by MJ Summers
* * *
Lorena’s and Betina’s voices filled the room as they carried in bags of groceries. Alessa quickly got back to her dough. “How was the market?” she asked, trying to sound casual.
They chatted for a few minutes until Trey emerged from the bathroom with damp hair. He avoided eye contact with the women as he excused himself to get some work done. When he’d gone, Lorena lifted an eyebrow at her elder daughter. “Exactly why does he have dough on the back of his collar?”
“I have no idea. He helped retie my apron. Maybe he got some on his fingers.” Alessandra refused to look at her mother.
“Be careful, Alessandra. A man like that will use you to get what he wants and then leave. He’s already got you taking care of his son and doing his legal work for nothing. You’d be a fool to warm his bed too.”
“Mother! I am not a child. And I am not stupid, either! I am helping him because I love Tomas. That is all.”
“Make sure it stays that way.”
Nineteen
Trey stood in the barn for a moment, feeling completely alive. Exhilaration surged through him as he relived what had just happened. Soon, his sense of decency kicked in. How could he have done that? It was wrong. There was no way he should be leading her on like that when he was planning to leave as soon as possible. He would need to apologize and make it clear that they could never do that again. But shit, that would hurt. Every fibre of his body ached to feel those lips, those curves, again. To feel her warm, supple flesh beneath his fingers and against his body.
Shaking his head, he picked up a comb and began brushing the nearest horse. After a few minutes, he heard a rustling sound behind him. He held his breath, expecting Lorena coming to give him hell, but when he turned, he saw the kind eyes of Carlos.
“Oh, hi, sir. Did you have a good rest?”
“Okay,” Carlos said, nodding as he turned the hose on to fill the horses’ water pails.
“I’m glad it’s you, actually. I was worried it was your daughter. I’m afraid I’ve gone and kissed your granddaughter. Like, really kissed her. I’m sorry about that. I just couldn’t help myself.” Trey paused in brushing the horse to look over at Carlos. Carlos showed no sign of being upset or of understanding him, so he went on. “I think if I wasn’t going back to the US, I’d be tempted to see if maybe we could try to make a life together. But I’m not going to be able to stay, and she won’t ever leave, so don’t worry. I won’t let that happen again.”
“Okay.”
* * *
Late that afternoon, Trey was treated to the sights, sounds, and flavours of a Santos family celebration. The party included Carlos’s two brothers, their wives, children and grandchildren, as well as Carlos’s other two daughters and their families, all bearing food to add to the table. Tomas played excitedly with the other kids, most of them older than him, much to his delight. Trey was made to feel welcome, even by the older relatives who didn’t speak English. Warm smiles passed between them, and messages were conveyed through younger family members acting as interpreters. The whole scene made him long for the family meals at the ranch: always noisy affairs, often outside in the warmer months, always something he had looked forward to.
Even some of Alessandra’s cousins were cowboys, complete with hats and belt buckles, which made Trey feel even more at home. Two of them came over to meet Trey soon after they arrived.
“I’m Bruno and this is Miguel. If you get us confused, remember Miguel is the ugly brother.”
Trey laughed, thinking that he would introduce Dustin in much the same way. “Nice to meet you both.”
“So, what do you think of Brazil?”
“I like it a lot. It reminds me of home, actually.”
“Yes, Alessa said you grew up on a ranch.”
“Kind of, yeah.”
“You must be getting bored here, though. No women, no booze, no fighting. You should come with us to the rodeo next weekend in Adamantina. It will be a good time. We can get into lots of trouble. We’re both going there to compete.”
“Really? What do you compete in?”
“Bull riding,” Miguel answered, hitching up his championship belt buckle so Trey could see it.
“Bull riding? Wow. I see you must be good at it,” he said, glancing at the buckle.
“I do okay. You ride bulls?”
“No. Just horses.”
“Come to our ranch. We raise bucking bulls. We’ll let you try to ride one.”
“Seriously?” Trey grinned. “I’d like to come watch you, but I don’t think I’d try it.”
“What? Come on, man. Here in Brazil, we say ‘ou vai ou racha.’ It means do or die. Being a man. You come tomorrow, we’ll show you how to be really macho.”
“I already know how to be a man, thanks. But bull riding might be quite the rush . . .” Trey looked up at the sky, considering.
Bruno slapped him on the back. “It will be fun. Get Alessandra to bring you tomorrow. She’s coming by to help our mother with some paperwork. Don’t worry about anything. Nothing could be easier. We’ll help you get on, and the bull will help you get back down.”
* * *
After dinner, the children dragged Trey out into the grass to play soccer while the others lingered at the table, picking at the desserts that had been laid out.
“You like him,” Alessandra’s oldest aunt, Daniela, said to her with a bump to her shoulder. Alessa had been watching Trey for a long time without noticing that she was also being observed.
“What? Who?” she asked distractedly.
“Who? Your American cowboy,” Daniela teased. “He’s easy on the eyes, that one. If I wasn’t madly in love with your uncle, I think I’d be out there on the soccer field trying to see if he might like a slightly older woman.”
“Tia Daniela!”
