by Ashley Quinn
“Welcome to the Wild West,” Natalie said with a teasing grin. She laughed as London took a quick photo of the church sign. “Is it as enthralling as you’d hoped?”
London nodded. “This is a whole new world, Silva,” she replied with a smile. “Hey, what’s a cowboy church?”
Natalie shrugged. “Not very different from a regular Christian church, just with a distinct Western...flair, if you will,” she replied. Lots of these rural farm towns have them. They’re huge in cowboy culture and there’s a lot of that out here. Lots of singing country songs. Sometimes the services take place in a barn or rodeo arena, wherever they can find space. Baptisms are in wash bins or farm tanks. Think old-fashioned revival-type culture.”
London felt her eyes widen. “I don’t think I would fit in at a cowboy church.”
Natalie laughed. “You and me both. What can I say? It’s the Lone Star State.”
London stared out the window as they turned down a residential street. The small ranch homes were scattered far apart along the flat landscape. She estimated it was about a half-mile from the last house before Natalie pulled into a long gravel driveway. Small rocks kicked against the undercarriage of her truck as the tires crunched up the driveway. She paused just before an aluminum carport. Two vehicles were already parked neatly in the shade.
London stepped out of the truck gingerly as she took in her surroundings. The yard was a flat square of fine brown dirt, with small patches of yellowed grass near the house. London could feel dry blades crunch beneath her tennis shoes as she stepped around the truck to help Natalie with their bags. Jagged lines split the dirt from where the baked Earth had opened up due to the omnipresent sun and stifling heat.
She glanced up as Natalie handed her a bag and met her warm smile. “Come on,” she said as she nodded her head toward the door. “Everybody’s inside and they can’t wait to meet you.”
London’s nerves twisted in her stomach as she followed Natalie up the walkway. I want her family to like me she realized. I want them to see that I can be good for her too.
Natalie opened the front door and grimaced as it creaked loudly on rusted hinges. London stepped closer to her and felt Natalie gently squeeze her hand reassuringly.
A woman about their age, with thick brown curls tied back in a loose bun, greeted them in the tight foyer. She embraced Natalie enthusiastically.
“Hey!” She said excitedly. “I’m so glad you made it safely. Isabella is beside herself. This weekend is all she’s been talking about.”
Natalie grinned and glanced at London. “London, this is my best friend Paula Ortiz,” she introduced. “Paula, this is London Foster.”
London stuck her hand out politely, but Paula smiled and pulled her into a hug. “None of that handshake stuff here,” she replied with a laugh. “We hug.”
Natalie laughed. “I should’ve warned you,” she went on. “They’re huggers.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Paula spoke warmly to London. “Natalie is the biggest lover of us all.”
London immediately felt her anxiety begin to melt away at her kindness. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to finally meet you too,” Paula replied with a grin. “Natalie has told me a lot...”
“All right, Paula,” Natalie cut in as a blush crept up her neck. “Where is everybody?”
“My little monster is outside in the backyard,” Paula began. She paused and looked at London. “I love my daughter past the moon. But some days require more caffeine than others to keep up with her. This happens to be one of those days.”
“She’s not that bad,” Natalie cut in with a wave of her hand. “She’s a sweetheart.”
“Must take after her mom,” Paula replied as Natalie rolled her eyes. “Anyway, Celia has the grill fired up and she’s getting ready to put the first round of meat on.” She paused again. “Wait, London, you’re not a vegetarian, are you?”
London shook her head quickly as Paula put a hand over her heart in relief. “Oh, thank God!” She exclaimed. “We brought just enough bird food for Jane. She’s got some discipline, that one. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a real Mexican barbecue before, but we’re about to feast on some delicious carne asada, smoked tamales, brisket tacos, adobo pork chops...”
“All y’all brought all that food?” Natalie asked incredulously.
London bit back a smile. She sounds so cute when she lets that Southern accent sneak through.
