Cruz picked up speed as they neared the freeway, and though Talia squeezed her arms around him with more force, she laughed. Once on the highway, he went well over the speed limit as usual and enjoyed Talia's reactions. She giggled and pressed herself all the closer to him.
Unfortunately, they came back to Kittle Falls all too soon. He slowed, knowing how much his bike irritated so many residents, and then pulled to a stop in front of his shop.
"How was that?" he asked.
"Amazing." Her eyes were wide. "I can't wait to go again."
A slow smile spread across his face. Staring into her eyes, he wanted to kiss her again. She held his gaze and seemed to want the same thing. He inched his head forward.
"Talia!" called Allen from the churchyard.
Cruz turned around, partially disappointed at the interruption but also slightly relieved. His feelings for Talia were overpowering, and the last thing he wanted was to take advantage of her or scare her away. That's when he realized something dangerous—he actually cared about her.
His feelings ran far deeper than just attraction. It was the fact that he wanted to protect her and take care of her that nearly terrified him—actually struck fear into his core. He'd pushed aside those feelings for a long time. Since Sophia's passing, he hadn't let himself care about anyone, women in particular, outside of his family.
"Are you all right?" Talia asked, setting down the helmet.
"Couldn't be better." He ran his fingers through her soft hair, fixing it. She stared into his eyes, not seeming to mind. "Helmet hair," he whispered.
She fluffed out her hair, brushing her fingers against his. "Thanks."
Allen appeared next to them. "Giving my baby a ride on this death trap?"
"No, sir. It's—"
"I'm just teasing." Allen put his hand on Cruz's shoulder, smiling. "Didn't I tell you I used to have one of these?"
Cruz blinked. "You did?"
"Years ago. Long before I ever thought I'd be leading churches. And how many times do I have to tell you? My name isn't sir."
Talia grinned, obviously enjoying the banter.
Cruz squirmed. "I just don't feel right calling you Allen."
"Why's that?" he asked.
That was a good question. He called plenty of his friends' parents by their names. It probably came back to his feelings for Talia.
"Leave him alone, Dad," Talia said. "He grew up here in this small town. He was probably raised to have better manners than we're used to."
Allen gave Cruz a curious glance. "Would you rather call me pastor? Is that happy medium between Allen and sir?"
"I—"
"Or Dad."
Cruz's eyes widened. "Pastor sounds great."
Talia turned around. If she was trying to hide her giggles, she was doing a poor job of it. Heat creeped into the back of his neck. What was it with these two?
"I should let you guys get going, yo." He flinched. "Sorry."
Allen shook his head. "Don't apologize for being you."
Talia turned back around. "I agree. Your speech is… charming."
"Charming?" He nearly laughed. The way he talked had been called a lot of things, but that had never been one of them. "But, like I said, I should let you two get back to the church."
"Actually," Allen said, "if you aren't busy, I was going to ask you if you want to help us with something."
Cruz glanced over at his shop that really needed work. But the prospect of spending more time with Talia was far more appealing. "What's that, sir—pastor?"
"We have a tradition of cutting a live tree for Christmas. It's a big job, and we could really use your muscles."
Talia turned away again.
Cruz had never cut down a tree before, but had always thought that sounded like a fun tradition. His parents had always preferred pre-lit, plastic trees.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "I don't want to interrupt your family time."
"Like I said, we could use your help, and I can't speak for Talia, but I'd enjoy your company."
She turned back to him and pleaded with her eyes.
"How can I say no to that?"
Nineteen
Talia leaned back in the seat, listening to her dad and Cruz in the front of the car. She rubbed her aching legs. The climb to find the perfect tree had been up a steep hill, and that had been after parking what had felt like miles away. The one tree farm within a fifty-mile radius was obviously a popular attraction. Between her dad and Cruz, she hadn't had to do any chopping this year which had been a nice change. She just helped lower it once it was ready to fall.
She also hadn't had to do much carrying it back or tying it to the roof of her dad's car. Instead, she just enjoyed the sight of Cruz and her dad working together. Either he was the most selfless human alive, or he really did like her. No one else had come close to helping them as much as he had, and he certainly hadn't had to give up his afternoon to help them chop down a Christmas tree for their living room.
He and her dad had chatted the whole way to the farm and most of the way back, but now everyone was quiet and the only sounds were that of the holiday music over the radio.
When they got back into town, her dad turned to Cruz. "Do you need us to drop you off at your shop, or would you be willing to help us out some more? We still have to set up this tree."
Cruz turned back and glanced at Talia, seeming to ask silently if she wanted him to join them. She nodded, smiling, but she couldn't blame him if he needed to get going. He'd spent his entire day with them.
"Sure," Cruz said, turning back to the front.
"We'll even feed you dinner," her dad said.
"You don't have to."
"We need to do something. You've gone so far out of your way to help us out."
"It was nothin', yo."
Talia grinned. What had started out as so annoying was growing more and more adorable… yo.
