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D-day rose abruptly. “I wish I could, but I got an earful from my mom,” he said in a rush.
Buck studied him for a moment, then replaced the lid on the jar of ointment and set it in the veterinary kit. He wasn’t sure why D-Day was lying to him, but it really was none of his business. He was sure this had something to do with his sister, and he got suddenly angry with her. It wasn’t fair to his brother, putting him in such a position. But then he never really told Helen the SEAL code, so maybe he had to cut her some slack.
D-Day heaved a heavy sigh. “So, I’ll see you back at NBC. ’Kay?”
“Sure,” Buck said, picking up the kit and rising, keeping his tone even. “My family is going to be mighty disappointed, D, but of course, you have to make time for your own family.”
D-Day nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. Removing the gloves out of his pocket, he pulled them on. “Take it easy, Buck. I know you’re frustrated, but healing is what’s important. Once we get back out there, we all need to be in ship shape.”
Buck knew D-Day was right. He decided to pack it in. “I’ll walk you up to the house.”
He insisted on taking D-Day to the airport, even though he protested. His family was disappointed and told him he was welcome back anytime. His teammate looked almost embarrassed by the amount of affection from everyone. But he shouldn’t be. The guy pulled his weight, took all the ribbing from his brothers, listened to all his dad’s stories, helped Daisy with her math homework, made pies with his mom, and never complained.
When he went to say goodbye to his sister Helen, her gaze swung sharply to D-Day’s, the light in the kitchen washing the color out of her face. She stared at him for a moment, then looked away, suddenly intent on her hands. She swallowed hard, her eyes dark and haunted. The way they stood made Buck more than aware of the tension in them. D-Day wanted to hug her, and she felt the same, but he was holding back.
“How about we drink our hot chocolate by the fire,” he suggested as everyone filed out, giving them some privacy.
When Buck got home, everyone was asleep. He wanted to talk to Helen. Wanted to bend her ear about messing with D-Day. So, he was raring to go when he got up the next morning. When he made it to the kitchen, he asked his mom. “Where’s Helen?”
“Oh, she’s gone. Had to get back to DWB. Said it was urgent.”
He pulled out his phone and texted her. You can run, but you can’t hide.
She texted back a raspberry. Damn her. He texted her again. Stay safe. Her response was short. You, too.
Daisy bounced into the kitchen. “Buck, when you go back to San Diego, can you do me a major big-brother fav?”
“It’ll be in about a month.”
“Yeah, I know.” She batted her big blue eyes at him, and he caved.
“Of course, anything for you, buckaroo.”
“There’s this designer to die for, Annabelle Windsor. She is up-and-coming and doesn’t have her online shop set up yet. You can only buy the dress I want for the prom from her San Diego store.” She pulled out her phone and tapped it a couple of times. “This is it.”
He took the phone and had to sigh. First off, his sister was growing up so fast, and secondly, she was going to knock her date, Jack Halloran’s. socks off with that dress. It was midnight blue, beaded with gold thread running throughout the skirt, the shoulders tied with gold and blue stars on the ends, with more stars sewn on the bodice. Daisy was just as gorgeous as his sister Helen, both of them taking after their mom. Helen was extremely popular in high school.
“This prom is going to be chaperoned, right?” He gave her a narrow-eyed look.
“Yes,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Keep your shotgun in the rack.”
Her mom stifled a giggle.
“Are you getting sassy with the guy who’s going to pick this up for you?”
She hopped off the stool and wrapped her arms around his waist. “No, I would never do that,” she said, looking up at him with an innocent smile.
“I’ll get you the darn dress, ladybug.”
* * *
Maritza took out the cocktail dresses for the third time. She gave her youngest sister, Carmen, a narrow-eyed glance.
Carmen huffed. “You’re going to need some party dresses. Come on, Zazu, have some fun for once in your life.” She was sprawled across Maritza’s huge queen bed, her pretty head propped up on her hand. Her youngest sister was a stunning beauty. Her thick, black hair was in an inky pool against the quilt her grandmother had made for Maritza.
“I’m going to be working and traveling through three states. I won’t have any time for parties or fun.” Carmen rolled her eyes and huffed again. “Don’t you have a big party coming up for graduation?” Unlike US schools, eleventh grade was the end of high school and instead of a senior prom, Costa Rica had a graduation dance. Carmen was heading to college in the fall to study hospitality and work in their Hotel Maravilla Natural when she graduated. “Shouldn’t you be focused on your Baile de graduación and off my?—”
“Non-existent life, love life?” Her sister’s eyes sparkled, but that was the most endearing thing about her little sister. She cared so much more about other people. It would be like her to put her needs before others. Typical in this family, and Maritza wasn’t sure where that almost bitter thought came from. She pushed it away. She was dedicated to everything that would promote and expand their family and their brand. “Don’t you believe in smelling the roses? You’re young, vibrant, and gorgeous. It couldn’t hurt to indulge yourself just a little, Za.”
