "Good." He walked up to her and placed his hands under her jaw, tilting her face up to his for a kiss. She was ready for him to throw her down on the bed, but he surprised her and pulled away.

"Sorry." He kissed her forehead and whispered into her hair, "Need to take things a little slower."

Marcy put her arms around his back. He was right, but she was still disappointed. "All right."

He kissed her forehead again. "Have you eaten?"

"No."

"Good. I'm hungry. Let's go to dinner. What are you in the mood for?"

Marcy tipped her head back, looking into his eyes. "Anything but Chinese."

* * *

The following Monday evening, Marcy opened her laptop to talk to Cara via Skype.

"It's so great to see you!" Cara said. "I know it's only been a few weeks but it feels like forever."

Marcy nodded. "I know. I miss you. Where are Victor and Isaac?"

"They went out for ice cream. They'll probably end up at Ramon's." Her eyebrows waggled. "Speaking of whom… how was your weekend?"

"Amazing," Marcy said with a dreamy sigh. "Too good to be true."

Cara laughed. "He told Victor today that he's gonna have to train him to do more work so he can start having four-day weekends to spend with you."

"Aww…" Marcy smiled, blushing. "I hope Victor's okay with that."

Nodding, Cara said, "He is. He likes to stay busy and he's glad to see Ramon happy."

"I hope I don't end up getting a job where I have to work weekends." Marcy frowned.

"Well, if you decide you wanna move here again I could really use your help."

"Yeah right. Another charity job?"

"No. Actually, I need your help organizing this house. You know I've never been good at that." Cara reached for something and held it up to the camera. "And there's something else…"

Marcy squinted, trying to see what Cara was holding. "Is that an ultrasound picture?"

"Yeah. I've been waiting to show this to you without Isaac around." Cara pointed at the picture. "I don't know if you can see it or not but there are two sacs. Oh, and Mom doesn't know about this yet. I'm gonna call her after we hang up."

"Two sacs?" Marcy gasped. "Does that mean you're having twins?"

"Yes!" Cara beamed.

Marcy let out a long squeal. "I can't believe it! Are you excited? What's Victor think?"

"He wants a big family, so he's thrilled. I'm happy… but maybe a little bit shocked." Cara gave her a pleading look. "So, now I have to set up a nursery for two babies. Please come help me."

"I'm sure there are other people you can pay to get you organized."

"But why should I do that when
you
need a job? And we need a lot of other help in addition to that. Victor's trying to get a handle on those ranches in Kernersville. He could use you over there, for sure. And of course… there's Ramon…"

"I'm just not ready yet. It's too soon and I'm not sure he knows what he wants."

With a sympathetic pout, Cara said, "I understand." Then her eyes lit up. "And by the way, Mom told me last week about her new matchmaking service idea. She said she already mentioned it to you."

"Mm-hmm." Marcy tried not to show Cara what a terrible idea she thought it was. "So, what do you think about it?"

"It's crazy but," Cara rolled her eyes, "she's really got her hopes up and I know better than to try to talk her out of it. If nothing else it'll keep her busy. Victor said it'll be a great way for her to write off her travel expenses when she visits, if she can find clients here in our area. She might even open an office here. And she's taking an online course."

"Online course? In matchmaking?"

"Yeah. It's a real thing." Laughing, Cara added, "I'm surprised she thinks she needs to take a course. She's already an 'expert.'" She used air quotes.

"I wonder if she really was right about me and Ramon." Marcy sighed. "I guess only time will tell."

* * *

The next night, Ramon sat behind his desk, holding an unopened manila envelope that held the results of a paternity test

Their attorneys suggested they each get a paternity test to see if they were a match with Henry. It was a precautionary measure in case the jury didn't believe Valeria's letter or Henry's story. Pictures showed Henry with Victor and Armando as children, and their own paternity could come into question as a result, depending on the case built against Henry.

Victor and Armando had already opened their test results, and the reports stated there was no match between their DNA and Henry's.

"I think we all know what mine's gonna say." Ramon fidgeted with the envelope. "This feels so stupid."

Victor shrugged, then said in a calm voice, "Just open it, Ramon. The results won't change anything. Trust me."

Ramon smirked at him. "If it won't change anything, then why do I have to open it?"

"It's a protective measure," Armando said. "That's all." He reached forward. "Here. I'll open it for you. We can call Henry in here if you want."

"No. I don't want him in here for this." Ramon inhaled deeply, willing his sadness away. He'd already shed too many tears behind closed doors this week. Knowing he couldn't get out of it, Ramon summoned his strength and ripped the envelope, then pulled out the report inside. Another deep breath. He squinted at the small type on the report as he read it. "What the hell's this mean? Combined paternity index…"

Victor said, "Just keep reading."

Ramon continued. "After Henry's name it says 'Probability of Paternity 99.99%.'"

Ramon went numb. The paper floated out of his hands to his desk and he quietly said, "Shit."

Even though this was the news he expected, seeing it so definitively made his stomach go sour. He stuck his elbows to his desk and tucked his head down, rubbing the back of his neck.

Victor and Armando, both with glassy eyes, glanced at each other as they rose from their chairs.

Without looking at them, Ramon lifted a hand, warning them to stay where they were.

They eased back down into their seats.

Victor said, "You know it doesn't matter, right?"

Ramon's head shot up. "Mama lied to me from the day I was born till the day she died. I'd say
that
matters."

"Look, man," Victor said. "None of us wanna believe anything bad about Mama. I stay up at night thinking about what happened all those years ago." He paused for a calming breath. "But if she'd told the truth, she might've gone to prison. And then what? We would've grown up without her."

Armando nodded, a glum expression on his face. "She did the best she could, Ramon. In spite of all this, she was still the best mother in the entire world. Don't let this make you hate her. She doesn't deserve that."

"I don't
hate
her." Ramon stared at the wall, dazed. "I just feel like an idiot. Living here all these years…" Tears filled his eyes but he paused, blinking until they were gone. In a weak tone that broke his brothers' hearts, Ramon added, "Henry knew. He
always
knew, even if Mama wouldn't let him talk about it. And I was around him every fuckin' day and I didn't know."

Victor leaned forward in his chair. "Do you really think it would've been different if you'd known? Henry treated
all
of us like sons. The best he knew how, at least." He paused, drawing his hand to his chest. "I love Isaac as my own son. And I hope to God he
never
questions that, even though he'll grow up knowing I'm not his biological father."

Ramon rolled his eyes. "That's completely different. Henry and Mama flat out lied to me. For years. Made a fool outta me."

Armando spoke up. "You know what, Ramon? I was actually a little disappointed when I read my report and saw I wasn't a match with Henry."