Page 81 of Blackbeard
Carefully, Leigh scooped the food out of the pan and set it on a plate to cool.
“I did it!” she chirped. “It’s not burned this time!”
I chuckled. Luisa must have heard me because she whipped around and squealed with delight, racing toward me with her little arms outstretched. I swept her up into a bear hug, peppering her face with kisses.
Now that the room was alerted to my presence, everyone greeted me with a cheer, ushering me closer. Sofia pushed a plate into my hands and my brothers began filling it with generous helpings of food—sopaipillas, stuffed peppers, chicken, and tacos. I balanced Luisa in the crook of my arm as she crooned appreciatively, brown eyes wide with hunger.
“Wait! Make room for me,” Leigh said, shouldering between Esperanza and Manuel. She juggled a piping hot arepa between her fingers, golden brown and crispy. Then she held it up. “This is my third batch of arepas I’ve made today and I think I finally got it right. So you have to try it.”
I smiled down at her. She looked so…happy andlight.Losing her relationship with her father had taken a toll that she didn’t like to talk about very often, even though I could tell it weighed on her.
But now she was in my kitchen, surrounded by my family, and learning how to cook, just like she always wanted to.
I didn’t think I could possibly love her anymore than I already did. But I liked seeing this side of her blossom, thriving. I liked seeing her comfortable in my home, my woman, my wife.
“Come on,” Leigh prompted, flicking her gaze up to me with impatience. “Take a bite. Is it too dry? Does it need more salt? I stuffed it with cheese, so be careful. It’s hot inside.”
I laughed softly, wishing my hands weren’t full so I could kiss her instead because she was fucking adorable.
Dipping my head, I bit into the arepa and chewed. Leigh swallowed, watching my expression. Crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and a little chewy. She couldn’t have done it better. I nodded my approval.
“It’s perfect, princess.”
A grin spread across Leigh’s face from ear to ear. She bounced on her toes with delight and whirled back to the stove. Abuela patted her shoulder.
“See? That’s the way you soften him up. Now, when his belly is full, ask him for anything you want. He’ll agree right away.”
“Abuela,” I barked. “Don’t give my wife advice like that. It’s dangerous.”
She flapped her apron at me, her eyes twinkling.
“It’s not the first secret I’ve told her, and it won’t be the last. There’s plenty of talking going on when you’re not eavesdropping, young man.”
Esperanza scoffed.
“Young man,” she said. “Ha! You need your eyes checked, Abuela. Haven’t you noticed the gray in Diego’s hair lately? You’re getting old, brother.”
She stood on tiptoe, peering at my scalp. I huffed and pushed her away.
“I’ve noticed,” Leigh piped in with a sly look. “I think it’s sexy.”
Esperanza gagged.
“Ew. Gross.”
I crossed the kitchen to Leigh’s side and bent down to kiss her. Luisa giggled, hiding her face in my cut.
“Keep talking like that, mi vida,” I said. “And Abuela is right. You can have anything you want.”
She beamed.
A moment later, the roar of motorcycle engines echoed outside. The door opened and the thunder of boots in the hall approached the kitchen.
“I smell food,” Spike declared. “I’m starving.”
The next thing I knew, my house was overflowing with people. The Blackjacks grabbed plates of food for themselves, dispersing throughout the living room, spilling into the courtyard to enjoy the late August warmth.
Crash ended up skateboarding on the driveway with my nephews.
