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ENRIQUE SAW SKYLAR STIFFEN as they neared the corner on the way to Whisper’s house.
“Okay, Mia, what do we do?”
“Look both ways,” Mia said huffily. “And hold hands.” They all did, Enrique on the right with the dog so Skylar could take Mia’s hand on her left, because she’d told him to be sure not to touch Mia yet. They started into the street.
“Todo va a estar bien. It’s gonna be okay, Sky.” Enrique stroked Skylar’s hand with his thumb, wondering how close they were to where Joe was killed. After they crossed, he put his arm around her and she leaned into him while Mia walked a little ahead.
“Enrique?” Skylar whispered.
“Yeah?”
“I need to tell you something. Do you want to talk now? Or maybe you could walk me back here when we leave and Mia can wait in the car.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” It came out more like a question.
His pulse kicked up a notch.
She put Whisper back in his yard and hung the leash on the fence. She stared at the home next door. He remembered her looking at it the first time they’d come here.
“Mia?” Enrique said.
“What?”
“I need to talk to Sky a minute. Do you mind having a seat in the grass by Whisper’s yard?”
She shrugged and sat down.
“What is it?”
Skylar turned them both toward the two-story Craftsman style home with a large covered front porch. “It’s not bad, it’s just ...” She eyed the front door.
“You used to live here?”
She shook her head. “Joe did.”
He slung an arm around her shoulders. Learning Skylar’s story was like peeling an onion. Every time he thought he knew everything, there was another layer.
“We planted those roses.” She swiped her cheeks. “If I can stop being so emotional, there’s actually some good news here.” She fanned her face. “It’s mine. He bought it for me.”
Enrique gaped at her. “You mean it’s yours? Free and clear?”
Skylar nodded. “Joe knew a baseball career could be cut short. He wanted to have something paid off so we wouldn’t have to worry.” She looked up at him. “If things go well between you and Mia ... Well, I know you want to be the one to—” She clamped her eyes shut. “I’m screwing this up.”
“No, you’re not.” He pushed away feelings of inadequacy. This could change things for them. Relieve some pressure. He eyed the black wrought iron fence that bordered the front yard. The back had a wooden privacy fence. The front porch was decorated for fall. “It looks occupied.”
“I have tenants on a month-to-month lease. Mike’s wife, Janie, handled it for me. She’s already contacted them. I want Mia to have a house with a backyard. It’s a beautiful home.”
He followed the lines of the roof with his gaze. “It is. But are you sure you can live here, Sky?”
“I think so. I love this place. Joe had a lot of work done.” She faced him. “But I wasn’t sure how you would feel. If you’d be okay with living here. I’ll be happy to sell it if you want a fresh start. It’s your decision.”
Enrique struggled to digest it all. “How about if we talk that through later? We should get going.” He signaled to Mia that they were done and they headed back toward the park. Skylar held his hand and Mia skipped in front.
They rented a paddleboat and even though there were two rows of seats, Mia sat on Skylar’s lap, taking turns on the pedals. Enrique sat on their left. When they tired of that, they walked around the lake. “I need to run to the restroom,” said Skylar. “Mia, do you want to come with me?”
“I already went.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Skylar leaned and whispered in her ear.
Mia flashed her eyes at Skylar. “It’s fine.” After Skylar was out of earshot, a shy smile came over Mia’s face. “Enrique?”
“Yes?” Having her speak directly to him with it being just the two of them made his heart soar, but he tried to act cool.
She toyed with the end of her long braid. He was still struck by what a beautiful child she was, which immediately led to a sad pang. If she weren’t so lovely, perhaps she wouldn’t have been victimized. She cleared her throat. “Sky is looking after me, but I think someone needs to do that for her.”
He raised a brow. “Why do you think that?”
“She told me she was going to get married but he died. His name was Joe. Sometimes, when she thinks I’m occupied, she gets a sad look. And she does this.” Mia sighed.
A mix of fascination with Mia and compassion for Skylar filled him. He gave a half-smile. “Occupied? Is that a word you use a lot?”
