Page 42 of Whispers of Redemption

Hugo surveyed the crowd. “Looks like we’re on the upper end of the age spectrum for guests at this fiesta.”

“With some more upper than others, eh, Grandpa?” Wade said, making Hugo laugh.

“Actually,” Hugo confessed, “I figured that would be the case, but I didn’t want to let Ani down.”

“I know she’ll be super happy that you guys came,” Cassie said. “She’s had a pretty rough year, and I think hanging out with friends has become even more important to her.” Cassie looked directly at Hugo then. “You, in particular, seem to have become a very good friend to her.”

“She’s a great kid,” Hugo said, sitting down on the picnic bench.

Cassie no longer held Angel’s leash and now the dog jumped onto Hugo’s lap, to his great delight. He scratched her back and gave her a small bite of the mini sausage plait he’d just selected. Her fluffy tail thumped against his thigh.

He took a bite for himself and swallowed. “These are good too, man!” he said, waving the remainder of the pastry in his hand.

Wade smiled.

“Ever since Elena died, I only get treats like this when Wade bakes,” he said to Cassie.

“Elena?” Cassie said.

Hugo’s expression changed. “Elena, mí corazon...my wife. We were married for thirty years.” Unshed tears pooled in his dark eyes. “Cancer took her away from me a year and a half ago.”

“I’m so sorry,” Cassie said.

He looked out toward the teens playing volleyball on the beach. “We always wanted to have children, but it just never happened for us. I know Elena would have loved Ani. In a way, my time with Ani is filling some of the void Elena left in my life. She certainly makes me laugh,” he said with his usual quick smile.

Wade chose a sausage plait for himself. “Yeah, and the social media challenges she keeps giving you make me laugh.” He looked at Cassie. “I can’t tell you how many times during our shift I catch him trying to post a cool selfie of himself.”

“Hey!” Hugo said, pausing in the process of licking his fingers. “I’m getting good at it!”

Wade rolled his eyes and Cassie laughed.

Hugo’s expression grew serious again. “Can I back up a minute to something you said earlier, Cassie?”

“Sure, what?”

“What did you mean by saying Ani has had a rough year?”

Cassie hesitated, debating how much to share. But there was something about Hugo, an honesty. And the genuine caring she’d seen in his eyes when he looked at Ani made her feel that maybe she could trust him a little. She also hadn’t forgotten what Ani had said about him growing up in the system as well.

“About a year ago, Ani was taken in by the fosters she’s living with right now, Mack and Lila Daugherty. Quite frankly, they’re terrible foster parents,” she said. Hugo’s eyes widened and she added quickly, “Oh, they don’t beat her or anything. But...” She pulled her gaze from Hugo’s and looked out over the water. “I’m sure you know the type. They’re in it for the money. They’re both alcoholics and they’re bad about keeping food in the house. They use the money they’re supposed to spend on Ani to buy booze. Their punishments usually involve groundings for ridiculously long periods and missing meals.” Her gaze swung back to Hugo’s. “Plus, it’s just...it’s the same problem a lot of fosters have. She’s growing up without love in her life, you know?”

Hugo nodded in understanding, his normally ready smile absent.

“Why hasn’t she told her case worker?” Wade asked.

“It’s complicated,” Cassie said. “I’ve suggested the same thing. I even offered to apply to foster her myself, but I don’t meet the requirements. And Ani refuses to let me drop out of school and find a place that can accommodate her.” She sighed. “I know this is going to sound shallow to you, but the main reason she doesn’t say anything is because of her friends. She’s made some really special friendships at her school, and she doesn’t want to lose them.”

Hugo nodded again. “I get it.” He took a bite of another sausage plait and swallowed.

“I don’t!” said Wade. “Why put up with such miserable conditions when you don’t have to?”

Hugo looked at Wade. “Even if Ani says something and gets a new placement, there’s no guarantee it will be better. And it’s likely they’ll move her to a different city completely. It’s a total crap shoot, man. And now, at least she’s got good friends in her life.” He popped a cream horn into his mouth and made a small groan of delight after he swallowed it. He let Angel lick his fingers, then set her on the ground as he stood. “Let’s go meet these friends of hers and see if they’re worth it,” he said, his normal smile returning to his face.

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