by Nicole James
“You okay, shortcake?” His nickname for me has always irritated me, as I’m sure he’s aware.
I glance down, feeling dizzy. “I…I can’t get down.”
“Just back up.”
“I can’t.”
A bolt of lighting flashes on the distant horizon, and he glances over his shoulder. “Better hurry, Kami. Can’t be up in a tree with lightning around.”
“Can you g-get my mother, p-please?” I stutter.
He sighs, and the next thing I know he scrambles up to me with the ease of a monkey. I feel his palm on my back.
“Let go, shortcake. I’ve got you.”
“I can’t.” I cling tighter.
“Look at me,” he says, and I finally meet his eyes. “You can do this.”
Somehow the steady confidence he exudes makes me believe him. Slowly I let go, and he wraps an arm around my waist and hauls me down.
He was my real-life hero that day.
I crushed on him hard after that, until the awful afternoon his father collapsed in our yard, and Santos ran to him, cradling his head and screaming for someone to call 911.
To me, Santos was always the forbidden fruit—a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a chip on his shoulder. He went on to play the starring role in all my teenage fantasies. But I always knew he was off limits.
While I had social status, he was going nowhere. My mother would have died if she’d thought I’d harbored any feelings for him.
Now I feel like the tables have turned. I think perhaps his future is brighter than mine at this point.
I stare at the man in my kitchen, sitting at our table, curiously glaring at me like I’m solely responsible for all his bad luck.
He’s nothing like the boy I remember.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper.
CHAPTER FOUR
Saint—
My eyes sweep over Kami. This is not the little girl I remember. She’s beautiful, with a knockout body and the face of an angel. Her hair is a silky blonde that I long to run my fingers through and her eyes are the color of golden honey. And with long legs like her mother’s, she’s definitely outgrown the name shortcake.
“Sit down, Kami,” her mother says.
She does.
“I’ve found a solution to our problem.” Barb grabs her hand.
“You have?” she replies eagerly, and I can see the hope flare in her eyes.
“Yes, Santos has agreed to marry you.”
“Marry me? Have you lost your mind?”
“Just listen, please.”
“No, seriously mother, have you been drinking?”
“It’s the only way, Kami. Otherwise you’re a minor and they’ll make you a ward of the state. They can’t take you away if you get married. It’s only temporary, until you come of age. Once you’re eighteen, there’s nothing they can do. Don’t you see? It’s the only solution.”
“No way!” she snaps, vaulting from her seat. “Even you must see this is insane, Mother.” Then she rounds on me. “And you! Surely you can’t want this.”
Something about the way she’s protesting is getting under my skin. I don’t like the fact that she’s so adamant about not wanting to marry me. It’s crazy I know, but my skin heats, my damn male ego rearing its head. I harden my jaw, determined to see this through. I just sat here and gave Barb my word. I owe her for everything she’s done for my family. If a marriage in name only will help her daughter out and ease her conscience while she sits in prison, its little enough I can do.
But even as I think it, I can’t help the niggling thought in the back of my head that tells me this could blow up in my face and get in the way of getting my patch—one I’ve worked hard at for almost a year now.
Kami folds her arms in a defiant pose, her hip canted and her brow arched, glaring at me. It brings home the difference between us. Nothing has come easy for me, and everything has come easy for her. Until now that is. It seems as though now the tables have turned, and I’m the one holding all the cards.
“Kami, please, its our only option.” Barb stands and lays a hand on her forearm.
“Well, mother, that option is very definitely a last resort.”
“Honey, look at me. It’s last resort time.”
Kami looks beseechingly at me, having apparently given up on reasoning with her mother. “Surely there has to be a better way than us getting…. married.”
“It’s not exactly a dirty word, shortcake.”
The nickname lights her fuse.
“Do not call me that.” Her arms come unfolded and she actually takes a step toward me. If there was something handy, I fear she’d be throwing it at my head.
I grin. I can’t help it. I love seeing her so animated, even if it is at her expense. “Babe, calm down.”
“And don’t call me babe, either.”
I stare at her, arching a brow, daring her. “Babe.”
“Why would you want to do this? It’s insane.”
“I owe your mom for all she’s done for my family. Right now you need help.”
“Oh, so I’m some favor, some debt to be paid. I suppose you think my family’s fall from grace is funny or maybe I’m something to be pitied.”
I come to my feet. “Like you pitied me?”
That brings her head up. Barb wisely intervenes before the two of us say something we’ll regret, and blow her whole deal apart. I’m sure she’s terrified I’m one second away from walking out the door.
She puts a hand on my arm. “Santo, please sit. I’m sorry. Let me talk to her. Please, just don’t leave.”
I relax back, dropping into the chair.
Barb grabs her daughter’s arm and hustles her out.
***
Kami—
We go up to my room, the one I’ve had for as long as I can remember. I sit on the bed and pout like a child.
Mother puts her arm around me. “Please. Do this for me. Prison will be hard enough for me without worrying about you in the foster system.”
I put my face in my hands and burst into tears, and mother holds me. Finally, I wipe my eyes. “What about Aunt Davina? Can’t she take me?”
