Free Finding Casey by Jo-Ann Mapson Page A

from domestic violence, Candela held classes in parenting, self-defense, and job training through the community-college outreach. “Tell me.”
    â€œI’ve been offered a paying position. They want me to take over running the education program. It’s forty hours a week.”
    Which meant more like sixty, Glory figured. “Are you going to take it?”
    â€œI’m thinking about it. Of course, I wanted to talk to you. I don’t have to decide right this minute.”
    â€œGood,” she said. Glory set her fork down and took a sip of cocoa. Joseph had retired with full disability from the Albuquerque Police Department, where he’d worked first as a copand then later in the crime lab as a tech and photographer. The lawsuit on his behalf due to his injuries during a meth-lab bust had made him a wealthy man, although the injuries he suffered left him in considerable pain. The money allowed Joseph to contribute to community programs that needed support, but the shooting left him with serious back problems, and after four surgeries, he now walked with a cane. Having lived with him for five years, Glory could read the signs when he needed to rest. His face got a pinched expression, he became very quiet, and worst of all, he had this ridiculous notion that pain meant he needed to exercise even harder, so he’d lift weights or go for a strenuous walk and only make things worse. Joseph had a full life already: He was a guardian
ad litem
in custody cases in which divorcing parents couldn’t agree on sharing custody, and he was on the board of directors at three different nonprofits including Candela. Lately it seemed he was at the shelter more often than the once-monthly administrative meetings.
    What with the cookbook and the baby coming, their life seemed ready to burst at the seams. But his injuries had shut so many doors; this job offer had to be important to him if he was considering taking it. She cut into the torrejas, deciding to finish the bowl, which she suspected was his evil plan all along. “Tell me about it,” she said and took another bite.
    He sat down at the table across from her. “Administrative work is one thing, and I enjoy planning the budgets, fundraising, but how do I say this? The counselors they employ are all female. Nothing wrong with that, but I started to wonder what if a man—”
    Glory set down her fork and smiled at her husband. The thick black hair he kept cut military short, skin the color of caféau lait, and his angled cheekbones added up to one handsome man. He was so unaware of how beautiful he was that it melted her heart. “An extraordinarily
decent
man.”
    â€œWell, I like to think of myself that way, but I’m only human. I’m thinking, what does it take to help a battered woman learn to trust again? A patient man.
Estupido?
”
    â€œOn the contrary, Joe. I think it’s a brilliant idea. If you want to go for it, you have my permission. Right now, though, I need you to do something very important for me.”
    â€œWhat?” he said, standing up from his chair and coming to her side as she turned in her chair to face him. “Oh, my gosh, was the food too much? You need me to call the doctor?”
    She stood up, took his hand, and placed it on her belly. “Feel your daughter kicking? I swear she’s going to play rugby.”
    He smiled, and then his mouth changed into an O shape and he said, “
Madre de dios!
Do you think Sears is open? We have to buy a crib immediately!”

Chapter 6
    The beat-up Subaru Daddy Joe had bought her handled snow and ice like a champ, Juniper thought as she neared the Plaza around lunchtime. What with the holiday weekend, finding parking would be even more difficult than usual. Topher’s commuter van was due in at 12:45 at La Fonda. Then came a holiday miracle. For once their parking garage wasn’t full. She found a spot right up front and pulled