Three weeks had passed since the first date with Anjelica. He’d managed to get one more date in and several family excursions.
Garrett heaved a huge sigh of relief in the empty room. All the family noise outside was muffled. The church had been standing-room only for the Easter service, and now it seemed as if everyone had followed them home.
His guess? They picked up a few strays along the way. Anjelica had even invited Cecilia for the festivities, and Pilar’s grandmother brought three of her older grandkids.
When he planned for a family Easter-egg hunt and dinner, he had foolishly imagined her parents and his kids. Maybe a few aunts and uncles and her favorite cousins. A perfect time to propose. But now it was a whole town event.
He hadn’t been near this nervous when he asked Viviana to marry him. Then again, he had been naive and full of the fantasy of marriage.
Harsh reality replaced fantasies. The pendulum swung back. He’d gone from thinking marriage would fix him, to thinking marriage was a death trap, to thinking marriage would fix his children. Now he settled somewhere in the middle.
Taking the ring out of his pocket, he wondered if it was too soon. He was ready to completely commit, but would she believe him?
She had turned him down once for every right reason. His hand shook a little when he placed the ring on the shelf above Steve’s flag and picture.
“Well, I’m gonna try and get it right this time. Any suggestions? You loved the girl she was, and I hope she lets me love the woman she’s become.” Could he compete with a childhood love?
“Garrett?”
He jumped at the sound of his mother’s voice.
“Who are you talking to?”
“Is it weird that I’m talking to her husband?”
She came over and rested her cheek on his upper arm as she looked up at the pictures. “No. You’re both marines. You’ve seen the same things, loved the same girl. You have a great deal in common.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Oh, Garrett! Is that box what I think it is?”
He nodded. “Somewhere in my addled brain, I thought today would be a great time to ask her. A grand romantic gesture in front of her family. I planned to hide it in an Easter egg with her name on it. Now it sounds lame. What if one of the kids finds it?” He went to the window and peeked through the curtains. The front was packed with cars and trucks. “I also don’t want her to feel trapped. If I ask her in front of everyone...well, that might not end up well.”
He put his left arm around his mother as he ran his other hand through his hair. “I want to make it special. Let her know how important she is to me. I don’t know if this is good enough.” He looked back at the picture. All the memories she must have made with Steve were everywhere. In the house, in town, at the church. How did he even begin to find a place in her life?
“Are you worried you haven’t dated long enough?”
He snorted. “That’s one concern that never occurred to me. I know her. We’ve shared as many breakfasts, lunches and dinners as a married couple. When you pace the floor at three in the morning soothing a sick child together, you know that person in a deeper way than if you’d met for a year’s worth of dates. I know her. But what if she knows me too well? What if I’m not enough for her to get over her fear of how I make a living?”
“Oh, sweetheart, you’re more than enough.”
“You’re my mom. Your opinion doesn’t count.”
“You do what you feel is right, but promise me you won’t let fear be the thing that stops you.” She patted his chest. “Don’t hide in here for too long, or Buela will come looking for you. The kids are about to hit the piñata. Anjelica sent me in to get more tea. She said it was on the stove.”
“I’ll help you. Last thing I want is Buela hunting me down.”
They took the fresh-brewed tea to the beverage table, and his mom helped him pour it into a giant orange dispenser. Scanning the backyard, he found Anjelica bouncing Pilar on her hip while she talked to Vickie, the sheriff’s wife.
Her one free hand was waving about as she explained something. Her shoulders were bare except for the straps of the sundress she wore. He liked to think he had helped her feel more confident in some way.
Kids ran around. People talked and laughed. Someone was playing a guitar. A few of the men were stringing up a colorful star piñata, with the ribbon getting tangled in the wind. This was home.
His eyes went back to Anjelica. She was home.
A bump to the shoulder took him out of his own thoughts. Sheriff Torres stood there with a plateful of desserts. “You know you can go talk to her. You don’t have to stare at her like a lovesick boy at a middle-school dance.” He popped a lemon square in his mouth.
Garrett snorted. “I thought you already had dessert.”
With a shrug, he glanced over to his wife and Anjelica. “Have to try everything to make sure no one’s feelings get hurt. It’s a sacrifice, but someone has to make sure it’s done.” He swung his gaze back to Garrett. “Speaking of sacrifice. How’s family life treating you?”
Garrett found Rio running with several children. He laughed as a little mop of a dog jumped after him. Looked like Coach Valdez and his son had been invited, too. “Better than I thought.”
