Page 82 of Searching for Valor

A throat cleared behind them, and they broke apart, turning to find…

Her entire family.

Oh. God.

Papá and her brothers looked like they wanted to be anywhere else. Mama wore a knowing smirk that she was trying hard to hide, while Abuela was openly grinning. Sofia was giggling. Lucia, dressed for work in her scrubs, crossed her arms over her chest and eyed Rylan like she was sizing him up and finding him lacking.

“When I got to work this morning, I heard Noah was here,” Lucia said and motioned to their family. “So I called in reinforcements. Like you should’ve done.”

Their mother sent Lucia a narrow-eyed look. She rarely had to raise her voice because that look was always enough to get her children to behave.

Lucia sighed, but her tone changed when she asked, “How is he?”

“He’s okay. A little dehydrated, but he’ll probably be discharged today…” Izzy trailed off as she realized he had nowhere to go.

“Of course, he will stay with us until Monica is found,” Mamá said as if it was never a question.

Tears rushed into Izzy’s eyes.

God, she loved them.

Abuela stepped forward, her smile equal parts warm and mischievous. “Isa, mija, introduce us to your guapo young man.”

Izzy felt heat rise to her cheeks as she realized she’d never formally introduced Rylan to her family. They all knew who he was, of course, but still. She cleared her throat. “Um, everyone, this is Rylan Cross. Rylan, this is my mother, Marisol; my father, Javier; my Abuela Ramona; and my siblings, Mateo, Lucia, Diego, and Sofia.”

Rylan greeted each of them with a respectful nod. When he reached Sofia, he gave her a conspiratorial wink that made her giggle.

“Mr. Delgado, sir,” Rylan said, reaching out his non-metal hand to shake her dad’s. He was composed, his posture soldier-straight, but she noticed the faint blush of embarrassment staining his cheeks under his beard.

Was he embarrassed because he’d been caught with his tongue down her throat? Or because they had both rushed out of the house so fast, they hadn’t showered and looked like they’d spent the night tangled up in each other?

Izzy couldn’t tell, and the thought sent another wave of now-uncomfortable heat coursing through her veins. She wished she could disappear into the floor as her family appraised Rylan like he was a freshly caught fish at the market, so she couldn’t imagine how he felt.

Papá shook Rylan’s hand firmly, holding his gaze for a long moment before offering a small nod of approval. “Please, call me Javier. It’s good to finally meet you properly, Rylan.”

Rylan’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Thank you, sir—Javier.”

Mamá stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “Rylan, it’s wonderful to meet you. We’ve heard so much about you from Izzy.” She reached out and patted his arm. “You must come for dinner soon. I insist.”

Rylan’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the invitation. “I... Thank you, Mrs. Delgado. That’s very kind of you.”

“Marisol, please,” Izzy’s mother corrected gently. “And it’s no trouble at all. We’d love to have you.”

“So we can grill you about your intentions toward my sister,” Diego said and draped an arm over Izzy’s shoulders, giving her a hard squeeze. Izzy knew he was only half joking.

Warmth and anxiety swirled in her belly at the idea of Rylan sitting down to dinner with her boisterous family. It somehow both thrilled and terrified her.

“Mamá,” she started, not sure if she was going to protest or agree.

But before she could decide, Rylan’s hand found hers. He squeezed her fingers in silent reassurance. “I’d be honored.”

“Perfect! I expect you on Friday then.”

“Mamá—”

Her mother didn’t give her a chance to protest further. “Now, why don’t you take us to Noah’s room, mija? He needs family now.”

Izzy nodded, grateful for the chance to escape the awkwardness. “He’s just down the hall.”

---