by MJ Summers
A middle-aged woman standing beside her smiled at Alessandra. “You have a beautiful family. I was watching you on the ride, and your husband certainly dotes on you both. You are very lucky.”
“Oh, um, thanks,” she answered, glad that Trey couldn’t understand what the woman had said.
Just then, she heard her sister’s voice. “There she is! Alessandra!”
Alessandra turned to see her grandpa and Betina hurrying over, both sporting broad grins. “Ali está minha garota!” Carlos called.
Alessandra grinned back, waving enthusiastically with her free hand instead of running to them. “Olá!”
Her granddad gave her a long hug and a kiss on the cheek, careful not to disturb Tomas. “Você está muito bonita.”
“Oh please, I’m a sweaty mess.”
“Mesmo assim, você está incrível,” he replied, smiling adoringly at her. He put his hand gently on Tomas’s little back, leaning in to get a glimpse of his face.
Betina kissed Alessandra’s cheek. “Welcome home,” she said quietly. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she pointed in Trey’s direction. “Oh my God. Is that him?”
He was unloading the last of the bags, the muscles in his arms rippling as he worked.
Alessandra nodded, watching her sister’s reaction. Betina raised her eyebrows and muttered, “Oh, wow.”
“Yeah, I know.” The pair tried to hide their giggles as they watched Trey hand the other passengers their bags. The driver shook his hand, thanking him profusely for his help. Trey nodded and smiled at the man before slinging Alessandra’s two bags over his shoulder and picking up their suitcases. He approached them, carrying the bags with ease before lowering them to shake hands with Alessandra’s grandfather.
“Carlos Santos,” he said. “Hello,” he managed in English.
“Nice to meet you, sir,” Trey replied, holding his hand out to Carlos. “I just can’t thank you enough for offering to put up Tomas and me in your home. I’m honestly not sure what I would have done otherwise.”
“Yes, yes,” Carlos responded, shaking Trey’s hand and then patting the back of Trey’s hand with his other one. He said something to Alessandra in Portuguese and gave Trey an apologetic look.
“He said his English is very poor and he is sorry he can’t say more to you. He hopes you won’t feel left out when we speak in Portuguese.”
“Please tell him that I’m going to consider it my job to learn as much Portuguese as I can while I’m here. And thank him for his generosity in opening his home to us.”
Alessandra passed the message along, and Carlos reached up to pat Trey on the shoulder with a warm smile, his sun-baked face creasing with the effort.
Betina glanced over at Trey. “If you want to learn Portuguese, I’m afraid my mother and I won’t let you practice very much. We are both working on our English. My mother has wanted to work in tourism for many years now and has finished the courses, but she thinks her English is too bad.”
“Well, I’m happy to help if you like. Maybe I can sweet talk Alessa into teaching me Portuguese,” Trey said.
Betina gave him a knowing grin. “I’m sure you could.”
Bebedouro, Brazil
Trey stared out the window as they drove past field after field of orange trees in full bloom, reaching the farm fifteen minutes outside Bebedouro. Just as they turned up the driveway to the Santos family farm, Tomas woke. Trey watched as his son rubbed his eyes and blinked slowly. He smiled up at Trey before peering out the window. Trey’s gaze followed that of his son to take in the first glimpse of their new home. The sun was just setting, giving the most peaceful glow to the world. Lining the long driveway were rows of old orange trees stretching over the lane as though trying to reach for each other. They were ripe with blossoms that gave off a wonderful, deliciously light scent as the truck rolled slowly toward the house.
Tomas smiled over at his dad and took a big whiff. “Mmm.”
The house itself was perfectly suited to its environment, even though it had most certainly seen better days. It was a long ranch-style home that had been brilliant white at one point but had yellowed slightly with time and weather. The red, clay-tiled roof and dark wood window frames, rounded at the tops, gave the house an inviting appearance. Shrubs and plants at various stages of growth surrounded the house, and a slightly overgrown lawn stretched out from the shrubbery to the driveway. Everything about this place was tropical and lush. Two rows of wide steps led to the covered porch that wrapped around the house and undoubtedly served to protect the house from the heat of the midday sun. Arched double doors welcomed visitors at the front entrance.
