More than a Maid

by Reeni Austin

  Isaac pouted for a second, then his mouth spread to a smile and he peered around Cara's leg. "Can you make my wace caw go fastow?"

  Victor gave him a flat stare. "I see." He rose to his feet and shared a look with Cara.

  Cara sighed, patting Isaac's head. "Okay. You've been good. If we have time in the morning, maybe we can find someone to adjust your car and make it go faster." She took Isaac's chin and turned his face up to look in his eyes. "But only because you've been good. You need to keep being good, okay?"

  With a sincere nod, Isaac whispered, "Okay."

  CHAPTER 26

  At dinner, between all the conversations with out-of-town guests and toasts, Ramon had barely a moment to talk to Marcy about Jocelyn. And, to his relief, Jocelyn excused herself after the first course without giving him so much as a glance.

  If Marcy noticed any strife between Jocelyn and himself, she didn't show it.

  Toward the end of the evening, Patty pulled up a seat beside them and said to Marcy, "So, you have a bag packed for tonight?"

  Ramon said, "A bag packed? For what?"

  Patty's eyes danced. "Cara's bachelorette party!"

  "What?" Ramon asked abruptly. "Why am I just hearing about this?" He slung his arm around Marcy's shoulders and pulled her close. "You leavin' for a whole night?"

  Marcy said, "Yes. You see, I was originally told that because the wedding was planned on such short notice, we weren't throwing Cara a bachelorette party. But," she nodded at Patty, "someone kept it a secret until today. We're going to a hotel."

  "Yes," Patty said. "You won't see us again until the wedding."

  "Great." Ramon leaned forward, flashing Patty a mean look. "There better not be a stripper."

  Patty rolled her eyes. "Of course not."

  * * *

  Late that evening, after the women had gone off to their hotel and Isaac was safely asleep, Ramon, Armando, Victor, and Tom sat around a fire in the back yard. The only one who didn't have a beer was Tom, who wanted to stay completely sober in case there was an emergency with Isaac.

  Before Victor cracked open his first beer, he said to Tom, "Are you sure? I don't have to drink."

  Tom shook his head and straightened his glasses, smiling. "No, you're the one getting married tomorrow. Have fun with your brothers." He yawned, glancing at his watch. "Besides, I've gotta turn in early. Patty wore me out today, planning for Cara's bachelorette party."

  Armando took a sip of his beer, shaking his head. "She hired a stripper, didn't she?"

  Tom chuckled. "Relax, it's tradition."

  "What?" Ramon stood, reaching for the phone in his pocket. "She lied to me!"

  Victor groaned. "She lied to me, too."

  Tom held up his hand, meekly. "Too late now. It's probably over with."

  Victor slid his hand across his forehead, chuckling half-heartedly. "Oh well. Cara probably got sick and threw up on him anyway."

  Ramon let out a seething breath through his gnashed teeth. "Damn it. I fuckin' hate those male strippers. You know they're rubbin' themselves all over our women, right?" He sat down.

  Smirking, Armando said, "I don't think any of us are thrilled about it but Tom's right. It's too late to do anything about it now."

  Tom yawned. "Don't worry. I think that stripper was more for my wife than anyone else."

  Ramon snorted. "And that doesn't bother you?"

  Shrugging, Tom said, "Nah. It's just fun. When you get to be my age you stop taking life so seriously." Then he stood and said, "G'night guys."

  They all said "good night."

  Ramon tipped his beer bottle between his lips and drank the contents in one shot. When he saw Tom enter the house, he swallowed, then muttered, "Asshole. Coulda told us that earlier, don't ya think?"

  Armando took a fresh bottle from the cooler. "Give him a break. He's got a wife to answer to. He was just trying to let her have a good time."

  Ramon let out a single laugh as he reached for his next beer. "Yeah. And that'll be you tomorrow." He lifted a sly brow at Victor.

  Victor looked Ramon straight in the eyes. "I wouldn't talk. It'll be you soon enough," he teased. Then Victor and Armando shared a laugh.

  Ramon said, "Ha ha," then emptied another bottle down his throat. He wiped his mouth and said, "I ain't that stupid. Ain't gonna catch that disease. Everyone signin' their lives away. Nope. Not me."

