Page 24 of Unspoken Promises

Santi splats his hand on his forehead.

“I started up reading not long before leaving Starlight Canyon at my friend, Joy Hunter’s, book club. I really enjoy it.”

“What kind of books?” Ava asks. “I’ll join your club. I love to read.”

“It’s not going to be anything high falutin’ like CS Lewis.”

“I just like to be entertained, Luis. Count me in.”

9

I did not expectLuis Mendez to be the kind of man he is. When my neighbor popped around with some veggies, he could have turned out to be anything. The personality spectrum of the Mendez family is vast. He was more Santi than Enzo and was immediately comfortable to be around. Our budding friendship is falling into place naturally, like I’ve known him forever.

The veggies, the horses, I expected. I did not expect him to read spicy romance books and enjoy them so much that he wanted to start a club. But hey, if that’s a hobby available to me here in Echo Valley, I’m in. Little by little, it feels safe to let my hair down.

When I left college, I truly felt I covered my tracks, and the longer I’m here, the more I believe I’ve done it. Wouldn’t Father already know where I am if he’d been able to follow me? Or Anton? No contact for a week.

I find myself busy and hardly thinking about being caught anymore, not to mention I live inside gated walls with multiple burly men and ripped bodyguards.

Maybe I was due some good luck. Maybe, that yin is actually balancing all the shitty yang in my life. Or the other way around. In any case, thoughts of getting caught are coming in waves rather than a constant tsunami, and today I decided if anything bad is going to happen, I should at least enjoy myself when it’s not. I have today. And today is beautiful.

I find myself feeling comfortable and protected in the presence of these men, especially Enzo.

I know he’s trying to figure me out. I just hope I get to stick around long enough to show him I’m actually good. Maybe then, I’ll see him smile. Enzo the broody, serious boss is gorgeous. Enzo smiling and finally knowing I’m on his side? I bet that would be breathtaking. I want to be here to see that.

While I’m getting out and enjoying this freedom, I won’t do anything stupid, but I need to keep breath moving in and out of me. Because if I stop, Enzo will never be able to steal it.

Trailblazer Tackand Feedisn’t at all the place I thought we’d go to a meeting the Mendez brothers were holding. I’mblown away by how amazing these men are. It’s yet another way I find Enzo admirable. He gives back. He cares about his community, and I’ve lived such an isolated life… I want to do the same. Maybe I can help someone. Maybe I can paint the storefront or even fix an awning. Not that I’m handy.

When we arrive in the large open space above the tack shop, it’s set up with a bunch of tables and chairs and a table along the side already laid out with some refreshments. Santi is downstairs still because he said he needs a few new lead ropes and food for the barn cat, so Luis and I trail Enzo through the room and toward an older woman with white hair slicked back into a bun in the corner. She strains to lift a giant water jug onto an empty dispenser.

Enzo rushes to her side. “Julia…” He wraps his arms around the jug and takes it from her, placing it onto the dispenser with a bubbly glug. “I told you not to do these anymore.”

She puts her hands on her hips and twists, clearly stretching her lower back. “Oh, you don’t have to fuss about me.”

“Where’s Brandon?” Enzo glances around as if said Brandon should be here. “We said we’d have people come over to sort the heavy lifting. If he couldn’t come, he could have sent someone else.”

She flicks her hand in the air between them, batting away his fuss, and then catches sight of me and Luis. Her face lights up on Papa Mendez. “Ah… you must be Luis!” She throws her arms around him. “So happy to finally meet you!”

Luis’ cheeks change hue. To be fair, Julia is damn beautiful, and he must have heard as many good things about her, as I have.

He smacks his hands down on his jeans. “Officially moved a couple weeks ago.”

“How are you finding the Valley so far?”

“Too hot.”

“It’ll get better.”

I nudge Luis with my elbow and think about his book club.

“Or even hotter.” I wink.

My comment draws Julia’s gaze to mine.

“And who do we have here?” Her cheeks round with a warm smile, and the corners of her eyes invite me into her world, where clearly many years of happiness reside in crow’s feet. “Don’t tell me you actually made a friend, Enzo?”

“This is Ava. She works with us now.”

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