Touch of Danger

by Alexa Verde

  “Yes?” Julia braced herself.

  “I was blinded by hatred. I hated you enough to try to run you off the road. And Barbara stoked the fire under that hatred well. She also said if the police didn’t want to do anything to punish you for my son’s death, we should turn the town against you, show everybody what a horrible person you are. Barbara said she knew you well, and you were an egotistical, superficial woman who used men to your advantage and discarded them, worse than your mother. She said you laughed when talking about Seth taking his life because of you. She said we should warn other poor guys from falling for you the way my son had. That way, by opening everybody’s eyes to your true character, we’d prevent the men of Rios Azules from suffering because of you and possibly ending up like my son. And I… I fell for it.” He paused again, as if it were difficult for him to speak.

  It was difficult for Julia to speak, too. Shocked, she couldn’t say a word.

  Finally, Mr. Vargas continued, “I’ve made great connections here during my career. Besides, people felt compassionate toward me because of losing my son. And during the decades of my career, I’ve acquired skills in persuading people to see what I wanted them to see. I used my connections and that compassion any chance I got to throw the blame on you. I told my wife to do the same. Rios Azules is a caring community. They always care about the underdog. I showed myself as that underdog and used all my skills to picture you as a villain.” He chuckled without mirth. “I persuaded some people, but I couldn’t turn the entire town against you, no matter how hard I tried. Especially when Ivan stood up for you. I’m so sorry for everything. I should’ve understood that you weren’t the one to blame.”

  Julia stared at Ivan’s father.

  “I’ll report to the police station about trying to run you off the road. I just wanted to ask you for forgiveness before I do so.” His voice broke.

  Julia managed to find her voice. “I won’t press charges. In fact, I’ll do everything to defend you. I’ll pray for you, too.”

  The older man looked startled. “You… what?”

  “I’ll pray for you. It’ll take me some time to forgive you completely, but I’m sure I will. I’ve seen what happens when somebody carries resentment inside for many years. I don’t want that to happen to me.”

  “Thank you,” Ivan’s father breathed out. “My wife and I were so wrong about you. You’re amazing.” Tears ran down his cheeks.

  Julia felt her own eyes prickle with tears again. “I don’t do it for you. I do it for myself. And… Ivan.”

  “You love him, don’t you?”

  “Very much.”

  She said a silent prayer for Ivan and his parents.

  “I can’t wish for a better daughter-in-law. You’re nothing like your mother. You don’t walk away from people before they can walk away from you so you don’t get hurt.”

  Julia gasped as the realization hit her.

  Was that what she’d just done?

  Walked away from Ivan, afraid he’d leave her eventually, and used his father’s animosity toward her as an excuse? The same thing she’d done when she’d been fifteen?

  Oh, no.

  Ivan’s father was wrong. Julia had behaved like her mother, letting her fear of abandonment affect her relationships. The best relationship she’d ever had.

  Was there still a chance for Ivan and her?

  Or was it too late?

  She’d have to find out.

  “Mr. Vargas, I have to leave. I need to speak to your son.”

  “Of course.” He nodded. “And… thank you.”

  Spurred on by hope, she leaped to her feet, rushed out of the gazebo, and ran around the hospital to the parking lot and her car. Once inside her vehicle, she took off, burning rubber. The tires squealed in protest, but she didn’t care.

  For the first time in her life, she didn’t pay attention to speed limits, either.

  All her life, she’d done the right thing. She’d analyzed everything and calculated for the best outcome. But not today. Today one and one would equal love and happiness. At least, she hoped so while she sped along the streets.

  She prayed for another chance with Ivan.

  Julia was just three blocks away from the police station when the wail of a siren cut into her thoughts. Flashing lights in her rearview mirror made her press on the brakes and pull over to the side.

  Stifling her irritation, she rolled down the window and put her hands on the steering wheel, where the officer would be able to see them.