“Yes, and you know how these things go,” Paula countered. “We make food for twenty when there’s only a handful of us. Even when Isabella takes three bites from everything on her plate and then says she’s full.”
“Natalie!” The elated voice of a child screeched from the yard. All three women turned as Isabella sprinted through the back door and down the hallway. She wrapped her arms around Natalie’s waist. “You made it!”
Natalie laughed and bent to hug her. “Of course I did,” she replied. “Did you really think I’d miss your birthday party?”
London observed the scene quietly. These are some of the friendliest people I’ve met in a long time she thought. It’s obvious they’re a family.
“No, I knew you’d be here,” Isabella replied confidently.
“This is my friend, London,” Natalie gestured to her. “Can you say hi?”
Isabella smiled at her. “Hi, London,” she greeted her. “So are you and Natalie girlfriends?”
London’s mouth dropped open and she quickly looked to Natalie, whose blush had returned with a vengeance. “I, uh...” she stammered.
Paula laughed and squeezed her daughter’s shoulder lightly. “Mija, that’s none of our business,” she scolded her. “London is here as Natalie’s guest and we’re all going to have lots of fun today.”
It was remarkable how much Isabella resembled a miniature version of Paula and London was about to say so, when a small dog yelped and raced through the open back door.
“What the...” Natalie started.
“Isabella’s birthday present,” Paula replied. “She’s been asking for a dog for years. With Rudy on these long assignments, I wouldn’t mind having a dog at the house either.”
Isabella grinned and plopped onto the floor. The dog immediately hunkered down in her lap. She petted him gently and then looked up at Natalie. “This is Niko. Mommy and I picked him out yesterday.”
“Wow, Isabella, that’s awesome,” Natalie replied. She knelt down and scratched Niko’s floppy ears. “He’s wonderful.”
Paula smiled and then gestured to the kitchen. “She’s barely let him out of her sight since we brought him home,” she went on. “They’re in love and I have to admit that it’s pretty damn cute. Do either of you want a beer?”
Both Natalie and London politely shook their heads as they stepped around Isabella and Niko.
Paula rolled her eyes. “Fine,” she continued. “But we’re all doing a shot of Patron after Isabella goes to bed.”
Natalie shook her head ruefully and glanced at London. “Yes, that’s my best friend.”
“Hey, I’m your best friend,” Isabella piped up behind them. “Remember Natalie? You said.”
Paula put a hand on her hip and pretended to be offended. “Is that so?” She asked. “You’re replacing me with a younger, cuter version?”
Natalie laughed. “How about this? You’re both my family and that’s even better. And, speaking of, where are those aunts of mine? London, we’d better go track them down and say hello.”
London grinned as a sense of comfort washed over her. I’ve never felt so welcomed anywhere, so quickly she marveled. It’s almost like this is what I’ve been missing for so long. She quickly buried that last thought. Whatever happens, I have a feeling this is going to be an unforgettable weekend.
CHAPTER 17
“Tia!” Natalie called as she held London’s hand loosely and guided them through the backyard. A cloud of smoke from the barbecue momentarily shrouded Celia, who stood tall behind the shining grill
.
“My sweet Natalia,” Celia greeted her with a smile and hug. “You got here just in time. I put the first set of pork chops on the grill just a minute ago.”
Natalie gestured to London. “And you remember my friend, London.”
“Ah yes, our hard-working food truck helper,” Celia replied with a smile. She gave her a quick nod. “It’s nice to see you again.”
Natalie knew that her aunt had realized their relationship had progressed beyond the lines of friendship. Not that I’ve tried to hide it she thought with a small smile. There’s just something about her. She didn’t have much time to dwell on Celia’s polite but distant greeting to London. She felt Jane’s arms snake around her waist and give her a quick embrace from behind.
“Hi, honey,” Jane said with a smile. “I was just getting the patio table set up. Why don’t you two come sit with me in the shade and let Celia do the cooking for us tonight?”
