The lights faded into shadows around the edges of the yard, and the honeysuckle lingered on the slight, warm breeze. Dell yawned and leaned back more comfortably against Jovi, the porch swing creaking beneath them.
“Tired?”
“How did so many people fit into this yard?” she asked, and he chuckled.
“At times, it was a tight fit. But a beautiful reception, nonetheless.”
“Yes. And having Hal and Carmela share it — they should have married so long ago. She deserves to be recognized as the woman in his life, even if we had to give them a nudge.” Dell smiled and rubbed her cheek lazily against Jovi’s shoulder. “Everyone seemed to have fun.”
“Becky especially. She’s going to love weddings.”
Dell smiled wryly. “I just hope she doesn’t have one for twenty or thirty years.”
“Not thirty,” Jovi said immediately, kissing the corner of her mouth. “That would be too late. Think how long before we’d be grandparents.”
She laughed. “I sort of feel like a grandmother already, with Selina’s little boy visiting so often.”
He chuckled and eased her away from him to stand up.
“Everyone’s gone,” he pointed out, drawing her up and into his arms. “We don’t leave for Florida until tomorrow — ”
“Stopping to see racing stock on our way to a cruise ship.” She nodded. “You’re a real romantic, Jovi Treviño.” She pressed into the hard contours of his body and kissed his chin.
“But you don’t mind?” He kissed the corner of her mouth, and she eased away enough to look up at him.
“I don’t mind meeting the Coopers,” she agreed. “But, since we’re married now and you should confess all your sins, tell me the truth about Griselda. Why you called her “inalcanzable”?
He laughed. “Expected that question ages ago,” he admitted. “I never called her that, Dell. She and I worked together at DEA.” He hugged her close, brushed a kiss against her hair before continuing. “When you came in and saw me with the paper, I had to come up with something.” He paused, and humor laced his voice. “Can I think on my feet or what?”
“I think I’ll like the Coopers,” Dell murmured against his cheek. “Even Griselda.” She cupped his cheek and urged him close for another, lingering kiss that left them both breathless.
“And they call you incalcanzable … ” His lips touched hers again, but after a moment he drew back. “You don’t know how far away I thought you were,” he said. “How unreachable. Unattainable.”
She eased out of his grip, then held her hand out to him. “Let’s go in,” she suggested huskily. “I’ve never been that far away,” she added as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “No one’s beyond love … no one really is.”
“No,” he agreed, and together they made their way into the darkened house, touched by love.
The End