The Wall of Winnipeg and Me

by Mariana Zapata

  This would have been year five in our agreement, but Aiden had gotten his conditional green card, and then his residency years ago and had passed his citizenship exam already. We’d nailed the two interviews we had to sit through with an agent questioning us to make sure we were a legitimate couple, and I liked to think we passed with flying colors. I remembered complaining over how I couldn’t deport him if he got on my nerves anymore.

  Aiden didn’t say anything as he wrapped those massive arms around all three of us, ducking his head to kiss one dark head of hair after another. Then he smiled at me and leaned forward to kiss me. To really kiss me, like we weren’t surrounded by people cheering and yelling over the second biggest possible win in the NFO.

  I knew right then. I knew that he was fine, that everything was going to be more than okay regardless of whether he won the big championship or not. We would figure the future out. This guy who gave everything—his career, me, and now the boys—his all, didn’t half-ass anything. He never would; it just wasn’t in him.

  “Are you happy?” I asked.

  With his arms still around the three of us, he looked up at me through those incredibly long lashes, and nodded almost distractedly. “Yes.” Those massive hands went to the small spines of his mini-me’s before detouring to gently touch the pudgy cheeks, his smile growing even wider as his gaze landed on mine once more. “But I can’t remember anymore what it’s like to not be happy.”

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, the greatest readers in the universe—I can’t thank you enough for your love and support these last few years. Each and every email, message, post and review means the world to me. You guys never cease to amaze me with your wittiness and kindness. I don’t know what I did in another lifetime to deserve you all, but I’ll be forever thankful.

  A massive thank you to my Canadian friends who answered all of my annoying questions: Hope, Romancia, Julie, Stacey, Sandra and Kathleen. Ashley and Naomi, my title wouldn’t be what it is without your vast knowledge of prepositions Thank you! Letitia Hasser at RBA Designs, you know you’re the (wo)man. Jeff at Indie Formatting Services, thank you for your excellent formatting. Lauren Abramo at Dystel & Goderich for getting my books into a format I never envisioned.

  To the two people who helped me so much with Winnie: Dell Wilson and Eva Marina. I’m so thankful for your patience, support and friendship that my words would never be able to do my appreciation justice. Winnie wouldn’t be Winnie without you two.

  A great big thank you the people who mean the world to me: Mom and Dad, Ale, Eddie, Raul, ISAAC!, Kaitlyn, my Letchford family, and the rest of my Zapata/Navarro family. And last but never least, my three guys: Chris, Dor and Kai who put up with me when I go into anxiety/workaholic mode. Love you.

  About the Author

  Mariana Zapata lives in a small town in Colorado with her husband and two oversized children—her beloved Great Danes, Dorian and Kaiser. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, spending time outside, forcing kisses on her boys, or pretending to write.

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  Also by Mariana Zapata

  Under Locke

  Lingus

  Kulti

  Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin