“I thought I’d cured myself of believing in such things. But I believe you. Further, I’m beginning to see that ‘cure’ is so very, very much the wrong word. Clinging to something that makes us smaller and meaner so we can avoid disappointment is not the way to live a life.” She drew a shuddering breath. “And I’m not completely past it yet. You make me so happy, then I feel I ought to be realistic. Practical. Try to expect nothing, and stand on my own.”
“You have been standing on your own. For far too long,” he replied, and it was his turn to kiss her. “As for strength, I don’t think anyone in the world is a lesser being for knowing that those they love have their back. And get a deep pleasure in having their back,” he added, grinning. “You almost sound as if you regret my wanting to do everything for you. Thathurtsme! What am I supposed to be, your decorative arm candy? Oh, the pain, the pain!”
She gave a watery giggle, then cuddled her delicious warm curves against him, sighing. How well they fit together! “Alejo, I don’t even know what to think.”
She leaned away a little, and blinked into his face. “I nearly forgot! When I came back, it was to some news. That surprised me. I was happy for about ten glorious minutes, then the guilt set in. Do I dare get involved in my own project, when there is no guarantee of success? Is it selfish to pursue this when the kids need us?”
“Do you want to tell me what the news is?”
“My agent says, she’s got someone interested in my pilot—possible the entire series. Enough to meet with me. Of course there’s no promise, and la-di-da…”
“Wendy, this is great news! If you don’t go, I will,” he said, hugging her tight. “I’ll swoop down on those Hollywood hucksters, sit on their chests and sing your praises.” And when he won another laugh, this one less teary, he hugged her against him. “Do it! Show those two kids what happens when you go for your dreams.”
“You really think so?”
“I do.”
She sighed again. “I’d better talk to Linette. See if she can work the schedule for me to take a day off, because I’d never leave her high and dry. And I’ll have to get a Lyft, because though you got that car running fine for around town, I don’t know that it’s quite up to freeway driving anymore—”
He pulled away a little, so he could look into her eyes. “Listen, Wendy. I know how important it is to you to stand on your own two feet, and all the rest. But what do you think family means? For one thing, you’ve got Godiva, who has wanted a daughter-in-law to spoil ever since we found one another again. And the first thing she wants to get you is a car. You don’t know how hard I’ve had to stiff-arm her into not buying one for you, ever since I told her I’d found my mate. And that is you, one of the people she likes most in the world.”
Wendy’s smile turned wistful. “I adore Godiva. But I…” She looked away, then back. “I became really superstitious about marriage, but I’ve come to believe that that is just more of that small, mean thinking that so many call being realistic and practical. I want to marry you, Alejo. I love you so much.”
His breath stuttered, the words he had wanted to hear ever since he saw her. And that feeling had only deepened. She had said them! Tohim. His serpent fought to break out and soar into the sky, trumpeting happiness. His lion purred, a comforting rumble right below his heart. “Say that again?”
“I want to marry you,” Wendy stated, and her lips curled upward at the corners. “I. Want. To. Marry.You, Alejo Tzama.”
“I love you, my beautiful Wendy.” He sighed dramatically. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing you propose.”
“Looks like I will have to on every anniversary from here on.” She gave him a little grin, the same grin that lit Sam’s face when something delighted him. Then her smile faded a little, her forehead puckering in question. “But…you’ve got that life back east, and while yesterday I could have talked my way into moving. Today. With this possible thing, supposing it even happens…” Her voice softened into uncertainty.
“Wendy. Loving you means that home is wherever you are. The rest? We’re going to start by getting your name put on my bank accounts, because this.” He kissed her. “Is forever. From there we’ll figure it out, day to day.”
She kissed him back, sealing the deal, and at last he felt the last of her tension and anxiety dissolve. The best reward he ever had.
TWENTY-SIX
WENDY
She lay in Alejo’s arms as they talked half the night.
The next morning, Eve went off to jam with some musician friends, and Lily was still gone, so they were alone.
After breakfast, Wendy’s heartbeat thrummed as she said, “Kids, come into the living room. We’d like to talk to you.”
Her gaze flicked to Sam, who looked a little alarmed behind his cracked lens. Oriane also looked alarmed. “You are not sending me away? I’m sorry I followed you when you told me to stay!”
“It’s okay,” Alejo said. “No one is sending you anywhere. We talked it out yesterday, right? We all agree that when a situation comes up that makes you uneasy, you come for one of us, right? It’s over.”
With a long breath of relief, Oriane flopped onto the couch, for once her phone forgotten. Sam sat next to her, his fingers gripping his knees.
Wendy reached for Alejo’s warm, steady hand, and said, “Alejo and I have decided to get married.”
Sam said nothing. His grin said it all, as he bounced a little on the couch cushion.
Oriane blinked. “I thought you were already married,” she said, looking bewildered.
“No,” Wendy said, exchanging a glance with Alejo. He looked as puzzled as she felt. “Did I say something to give you that impression?”
