Garrett flipped onto his back. Interlocking his fingers over his chest, he lay still and focused on the sounds of Anjelica’s family having fun. If he strained, he could hear talking and laughing with music in the background. A few times kids’ voices erupted in squeals, only to fade away quickly.
He worried about Rio wanting to hide instead of running and laughing with the other children. Maybe he should go check on him.
Anjelica would be there, and after last night—and then the accidental kiss this morning—he didn’t know what to say to her.
To get his mind off his emotional battles, he imagined Pilar having a great time being passed around while Rio hovered and stressed over all the strange people. Music came through the walls, not from speakers but live strings and a trumpet.
He stood and walked to the balcony. Pulling the heavy drapes back, he saw a yard full of color, people, animals and tables. The big garden in the middle of it all had started to turn green. As he scanned the area, the size of the crowd surprised him. A group of men had guitars, basses and the trumpet he heard. Anjelica ran over and talked to them. Her hands flew as the yellow scarf she wore fluttered around her, tangled in her dark hair.
Glancing at the clock, he calculated he had slept eight hours straight without interruptions. That was the longest stretch of sleep he’d had since becoming a father.
After a quick wash and shave, he changed and headed to the door. But before his hand touched the knob, there came a faint knock. The hinges creaked as it slowly opened. Rio poked his head in the small opening.
Garrett crouched down. Rio’s eyes widened before he gave his dad a tentative smile.
“Hey, little man. Everything all right?”
Rio nodded, his curls falling into his eyes. His small hand pushed his hair back, allowing him to scan the room. Garrett froze midaction as he realized he was making the exact same gesture. “Were you looking for me?”
Another small nod. Then he looked down at his shoes.
“Rio, you have to use your words. This is a safe place to talk.” He refrained from reaching out to stroke the boy’s hair. This was the first time his son sought him out. He didn’t want to do anything to startle him. Slowing his breathing, he held still and waited.
“Anjelica said you were sleeping.” Rio rubbed his thumb against his palm. “Are you awake now?”
A lightness lifted the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, I’m awake. Thank you for letting me sleep and coming to check on me.” He wanted to reach out and hug his son.
“Rio?” Anjelica’s voice drifted from the bottom of the stairs. “Your dad is sleeping.”
Standing, Garrett opened the door all the way. “I was up and about to come out when Rio came in to check on me.” He gently squeezed the little shoulder. “We were just talking.”
Anjelica’s eyes widened a bit before she gave him an understanding look. “Well, as long as everyone’s good, I’ll head back to the party. We’ve dried the eggs for the cascarones and are stuffing them with confetti. Then we’ll start adding the paper and glue to the piñatas.” She clasped her hands in front of her waist. “So does this mean father and son will be joining the festivities?”
“Come on, son, let’s go make a piñata.” Okay, that was not something he’d ever dreamed of saying, but it felt right.
As they stepped through the back door of the garage, most of the crowd stopped and stared at them. Rio ducked behind his legs.
Anjelica clapped. “Now that Garrett’s awake, we don’t have to stay quiet. Tío Guillermo, you can start the music again.” She laughed as children of all ages dashed to the table she had covered in large canvas sheets. “I’ll be at the piñata table. Join me when you’re ready.”
Celeste, just a year or so older than Rio, ran over to his son. “Hey, Rio, I was looking for you. Do you want to come help make the piñata? It’s really messy and fun.”
Rio blinked at Pastor John’s daughter a few times but didn’t make an effort to move away from Garrett. “Rio doesn’t talk much.”
She smiled at him, then back at Rio. “That’s okay. Daddy says I talk enough for a whole pack of people.” She held out her hand. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t wanna.”
Eyes so much like his own looked up at him. Garrett went to his knee. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Rio nodded and slipped his hand into Garrett’s as the little high-energy blonde grasped the other and started skipping to the table. “You’ll love it. We make two, a giant one for the bigger kids and a smaller one for, well, the smaller kids.” She laughed as she looked back at Rio. His son just nodded and watched her in complete fascination.
Maybe being led around by pretty girls started early for the Kincaid males.
On the table, two bamboo-framed structures were being covered in strips of newspaper and white paste. It looked messy. Adults and kids laughed as they crisscrossed the strips. Glue covered everything. Rio looked up at Garrett, doubt in his expression.
Garrett sighed. He had his own doubts about this adventure. Celeste laughed and pulled Rio into the middle of the crowd. People shifted and gave them room.