  Armando took a sip of his beer. "Stop drinking so fast. You're already drunk."

  "Yeah." Victor nodded. "Those words'll come back to haunt you next year when we're around this fire the night before your wedding." He snickered.

  Ramon tossed his empty bottle to the ground and grabbed a new one. "Shut the fuck up. Both of you." He popped the top of his bottle off and took a swig.

  "What's wrong?" Victor asked. "You both looked pretty happy at dinner."

  Armando nodded, his eyebrows raised. "And you better believe Marcy's gonna want a commitment. Engagement, marriage. Something. Especially if she's gonna move here. That's what Katie thinks, at least."

  Ramon sneered. "Katie." He rolled his eyes and took a long drink of his beer. "You can all just stay the fuck outta my business. You're the ones who got me into this mess."

  Victor smirked. "What mess?"

  Ramon grimaced as he drank the rest of his beer, letting his bottle drop to the ground. "You know. Bringin' this woman around. Makin' me fall in love with her."

  Victor and Armando shared a silent look at his mention of "love."

  Ramon continued, his words slurring a little. "I'm gonna fuck it up… I just know I'm gonna fuck it up…"

  "No," Victor said. "You keep thinking that, and you will fuck it up. You'll psych yourself out. Just keep on being good to her."

  Armando nodded and heaved another stick on the fire. "Yeah. You got a good thing goin'. Don't be so negative about it. Take it one day at a time."

  Ramon bellowed out a loud, sarcastic laugh. "So, you two got women now and you're full of all this wisdom, huh? Always gotta be experts at everything." He laughed again, then got serious, staring sadly at the ground. After a long pause, he muttered, "I fucked the wedding planner."

  Armando and Victor both gasped at the same time.

  Clutching his beer, Armando said, "When? Today?"

  Ramon glared at him. "No, not today, pendejo. A long time ago. Last winter. Forgot about it till I met her this evening."

  "Okay." Victor nodded, trying to understand. "So, it was before you met Marcy. Were you drunk or something?"

  Sighing, Ramon said, "Yeah. And she wasn't the first one. A few weeks ago Marcy and I were at the mall and I ran into some other girl. Told Marcy about it."

  Victor's eyes widened. "Was she upset?"

  Ramon shrugged. "For a minute, I think. I told her the truth, though. Never meant to lead those girls on."

  Armando said, "Geez, Ramon. How many women are we talkin' about here?"

  Ramon put his hand at his forehead to shield his eyes from his brothers as he stared down at the ground. "I don't know. Never counted 'em."

  "Huh." Armando glanced at Victor, then at Ramon. "And all this time when you never mentioned any women, I just thought you were celibate."

  Victor leaned forward in his chair. "If Marcy didn't care about the girl at the mall, she probably won't care about Jocelyn. It was before you met."

  Ramon lowered his hand and gave Victor an anxious look. "I know. Been thinkin' all along I'm gonna screw it up with Marcy. Then today when I saw that wedding planner chick I got this bad feelin' about it, you know? Seein' 'em in the same room together at dinner…"

  Victor reached for a beer. "It's okay. Just tell Marcy about it. Don't put it off. She's mature enough to understand. The past is the past."

  Ramon shook his head and popped the top off his next bottle. "I don't know. Not sure I'd be so understanding if it were me. Can't fuckin' stand the thought of her with someone else."

  Armando and Victor looked at each other as Ramon downed another beer. T
hey had never seen him like this before, and although neither of them knew quite what to think, they were both glad to see him smitten, for once.

  * * *

  The day of the wedding was busy for everyone.

  Armando spent a good part of his day trying to determine whether or not Henry would attend. Ramon, who had been transparent with his cell phone records ever since he had been caught in a massive lie, did all he could to prove that Henry had indeed not been in touch for a few weeks and he had no idea whether or not he would show today.

  Victor spent his day entertaining guests from out of town. He had breakfast with his former assistant, Gary—who had taken over all of Victor's clients—and Gary's partner, Max.

  Tom adjusted the speed on Isaac's race car and kept him busy while his Mommy prepared for her big walk down the aisle.

