Page 23 of Widow Mayker

Aghast, I burst out laughing. “Ma! That’s low.”

She eased out of my arms and shrugged. “You didn’t say that I lied.”

Giving her that one, I hugged her again. I loved Carmen Gunner like crazy. The days and nights she stuck by my pops during his entire career was what I hoped to have one day. Life of a law enforcement officer was grueling and most times, stressful. I needed someone who understood the demands of my career and wouldn’t mind growing with me. Watching my pops navigate his career and his family without missing a beat gave me great hope that I could do the same.

Pops walked Maja over and introduced her to my mama. The two smiled at each other and embraced.

“You’re as beautiful as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Mama complimented.

“Aw, thanks,” Maja replied, demurely.

“Can’t believe my son talked you into coming here.” My mama’s eyes snapped to me briefly before they returned to Maja who chuckled.

“Not gon’ lie, Mrs. Gunner, your son strong-armed me,” Maja revealed.

Mama laughed while Pops side-eyed me.

“What?” I questioned, innocently. “She owed me a date.”

“Right,” Pops mumbled.

“Von!” Mama fussed. “A family reunion for a date? Really?”

“I said the same thing,” Maja intoned. The two women eyed me with the same expression.

“It was for a good cause,” I reasoned. “Mama, you get to meet my future wife—”

“Von…”

“What?”

Maja responded first, but my mama was swiftly behind her, screeching in shock.

I addressed Maja. “You ain’t goin’ anywhere, remember? We’ve already been over this. Plus, you met my mama, my pops, and you’re about to meet the rest of my crew. You as good as family, girl.”

The tug of Maja’s lips caused me to grin. I couldn’t wait to break her wall all the way down just to prove to her that, in my hands, she would never have a need for said wall. Her wall would be me. Whoever caused the deep hurt that led her to wear those hats over her eyes wouldn’t control her any longer. She would know how to smile and let the smile reach her eyes.

“Well, you heard him,” Mama said to Maja. “Come with me, and I’ll introduce you to everyone else… Well, I’ll try. It’s a lot of damn people out here.”

Maja chuckled. “Sure.” She wiggled her fingers at me, then Mama whisked her off.

Turning to my pops, I asked, “So, what do you think?” I was proud as shit. The hard part was over.

Pops sighed, then swiped his hand down the beard he’d started growing since his retirement date neared. “How’d you meet her again?”

“Bumped into her outside of Niceville Shores Credit Union,” I explained.

“Ah, okay,” he responded. “You of all people know how I feel about the Bells.”

“Yes, I know.” Chuckling, I shook my head.

“Aside from her being connected to them… Under no circumstances, do you break that young lady’s heart. Do you hear me?”

Eyeing my pops, there was something that lied in his eyes. I was a whole ass detective. His words of warning always meant something deeper. Suddenly, something clicked.

“You know Maja’s story.” It was a wild guess, but my pops chuckled and shook his head. “I’m right, ain’t I?”

“Son…” He sighed even heavier and said, “It’s not my place to tell you, and it’s not your place to go snoopin’ for answers. I’ll disown you if you pry.”