A Family Man At Last

by Cynthia Thomason

  Edward went to shower. Monica would arrive soon with he had no idea how many Cortezes.

  * * *

  MONICA’S UNCLE, Horatio Vasquez, was the first to arrive at five o’clock. Edward had met him at Monica’s house the night of Emilio’s disappearance. A stocky, strong man with an abundance of dark, wavy hair, Horatio looked like the butcher he was. Edward could imagine his skill with cleavers and knives. He wore a fresh apron over his pants and white shirt, ready to practice his trade at the marina.

  Edward approached him next to the van Horatio had driven. Quality Butcher was written on the side of the vehicle. “Hello, Horatio,” Edward said. “Nice to see you again.”

  Horatio slapped him on the back in a jovial greeting. Edward remembered the easy, spontaneous emotion the man had shown the last time they were together, both when Emilio was missing and again when the boy was found. He was still in awe of how that family had come together for each other.

  “Where do you want me to set up?” Horatio asked.

  “Set up? What do you mean?”

  “Tables, chairs—the pig’s spit is a rather large cooker. Plus, we have platters of tostones, bunuelos, cassava root in mojo sauce, Cuban bread and, of course—” Horatio chuckled “—the finest Cuban rum made from sugarcane.”

  Edward’s mind had practically made a full stop at the mention of a pig’s spit. “Are you saying you brought an entire roasted pig?”

  “Of course. What else?” Horatio laughed from his large belly. “This is a celebration. Our little Emilio is safe. Your new family has arrived. Tonight we will sing and party and toast our many blessings.”

  Edward thought back to himself and the judge celebrating various holidays and achievements. With only the two of them, events were meaningful, but low-key. Their celebrations usually ended with a chat by the fireplace or companionable times reading. “Did Monica know you were bringing all this?” he asked Horatio.

  “No. I wanted to surprise her, too. She is wonderful, Monica. Her heart was broken when Emilio went missing. She needs a party. And she likes you, Eddie. I told her not to worry about anything. I would provide for a party.”

  Horatio shouted toward the van, “Enrico, Salazar—bring the spit!”

  The back doors of the van were flung wide-open and two men jumped out. They lowered a ramp and began rolling a large table to the ground. A huge, well-used metal smoking pit appeared. Edward wondered how many pigs had been turned on the spit, though it hardly mattered. The pig he was most concerned about was the giant one currently hanging from the rod today.

  As Horatio’s helpers moved the pit closer to Edward, he picked up on the strong odors coming from the roasting animal. Pungent, smoky, richly charred smells filled the air. Edward knew instantly that the “crackling” of the pig skin was a delicacy that was included on today’s menu.

  “Over there,” Horatio said, directing the men. “In front of the house. Set it up so everyone can enjoy this masterpiece.” He smacked his lips. “It will be perfect,” he said to Edward.

  Wow. This pig could feed an army, Edward thought. Obviously, this pig was a symbol of pride to Horatio. Meanwhile, Edward had never experienced the sight and smells of a roasting pit before.

  Two more men carried tables and other gear to the area of the spit. Soon Edward’s lawn looked like a bustling example of color, smells and delicacies.

  And then the front door of the house opened, and Edward’s sisters came onto the porch.

  “Oh, look at that. It’s amazing!” Brooke said.

  Camryn didn’t speak at all. Her jaw dropped as she stared at the pig.

  Edward headed toward his sisters with the intent of explaining his own surprise at the extent of Horatio’s preparations. He stopped when Monica’s car pulled into the lot. All four doors opened and her family poured out—Rosa, Aunt Lucy, Emilio and two other little boys. Edward let his gaze linger on Monica for as long as he could. She was a vision of warmth and sunshine in a light blue dress with a floral print. Her hair was loose and hung in waves around her shoulders. She wore simple white sandals on her feet.

  Monica waved to him. He held up one finger, indicating he would be right there. He continued his trek to his sisters, who were still agog at all the activity in the yard.

