Epilogue
“Mama, I’d like you to meet Carter Ames.
Carter, this is my mother, Valeria Veronica.
” Mira shifted her attention from her mother to Carter and back again as she introduced the two at the café where she had arranged for them to have lunch.
Carter had “just happened” to drop by as they were finishing up their meal—Mira’s plan to make the meeting between two of the most important people in her life less stressful.
Mama took Carter’s hand. “So you are the young man my daughter can’t stop talking about,” she said.
“I hope only good things.” Carter’s tone was teasing, his smile the flirtatious one she had first experienced on the night they met.
Mama returned the smile. “Oh yes, only good things. You are a superhero, saving lives, exploring the mountains. And you are studying to be a teacher, no?”
“Classes start next month,” he said.
“Carter is going to be a wonderful teacher,” Mira said. “He really has a way of communicating with people.”
“That’s a very nice way of saying I talk too much,” Carter said.
“A useful talent for someone who gives tours for a living,” Mama said. “Do I remember that correctly?”
“Yes. It’s a family business.” He glanced at Mira, then back at her mother. “While you’re in town, I want to take you and Mira on a tour,” he said. “It’s the best way to see the mountains.”
“That sounds like it would be fun,” Mama said. “And it will give us a chance to get to know each other better.”
Carter paled only slightly at this. Mira resisted the urge to praise him further.
She could have told her mother about how he had taken the teenager he had rescued, Craig, under his wing.
The two met up regularly now to hike or climb.
And he was part of a group of search and rescue volunteers who were working with a financial adviser to strengthen the group’s financial picture.
Mama’s expression sobered. “Mira tells me you were badly hurt when that awful man attacked the two of you,” she said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m pretty much healed.” He rolled his right shoulder to demonstrate.
Mira knew the injury still hurt him sometimes, but he had worked hard to get back into shape. In fact, they went to the gym together, since she needed to regain strength in her arm once it was finally out of its cast.
“It’s good that the man who shot you is in jail,” Mama said. “He will be there for a long time?”
“He’s still awaiting trial,” Carter said. “But I think we won’t have to worry about him anymore.”
Mama turned to Mira. “And the man’s son is still here? The teacher you told me about?”
“Yes. He had no idea what his dad was doing behind his back. He recently got engaged.” Shayla still hadn’t forgiven Mira, but Mitch was friendly, so Mira hoped his influence would eventually soften Shayla’s heart.
“Carter?”
He glanced over his shoulder to the server, who held a large take-out bag. “I have to go now,” he said. He slipped his hand from Mama’s grasp. “It was nice to meet you. I’ll see you again soon.”
“Yes, soon.” They watched as Carter accepted his food and left. Then Mama turned to Mira. “I see now why you are not interested in moving back home. He’s very good-looking, for a gringo.”
“Mama!”
She giggled. “The look on your face, hija! I am only teasing.”
Mira relaxed. “Carter is very good-looking. But he’s also smart and kind, and he treats me well.”
“And you love him. I see it in your eyes. And in his eyes.” She reached across the table and patted Mira’s hand. “So what are you going to do about it? Are you going to get married?”
“We’re taking things slow, Mama. We’ve both been through a lot.”
Mama nodded. “Slow can be good. But don’t make me wait forever.”
“When we’ve decided, you’ll be one of the first to know.”
“It’s good to see you so happy, hija.”
“I am happy, Mama.” With Carter, and with herself. She had stopped blaming herself for not seeing George’s true nature, and learning to trust her judgment again. Yes, she and Carter had been through tough times, but she saw only good things ahead of them. Together.