If he left this issue alone, would the chemistry between them gradually fade? Didn’t feel like it. When they’d met by her little blue truck, he’d fought the impulse to haul her into his arms.
She’d been giving off sparks, too. Good thing she’d started a conversation or he might have kissed her. He still wanted to, even though they were surrounded by family.
“The Dames have arrived!” The acoustics of the entry hall gave Auntie Kat’s announcement extra oomph.
“Let the party begin!” Grandma Doris led the procession into the dining room. She’d worn a sparkly top he’d never seen before and a pair of blinged-out jeans. They’d all dressed up for Tracy, each of them sporting glittery jewelry and vibrant colors.
She oohed and aahed over their outfits, clearly delighted they’d made the effort. Auntie Kat was rubbing off on them now that they all lived together.
But he suspected it was more than that. Losing Spence had hit them hard, reminding them to live for the moment, celebrate the good times. They weren’t the only ones. His dad’s death had cast everything in a new light.
“Ah, Raquel.” Auntie Carmen scanned the table and pressed her hand to her ample chest. “I don’t see them yet but the aroma reached all the way to the dorm. You made my favorite enchiladas, just because you like to spoil me.”
“I do, indeed.” His mom grinned. “And this time I?—”
“You made extra? You would do that for me. Ezzie used to spoil me like that. She was the enchilada queen, but now you wear the crown.”
“I’ve moved on,” Auntie Ezzie said with a sniff. She wore her usual four-inch heels, which only brought her to five-two, still the shortest person in the room.
“What’s your new thing,querida?” Xavier winked at Luis. “Can’t wait to hear it.”
“Margaritas!” Lifting her arms, she began dancing, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor. “Put the lime in the ’rita glass and drink it all up. Put the lime in the?—"
“Surprise, everyone!” Greta emerged from the kitchen bearing a large baking dish, her face flushed and her blonde hair curling from the moist heat. “I made the enchiladas instead of Mom, and you’re gonna love ’em or else!”
“We’ll adore them,preciosa.” Auntie Carmen beamed at her. “They smell just like your mama’s.”
“They should. It’s her recipe. But if you guys don’t sit down and start eating, they’ll be cold.”
“We’re on it, sis.” Monty pulled out a chair. “Auntie Ezzie, you’re by me tonight.”
“Bueno.” She sent him a warm smile and slid into her chair.
Luis escorted Auntie Kat to her seat, Xavier pulled out a chair for Grandma Doris, and Rio offered his arm to Auntie Carmen. It was a sweet routine Luis had established soon after the ladies had offered up their living quarters. His brothers rotated assignments and treated their benefactors like royalty.
Once everyone else was seated, Adam took drink orders, the task that usually fell to him. Could be because he’d been the first kid old enough to drink alcohol. Or because during his teen years working at the Raccoon he’d become famous for balancing heavily loaded trays without spilling a drop.
He'd stick with water tonight. Fuzzy thinking wouldn’t help him navigate the tricky landscape he’d helped create.
Dinner took less than an hour according to the grandfather clock chiming in the living room, its seven mellow notes soft but distinct. Adam thought for sure it had been longer.
Would Tracy take him up on his invitation? Would it be a huge mistake if she did? He’d caught her glancing his way several times but he hadn’t been able to read her expression. Any minute the party would break up and?—
“Doesn’t anyone want to know what happened at the water hole today?” Auntie Kat glanced the length of the large oak table, her eyes bright with a story she’d clearly been saving for last.
“I hope it’s good news,” Adam said. “Please tell me it won’t be on the agenda in March.”
“I doubt it will. Thelma joined me there this afternoon.”
“Thelma?” Yikes, now he’d have to scrub that image from his brain. He was having enough trouble blocking the one of his great auntie running around starkers out there without adding his newly elected councilwoman to the mix.
“Good for Thelma.” Grandma Doris gave a nod of approval. “Now I’m extra glad I voted for her. She’s got game. So what happened?”
Auntie Kat laughed. “You should’ve seen those old codgers. They were so busy ogling they forgot to be mad. Apparently two sets of titties are more effective than one.” She eyed the other octogenarians at the table. “If you would all go, we’d have ’em outnumbered.”
Adam flinched.
“Ayiyi!” Auntie Carmen rolled her eyes. “That water has to be freezing!”
