Abel stayed the night with her on Christmas night, but she hadn’t heard from him since. It was New Year’s Eve and they were supposed to be open half a day today. She knew he was busy with his brother out of town, but he could text her or something to let her know she crossed his mind occasionally. She felt used and betrayed, and Jane and her antics were not helping at all. Mia wanted Abel to defend her and tell people to leave her alone but he didn’t. He went on ignoring every rumor since she was the villain in all of this.
“I’m calling the police and Becky.” Reva stomped to the phone on the wall. The sun was just coming up and it was still cold outside. Ice particles had formed over the ugly words. Mia sat in a chair, her knees felt shaky. She felt in a daze and didn’t come out of it until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Abel’s worried face. His hair was wet from the snowflakes. His brown eyes were filled with concern. Probably for the baby, she thought bitterly.
“Mia, you are pale and shaky.” His words sounded like they were coming from far away. He shook her lightly. “Mia, should I call an ambulance?”
She took in a breath and focused. “Um no. I just needed a minute.”
She looked around the coffee shop and saw an officer taking pictures of the window and talking to Reva. He bent down to her level and touched her cheek with his hand. “You’re freezing. I talked to Becky. She said to close shop and go to her house. She is going to make you a fire and some hot chocolate.”
Mia nodded, rubbing her arms. She looked at
him through watery eyes. “Okay. I don’t know where my purse is.”
He looked more concerned. “It doesn’t matter. I am taking you home right now. Reva can lock up.”
Mia stood up and he led her out the door, feeling numb inside.
* * * *
“I’m worried about her, Becky,” Abel muttered, looking at Mia wrapped in a blanket and staring at the flames with unfocused eyes. She hadn’t said a word on the way over to Becky’s house. He talked all the way and she looked out the window without responding.
“Of course she is in shock. Jesus, Abel, if you would stick your head out of your office once in a while you would know that crazy Jane Lopez enjoys tormenting her by insinuating you and her are still very close. God knows what she is telling people. They look at Mia as if she broke up a wonderful couple like you and Jane. You and I know it’s bullshit, but Mia doesn’t. She is insecure and you should know that.”
Abel felt his blood boil. Becky was glaring at him as if this was his fault. Maybe it was. He got lost in his work and never thought about it. He was going to have to change all that now.
“I haven’t spoken to Jane since Christmas dinner and that was casually. Jesus, we talked about the weather. Mom must have told her Mia was expecting because I never said a word to Jane, but all of a sudden she knew. I have been meaning to talk to Mom but I’ve been busy. I hear the rumors but I ignore them knowing they will fade away.”
Becky sighed, looking agitated and upset. “You need to talk to your mother. I have a feeling Jane is filling her head with lies. Delores isn’t rude to Mia, but she isn’t exactly kind either. I’ve tried talking to her but she changes the subject and tells me Mia is my niece and we shouldn’t discuss her. As for rumors, ignoring isn’t helping them go away to fix it. You say you care for Mia. Well prove it, buddy, or let her go for good. Your choice.”
Abel ran his fingers through his hair. He had been spending so much time training his new officers that he neglected to see what was going on in front of him. “Shit. Fine I will see what is going on with my mom. Last I heard she was happy and looking forward to having a grandbaby before the wedding. You take care of Mia for me. Tell her I will be back in a bit.”
Becky nodded and Abel headed back to his car. His rising blood pressure kept him from feeling the falling temperatures. His mom first, then Jane.
His dad and mom were sitting in the living room watching TV when he walked into his childhood home. He felt the love he’d grown up with. This was not going to be easy. He loved his mom but she was stubborn to a fault just like him.
“Hey son, this is a surprise. Is the training going well?” his dad asked, looking away from his favorite detective show.
Abel sat down. “Yes. I do want your help going over some procedures. If you can spare the time.”
“Sure, you know I’m free this week.” He chuckled at his own joke, since his retirement he was always free.
Abel looked at his mom dreading the conversation he was about to have, but knowing it was necessary. He was committed to Mia and the baby whether she agreed to it or not. It was time to show not only Mia, but his mother and this town’s busybody who had nothing else to do but play with people’s emotions. “What is going on between you and Mia and Jane, Mom?”
His mother looked surprised by his question. Abel also saw a hint of guilt in her brown eyes. “I have no idea what you mean, son.”
Abel told them what happened at the shop and who they thought did it. His mother gasped. “Jane would never do something so horrible, Abel. The poor girl loves you and is heartbroken. I have been trying to cheer her up.”
“Heartbroken? Seriously, Mom.” Abel snorted. “You have been blinded by her fake persona, but I see through the real Jane Lopez. Maybe dealing with Lydia taught me to see behind the fake smiles and perfect words. Jane is as fake as they come. There was never a snowball’s chance in hell of us being a couple.”
Oscar Ramirez looked between his wife and son. Clearly he had been as clueless as Abel in all of this mess. “Is Mia okay?”
“She is shaken up. I left her with Becky, but I am going back there to take care of her,” Abel answered, giving his mom a look to let her know he was serious.
“I know you want your baby, Abel. I do, too,” Delores told him eagerly. “Jane knows a good lawyer who can help you get custody. I will help you raise the baby. You will be better off without that Mia girl in your life.”
“Without Mia?” He couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mother’s mouth. Before the wedding she was behind him to fix things with Mia. “Did you tell Jane about the baby?”
She nodded, looking a little guilty. “The words slipped out at the wedding, Abel. Jane was crying because you rejected her feelings for you. You told her there was no hope because of Mia. I was trying to comfort her and told her why you were wanting Mia in your life.”