CHAPTER 15
Rachel
Rachel shuffled her business cards on the kitchen counter and plastered on another wide smile as a new family stepped inside the quaint, for-sale Burbank, California bungalow.
“Hello, there!” she called and waved them in. “How’re you all doing today?”
The toddler in tow immediately sprinted into the master bedroom, followed closely by, presumably, her father.
“Oh, just fine.” The woman grinned and stepped forward. Extending her hand to Rachel, she cringed as the child’s scream echoed throughout the house. “I’m so sorry. We had no choice but to bring her house hunting with us today.”
Rachel shook her hand and snickered. “You don’t have to apologize, Ms.—”
“Banks.” The woman breathed out a sigh of relief. “Regina Banks.”
After selecting a business card from the top of the pile, Rachel handed it over. “Lovely to meet you, Ms. Banks. I’m Rachel Prescott.” Nodding to the toddler escaping into the laundry room, she giggled. “This house is meant for a family. Your little one is just helping you test it out.” With a wink, she grabbed an informational flier for the home and offered it to Regina.
“Thank you.” She smiled and studied the paper.
“It’s an open house, so please feel free to take a look around. I’m here to answer questions and would be happy to give you a more personalized tour if you think it’s something you’re interested in.”
“Amazing. Thank you so much.” Regina stepped back and scurried after her husband, chasing the calls of a rambunctious toddler.
Rachel leaned over the kitchen counter, resting her body’s weight against her elbows. She propped her chin in her right palm and closed her eyes. This house is meant for a family. Grinning from ear-to-ear, her mind wandered into uncharted territory, conjuring an image of Miguel chasing a toddler down a similar hallway, side-by-side.
Euphoria crashed through her heart as the vision crystalized. Miguel’s sweet laughter rang in her ears as he reached for the little girl they chased...
“Sunshine?”
She jumped. Clutching her chest, Rachel released a quick breath and grinned. “You scared me,” she huffed out.
Miguel smiled and planted a kiss on her cheek. “We came to surprise you, but you looked a million miles away when we opened the door.”
Rachel cupped her warm cheeks. If you only knew where my mind was... “Did you say we?”
Stepping to the side, Miguel nodded and revealed a little girl, her dark curls pulled into a ponytail with a large pink Peppa Pig bow.
Rachel exhaled as her heart banged wildly. The vision secretly secured in her soul, played out in real time, coming alive before her eyes.
Oh, this is weird.
“Rach, I want you to meet my niece, Isabella. Better known as Izzy.” Dropping a hand to the top of her head, he toyed with her bow until she giggled and swatted him away. “Iz, can you say hi to Rachel?”
Her innocent brown eyes peeked out from behind his leg. With pink cheeks, she smiled and lifted her tiny hand in a quick wave. “Hi,” she whispered.
Be still my heart.
Rachel sank to her knees and peered around Miguel’s legs. “It’s nice to meet you, Izzy.” Pointing at her bow, she smiled. “I’ve heard so much about you. And I know how much you like Peppa Pig.”
The little girl’s smile grew. “Do you like Peppa?”
Nodding fervently, Rachel winked at Miguel. “Absolutely. I watch Peppa and George nearly every day.”
Izzy’s eyes widened as she released her uncle’s leg. Stretching her arms out, she wrapped Rachel in a hug.
Instant love encircled her, the light squeeze of Izzy’s tiny embrace softening her soul as her future played out before her eyes. The seconds ticked by as her heart’s desire unfolded.
“Ms. Prescott?” Regina returned from the back bedroom and pointed to the flier. “Umm, can you clarify something? This says the house has been on the market for two weeks, but online it looks like it was purchased no more than a year ago.”
Miguel gripped Izzy’s hand and steered her toward the living room sofa as Rachel quickly squeezed her eyes closed and snapped them open.
“Er,” she choked out. Back to business, Rachel! Get your head out of the clouds! “You’re right. The home was sold eleven months ago, but the family who purchased it relocated last month for a new job.” With a sigh, Rachel pointed to the sale history on the flier. “Trust me, they hated to give it up so soon.”
Regina nodded. “Oh, okay, that makes sense.” Shaking her head, her cheeks flushed. “I think we’re just a little confused and overwhelmed. This is our first time buying an actual home, so we’re not sure what to look for or what to ask. We have a townhouse right now.”
“Do you have an agent?”
Her head hung. “No.”
