Chapter 12
When they arrived back at Casa Flanagan, David was pleased the house was quiet. He’d half expected a new crisis that would prevent Zita from getting away for the afternoon.
They took the dogs out the back to wash. He held the hose while Zita rubbed her dogs clean. She looked so cute with her butt covered in mud that he couldn’t resist. He directed the spray at her pants.
She squealed and whirled to face him.
“Sorry.” He grinned. “Thought you’d like to get clean too.”
She narrowed her eyes and took a step toward him as Bess shook the water from her coat, covering Zita. She laughed and slumped in mock defeat. “You might have a point.”
When the dogs were clean and towel-dried, Zita and David headed inside. Carmen was in the kitchen, stirring a pot and holding one of the babies.
“Did you have a nice walk?” she asked.
“It was a bit grubby,” Zita said. “I’m going to take a shower, but I wanted to check you still don’t need me this afternoon.”
“No. Everything is under control.” Carmen smiled. “You go and have fun. Will you be home for lunch tomorrow?”
“Of course.” Zita turned to David. “Do you want to come to lunch? Carly and Bridget will be here.”
His heart jumped. She was inviting him to the family lunch. “Sure.”
“Great. Let me get cleaned up and then we’ll head to your place.”
He tagged her arm as she walked past and murmured to her, “You could pack an overnight bag if you want.”
She kissed him quickly. “Will do.” She flashed a look at her mother and grinned. “Won’t be long.”
Left alone with Carmen, David wasn’t entirely sure what to say. They hadn’t spoken one-on-one before.
The baby in Carmen’s arms grizzled. Carmen sighed. “Hush now, Xaviera.” She swayed with her.
“Do you want me to take her?” David asked. After he’d gotten used to the baby last weekend, it had been nice holding her. And the practice would come in handy for Lee’s baby.
“That would be great.”
Carmen passed the baby over and David carefully cradled Xaviera’s head, shushing her and kissing her soft downy hair. His chest swelled. She was so young and innocent, and yet her creation had been one of violence. “Where’s Elena?”
Carmen sighed. “Out in the garden with Beatriz. I thought it would do her good to get some fresh air.”
He wanted to ask whether Carmen thought Elena would keep Xaviera, but it was none of his business. He kept rocking the baby, singing her a lullaby he remembered from his childhood, and she eventually quieted.
“You’re good with babies,” Carmen commented.
“Beginner’s luck,” he said, slightly uncomfortable with the way she was examining him.
“Some people are naturals.” She smiled.
He glanced down at Xaviera who was now sleeping. Perhaps he’d picked up some of his mother’s talents. He sat down on one of the stools and pressed another kiss against Xaviera’s head. She smelled like talcum powder.
“How’s Teresa’s case coming along?” He hadn’t asked Zita about it, had wanted to give her a break.
“Johanna has filled in the necessary paperwork to claim asylum, which means Teresa’s case is now stronger.”
“Zita mentioned that.”
Carmen looked toward the living room where the television was on and lowered her voice. “Johanna took quite a risk. Fernando said it took several hours, and she was bound to have been missed. I hope she came up with a reasonable excuse.”