  Cara, Patty, Marcy, and Katie spent their day at a spa in a hotel in San Antonio where they would be pampered while getting ready for the wedding.

  After Cara had her makeup and hair done, the other ladies helped her into her undergarments and dress. Cara wore a sleeveless tea-length dress, the bodice adorned with crystals. She turned to the side and checked out her profile in the mirror for the tenth time, asking, "Are you sure you can't tell I'm pregnant?"

  Patty giggled and touched Cara's arm. "You can't tell, but who cares?"

  Katie nodded. "Yeah. Victor wanted to marry you, regardless."

  Cara smirked at Katie. "It's Isaac I'm worried about. He's started asking about his 'baby brother' again. Makes me worry. Apparently he saw a pregnant cow recently and—"

  "Don't worry," Patty said. "He'll come to you if he has questions."

  "No." Cara shook her head. "He's more likely to come to Uncle Ramon."

  Marcy spoke up. "Ramon hasn't mentioned anything to me about it. Patty's right. Just let him come to you with questions."

  Just then, they heard a throat clear.

  Jocelyn entered, holding Marcy's dress. "Hello, ladies. Are we all set for the big day?"

  They all started talking to Jocelyn excitedly. Marcy took her dress and went to a changing room, hoping it would fit this time.

  When she finished, she walked out and said, "Does it look all right?"

  They all gasped at Marcy.

  Cara said, "You look amazing! With the makeup you can really tell how the color matches your eyes!"

  They fawned over her for a little while longer, then Katie and Patty went to their dressing rooms.

  Jocelyn said to Marcy, "Wait, you didn't zip it up all the way. Let me help."

  "Thank you," Marcy said as Jocelyn helped. "Again, I'm sorry about this last minute alteration. When you're as short as I am, every pound shows up."

  "Please, stop apologizing," Jocelyn said as she finished zipping. She stood back and looked Marcy up and down. "You look beautiful. Now, let's get your jewelry."

  Cara gasped and said, "Oh no! I knew I was forgetting something." She hustled off to the next room.

  Jocelyn glanced around the room to make sure they were alone, then said to Marcy, "So, you and Ramon, huh?"

  Marcy felt herself blush. "Yeah." Then she wondered why she hadn't heard Jocelyn mention Ramon before. "Why? Do you know him? He seems to know everyone around here."

  Jocelyn grinned. "We've met before. I guess you could say we're acquaintances." She inched forward like she was going to say something, then cleared her throat and straightened. "So, the dress fits? It's not too tight, is it?"

  "Wait," Marcy said. "What do you mean, exactly?"

  Jocelyn shrugged. "You should ask him yourself. Now, back to this dress…"

  * * *

  The next time Marcy saw Ramon was when Jocelyn lined up the wedding party on the front porch and directed them when to walk.

  Ramon gave her a big smile when Marcy stepped onto the porch. "Wow! You look… wow. Stunning. Beautiful."

  Marcy forced a smile. "Thanks." She looked him up and down. "You really know how to wear a tux. Very nice."

  "Thank you."

  Marcy craned her neck to see a nervous Victor standing at the arch in front of all the guests. "I thought Armando was the best man."

  "No." Ramon shook his head, glancing behind him at Armando, who now stood beside Patty. "Technically, we're co-best men. But we came up with a plan. A last minute change. since Victor was beside Armando at his wedding, I'm gonna stand beside Victor today. Armando'll be next to me… if I ever… you know." He flashed Marcy a shy grin.

  "Yeah." Marcy gulped. "If you ever settle down, you mean?" Then she shot Jocelyn a glare as she came around in front of them, snapping her fingers to get the wedding party's attention.

  "Shit," Ramon muttered. He glanced at Jocelyn, then gave Marcy a long, knowing look. "What'd you hear?"

  She cleared her throat, and in a haughty tone, said, "What do you think I heard?" hoping he would confirm her suspicion.

  He groaned, loudly, then leaned down to whisper, "It's not what you think. I've barely seen you since yesterday or I could've explained—"

  "Shh." Jocelyn placed a finger against her lips. "It's time for the procession." She extended her hand and stepped backward. "Don't be nervous. Do it just like we practiced."