“Yeah, it can take some getting used to. Still having good and bad days with Vickie’s kids living with me.” He laughed. “Vickie assures me it’s normal. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, though. Have you been seeing Reeves like I suggested?”
Nodding, Garrett kept an eye on Rio as the children ran behind the garden and around the Esperanza bush.
“Actually, it’s helped a great deal. Thank you. I feel more grounded than I have since getting back to the States.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy. Let me know if you need anything. I’m always available. I’m a good wingman, too. Just sayin’. Don’t wait too long. I wasted ten years afraid to just ask.” With a smirk on his face, his gaze darted from Anjelica back to Garrett. Vickie waved at them. “Duty calls. Catch you later.”
“Later.”
Vickie’s daughter ran to Torres and jumped into his arms. Holding the girl, he spoke with the women for a while before taking off on a mission to hang the donkey piñata for the smaller kids.
He could stand here all day and watch Anjelica in action. She brought order to chaos and made it seem easy. Glancing over her shoulder, she caught him staring at her.
Great, he did look like that awkward middle-school kid. With a nod, he turned to take the large pot back to the kitchen.
Today was not the right time. He needed to wait, but the question was when. Rushing something this big was not good. He’d done that with Viviana. But waiting too long could waste time, like Torres said.
What if she found someone else who didn’t carry a gun for a living? Like the coach. With a grunt, he opened the screen door.
Maybe it was a test. If he really loved her, he’d give up law enforcement. He washed the pot and put it away, then stood in the middle of the kitchen.
He couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Rubbing his temple, he took a deep breath. This was too complicated. What was wrong with wanting a simple life? Then again, if he had stayed away from Viviana when he returned home, he wouldn’t have Rio or Pilar. Now he was talking himself in circles. How could you regret a life that also brought you blessings?
Looking into the living room, he saw the ring on the high shelf. He needed to put it away for now.
* * *
Anjelica nodded at something Vickie said, but her attention stayed on the back door. Garrett hadn’t smiled back at her when she caught him staring.
The last two days, he seemed distracted. She bit down on the inside of her cheek. What was wrong, and why was he not talking to her?
“Then a lion jumped from the stage and bit his head off.”
She turned back to Vickie and blinked a couple of times. “What?”
“Oh, that you heard. So where did you go while Pilar and I had a talk?” She smiled at the little girl and tickled her tummy.
Pilar giggled and grabbed Anjelica’s hair and pulled her close, slobbering on her cheek. “Oh, Anjelica. She’s giving you kisses! She looks at you like you’re her mamma.”
Anjelica hugged her close. “Oh, baby girl, I love you, too.” She glanced back at Vickie. “Enough of this mamma talk.”
“Oh, give me a break. You take care of her. You practically live in the same house. You are basically her mamma. The only one she has or knows. The way her daddy has been looking at you, I say he wouldn’t mind her calling you Mamma.”
“We’re just friends.”
Vickie’s eyebrow went high. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days? I thought you had gone on some real dates.”
Shaking her head, she cupped Pilar’s sweet face and kissed her dark curls. “We have, but I just don’t think I can go down that road again.”
“What road is that? Love? I think it might be too late.”
Anjelica shook her head. “I married one man who had a hero complex. I can’t sit at home and wait, praying he comes home.” She looked at Vickie. “How do you not go crazy every time Jake goes to work?”
“First I pray every day to keep him protected.” Vickie tilted her head. “But I don’t get why you compare Steve to Garrett. I remember Steve pushing the edge all the time. He would rush headlong without thinking. Remember the time he jumped from one truck to another while they were going, like, eighty miles an hour? How many cars did he total?” She rolled her eyes. “That boy was downright crazy. I always thought you were the only reason he didn’t get himself killed early on.”
Anjelica blinked to keep tears from falling. Vickie laid a hand on her upper arm.
“I’m sorry. My mouth gets me in trouble all the time. I didn’t mean to upset you. That was just stupid of me.”
“No. I’m okay. I never really thought about it like that before. I loved Steve, but I spent a great deal of time waiting for him to grow up.”
“He was a great kid. Biggest heart in the world, and he loved you. He also liked playing the hero, but not the way Jake and Garrett do. Garrett is smart. Jake’s impressed with him. He considers the situation and takes charge. If that’s the reason you’re not sure, girl, you need to let that go.” She looked back to the porch. “You have a great man there, and if I’m reading it right, he’s in love with you.”
