Page 27 of Under Their Protection

“You did the right thing, Rowan. I know you two have feelings for each other anyway, so maybe this will be a weird way to bring you two together for real,” she says.

“She’s an amazing woman,” Rowan says as he puts the truck in park in front of The Cherry.

“Where is she?” she asks.

“She’s right here. She can hear you,” Rowan says.

“Hi Maria,” I say sweetly.

“I’msorry they are so awful, Anika,” she says.

“Thank you. I was hoping becoming an adult would solve the issue, but I guess not,” I sigh.

“Well, Rowan is a good man. He will keep you safe,” she vows.

“Heisa good man,” I agree. “He apparently just married someone mentally unstable though, so jokes on him.”

“We are all a little crazy, baby girl,” she laughs. “When you guys get back from your trip to New York I want you to come for dinner. I’ll make you some tamales.”

“Your tamales are the way to my heart, Maria. You guys won’t get rid of me if you feed me though,” I say. Rowan is smiling at me as I talk to his Mom.

“Since I met you, I’ve wanted you for Rowan. If tamales are the way to keep you around, I’ll keep them coming,” she laughs. “I may not be your real mother, but I’ll treat you the way yours should have.”

Her words bring a wave of emotions down on me and tears sting my eyes. “I appreciate that more than you know,” I say softly.

“We can’t go back and change it, but we will make up for lost time, okay?” she says.

“Okay,” I say as I wipe a tear away.

“Alright. You are going to make me cry now,” Max says.

“I’ll feed you tamales too, Max. Come with them next week,” she says.

“Oh, I’ll be there. You better make extra. I’ll bring Mia and Emma, too,” he says happily.

“Oh, that’s wonderful! I can’t wait to see you guys,” she says.

“We love you, Mom. We are gonna go, okay?” Rowan says.

“Okay, sweetie. I love you all, too. You guys be good,” she says as she ends the call.

“Sorry. I could have warned you that she’s going to smother you with love and tamales,” Rowan says.

“It’s okay,” I say. “I love your mom. She’s sweet and feisty.”

“That she is,” he laughs. “Ready to go in?”

“Yeah,” I smile.

We all get out of the truck and walk inside where Emma and Mia are waiting.

“Quickie on the way?” Mia asks.

“No,” I laugh. “Rowan called his mom.”

“Oh, I love Maria!” Mia says.

“You guys are coming with us next week when we get back for dinner at her house,” I say in her ear as we walk through the club. The music is loud up front but as we move to the back it gets quieter.

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