Page 36 of Shielding Aubree

It was easy to see the physical resemblance between Aubree and her mother. Both women were gorgeous with identical coloring, but there was something about Aubree and her fatherthat he could see as well. It wasn't their looks. While there was a resemblance, but he saw the most connection in their eyes.

There was a sadness in them that never seemed to leave.

Antonio Cueva waited for his wife to hug Aubree first and then, Aubree's brother dove in like he was trying to slide into home base.

Ruben knew that her brother was younger than her by about five years or so, but the 'younger' Cueva was taller than his sister. It was the way he laughed and grinned at Aubree that gave away that he was a teen. He looked honestly ecstatic to have his sister back and Aubree's smile was a joy to see.

When she playfully shoved her brother away, her father stepped forward.

His face was stoic as he walked up to his daughter and his face didn't change when he caught hold of her arm and turned her around to face him.

It didn't even change when he pulled her into his arms and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.

The only time his face changed was when Aubree's arms wrapped around his neck.

It took Ruben's breath away.

The bare, naked emotion on the other man's face was humbling.

If there was nothing else he ever learned about Antonio Cueva, it wouldn't matter. He'd earned Ruben's respect when he'd shown his love for his daughter.

Ruben knew he should walk away, but he didn't want to say goodbye to Aubree just yet.

He couldn't seem to make his feet move, even when Aubree's mother caught sight of him standing there on the sidewalk.

She lifted an assessing brow, looking at him as an owl might look at a mouse.

He didn't turn and walk away when she started walking in his direction was because he knew he had done nothing to be afraid of ... or he was a very stupid mouse.

"Well, hello there."

The strides she took ate up the ground between them and he managed to take a few steps forward to meet her before she reached him.

The smile and nod of approval he got made him feel a little less like prey. "Missus Cueva, hello." He held out his hand. "I'm Ruben Chaucer. I'm-"

"Oh," she gave him a bigger smile and pulled him in for a hug, "you're cute."

Cute?

She stepped back and looked him over with a quick head to toe sweep. "Do all of the therapists here look like you?"

"Ma!" Aubree's brother walked up, shaking his head. "Why are you trying to embarrass him?"

Ruben expected Liria to deny her son's words, but she turned her gaze back to look at him and Ruben swallowed.

"If he can't handle a mother's curiosity, how is he going to handle your sister?"

"Ma!" Pablo clapped his hands over his face. "Oh, Dios mio!" Pablo shook his head and looked at Ruben. "Dude, I'm sorry."

Ruben stepped closer to the teen and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, man. I can handle a little joking."

Pablo's eyes widened. "Dude, really. She's not joking."

Ruben turned to look at Aubree's mother and saw her give him an outrageous wink.

Then she laughed out loud. "You're too cute!"

Cute, again.

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