Page 38 of Blind Trust
“Incorrigible? Loud? Determined?” Her father walked over and raised his eyebrows. “Did I mentionloud?”
“Shush.” Her mother playfully slapped her dad’s arm. “She just wants the best for Mason, and I have to say, you two have always gotten along nicely.”
“Not sure getting along nicely makes for the perfect pairing.” Lyla searched the crowd. No sign of either Nicolás or Mason’s mom. “Shouldn’t there be some kind of, I don’t know, feeling in my gut that tells me he’s the one?”
“The va-va-voom.” Her dad wrapped his arms around her mom. “Felt it the second I saw your mother.”
“See? Dad gets it.”
“Fine, fine,” her mom said and kissed his cheek. “Does Nic have the va-va-voom?”
“Motherrrrr.”
Her exasperation made both her parents laugh, and she rolled her eyes. A couple waved them over, and Lyla breathed a sigh of relief. Her mom wasn’t as bad as Mrs. Davenport, but on more than one occasion she expressed a hope that Lyla would find the right one. She knew it wasn’t Mason, because he definitely didn’t give her the va-va-vooms.
Did Nicolás? Or was what she felt for him a kinship forged in the dangerous work they did for SNAP, like the military brotherhood he and Kekoa talked about?
“Lyla!”
Elinor waved excitedly from the lot where the valet was directing cars to park. Lyla blinked as she watched Elinor, Kekoa,Jack, and Brynn walking like one of those million-dollar shots from an action movie—only they looked like models for a Ralph Lauren ad.
Lyla hurried to meet them. “You guys look amazing!”
“So do you!” Elinor squealed, grabbing Lyla’s hands. “This is so exciting.”
“I’m so glad you guys came.” Lyla hugged Brynn and looked around.Nicolás isn’t with them?An odd combination of disappointment and relief settled over her. If he wasn’t here, she wouldn’t have to worry about Mrs. Davenport or Mason. But why wouldn’t he come? Had he changed his mind?
“He’s helping Mr. Brandt out of the car,” Brynn whispered over Lyla’s shoulder. “See?”
Lyla looked in the direction Brynn was pointing and saw Nicolás walking at a slow pace with an older gentleman at his side. Their eyes met and he smiled.
Her chest unexpectedly squeezed at the sight of him. It wasn’t like this was the first time she’d seen him out of his usual uniform of jeans, flannel, and boots, but today...
Today, he wore a green plaid shirt complemented by a dark-green tie and gray vest under a chestnut-brown jacket. It wasn’t the typical riding attire, but, man, he looked good.Really good.
“Lyla, I’d like to introduce you to my neighbor, Mr. Brandt.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Lyla shook the man’s extended hand. “Thank you for joining us today.”
“Young man”—Mr. Brandt eyed Nicolás—“you didn’t tell me you’d be introducing me to a Hollywood starlet.”
A blossom of pink colored Nicolás’s cheeks, and his hand instinctively searched for the ball cap that wasn’t there. He ran a hand through his hair to cover the move, but Kekoa snickered.
“Well, now, aren’t you a dapper-looking group.” Lyla’s grandfather walked over with her grandmother and great-aunt. “It’s nice to have some young blood on the course.”
“Blood?” Elinor squeaked.
“He’s just teasing, dear.” Lyla’s grandmother smiled. “We just love seeing young people enjoying the sport.”
“Etta, Tully, these are my colleagues.” Lyla introduced her friends. “And this is my grandfather and grandmother, and”—she hugged the woman next to Etta—“my great-aunt Effie.”
“You didn’t tell me I was going to be among such beauty.” Mr. Brandt stepped forward and extended his hand to Effie. “May I say what a privilege it is to be here today.”
When Mr. Brandt lifted Effie’s hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles, she giggled. Lyla shot her grandmother a look and she shrugged.
“Mr. Brandt, would you care to keep me company?” Effie asked him.
“It would be an honor.”
