“Yeah, but I planned to get something newer soon anyway. I just needed time to save up a little longer.” That would take a few extra months now that she’d lost the income from the Johnsons and was spending more to feed two teens and a barrel-chested man. She hated debt and hoped to be able to pay cash for something reliable but cute.
“Well, I probably should have talked it over with you first, but I wanted to take care of my woman. That squeal was ridiculous, and once I saw all the other lights and issues I needed to know you were safe on the road.” He took her in his arms and tipped her chin up to meet his gaze.
“Besides, you can still get something newer, and then we can keep the beater to teach Hailee how to drive. She can use the car when she gets her license and we’ll know it’s not going to fall apart on her.”
Gina’s heart snuggled up all warm with her stomach. Sweet man. Brilliant man.
“I love that idea.”
“I knew you would.”
Both left the knowledge unspoken that it wouldn’t be long before Hailee and Javi were back with their mom. Providing her a car and teaching her to drive wasn’t their responsibility.
But they also both knew they’d do it anyway. Whether Belinda Miller-Garcia liked it or not, she’d given her kids two extra parental figures who would take their jobs seriously, no question.
Jaydon
Gina’s hand was cool when he reached to pull her toward the house. A satisfied grin lit his face, knowing her air conditioner had probably been blasting now that it actually worked. June temperatures were in the high eighties already. Mitch said it wasn’t a big fix, but it would make a difference to his girl. Both his girls.
“I still can’t believe you fixed my car! Wait. How did you get my keys?”
She rested her head against his arm as they walked side by side into the kitchen.
“I snagged your spare set off the hook last night. I wanted to get you something but you’re too practical and giving to be happy with jewelry or some random trinket. But I could fix your car and do what I could to ensure your safety when you’re not with me.”
She stood to her tiptoes and kissed his mouth in a sweet kiss that had his fists clenching to keep to themselves. He’d love to show her how ready he was to be her husband, but the kids were at the dining room table around the corner working on homework.
“Thank you.”
For the next few hours, they worked through their plans for the coming week and delegated wedding tasks. If you could actually call it a wedding. Both of them wanted to make the vows, sign the papers, and get on with life together.
He certainly didn’t need another high-stress, expensive wedding. Been there, done that, still had a few almost-healed scars from it. Not that Gina would ever be the bridezilla type. He just wanted to make it official that she was his.
“Hey babe. Seven days.”
She grinned at him and her face practically glowed. “I know. I can’t wait.”
“Me either.”
By the time the homework, dinner, cleanup, daily calendar sync, and wedding talk was through, he was wiped out. They reclined on the couch, Gina in his arms where she belonged. This was what he was ready for. Every evening, just like this, except never having to leave.
“I put my house up for sale.”
She turned and looked up at him in surprise.
“Really? I thought we hadn’t decided for sure yet. You don’t want to rent it?”
“Nah. I’ve built enough equity the past couple years I’d rather have the nest egg. Renters might cover the mortgage, but not much more, and then I’d worry about constantly getting stuck fixing something or footing the bill for repairs.”
She nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. We’re probably too busy to deal with all that. The only way it works with my mom’s duplex is because I got it so cheap. I guess that means you’ll be converting the garage into a new shop, huh?”
“Do you mind?”
“Nope. I love to watch you work in there. You get in the zone and it’s kind of relaxing.”
“Hmm. I like when you watch me build stuff.” He kissed the top of her head. “Not to mention your garage is bigger than mine. I’m kind of looking forward to spreading out and trying my hand at some bigger projects.”
“Oh my gosh! Speaking of projects! Guess what? My mom told me that she’d like to become Belinda’s sponsor when she gets out.”
He chuckled at her segue. “I thought that the addict was the one to seek out a sponsor?”
“Yeah, that’s generally how it works. She said she’d wait and see before making contact, but that she feels called to pray for and mentor her.”
Jaydon could hear the hope in Gina’s voice, and he grabbed her hand to pray. Huh. This might actually be his favorite part of these everyday moments together. Not counting their intoxicating kisses, praying together was the best thing they shared. Definitely the most powerful.
The strength Gina exhibited through every trial and stressor, how she turned to the Lord and also to Jaydon, brought home how blessed he truly was to have this second chance at love. Seven days was almost too far away, but he’d waited this long for someone like Gina. He’d handle this week just fine if it meant making nights like this permanent.
Chapter 33
June
Gina
Brynn had been right about the dress.
Not that she’d really doubted her friend. Crazy chica had a wedding binder thicker than the dictionary and had already visited every bridal-related shop in Albuquerque the past six months.
When Gina had balked at wasting any money on a too-formal dress she’d only wear once, Brynn showed up on her doorstep with Marla, Eva, and Vivian in tow. They dragged her to Dillard’s and found The Dress on an after-prom clearance rack. It was simple, magnificent, and gleaming white.
