Love, Lattes and Angel

by Sandra Cox

  The minister clears his throat and rises to the occasion. “Who gives this woman away?”

  “I do,” Gramps and Tyler echo.

  Tyler takes my hand and holds it out to Joel.

  Chapter 31

  Joel

  I step forward, my pulse pounding in my ears like the roar of the ocean. Tyler walks away. Piper looks at me hesitantly, her eyes filled with tears, her face suffused with color.

  I take her hand and grasp it between both of mine. “I hope this works for you, because I want this more than anything in the world. I’ve loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. If Tyler hadn’t stepped aside, I would have grabbed you and run. I thought I could be the better man and watch you marry him, but I can’t. I love you so much. What do you say? Shall the three of us be a family?”

  Tears streaming down her face, she nods.

  Angel races forward and throws herself at us, her eyes sparkling and her mouth wide in a huge grin.

  I hug them and kiss Piper. The minister clears his throat. “Not yet, young man. Shall we proceed with the ceremony? Looks like we’ve got a different groom.”

  “Yes sir.” The smile pushes against my cheeks, threatening to bust out of its cage of skin, muscle, and nerves.

  He intones, “Do you, Tyler... er, excuse me, Joel, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for power, in sickness and in health?

  “I do.” I’m still clasping her hands, fearing this is a dream. Hers tremble in mine, hot then cold by turns.

  “Do you, Piper, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health?

  “I do.” Her face glows like an angel and the whole world recedes except for us.

  The minister is saying something about rings.

  “We don’t have rings,” Piper says.

  “You do, Momma.” My daughter elbows me.

  Still in a daze of happiness, I pull out the gris-gris bag and fumble in it for the rings. Piper takes off Tyler’s engagement ring as I place the smaller on my daughter’s finger. Then I take Piper’s hand and repeat the sacred words. The dolphin with turquoise eyes glides onto her finger. Her breath catches.

  “Do you like it?”

  “It’s the most perfect ring in the world.” A tear slides down her cheek and plops on the ring.

  “Baptized in salty water before it even sees the ocean,” I tease.

  She quickly wipes the tear away.

  While Joel clasps my hands, the minister says, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  My bride. My life.

  I do. She returns the kiss with a passion that rocks me down to my toes. Once again, the minister clears his throat and we reluctantly break apart.

  He motions to our small little nucleus. “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Joel Eisler.”

  Everyone rises. I look out on our little family. Mr. Dunn has his arm around Mina, a look of contentment on his face. He knows Pip so well. Even though he never said anything, he knew she’d never be completely happy with Tyler.

  Amy is wiping her eyes and smiling. She gives me a thumbs-up. Beside her, Dylan looks confused.

  Molita smiles and gives me a subtle wink.

  The only person missing is Tyler. I hate what he must be going through, and I hope someday when he finds someone who loves him with every fiber of her being and that he loves in return, we can be friends. Real friends.

  The organ begins to play and the music swells as we start down the aisle.

  Once outside our family pelts us with rice. There’s no other word for it. If they’d been throwing baseballs, we’d be cold-cocked. Tossing our arms over our heads, we run the gauntlet. Angel even deserts us so she can join in the fun.

  “Everyone to the house,” Mina laughs.

  We all gather in the kitchen. Champagne fizzes in the glasses passed around. “To Joel, Piper, and Angel Eisler. May your lives be long, enriched, and happy.” Mr. Dunn lifts his glass, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

  “Here. Here.” Mina says.

  “To the best brother, sister, and niece, a dolph can have,” Amy chimes in.

  “To happy ever after,” Molita says quietly.

  I click my glass with Piper and Angel, who has lemonade. “To us.”

  “To us,” Piper murmurs.

  We raise our glasses and drink.

  Next comes the cake. It’s a luscious round yellow cake with coconut and pineapple icing.

  “Whew,” I murmur to Piper. “I was afraid someone was going to have scrape the groom’s name off.”

  Her smile falters.

  I lift her head. “It was his decision.”

  “But you said…”

  “And I meant it. Fortunately, he realized he deserved more than a piece of your heart. It’s better this way than him spending the rest of his life growing old and bitter.”

  “I did love him.”

  “I know you did. But I’m your soulmate.”

  Her voice grows soft. “You are.”

  “Okay, you two, you can get lovey-dovey on your honeymoon. Isn’t there a meal coming here?” Mr. Dunn says.

  Mina laughs. “Men. Always thinking with their stomachs.” She gets up and begins piling food on the table.

  “Oh my gosh, Mina, you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble,” Piper exclaims, her eyes widening as dish after dish comes out.

  “No trouble. It was a labor of love.”

  Piper and Angel hold out their hands, admiring their rings. Angel whispers to Piper.

  “Excuse us, we’ll be right back.” Piper rises from the table.

  They scoot out the back door and the rest of us shrug and pile our plates high. I fix one for Piper and one for Angel.

  A few minutes later they are back in both wearing the same cat-swallowed-the-canary smile. Piper and Angel come to a stop in front of me. “Hold out your hand, Daddy.”

  “What’s this about?” I hold out my right hand.

  “The other one.”

