Page 150 of Pucking Tangled
“Luca!” she called out, opening her arms wide. “You took your sweet time!”
He stepped right into her arms. “Hi, Momma.”
She kissed his cheek twice, then turned to the others with sharp eyes and a wide smile. “So these must be the people you’ve told menothingabout.”
Luca’s face flushed. “Yup.” He gestured as he introduced them. “Mia, Casey, Owen, Waylon. Guys—this is my mom.”
Celia wasted no time. She hugged each one and kissed their cheeks. “Welcome. And thank you for loving my son. He can be moody and stubborn, but he’s got a good heart.”
“Mom!” Luca groaned.
“Oh. He’s definitely stubborn.” Waylon winked.
“He is not.” Mia playfully smacked Waylon in the stomach. “I’ve never seen him moody either.”
Celia laughed. “I like them already,” she told Luca. She waved them all forward. “Come inside. I made brisket and buttered green beans and fresh rolls. And kolaches. The real kind.”
“I love it here already,” Owen chimed in.
The house was cool compared to the Texas heat outside, thanks to the covered porch and surrounding trees. The floor plan was open, full of soft light and wood floors, and high ceilings with natural wood beams. The walls were lined with photos—childhood birthdays, Luca’s first day of kindergarten, in a youth hockey jersey, then again in college gear, his arms around his teammates.
“Aww look at little Luca.” Waylon stopped, pointing out one photo of Luca at Halloween when he was 12. “Why am I not surprised that you dressed up as Harry Potter?”
“Yeah, but in my defense, that was before I found out she was transphobic.” Luca winced. “Sucks because I really loved Harry Potter, but I can’t support someone like that.” He shook his head, feeling his face turn down in a scowl.
“Ah, there’s my boy!” Luca’s dad, Dean Blackford, stepped into the room and immediately pulled Luca in for a hug, clapping him on the back. “I’m sorry about that, I was out back tending to the chickens when you pulled up.”
“Chickens?” Mia gasped. “Your parents have chickens?!”
Luca smiled and nodded. “They do. I’ll introduce you later.” He turned back to his father. “Dad, this is Mia, Casey, Owen, and Waylon.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet all four of you. I’m sorry we don’t have room here to put all of you up,” he said, shaking everyone’s hand.
“It’s not a problem. I found a quaint little cabin about twenty minutes away.” Luca smiled. “It came with a tour and tasting package at Keller Vineyard that I thought everyone would enjoy.”
“That sounds lovely, Dear.” His mom clapped her hands together. “I actually picked up a bottle of their rosé for dinner.”
By the time they sat down for dinner on the back patio, the sky had turned the most stunning shades of gold and pink.
His father led a simple grace then they passed all the food around.
His mom glanced toward Mia. “So, my Luca says you’re in law school?” she asked.
Mia took a sip of her wine before answering. “Yes ma’am. I’m hoping to graduate in the fall.”
“Please, sweetheart. Call me Celia or Mom. None of this ‘ma’am’ stuff. We’re family.”
Luca’s heart squeezed in his chest. They hadn’t been here long, but his parents were already so warm and welcoming.
“What will you do after graduation?” his father asked.
Mia looked around the table at all of her men. “Well, I have an internship offer from a certain hockey organization that I’m still considering, but we’ll see how it goes.”
“Sounds lovely, dear.” Celia nodded.
“She’s amazing,” Luca said before he could help it.
Mia squeezed his hand under the table.
