The Fearless Groom (Texas Titan Romances) Page 9

  “Even better,” Mama said. “Who are you thinking of?”

  “Can I call you right back?”

  “Of course, love. Oh, I could just hug you!” She hung up before he could respond.

  Xavier dropped his phone back into his pocket and turned to Izzy. Could he really ask this of her? She could say no. She probably would say no. But, oh, how he hoped she wouldn’t.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “My mama.” He chuckled and brushed a hand over his hair. “She gets a little intense sometimes.”

  “What happened?”

  “We always take a nurse with us on these trips. They’re able to update the children’s immunizations, do wellness checks, and deal with any injuries that haven’t been taken care of, stuff like that.”

  Her mouth formed an o.

  “The nurse backed out last minute.” He tapped his thumb against his leg when she still said nothing. “Would you come?” The words rushed out, too quickly, too unconvincing.

  Izzy swallowed and stepped back. “Um, well, I would love to help the children, but …”

  He nodded hurriedly. “No, I understand. It’s awful to ask you something like this last minute. Don’t feel bad that you can’t come. You have a job, a life. I’m sorry to put you—”

  Izzy stepped forward and clapped her hand over his mouth. “X! It’s not an awful thing to ask. It’s a compliment that you’d want me.” She removed her hand.

  Xavier stared at her. Did he dare hope?

  “I do want you, Izzy,” he said in a husky voice.

  Her face flushed. She blinked at him. “How can I be sure you don’t just want me for today?”

  It was exactly what he thought she’d been concerned about, and he was so glad she’d asked.

  Xavier knew words weren’t going to work. She’d probably been lied to by her father and other men. He had to show her with more than words, and though he’d loved kissing her this morning, he’d probably damaged her trust instead of gaining it.

  “Spending a week with me will show you that I’m not what the media has made me out to be. I’m interested in you, Izzy, not any other woman, and I haven’t forgotten that you told me the first time I met you that you’re a good Christian girl.” He smiled gently.

  She half-laughed and shook her head as if remembering their first fiery interactions.

  Xavier’s smile fled and maybe it was cheesy but he put a hand to his heart. “I promise you I will respect your values.”

  Izzy regarded him for almost half a minute. He wanted to talk her into coming to Mexico, but he patiently waited. The military life had taught him patience and then some.

  Finally, she looked him up and down. Then a small smile appeared on her rosebud lips. “You know, X, I haven’t taken a day of vacation in the two years I’ve been working at the hospital. I might have to do some finagling with my schedule, but I think I can make it work.”

  Xavier blinked at her. Then he whooped and picked her off her feet and lifted her high into the air.

  Izzy threw back her head and laughed as she was suspended above his head. “I feel like Baby from Dirty Dancing.”

  “I don’t know who Baby is, but I could do some—” He cleared his throat, but his voice was still husky. “Dancing with you.”

  Izzy just laughed harder.

  Xavier slowly lowered her until she was pressed against his chest. “Thank you,” he whispered. His heart thudded out of control. With any other woman he was interested in, he would’ve went for a kiss, but Izzy was different. For the first time, he was dreaming of long term, and he knew he had to gain her trust.

  Izzy threw her arms around his neck and clung to him. Xavier simply enjoyed holding her and inhaling her gardenia scent. Hopefully, this week he’d have lots of opportunities to get to know her. Once she knew she could trust him, he hoped he’d be able to fulfill all the desires to hold and kiss her that were churning inside him.

  She pulled back and looked up at him. “I still have to arrange my work schedule.”

  “Thank you for making this work.”

  “And we need to do some serious education if you don’t know what Dirty Dancing is.”

  “I told you I can figure that one out.” She was flirting with him, and she was coming with him to Mexico. Happiness surged through him, almost as strong as the desire to kiss her again.

  “No, you dork. It’s a movie, and it’s a mixture of salsa and mamba, not some … well, you know.”

  “Oh. That’s disappointing.” He twisted a lock of her hair around his finger. “Bring it on the plane, and we’ll watch it.”

  “I will.”