It had a wide, off-the-shoulder V neckline that hinted at the arcs of her breasts without showing major cleavage. With her full curves, that was a feat Gina hadn’t thought possible. Standing in her walk-in closet, looking one more time in the full-length mirror she’d spent so many years avoiding, she admired the way the waist tapered in the right place to highlight her hard work before flaring over her hips softly. Her legs looked pretty fantastic. Okay, she admitted to herself, today, all of me looks fantastic. That wasn’t easy to say, even in her own head, but it felt great.
Her dark hair was twisted into a side-swept low ponytail that rested in a huge single curl over one shoulder in a way that complemented the vintage 1950s look of her dress. The only thing that detracted from the classic ensemble were her bright coral sandals. Those matched her lip gloss and the Gerbera daisies and coral roses filling her simple bouquet. A girl’s got to be surrounded by her favorite color on her wedding day.
“Mija, it’s time!” Eva called from the hallway.
Gina took in a deep breath and let herself feel the oxygen course through her body. She still marveled at the lack of anxiety. Since their first date and that awful anxiety attack, things had steadily improved. For the first time in maybe ever, it didn’t feel like a creature in the shadows waiting to pounce at the first sign of distress.
And it wasn’t like she hadn’t had plenty of opportunities to lose it. The last few months had been a whirlwind of stresses and pressures, highs and lows, and a constant state of upheaval. And yet, she felt settled. Jaydon excited her and settled her in a way she’d never known possible.
God, you are so good to me.
“Oh, Mija, you are gorgeous.”
Mami’s voice wobbled and her face flushed with emotion. “I am so proud of you, hita. Thank you for letting me be part of this special day.”
Gina embraced her mother. Eva felt so small, like Hailee, in her arms. And yet there was so much strength that hadn’t been there when she was growing up.
“Mami, I can’t imagine not having you here or in my life. You’ve come so far already to become the mother I always wished you could be. I can’t even tell you how proud I
am of the ways you’ve let Jesus change you from the inside out—of who you’re becoming in Him.”
Eva’s watery eyes glistened with pride. Her embrace warmed Gina’s insides the way the June sun was heating up the backyard. The same backyard where, in a few moments, Gina would become Mrs. Jaydon Bennett. And now, just thinking it, her insides warmed up even more.
Hailee walked in, her soft brown hair cascading around her shoulders and a coral daisy tucked over one ear. She wore a soft maxi dress in a buttery yellow that set off her youthful glowing skin, a smaller version of Gina’s bouquet in her hand and a worried look on her face.
“Hey, mamá, can I have a minute with Hailee?”
“Of course, honey. I’ll see you out there in a minute. I love you.”
She squeezed Gina’s fingers and left the room.
“Everything okay, Hay?”
“Yeah. I, um, wanted to talk to you before we go outside.”
“Okay, what’s up?”
“I just wanted you to know that I’m really happy for you. I can tell you and Jaydon love each other a lot. But,” Hailee paused, shifting the bouquet awkwardly in her hands. “What’s going to happen now? I mean, I know Jaydon’s moving in. But what about after that?”
“Oh, sweet girl. We’re going to keep on like we have been. Only instead of Jaydon going home every night, he’ll already be here. We’ll still both be here for you and Javi, as long as you need us. Even after your mom completes her treatment, we’ll be there for you both no matter what. We both care about you so much.”
“I know. I just—”
Precious girl. Gina’s heart went to mush at Hailee’s hesitancy. The girl took a while to really share what she was feeling, but that river of emotion went so deep.
Hailee took a deep breath and soldiered on. “What if it doesn’t work? What if rehab doesn’t fix what’s wrong? What if she slips into another dark place and we can’t reach her anymore?”
Gina’s arms wrapped around Hailee. It didn’t matter if she made everyone outside wait. This was so much more important than a timely ceremony. She ducked down enough to make sure their eyes met.
“First, we’ll keep praying. Then, we’ll keep hoping. After that, we’ll start watching. All of us will watch and see how she’s doing. We’ll make sure she doesn’t feel the need to relapse. And if she does? We’ll be there for her. Whatever it takes. We’ll cross any bridge that needs to be crossed, together, okay? Jaydon and I are just sealing the fact that we’re a team. A team that’s playing for your side, no matter what.”
“I love you, Gina. You’re going to make a really great mom someday.”
Gina’s eyes filled with moisture. Her lashes blinked rapidly to keep the tears back and preserve what little makeup she wore.
“I love you, too, Hailee. Now,” she said with a deep breath, “anything else, or are you ready to walk out there with me?”
“Let’s do this.”
Gina cast one final glance at the mirror and adjusted her ensemble. How life had changed in just a few short months. She smiled at her reflection and reveled in the joy that crinkled the corners of her eyes.
Had she ever been this happy? Probably not. And this is just the beginning.
Reaching for her flawless bouquet, she followed Hailee into the living room where the most important women in her life waited to lead her to the most wonderful man she’d ever known.
Jaydon
Stunning wasn’t even close to adequate. His bride stepped out into the backyard oasis she’d singlehandedly cultivated, looking more beautiful than anything he’d ever seen.
He waited by their bench with his father, Josh, Nate, and Javi. His eyes never left her. She stepped toward him, Needtobreathe’s Let’s Stay Home Tonight playing softly through her patio speakers.
