In Defense of Love (Carmen Sisters Book 2)

by Pat Simmons

  Garrett set their saxophone cases along a wall that was lined with a dozen or more other instruments. Just like the Carmens, she thought. It didn’t matter if they were at home or away, instruments were part of the luggage whenever her family traveled. Music was who they were. She could see why Garrett had insisted on bringing her saxophone inside.

  The artwork adorning the walls drew her in, especially a series of African and African-American sketches. One of them featured a male jazz trio—a saxophonist, trumpeter, and a clarinetist—dancing on oversized piano keys against a backdrop of the New York City skyline. And on a bookcase was a telltale throwback to his childhood—a display of several remote-controlled race cars and motorcycles and model airplanes.

  His nephew ignored the immaculate setting, making himself right at home as he grabbed a remote-controlled car and proceeded to run in circles around a leather ottoman/coffee table until his mother grabbed him by the shirt collar.

  “The rules at home are still in force here, Jamal,” Deborah said. “Now find a corner and sit down until dinner is ready.”

  “Next time, we’ll leave them in Boston and have some real fun,” Garrett teased his nephew.

  “Yeah,” Jamal cheered, provoking a stern look from his mother. Duly reprimanded, the boy sank into the nearest floor cushion and folded his hands in his lap like a diligent schoolboy. His pout was cute.

  Shari saw Garrett’s mother, sister, and grandmother head for the kitchen. “Do you need any help?” she asked the women.

  “Absolutely not,” Queen said, swapping her lightweight blazer for an apron. “You’re a guest.”

  “And so are you,” Shari countered.

  “You’ll never win a case against my wife,” Moses said with a twinkle in his eye as he lay back in a recliner and folded his hands behind his head. “I think she was a lawyer in another life.”

  “While we wait, why don’t we have battle of the saxes?” Garrett suggested.

  Moses beamed. “My money’s on Shari.”

  Chuckling, Garrett offered Shari a place on a brown suede love seat, where he joined her. Although Shari did feel at home with the Millers, she really didn’t like to be the center of attention unless she was in the courtroom.

  Moses must have picked up on her hesitation, because he said, “Better still, how about I play a tune while Queen gets the food on the table?” He sat forward and sprang to his feet with the energy of a young man, crossed the room, and lifted the granddaddy of saxophones—the bass—out of its case.

  Deborah walked into the room, wiping her hands on her apron. “Play, Grandpa.”

  “Yes, play, Grandpa!” Shari shouted before she could stop herself, caught up in the whirlwind of excitement.

  At her outburst, Jamal raced to the love seat and squeezed into the space between her and Garrett. Instead of protesting, Garrett seemed amused.

  Queen stormed out of the kitchen as Moses had just closed his lips over the mouthpiece. She stopped in front of Shari and planted her hands on her ample hips. “No, you did not just call my husband ‘Grandpa.’”

  Uh-oh. Shari swallowed. She had taken too much liberty and crossed the line. “I’m sorry—”

  “If you’re going to call him ‘Grandpa,’ it’s only fair that you call me ‘Grandma Q.’” She grinned and then strutted back into the kitchen, her laughter carrying out into the living room.

  Shari breathed a sigh of relief, glad that she wouldn’t have to file a lawsuit against Garrett’s grandmother for assaulting her.

  Chapter 14

  Garrett’s grandmother’s stunt had just put the fear of Jesus’ second coming into everybody in the room. Garrett and Shari had sucked in their breaths of one accord, then exhaled together once his grandmother had made it clear she was teasing.

  The Nefertiti beauty had won the heart of his whole family, and she looked especially gorgeous today with her hair brushed to the side and twisted up in a ball. Even without showcasing her long, silky tresses, the woman was stunning. Her presence was becoming addictive. Shari possessed an innocence that drew everyone in, especially his sister and his grandmother. Those two had tolerated Brittani because she had been his choice. And his mother, quiet to a fault, liked everybody—unless he or she crossed her.

  Soon, dinner was announced. After Grandpa Moses said grace, lively conversations mingled with the clatter of silverware on the plates. Music seemed to be the common theme of discussion.

