Page 15 of Kilo's Edge

“Oh, Mama,” I sighed. “You don’t have to be alone either.”

She gave me a soft smile. “I’m starting to realize that. We both need to learn to open up again.”

As usual, we were thinking the same thing. She claimed we weren’t the same, but we were as close as two people could be.I was the spitting image of her. We were more alike than she thought.

“I like him,” she admitted. My mouth dropped open, making her laugh. “And not just because he’s fixing our window. Maybe he works, maybe he doesn’t. But maybe you should give it a chance.”

He’d been wearing her down. Every time he saw us outside, he was smiling and saying hello to her. I wasn’t sure why he was putting in so much effort to win her over, but I appreciated it. There was a lot about him I was coming to appreciate. And there was so much more to learn, I was sure.

“I won’t stand in your way.”

Shaking my head, I smiled at her. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“He likes you, Sweetie,” she told me with a grin.

I looked over at the wall he was standing outside of. He’d kissed me, so I knew she was right. “I don’t know…” I didn’t mean I wasn’t sure if he liked me and Mama seemed to get what I was saying.

“We have to start learning how to trust again,” she told me.

“I know.”

“I think this is your opportunity.”

Nodding, I stared down at the vegetables, then met her gaze. “When it’s your turn I’m going to have fun reminding you of this conversation.”

She laughed and came around the counter to give me a hug. “Good. Because I’m going to need your help.”

I squeezed her tight. “I’ll always be here to help you.”

She stared up at me. “I wish I could leave you and your sister completely out of it.”

She’d do it. She’d take on this trouble all by herself. I’d never want that for her. I only wanted to protect my family. I just wasn’t sure how to do it.

My mind strayed to the gun that was locked in its case upstairs. Maybe I did know how.

“Go,” she said, nodding toward where Kilo was out back working. “I’ll finish this.”

Smiling, I went outside and stopped when I saw him measuring a piece of wood.

He must have heard me because he turned. His eyes strayed toward the kitchen window. “Hope I didn’t get you into trouble.”

“You didn’t,” I assured him. “Could…Could I ask you a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Would you teach me to shoot my new gun?”

His brows rose. “You’ve never shot one?”

I shook my head, waiting to see what he’d say.

He studied me for a minute then nodded. “How about on Friday?” he asked.

“That’s perfect. Thank you,” I said, my voice breathless with excitement and nerves. “I’ll let you-”

“Camila?”

“Yeah?”

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