“Well, I don’t want to overstep, but I’d consider it an honor to help you through the process. I work with newer homebuyers all the time. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be.” Gesturing toward the door as Regina’s husband stepped outside with a tantrum-throwing toddler, she tilted her head with sympathy.
“Thank you. That really means a lot.” She pressed her index fingers to her temples and sighed. “It’s hard to know where to start. Or even what we can afford.”
Rachel nodded and squeezed her elbow with reassurance. “Do you want to grab a coffee with me tomorrow? We can talk through everything and figure out your options.”
“But it’s Sunday.”
Rachel winked. “I still require caffeine, even on the weekends. Don’t you?”
Regina snorted but smiled wider than Izzy at the mention of Peppa Pig. “Thank you, Ms. Prescott. I’d really appreciate that.”
“Call me Rachel,” she said and pointed to her phone number on the back of her business card. “Just text me later and we’ll find a time to connect.”
With a nod, Regina smiled and stepped back. “Thank you, Rachel!” she called over her shoulder, and closed the door behind her, completing the marathon four-hour open house.
Rachel blew out a slow breath and turned her gaze to Miguel as Izzy hopped from one couch cushion to the next.
“You’re good.”
Matching his growing grin, she shook her head and gathered her stack of business cards. “Oh, stop,” she muttered.
“I’m serious,” he added and held Izzy’s hand as she leapt to the footrest. “You made that woman feel so much better.”
“I don’t know about that.” She picked up the remaining informational fliers and tapped the stack into a neat pile. “I mean, any realtor would do that.”
“No, they wouldn’t.” Glancing at Izzy as she explored the living room, he stepped toward Rachel. “Offering to meet with a client on a Sunday?” He shrugged. “I don’t buy it.”
“It’s what helps them buy a house. Welcome to real estate.”
Just like owning a restaurant, it’s never a 9-5 job.
Miguel pulled her into his arms. “True,” he whispered and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “But I still think it’s pretty generous of you.”
The citrus scent on his t-shirt touched her nose. His familiar smell brought the image of a Florida orange grove to her mind once more. Inhaling the fresh, comforting scent, Rachel rested her head over his heart.
“You okay?” he murmured.
Her stomach rumbled, sending a monstrous growl into the room. She snickered and gripped her belly. “Apparently, I’m very hungry.”
“I’m hungry too, Mickey!”
Miguel snorted as Izzy resumed her grasp on his leg. Poking him in the stomach, she lifted her eyes to his.
Rachel laughed and crossed her arms over her chest, taking in the embarrassment tinging his cheeks pink. “Mickey?”
He shook his head and reached for Izzy’s hand with a growing smile. “I don’t really know. The nickname stuck somewhere along the line.”
Rachel giggled as she eyed the little girl gripping his fingers, and her heart melted. Their sweet, shared relationship was another tally on her growing list of love for the man beside her.
“Want to join us for lunch?” he asked with a sheepish grin.
I’d like nothing more.
Rachel sank to her knees again and smiled at Izzy. “Do you mind if I come to lunch with you and Mickey?”
The little girl cackled but shook her head. Wiping her nose on Miguel’s khaki shorts, she reached her right hand out to Rachel and clasped her fingers in hers.
Oh!
Miguel frowned at the sticky mark she left near his pocket. “Thanks, Iz...” he muttered with an eye roll.
A belly laugh bubbled over, fueling a flood of adrenaline to pummel through her veins. Bringing her gaze back to his, Rachel bit her bottom lip.
“Where’re we going to lunch, Busy Izzy?”
“Happy Meal!” she squeaked and tugged them both toward the door.
He released a heavy sigh. “Again?”
Rachel grinned and nodded toward the kitchen. “You guys go, and I’ll meet you there. I need to clean and lock up, okay?” Learning forward, she pecked him on the lips. “I haven’t had a chicken McNugget in years,” she added.
Miguel groaned. “We don’t have—”
“Nope. You heard the lady.” Scooping up her business cards and fliers, Rachel flipped the kitchen light off.
“Really?” he pleaded as Izzy pulled him to the front door.
Rachel winked. “Save me a seat next to Ronald, Mickey.”
His smile stole the air from her lungs as he bent down and scooped Izzy into his arms. Propping her on his right hip, he gripped the doorknob as Izzy blew a kiss in her direction.
––––––––
Rachel yanked off her sandal and dumped out the sand. Chuckling at the small pile she created beneath the seat of the picnic table, she ran a finger over the small but mighty blister forming on her pinky toe.
