Heart Block (23 page)

“Oh yeah, what did you do then?”

“Truth or Dare.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Uh-oh. Aren’t you a little young for that?”

“All we did was dare each other to prank call Uncle Danny until Millie’s mom made us stop. What about you? Did you have fun with Emory?”

“Yeah, I did. It stormed a lot, so we didn’t get to go down to the beach, but we had a good time anyway.”

Grace beamed. “That’s great, Mom.”

“So what do you think about Emory?”

“I like her. She’s sofixicated and smart. Plus, her house rocks.”

“Sophisticated, and yeah, she is smart.” Sarah paused, searching for the right words. “I like her a lot too.”

“I know. I think that’s cool.”

“You know, in the past, I’ve always gone on dates with men.”

“I know.”

“But I wanted to talk to you about something kind of important and get your opinion because what you think matters to me a lot.”

“Okay.”

“Well, lately, I’ve started going on dates with Emory too.”

Grace looked back at her confused. “I know. I told you already, I think that’s cool.”

“Wait. So you knew that we were…dating?”

“You guys make it kind of obvious the way you stare at each other all the time.” Grace was still smiling.

“What are you talking about? We do not.”

“Mom, please.” Grace rolled her eyes and scanned the food court for more interesting pastures. “Can we go to A’Gaci next?”

“So this doesn’t bother you at all?”

Grace offered a small sigh and turned back to Sarah. “Have you ever read a book called
Heather has Two Mommies
?”

Sarah squinted, shaking her head.

“Well, they have it in our library at school, and I read it during lunch recess last year. You should read it too.”

Sarah was reeling. Her eight-year-old not only knew all about her incognito personal life, but was now offering her advice about coping with adversity. Ordering her head clear, she pressed forward. “I haven’t talked to your grandparents about this yet, but I plan to. Hopefully soon. I would never ask you to keep a secret from them, and I’m not asking you to do that now either. I’m just not sure I’m ready for them to know about Emory yet.”

“I think it’s better if you tell them, not me.”

Sarah’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank you. But if you change your mind and feel like you need to talk to them about any of this, I won’t be upset.”

“Okay. Ready to finish shopping? I have one whole outfit left to pick out.”

Sarah grinned at her, so proud of the person she already was and the one she would someday be. She had the best kid. “Let’s do it.”

*

At nine o’clock on Thursday morning, Lucy stuck her head around the corner of Emory’s office and playfully fanned herself with a document of some sort. Emory stared at her momentarily, but then returned to the pile of work on her desk. Lucy took it one step further, holding the document up to the light and studying the words before hugging it to her heart with a smoldering gaze.

“Is there something you’d like to say, Luce, or is this a new mime routine you’re developing?”

“Oh hey, Em. Strange. Didn’t see you there. Listen, I was just perusing this totally random press release I saw hit the wire. Turns out, it’s about Immaculate Home and its newest division headed up by one Sarah Matamoros. This, by chance, wouldn’t be
the
Sarah Matamoros, would it?”

Emory shook her head at Lucy’s performance, hating to admit that her overly excited tone of voice was actually amusing. “Yes, they are one and the same.”

“So interesting. I’m going to take the fact that we’re now running pro bono press releases for this little upstart-that-could as a good sign for your love life. Please confirm. Minds are inquiring.”

“I offered them a couple free releases to see if they liked what the exposure could do for them. If Sarah and her company receive a good response, it’s my hope that they’ll open an account with us and voilà, we’ll have a new client. A very basic sales strategy.”

Lucy’s response was a big thumbs down sign. “Lame and businesslike. That isn’t what I asked you. I did like how you worked in a voilà though. You don’t hear that one much.”

“Thank you. And if you must know, things are good,” Emory answered sincerely. “I’m meeting her family this weekend, and…she stayed over on Saturday.”

Lucy balled up the press release and pelted it at Emory. “And you’re just now telling me? This is big news. Huge! She has located the horse, ladies and gentlemen, and she’s climbing back on.”

Emory laughed and threw the ball of paper at Lucy’s now retreating form. “Very funny, Luce. Hysterical.”

“I’ll be here all night.” And then from her office next door, “Tip your waitress!”