  * * *

  Beads of sweat built on the back of Victor's neck as he stood in the shade, awaiting his lovely bride. A fidgety Isaac sat on the front row, turning in his seat to examine the guests. Tom sat beside him, smiling proudly.

  Victor smiled back at him, then looked at the porch. He saw Ramon and Marcy descend the steps, with Patty and Armando behind them. They made it all the way down the aisle before he saw Cara. Then Victor's breath hitched, and a wave of relief washed over him as tears filled his eyes.

  Cara was truly the most beautiful woman in the world, even without the fancy dress and the makeup. But today she was absolutely radiant. Her eyes locked on his as she walked down the aisle, and he could see she was crying too.

  Victor felt he'd waited years for this moment. His life could begin now. This woman had already made him a father once, with Isaac. She would bear another child in seven months.

  And, as of yesterday, she officially agreed to move with him to Turnbrook. To raise their children on a ranch, the way he was raised.

  His heart exploded with feelings he'd never felt before. Something new had been unleashed in him. This was their moment. Standing with his brothers by his side, on land that held so many warm memories, filled his heart with unspeakable joy as he gazed at his lovely bride.

  They had written their own vows, but each choked up as they read them aloud. Especially at the word, "forever." After they were pronounced husband and wife, Victor gave Cara the longest kiss he had ever given her. The guests stood, clapping. Ramon eventually had to tap on Victor's shoulder to get him to stop.

  The guests were laughing, but Victor didn't care. As he walked down the aisle with Cara, he extended a hand to Isaac, who looked confused at first. But then the boy hopped out of his chair and took Victor's hand.

  And together they walked down the aisle, ready to start their lives together.

  * * *

  Ramon hooked his arm around Marcy's as they followed Victor, Cara and Isaac down the aisle in silence, smiling politely at the wedding guests.

  He ushered her past Jocelyn, into the house and upstairs to her room where he shut the door.

  Marcy huffed. "We can't be up here. They're gonna take pictures and—"

  "Fuck the pictures. I couldn't concentrate during my own brother's wedding ceremony, thinking about you. I know you're pissed. Let me explain."

  "Explain what? That you've screwed half the women in Texas?"

  He smirked. "It's hardly half. Do you know how many people live here?"

  She folded her arms across her chest. "Then how many?"

  Palm against his forehead, Ramon closed his eyes. "Shit. It ain't like I kept count."

  Marcy groaned, rushing for the door.

  Ramon stuck his hand out to hold it closed. "No.
Let's talk about this."

  Fist on her hip, Marcy glared up at him. "Why didn't you tell me about Jocelyn before?"

  "I didn't know she was Cara's wedding planner till yesterday! I barely even remembered her!"

  "Gee, that sounds familiar. Just like the girl we saw when we were shopping that day."

  Ramon heaved out a loud breath. "You told me that day you didn't care! Why the fuck are you pissed at me this time? I was honest with you! I told you there were others."

  Marcy's eyes went huge. "I didn't realize I actually knew one of the others! I feel so cheap!" She stepped forward, staring up in his eyes. "Am I easier than picking up girls at a bar? Is that why this happened? Because I'm convenient?"

  "No." Ramon bit the side of his lip as he thought it over. "Well, maybe at first but not anymore."

  Marcy clutched her stomach. "I'm gonna be sick." She ducked around him, reaching for the door.

  Ramon grabbed the knob before she could. "You're special to me! You've been special to me since that first night!" His voice got quiet. "It wasn't like that with any of those other girls."

  Marcy pressed her lips together, averting his eyes as she went for the door again.

  And then they heard a knock.

  "Hey," Katie said from the hall. Knock, knock knock! "Picture time. We're all waiting for you!"

  "We'll be right down," Marcy said in an even tone. To Ramon, she mumbled, "Open the door."

  He pulled his hand away and let her open it, then followed her downstairs in silence.

  * * *

  Marcy tried to keep her distance from Ramon while the pictures were taken. She tried to focus on Cara and Victor and not let herself think about the beautiful woman who was currently inside the house talking with the caterers. When the photographer asked her to pose with Ramon, she forced a smile and made sure to stand so she wasn't touching him. His eyes were constantly fixed on her, silently pleading, except when they were asked to look at the camera.