“Ouch,” she whispered and gave herself a moment to catch her breath. Lifting her gaze back to the playground, she grinned as Miguel chased Izzy.
“So much energy,” she muttered.
“Your daughter or your husband?” The picnic table shook as a woman sat down on the opposite bench and snickered as her two blonde kids flew toward the monkey bars. “They both look like they’re on a sugar high,” she added.
Wait. What?
Rachel snorted. “Oh, umm—”
“I remember that age,” the woman continued and pointed at Izzy. “How old is she? Four?”
Turning her head toward Izzy as she slid down the slide for easily the hundredth time that afternoon, she smiled, dumbfounded by the woman’s assumptions. Do we really look like a family? “Ah, three,” she choked out as the idea tugged at her heartstrings.
Miguel’s laughter caught in the wind and echoed across the park. At the top of the slide, he waved and slid down backward to the absolute delight of his niece.
Rachel giggled and waved back as his butt collided with the sandy bottom.
“He’s so good with her. You’re lucky,” the lady added. Groaning as she stood, she winked and tapped the table. “Have a good rest of your day. Enjoy your family.”
“Er, you too,” Rachel muttered and stuffed her shoe back on her foot. She stood and returned to the playground.
That was weird.
She stopped at the bottom of the slide and cackled as Miguel landed near her toes.
“You know, I think the rule is feet first.” She offered him her hand and tugged him to his feet.
“Rules were made to be broken, Sunshine.”
She snorted and followed his lead to the swings where Izzy waited, gripping the bottom rubber of a baby swing.
He scooped her up and gripped the chains. “Ready, Iz? Three... two... one... blast off!” Pushing her into the air, he ducked beneath the swing as she roared with delight.
You really are so good with her.
As she pressed her hand over her heart, her cheeks flushed with more than just the warmth from the sun.
“Did you make a new friend?” Miguel returned to her side and gently pushed Izzy to keep her momentum.
“Hmm?”
He pointed to the picnic table. “That woman you were talking to.”
“Oh!” Rachel laughed. “She liked you more than me.”
Miguel wrinkled his nose. “Huh?”
With a nod, Rachel eyed the flex of his biceps as he pushed the swing. “She kept telling me how good you were with Izzy.”
Among other things.
A smile twisted his lips as he wiped sweat from his brow.
“I mean, she’s not wrong,” Rachel added. Stuffing her hands in her dress pockets, she nudged his foot with her sandal. “You’re a good uncle, Mickey.”
He grumbled.
“You really are. It’s clear how much she adores you.”
Miguel swallowed and snuck a peek at her out of the corner of his eye. Reaching for her hand, he grasped her fingers and pressed a quick kiss on her knuckles. His signature sign of affection poked the butterflies awake in her belly.
“I’m glad you could spend the afternoon with us.”
Rachel pulled her hair back into a ponytail and sought his gaze. “Best part of my day.”
He winked. “The day isn’t over.”
Oh! I like the sound of that.
His line of sight drifted over her shoulder as he waved and then reached to slow the swing.
“No!” Izzy groaned as Miguel brought the swing to a standstill and lifted her out of the seat.
“I’m sorry, Iz! Your mom is here.”
As if on a swivel, Rachel spun her head and immediately identified Izzy’s mom as she made her way across the playground, her unmistakable dark hair and eyes a dead ringer for Miguel’s sister.
“Mommy!” After tearing away across the sand, the little girl fell into her mom’s embrace no more than ten feet away.
“Are you okay meeting my sister?” Miguel’s breath tickled her ear as he leaned in and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Of course,” she whispered. But nerves pelted her, tingling and zipping across her skin like a ping-pong match. Sucking in a breath, she nodded.
“Did you have fun with your uncle?” Maria asked as she carried Izzy back to the swings.
The little girl nodded and pointed at Rachel. “She likes Peppa, Mommy!”
“Oh?” Maria grinned as she eyed Rachel.
Swallowing the anxiety pooling in her throat, Rachel forced a smile on her lips as Miguel tugged her closer.
“Mmm-hmm. This Peppa Pig fanatic is Rachel. Rachel, this is my sister, Maria.”
“Oh!” Her eyes widened as her smile grew. “I’ve been dying to meet you!”
Rachel giggled and accepted her hand, peeking over her shoulder to stare at Miguel’s bright-red cheeks.
“My baby brother is absolutely in love with you. I’ve never seen him so happy!”
“M-a-r-i-a!” Miguel released Rachel’s waist and dragged both hands through his sweaty hair. “I’m standing right here!”
