Getting pampered at Hairapy wasn’t the long day I expected. Mama insisted on buying me a haircut and style, manicure, pedicure, and bikini wax. When I tried to tell her I didn’t need a bikini wax because I was probably never getting The Sex, she waved me off, mumbled something about tending to my “lady garden,” and handed over her credit card.
I am proud of myself for not throwing up in my mouth.
Now, we’re standing in front of Luke and Wysdom’s giant house in Flamingo Cove, waiting for them to answer the door. Thankfully, Mama is wearing something lessbooty-shakingtoday.
“Hello, Saber family!” Wysdom Ward sweeps out of the front door and grabs everyone in a group hug. “You’re right on time! Come in! Come in!”
The chaos builds when we enter the central area. Papa heads toward the kitchen where Luke and Jake “Sol” Solomon put the finishing touches on something so mouthwatering my stomach rumbles.
Sienna runs in, chased by her brother, squealing as he tags her and runs back down the hallway in their wing of the house. My heart swells a bit as I see the joy and laughter on their faces. It wasn’t that long ago Luke and Wysdom rescued the kids from a human trafficking ring.
Wysdom’s dad Deuce, the Flamingo Cove Police Chief, is in a serious discussion by the floor-to-ceiling back windows with his former partner - Wysdom’s Uncle Dixon. Dix is wearing a T-shirt that says:Careful, snowflake. I drink coffee stronger than your feelings.
I chuckle, especially when I see his wife Kate setting the dining table and sporting her own T-shirt with the words:Less is more - unless it’s coffee.
Those two are perfect for each other.
When Luke designed his and Wysdom’s forever home, he created the dining room with a wall that could retract. That way, during family dinners, like this one, he could slide the wall back and have one giant dining area in the open-concept central room.
It looked like we were going to need all the space today.
“Wine?” Wysdom’s blonde best friend Faith asks.
I nod. “Uh, sure, that would be great.”
Faith drags me over to the bar area where Celia, Mama, Wysdom, and Wysdom’s Bonus Mom Denise laugh about Ruston and Sienna’s antics.
“Carolina!” Denise cries as she hugs me. “It’s so great to see you again!”
“Give me my baby,” Faith makes grabby hands toward Wysdom, who hands over Wil.
“Your baby?” I tilt my head.
Wysdom laughs. “Oh, yeah. When your brother was in jail accused of murder, I told Faith I would name my first-born child after her if she did me a solid. When the twins were born, Wil was first - so - WilonaFaithWard-Saber.”
“Ah.”
“The pork is almost ready,Mi Amor,” Luke winks at Wysdom.
Faith perks up. “Oooh. Do you need me to see if it’s the right temperature?”
“Do not give that woman a meat thermometer!” Sol yells with a wink.
Someone tugs on my hand. I look down at Sienna. “Auntie Carolina, does you wants to play tags with us?”
I smile at the red-headed cutie. “Maybe after dinner.”
Her grin lights up the room. Then she takes off running again. My indigestion kicks up a notch.
I’m about to reach for my glass of wine when I notice my hands are now all sticky. “Ugh. What is this?”
Mama looks at my hand. “It could be jelly, apple juice, or any number of other things that you don’t talk about at the dining room table because it would put you off your dinner,Mija.”
I make a face and reach for a napkin. “Geez, kids are sticky.”
“Sweet Oprah, you have no idea,” Wysdom laughs. Her eyes light up even more when she looks behind me. “Lab Coat! Did you see Carolina joined us?”
I turn to see Rand, “Rambling Man,” Kestrel frowning at me with his arms crossed over his chest. “Hey.”
