Easter's Lilly Page 45

  Max, the boys and I went to Sedona often in search of the perfect house. We finally found one on the outskirts of town nestled in the mountainside. We bought it and visited it on weekends when we could. Max had to keep checking on the police department and during the trial that was the only time he had. Our life was sitting there in the hills taunting us as we delayed our fresh start.

  Hector and I were hanging out in the kitchen together as we often did since Max and Diego had started to rekindle their relationship. Hector was washing the dishes and I has helping him dry. “What do you think about all the Bible thumping going on around here?” Max and Diego were out at the creek together.

  “I’m not sure,” I said. “It’s a little strange. But you know, Diego did pick up the Bible the first time when he flew Max out here after he was shot.”

  “I remember,” he admitted. “I thought it was a phase.”

  “What’s so bad about a little spirituality?” I asked.

  “He goes to that Methodist church around the corner now,” he continued. His eyes were wild with distraction. “He goes Wednesdays and Sundays and he helps with the youth. He donates money and gives his time. What the hell?”

  I laughed at his blatant disrespect for the subject. “Maybe he is sincere,” I said.

  “Lilly,” he couldn’t believe his ears, “you of all people. He raped you. Do you forgive him?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’m trying. Maybe he really is sorry.”

  “Let’s not forget what got this ball rolling to begin with.” Hector turned away for a minute and then returned his glance. “He and Jorge killed our mother. No amount of religion is going to fix that.”

  “I think maybe you need to try a little forgiveness.”

  “You are living with your husband and your ex-husband… a little forgiveness?”

  “I know.” I looked at him despairingly. “It’s weird that Max seems to harbor no hatred for the man who raped his wife.”

  “Max doesn’t know how to hate,” he went on. “That’s why you love him.” He smiled. “Are you okay with seeing his face every day?”

  “I’d rather not,” I said. “But I don’t want him dropping dead before he testifies either.”

  “Thanks Lilly, that warms my heart.” Diego and Max walked into the kitchen where Hector and I were talking. They had their Bibles in their hands.

  “Sorry Diego,” Hector said. “Didn’t mean to cause trouble. I was just checking to see how Lilly was doing with you here. You know after all the… I’m just a little worried about her.”

  “Perfectly understandable.” Diego smiled at me. “Are you all right Lilly, or is my being here making you uncomfortable?”

  “I’m fine,” I offered. “It’s weird, but I’m fine.”

  He looked me up and down for a moment. “It’s weird for me too,” he added. “I used to be the one sharing the room with the girl. It feels strange to be all alone again.”

  “Any time you want to stop picturing yourself with my wife would be great,” Max said with a snicker. Diego smiled his charming smile at him. Then Max took my hand and said, “He has to stay here, baby girl, I’m sorry. Our witnesses are dropping like flies. Hector and I will make sure this doesn’t happen to him.” Hector rolled his eyes and Max laughed. “Come on Hector, it’s not so bad.”

  “Since we don’t seem to have a choice, I’ll make the best of it.”

  “Still mad about Olivia? Is that it?”

  “You think?” Hector added sarcastically.

  “I didn’t order the hit. That was Jorge. You know that. I just took the credit for it to make you angry. It wasn’t me.”

  “You slept with her.” His voice was being shaken by his anger.

  “Once,” he said softly. He was obviously remorseful. “Only one time. I don’t think she really wanted to be with me.” I was surprised at how open he was about it. “I only did it to get to you and Jorge. Max had Lilly’s heart so completely…” He paused. “I really am sorry. I never dreamed that she’d get pregnant.”

  Hector looked over at Max for some kind of approval. Max stared back and nodded at him. Hector put his last dish down and walked out of the room. “He’s going to need some time,” Max told him. “I ended up with the girl. He ended up with nothing.”

  Max kissed me on the forehead and headed out after Hector. Diego reached into the fridge and grabbed a beer. “Can I get you something, Lilly?”

  “I’ll take a soda, thanks.” He pulled out a diet soda for me and poured it into a glass before he handed it to me. “I remember you don’t like to drink straight from the can.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled. It felt good to be with him like this. “So really…” He gave me that smile again. “How are you? Do you like being a mother a second time?”

  “I’m great.” I smiled. “Christian and Diego are the sweetest blessings I could ever have asked for. And Max,” I could feel my face flush, “I am so happy with Max.”

  He sat beside me and took my hand. “I wish it was me,” he said. “But maybe I’ll find my ‘baby girl’ when this is all over.”

  “Maybe you really have changed,” I said. “I’m not afraid of you anymore.”

  His face changed. His smile fell and I swear I saw tears fill in his eyes. He squeezed my hands. “I am so sorry, Lilly.” He pulled back and turned his face away so I would not see his pain. I could see he was wiping his face. I got up and walked over to where he was sitting. He stood up, and for a moment, a little too close. I backed up. “I’m not afraid of you anymore. That’s a good thing.”

  “What a monster I must have been.” I reached up to his face and dried a tear. Then I stopped myself. I backed up quickly and looked around. We were still alone. “I’m not Johnny,” he said. And that was all that was said. I sat back in my chair and my legs were shaking. Diego looked at me with a very unfamiliar stare. I put my hands on my face. What was that? I didn’t want to mislead him. Then I looked back up at him. “It’s fine,” he whispered. He squeezed my hand again and let it go quickly. We could both hear Max coming down the stairs.

  “What’s going on?” he asked. “Did you say something to upset her?”

  “She used to be afraid of me,” he told him. “It’s just hard to hear, that’s all.”

  Max walked around the table and grabbed me. He picked me up into his arms and kissed me. “When was the last time we went out together?”

  “I… I can’t remember.” I said. I was still out of breath.

  “Hector said he’d watch the boys and we could go out to dinner. And then later….” He started kissing my neck. Diego rolled his eyes.

  “Sounds great,” I said. “I’ll go change.”

  “You’re totally loving this, aren’t you?” Diego laughed.

  “You betcha!” Max smiled and said, “Sorry, but I do owe you a little pay back.”

  “Maybe a little,” he admitted. “I wonder what Hector feels he owes me,” he continued.

  “Right now, don’t ask him that question. Give him some time. He’ll come around.” He followed me upstairs so we could get ready for dinner. I watched Diego watch us leave.

  CHAPTER 29

  Too Close