  “Shari, I understand you have other musicians in your family besides your sister we met earlier,” his grandfather said.

  Shari nodded, wiping her mouth with her napkin before responding. “Actually, there are four Carmen sisters, and each of us plays a different instrument: organ, sax, drums, and guitar. Our other two sisters live out of state. And it was my dad who taught me to play the sax.” She paused, and Garrett reached under the table for her hand and squeezed it. The smile she gave him in return made Garrett feel as powerful as if he had just conquered a kingdom.

  “My cousins helped me to perfect the sound,” she finished.

  His grandfather’s eyes lit up. “Excellent. Sounds like our families need to have a battle of the bands, of sorts.”

  Shari’s eyes sparkled with life as she turned and playfully wrinkled her nose at him. The trait was so endearing. “Challenge accepted.”

  “I can play the conga drums,” Jamal announced.

  “I know,” Shari said with a smile. “And you’re very good.”

  “Yep,” his nephew said, not lacking self-confidence, and resumed eating.

  Garrett knew it wasn’t right to keep making comparisons, but the evidence sat next to him. He and Shari just fit together. In hindsight, Brittani had been all about getting her way. And Garrett had indulged her, even forsaking family events to be with her. Thank You, Lord, for knowing who to set me up with.

  “That royal blue looks good on you,” Deborah told Shari.

  Shari seemed surprised. “Thanks. The saleswoman tried to talk me out of it. She kept arguing that soft colors went better with my dark skin.”

  Garrett’s grandmother harrumphed. “I wish I’d been with you. I would have told her a few things or two—ending with a prayer, of course.” She chuckled.

  “My best friend, Faith, was with me, and she told that woman more about fashion than anyone cares to know.” Shari smiled. “I purchased this ensemble, and several other items in the shade, from another saleswoman. Clearly, the first saleswoman didn’t want my money, so I had no problem not giving it to her.”

  Deborah reached across the table and gave Shari a high five. “That’s what I’m talking about. We dark and lovely sisters have to stick together.”

  Now Garrett’s attention was riveted to Shari’s outfit, which had been hidden earlier under their band uniform: a blue shell and coordinating ankle-length skirt, which she had paired with a shimmery gold jacket. Simple, but Shari made the attire extremely fashionable.

  From fashion to music to Scripture, their conversation was enjoyable. The time went by too quickly, and soon their plates were scraped clean, stomachs bloated with soul food. Shari announced her imminent departure, eliciting a groan of disappointment from everyone.

  “Do you have to?” Jamal gave her a puppy-dog face that probably mirrored Garrett’s expression.

  Shari stroked the hair on his nephew’s head. “Yes, sweetie. I have to review some documents. I have two big court cases tomorrow.”

  “Do you put bad people in jail like my Uncle G?” he asked.

  Garrett was about to remind Jamal that a deputy U.S. marshal apprehended fugitives for the authorities to put in federal prisons, not in local or county jails, but Shari answered first.

  “I try to keep good people out of jails and prisons,” She told him. Then she scooted back from the table, stood, and stretched her body like a ballerina. “Thanks for inviting me,” she addressed the family. “It was wonderful seeing all of you again.” She exchanged good-bye hugs with everyone and then retrieved her purs
e.

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” Garrett said, grabbing her saxophone case.

  “Your family reminds me of the Carmens,” she told him as they strolled down the hall. “They made me feel like one of them, and your grandparents…I really miss my own.”

  Family. Yeah, that was one thing Garrett missed, living in Philly. But Shari was slowly filling in the gap. Still, he and his grandfather were extremely close, mainly because Moses had only had two grandsons—his pride and joy after seven daughters and no sons. Every time another male was added to the Miller fold, he rejoiced. The new additions may not carry the Miller name, but they carried the blood.

  “You can borrow my grandparents anytime,” Garrett teased as he stopped at Shari’s vehicle.

  Shari snickered. “I just may take you up on that.”