  “Then we’ll practice the moves every free minute we get.”

  She smacked his shoulder, but couldn’t hide her smile. “I’d better let you go,” she said.

  Reluctantly, he released her from his arms. She walked to the door and punched in her code. Xavier hurried over to swing the door wide, wishing he could extend the date, but they’d been together all day, and they might be together all next week. It had to be enough for now.

  “Thank you for a fantabulous day,” she said.

  “It has been amazing,” he said. “Great date planning on my part.”

  “Ha! You wanted to take me to the demolition derby and knock me off my princess pedestal.”

  “I was wrong about you being a princess.” He brushed the hair from her neck and cupped her face in his palm. “You’re an angel.” He stared at her beautiful face for a moment but then backed away so he wouldn’t finagle his way inside her apartment. “Mama’s gonna love you.”

  Izzy lifted a hand in farewell. “I’m gonna love her.”

  Xavier grinned. He was sure of that. Everyone loved his mama. He turned and jogged to the steps.

  “X, wait!” Izzy walked back out of her condo, and he had all kinds of visions of cuddling on her couch and watching this Dirty Dancing show right now before trying out some dance moves on her. “What time is our flight?”

  “Oh, um.” Just like that he was slammed back down to reality. “Whenever we want it to be.”

  “What?” Her brow wrinkled.

  How in the world had she come from the home she had and didn’t act like she’d ever been on a chartered flight?

  “The plane will pick Mama up in Denver tomorrow morning then come get us. We can leave whenever you want.”

  “Oh, right. Okay. I’ll text you when I have the all clear with work.” She waved and walked back into her apartment.

  Xavier cheesily placed a hand on his heart. Longest and best date of his life, and he hadn’t wanted it to end. He pulled out his phone to call Mama back. This was going to be fun.

  11

  Izzy’s stomach bubbled with excitement as the sleek white jet flew over jagged, green mountains then started its descent. She turned to Mama with an open mouth. “It’s so beautiful!”

  Mama chuckled. “You’d better come visit me in Denver if you like mountains this much.”

  Izzy had immediately fallen in love with the tall lady, with her dark hair in cornrows and a huge smile on her face. Xavier had definitely gotten his dimples from her.

  “I would love that.” She caught Xavier staring at her and blushed. She would love to spend more time with Mama and Xavier, but she didn’t want to impose. She still couldn’t believe she’d been so impulsive and come on this trip. Xavier definitely pulled out her fun, brave, and flirtatious side. Yet she still felt compelled to be careful about giving her heart away. She loved that he’d understood and was trying to show her that she could trust him. She’d been disappointed when he hadn’t kissed her last night but appreciated that he was taking it slow, especially after their impulsive kisses that morning. If only she could forget how good those felt.

  “Haven’t you seen mountains before?” Xavier asked.

  “I went to Kauai a couple of times in high school. Hiking to the waterfalls was my absolute favorite thing.”

  “You’ll have to take her t
o Horsetail Falls.” Mama instructed.

  “Sure thing,” Xavier agreed.

  Izzy noticed that he agreed with anything his mama said. Luckily, his mama seemed to have a heart of gold. Izzy already loved her, but she’d never been the type to be obedient, so it was kind of strange to her.

  “Why haven’t you traveled much?” Xavier asked in a low tone.

  She met his gaze. How did he keep drawing things out about her past? She didn’t let people in like this. At the hospital, she’d heard that if a doctor wanted to ask her out, another doctor would explain that she had “ice in her veins.” Dr. Murphy calling her an ice queen last week confirmed it.

  “We vacationed a lot when I was little, but I don’t remember it much. After my mom got sick, we just stayed at home and prayed.”

  Mama’s eyes widened. “Oh, sweet girl.”

  Izzy bit at her lip and gave Mama a nod. “I’m okay.” She focused back on Xavier. “After she died, my dad and I did our best to ignore each other. When he married Dolly, they vacationed nonstop with Hailey and always tried to bring me along. I usually threw such a fit they let me stay home. The Kauai trips were the only exceptions. Hailey and I had a lot of fun there. I left home at eighteen, and vacations are a little hard to come by when you’re putting yourself through school and starting a career.”