“She’s traveling in Europe and doesn’t seem to want anything to do with us.”
“Can’t I stay with one of my friends?”
“Which one, dear?”
I realize she knows they’ve all abandoned me. “It’s so unfair, mom.”
“It is; horribly unfair. None of this is your fault. It’s all mine for trusting the wrong man. I’m so sorry, Kami. Please don’t hate me.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“So you’ll do it? For me? Please?”
I’m quiet because the words stick in my throat.
“Baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t protect your college fund. I’m sorry Drake took it all.”
“It’s not your fault, mom.”
“It is. I should have been smarter in whom I trusted. Don’t make the same mistake I did.”
“What about Santos? Do you trust him?”
“Yes. He was always a good boy.”
“He was trouble, mother.”
“He always defended you and looked out for you. Back in the old days when he would come and do the garden with his father, back before his father died, he always looked out for you.”
“But marry him, mother?” I stare at the carpet.
“It’s just until you turn eighteen and they can no longer put you in the system. It’s just temporary. He understands that, Kami. Baby, look at me.” I lift my eyes, and she continues. “He swore to me he’ll take care of you.”
“You really trust him?”
“Yes. He’s Maria’s son, and Raul’s too. They raised him right. He’ll treat you well. He’ll keep his word.”
“All right. Fine. It’s not like I have any other choice.” My mother’s shoulders relax with relief.
“Thank you, baby. Now dry your eyes.” She gets up, steps to my walk-in closet, and star
ts jerking hangers along the rod, eyeing every evening gown I have. “I’ve already contacted my attorney and she’s called in a favor and managed to get one of her judge friends to come and do the ceremony here. It’ll save the embarrassment of the courthouse. We’d only draw a crowd and reporters would show up. But it has to be now, this afternoon. They can get you the marriage license and luckily there’s no waiting period in Georgia.”
“Today?”
“Yes. The sooner the better, right?”
“But you don’t leave until Monday.”
“Baby, they’re coming to take you into state custody this weekend, it has to be now.”
“But, so soon…”
“Here, this one will do.” She carries a gown out. “I’m sorry it can’t be a proper dress, but this is one of my favorites, and you look so beautiful in it.”
She lays it on the bed, and my eyes drop to it. Its cream colored with tiny golden flowers embroidered into it in metallic thread that shimmers in the sunlight. They match the color of my hair. I’d worn it last year to some charity ball that I can no longer remember.
“Let me help you into it, darling.”
I stand and strip out of my jeans and shirt, and mom helps me into the garment. I feel nothing. I’m like a robot. Maybe I’m in shock.
Mom fastens the back up. “I always dreamed of your wedding day. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. At least we have this moment.”
I look over my shoulder. She covers her mouth with her hand and bursts into tears. I turn and we cling to each other.
“I’m sorry, my darling. I don’t want to spend our last hours together crying. I don’t want to waste one minute on tears and sadness. I want to be happy. Will you be happy today? Please, for me.”
I squeeze her hands, and nod, feeling desolate inside.
She wipes her eyes, and looks at me. “You’re so beautiful.” She runs her fingers through the curls at my temple. “My beautiful, strong daughter. You will be strong, won’t you?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Good. Oh, but one thing.”
Mother moves to retrieve the jewelry box hidden in the top drawer of my dresser. Surprisingly the IRS took nothing from my room, so they didn’t get the jewelry box that mom had always kept hidden from Drake in here.
She takes out the necklace her mother gave her when she was married to my father, and carries it to me. I lift my hair and she fastens it around my neck. It encircles my collarbone closely. A ring of flowers in delicate gold. It’s worth thousands.
We stare at my image in the mirror.
“You look lovely, baby girl.”
My eyes fill.
“It’s time to grow up, Kami.”
She pulls me to the bed and we sit. She places the jewelry box on her lap.
“Luckily the IRS assumed Drake had hocked all my jewelry as his scheme spun out of control, so they never went searching for this.”
I nod.
“I have something for you. I was going to tell you on your eighteenth birthday, but it’ll have to be now. Your grandmother left you something before she died. I’ve kept it hidden safe in the bottom of this box all these years.”
“What is it?”
“Money she’d saved for your wedding dress. Dress money, she called it.” Mother covers a sob with a laugh and pulls a crumpled envelope from under the velvet tray that lifts out. “Cash in an envelope. Who does that? God love her. She never trusted banks.” She places it in my hand. “There’s five thousand dollars in it. Drake never knew about it or he’d have found a way to steal it. I’m lucky I was able to hide my jewelry from him. And now it’s yours. That’s your emergency money. Use it sparingly understand? And if you need to pawn the jewelry, go to Teller and Sons in Atlanta. They knew your grandmother. They’ll give you a fair price. Don’t lose it, Kami, especially the sapphires. They’re worth the most.” She gives the box to me, her hand lovingly brushing over the inlaid pearl design.
“Daddy gave you this for your first anniversary, didn’t he?”
She nods. “Promise me you’ll take care of it. It’s all we have left.”
“I will. I promise, Mother.”
