Page 52 of Tony

“When we get back, I’ll patch these three cameras into the main feed and add them to the bank of cameras for the surveillance crews.”

Terrance chuckled, adding, “Looks like I just got more to watch.” The others grinned, having put their own time in front of the bank of cameras. Tony always started new hires, even licensed Private Investigators, in the surveillance room. It was a good lesson in weeding out the ones just looking for glory jobs and gave everyone a chance to share in the duties.

Pulling into the underground garage, the men piled out, securing the van and the equipment. BJ immediately went in to set up the camera feeds while Tony called Shane, letting him know of their success.

Driving home in the early hours of the morning, he looked forward to just that—drivinghome.For years after calling the Army home, he had simply driven to his empty apartment, stripped and gone to bed. Now there was someone, in a little blue Victorian house, waiting for him. She had asked if he wanted to stay.“It seems silly for you to keep paying rent on an impersonal apartment when you are here most of the time.”Chuckling to himself, he realized that he never thought he would be living in what looked like a life-sized doll house. Turning into the driveway, he parked but stayed in the vehicle staring at the vision in front of him.Yeah,he thought, warmth flooding through him.This is home.

16

Since putting off the party for another week, Tony decided to take Sherrie on a little trip; she was definitely tired of being indoors and coddled. She had gone back to work on Thursday but Mr. Marks had fussed over her so much that she felt strangled there as well.

Bundled into the truck, she asked where the secret trip was headed.

“If I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” he teased.

Several miles out of town, they meandered down a small lane near the river. Turning onto a long, gravel driveway, she saw a small house at the top of a hill. Partially out of stone, it looked as though it had been transported here from another time and place.

“Where are we?” she asked in curiosity.

“This used to be our family vacation home and my father lives here now.”

“Your father? You didn’t tell me we were meeting your father!” she exclaimed. Looking down at her jeans and sweater, with the arm sling still on, she immediately fretted over her appearance.

Tony glanced sideways, chuckling. “Baby, you’re gorgeous. And this is just my dad. Nothing fancy. Hell, my dad wouldn’t know fancy if it bit him in the ass.”

A giggle escaped as she relaxed. Looking around, she was enchanted by the old fishing cabin. “This looks so old, as though it could be from an ancient fishing village in Europe.”

“It was built by my grandfather when he was very young and first married. He and his brothers hauled some of the stone from the river to make the foundation. My father was born here, but the family eventually moved closer to the city. They kept this place though, for vacations and just as a getaway.”

Before she could ask any more questions, they pulled up to the front where an older version of Tony stood to greet them. Hailing them from the porch, he called for them to come inside and get warm. They hurried in and Sherrie was immediately struck by the hominess of the cabin.

The main room boasted a vaulted ceiling and she could see a small loft over half of the area. An old, scarred dining table stood at one end and the other end of the room sported a comfortable sofa and a well-used recliner. The coffee table and end tables were also old and scarred, but seemed perfect for the place. A stone fireplace sat at the end of the room and with spring still a month away, the crackling fire gave off warmth, as well as lending ambiance to the quaint home. The only modern intrusion was a flat screen TV setting on an old cabinet.

A quick glance told her that the kitchen was behind the dining table and with a small hall dividing the back area, she assumed the bedrooms and bathroom were there.

Tony pulled her in close, still careful of her shoulder and made the introductions.

“Dad, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Sherrie Mullins. Sherrie, this is my dad, Ed Alvarez.”

Before she could get her greeting out, she found herself in a bear hug by the elder Mr. Alvarez.

“Dad, don’t break her,” Tony admonished, pulling her back into his embrace.

She laughed at his father’s enthusiasm, but her mirth stilled when she looked into his face and saw tears in his eyes.

“Forgive an old man, my dear,” he explained. “I’ve wanted my Tony to find happiness and despaired that he was never going to do that. But seeing you here today, makes my heart full again.”

Tony felt her body tremble and he knew her tears would come if he did not intervene. “Baby, can I get you something to drink? Dad, you got anything other than beer?”

“You make your old man sound like a drunk, son,” his father joked. “As it is, I have some hot tea in a pot just for you.” Leaning toward Sherrie, he said, “I heard you like tea.”

Smiling her beautiful smile, she agreed saying, “I would love some.”

Settling on the sofa next to Tony, with Ed in the recliner, they talked and laughed through the afternoon. Ed told stories of Tony growing up and the many fishing vacations they had in the cabin.

She glanced sideways at the handsome man laughing with his father. His face relaxed into a smile, caramel eyes twinkling. The Tony she had met a year ago was always somber, but she realized that with time he had relaxed…letting life back in to touch him again. He turned his head, looking down at her with a questioning expression on his face, but she just smiled as she tucked her head back into his shoulder.

Later, in the kitchen, she was staring out of the window over the sink at the dock leading out into the edge of the river. The water meandered slowly in the tributary, cedar trees lining the far side. It was easy to imagine Tony’s family vacations spent here by the water. Ed came up behind her with another cup from the table and looked out as well.

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