  She glanced away from their sympathetic looks and out at the industrialized city.

  “It’s so modern.”

  Mama nodded. “One of the most modern cities in Mexico, but sadly, there’s a huge discrepancy between the upper and lower classes. That’s why our help with the children is so invaluable.” She squeezed her hand. “Bless you for coming.”

  Izzy felt blessed just being here with the two of them. Getting the time off work had been surprisingly easy. Since she’d never asked before, and tried to help out when she could, she was able to get other nurse practitioners to cover her shifts without any persuasion.

  Things were a whirlwind of activity as the plane landed and taxied down the short runway. Soon, they, their luggage, and boxes of supplies were transferred to a Chevy Suburban. The driver took them directly to the orphanage, New Life, a two-story building with a metal roof and tan siding. There was an open yard with a playset and grass, but the entire area was surrounded by large fences.

  “Please don’t go outside the fences,” Mama asked her. “Unless Xavier and the driver are with you.”

  “Okay.” Izzy nodded quickly, the excitement from earlier diminishing a bit at her serious tone.

  “Even if you’re out with Xavier, don’t look at another man. They will take that as an invitation, and I don’t want my boy having to get in a fight to protect you.”

  Izzy laughed then realized Mama wasn’t teasing. “I’m sorry. You’re serious?”

  “There is a lot of organized crime in the city, and that’s terrifying enough, but the men will definitely see you as either an attraction or an opportunity to make money, so be very careful, love.”

  Izzy nodded.

  The car rolled through the gate, and as soon as the gate was shut behind them, Mama jumped from the car and ran for the playground. “Mis hermanas!”

  The children saw her and set up a cry of joy of their own.

  Xavier got out and offered her his hand. “Don’t worry.” He smoothed his finger across her forehead.

  “Do I look scared?” She felt scared.

  “Mama’s just trying to keep you safe. I’ll protect you.”

  She felt reassured by his strong, solid presence and turned her attention to the children who were swarming Mama. This was why they’d come. It wasn’t a vacation, so staying within the protective walls should be no big deal. Though she had to admit she’d love to see the waterfall Mama mentioned on the plane.

  Xavier took her hand and walked toward the children. He didn’t get very far before they were running toward them. Xavier released her hand and caught a five-year old boy, tossing him in the air. Two more were reaching for him, and a third was tugging at his pant leg. The first little boy squealed with joy. “X!”

  Izzy noticed two girls shyly approaching her, their dark eyes wide. She bent down. “Hola.” It hit her how little Spanish she knew. How was she going to communicate?

  “Bella señorita,” the taller girl said, touching her hand reverently.

  “You’re the pretty one,” Izzy told her.

  The girl beamed, and Izzy thought she must’ve understood.

  They eventually went inside and unloaded their suitcases and supplies. Izzy was busy up until dinner. She started again as soon as dinner was finished, doing checkups on the children who needed immediate help. There was a broken ankle she needed to set, which was awful as it had been broken for a while. She dealt with ear infections, a case of tonsillitis, and almost a dozen children who were manifesting AIDS symptoms. The last cases were so heart-wrenching she had to steel her mind and not think about it.

  She was exhausted when she finished up and took a quick shower. Mama had shown her the room the two of them would be staying in earlier that day. Dragging her feet along the hallway, she heard a deep voice singing, “Jesus said love everyone …”

  Xavier? The exhaustion fled as she crept toward the nursery and peeked in the doorway. The light from the street outside filtered in the windows. Xavier had an infant cradled in his strong arms and was pacing the tiled floor of the nursery, singing softly. The infant was only in a diaper and onesie and Xavier held her hands and feet firmly so she wouldn’t flail.

  Izzy watched him for a while, peace overcoming her. Was he truly this good and kind? He’d wanted her to learn to trust him this week. Moments like this were a perfect start. She forced herself to not drool over the cut lines of his arms and shoulders. She’d seen him without a shirt on yesterday on the boat and been impressed, but seeing him in a tank top with this sweet baby cuddled against him was much more appealing to her.