Sarah was consistently amazed at the number of people her parents were able to cram into their backyard and feed. Friends, neighbors, and relatives milled around the large outdoor area, snacking at picnic tables or competing in games of badminton or touch football. Platters of burgers, chicken, and roasted pork abounded and a large cooler of beer sat proudly on the patio, all in celebration of her older brother’s thirty-fifth birthday.

Her mother slid her hands onto Sarah’s shoulders and kissed her cheek roughly. “Why are you bustling around like a loco person? Go get yourself a beer from the cooler and enjoy your brother’s party. Everything here is good to go.”

Sarah obediently set down the extra plates she’d brought outside, just in case, and covered her mother’s hands with her own. “If you say so, boss lady.”

“At least you know I’m in charge. You can help me clean up later, I promise, but in the meantime, mingle por favor. Entertain these people for me, and I may have a surprise for you later.” Sarah raised a curious eyebrow, but her mother drifted away, turning an invisible key in front of her lips to emphasize the secrecy of her statement. Cryptic.

Sarah walked through streamers and colorful balloons to survey the fun. In the corner, her father held court as he grilled fresh fajitas, sporting his “Kiss the Cook” apron and tall, billowing chef’s hat. Grace stood alongside him chatting animatedly, always his trusty sidekick.

Sarah had looked forward to the party for the entire week prior. But now that the day was here, the excitement she felt about Emory meeting her family had more than tripled and moved steadily into the nervous category. Things could go wrong, she admitted to herself, and this was, after all, a big deal. Even if her parents wouldn’t be aware of just how big a deal when they met her.

“There’s my baby sister,” Robert called out as she approached. He pulled her into a loose headlock and ruffled the top of her hair just as he’d done since they were kids.

She wrestled herself free and punched him hard in the arm. “No abuse today, birthday boy. Try to act your age.” She smoothed her hair back into place.

Her sister-in-law, Cristina, grinned and rolled her eyes. “Tall order.” She held their son, Lucas, in her arms, and Sarah couldn’t resist scooping the little guy up and peppering his tiny baby cheeks with several hundred kisses.

“My nephew is the handsomest baby boy in baby land. Little girl babies across California better watch out for this one.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” Cristina shook her head. “He already flirts with women mercilessly—like his father.” She smacked Robert playfully in the stomach for good measure.

He doubled over. “Man, I’m getting beat today.”

Sarah laughed and checked her watch and then the door for the four hundredth time that afternoon, bracing against the parade of butterflies in her stomach before moving on to say hello to the next-door neighbors.

It was approximately seven and a half minutes later when she heard the distant chime of the doorbell and excused herself quickly into the house. Damn it, she was too late. Her younger brother, Danny, had already answered the door and stood staring wordlessly at Emory. In fairness, Sarah couldn’t blame him. Emory wore off-white denim Capris and a turquoise top that Sarah could have easily predicted brought out the vibrant blue in her eyes. As she entered the room, Emory turned and smiled (was that shyly?) in her direction.

Sarah beamed back. “You found us.”

“I did. Your directions were perfect. I only got lost three times, which is good for me.”

Sarah turned to Danny who was still blatantly staring at Emory. She resisted the urge to pop him in the back of his head. “Danny, meet my friend Emory Owen. Emory, this is my pesky little brother, Danny.”

“Daniel,” he amended, extending his hand. His voice was suspiciously an octave lower than she was used to. She turned to him curiously and elbowed him in the ribs. “Stop it. Come on, Emory. Let’s go outside and I can introduce you around.”

“Maybe we can talk later, Emory,” Danny called after them.

She smiled. “Definitely.”

Sarah turned around and shot him one last “what’s gotten into you” glare before pulling Emory into the yard. Once on the vacant patio, they had a brief moment alone, several yards from the nearest guests. Someone had put on a CD, and Tejano music now blared throughout the yard louder than Sarah would have liked. She planned to fix that problem shortly. In the meantime, her interests were elsewhere. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.” Emory was smiling.

“Sorry about my stupid brother.”

“Don’t be. He seems sweet. He also looks a lot like you, and that’s a big plus. You’re a sight for sore eyes, by the way. It’s been a long week.” Sarah couldn’t agree more and resisted the urge to touch Emory’s cheek. God, how she wanted to.