“I can look, can’t I?” she responded. “So, what’s happening between you two, anyway?”
Lorena, who had been listening to the exchange, cut in. “If she knows what’s good for her, nothing. There is no future there, so I don’t want anyone encouraging it.”
Daniela narrowed her eyes at Lorena but kept her playful tone. “What, Lorena? The girl can have a little fun, can’t she? She’s twenty-two.”
“She should be focusing on her career, not boys. She got a call yesterday for an interview at the courthouse. It would be a very good job. I don’t want her distracted now, especially not by that one.” She pointed to Trey. “That one will break her heart if she lets him.”
Alessandra rolled her eyes and stared down at her unfinished dessert, trying to let her mother’s words roll off her.
“He seems nice, to me. Look at him out there with the kids. There’s more to life than just school, Lorena. You of all people should remember the joys of being young and in love. I remember how you and Otavio used to carry on when you thought no one was looking.”
“And look where that got me. Broke, with two babies to raise on my own by the time I was nineteen,” Lorena answered firmly, standing to clear the dishes. “No! Don’t fill her head with ideas that will only get her hurt, or worse, distract her from her goals.”
Daniela waited to speak until Lorena had gone into the house. “I say you see where things go with him. When you’re my age, the memories of the romances of your youth can keep you surprisingly warm on a cold night. Your goals will still be there in a few weeks.” She gave Alessandra a little wink.
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of Tomas crying. He had been running a little too fast to keep up with the big kids and had tripped, falling on the gravel path. Alessa quickly got up and rushed over to him, getting to him just before Trey. She picked him up and held him to her shoulder, shushing him as Trey walked over and stood behind her to examine Tomas’s palms.
“There’s one way to know for sure if you’re okay, Tomas,” Trey told him. “I’m going to smell your feet and if they’re still stinky, you’re going to be fine.”
Tomas stopped crying
and gave him a confused look while Trey lifted one of the boy’s sandal-clad foot to his nose and gave it a whiff. He recoiled, pretending that he was horrified. “Man! That is stinky! Whew!” Tomas giggled as Trey picked up his other foot, saying he needed to check that one to be sure. This time, he clutched at his nose and chest, pretending he was going to faint from the smell. Tomas gave a deep belly laugh as he wiggled out of Alessandra’s arms and rushed over to his dad. Alessa laughed as she watched Tomas try to pick up his dad, who was now lying on his back in the grass.
“Smell dem more!”
Trey gave Alessa a little wink as he lifted his head to Tomas’s outstretched foot.
* * *
Later, as their guests slowly made their way to their vehicles, Alessandra brought a freshly bathed Tomas out in his jammies to bid everyone good night. She and her aunt shared a long, knowing look, having an entire conversation with their eyes. Daniela gave her a firm nod before she got into her car. Trey stood beside Alessandra, waving goodbye before gently lifting Tomas from her arms.
“You go relax. I’ll get him to bed. He’s so tired, I don’t think he’ll even last through story time,” he said, looking into her eyes.
She smiled at him, stroking her neck with her fingers absentmindedly. “That would be nice.”
Soon after, Trey found her sitting in the yard under the stars on a large porch swing.
“Can I join you?”
“Of course.” She slowed the swing by gripping the grass with her toes. The air was finally cooling down as the evening wore on and now the world felt calm again. “That was fast.”
“Yeah. He was worn right out from all that excitement,” he said, settling himself next to her on the swing. “You have a wonderful family, Alessa. I’m grateful to be a part of it all, even just for the day. You’ve all made us feel so welcome here.”
“I’m glad,” she said, looking up at him. Her mind wandered to what had happened in the kitchen that afternoon, and her entire body ached for him to touch her again. Thoughts of throwing caution to the wind, of reaching for him, of kissing him, swept over her, but she shouldn’t. Her mother might see. Besides, she had never been one to make the first move. She had never been bold like that, but being with him right now made her want to take her aunt’s advice. Being so near him had her pulse racing even though she was doing her best to appear calm.
Trying to think of something intelligent to say, Alessandra blurted out, “I have a job interview on Monday. With a judge at the courthouse in town.”
“Really? That’s terrific. I bet you’ll get the job.”
“I hope so.” Alessandra’s train of thought vanished as she stared into his hazel eyes.
Trey glanced at her lips for a moment before clearing his throat. “Your cousins said you’re going over to help your aunt out for a while tomorrow. They invited me to come along to watch them practise for the rodeo.”
“Oh yes. They mentioned that to me. You can come if you like, but be careful with those two. They like to make trouble.”
“I’ll make sure to keep that in mind, especially since my lawyer is the one advising me on the matter.”
Alessandra raised one eyebrow. “Why do I have a feeling you’re going to forget?”
“I have no idea,” Trey answered, looking innocent.
They sat in silence. Trey leaned his head back, gazing at the stars for a minute. “You’ve been really amazing to me. And to Tomas. I don’t know how we’re going to be able to leave you. He loves you so much.” He turned to her, his face close to hers, and stared into Alessandra’s eyes as though he couldn’t look away.