As soon as the truck stopped in front of the house, Lorena Santos walked out the door. She stood on the porch, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. She had the same tiny frame as Betina, and the lovely features that both of her daughters shared. Her dark hair was pulled back in a loose bun and she wore a pale green housedress. She smiled broadly as her father parked.
Hugs were exchanged among introductions and handshakes.
A small grey cat meandered over, staring at the party curiously. Tomas lit up with excitement when he saw the small animal. “Cat! I pet cat?”
Alessandra nodded to him. “Yes. She’s a nice cat, but you have to be gentle with her, okay?”
Tomas nodded and took off toward the animal, causing her to dart across the lawn and under the porch. Carlos watched, chuckling a little as Tomas, looking disappointed, returned to the grown-ups.
“Onde está o gato?” Carlos asked, putting his hands up in the air.
Tomas smiled at him and pointed under the house. “Ali embaixo.”
Carlos gave him a smile and held out his hand. “Aham. Vem aqui comigo.”
“He will help you get the cat, Tomas. He’s going to put some milk on a plate for you to give to her,” Alessandra told him. Turning to Trey, she said quietly, “It drives my mother nuts. You’ll see.”
Lorena turned to her father and said something Trey didn’t understand. He watched as the old man waved her off without looking back and went into the house. Something about the scene made Trey feel right at home, and he could tell already that he was going to like Carlos.
“I think Tomas is going to be happy here,” Trey remarked.
“And my father will enjoy having another little one to spoil. Lately he just has that skinny cat.” Lorena said, shaking her head before announcing that it was time for everyone to wash up for dinner.
“I hope you’re hungry, Trey,” Betina said as they walked out the back door from the kitchen onto the tiled patio. “My mother has made enough food to feed the US army tonight.”
Before he could answer, Lorena interjected, “He needs good food after only Alessandra’s cooking.”
“Oh, actually, ma’am, Alessandra is an excellent cook. Her meals have been a real treat for me.” Trey smiled over at Alessandra reassuringly.
“Of course,” Lorena replied. “I only joke with her.”
“Right.” Trey nodded in agreement but couldn’t help but notice the tight smile on Alessa’s face as they made their way to the table.
Trey took in the colours and incredible smells of the food laid out on a long wooden table under a pergola, understanding immediately that Betina hadn’t been kidding. There were several salads, a bowl of roasted potatoes, a basket of small rolls, a cast iron pot filled with black bean stew, and a whole chicken on a platter as well as a plate of beef cut into strips. Two bottles of wine flanked the food on either end of the long table.
Alessa pointed to the various dishes, offering explanations of each one. The rolls were called pão de queijo and were baked with cheese in them. The stew was feijoada and was similar to chili, but with beef and sausage in it. She explained that these were all traditional Brazilian dishes and family favourites. They dished the food out, making sure Trey got a lot of everything before they began to eat.
Carlos held up the wine bottle to Trey.
“Obrigado,” Trey said, s
miling at Carlos.
“Please pass the rolls,” Alessa said to Betina, who was nearest the basket. Tomas, who was seated in a wooden high chair next to her, was trying to wear his plate as a hat.
Lorena looked down the table at Trey. “The pão de queijo was Alessa’s best food as a girl. She ate so many we called her our chubby little cheese roll.”
Alessa’s face turned a deep shade of red. “It is for Tomas. Please pass me the salad, Mãe.”
Carlos patted his granddaughter’s hand, seeming to have caught the conversation. Based on the sympathetic look he gave Alessandra, Trey guessed this was a scene that had played out more than once. He hadn’t been raised to make fun of people and seeing Alessandra’s mother make her so uncomfortable bothered him. “Alessandra’s quite the impressive young woman. You must be very proud.”
Lorena nodded. “Yes, of course I am.”
