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“I want to see where we can go from here,” she admitted. “If you’re serious.”
“Deadly serious.”
They laced their fingers together, and Jasmeka felt like she couldn’t get close enough to him. She thought of David and searched her feelings. He was still someone special she had known, but her love for him had faded. Maybe she would need more time to solidify whatever was growing inside for Miguel, but that was okay. She sensed he was willing to wait for her.
“Stay,” she said, breathless, her heart hammering. “It’s risky with a career change and—”
“Not a career change.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to get a position with the U.S. Marshalls’ office here in Texas, and I’ll hire a manager for the ranch who can also train my brothers properly.”
“Wow, you’ve really thought this thing through.”
“I have.”
“You think they’ll go for it?”
“We’ll work it out.” He rolled onto his back, and Jasmeka snuggled to his side, laying her head on his bare chest. “Jas, I came to the conclusion that what I want more than anything is family. It’s what I’ve always wanted, and I never realized it until I met you. And them.”
* * *
Two years later…
“Tony, can you get your little nephew, please? I’ve got to get this menu together before I ring Tren’s neck.” Jasmeka rocked her son in one arm while she struggled to take notes for her next catering event.
Her sister came strolling into the kitchen and flopped down at the table. She stretched her arms over her head, and Jasmeka’s mood went farther south seeing how thin her sister was compared to her. Jasmeka’s hips would soon need their own zip code if they grew any wider.
“Why are you blaming me?” Katrenda said. “I told you Laredo wanted all that meat on the menu.”
Jasmeka frowned. “And I told you to take control of him. He doesn’t know what’s good until you tell him.”
Katrenda’s eyes sparkled. “Just like you told Miguel?”
“Don’t get me started.”
Antonio burst through the kitchen door and stretched his arms out for the baby. Angel followed on his heels, and immediately started making cooing noises. Antonio raised the baby from her hold. “Come to Uncle. I’ll teach you everything you need to know about women.”
Jasmeka let her son go with reluctance. “Don’t tell him crazy stuff, Tony, even if he’s too young to understand. I’m not kidding.”
Antonio made no promises, and he and his twin disappeared. She sighed as the kitchen quieted down.
“The Torres family doesn’t make girls,” Katrenda said for the millionth time.
“Doesn’t look like it.” Jasmeka bent over her task and scratched out a few more notes.
“And when are you going to tell Miguel yes?”
She didn’t look up. “He only wants to marry me because I slipped up and got pregnant.”
“Sis, you know you don’t believe that. Besides, you love him.”
Jasmeka pressed her lips together.
A shadow blocked out the light, and she glared up at her sister.
“Say yes.”
