Shifting my weight back and forth, I hide behind my men with Bear at my side.
“Hola, Papí.” Santiago greets and walks straight into the man’s arms.
Santiago’s father looks older than I imagined. Thick salt-and-pepper hair curls slightly around his ears, and laugh lines fan from the corners of his warm brown eyes. His skin looks like it’s been bronzed by decades of hard work under the Wyoming sun, and a neatly trimmed beard streaked with silver frames his easy smile. He’s not particularly tall, but carries himself with a quiet confidence only a man who has done a lifetime of honest work could possess. His dark sweater stretches across a pair of sturdy shoulders that age hasn’t quite managed to steal, and a frilly pastel pink apron is tied around his waist.
Levi steps up next. “Ángel,” he greets. Their hug is no less affectionate.
Walker doesn’t move from his spot and tips his head. “Sir.”
Ángel closes the distance and wraps his arms around Walker despite his obvious discomfort. “How many times do I have to ask you not to call me that?”
Walker’s hands ineptly pat Ángel on the back. “You’ll always be sir to me.”
Ángel pulls back, giving Walker a penalizing look. “I work for a living, son.”
“You’re retired,” Santiago deadpans.
Ángel waves off Santiago’s comment and moves Walker aside, coming to me.
“You must be Blake,” he says gleefully and opens his arms.
My face flushes as I step forward, outstretching my hand for a shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr?—”
A huge grin stretches his lips as his warmth envelopes me in an embrace. “Call me Ángel,hija.”
My entire body freezes.
My daughter.
He called me his daughter.
I return the hug as a spark lights up the dark recesses inside me.
“Ángel.” I repeat.
Ángel releases me and looks me over. Not in a way that causes discomfort, but rather in a way that feels like he’s measuring.
Bear takes the pause as an invitation to give his own greeting. He jumps up, placing his front paws on Ángel’s chest and licks his face.
Ángel half flinches, closing one eye as he pets Bear, but Ángel doesn’t seem put out by the affection. “I wouldn’t forget you, Bear.”
Bear, satisfied that he was acknowledged, hops down and prances into the living room, finding a comfortable spot to relax in.
Ángel wipes his face and turns back to me. “So you’re the woman who has captured the hearts of these three.”
“Oh, dear God.” My mouth becomes dry, making it impossible to swallow.
Walker’s eyes widen. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”
Levi and Santiago snicker, covering their mouths with their hands.
I didn’t think about how the town would react to our unconventional relationship. I didn’t care. It’s no one’s business but our own.
But now I care.
I carea lot.
Ángel rests his hands on my shoulders. “Breathe,mija. I wouldn’t dare cross you with four pitbulls around.”
