Page 37 of Shielding Aubree

"Thank you, Missus-"

"Mom, is just fine, young man."

Pablo made a noise that sounded like he was choking. "Ma! Aubree's gonna lose it when she finds out-"

"Who is going to tell her, mijo?"

Pablo looked at Ruben, but Ruben wasn't exactly ready to wade into the rough surf.

"See?" She smiled at her son and when she turned back to Ruben, her expression was softer, less giddy. "Seriously, I heard what Aubree said about you. She didn't have to say anything specific about you for me to know that she cared. And all it took was one look for me to see how you felt about her."

Liria lifted up a hand and gave his cheek a soft pat. "We almost lost her like we lost our first two children. Watching her suffer was so painful we cried ourselves to sleep at night, me into my pillow because we didn't want her to hear us. Aubree is someone who takes too much onto her own shoulders." Her gaze moved over his face, focusing on his eyes. "You see that, too."

He nodded. "I do."

"And you've taken it to heart," she smiled, and he felt the warmth of it. "I think you two will be good for each other. Let me know when you need help, okay?"

Ruben wasn't sure what she meant by that.

Neither, it appeared, did Aubree's brother, Pablo. "What are you talking about, Mom?"

Liria leaned in. "If you're looking for insider information like... favorite foods? The kinds of movies she likes? Or a ring size?"

Well...

"Ma! Come on!"

Pablo stepped in and hooked his arm through his mother's and dragged her back toward the car.

They passed by Aubree who was making her way toward him.

Pablo gave his sister a sigh and rolled his eyes.

Aubree turned to watch her brother walk their mother away and then she turned back in his direction.

She had her arm looped through her father's and Antonio kept his gaze on his daughter's profile.

Ruben knew he was getting a good look at what it was like to have a daughter and to love her unconditionally.

"Dad, this is Ruben Chaucer."

Ruben was stunned by the joy on her face. He couldn’t look away and maybe he focused on her for a moment too long.

At least that's what he assumed when he finally looked at her father and saw the pointed look on his face.

Holding out his hand to Aubree's father, Ruben cleared his throat. "Mister Cueva. It's nice to meet you."

Her father reached out and took his hand, his grip a little too tight to be a friendly gesture. "Ruben."

Aubree was smiling when she looked between the two of them.

"Dad, be nice."

With a final squeeze, her father let go of his hand. And gave Ruben another pointed look. "Aubree told me all of the good you've done for her. I’m not all that thrilled that you were her therapist here and from what I hear, you’re planning to keep in touch now that she’s home. As long as you continue to make her smile. You'll have no issues with me."

Ruben heard Aubree groan as her chin dropped down. "Dad? Please!"

Ruben had to keep himself from reaching out to touch her cheek.

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