Before she knew it, the guys had moved the tree from the top of the car into the living room. She'd gotten the stand ready with sugar water when they started to hoist it up.
"Wait," Talia said.
Her dad gave her a curious stare.
"Our tradition. Remember?"
His face clouded over, but then brightened. "Right."
Talia's mom had always insisted they cut the bottom slice of the tree each year and decorate it as a memory for that Christmas. They had a collection of about two dozen from all the years her parents had been married. The pained expression on her dad's face was another reminder of how different this year would be from all the others.
It seemed that between all the work on the church and having Cruz around for things like chopping the tree was a good distraction from their loss, but there really wasn't any getting around the fact that the holidays would never be the same.
Cruz seemed to feel awkward with the silence, so Talia explained their tradition.
"You want to help us decorate it?" her dad asked.
"I couldn't." Cruz's eyes widened.
"Why not? You've been an integral part of everything this year, helping us out so much."
"I don't want to intrude."
"That would be the furthest thing from what you'd be doing."
Talia nodded in agreement. "It's only fitting, and it'll be fun." Not to mention the distraction both she and her dad needed.
"If you're sure."
Her dad patted Cruz's back. "Of course." He turned to Talia. "You remember where Mom packed the little saw?"
Talia's voice caught in her throat. It caught her off guard how easily it was to talk about her mom as though she were still around. Blinking back tears, Talia nodded. The box they needed was at the other end of the room, and she was glad to have a minute to face away from the others and regain her composure.
"We need Christmas music," her dad said. Obviously, he needed a minute, too.
Talia found the box she needed and opened it, blinking back more tears and clearing her throat. Now wasn't the time
to lose it. Not after such a wonderful day. Her mom would have been happy they'd found someone to sidetrack them from their pain and bring them some happiness.
A cheery song sounded, and despite how happy it was, it felt like a punch in the gut. Talia sat down on the floor unable to stop the flow of tears. Every year, her mom would dance around the living room, belting out the words to this one along with the soundtrack. She'd grab either Talia or her dad and then spin them around the room.
Her dad left the room. Was he overcome with memories, too, or just finding the supplies they needed for cutting the disc? Talia pulled her knees up and leaned her head against them, giving into the emotions.
After a few moments, she felt a hand on her back.
"Are you okay?" Cruz whispered.
She shook her head no and then turned and cried into his chest again for the second time that day. Hopefully he didn't think she was an emotional basket case.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "I remember my first Christmas without Sophia."
"Does it get easier?"
"Yes and no. We have new memories and the traditions have been changed a bit, so that helps. But missing her… I don't think that'll ever go away. Sometimes, I dream she's alive and wake up excited—then the disappointment hits like a rock."
Talia frowned. They sat quietly for a few minutes until her dad returned.
"Who's ready to cut this tree?"
Cruz helped Talia up, and she wiped her eyes. Her dad's eyes were red, too. They held eye contact for a moment. Knowing he missed Mom just as much helped ease her pain. They would get through this together, and having Cruz there made it even more possible.
Talia found the saw in the box and then gave it to her dad who handed it to Cruz. "Would you mind doing the honors? I'm not sure Talia or I are up for it."
"Sure." They all went over to the tree and Cruz put the saw against the base. "Is this a good thickness?"
Talia studied it. "Maybe just a little thinner, don't you think?" She glanced at her dad.
"Just a skosh."
She couldn't help smiling. Some of her dad's expressions were goofy, but like Cruz's, they were endearing.
Before long, Cruz held up the little wooden disc. "What now?"
"We let it dry out and then decorate it in a few days," Talia said.
Cruz set it on a windowsill above a heater. "Let's get the tree up before that dries out."
An hour later, they not only had the tree decorated, but the entire living room. Cruz had tried to get out of it at first, once again claiming that it wasn't his place, but eagerly agreed when Allen told him how much it would help them this first Christmas without his wife.
Talia's stomach rumbled. It had been a long time since lunch. "I should have put something in the oven when we got home," she said. "Should I get some takeout?"
"My stomach is going to eat itself before we have any food," Cruz said, grinning.
Talia's stomach did acrobatics. He was so gorgeous, especially when he smiled.
Cruz glanced at the clock on the wall. "I'll bet my family is just getting ready to eat. Why don't we join my parents?"
"We couldn't impose," Allen said.
"Trust me," Cruz said. "That's not possible. My mom always cooks enough for an army—the more the merrier at our house."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, man. Sorry, sir. Uh, pastor. She always hopes everyone will show up, but that usually only happens once a week. And there's tons of food, like I said. Me and my four brothers, plus a wife and three fiancées."
"That is a full house."
"Want me to text them?"
"I'd feel better doing that than just showing up."
Cruz pulled out his phone and texted someone. Then he looked up. "Zachary's already setting extra plates. Wanna follow me?"
They piled back into the car and dropped Cruz off at his bike. Talia wanted to join him, but could tell her dad wanted her to stay with him.
While Cruz got his helmet on, her dad patted her knee and gave her a sad smile. "Just when life was getting easier, it got harder, didn't it, honey?"
