Page 94 of Grasp The Moment

Sucking in a deep breath, I sigh as the sound of boots crunching in the grass alerts me to Georgia approaching.

She sighs wistfully. “I love your family.” She plops down in the space right next to me and gets comfortable as she lies down.

“They love you too,” I reply, smiling as she twists to face me. “Ah ah ah… eyes up there, Blondie.”

Georgia scoffs, but she does as told, turning to look up at the sky. She sighs, shifting a bit, her perfume clouding the air between us.

It’s silent for a moment, the two of us gazing at the stars above before Georgia shifts in her spot, twisting to face me. I meet her gaze, our eyes trained on one another as she grins shyly.

“Thank you for showing me your home. I’ve never experienced something like this… I don’t know, everyone made me feel…” She searches for the words but comes up blank.

“Loved?”

She hums, nodding.

“That’s because you are.”

She holds my gaze for a second, her eyes shine like emeralds under the starlight as a small smile breaks on her face, and she blushes. “Thank you, you are too.”

We’re like teenagers on our first date, sharing shy smiles and sneaky glances when we think the other isn’t looking. We point out the different clouds and constellations in the sky, giggling as we make up different namesfor each one.

Georgia makes me feel things I haven’t felt before, and though it’s scary for someone to have this kind of hold on me, I’m happy that person is her.

1 Tío (Spanish)– Uncle

2 Abuelita - Grandma

3 ¿Quién es esta chica contigo? – Who is this girl with you?

4 Tía – Aunt

5 Su Esposa (Spanish) - His wife

35.Georgia

The roosters wakeme up before Derek has the chance to. I shoot up from my sleep, my eyes still closed, and cringe as I knock noggins with Derek.

“Ay Dios…?1” he curses under his breath, massaging his temple as I groan, using my fingertips to massage away my headache.

“Dude…” I groan as the throbbing continues.

Derek chuckles, pain evident in his laugh as he hoists himself out of the bed and stretches. I watch as his muscles ripple, and my mouth waters at the sight.

After spending about an hour stargazing, the two of us called it a night and went to bed in the pool house, which is decorated to resemble a studio apartment with an outdoor patio for the pool, a grill, and a seating area. The inside of the tiny house is decorated modernly, a complete contrast to the familial home-and-country rustic vibe of the rest of the property.

“Where’s Dels?” I ask as I get out of bed, still half asleep.

Derek grunts in answer and begins to fold the bed’s cover. I mimic him on the other side of the bed and fix it with him. Deli spent the night with her cousins in the main house.

He gives me a sly smile, finishing up his side of the bed before coming over and placing a kiss on my temple. “Hop in the shower, I’ll whip us up a quick breakfast.”

A quick breakfast, in the words of Derek Perez, turns out to be tamales—that’d been prepared by Lita last night and freshly squeezed orange juice. The two of us eat outside in a comfortable silence, watching as the sun rises.

We’re dressed in athletic wear. I was told we’d be going on a small hike and then heading into town, but when Derek began steering the golf cart toward the stable, I realized exactly why he insisted I wear those cowboy boots he’d bought me last week.

Out in the round pen, Lidia and Deli trot together on a white horse. The two of them are laughing and giggling, doing a small lap around the pen. Delilah’s hair is a mess of curls, her brown hair wild and untamed. She’s wearing a tiny riding suit and boots, obviously the work of her grandmother.

I chuckle as Deli waves at us. Her smile is bright and cheerful as she and Lidia come to a stop before us.