Page 58 of Crude Heir

Her words tugged at my heart. “Yes,Abuela,he is.” Despite everything, I couldn’t deny the safety I felt in Derrick’s presence.

“Then I’ll ask for extra blessings for him and his family.”

I choke back the lump forming in my throat. “Thank you. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” While I don’t know anything about his family’s religious beliefs, we can use all the help we can get figuring out what’s going on in his father’s company. “You don’t need me to try sending something?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Don’t worry about me, dear,” she says, dismissing my offer. “I have everything I need. But I’d love to see you next weekend, if you can manage to take some time.”

“I’ll be by,” I promise, with a rush of warmth at the thought of visiting her soon.

“And you bring that man of yours with you,” she adds as if it’s a given.

Oh Lord.

“I’ll make him a big plate of enchiladassuizas,” she continues, oblivious to my dilemma, “with all the fixings.”

“I’ll see,” I reply, trying to stay as noncommittal as possible. I have no idea how Derrick will feel about meeting my only family.

“I’ll leave you with abendicion.”

“Thank you.” I add a silentI love you, because those aren’t words I can say in front of him.

As I hang up, I take a deep breath, facing Derrick. He’s engrossed in driving, though there’s minimal traffic, since most residents are home. I’m sure it has more to do with giving me a moment of privacy for the call.

Derrick glances over, raising an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

“Yes.” I nod, a weight lifted off my shoulders for the first time since learning the truth about myself. “She’s making sure I’m okay and asking if I can visit next weekend.”

“Good.” Derrick nods, his expression pensive. “Is there anything you need for your grandmother?” he asks.

“She’s got everything she needs.” I smile at his thoughtfulness.

“Good. Family’s important.”

After losing nearly everyone that’s dear to me, I can truly understand that.

* * *

Derrick

I reach for her bag off the back seat then shut the door with a soft thud. “In case you’re wondering later, the oven was turned off. I closed it while I was in the kitchen.”

Nicole circles around the side of the SUV, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. Her brow smooths out as she figures out what I’m talking about. “Oh, I was getting my laptop when you showed up.”

It’s my turn to be confused. “From the oven?” I’m not sure if I missed a key part of the conversation. “You were getting yourlaptopfrom the oven?”

She offers a delicate, self-conscious shrug, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. “I don’t live in what you’d call a crime-free neighborhood.” I shrug, understanding. “If I have someonebreak in, I don’t think they’ll bother checking the cookie sheets I have stacked in the oven.”

A grin tugs at my lips. I can’t help but be impressed by her ingenuity. I did a quick check and didn’t see it.

“That’s pretty damn smart,” I confess. “I wouldn’t have thought of that.” Then again, with the security level in the neighborhood where I grew up, I wouldn’t need to resort to hiding the valuables. Then again, I checked the stats on that computer when I was looking into her and it’s not that valuable.

“Maybe I should have brought it along, but the tech you brought to the apartment is much better than what I have at home,” she muses, as if reading my mind.

Her candid remark strikes a chord in me, reminding me of the stark contrasts in how we grew up. At least with replacing the laptop, that’s something I can take care of easily.

Meanwhile, Nicole has started toward the entrance. “Hang on, I’ll help you.” I swing the bag up over my shoulder, intent on offering her support.

“I can manage on my own,” she insists, scanning the surroundings, her cheeks turning pink.

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