“That’s not much different from any other night,” Celia cut in dryly. Natalie was happy to see the usual gleam that lit her aunt’s eyes when Jane was nearby.
“Are you sure we can’t help with anything?” London asked.
“No, no,” Celia replied with a wave of her hand. “You girls sit and enjoy yourselves. Food will be up soon.”
Jane fell into step with London as they made their way to the long, rectangular picnic table. A large umbrella shaded most of it from the brutal sun.
“It’s lovely to meet you, London,” Jane said. She paused as they reached the table and hugged her. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
Natalie met London’s eyes. “See?” She told her. “Huggers.”
There was something in London’s eyes when she looked at her that Natalie hadn’t seen before. There’s this trusting openness in them now she realized. And it’s making me want to kiss her right there on the patio.
Natalie glanced at her other aunt, who was focused on the meat sizzling before her. “Is Celia all right?” She asked as they sat down.
Jane smiled kindly. “Oh Natalie, you know she thinks the world of you,” she replied. “And you also know that she has a tendency to be, well...”
“Over-protective?” Natalie supplied.
Jane sighed. “I was going to say caring. She loves you very much.” She turned to London and patted her knee reassuringly. “Celia just tends to be a little protective when it comes to her niece.”
London smiled and sat up straighter. “She doesn’t have anything to worry about,” she replied. She glanced quickly at Natalie and then back at Jane. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.”
Natalie felt those familiar butterflies flutter deep in her stomach as she reached over and held London’s hand.
Jane smiled broadly. “I’m very glad to hear that, London,” she said as she took a sip of sweet tea. The ice cubes clinked against the tall, skinny glass. “And what a unique name that is.”
London shrugged. “To be honest, I’m not even sure how my parents came up with it. They split up before I was born. I’d like to think that maybe they just wanted me to be a little different.”
Jane nodded thoughtfully. “Different is good.”
Natalie watched as a look of surprise passed over London’s face. “So I keep hearing,” she replied wryly.
“I tell you, I wish I’d had a unique name growing up,” Jane went on. “I can’t tell you how many other girls named Jane went to my school. Sometimes there were a bunch of us in the same class! We had a Jane S., Jane O., a Jane C...In fact, I briefly changed my name to Sunflower around 1974.”
London’s eyes shot up. “Sunflower?”
Jane smiled mysteriously. “Yes, though it was short-lived,” she replied as she stood. “But that’s a story for another time. I’m going to bring out that pitcher of sweet tea. Do you girls need anything?”
“Two glasses would be perfect, thank you,” Natalie spoke. She turned to London as Jane disappeared into the house. “You’ve got to try the sweet tea. My aunt Jane makes it herself and she lets it sit out in the sun for six hours...”
She paused when she realized that London was staring at her, a grin playing at her lips. “What?”
“Your family is awesome,” she replied.
Natalie laughed. “I’m glad you think so,” she said. “You fit right in.”
“Really?” The dubious expression shadowing London’s face told Natalie that she didn’t quite believe her.
“Yes,” Natalie assured her. She squeezed her hand. “We’re all unique in our own way, London. It’s our love and affection for each other that brings us together, despite our differences. That’s family. We color each other’s worlds and allow ourselves to see things from different perspectives because of it.”
London grinned and held their hands in her lap. “Well, I really like your affection for me.”
There was a lot that Natalie wanted to say, but she wasn’t sure how to articulate it all into words that would make sense. Instead, she let herself watch how the sunlight sparkled in London’s icy-blue eyes and danced across her face.
“You know what?” She said after a moment. “Your eyes look beautiful when the light hits them like that.”
She watched as London bit her lip and appeared momentarily stunned. “Natalie Silva, I swear I could kiss you right here at this picnic table,” she replied.
Jane set two glasses down in front of them and chuckled. “Now, now,” she said lightly. “There will be plenty of time for kisses when the lights go down and y’all head to bed.”