  “What are you two up to?” I hold out my left hand.

  Piper slides on a silver band with a dolphin engraved on it. “It seems our daughter and Molita were pretty sure of the outcome.”

  “Arturo had it made, Daddy.” Angel is bouncing up and down.

  Piper hugs Molita. “I was so jealous of you,” Piper murmurs.

  Molita pats her back. “There was never a reason to be. I consider your man to be my warrior-brother.”

  Emotion running high, we settle back into our seats and begin to eat. After the food is devoured, Mr. Dunn leans back and pats his flat belly. “That was wonderful, Mina. You certainly know the way to my heart.”

  Piper straightens. I too am wondering if there’s going to be another wedding soon. Seeing our expectant expressions, Mr. Dunn adds hastily. “Have you two given any thought to a honeymoon?”

  “Do you mean between the champagne and cake or between the cake and dinner?” Piper asks dryly.

  He chuckles and pulls out his keys, removes one and hands it to Piper.

  “What’s this?”

  “Before you kids got yourself caught in the Bermuda Triangle we were heading for Jamaica, remember? I’ve got a little cottage there. Why don’t you go make use of it for a while?”

  “How many bedrooms does it have?” I ask cautiously.

  “Two.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Daddy, you don’t have to worry about me tagging along on your honeymoon.”

  I squat down beside her. “Can you figure out a way to turn off that busy little mind at bedtime?”

  She giggles and nods her head.

  “Then, of course, you’re coming with us.”

  She looks at her mom. Whatever Piper is thinking satisfies her. She throws her arms around us both and jumps
up and down. “We’re going to Jamaica.”

  “We are indeed. I wouldn’t leave one of my girls behind.” I scoop them both up in a bear hug.

  “Thank you, Mr. Dunn.” I hold out my hand. He ignores it and gives me a hearty hug. “Welcome to the family. And its time you started calling me Gramps.”

  “Gramps.” My heart is full.

  “Thanks, Gramps,” Angel chimes in.

  Amy clears her throat. “I have some news.”

  My blood pressure shoots up. “No way, Ames. You are only seventeen. Don’t even think it. You are way too young to be considering marriage.”

  Dylan’s eyebrows rise to meet his curly red hair. His face vies with his hair for color. “Who said anything about getting married?”

  Amy shakes her head. “Dylan knows someone who does laser surgery that he thinks can remove the tracker.”

  “Oh. Just let me wash this egg off my face.”

  Everyone laughs.

  “That’s great, Ames.” I turn to Dylan. “It’s embedded pretty deeply.”

  “This guy’s pretty proficient. I won’t go so far as to say there’s no possibility of damage. But the odds are in her favor.”

  We’ll always have to look over our shoulders, but with Craven and Stranger gone and with Amy’s chip removed, life is on its way to being far less hazardous.

  “Don’t you two have some packing to do?” Gramps pushes back his chair and starts grabbing plates and taking them to the counter.

  “Most of what I need is on the boat. Piper?”

  “I’ll grab a bag for Angel and me. Just give me a minute.”

  “I can do that.” I push a loose strand of hair from her face and kiss her.

  She turns to her Gramps. “I know I’m leaving you in good hands, but will you be okay?”

  “Still worrying about the old ticker aren’t you?”

  “Maybe just a bit.”

  He walks to her and puts his hands on his shoulders. “Life has no guarantees. All we can do is live it to the fullest. I’ve been so very blessed. No one can ask for a better life than I’ve had or am having. When my time is up there’s nothing anybody will be able to do about it. And I’m okay with that. Now, I want you to start enjoying yours and stop worrying about mine. Besides,” he adds laughing, “I don’t plan on going anywhere for a good long time.”

  She hugs him tight. “Love you, Gramps.”

  “Love you, Pip. Now you better go pack that bag.”

  Half an hour later, we’re all walking down to where my boat is docked. After hugs all around, we climb aboard and motor slowly out. The others head back to the cottage.

  The sun is setting, turning the sky a fiery red in sharp contrast to the turquoise of the ocean. On the horizon, one lone figure is outlined starkly against the brilliant colors.

  “Tyler,” Piper murmurs.

  Molita steps out from the palms to join him. Together they look out to sea.

  I slip my arm around Piper. “He’s going to be just fine.”

  “Yes, Daddy, he will,” Angel chimes in.

  I put my other arm around my daughter. The three of us turn to face the infinite ocean and all the possibilities it holds. “Ready?”

  “Ready,” Piper leans into me.

  Angel grins and points as a small pod of dolphins join us, the little female whose blood runs in Piper’s veins among them. One by one, the stars come out. The wind is soft and warm, a fine beginning for our journey.