“Maybe we could steal some time after this.”

“That would—”

“Sarah Rose, who is this nice person you have with you? Introduce your mother.”

Sarah turned and found her mother standing five feet behind her, hands on her hips. She took a noticeable step away from Emory, who seemed to register the move behind her eyes. Sarah felt the guilt right away.

“Mama, this is the friend I told you about, Emory Owen. She was also a recent client of ours. That’s where we met.”

Emory stepped forward, instantly on. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Matamoros. Sarah speaks very highly of you, and I have nothing but rave reviews from the services Immaculate Home provided me.” Sarah smiled sweetly. If only her mother knew the extent of that statement.

“Emory Owen! Of course.” Not missing a beat, she pulled Emory into a full-on embrace, probably gripping her tighter than Emory had ever been gripped. “Sarah’s told me all about what a wonderful experience she had working for you. I was so happy to hear that you two have grown to be good friends. And you know, Sarah’s phone has been ringing off the hook after that press release you sent out. She’ll have to tell you all about it. We’re so pleased you came to the party. Have you met Robert yet? He’s the birthday boy, you know, right over there. Oh, and, Sarah, introduce her to your cousin, Martin, next. He’s single, Emory, and very, very handsome.”

Sarah suppressed an eye roll and instead smiled obediently. “Will do, Mama.”

“Emory, can I get you a drink?”

“Sure, um, maybe a glass of white?”

Her mother frowned and turned to Sarah. “Do we still have that bottle your Aunt Mariana gave us?”

“How about a beer, Em?” Sarah knew full well the bottle in question was covered in dust and well past its ten-dollar prime.

“Yes! Of course. I would love a beer. Any kind you have.”

Her mother smiled gregariously once again. “Miller Lite?”

“Perfect.”

“Coming right up!”

As her mother scurried happily to the cooler, Emory closed her eyes and sighed. “Sorry. Strike one.”

“We’re just more of a chips and beer kind of a family is all.”

Emory lifted one shoulder. “I love chips and beer.”

“Sure you do. Come on, I’ll introduce you to all the key players. Try to look somewhat attractive, okay?”

Emory couldn’t help a short burst of laughter as Sarah tugged her into the yard. She met several of Sarah’s aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were all very friendly and maybe even a little tipsy. Next, she met Robert and Cristina and their baby. Robert looked like a bulkier, he-man version of Danny with thinning hair. It was fascinating to meet so many people who resembled Sarah and Grace. As if on cue, Grace appeared out of nowhere and threw her arms around Emory’s waist. She looked down at her affectionately. “Hiya, kiddo. How’s your life?”

“Great. How’s your life?”

“Can’t complain. Ready for school?”

“I can’t wait. Only two more days. We did all of our shopping this week. Mindy and I are in the same class this year.”

“Well, that’s a plus. And George?”

Immediately blushing, Grace tugged on Emory’s arm, prompting her to lean down so she could whisper in her ear. “He asked me to go to SeaWorld with his family. I haven’t asked Mom yet. I wanted to get your advice. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“Deal,” she whispered and nodded, taking the situation as seriously as Grace seemed to be. With that, Grace scampered away to play freeze tag with her rather boisterous group of cousins.

Sarah surveyed the action from a few feet away. “Why do you get all the juicy information?”

“Because you’re the mom and are thereby deemed ineligible.” Sarah frowned and Emory laughed. “Cheer up, Charlie. I’ll tell you everything she said if you want me to.”

Sarah was thoughtful. “No. As long as it’s not life threatening or morally threatening, I can handle not knowing every little detail of her life the second it comes off the presses. I want her to know that she can trust you.”

“Well, it’s neither of those two things, rest assured. Now, when do I get to meet your dad?”

And here we go. “How about now? Come on. He’s on grill duty, his favorite pastime in all of life. He’s going to love you, by the way.” Sarah knew this was a big introduction. Her father was the most important man in her life, and she needed for him to see how wonderful Emory was.

There was a spring in her step that took a shuddering leave of absence the moment she took in the scene ahead. Carmen and Roman stood next to the grill laughing. Alongside them, complete with her smiling father’s arm on his shoulder, stood James. Sarah froze, and her mind scrambled to piece together the probable series of events.