  Aidan approached her. “Good evening, Ms. Morrison.” He kept an official tone, even though they knew each other well. “Please give me your driver’s license and insurance.”

  Julia did as she was told. “I know I was speeding. I’m sorry.” It wasn’t a bright idea to speed, especially so close to the police station.

  “Why were you going in such a hurry?” Judging by his tone, he was reluctant to give her a ticket.

  “I need to see Ivan as soon as I can. I’ve got to tell him how much I love him. And ask him to marry me.” She gasped at her own boldness.

  “I’ll let you go with a warning.” Aidan chuckled. “I warn you that you’d better invite me to the wedding.”

  Julia smiled as she drove off. She went the rest of the way to the police station without more misadventures. Blood rushing through her veins, she parked crookedly, jumped out of the car, and dashed to the entrance. She breezed through the door, saw Ivan standing near his boss, and…

  Her courage left her.

  She just stood there, staring at him, afraid she’d ruined everything by pushing him away. Then Ivan grinned at her, opened his arms, and she ran into them.

  He lifted her and whirled her in the air, and her heart filled with utmost happiness.

  “I love you, Ivan. I’ve loved you since I was fifteen. I want to spend my life with you. You’re the one for me. And you’re right that I’m the one for you. Not because I’m so great. No, I have my faults. But because I love you faithfully, truly, deeply. Marry me!”

  “Ms. Julia Hortensia Morrison, are you asking me to marry you?” Ivan chuckled.

  Aidan entered the building. “Hmmm, Hortensia?”

  She sent Aidan a glare but changed it to an adoring look when she looked at Ivan. She loved him when he was serious, but she could never get tired of his laughter, either. “Yes, I am.”

  “Can I think about it?”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “Of course I’ll marry you! It’s a dream come true for me.” Ivan gave her a gentle kiss while cheers and applause erupted around them.

  She sighed happily. A lifetime with Ivan sounded like a dream come true to her, too.

  Julia said a prayer of gratitude, thanking God for love, hope, and enormous joy.

  Epilogue

  A year later.

  “To Mr. and Mrs. Vargas!”

  Julia looked around the Café, where the reception for the wedding was held, and everybody was cheering the newlyweds.

  As the owner of the Café, Mari had insisted on providing the food, and Julia had opted for the usual fare of the restaurant, seafood and steaks that now covered the tables and emanated a delicious scent. Soledad, with her artistic skills, had offered to do all the decorations and design the invitations. Despite disliking standing out with her red hair, Julia had decided to love it and opted for a white and red theme. The tables, chairs, and walls were decorated with red and white roses and red ribbons.

  Lydia had brought the wedding cake, also decorated with red and white roses, and delicious pastries from her grandmother’s store, Evelyn’s Pastries. River had come from Dallas with her husband, Jacob, and had helped writing announcements and had done videotaping. And, of course, all the Danger Girls had pitched in every way they could, including becoming her bridesmaids.

  The church ceremony had been everything Julia had wished for.

  Her heart sang. She’d waited so long for this day that she still couldn’t believe that it had fi
nally come. She was Mrs. Vargas now.

  “I love you so much,” Ivan whispered to her.

  He’d told her these words often during the last year, but she never got tired of hearing them. It had been difficult to put off the wedding this long, but Julia had gritted her teeth, gathered every ounce of patience she’d possessed, and insisted on having an appropriate mournful period before the celebration.

  She beamed at him. “I love you, too. More than I ever imagined possible.”

  A lot of people had gathered at the tables at Mari’s restaurant, and even more had come to the church. Julia had been shocked how much public opinion about her had changed once the real culprit had been announced and especially after she’d become Ivan’s fiancée.

  She hadn’t held a grudge and treated everyone with respect and politeness. But she was especially grateful for the people who’d always stood by her.

  Julia smiled at Soledad with James, noticing a new light shining in Soledad’s eyes. Just yesterday, Soledad had found out she was pregnant, and Julia’s heart swelled at this wonderful news.