The enthusiastic daughter of the pastor plunged her hands into the bucket full of the glue mix, then pointed to a stack of torn paper. “Rio, hand me the paper and I’ll coat it in glue. Then we can put them on the donkey. It’s the donkey that carried Jesus into town before he was arrested.”
Doing what he was told, Rio glanced up at him with a bit of panic in his eyes. Garrett came in close to him. “Do you know the Easter story of Jesus?”
He shook his head. Celeste gasped. “I thought everyone knew the Easter story.” On her knees, she twisted around and yelled, “Daddy!”
Rio turned the opposite direction as if looking for an escape route. Picking him up, Garrett placed him on his lap. “It’s okay. Not everyone knows the story.”
Pastor John came over carrying the guitar he had been playing. “What’s wrong, Celeste?”
“He doesn’t know about the donkey that carried Jesus or the Crucifixion or the Resurrection. Can you tell him the story of Jesus and Easter?”
Some other people came over and Pastor John pulled up a chair to the end of the table. “My favorite story to tell from the Bible is the Resurrection of Jesus. Rio, do you want to hear it?”
With a nod, he started scanning the crowd. Garrett assumed he searched for Anjelica. She had Pilar and was walking across the yard, heading straight to the table, which had collected a crowd. Garrett made sure to sit still, not fidget or scan the crowd for threats. This was a happy family event.
One of the older kids complained about it not being Easter yet, so why did they have to hear the story again?
Anjelica stopped to stand next to them. “I would love to hear the story, Pastor John. It’s a story we should hear often all through the year. I even have some Resurrection eggs. Rio can show everyone as you tell it.” She handed Pilar to him.
Garrett settled her on one leg as he balanced Rio on the other. “It’s been a long time since I heard the story. Pilar’s never heard it, either.”
A few others joined them at the table. With a couple of strums of his strings, Pastor John’s soothing voice started recounting the days that led up to the ultimate sacrifice.
Anjelica handed an egg to Rio at each turn of the story. He carefully looked inside to discover something that had to do with the journey. The other men who had been playing now gave the story a soft musical background.
Garrett had never been so moved. He sat with his children and listened to the story of how he’d gained the undeserved path to forgiveness. This was the reason he’d given up life as a solitary bachelor. These moments made every sacrifice worth it.
“Why did he do it?” Rio whispered, surprising everyone who had never heard him speak. Garrett had no clue how to respond.
Pastor John set the guitar down and leaned forward. “That’s a great question. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only son. He loved us so much He didn’t want to be separated from us. We are His children and He wants to be with us forever, even past this life.”
Rio’s expression turned even more serious as he processed the new information. He had to have questions about his mom and the way she died.
Celeste handed Rio a strip of newspaper. “My mommy’s in heaven like yours.” Rio scooted off Garrett’s leg and stood closer to Celeste in order to smear the glue-coated paper over the soon-to-be Easter donkey.
Needing to stretch his legs, Garrett stood. He made a face at his daughter. Pilar laughed and grabbed his nose. A sunny yellow headband gathered her dark curls away from her face. He realized he would have no idea how to fix her hair if he was alone. Something else for his ever-growing list of things he’d thought he would never need to know.
As she made sounds, he talked back to her. She had to be the happiest baby ever.
In the early years, Viviana planned and dreamed about the kids they would have one day, a boy and a girl. “If your mamma was here, she’d play with you and love you.” He lifted her up and rubbed her tummy with his nose. The giggles would cure anyone’s sour mood. His own smile felt good as he continued to play with her.
“She’s looking so much healthier since you brought her home.” Buela stood next to him, wiping her hands on her green-and-pink apron. “Can I hold this precious girl? Anjelica is looking for you.”
His daughter laughed and reached for the tiny grandmother.
“Where is she?” He scanned the backyard, which had turned into an impromptu fiesta. Kids played chase with the baby goats around the outside of the garden.
Next to the yellow blooming Esperanza with a small group of women stood one of the most beautiful women he had ever met. Anjelica threw her head back. A hearty laugh with no apologies consumed her whole body.
Her face lit up when he joined the group. “Garrett, I was just telling them that you play several instruments.”
“She said you played in the military band.” An older man spoke, one of Anjelica’s uncles, but Garrett couldn’t remember which one. “Why don’t you join us?”