  He finally noticed her and tilted up his chin, giving her a soft smile. “Hey,” he whispered.

  She crossed the distance to him and peered down at the innocent child. Probably only a few weeks old and much too small to be healthy, the baby’s eyelids fluttered quickly, and she sucked at her pacifier like she wasn’t content.

  “Mama said her mother was taking cocaine and meth. So it’s hard for Isabella to settle down and rest.”

  Izzy jolted, and her eyes flew to his face. “Her name’s Isabella?”

  “Yes. Isn’t she beautiful?”

  “She is.” He’d stopped pacing but he kept bouncing slightly.

  “Skin to skin contact?” she guessed, heat creeping into her face as she focused on the sculpted musculature of his arms where the baby was cradled.

  He grinned but sobered quickly. “It helps calm her down. Mama’s done all the research.”

  “I’ll bet she has.” Mama was a force to be reckoned with but everything she did was to help someone else. Izzy adored her. “You’re good with all of the children.”

  “Lots of practice.” He grinned, and those dimples dragged her in like always.

  “Do you want me to hold her so you can get some rest?” Izzy offered to distract herself. Those muscular arms of his holding a sweet baby were more attractive than anything she’d ever seen.

  “No. You’re much more important than me.”

  She started to protest but he shook his head. “Truly. You’ve already done so much for the children, and tomorrow you’ll start the immunizations and that will be tough. You get your rest. Isabella and I will be just fine.”

  Izzy stepped closer to him and touched his face with her hand. “You’re a good man. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  The words hung between them until he smiled softly. “Thank you for being here, Izzy. These children need you much more than they need me.”

  “I don’t know about that.” She glanced down at the baby who had relaxed and was now sleeping peacefully in his arms. She’d seen a lot of babies withdrawing from drugs, and it was vi
cious. The baby would most likely sleep fitfully through the night, if at all. Xavier was in for a long haul. He was made of much stronger stuff than just his fine-honed muscles. “Goodnight, X.”

  He focused in on her and smiled. “Goodnight, Izzy.”

  She turned to leave, surprised at how hard it was to walk away.

  12

  The next four days passed far too quickly, and before Xavier knew it, Thursday night had crept up on them. They were flying home tomorrow night, and he hadn’t had any time alone with Izzy. He’d hoped to show her he could be trusted, but the focus right now needed to be on these children. He didn’t have a clue what Izzy was thinking about him, about his hope that they’d develop a relationship.

  Izzy had been amazing, taking great care of all the little ones’ medical needs and accomplishing much more than other nurses he’d worked with because she had additional medical knowledge and pediatrics training with her advanced degree. She’d needed to use a translator quite often, but Mama and the orphanage workers had been extremely impressed and grateful Izzy was here.

  Mama and the two workers who stayed the night at the facility were upstairs putting the little ones to bed. Xavier had sung baby Isabella to sleep. She seemed to be doing better each day. Holding that baby gave him a peace he rarely felt in his busy life. He realized he hadn’t even charged his phone down here. He’d noticed a few missed calls from his agent Sunday morning, but he’d ignored him. The guy made him feel slimy and Xavier was done getting setup on dates and trying to project some image. He could deal with his agent and the contract negotiations when he got back to Dallas. The decision between Texas and Denver didn’t feel as heavy or pressing since he’d stepped away from the situation. Though he longed to be closer to Mama and be there for little Marcos, if he kept being as impressed as he was with Izzy, and somehow broke through her trust issues, he’d have a much harder time leaving the Titans.

  Music floated up from the main floor, and he headed toward it. Traipsing down the stairs, he could hear a familiar song from home that had a Spanish flair and equal parts Spanish and English words. He strode toward the main area, but stopped before he entered the arched doorway. Izzy was dancing with some of the older girls as they giggled and twirled. The way she moved was beautiful and much too appealing to him. She swayed and twisted with fluid movements, her skirt floating out when she spun and her white tank top showcasing her beautiful shape.