Trey took a sip of wine. “Betina said you’d like to work in tourism. I’ve always thought that would be a very interesting job. Fun too, maybe.”
Lorena waved a hand dismissively. “It’s a silly idea. I’m needed here.”
Alessandra sat up. “You know, Mãe, now that I’m back, you could go. I will stay here with Vô and help run the house.”
Lorena shook her head. “No. You will only fall in love with some young man and leave my father alone. I need to stay.”
“No I won’t. I want to be here with Vô. I would never let him down like that.”
“You can’t know that,” Lorena said. “Love does not come when you should have it. If it comes at all, it is always at the wrong time.” She gestured to the table. “But now is the right time for food.”
The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough. After dinner, Lorena commandeered Betina to help with the cleanup while Alessandra took Tomas for his bath and Trey unloaded their things from the truck, bringing Tomas’s and Alessa’s bags to her room and his own things to a tiny house on the property. Alessa and Trey had decided it was best for Tomas to sleep with her in the big house for a little while, until they were settled in and he was more comfortable with Trey.
Lorena led him out to the small house that would be his temporary home. She explained that it had once been used for hired help, but in the past years it had been used for guests. Unlocking the door, Lorena stepped out of the way to let Trey through. Off to the left of the entrance was a tiny kitchen with a table for two, a few bright blue cupboards with colourful curtains in place of doors, the smallest stove Trey had ever seen and an equally diminutive refrigerator. To the right was a living room with an ancient television topped with rabbit ears, a loveseat and one armchair. Two doors at the back of the room led to the bedroom and a simple bathroom.
“I’m sure you will find it small,” she said.
“This will be just fine. It’s much bigger than the dorm I’ve been living in.” Trey smiled warmly at her. “I really can’t tell you how grateful I am that you’re letting us stay here. It means the world to me.”
Lorena gave an appreciative nod at his show of gratitude. “If it will keep your family together, that is an important cause. Nothing is more important than family.”
“I agree.”
“You know I have no husband so I must do some of the jobs of a father. Today, a father would tell you to keep your pants zipped up. You can live here but not if you are trying to sleep with one of my daughters. That day, I would have another job to do, and you would find it much more painful than this talk. Is this clear?”
Trey swallowed hard. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.” Lorena gave him a hard stare before walking out.
Trey stared at the door for a second after she closed it. “Okay, glad that’s over.”
Sixteen
Trey took a few minutes to put his bags into the bedroom and unpack his toiletries before making his way back to the main house to read a bedtime story to Tomas. He sat on the floor in Alessandra’s room with his legs stretched out in front of him and his son on his lap. Alessandra busied herself putting away her clothes and preparing the small toddler-sized bed for Tomas while Trey read out loud.
A poster of Justin Timberlake caught Trey’s eye, and he suddenly realized the room was still that of a schoolgirl, complete with stuffed animals on a pink bedspread. “JT fan?” Trey asked Alessandra, nodding to the poster.
Alessandra wore a sheepish grin. “Oh, I don’t know why I haven’t taken that down yet. Ignore him, please.”
Trey pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh, which prompted a stern look from Alessandra. “Aren’t you supposed to be reading?”
“I am, but I can’t help wondering if maybe my lawyer is a little younger than I originally thought,” he teased.
Alessandra laughed in spite of herself. “You’re free to find yourself another lawyer.” She pursed her lips together and shook her head. “I like things to stay the same. Is that so bad?”
“Not at all. There’s comfort in that, isn’t there?”
“Yes,” Alessandra answered, seeming to relax a bit.
“Besides, he is bringing sexy back,” Trey said, referring to the poster again.
Alessandra gave him an exasperated look. “You better be careful or I’ll fire you, Mr. Johnson. Lawyers can do that, you know.”
“Ah, you wouldn’t fire me, I’m your best client.”
“Yes, but you’re also my worst client. Now read.” She pointed to the book.
Trey did as he was told, continuing the story for Tomas but making sure to glance up at Alessandra with a smirk every chance he got. When the story was finished, he carried his son over to his new bed. It had a beautiful wooden frame that looked like it had been carved by hand.