That was all it took. Before he knew what happened, Garrett was playing with them and being invited by Pastor John to join the church band. Music had always been the thing that grounded him.
It was another gift God had given him that he took for granted. What had he done to deserve all the gifts that now made his life worth living? Rio, Pilar and Anjelica.
Maybe he should give something back. One thing his mom taught him was to always be grateful when others did something kind for you. She made sure he showed his appreciation.
He didn’t have much to offer, but he had his music. His music was about the only thing worth giving.
* * *
Anjelica turned her face into the gentle breeze that wove its way through the backyard. It danced with the trees, adding its own music to the gathering. Rio sat in her lap as he watched his sister. Pilar played on the blanket next to the Esperanza that Garrett had helped her save. She played with Rio’s soft curls. Her daughter would have been just a little younger than Rio. She bit the inside of her cheek.
Pilar laughed and threw one of her teething toys. So much stronger than a month ago, and she had a smile for everyone. Rio, not so much, but at least he was not scowling at everyone who walked by. Just the ones who talked to him.
The brightly colored piñatas were hanging in the tree drying, and the hollowed-out eggs were filled with confetti. Now everyone sat around listening to the music her uncles, Pastor John and Garrett played.
This was living. She closed her eyes and thanked God for His many blessings. She couldn’t resist kissing Garrett’s son on the top of his head. He turned and looked at her.
“I was just thanking God for the perfect day with so many people that love each other. Look how strong Pilar is getting. She pulled herself up to sit.”
Celeste sat on the edge of the baby blanket and started talking to her. Rio eased down from Anjelica’s lap and sat next to his sister. Anjelica wasn’t sure if he was being protective or saw Celeste as a new friend.
Glancing over at Garrett, she saw that he was watching, too. They made eye contact and he raised his eyebrow in question. Shrugging, she gave him a smile and sat back. Watching him play was pure pleasure.
Her grandmother joined her. “Something about a man playing music just stirs your heart, doesn’t it, mija? I saw your buelito play at a friend’s party and I fell in love.”
“Buela, please don’t start.”
“You need to open your heart or the years will slip by and you’ll be alone.”
“Being alone is not the end of the world. The wrong man would make it worse. I’d rather be alone than miserable.”
“Oh, mija, he’s a good man.”
The only way to get out of this argument was to stop talking. Eyes closed, Garrett had lost himself in his music. Why couldn’t he be an auto mechanic or a banker who played the saxophone? Why did he have to make a living by putting himself in direct danger?
Behind the garden, her brothers had started a bonfire with the pruned limbs from her pecan trees. She loved the smell of pecan wood burning. Soon it would be too hot and dry to light a fire.
Her grandmother was right about her heart wanting to love again. Her wayward thoughts of Mr. Hero Man apparently proved she was ready to try a new relationship. Maybe she should join a singles’ group in Kerrville.
There was no way she was going to hand her heart over to another save-the-world kind of man. She sighed. Pilar pulled at Rio’s hair. The children laughed.
These two already had her heart, but she had to draw the line at their father.
She glanced at the object of her denial. His eyes were closed as he absorbed the music. She had to figure something out because she knew, without a doubt, she was already walking across dangerous ground.
“Tía Anjelica, there’s a man at the door that’s looking for Officer Kincaid.” Her nephew Jordan looked concerned. “He looks official. He’s in a suit.” He glanced at her charges on the blanket, then leaned in close to her. “I think he might be here about the kids.”
She patted him on the back. “It’s okay. Will you watch the children for me while I see what he wants?” She tried to tell herself there was no reason to worry. It was late Saturday. Maybe they were just his last visit for the day.
“Thank you, Jordan. I’ll be right back.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The lanky teen plopped down next to the blanket.
Should she get Garrett or see who it was first?
Before she could decide, Garrett had noticed her standing and staring at him. He raised an eyebrow in question. She gave him a slight nod. Without hesitation, he put down the sax and walked over to her.
“What is it? Is something wrong?” He turned from her and scanned the yard.
“There’s a visitor at the front door. No one I know uses the front door. A man in a suit. It might not be CPS, and I was debating if I should tell you now or after I knew for sure.”
“We knew he could be stopping by to see how the kids were doing.” He smiled. “This is good. Look at Pilar sitting up. Rio is hanging with other people without a blanket over his head, and he’s started talking to us. I think this is good timing.”