  “That’s an entire pig,” Brooke said when he reached the porch.

  “Yes, it is.”

  Camryn, the animal lover, blinked rapidly a few times. “I’ve never seen this before,” she said.

  “I hope it isn’t too much,” Edward said.

  “No, no. It’s fine,” she insisted.

  Edward wasn’t sure it was.

  “I’m just used to choosing a pork roast from the meat department at the grocery store. This is quite a new experience for me.” Camryn shrugged.

  “For me, too,” Edward said, grateful that his sister was willing to give this traditional Cortez meal a chance.

  By the time Edward looked back to Monica, other cars had pulled into the parking lot. He didn’t know how many family members or friends Horatio had invited, but his eyes were only on Monica. She immediately came toward him, smiling the smile he’d been waiting for. Suddenly, he wished this big celebration wasn’t quite as large as it was.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  MONICA STARED IN complete shock at the commotion going on in Edward’s front yard. Kids were running around, laughing and playing. Her mother was chattering to her sister and about a dozen cousins. A nearly hundred-pound pig was sizzling on a spit.

  But Monica didn’t hear anything specific except Horatio’s shouts. “Set the dishes here! Wipe the pig belly so the skin will crack!” All things she’d heard before in her lifetime, but never expected to hear at Edward’s place.

  “You look very pretty.”

  Edward’s voice was calm and reassuring. She snapped her attention to his easy smile and deep blue eyes.

  “Oh, Edward,” she said. “I thought he was bringing arroz con pollo.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Chicken and rice.” She grimaced her surprise. “But this is too much. He brought an entire pig.”

  The smile never left Edward’s face. “You noticed.”

  “It’s kind of hard not to. My family usually saves a pig roast for special occasions,” she said. “I had no idea he would invade your yard with all—” she grimaced “—this!”

  “It’s not a problem,” Edward said. “My sisters are excited. And look at Jeremy. He’s standing right by the pig. I wouldn’t be surprised if he took a turn at the spit.”

  She gave him a look she hoped would convey that he was only trying to make an unexpected situation better. “Sometimes we can go overboard a bit,” she said.

  Edward took her arm. “Come on, Monica. We wanted a party and now we’ve got one.”

  Monica stared at all of Horatio’s preparations. Colorful cloths covered the tables. Bottles, which she suspected were filled with Cuban rum, sat on top. Bowls filled with mojo sauce were spaced so that everyone could use the sauce easily to add to their food. The scents of lime and garlic competed for air space with the charred crackling. A buffet table held large aluminum pans, which she knew had picadillo, succulent green beans and fried rice.

  Monica scanned the crowd, looking for Edward’s sisters. She spotted them on the porch, talking in an animated way with each other. What were they saying?

  She turned to Edward. “I’ll bet you were expecting a simple barbecue with a few burgers.”

  Edward kept walking, dodging one person and another. “Truthfully, Monica, all I’ve been expecting is you. So, relax, okay?”

  They went to the spit, where Horatio was beaming with pride. “Ah, my little ’Nica. You’re finally here.”

  Horatio nudged Monica in her ribs. “I said to Lucy, ‘nothing is too good for our little ’Nica.’ She works so hard and she deserves th
e best for her new special friend’s family.’”

  What was Edward really thinking? A few kisses with her and he’d been made an official member of the Cortez family? She had always relished her family’s open nature and welcoming attitude, no matter who came in their homes. Now she wanted to run behind the nearest palm tree so Edward couldn’t see the blush burning at the roots of her hair.

  But there was no escape. With his hand on her elbow, Edward led her to the porch, where Brooke and Camryn waited. Monica felt relieved when she saw them smiling.

  She and Edward climbed the steps. “You remember Monica, don’t you, Brooke?” Edward said.

  “Yes, of course,” Brooke responded. “We didn’t get a chance to say much to each other that day in the restaurant, but it’s nice to see you again.”