How could he possibly be so blessed? Never in a million years could he have predicted this six months ago when he first laid eyes on her.
He marveled how in a single week, their loved ones had rallied to host a wedding that in all its simplicity reflected their relationship perfectly. Twinkle lights were strung between the giant cottonwoods and elms. Small brushed nickel solar lights normally gave off a subtle glow to facilitate their nightly chats. At dusk, they enhanced the romantic atmosphere tenfold.
Sunlight shone through breaks in the tall trees, long beams creating a dramatic contrast of light and shadow as it journeyed close to the horizon. One beam in particular hit Gina in such a way that she stood in spotlight.
Their eyes met and he forgot to breathe. The moment her shining copper eyes found his, nothing else mattered.
He was speechless. For a man who practically made his living with words, the experience was utterly foreign. By the time she’d walked gracefully up the makeshift aisle to his side, he’d recovered enough to gasp out a low, “Wow.”
She gave him a sassy smirk and quirked a single eyebrow at him. “You’re looking pretty hot yourself there, preacher man.”
Her eyes trailed slowly from his freshly trimmed hair and beard down to the crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled casually to his forearms. Her raw honey eyes flicked back to his face and he couldn’t wait another second.
He bent down and kissed her.
A throat cleared somewhere, followed by a chorus of chuckles from those around them.
“We haven’t reached that part quite yet, son.”
Jaydon grinned at his father, whose smiled matched his own. “Yeah, well…”
Gina’s cheeks were the same shade as the flowers in her hand. Lord, you did amazing work creating this one. Thank you.
He blinked, and it was done. If he hadn’t conducted a few weddings on his own, he’d never have been able to recall the pledges and vows they’d spoken. What mattered was hearing his father’s final pronouncement.
“And now I present Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Jaydon, you may kiss your bride.”
No argument from him on that one. Their lips met, and with the same pull he always felt with their kisses, he wrapped his arms tighter around the woman who was now, forevermore, his.
Their lips released and her eyes shimmered up at him with an incredible smile that made him feel ten feet tall and bulletproof. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Together, with God leading them, they’d face any other challenges life threw at them. It wouldn’t always be easy and Lord knew they still had a lot to learn about each other. But having Gina by his side through the messiness of life was most definitely worth it.
He thought he’d known love when he’d married Kelly. But if he’d learned anything from Gina, it was that the image of perfect had nothing on the beauty of an imperfect, authentic mess.
Chapter 34
November
Gina
“G! Come quick!”
Her heart dropped into her stomach at the urgent shouts. She hadn’t felt the shallowness of breath and tightening across her chest in so long. Check out the problem before freaking out.
She raced through the house and lost her footing in the open door that led to the front yard.
“What is it?” she gasped, panting hard.
“Um, I just wanted to tell you Mom’s here with Abuela Eva and a whole bunch of food.”
Javi’s expression was amused with a look only a thirteen-year-old could give. Okay, so she’d totally overreacted. But after the year this had been, who could blame her?
Gina stood still, chest heaving as she drew in one long, slow breath after another. After blowing the last one out with a bit too much force, she narrowed her eyes at Javi, whose arms were loaded with containers of food.
“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!”
Oops. That came out harsher than she’d intended. She hadn’t quite mastered that half teasing, half business mom tone yet. Not to worry, though, she still had time to get it right.
“Sorry, Javi, I know you weren’t trying to freak me out.” She reached
out to clap a hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly to let him know she was okay.
The worried chagrin on his face held more emotion than her heavy breathing warranted. But when they’d first come to live with her more than four months ago, she’d been up front about her attacks just in case they’d have to witness one.
Not that she had them very often anymore. Actually, now it was usually just the fluttery nerves on occasion when she was overstressed. Jaydon’s support and her desire to be what the kids needed helped her find the balance she’d struggled for so long to achieve.
Thank you, Lord for these people. You were always enough, but now I feel complete.
Okay, maybe not truly complete. Someday she’d really, really love to be carrying a little Bennett or two around. Not yet, but someday. For now, the family she and Jaydon were grafting together was enough.
“Hey Mamá, need more help?”
Eva smiled and Gina’s heart turned over with affection. If only Tonya would take a risk and see for herself how much their mother had changed.
“No, mija, that’s what the boys are for. We’ve got it. I’m sure you have plenty left to prepare.”
That she did. Her first family Thanksgiving, and she was playing hostess. Jaydon’s family would be here any second, and she hadn’t finished the yams yet. Or the mashed potatoes.
“Where do you want the calabacitas?”
Gina directed her to put the squash and green chile dish in the warm oven and got back to work at the cutting board. Hailee and Michele were adorning the house and yard with fall décor since Gina didn’t possess the home-decorator gene, and Jaydon was out in the back yard setting up folding chairs and tables.
The late fall weather was glorious, and the trees still had quite a few golden leaves clinging to their branches. Her outdoor sanctuary was the best place in the world to share the holiday with those they loved.
She heard soft footsteps behind her and turned to see Belinda with her arms loaded with fabric shopping bags.
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