“I don’t know. The last few days he’s been acting weird.”
Vickie snorted. “Yeah! You’re giving the poor guy every mixed message there is. Poor boys. We drive them crazy, but between you and me. I think they kinda like it.” She reached for Pilar. “Let me take this little bit, and you go talk to your man. You’re not wearing your scarves anymore—I’m guessing that has something to do with him. Put all the worries in God’s hands and go.”
Garrett was still in the house. She scanned the yard full of family and friends and realized he was alone inside. Maybe this was too much for him.
She was used to all the people all the time, but he was so private.
“Go. Stop overthinking it and go.” Vickie waved her on.
“Okay, okay.”
With a deep breath, her shoulders back, she walked forward. Why was she so nervous? Silence met her in the kitchen. “Garrett?”
“Anjelica? Do you need something?” His deep voice came from the living room.
They met at the archway as she moved into the living room and he walked into the kitchen.
He braced his hands on her arms so as not to run her over. “Everyone okay?”
“Yes. I just thought we could talk.”
His eyebrows crunched down. “Now? Don’t you have a few hundred guests outside?”
She bumped her fist against his upper arm. An upper arm that looked really good in the short-sleeved polo he wore. With a sigh, she looked up at his face. “Not that many. Is it making you nervous? I can ask them to leave. We’ve already done the Easter-egg hunt, and everyone’s eaten.”
With a grin on those perfect lips, he stepped back. Well, she couldn’t trust herself to look at his face, either, without getting distracted. She’d always had a thing for jaws. Strong jaws and dimples. Like the long dimple on the side of... Ugh. Focus, Anjelica.
Now he had one eyebrow cocked, waiting for her to speak. Vickie was right. Garrett never rushed anything. Well, other than marriage. He’d rushed it with Viviana and tried with her.
Stepping into him, she cupped his face with her hands. Confusion clouded his expression. New stubble edged his jaw. His eyes searched her face.
Lifting her face, she pressed her lips to his. He closed his eyes. The muscles under her hand relaxed. Slowly, he joined the kiss, following her lead. She moved closer, wanting to sink into him and take him all in, his textures, his scent.
Fingers slid from his jaw to the pulse at the base of his neck.
Placing his hands on the backs of her arms, he pulled back. “Wow.”
She was officially out of her mind. He had to think she was crazy. He was waiting for her to say something, but her brain knocked around her skull without a single idea. “Hi.”
Really? That was all she had.
His lips moved to a wide-open smile. “Hi to you, too.”
“I’ve really enjoyed these last three weeks with the kids.”
“And the kids enjoy being with you.”
She wrapped her arms around her middle and looked to the backyard. She’d never worried about her words with Steve.
Garrett looked relaxed with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. An encouraging smile didn’t really help her feel better.
“You know Steve was the only boy I ever dated, and we knew each other from the time we could walk. So this whole relationship thing is new to me, too.”
“Ha. A normal relationship with a well-adjusted, strong woman is completely new territory for me. I...” He glanced over his shoulder into the living room. Coming back to her, he ran his hand through his hair, causing it to stand up on the side.
Not able to resist, she moved toward him and smoothed out the strays. “What is it?”
“Nothing. So you left the party to hunt me down and kiss me?”
She had to laugh. “You make me sound so...forward. The kiss was unexpected, but I hope it got the message across.” Hand flat on his chest, she felt his heart beat. It seemed to pick up the pace. “I want to spend more time with you. Not because of the kids, but because I love you.” There, she’d said it, and the house didn’t fall down. Garrett was still standing, too. His face scrunched in a frown.
Okay, not the reaction she’d hoped for.
She looked for a way out. How did you make a graceful exit after saying those words? In one long step, he had his hands on her shoulders, anchoring her in place. No escaping now.
“You weren’t supposed to say it first.”
“What? It’s a contest?”
He chuckled. “No. I’ve been debating for a week now, but worried I’d say it too soon. I really messed up last time, and I need to get this right.
“Last time? You’ve never said—” She covered her mouth when she realized he was talking about his marriage proposal. “The proposal? That was you saying you loved me?”
“Not very well.” Holding his palm up, he waited for her to take his offer. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
They joined hands, and his thumb caressed the back of her hand. So much bigger than hers, his fingers engulfed her hand, making her feel safe and cherished.
