CHAPTER
SEVEN
Cruz
“You’re getting married?” Brock asks. “That seems to be a bit sudden. You’ve only known each other a few months, if that.”
While we ate, we decided to have everyone come over and tell them at the same time. Mindy opted to keep the assault quiet, which I don’t agree with, but I’ll support her choice. Listening to Brock, I realize that where his questions are valid, and as a brother myself, I understand his concerns, that protective side of me, the one that’s all about keeping Mindy’s mental and emotional health stable, has my shoulders squaring as I look to her for a lead on how she’s going to handle this.
Since Mindy and I discussed this on the way back home from the attorney’s, I look at her and let her know I’ll answer him. “We’ve been seeing each other this whole time, and the bottom line is, we love and care about each other. What else matters?” It should be as simple as that, but the way Brock narrows his eyes at me says he may be more argumentative than either of us thought he’d be.
Okay, so wecareabout each other, and based on how I already feel about her, I know love will come. I watch her take a deep breath as she looks at her brother, determination blazing in her eyes. “Brock, this is what I want, whatwewant. He’s good to me, Bubba.”
I see Brock wince at the nickname and sympathize one hundred percent, although mine is so much worse.Cruzzy Boozy.While she and I haven’t talked about this part, I speak up again since her parents haven’t said a word, the silence making us both feel uneasy, and say, “We’re planning to go to the courthouse next week.”
“Oh, hell no,” Jolie interjects. “We have the perfect oasis at our house, let’s do it there instead. Nonna and Abuela will definitely want to do the cooking, so that’s taken care of and catering won’t be an issue, and I’m sure we can get the Justice of the Peace out there. If not, we likely know someone who can officiate. It’s not that hard to get ordained these days. All you need is an internet connection and a credit card. Please say yes, Mindy, you know the kids will want to help decorate.”
For the first time in a while, I see a genuine smile cross Mindy’s face as she thinks about Dex’s younger siblings. Before the assault, they were frequent visitors and I know she’s fond of the two little girls. “I’d like that, Jolie,” she says. Then she looks at me and asks, “Will your parents and sisters be able to be here? Outside of our families, Jolie, Dex, the kids, Nonna, and Abuela, I don’t really want many others there, do you?”
“I’m positive that my parents can come, but not sure about my sisters. One is now a traveling nurse and she’s got a contract in Alaska of all places,” I reply.
“Which one?” Mindy asks. “Serena or Sadie?”
“The oldest, Serena. Sadie’s the SANE nurse in Louisiana,” I tell her. When her eyes widen, I realize what I’ve done.
“What’s a SANE nurse?” Brock asks.
“It’s a nurse who handles victims of sexual assaults,” Mindy says.
“Why would you point out what kind of nurse she is?” Brock queries. “What difference does it make?”
I shrug as I try to play it off. “Honestly? That’s how I’ve always referred to her. Serena’s the travel nurse, Sadie’s the SANE nurse. It’s not a big deal.”
While I still feel as though Mindy should tell her brother what happened, I’ll respect her wishes to keep silent. If it’d happened to one of my sisters, I’d want to know. But again, I will honor her set boundaries. The only problem I foresee, of course, and the way this could come back and bite her in the ass is the trial that still looms and hangs over her head. If it makes the news, then her name could be leaked and everyone will know what happened to her, even her family. Unless, of course, Clark chooses to take a plea deal. I guess time will tell.
“Okay, so we have a plan,” Jolie says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Now, what are you going to wear?”
Mindy shrugs then giggles. “I have no clue. Guess we’re going shopping, huh?”
“Absolutely. Arya and Anni are going to be thrilled to get new clothes,” Jolie says, nudging Dex with her elbow. He simply nods and pulls out his wallet and hands her a credit card. “Mrs. Ferguson, you’re coming with us, right? It’s not every day your only daughter gets married.”
I look at the older woman who has pretty much stayed silent this whole time as she watched the back and forth discussion. She clears her throat and gives her daughter a look full of tenderness, saying, “Yes, I’d like that, Jolie. Should we go now or wait until later?”
“I think now is the perfect time. Dex, can I have the keys, please? We’ll run back to the house, tell Nonna and Abuela, grab the girls then hit the stores.”
Mr. Ferguson smiles then reaches into his pocket and pulls his wallet out before he hands his wife his credit card and says, “Get our girl whatever she’s going to need.”
Mindy’s eyes well up and I know it’s probably a combination of pregnancy hormones as well as the love that exudes from her family. “Thanks, Daddy,” she says. “Okay, if we’re going, let’s do it.” Turning to me, she asks, “Can we maybe grill out once we’re back?”
“Absolutely, it’s not a problem to run out and grab the stuff,” I reply.
Mr. Ferguson stands and asks, “What does my girl want?”
“Steak, shrimp, and chicken,” she replies. “Oh, and baked potatoes, grilled asparagus, and also roasted corn on the cob. Maybe some strawberry shortcake.”
“Why don’t we do it at our house?” Dex asks. “There’s plenty of room and I know Nonna and Abuela would enjoy cooking.”
I glance out the sliding glass doors to see my Blackstone and sigh. “What kind of grill do you have?” I ask Dex.