  Then Julia’s gaze turned to River with Jacob, who was putting more food on his wife’s plate. River looked up at Julia and returned her smile.

  Julia’s heart squeezed when she looked at Lydia, whose lips curled up, but her blue eyes were sad. Lydia was acting nonchalant, but it was obvious it wasn’t easy to be the last of the Danger Girls who was still single. Julia had seen Lydia stealing several glances at Aidan, and Aidan had done the same. Julia drummed her fingers against the table. A lot of issues were separating Aidan and Lydia, but there should be a way to bring them together. Overwhelmed with joy, Julia wanted her friend to have the same kind of joy, too.

  Ivan placed a kiss on her cheek, and a wave of apprehension went through her. It had been the longest year of her life, but now the wait was over.

  Julia nodded to Ivan’s parents, who gave her huge grins. Since that conversation in the gazebo with Ivan’s father, their attitude toward Julia had changed drastically. It had taken Julia some time to get rid of the rest of resentment in her heart against them, but she’d done it for Ivan and for herself. Gradually, Ivan’s parents’ relationship with Ivan had been improving, as well, and they seemed to finally accept his career choice.

  Julia nodded to her stepsisters, Ronda and Ashley, who, with Ted Connor, Blake McDougal, and Mrs. Gallagher, were sitting at two tables moved together. Blake had spent weeks and weeks in the hospital, his life hanging on a thread. But he’d fully recovered and had visited Rios Azules—and Ashley—several times in the past year. Julia had a feeling that when the dance started, Blake would be dancing with Ashley.

  Mrs. Gallagher saluted Julia with a flute of apple cider. In the past year, Julia had grown closer to Mrs. Gallagher, who, despite all her material possessions, had apparently been a bit lonely. And though Mrs. Gallagher’s character had been different from Julia’s grandma’s character, they both shared strong faith. Julia felt the void after losing her grandparents getting smaller and smaller.

  Julia had also found closure. She’d eagerly drunk in Mrs. Gallagher’s stories about Julia’s father, the man Julia had barely known but still missed so much.

  There was one more person at that table whom Julia barely knew.

  Her mother.

  Julia swallowed the bitter taste of regret and flushed it down with ginger ale. Her mother had surprised her with a visit about a month ago, and they’d had a long conversation. It turned out her mom had a fear of abandonment after becoming a widow. Her way to cope with it had been to run from one relationship to another one and then leave the men before they could leave her. Her mother had just gone through a divorce but didn’t seem heartbroken. Julia took another sip of her ginger ale, watching her mom zoom in on Ivan’s father’s friend, who’d lost his wife two years ago.

  Suppressing a sigh, Julia looked away. The guy didn’t have a chance. It appeared Julia was going to have a new stepfather soon. But at least if her mother moved to Rios Azules from Dallas, maybe they could form a bond they’d never had.

  Ivan gave her a hug, and she leaned into him. She’d found her true love. And he’d taken her back no matter how many times she’d pushed him away.

  Thank You, Lord.

  A little whimpering reached Julia from the right, and Julia looked at the table where Luke, Mari, and several employees from the Café were sitting. Mari still had her signature long blue bangs, the rest of her hair cut short, but instead of a T-shirt and worn jeans, now Mari was wearing a long red dress that reached her cowboy boots.

  Mari had changed a lot during her marriage to Luke, and not only because the metallic chains she used to favor were gone from her wrists and pain and defiance were no longer etched in her features. She was still the same Mari, still defending her friends, speaking her mind, and living her life, not caring what people thought of her. But she’d become softer and… happier. The best part of all, Mari held a baby boy in her arms.

  The best wedding present ever.