  “I have no qualms about sharing.” Garrett became serious as he studied her captivating face. “The pull between us is strong in every way, Shari. Physically, emotionally, intellectually—I’m not afraid of a smart woman; I’m surrounded by them in my family. And the main attraction between us is undeniably spiritual. You have no idea how you and your sax have messed with my mind.”

  “What’s developing between us is still messing with mine,” she admitted softly, as if she almost didn’t want to.

  Her vulnerability was safe with him. Garrett felt privileged that she would confide in him, and he felt it was incumbent upon him to return the faith and share about his past burdens—soon.

  Garrett opened the door for Shari, then shut it after she climbed into her SUV. Once she’d started the engine, she lowered her window, and Garrett leaned in, resting his arms on the door. Her beautiful dark brown eyes fascinated him, reminding him of melted chocolate, and her alluring lips beckoned. Unable to wait any longer, he inched closer, giving her a chance to refuse his next move. When she didn’t, Garrett captured her lips in a sweet kiss. Man, her lips were soft. How could he stop at just one? He didn’t, taking liberty with another one before calling on all his restraint and backing away.

  “Nice,” Shari murmured.

  “Very,” he agreed, then leaned in again to brush several more soft pecks against her mouth. She was intoxicating. Reluctantly he pulled back once more, and his hooded lashes didn’t obscure his view of her pout.

  Garrett stood straight and patted the roof of her SUV. “Call me when you get home.” Then he stepped out of the way and watched her drive off.

  As long as he had walked with Jesus, his praise had never included a shout; but as he headed back to his condo, Garrett could feel one coming on.

  Chapter 15

  So, how was dinner with Garrett’s family?” Shari’s mother casually asked when Shari strolled into the kitchen. “You’re glowing.”

  Shari had known her mother would want all the details. “Great company, great food….” A great first kiss. That particular aspect would remain a secret for now, even though she feared her mother would figure it out because Shari couldn’t stop blushing. “I think I’ve been adopted as another granddaughter.”

  She couldn’t help but smile at the memory of how, one by one, Garrett’s family members had wanted to talk to her when she’d called Garrett from her car to let him know she’d arrived at home.

  Anchoring her elbow on the counter, her mother clearly wasn’t going to give up that easily on her quest for information. “And what about Brother Nash?”

  There were so many things to say about him. “I don’t know…he seems almost too good to be true. There are sisters at church chasing after him—Xena and Joyce, to name a few. I don’t handle competition too well when it comes to vying for a man’s attention. I’m sure that rumors are flying at church…other sisters are probably mystified by the fact that he seems interested in me.”

  “It seems to me that you’ve won the competition without entering and have already been crowned the queen,” her mother said. “Let the Lord lead you, Shari. If Garrett has God’s stamp of approval, then he’s the man for you.” She straightened and squeezed Shari’s shoulder. “I’ll go give your sisters an update. I know they’re just as eager as I was to hear all about your date.”

  “Mom….” Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Shari held her peace. Everyone was acting like she had never dated before. She supposed that, in all honesty, she hadn’t. Not anyone like Garrett Nash.

  ***

  Garrett was hyped about his first official date with Shari, and he was planning on pulling out all the stops. They had crossed paths once this past week in court, and it had taken every bit of self-restraint not to let his gaze linger on her but instead to focus on his job.

  On Friday morning, he sent flowers to her office with a card that read, “A special night for a special lady.”

  When he showed up at her doorstep that evening, Garrett’s knees almost gave way at the sight of Shari. Her hair was swept up on top of her head, her dress was simple yet flattering, and her smile was extraordinary, reaching her eyes, which sparkled with excitement and anticipation.

  Since he had already taken the liberty of kissing her, he had no reservations about holding her hand once he was situated behind the wheel with Shari beside him. He craved that point of contact as he pulled away from the curb in front of her house.

  He told Shari where he’d made their dinner reservations, at Avance in Rittenhouse Square.

  “I’ve heard great things about that restaurant, but I’ve never been there,” Shari said.

  Garrett grinned and brought her hand to his lips. “Me, neither. It should be a memorable first for both of us.”

  In no time, Garrett turned on Walnut Street and pulled up in front of Avance. Valet attendants were at their doors immediately. “I’ll get my date,” he informed them.

