“You’re sure?” asked Javi.
When Lola nodded again, he said, “Okay. Let’s get this over with.”
Their group moved on towards the baggage claim area with Pa and the security officer he was chatting with leading them and Juana's friends bringing up the rear. Everyone seemed tired, and Cam hoped the news reporters would go easy on Javi and Lola with their questions. Maybe she should have insisted on scripting, but it was too late to suggest it now.
Stepping closer to Javi, Camdyn asked quietly, “Did we need to collect anything from baggage claim?” Javi and Pa were rolling the carry-ons they’d left with, but Lola didn’t have a suitcase.
He leaned down and whispered, “No. Everything she has is in that black backpack.”
Camdyn had thought it was the girl’s purse. Lola’s lack of belongings caught her off guard and she fought back tears. “Oh, Javi, it doesn’t even look full.”
He squeezed her against him and kissed the side of her head. “I know. We’ll take her shopping soon. She’s timid right now, but I think she’ll open up with a little time.”
Camdyn nodded, but her heart hurt for Lola and the Cuban people. No wonder the Mother Superior had been willing to bend the truth and had asked the Caritas organization to help push the government for Lola’s guardianship.
As soon as reporters caught sight of Javi, they came towards him and started in with questions, but he lifted his hand and directed them. “Let’s keep this interview to the area the airport has so generously allotted for us. My mother, cousin, and I will pose for you to take pictures, and I will give a statement and answer questions. Lola will not be taking questions. Are we all clear?”
Everyone seemed to agree with the plan and circled the small podium the airport had set up, and everything proceeded as Javi said—pictures were taken, Javi gave his statement and thanked the public for their support, then he took questions.
Pa wrapped an arm around Camdyn’s shoulders and she leaned her head against him while they watched.
“You’ve got a good guy there, baby girl. And I don’t tell you enough, but I’m proud of you. You worked so hard to make this happen and you pulled it all together in record time.”
Months of work outside Camdyn’s actual job had led to this moment, and she felt such accomplishment at having united Lola with Juana and Javi. She couldn’t claim all the credit, but she and her grandpa had quite literally changed the course of this girl’s life. Just that thought had her again working to hold back tears. Proud didn’t even cover everything Camdyn was feeling—accomplished, victorious, satisfied. So many feelings,but above all, she felt fulfilled. This was why she chose a career in law.
CHAPTER 22
True, I have worked hard at all times and have always played my best. But I consider myself a very lucky man.
– Jake Daubert, professional baseball player
Javier had been awake now close to thirty-six hours, maybe even longer. He’d lost track of time, but he’d done it. He’d made a mad dash of complete chaos through multiple time zones to get to Miami, and then flew into Havana, retrieved Lola, and returned back to Miami. He’d been so relieved when they’d disembarked in Miami. His journey was nearly over.
All he wanted now was to crawl into his hotel bed and hibernate for the next forty-eight hours, or until he needed to meet back up with his team. However, he couldn’t do that. The next two days would be nearly as packed as today, but at least he’d be running on a little sleep.
Tonight he’d be sharing a suite with his mother and Lola. He would have rather slept curled around Cami, but she was bunking in another two-room suite with her grandpa. The same room that she’d shared with him the previous night.
His mother had chosen not to stay at the hotel last night, choosing to stay with friends instead. He was glad she’d had that opportunity, but tonight she’d be staying at the hotel with him and Lola. He hoped his mother and Lola enjoyed it while he slept.
Aunt and niece had been so excited to meet in person for the first time. Juana had been talking the poor girl’s ear off since they’d left the airport. And Javi felt a little bad about abandoning his cousin to her, but he couldn’t hang. He needed sleep.
When they got in the suite, he left them chatting in the living room, and he headed into his own room. He kicked off his shoes and unbuttoned his suit jacket that he’d worn to Havana. It hadn’t been practical with the weather, but it had been a status symbol for the day. He had wanted anyone who thought they might keep Lola from him to know that he was wealthy, powerful, and well-connected.
With today having gone successfully, he had two days before he needed to meet back up with the team. He knew Cami had a flight set up for him to leave from here to meet the team in St. Louis, but maybe he could get her to move it.
He’d had an idea when flying back from Havana and it kept growing in his mind.
He had the ESPN interview in the morning, then his father’s family was preparing a large brunch, but maybe after it was over, he could take Lola shopping for a couple things and then they could catch a late flight into Pensacola. His mother may not be excited about going back to Pensacola a day early, but he liked the idea of sharing his life there with Lola and Cami, too.
He’d have to check the management app, but he was pretty sure there was no one booked in his place this week, and he thought the Wahoos would be having a home game.
He picked up his phone to text Cami.
Do you think we could change our flights? Are there any direct flights to Pensacola leaving out tomorrow evening?
Give me a couple of minutes to look.
By the time he took off his pants and pulled back the covers on his bed, his phone was lighting up with a new message.