We hear a car pull up outside in the circular drive. Mother stands and moves to the window. “They’re here. It’s time.”
I feel my stomach sink like a rock.
CHAPTER FIVE
Saint—
I pace in the kitchen, wondering what’s keeping me from bolting for the door.
Three years I’ve been planning to get my patch. I’ve been a hang-around, then finally a prospect, and now it’s all within my grasp. Deviating from the plan now could screw things up, and Kami isn’t part of the plan.
Everything inside me is screaming this is insanity, just like Kami did. So why am I still here? I sigh. Knowing what I do of her desperate situation can I really walk away now, tell her I’m out and leave her to whatever fate deals her?
I know I’m not that kind of man.
I hear heels clicking on the staircase and I walk out of the kitchen to see Barb coming down. The front doorbell rings and she holds up a finger.
“Give me just a minute.” She makes a beeline for the entry, her heels clicking on the glossy floor, echoing through the empty house.
She swings the big door open and two people enter, a well-dressed woman carrying a briefcase and a garment bag. With her is an elderly man.
“Judge Harlan, thank you so much for agreeing to come.” Barb shakes his hand. “Please come in.”
“I only have an hour to spare. Where are we doing this?”
Barb holds her arm out toward the back of the house. “I thought perhaps out in the rose garden. It’s a beautiful day.”
“Of course. They’ll just need to sign the license first,” the judge says.
The woman hands the garment bag to Barb. “Thirty-four long, you said, right?”
“Yes, that should work. Thank you so much for picking it up. Please both of you, let’s move to the kitchen and I’ll get you a coffee. It’ll only be a few minutes to get everything ready.”
She leads them my way.
“Judge Harlan, this is Santos Chaves. Santos, Judge Harlan will be preforming the ceremony today. And this is my attorney, Alice Martin.”
I extend my hand and shake the judge’s. “Judge Harlan. Thanks for doing this.”
He squints his eyes at me like he’s judging my character as I stand before him in my dark jeans and faded denim shirt. His eyes fall to the ink on my forearms, and I wish I’d rolled my cuffs down. He releases my hand and I extend it to the attorney. “Miss Martin.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Barb hands me the garment bag. “I took the liberty of having Alice pick this up. I guessed your size. I hope it will do.”
I take it, the reality of how quickly this is all moving washes over me. “Thanks.”
She takes my elbow and guides me to a door. “There’s a guest bath here you may change in.”
I leave them as she’s leading her guests toward the kitchen. Kami is still upstairs, so I go in and close the door. The guest bath is the size of my mother’s kitchen and the fanciest thing I’ve ever seen, all creamy marble and gilt. I pull open a tall cabinet, hang the bag over the top, and zip it open. Inside is a black suit of impressive quality, along with a white shirt and silver tie.
I whistle.
Five minutes later, I’m standing before the large mirror. I run a hand down my chest. It fits like it was custom made for me, the quality fabric hanging perfectly across my shoulders and chest. The pants are a bit loose, and I had to struggle to get the hems over my biker boots, but they look okay.
I hardly recognize my reflection.
I leave my folded jeans and shirt on the counter, and head out to the kitchen. When I enter, the three of them are sitting, and paperwork is spread out on the table.
“Well, my goodness, Santos. Don’t you look stunningly handsome in that suit?” Barb stands and walks over, loop
ing her arm in mine and leading me over. “We just need your signature.”
I bend and sign the papers.
“I thought we’d go out to the garden for the ceremony. I’ll just go up and bring Kami down.” Barb smiles at me, then exits.
There’s awkward silence in the kitchen after she leaves, so I wander back to wait by the bottom of the staircase, my hands in my pockets.
I’m lost in thought when I sense movement and glance up to see Kami standing on the landing looking utterly gorgeous like Cinderella come to the ball, and I’m speechless.
She looks radiant, but nervous, too, and I’m forced to remember she’s only seventeen. Suddenly it hits me like a ton of bricks. I’m about to marry this girl. My heart starts to pound like I’ve just run a damn marathon.
Kami and Barb descend, but before Barb can lead her daughter to the kitchen to sign the same papers I just did, I have to stop them. “Barb!”
She pauses and looks back at me.
“Let me talk to her alone,” I say, but its not a request; I’m already taking Kami by the hand and pulling her toward the door to the library. I lead her inside and shut the doors behind us. The room is bare, but the fireplace and surrounding bookcases in a cherry wood warm the place. Tall paned windows flood the room with light. I pace to them and back, stopping to lean a palm on the mantle.
“You look nice in the suit,” she whispers.
I run a hand down the back of my neck and drop my arm, turning to face her. “And you’re gorgeous in that dress.”
“Thank you.”
I exhale. “I don’t like surprises, Kami, never have, and that’s what this is, that’s what you are.”
“I didn’t want this either.”
“You sure about that?”
“What?”
“If you’re lookin’ for some kind of happily-ever-after here, this ain’t it, babe.”
“You think I want this?” she asks sharply.
“I’m just tellin’ you, if you have any romantic notions that this arrangement,” I motion between us, “is gonna last, gonna turn into something more, that is definitely not in the cards.”