  Hand in hand, they strolled to the entrance. Once inside, they were promptly shown to their table. Garrett barely heard the server rattle off the evening’s specials, so entranced was he by Shari. As a matter of fact, his appetite was fading fast. Then he remembered what he was paying to woo her.

  When Garrett asked the server to repeat himself, Shari giggled, then took charge. “How about the Chef’s Testing Menu? That way, we won’t have to make up our minds.”

  “Excellent choice,” the server said.

  Once they were alone, Garrett reached across the table and linked hands with Shari. Her face continued to glow as she glanced around.

  “So, do I have your stamp of approval, Miss Carmen?”

  Shari studied him a moment. “You do.” She exhaled. “So, what brought you to Philly?”

  Garrett felt no hesitation about pouring his heart out. After all, he had God’s blessing. “The Lord led me here to meet you.” When Shari lifted an eyebrow, he chuckled before going on. “I know that sounds cliché, but I was—”

  His phone chimed a familiar tune, interrupting his revelation. Well, that was too bad. Garrett was determined to bare his soul to Shari tonight.

  “At least see who it is,” she urged him.

  “I know who it is.” He gritted his teeth. “My grandfather. He seems to have the uncanny ability to want to talk when I’m with you.” He grunted. “Seriously? I’m not in the sharing mood tonight. I’ll let it go to voice mail.”

  Shari grew visibly concerned. “No, you should answer it. What if something’s wrong? It might be urgent. It’s okay, really.”

  Reluctantly, he clicked the button to accept the call. “Hi, Grandpa.” Garrett hoped he came off sounding irritated, because he was. His grandfather’s constant interruptions were downright embarrassing.

  “G, I hope you’re not in the middle of anything. Are you?”

  Watching Shari watch him, Garrett winked. “Actually, Shari and I are on our official first date. What’s going on?”

  “Oh, nothing. Call me back when you get a chance.”

  His grandfather’s haste to end the call only made Garrett more suspicious. “Grandpa?” He tried to keep his voice steady, but his grandfather had him really alarmed.r />
  “It’s Brittani. She delivered twin boys last night—handsome fellows with strong lungs and Miller mouths. Their long heads reminded me of Jamal. A lot of your kinfolk were there, including Landon, your grandmother, and myself.”

  “Congratulations,” he said dryly. Just like Brittani to double the trouble.

  Shari frowned. “Is everything all right?”

  Garrett covered the phone mouthpiece with his hand. “It appears we just had two babies added to the Miller clan,” he reluctantly explained.

  Shari grinned. “That’s exciting! Congrats!”

  “I want those babies in our lives,” his grandfather went on. “I’ve offered to set up a trust fund for them. Your grandmother is so upset—”

  “We’ll talk more soon, Grandpa,” Garrett cut him off before ending the call. Yes, he was being rude and disrespectful, and he could tell that his grandfather was troubled. But he had other priorities at the moment. He would repent now and apologize later.

  Closing his eyes, he bowed his head. Jesus, help me to regroup. Shari is important to me, but I’m so mad at Brittani for her shenanigans, the only thing I want to do is throw a tantrum.

  Shari must have sensed the change in his mood, because he felt her hand tighten its grip on his and then heard her whispered prayer: “Jesus, whatever is wrong with the mother and babies, fix it, Lord. Give the Millers the comfort of knowing that You will make all crooked things straight….”

  Garrett recognized the references to Isaiah 40:4 and Luke 3:5. The more she prayed, the calmer he became. Despite the storm Brittani had tried to brew, Shari brought the sunshine. When she said “Amen,” he echoed her, then looked into her eyes and thanked her sincerely.

  “So, who in your family had the babies?” she asked, clearly unaware that it was a sore subject with him.

  “My cousin.”

  While she’d been wearing Garrett’s engagement ring, Brittani had gone and gotten pregnant by another man—Garrett’s own flesh and blood. Landon was of the opinion that a little competition between family members was harmless. But he had crossed the line with Garrett’s fiancée. Both his cousin and Brittani had tested his patience, his charity, and his ability to forgive.