  “Same here,” Monica said, extending her hand. Brooke looked cool and stylish even in the Keys heat.

  Monica was impressed. “How was your flight?”

  Brooke said that it was fine.

  Monica asked how she liked the old house and the accommodations. It was an easy conversation starter, but in truth, Monica had always admired the tropical charm of the house.

  “Edward’s made us feel welcome,” Brooke said. “Of course, my sister and I are so grateful to have found him—we would have been content to sleep in a tent.”

  Monica mentioned the obvious activity in the yard. “I asked my uncle to arrange the food for this gathering,” she said. “I think he may have gone overboard.”

  Brooke smiled. “Nonsense. It’s charming. And looks interesting.” She pointed to the crowd below. “That’s my fiancé, Jeremy,” she said. “I guarantee that he can’t wait to have some of that roasted pig.”

  Jeremy joined them then. The man Monica learned was an ex-football player seemed to fit right in. He talked easily with Edward, joked with Horatio and said he wished he’d brought his two children with him because they would have loved all this excitement.

  With his hand at the small of Monica’s back, Edward introduced her to his other sister. “And this is Camryn. I’ve only just met her myself today.”

  The two women spoke a brief, sincere greeting.

  Edward then pointed out some members of Monica’s family that he knew. He indicated Emilio, who was in his shorts and T-shirt and running along the beach. He mentioned Rosa, Monica’s devoted mother, and her Aunt Lucy. When he was finished, more relatives had arrived, and they all introduced themselves. Smiles and greetings from and for everyone. Monica could see he was trying hard to remember everybody’s name.

  Edward suggested they all go into the yard, where icy pitchers of drinks waited. Brooke and Camryn mingled among Monica’s family. Jeremy rejoined the men at the spit. When Horatio announced that the pig was “perfectly cooked,” everyone came to the two long tables and took seats.

  Dinner passed with robust toasts and many compliments to the chef. The joining of the two families, new and old, led to a happy event. Jokes were told, stories shared.

  By the time darkness fell over the marina, the food preparation area had been cleaned, the leftover food was taken away and sleepy children were carried to automobiles to be taken home to bed.

  Jeremy, who had admitted to liking the rum a bit too much, went into the house. Brooke and Camryn followed, after thanking Edward for an enjoyable time. Soon the lights in the second story of the house were extinguished.

  Only Edward and Monica remained.

  The evening had turned blessedly cool. Edward took Monica’s hand and they strolled down the beach to the bait house, which was dark except for a security light that came on each evening. It wasn’t raining, so apparently A.J. wasn’t bunking in the shed tonight.

  It was a beautiful, quiet night. Monica had finally relaxed. The evening had gone well despite her worry about Uncle Horatio’s exuberance. She had simply wanted Edward’s transition to being a brother to go easily for him. She’d wanted to help him connect with his sisters. He’d lost so much in the last little while. Monica understood that a supportive family and friends were what he needed now. She wanted to be one of those friends. In truth, she wanted to be more. She gently squeezed his hand and was rewarded with a smile from him.

  Their families were different, but tonight she had seen a connection between them, a connection forged by a united longing to help this man over his grief. His sisters cared, and so did Monica. Looking at Edward’s profile now in the moonlight, she believed his heart was healing.

  Edward stopped under the light and turned her to face him. He took both her hands in his. It was several seconds before she could look into his eyes.

  “It was a great party, Monica,” he said. “But you seem so thoughtful. You’re not upset about something that happened tonight, are you?”

  She smiled, admiring the deep blue of his eyes. “I’m not upset,” she told him. “But at first, I thought my uncle’s preparations would seem strange to your sisters.”

  “I think it was a new experience for them,” Edward said. “But they both enjoyed themselves. Hey, it’s you I’m worried about. You’re so quiet.”

  She laughed softly. “Edward, someone has to be quiet after that party. My family’s social, they tend to talk constantly.”