Talia frowned. "It sure has. I didn't expect it to be so hard."
He glanced over at Cruz. "Looks like God provided someone to help us through."
She sighed, watching Cruz settle onto the motorcycle. "Definitely not the way I would have thought."
"He works in mysterious ways."
Her mouth curved up as she watched him start his ride. "That's for sure."
They followed Cruz through town into a residential neighborhood Talia hadn't seen before. The houses were all well-kept—unlike many in her neighborhood—and most were larger, too.
Talia tried to imagine what Cruz's parents would be like. She'd met some of his brothers already, and it seemed that they were all so different from each other. Were they more like any of the brothers, or also different from their children?
Cruz pulled into the driveway of a large, nice house. It was hard to tell what color it was between it being dark out and the multicolored Christmas lights on the house itself and in the yard. She felt instantly at ease about meeting his family. The fact that they were so into the holiday spirit made her feel at home before even stepping foot outside the car.
She watched some of the animated decorations in the front yard—a pair of snowmen bowing to each other and some reindeer eating grass. Talia turned to open her door. She jumped when she saw Cruz standing there. He grinned and tried to open the door, but it was still locked.
She pushed the unlock button and he pulled open the door, swooping his hand in front of him. "My lady."
Talia climbed out and curtsied. He took her hand and they walked around to the other side where her dad was already talking with Cruz's dad about the football game.
"They seem to be getting along," Cruz said. He turned to their parents. "Dad, this is Talia. Talia, this is my dad, Robert."
They shook hands. "So nice to meet you, Talia."
She smiled. "You, too." Talia tried to study his face before he turned back to her dad, and she could see a family resemblance. They had similar eyes and smiles.
Cruz tugged on her hand. "Let's get you inside where it's warmer."
Talia couldn't argue with that. Even though she had on jeans, the chill in the air was undeniable. As they walked toward the door, Talia could hear conversation from inside. Multiple conversations—it sounded like a party.
"Is that just your family?" she asked.
He laughed. "Yeah. Word spread quickly. Apparently everyone wanted to meet you."
Her eyes widened. "Really? Why?"
Cruz shrugged and looked away for a moment before returning his attention to her. "I guess everyone's curious to meet the person who managed to catch my attention."
They stared into each other's eyes. He brushed some hair out of her face and then pulled her close, wrapping her in a warm embrace. She could stay there forever.
Twenty
Talia followed Cruz into the house. A welcoming mixture of cinnamon and spices filled the air along with the sounds of happy conversation. She immediately felt at home despite having only met a few of them.
A woman who appeared a little older than Talia's mom came over and gave her a hug. "You must be Talia. I'm Dawn, Cruz's mom. It's so nice to meet you." Her wide smile and kind eyes showed she meant it.
"You, too. Thank you for having us over."
"Oh, it's definitely my pleasure. Did your dad come?" She looked around.
"He's talking with Dad," Cruz said.
Dawn shook her head. "He didn't drag him into the garage, did he?"
Talia shook her head. "It sounded like they were talking about sports."
"Oh, good," Dawn said. "That means they'll probably make it inside tonight." She winked at Talia.
A timer beeped in the kitchen.
"I'd better get that," Dawn said and stepped back.
"I've got it," came a female voice from behind her.
"Thanks, Lana." Dawn looked behind her shoulder and then back to Talia. "Let me introduce you to the others. Come on."
Talia glanced at Cruz, who nodded and smiled. She laughed and then followed Dawn into a large living room full of people, mostly guys gathered around the television.
Dawn stepped forward. "This is—"
Everyone jumped up, cheering and giving each other high-fives.
"The game's in the bag now," Jake exclaimed.
"Not necessarily," said a brother Talia didn't recognize. "I've seen the Seahawks dig out of deeper holes in less time."
Dawn cleared her throat as everyone sat back down. She made the introductions, and Talia hoped she could keep everyone straight. Then she followed Dawn into the kitchen and was introduced to Lana and Amara, who were busy with dinner.
"Do you want some help?" Talia asked.
"I could use some." Lana pulled some blonde hair behind her ear. She was cutting pieces off what appeared to either be a large chicken or a small turkey.
"Sure." Talia glanced around for a knife and helped her slice the meat.
Cheers sounded from the living room.
"Sounds like a good game," Talia said.
"The Hunters love football," Amara said, her dark eyes shining. She pulled her headband out and her dark brown hair fell into her face before she put the band back.
"Especially around the holidays," Dawn said. "It's practically a tradition to sit and watch the games as a family."
"I didn't think they were playing tonight," Talia said.
"They were rained out on Sunday," Lana said. "The retractable roof in Seattle got stuck open, so they had to reschedule."
Talia realized that the mention of Seattle didn't make her homesick. She was quite happy to be with this house full of strangers and to have Cruz in the next room.
Boos and complaints sounded from the living room.
"That doesn't sound good." Lana looked like she wanted to go in and see.
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