Chapter 34
34
A nother wedding, but this one was different. The wedding of Hunter Miller and Sable Devereaux in the town of Hopevale had brought everyone together.
As a groomsman, Alejandro had stood beside his good friend and watched him pledge his life to the woman he loved. Neither of them had much family, but Sable’s daughter had traveled from Gallaudet University to stand beside her mother as her maid of honor. Now the celebration in the event hall was in full swing.
Alejandro sat at one of the round tables with his chair turned in the direction of the dance floor, his tie loosened, and his jacket long discarded. Most of the guests were out on the floor, shaking their asses, cheering, clapping, and dancing along with the bride and groom.
Sable was gorgeous in a vintage-inspired gown and matching hair accessories, her hair pinned up in a bun. Her brown skin glowed under the lights as she danced, smiling up at her husband.
“I don’t think I have ever seen Hunter smile so much,” Cruz remarked. He sat in a chair on the opposite side of the table.
“Me either,” Alejandro said with a laugh, sticking an unlit cigar in between his teeth.
Before coming to Hopevale, he and Camila had flown to Jalisco for a few days. He tended to his parents’ graves and then they visited his grandmother. She had expressed joy and exuberant approval when she learned they had gotten married, and surprisingly so had Camila’s family. Either the passing years had faded their memories of his exploits as a youth, or they no longer cared.
Alex, Cruz’s almost six-year-old son, dashed toward them wearing a pair of black slacks. No shirt. No socks. No shoes. He looked like he had been in the midst of a strip tease when someone interrupted him.
Not too far behind was his mother, Shanice—a tall, thick-bodied woman with golden skin. She stalked over, an exasperated expression on her face. The little boy ran between Cruz’s open legs and hid his face against his father’s abdomen.
“Look at your son. I told you we should have left him at home,” Shanice said. They had left their toddler daughter at home with a babysitter. “Where is your shirt, Alex?”
“I don’t know,” Alex mumbled against Cruz’s belly. He lifted his face to his father, beseeching him to save him from his mother’s wrath.
“I’ll keep him here with me,” Cruz said.
“He’s not getting back out on the dance floor until he finds his shirt—and his shoes!” Shanice walked away, shaking her head.
Cruz looked down at his son. “Where are your clothes?”
Alex shrugged and climbed onto his father’s lap.
Cruz kissed the top of his head. “Why do you give your mommy so much trouble, hmm?”
“I don’t know,” Alex murmured, resting his face against his father’s chest.
Alejandro chuckled, as he imagined one day having a son or daughter as rambunctious and mischievous as Alex.
Tyrone Evers, who had left the police department and joined their team some time ago, approached with his wife, Ella Brooks, a woman worth billions. The couple had met when Tyrone was still on the force and investigated a break-in at her place. His sharp mind and connections with local law enforcement had proved invaluable on recent cases.
“It’s getting late. We’re going to head out,” Tyrone said.
“You’re too young to be going home already,” Alejandro teased.
Tyrone chuckled. “It’s the wife. You know how it is.”
Ella’s mouth fell open, and she cocked her head to give him an incredulous look. “Don’t listen to him. He’s the one who can’t handle being out late. Soon as we get home, he’ll probably crash for the rest of the night.”
“Only because it’s been a long week.” Tyrone flung his arm across her shoulders and saluted with his other hand. “Good night, gentlemen. See you on Monday.”
“Good night,” Alejandro and Cruz said at the same time.
“Good night!” Alex yelled. He waved at the couple, and they waved back.
Mouse approached, carrying a small white shirt and miniature black shoes. “Gee, I wonder who these belong to.”
“Me!” Alex said.
“Yes.” Mouse turned over the shirt to Cruz. “I couldn’t find his socks.”
“This will at least get him back out on the dance floor,” Cruz said.
Mouse crouched in front of Cruz and slipped the shoes on his son’s feet. Alex then hopped down and Cruz helped him put on his shirt.
“Isn’t that much better?” Cruz asked.
Alex nodded vigorously.
“Go play with the other kids, and do not take your clothes off again.”
“Okay.” Alex ran off.
Mouse watched him run over to where several children were dancing in a circle. “He’s gonna take his clothes off again, isn’t he?”
“Definitely,” Cruz replied.
The three of them laughed.
“I’m going to find a server to get something else to drink. I’m parched. Can I get either of you anything?”
“No, I’m good,” Cruz said.
Alejandro held up his glass of water. “I’m fine.”
“Cool.” Mouse lingered for a moment, as if she didn’t want to leave, and then turned to walk away.
“Mouse.” Cruz called out to her, and she turned back in their direction. “Are you okay?”
“Sure. Of course.”
“You know what he means,” Alejandro said.
Despite her lethal skills, they were all protective of Mouse because of her age. She was the youngest member of their team.
“I’m fine, really.” Then she took a deep breath. “I’ll be fine.”
“If you need to talk…” Cruz said.
“I know. I appreciate the offer, but I’m good.” She gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and walked away.
Cruz and Alejandro looked at each other. The anniversary of her family’s death was coming up, which was always a difficult time for her.
“I will check on her tomorrow,” Alejandro told Cruz.
Later, guests gathered outside for the sendoff of the happy couple, tossing flower petals at them as they hopped into the waiting limo. Once they were gone, everyone started saying their goodbyes.
Alejandro and Camila walked hand in hand toward his vehicle and waved at Hossam and Alissa, who veered off in the opposite direction. They stopped at Alejandro’s navy-blue Dodge Ram 1500 truck, and he opened the door.
Instead of climbing in, Camila turned to face him. She appeared almost angelic under the lights of the parking lot, her hair a tumble of waves past her shoulders. Large gold earrings peeked between the strands and brightened her features.
“This was a really nice wedding,” she said.
“I’m happy for Hunter—for both of them.”
“You have some cool friends.”
He angled his head sideways. “So, what do you think about Hopevale so far, my dear wife?” he asked.
My dear wife. My wife. He hadn’t completely become accustomed to saying those words. For so many years he’d been on his own, it was strange to have to check in with someone else about decisions. But he liked it. He also liked coming home to a hot meal, lying in bed together talking, watching television, or making love.
She had found a property manager who was currently working on finding a tenant for her parents’ house, and in a few weeks they were going back to Las Vegas to bring all her belongings to Hopevale.
“Definitely a big change from Las Vegas,” she said with a laugh.
“But you like the location?”
“Yes, I like this cute little town.”
“You could live here, permanently?” He wanted to be sure. Her happiness was paramount. “We could live in Atlanta, like Katherine and Raheem, and I could commute.”
“Not necessary. I’ll be happy here because you’re here.” Camila slipped her arms around his waist and tilted back her head to look up at him.
“Same for me. All that matters is being with you,” he said. He had never said words like this to any other woman.
Her pretty eyes softened. “We’re starting over. Starting fresh.”
“Just the two of us,” Alejandro said, cupping her face.
“Forever,” Camila whispered.
“ Para siempre ,” he whispered back.
Then their lips touched in a deep kiss filled with the promise of a future together—finally.