  He chuckled. “That’s just a sign that everyone’s having a good time.”

  “True. Just about everyone in my family was here, including many more relatives than I’d anticipated. Uncle Horatio must have invited everyone on his Christmas list.”

  “And I would like to get to know each and every one of them better.”

  She grinned at him. “Then you’d better plan to stay in Sweet Pine for a long time.”

  “Right now, that’s a very appealing idea. But I’m less interested in your family and most interested in just one of you.”

  His gaze on her face was so warm and comforting. Her heartbeat accelerated. She took a deep breath. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean Horatio,” he said with a teasing hint to his voice. “I really think I should pay him for the cost of the pig.” His lips turned up at the corners, and she hoped that despite what he’d said, he was definitely teasing.

  “Don’t even try to pay him,” she insisted. “You’d only wound my uncle’s pride if you did that. He’s generous to a fault.”

  “All right. Fair enough. And it’s you that I’m interested in, Monica. And Rosa and Emilio. You’ve become like family to me in the days I’ve known you.”

  He considered her like family? This confession warmed her heart. Not just because he was beginning to recognize the value of having a family, but because he was suggesting that she was important to him. “I’m glad of that, Edward. Nothing is as important as family...”

  “I’m starting to believe that. It’s just I’ve never had much family to bond with. You know how I felt about my father. No one has ever been as important in my life as he was. But that’s not saying that someone else couldn’t be.”

  He placed his palms gently on her face and held her transfixed with his gaze. In the sparse light it was as if the energy in their eyes closed the inches that separated them and became one constant, undeniable connection. “You do know what I’m saying, don’t you?” he asked, his voice soft and husky.

  She did know. The feeling was new and different and as exciting as it was wonderful. She felt radiant and beautiful in his gaze. Edward made her feel cherished and appreciated. She loved this feeling.

  All her life she had known she was pretty...enough. Because the boys had always chased her, she had worked harder than everyone else to prove that she was determined to succeed. Getting her position in the sheriff’s department had been tough. Keeping her little family together had been her goal in life and her promise to her father was everything to her. But now, in the moonlight with Edward, she felt good about just being herself.

  When he bent to kiss her,
she was ready and eager for his lips to touch hers. His kiss was soft and sweet, but she wanted more. She wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes and kissed him back with a hunger that surprised and excited her. It was as if a flame had ignited between them, and Edward held her against his chest as if he would never let go.

  The flicker of the light from the roof of the bait house caused them to separate. She and Edward were breathless. She clung to him as if her knees might not hold her.

  “Wow, Monica, I don’t know where that came from, but I don’t think I could ever get enough of you.” He took a deep breath. “Monica, I’m...”

  She swallowed, anticipating what he was about to say. Was she ready to hear the words? Was it too soon? What if she was wrong? Was he mistaking other emotions, like gratitude, for what he thought he was feeling? She was a police detective, an accomplished woman. Yet at this moment her insecurities made her uncertain of herself. “You should go back,” she said. “Your sisters must be wondering where you are.”

  He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I don’t care.”

  She looked down at the ground. “Maybe I don’t, either, but I have to work tomorrow—gotta get up early.”

  “You’re working on Sunday?”

  She smiled. “Crimes have been known to occur on Sundays.”

  “I suppose.” His eyes brightened. “Hey, after my sisters leave, could I pick up Emilio and bring him here? I saw how he got a kick out of the beach today. I have kid-size snorkeling equipment and I thought I might introduce him to the sport. Just beginning breathing exercises, that sort of thing.”

  “He’d love that,” she said. “But watch him carefully. I know you will, but it’s water, and...”

  Edward backed away a step. “Monica, if anyone knows the danger of water, it’s me.”

  She hadn’t meant to remind him of the judge’s death. “I’m sorry. Of course, you’ll be careful. I should have a new report on the investigation into your father’s death on Monday.”

  “Thanks. I know you’re doing everything you can.”