His embarrassment crashed into her heart and Maria’s outpouring of truth squeezed her soul with pure elation.
In love with me?
“Oh, stop.” Maria swatted at him as she set Izzy down. “It’s not like I’m not being truthful.” Turning her attention back to Rachel, she winked. “He talks about you all the time, so it’s nice to finally put a pretty face with a name.”
Rachel froze, stunned into silence as Maria continued. To her right, fear and embarrassment leaked from Miguel’s every pore.
“Oh! And it looks like you got to meet my number one sidekick today, too?” she added.
Forcing her head to move, Rachel nodded and took the opportunity to turn her attention to Izzy as she dug a hole at their feet. “I did,” she stammered. “We had the best time, too.” Smiling as the dark curls fell in the little girl’s face, Rachel sank to her knees. “Didn’t we, Iz?”
“Will you come over and watch Peppa with me?” Her tiny mouth opened in a yawn.
“Oh sweetie, I would love that,” Rachel cooed. “Probably not today, but we’ll definitely see if we can do it soon, okay?”
With a nod, Izzy stood and lifted her arms to her mom. “Up.”
“How about next weekend? Did my brother invite you to the family party? Our aunt Lorelei is turning fifty and we’re throwing a big celebration.”
Miguel rolled his eyes. “I don’t think Rachel wants to meet thirty of our second cousins and eat birthday flan—”
Says who?
“Sounds wonderful,” Rachel interrupted. “I’ve never had flan.” With a wink, she smiled at Maria. “And I’d love to meet more of your family, first and second cousins.”
“Perfect!” Maria clapped her hands together and bent down to pick up Izzy. “Then we’ll see you next weekend. Miguel has all the details.” With a wave, she blew a kiss at his stunned face. “Thanks for taking Izzy today!”
Rachel snickered as Maria left the playground. Turning toward Miguel, she grinned as he sucked in a quick breath and rammed his hands in his pockets.
“You have no idea what you just got us into. And you are not going to like flan.”
Rachel laughed even harder. “Oh, stop! You’re being so dramatic! What’s wrong with attending your family’s party?”
“Rach, I have like fifteen aunts. And I was not exaggerating about thirty cousins.” His head hung. “Every single one of them is going to want to hug and kiss you!” His eyes widened. “So much red lipstick...” he murmured.
Gripping him around the middle, she clasped her hands behind his back. “You’re ridiculous. It’s just a family party!”
“You don’t know my family.”
She rolled her eyes. “Come on. All families have their quirks, right?”
Miguel cupped her cheeks and pierced her gaze. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Raquel.” Pressing his lips to hers, he chuckled.
“Warn me?” she muttered with her lips still on his.
He nodded and took a step forward, guiding her through the playground to the parking lot. “Just get ready. Every single one of them will ask why we’re not married and have seven babies.”
“Seven babies!” She tripped on a plastic bucket and stumbled. “I’m only thirty!”
He gripped her arm and stepped over the wooden sand barrier to the grass. “Trust me, age means nothing to my aunties.” Grumbling as their feet touched the parking lot, he rammed his eyes closed. “And flan sucks!”
“Don’t take your anger out on the flan.” Licking her lips, she tapped the hood of her Corolla.
“Rach, it’s just this gooey, bland, custardy mess.” Scrunching his eyes, he frowned, imagining the traditional Mexican dessert.
“Do you know how to make it?”
He cringed. “Of course, I do.”
Rachel shrugged. “Okay then, Mr. Rodriguez. Make it for me tonight. Let me form my own opinion before the party.”
A grin appeared as he shook his head.
She leaned in and pressed her lips to his neck, placing a kiss just beneath his ear. Releasing a sigh, Rachel dragged her hand over his chest and groaned at the quick intake of his breath.
“Fine, I’ll make you flan,” he whispered and tipped her chin up with his index finger. As he returned her kiss, her body awakened at his touch, fighting through the exhaustion and afternoon heat. “Give me an hour to shop and shower?”
Rachel nodded and gripped the handle on the car door with a grin. Sinking into the driver’s seat, she giggled at the mixed bag of emotions consuming his face.
He closed her door and tapped on the window.
Rachel rolled it down and laughed. “Yes, Mr. Rodriguez?”
“Bring your swimsuit.” He winked and bonked her on the nose with a mischievous smile.
His sultry suggestion fueled her, and the salacious stare of his eyes turned her into a pile of gooey, custardy mush.