  Glossary of Haitian and Voodoo Terms

  Asson—Sacred rattle with calabash and snake vertebrae components

  Houngan—Male Priest

  Loa—Spirit

  Mambo asogwe—High Priestess

  Manman—(Haitian Creole) Mother

  Sur pwen—Second rank in Vodou

  Vodou—Voodoo

  Meet the Author

  Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA Fantasy, Paranormal and Historical Romance, and Metaphysical Nonfiction. She lives in sunny North Carolina with her husband, a brood of critters, and an occasional foster cat. Although shopping is high on the list, her greatest pleasure is sitting on her screened-in porch, listening to the birds, sipping coffee and enjoying a good book. She’s a vegetarian and a Muay Thai enthusiast. Readers can find Sandra at sandracox.blogspot.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SandraCox. Author, or at twitter.com@Sandra_Cox.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from another novel by Sandra Cox:

  GHOST FOR SALE

  Caitlin King can’t believe that her shopaholic cousin actually bought two ghosts off of eBay. But she can’t ignore the truth when she starts seeing sexy Liam O’Reilly, a teenager who’s been dead for over a hundred years. He’s a fascinating specter, and the more time Caitlin spends with him, the closer they become—sending them both spiraling into a star-crossed tailspin. No matter how desperately they long for each other, there’s just no future with a guy who’s already stopped breathing.

  In order to help Liam and his twin sister, Anna, leave their earthly limbo and cross over into the light, Caitlin must find the ghost of Anna’s fiancé. But a malevolent spirit is dead set against Anna moving on. Now Caitlin will have to unravel the mystery surrounding the twins’ past lives in order to keep Liam’s spirit safe—even if it means sacrificing her heart in the process.

  A Lyrical e-book on sale now.

  Learn more about Sandra at http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/31643

  Chapter 1

  Brring. The shriek of the doorbell caused me to jump, interrupting my first morning jolt of caffeine, as hot liquid sloshed over the sides and burned me. “Crap.” I thumped the cup down and trotted to the door, shaking my stinging fingers.

  My irritation faded when I opened the door.

  A young delivery man dressed in standard tan gave me an appreciative once over. I returned the favor. “Miss VanLier?” He held a box in one hand and a clipboard and pen in the other. Lust turned my brain to mush. I reached for the clipboard and scratched my name.

  “Miss King?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry. But I need Miss VanLier’s signature.”

  “Oops. Wait right there.” I held up a finger and walked backward till I was out of sight, then sprinted for my cousin’s bedroom. “HDM at the door, Marcy.”

  “Hot delivery man?” She sat up.

  “Yup. A Mr. Hottie.”

  “What’s he want?”

  “He’s got a box that I can’t sign for. Did you order those red stilettoes?”

  She looked at me and mumbled, “They didn’t have them in my size.” Her eyes widened. “My ghosts!”

  “What?”

  “My ghosts. I bought two on eBay.” She jumped out of bed.

  “What?”

  “Caitlin, you’re repeating yourself. I bought two ghosts on eBay.”

  “No. Really? How much?”

  “Three thousand apiece.” She reached for the robe at the foot of her bed and threw it on.

  Pressure began to build at my temples. “Why would you spend six thousand dollars for ghosts?”

  “Why not?” She trotted out of the room and raced down the hall.

  Good question. Marcy’s parents were richer than God. Spending a few thou on a whim was no big deal. My parents weren’t exactly poor, but their fortunes paled in comparison to my mom’s sister’s family.

  I hauled butt after her. “You don’t really believe that stuff, do you?”

  “Why else would I have bought them?”

  Why indeed?

  We made it to the door in a dead heat.

  “Are you Miss VanLier?” HDM asked.

  “Yes, that’s right.” She reached for the pen and clipboard. His glassy gaze traveled back and forth between the two of us, lingering on my short-shorts.

  “She inherited those legs from her momma. At least that’s what Aunt always tells us,” Marcy put in helpfully as she intercepted the look.
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  Mr. HDM reddened, thrust the package at her, and beat a retreat.

  She studied the return address. “It’s my ghosts. But the package is ripped.”

  “I’ll say.” The box was busted, split at the seams. “We should have been paying more attention to the package and less to the delivery boy.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I can’t wait to see my specters.” She clutched it to her breasts like a long lost child and headed to the kitchen, leaving me to shut the door. I watched the HDM drive away, then trotted after her.

  “You opened it,” I said, disappointed I’d missed the reveal.

  “No, the tube was cracked and the cork out. My ghost escaped somewhere between here and Florida.” She rubbed her forehead as if warding off a headache.

  A chill swept down my spine. Then sanity returned. Ghost indeed.

  “Jonas Bromwell is going to reimburse me for this purchase. I’m not paying three thousand for a cracked test tube. My daddy taught me the value of a dollar.” Hands splayed on her waist, she glared at the broken cylinder.

  “Yeah, and I wonder if your idea of value is going to equal his.”

  “Say what?”

  “Nothing. What about the other one?” I pointed at the still intact tube. Her face brightened. She looked at me, grinned, and picked it up with perfectly manicured nails.

  Slowly, she pulled out the cork, drawing out the moment, then pop. “Welcome to your new home, ghost.”

  A current of electricity traveled along my skin and trailed down my arms in a slow, sensuous slide. Heat escalated and my arms burned. “Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.” As I flailed around, the smell of cinnamon and tart limes teased my senses. The hairs on my neck stood on end. Goose bumps roughened my skin. What the…

  “Caitlin, what is wrong with you?”

  “I have no idea,” I wailed. “My arms feel on fire. Do you smell that?”