She clasped her hands behind her back. Now her smile wasn’t so shy. “I have a big vocabulary. I’m in third grade but I read at a ninth grade level.”
He laughed, reminded of how Skylar had called herself a mathematical genius. Two peas in a pod. “Wow.”
“I’m going to be a doctor.” Mia dug the toe of her shoe in a crack on the sidewalk.
“I know a lot about emergency medicine.”
“You do?” Her eyes widened.
He nodded. “I was a medic in the army.”
“What’s that?”
He told her about it and offered to teach her what he knew.
“Okay, but you never answered me about taking care of Skylar.” Mia pointed, indicating she was on her way back.
“Mia, I think you’re right. It’s painful when we lose someone we love. I’ll do all I can for her.” He paused. “And if you think of any ideas, you be sure to let me know.”
“I will,” Mia said solemnly.
Skylar jogged back. “Are you two getting to know each other?” She eyed Mia as if gauging her reaction to being alone with him.
“Enrique’s going to teach me about emergency medicine.” Mia beamed. Then she became serious. “But I didn’t touch him. And he didn’t touch me.”
“That’s what I thought. I would never leave you with anyone I didn’t completely trust.” Skylar smiled and gave Mia’s shoulder a squeeze. “Are you guys hungry? I think we have just enough time to get something to eat before Enrique has to head back to work.”
––––––––
That evening, Skylar sat on the sofa reading a book. Her cell buzzed. A text from Enrique. Free to talk? She couldn’t help smiling. “Mia, I need to make a phone call. Do you need anything before I do that?” Mia didn’t respond, so she surged to her feet and hurried down the hall. Already in her pajamas, Mia lay in bed, a book on her chest, eyes closed. It was only eight o’clock. Skylar brushed the hair from Mia’s face.
“That feels good,” Mia said in a breathy half-asleep tone.
Skylar kissed her cheek. “Good night, sweetheart.”
Mia’s eyelids fluttered and she pulled Skylar down for a hug. “I love you, Sky.”
Skylar’s heart overflowed. “I love you too, Mia.” After turning off the light and closing the door, she practically floated to her room. She lay down on her bed and dialed Enrique. “Hey.”
“Hi. I loved hanging out with you guys today.”
“Me, too. Mia went on and on about you. All good.”
He laughed. “I’m glad.” He paused. “I’m staring at the ceiling thinking of you.”
“I wish you were here.” Skylar touched the place next to her, imagining him there.
“So do I. Hey, I’ve been thinking about the house. I’d like to go see it before I decide.”
“Okay. I’ll set something up.” She grabbed a pillow from the other side of the bed and hugged it to her chest, pretending it was him. “You were great with Mia today. Thanks for making the time.”
“She’s a great kid.” A pause. “Sky?”
“Yeah?”
“I’d like you to meet my family.”
“Okay. But ...” She trailed off. Enrique had told her about the conflict having to do with her.
“But what?”
“What if they don’t like me?”
“Then I’ll miss them.” He laughed.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I. It’s gonna be fine, corazon. I just talked to my dad.”
Skylar loved when he called her his sweetheart. “Okay. Enrique?”
“Hmm?”
“Do they know what Mia’s been through?”
“Yes.”
Skylar sighed, feeling conflicted. If she and Enrique did marry, it was important for them to know, but she felt it was just as important to guard Mia’s privacy. “Does the whole family know, or just your parents?”
“My parents. I made it clear that they need to keep it to themselves. Normally, that’s a problem with my mom, but she promised.”
A pressure lifted from her chest. “How did they take it?”
“Dad offered to send a bunch of my cousins after Devlin and Bailey. Mom cried.”
She stared at the ceiling, trying to decide whether to voice her true thoughts.
“What’s wrong?”
Skylar massaged the tight muscles in her jaw. “If they’re going to meet her, they have to be ... I don’t want her treated like a victim, but they need to understand that she might not want to be hugged or go off without me.”
“I’ll talk to them. But I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.” His soothing tone helped quell her anxiety.
“I know I can’t protect her from everything, but this is foreseeable.”
“I feel the same way.” They finished and clicked off.