“This is a very nice bed,” Trey remarked.
“Thank you. My grandfather made it for me.”
“He’s obviously quite talented,” Trey said. “What do you think, Tomas? A cozy bed, just the right size for you. I’d say you’re pretty lucky to get to sleep here.”
Tomas nodded eagerly, then snuggled into the pillow, clearly tired. Alessandra handed him his blanket and his favourite stuffed animal, a well-worn blue puppy, before she tucked him in. “Here you go. You’ve been a very good boy all day on the long bus ride. I’m proud of you,” she told Tomas.
“I’ll let you get him to sleep,” Trey said quietly, bending down to give Tomas a kiss.
“Dad, stay for song time,” Tomas said. It was the first time he’d asked for Trey to stay at bedtime.
“Yeah? Okay, buddy.” Trey grinned as he flopped down onto the floor beside his son’s bed and held his little hand. Seeing the embarrassed look on Alessandra’s face, Trey gave her a smile. “You’ve heard me sing. There’s no way you’re worse.”
Alessandra winced as she sat on the edge of the bed and started to sing. The first notes came out so quietly they were almost inaudible, but she soon found her confidence. Trey watched and listened, entranced by her voice. Even though he didn’t understand the words, their tenderness and love came through. Trey watched as she traced little patterns on Tomas’s face with her fingertip. His eyes soon travelled to her full lips. He found himself wishing he could kiss those lips. Deciding it was safer to look away, he fixed his stare on Tomas, whose eyelids were now closed. Rubbing his thumb over his son’s palm, Trey felt a sense of contentment that was entirely new to him. They were together here in this tranquil place, and he knew instinctively that this would be a good home for his son, even if they only stayed a short time.
* * *
When they left the room, Trey quietly closed the door behind them and touched Alessandra’s arm with his hand. “That was a lovely song. I can see why Tomas insists on having you finish his bedtime every night. You have a beautiful voice.”
“Oh, not really.” Alessandra rolled her eyes.
“What’s the song about?”
She suddenly looked very embarrassed. “It’s maybe not such a good lullaby, but I know all the words so I sing it. It’s actually a so
ng by an old rock band, Legião Urbana. It’s about a boy missing the girl he loves. Translated, the name is something like, ‘Wind at the Seashore.’ ”
His eyes locked on hers. “Why aren’t they together?”
“The song doesn’t tell you. But the singer goes to the sea to try to get over her. He hopes the wind and the waves will wash her out of his heart. He knows she is gone but he still feels she is with him. It’s very sad.”
“Yes, but maybe having someone to miss is better than never letting anyone close.” Trey stared down into her eyes, sexual tension surging between them.
Alessa swallowed hard. “Letting someone close, that sounds pretty risky.”
He took a step forward, erasing the distance between them. “But so worth it.”
Her eyes flicked down to his lips and then back up. The sound of someone clearing their throat down the hall broke the spell and sent them both moving in different directions, Trey accidentally heading toward the other bedrooms when he should have been on his way outside.
They laughed silently for a second before both going to the kitchen, where Lorena sat flipping through a magazine. She took a sip of coffee, giving Trey a hard look over the rim of her mug.
“I should go get settled in for the night,” he said, trying to wipe the guilty look off his face.
“Me as well. I’m quite tired from our trip.” Alessandra tried to sound businesslike.
“Same here. Have a good sleep.”
“You too. See you in the morning.”
He hurried out, shutting the door behind him without looking back.
* * *
After three hours of lying on Betina’s bed with her, engaging in full-on girl talk, Alessandra made her way to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth, letting the day’s events float through her brain like a dream. She thought of waking up on Trey’s shoulder and what he’d said about how she smelled, and how he had teased her about her room, and then that moment when she was singing and Trey was holding Tomas’s hand in his. When her mind wandered to what had happened in the hall, she sighed happily. She thought of the look on his handsome face and let herself dream for a few minutes, imagining that Tomas was their son and that Trey always looked at her that way.