  Julia’s breath caught in her throat, and a tear escaped her eye. That baby was truly a miracle. Mari had gone through a lot in her life and had almost died several times. But nobody would guess it while looking at this happy couple. Motherhood had given Mari a glow, wiping the challenging look from her dark eyes. She shouldn’t have worried about being a good mother. From what Julia had seen so far, Mari was a great mom. And Luke… Oh, the expression on his face as he looked at his wife and son was filled with so much love and gentleness that another tear escaped Julia’s eye.

  “Julia, why are you crying?” Ivan leaned to her and wiped her tear with his thumb.

  His touch made her heart skip a beat, and she was sure that would never change.

  She looked up at Ivan. “From happiness.”

  “You make me happy, too.” He placed a kiss on her cheek.

  “Thank you for doing this wedding the way I asked.” She sent him a grateful glance.

  The wedding was much more modest than was appropriate for the son of the town’s lawyer; she’d been given away by people other than her family, and she’d asked for donations to her nonprofit rather than wedding gifts. Ivan had gone along with it all.

  “It’s perfect to me. Just as you’re perfect to me.” Love shone in his eyes.

  Julia sighed blissfully.

  It was the Danger Girls who’d given her away earlier. She’d debated asking her mother but decided to go with the people who weren’t related to her but had always been there for her.

  With their growing families and responsibilities, the Danger Girls’ friendship had evolved, changed, but it was still precious to Julia’s heart. It would always be.

  The music started playing.

  “May I have this dance?” Ivan offered her his hand.

  “Yes. And all future ones, too.” Julia looked into the eyes of her new husband, whom she’d loved for a long time without even realizing it.

  Ivan led her to the dance floor, where they would be the only couple for this dance.

  As much as Julia didn’t like to be the center of attention, she was too happy right now to think about that.

  “I don’t want distrust and misconceptions to ever stand between us again,” she whispered as she swayed to the music.

  “Never again. I love you too much for that.” Ivan’s voice was thick with emotion.

  Julia said a prayer of gratitude for all the blessings.

  Thank You for Reading

  Thank you for reading Touch of Danger. If you write even several words on Amazon, it will mean a lot to me. I’m grateful to every person who reads my books, and every review matters to me.

  If you liked Ivan and Julia’s story, I hope you might enjoy River of Danger, Color of Danger, Taste of Danger, and Scent of Danger. Most of the books in the Secrets of Rios Azules series feature one of the childhood friends in the group nicknamed the Danger Girls. Lydia from the Danger Girls will have her own story, and I look forward to her getting a happ
ily-ever-after.

  I wanted to say several words about a sensitive topic I mention in Touch of Danger. While Ivan’s brother’s suicide was staged and it was proven in the end that Julia wasn’t to blame for it, I know several people who attempted to commit suicide and once wrote an article about children’s suicide. It is a tragedy that affects many people and robs families of peace and happiness. It’s a very dark moment in somebody’s life when he or she stands on the edge of the abyss, considering taking his or her life. I pray for them seeing the light in the darkness and for their healing.

  I do love hearing from readers, and if you email me at alexaverde7@gmail.com, or visit me on Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter, you’ll make my day. For giveaways, news, and recipes, please sign up for my newsletter.

  Thank you very much for sharing your time with me and my books, and I hope we’ll meet again.

  Blessings,

  Alexa Verde

  About the Author

  Alexa Verde writes sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and murder. She has had 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, a master’s in Russian, and enjoys writing about characters with diverse cultures. She’s worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, model (even one day counts!), caretaker, and secretary, but thinks that the writer’s hat suits her the best.

  After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, she calls a small town in south Texas home. The latter is an inspiration for the fictional setting of her series Rios Azules Christmas and Secrets of Rios Azules. Please visit her online, on Facebook and Twitter. For giveaways, contests, and news, please sign up for her newsletter.

  Please turn the page for the information about other titles by Alexa.

  Other Books by Alexa Verde

  Secrets of Rios Azules Series

  Christian Multicultural Romantic Suspense

  Sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and murder