“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he mumbled under his breath.
The front door opened, and a tall, slender man wearing a black pullover and jeans came out of the house. He knew the man was one of Nydia’s brothers because they claimed the same hazel eye color.
“Why are you guys out here in the cold?” He extended his hand to Lamar. “I’m Nelson, one of Nydia’s brothers. Welcome to the Santiago insane asylum.”
Lamar shook his hand. “Lamar Pierce. And this is my daughter, Kendra. Thank you for opening your home for two more patients.”
Nelson laughed. “You’re going to fit in quite nicely with this crazy family.”
“He understands and speaks Spanish,” Nydia said, “so you better warn the others when they decide to talk about him.”
Nelson took the bag from Nydia. “Coño, what’s in here?” he asked in Spanish. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, when he saw Kendra staring up at him. “Does she understand Spanish, too?” he questioned.
Nydia patted her brother’s shoulder. “Not yet. But I plan to teach her.”
“Let’s go inside before Sandra reads me the riot act for entertaining our guests outside in the cold. By the way, Lamar, do you drink coquito?”
“But, of course. It wouldn’t be a Puerto Rican Christmas without it.”
Nelson flashed a wide grin.“Wepa!”
Lamar followed Nelson, Kendra, and Nydia into the house and exhaled an inaudible sigh when the scent of burning wood and pine wafted to his nostrils. A chandelier and a real eight-foot Norwegian spruce covered with countless small red bows were the focal points in the great room. Fires roaring in twin fireplaces behind decorative screens added warmth to the space. The sound of Christmas music flowed from hidden speakers.
Lamar smiled when he saw the number of gaily wrapped gifts piled high on the brocade tree skirt. He knew his gifts were also under the tree. This year was the first time he’d done all of his Christmas shopping online after he’d asked Nydia if he could ship his purchases to her home to avoid packing them in his luggage. She’d given him her parents’ address because her father would be home to accept the deliveries.
“Your home is stunning.”
Nelson smiled. “I can’t take credit for anything inside of this monstrosity. That honor goes to my wife.”
“Did someone mention wife?”
Lamar stared at the slender woman with a complexion reminiscent of polished mahogany. She appeared doll-like with her tiny round face, delicate features, and short natural hairstyle. She wore a bibbed apron stamped withHappy Wife, Happy Life.Her hand went to her throat.
“Please don’t tell me Don Lemon is standing in my—”
“He’s not Don Lemon,” Nydia said, cutting her off. “Sandra, I’d like you to meet Lamar Pierce and his daughter, Kendra. The only thing Lamar and Don Lemon have in common is that they’re both from Louisiana. Lamar, this is my sister, Sandra Ruiz-Santiago.”
Sandra approached Lamar, went on tiptoe, and hugged him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you and your beautiful daughter. I know you must be exhausted from traveling, so Nydia will show you to your rooms, where you can change out of those heavy clothes. Kendra will be in the room with Mimi and Bree, and Nydia, you can put Lamar in one of the rooms in the attic.”
Nelson hoisted the pink bag. “I suppose this one is yours, Kendra?” She nodded. “Come with me and I’ll show you where you’ll sleep. I say ‘sleep’ because most of the time the kids hang out in the basement.”
Lamar followed Nydia up the circular staircase to the third story while marveling at the beauty of the grand residence. He took note of the beautiful rugs lining the landings and framed photographs on the walls. If Sandra was responsible for decorating her home, then she had exquisite taste.
“How many bedrooms are in this house?” he asked Nydia.
“There are six on the second floor, two additional ones in the attic, and the mother-in-law suite on the first floor bringing the total number to nine. Nelson had turned the attic into a playhouse for Mimi and Bree until Sandra suggested he convert them into bedrooms so they would have enough sleeping space for whenever they have the entire family over. The girls cried and pouted until he called the contractor back and had him finish the basement, where everyone hangs out twenty-four seven. There’s a bathroom with a shower, vanity, and commode across the hall that you won’t have to share with anyone. There’s also a closet in your bedroom if you need to hang up anything.”
They stopped at the top landing, and Lamar walked into the bedroom decorated in the cool colors of blue and white with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the river. A queen-size bleached pine sleigh bed positioned under an eave beckoned him to come and sleep away the hours. A bedside table with a hurricane-inspired table lamp, matching chest-on-chest and double dresser, and a rocker with plump seat and back cushions made it the perfect bedroom for guests.
Lamar set his luggage near the door. “Where are you sleeping?”
“I’m sharing a bedroom with Abuelita. As her only granddaughter she expects me to look after her.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, but how old is your grandmother?”
“She’s a very spry and spirited eighty-five-year old. You’ll have to forgive her if she begins to interrogate you about me, because she’s very protective of hernieta.”
“Does she know about the stunt your ex fabricated?”