She followed him out the kitchen door and up the stairs to his apartment. Now she was curious. What could be in the apartment she had not seen before?
In his living room, he dropped her hand. “Wait here.” He disappeared into his room. Nerves started twisting as she tried to imagine what he wanted to show her.
Joining her, he held a boot box. Okay, so it wasn’t a ring. Balancing the box with one hand, he lifted the lid. He pulled out a string? He stopped and looked at her. Uncertainty suddenly appeared on his face.
“What is it? You’re killing me.”
“I know we both have broken pieces, but I hope together we can make a family. I love you and can’t imagine anyone else. I don’t want anyone else.”
With a lopsided grin, he lowered the box. Hanging from the string was her broken wind chime that had been destroyed in the storm.
Her hand covered her mouth. The one she had made when she was expecting Esperanza. She thought she’d lost it forever. Now he offered it back to her.
It was cracked and skewed, but he had glued the parts together. A few were missing, but it was beautiful. She wanted to cry.
Carefully, he put it back in the box. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
Just like Rio, she launched herself at him. His arms came around her as he staggered back. His laughter rumbled from his chest.
“So you like it?”
“It’s the nicest, best gift anyone has ever given me.” Giving him some space, she stepped back and wiped her face.
“I had a whole speech to go with it. I know this might be too soon, but we’ve been through so much and I can’t imagine more time will change anything for me.” He took a knee in front of her and pulled a small box out of his pocket. “I know I’m not the easiest man to get along with, but I want to be there for you. You know me in ways no one else ever even tried to know me.” He took a solitaire out of its velvet box. “Anjelica Ortega-Garza, will you accept all my broken parts and add Kincaid to your name?”
“Are you willing to take on the Ortega family and all that means?”
His dimples came out in full force. “Yes. I almost love them as much as I love you.”
“Then yes! Garrett River Kincaid, I would be proud to marry you and be your wife.”
Somehow his grin grew wider and he slipped the ring on her finger. It was a touch too big. His smile disappeared. “We’ll have to get it sized, or you can pick another one.”
Holding her hand up, she admired the swirl and twist of the gold band surrounding the simple classic diamond. “It’s perfect.” She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you.”
He glanced at the door. “We should go tell Rio and your family.”
She let go of his neck and took his hand. She just wanted to stay there and absorb this moment with him. The love and happiness so complete it made her aware how empty she’d been before, going through the motions of living.
“Thank you, Garrett. For not giving up on me. I was so afraid of taking back my own happiness.”
Cupping her face, he leaned in and kissed her. “Thank you.”
With a nod, she turned to the door to make the announcement that would send her life in a new direction. A direction filled with love and laughter, even during the rough times.
* * *
Anjelica’s hand in his, Garrett wanted to jump down the steps. Colorful confetti coated the yard. The cascarones wars must have broken out.
Many of the people turned and stared at them. Garrett was sure he had an expression on his face that gave them away. He scanned the yard for Rio.
From a group of children, his son ran toward him with one hand tucked behind his back. “Daddy, I have a secret.”
Garrett leaned down, and Rio broke the confetti egg over his head. The boy laughed out loud, arching his whole body backward. “I got you, Daddy!”
“You did.” Garrett shook his head and the colored paper flew around them.
“I have a secret, too. You wanna know what I did today?”
Rio looked at his hands with suspicion before getting closer. “What is it?”
He held out his hand to Anjelica. “I asked Anjelica to be my wife and your mother.”
The little boy’s eyes went wider as his gaze darted to Anjelica. He pressed his body against Garrett’s side. “What did she say?” He whispered it, but the crowd had gotten quiet and it carried across the yard. It seemed as if the whole town waited for the answer.
Anjelica came down to Rio’s eye level. “I said yes. Once we get married, we’ll all live here together.”
He whooped loud and jumped up. Before Garrett knew what had happened, they were surrounded. He picked Rio up so the crowd wouldn’t overwhelm him.
This was his family. Every single person here was now a part of his future. He thought about the cabin he had planned. And didn’t feel a twinge of regret or longing about it.
As people gathered and congratulated them, he kept his attention on Anjelica. Someone handed Pilar to her. They were so beautiful.
Parts of him might be forever broken, but the best parts now belonged to her. God really did answer prayers not even prayed for. He’d sent Garrett his very own hero, and now she was going to be his wife. He wanted to laugh and dance. God was good. Life was good. Love was his.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from HER TEXAS HERO by Kat Brookes.
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