Alessandra nodded, feeling herself disappear into his gaze. “I love him too, with all my heart. It will be hard if . . . when you go.” Maybe you don’t have to . . .
“Well, it’s likely going to be a long time before we leave. We haven’t heard anything yet about the custody case. Who knows how long it will take?”
“It could take another year, even,” she answered, finding herself inching a little closer to him. Suddenly, the sound of Lorena’s voice cut the moment short.
“Alessandra! I could use your help in the house!” Her tone was sharp.
“Be right there,” she called. “I should go in.”
“Yup, it’s probably for the best.”
Twenty
Trey woke early to the memory of kissing Alessandra and he realized he must have been dreaming about her. He yawned and stretched his body, giving himself a minute before getting up. His mind started to race from what had happened with Alessandra to what he wanted to happen with her to what might happen if he actually went through with what he wanted. Things would get messy. There was no doubt about it. Lorena had warned him that she’d run him off if he tried anything with either of her daughters, and he had no doubt she meant every word, especially now that Alessa had a line on a great job. He got up and splashed some cold water on his face, trying to think of a way to tell Alessandra they should leave things well enough alone.
He dressed and walked out to the barn, his mind full of his feelings for Alessandra and how she’d responded to him in the kitchen the day before. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. And the urge to feel her lips on his again and to hold her in his arms and to strip off her clothes and feel her body against his was almost too much for him to take. By the time he had finished feeding the animals, he’d decided he didn’t care what Lorena would do; he needed to act on his feelings. For both their sakes. He would really be putting them both out of their misery, wouldn’t he?
He made his way back to his house to wash up before breakfast, excited by the possibilities that lay before him. His cellphone was sitting on the kitchen table buzzing when he walked in the door. Picking it up, he saw that his mom, Fern, was calling via Skype. He swiped the screen and waited a minute until her face became visible. He could see she was sitting in the kitchen and that it was still dark out, and he quickly figured out it was about four in the morning in Colorado. His heart started to pound with worry.
“Hi, Mom. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Fine, Trey. I just couldn’t sleep so I thought I’d call you.”
“I guess that’s one advantage of being in different time zones. But how come you couldn’t sleep? You look worried.”
“I did something that I know you’re going to be a little angry about.”
Trey narrowed his eyes, knowing he was about to hear something very bad. She was one to downplay things, and if even she was admitting he would be a little angry, he knew he’d be furious. “What’d you do?”
“I went to see Cole and Ben yesterday to ask them to help you out. I explained your situation, and they both agreed that you and Tomas can live in one of the guest cabins at the ranch and that you can have your job back.”
“You did what?” Trey’s head snapped back.
“Just hear me out before you get mad. You don’t have to actually go live at the ranch. You can just tell the judge you have everything set up on this end so you’ll be allowed to bring Tomas home already. As soon as I came up with it, I knew it was the perfect plan. I asked them to write a letter as proof for the court that you worked there for years and that you’ll have both a home and a steady job waiting for you.”
Trey raked his hand through his hair, frustration bubbling to his throat. “How could you do that? Do you know what an ass that makes me look like? I haven’t spoken to them in years, and now I’m coming to them with hat in hand to beg for a job and a place to live? In fact, it’s even worse because it looks like I asked my mom to do my begging for me!”
“Nobody’s judging you, Trey, I promise. You’re in a tough situation and they understand that. They’re family, and it’s time to mend fences. I thought you’d be happy to know that Cole’s over what happened. In fact, he said you and Tomas will always be welcome.”
Shaking his head, Trey raised his voice. “You didn’t think you should maybe run that by me first?”
“I knew you’d s
ay no.”
“You’re damn right I would have. Call them back and tell them that you acted on your own and that I said thank you but no thank you.”
“I will not. They’re writing up the letter, and I’m going out there on Tuesday to pick it up and mail it to you.”
“Tell them not to.”
“It’s already done, Trey. Accept it. Now, you need to get over this whole notion that you can do everything for yourself. You have a son to think about, and it truly does take a village to raise a child. You’re not going to be able to do this without help, no matter what you think.”
“Listen, I don’t—you know what? Just stay out of it. Tomas is fine. I’m fine. We’re together and safe, on a nice farm with good people who need me right now a lot more than Cole and Ben ever will. And I’m not about to lie to the court just to rush things along. Tomas needs a father who will teach him about integrity. I can hardly do that if I’m going to be dishonest and take shortcuts whenever it suits me.”
“Well, if you don’t want to lie to the court, you could go live on the ranch for a while and work for them. Then it won’t be a lie,” Fern said in a clipped tone.
Trey sighed. “Moving to the ranch is not an option. Neither is asking for their help. I’m really disappointed that you would do that.”
“I’m just trying to do what’s right for my grandson.”
“I’ll decide what’s right for my son, not you. You don’t even know him.”
“And how am I supposed to get to know him if you refuse to bring him home?”
“Jesus, Mom. Don’t you think I have enough to deal with right now without you making me feel guilty? You want to see your grandson, get on a plane and come see him. You could have done that anytime in the last three years but you didn’t.”
“Oh, so are you saying I’m a horrible grandmother?”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just really angry that you did what you did.”