London reddened at being overhead, but Natalie didn’t mind. She held her eyes for a moment longer and smiled. The sensual warmth that radiated between them made nighttime seem like lightyears away. As much as I can’t wait to be kissed good and hard, what I really want is to feel her sleeping next to me Natalie thought.
Her mind was a million miles away as Isabella jogged into the yard with Niko energetically running beside her. Paula stomped outside from the kitchen and slid into a chair at the end of the table.
“Is everything okay?” Natalie asked. A quick glance at Isabella told her that she was too busy laughing and tossing a Frisbee to Niko to notice anything amiss.
Paula rubbed her forehead for a moment. “Rudy,” she said flatly. “I just got off the phone with him. His boss let him know they need him for another two weeks once his initial contract is up.”
Natalie looked at her friend sympathetically. “I’m sorry,” she replied. “He's been gone a while, huh?”
Paula nodded and took a deep breath. “I feel like a single parent sometimes,” she admitted. “It’s hard. Isabella can be a handful sometimes and I’m the only one in charge of the house, our daughter, errands, cooking, cleaning. Plus I go to work part-time...”
“If there’s anything I can do to help, you know I’m a phone call away,” Natalie said gently.
Paula groaned but reached over and touched Natalie’s forearm in gratitude. “I appreciate it more than you know, Nat,” she replied. “But now we’re definitely doing that shot of Patron later.”
“Food is ready!” Celia shouted from the large grill. Thin clouds of gray smoke emanated from the hot cast-iron bars separating their dinner from the burning charcoal.
“Birthday girl,” Paula called. “Let’s put Niko back in the house while we eat, okay?”
Isabella nodded and trudged to the back door with the puppy at her heels.
Natalie turned to the table and smiled at Jane, who had fallen half-asleep and was snoozing in the shade. As she looked around at all of the people she loved, her gaze finally fell on London. With her faded jeans and navy blue tank top fitting her just right and her black hair down around her face, she looked far more like a laid-back Texas girl than a big-city business woman.
She’s even more tan now than she was when I first met her Natalie thought as she cocked her head. Not that she was ever really tan. I guess even London can’t escape the Texas sun.
London glanced at her and raise
d an eyebrow. “What?”
Natalie grinned sheepishly at being caught checking her out. She waited a moment for Paula and Jane to grab empty Styrofoam plates and head to the grill before stepping close to London. She didn’t miss the tiny hairs that stood up on the other woman’s arms. Her lips were mere millimeters from London’s earlobe as she whispered quietly.
“You’re gorgeous, you know that?”
---
London had never felt more full of food before in her life. Her first heaping plate of barbecued meat and grilled vegetables had filled her stomach, but Celia and Natalie had insisted she take seconds. After most of the food had disappeared, the group had migrated to the front of the home. London sat on a wooden porch swing in the shade and rested her hand lightly against her stomach. Flecks of white paint had chipped off the swing and two of its chains were brown with rust, but it was padded with a thick, comfortable cushion.
She watched with a smile as Natalie sat cross-legged on a patch of grass in the front yard and tossed a baseball to Niko. She threw her head back and laughed, her face tipped skyward toward the fading sun, as both the puppy and Isabella raced after the ball. Paula and Jane had shooed them out of the house to clean up the kitchen, ignoring their protests to help.
London swallowed as she heard the front door creak open and saw a shadow in her peripheral vision. Her suspicions were confirmed as Celia eased next to her onto the swing. She sighed satisfactorily as she relaxed back against the cushion.
“You full?” Celia asked. “We have homemade apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert, but I don’t know if anyone is going to have any room left for sweets.”
London smiled politely. “It sounds delicious, but I think my stomach is already sticking out two inches further than it did when I walked in the door earlier. Everything was so good.”
The corners of Celia’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “I bet you can’t get good home-grilled Tex-Mex like this in Chicago.”
London shook her head slowly. “No, you can’t.”
She knew the next question was coming even before the words were out of Celia’s mouth. “How long are you planning to stay in Texas?”