Page 38 of Never Again
“Are you sure?”
He took her hand to calm her. “I’m not the same nervous kid from three years ago. Your father can’t get to me anymore.” Not entirely true, but he didn’t want her to worry.
She squeezed his hand and gazed up at him with adoration in her eyes.
To look at her, you wouldn’t know the burden she carried. The burden of being firstborn but a woman, to a father who wanted her to take over his empire while at the same time believed she couldn’t handle the cut-throat life of running a business because she was a woman. The same man wanted her to marry well, not only because he wanted the best for her, but because he didn’t think anyone was good enough for his daughter. He couldn’t fault him for that. There were many times Carlos didn’t think he was good enough for her, either.
“I’m starving. Let’s get something to eat,” he said.
In the middle of scanning the contents of one of the refreshment tables, Carlos diverted his attention to search the room for Alfred. He saw him and Carmen’s mother talking with another couple, and Alfred glanced in his direction. He didn’t smile. He didn’t nod. He gave no acknowledgement to Carlos except that eye-to-eye contact.
The direct look probably only lasted a few seconds but felt like an eternity before Alfred returned his attention to the conversation.
No doubt about it. Carlos had to tell her everything.
Before her father did.
16
Carmen paused outside the storefront of Azucena’s Alpaca Store. The window displayed an array of items—textiles with Inca designs, sweaters, and stuffed alpacas dressed in colorful sweaters or with blankets thrown across their backs. Azucena had achieved her dream, and warm satisfaction brought a smile to Carmen’s face. She couldn’t be happier for Carlos’s mother.
She entered the store, where two customers browsed at a table displaying discounted multi-colored ponchos. Almost immediately, she heard a gasp and turned to see Azucena rushing toward her with arms outstretched.
Carmen happily hugged Carlos’s mother, melting into the older woman’s warm embrace. Azucena rocked her side to side for a few seconds, moaning her pleasure at finally seeing Carmen again.
When she and Carlos split, she’d cut off contact with his family, too. Not only had it seemed like the right thing to do, the decision mitigated the pain she’d experience if she continued to spend time with them.
Azucena stepped back and shoved her glasses higher on her nose, her dark eyes assessing, her long hair in her customary single braid down her back. With a big, welcoming smile on her face, she asked in her accented voice, “How have you been? You look so beautiful, as usual.”
Carmen appreciated the kind words. “I’ve been well, and I see that you are thriving. Congratulations on opening your own store.”
Azucena waved away the compliment. “I could not have done it without Carlos. If it wasn’t for him—”
“You’re here.” Carlos came from the back carrying a large cardboard box in front of him. He rested it on the floor near a display of mittens and scarves. “This is what happens when I come by. She puts me to work.”
“Don’t listen to him. That’s not true. I only sometimes put him to work. I cannot make him work too hard after all he’s done for me.” Azucena smiled with deep affection at her son.
“Carmen doesn’t want to hear about that.” Carlos flung an arm around Carmen’s shoulders and pulled her closer. “We’re going to head out if you don’t need anything else…?”
“Nothing else right now, but Carmen, I want you to make me a promise.” Azucena took one of Carmen’s hands in hers. “You have to come over for dinner one night before Carlos goes back to Atlanta. And of course, you’re not limited to visiting when he is here. You are welcome any time.”
Carmen squeezed the older woman’s hands in hers. “Thank you for saying that. I appreciate it.” Considering the way her father had treated Carlos, she’d never been sure about how well she would be welcomed back in the Hortado home. She should have known that Azucena would not hold her father’s actions against her. “I’m definitely going to take you up on that dinner offer.”
“Good.” Azucena patted her hand and gave them both an indulgent smile. “It’s good to see you two back together. Have fun.”
As they left the store and stepped onto the sidewalk, Carlos tangled his fingers in hers. Walking beside him made Carmen feel as if she were walking on clouds.
“Your mother is still your biggest fan.” She gazed up at him.
“I thought you were my biggest fan,” he teased.
“Nothing beats a mother as a cheerleader. And what was she talking about, giving you credit for the fact that she was able to open the store?”
“She likes to give me more credit than I deserve. I encouraged her to open the store, and I guess she appreciates it.”
Carmen suspected there was more to his mother’s comment than what Carlos admitted but knew he wouldn’t elaborate, his humble nature keeping him from providing more details.
“Where are we headed?” she asked, as they strolled along the sidewalk.