“You’re right. Not sure why I feel all jittery.” As she turned to go into the house, Garrett followed, placing his hand on the small of her back. She relaxed. “Si Dios quiere.” We will trust in God’s will.
“Si Dios quiere,” he repeated in his Texas drawl. The warmth of his breath tickled her neck as he leaned in close to her ear. The solid weight of his touch created a warm, safe feeling. She hurried ahead through the kitchen, forcing him to drop his hand.
She clenched her fist. His touch was no different than that of her father or brothers. No different, no different.
For her next day off, she was determined to look into the singles’ group at the church in Kerrville. A teacher would be nice. She could date a teacher.
“Officer Kincaid. Mrs. Ortega-Garza. How are you doing?” John Ackerman held out his hand to Garrett, then her.
“We’re good. Is this an official visit? Was there another house inspection that needed to be done?” Garrett smiled at the man, looking completely at ease.
She remembered her manners and greeted the man, too. “Nice to see you again. Would you like something to drink or eat?”
A shake of his head had her jumping ahead to why he might be here. “The kids are doing great. Pilar is sitting up and Rio has started talking to Garrett. Both of them are outside with my family. They’re so happy.” Breathe. Anjelica, breathe. Garrett reached over and took her hand. She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t.
“That sounds great, but I’m actually here to give you some bad news. Well, maybe you’ll like it. I know the placement was an emergency and you had not been aware of your son.”
Now he squeezed her hand a little tight. “But he’s mine now, right? Both are doing well here. Is there a problem?”
“Are you still wanting to adopt the girl?”
“Pilar.” Garrett nodded.
She realized she had stopped breathing. With a deep breath, she relaxed her muscles and tried to calm her rolling stomach.
“The paternal grandmother has changed her mind and has petitioned the courts for full guardianship. So if you had doubts about taking a child that’s not your biological daughter, then this is good. But if you’re serious about being a parent to both? Well, not so good.”
Garrett’s fingers tightened, then relaxed around her hand. He repeated the motion, but when she looked at his face, he seemed unfazed by the news.
“What are her chances of getting custody? Since I’m his father, they can’t take Rio from me.” His gaze stayed focused on the CPS worker.
“No, no. Rio’s yours. Do you want to fight for custody of the girl?”
He glanced at her. The panic buried in the depth of his eyes tore her heart.
She returned the grip on his hand before turning to Mr. Ackerman. “But the court would want to keep the kids together, right? I don’t understand—we were led to believe there was no one that wanted Pilar.”
Mr. Ackerman pushed his glasses up and nodded. “When we arrived on the scene, they were our first contacts. At the time, they made it clear they didn’t want the children. Now that things have settled, Cecilia Barrow, the deceased father’s mother, claims to have changed her mind.”
Garrett stepped away with a low growl. “Viviana would have wanted me to have both of them. They need to stay together.” He ran his fingers through his hair before turning back to them, his stone face back in place. “What do I need to do to secure Pilar as my daughter?”
“Well, go forward with your petition, stating that you want to keep your son and his sister together. The kids have an appointed lawyer. But the final decisions will be with the judge. She tends to go with blood, but for this case, that’s hard. On one hand her brother, on the other her grandmother. There’s just no way of knowing.” He looked around the house. “How are the children settling?”
Anjelica jumped in before Garrett could say anything. “Rio still prefers sleeping close to his sister. They’re very close, and the doctor that Rio is seeing says that it will help him if he can choose where to sleep. It gives him some control in a limited way.”
Mr. Ackerman smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’m aware of the recommendations.”
“Oh. Okay. Do you want to see the kids? They really are thriving here with Garrett.” She needed to stop talking.
“That sounds great.”
Planting a sweet smile on her face, she led them through the house. The three of them stopped on the porch.
“This is a great house. Do you plan to stay long-term, Officer Kincaid?”
“Call me Garrett. The kids are by the garden.” He went stiff. It was subtle, but she saw the shift in his stance. He was on guard.
She scanned the yard to see what had upset him. Her family was in different groups, most split between the music and building up the bonfire. A few were playing horseshoes. She glanced to her yellow-flowered bush.
She stopped breathing. They were gone. Celeste, Rio and Pilar were not on the blanket. Even the blanket had vanished. They had to be around somewhere.
She looked for Jordan. He had joined the group at the fire pit. Oh no. The fire was dancing about four feet into the air. Where were the kids?