Page 65 of Paco
“It is. You can go deeper into the canyon. There’re a lot of creeks, waterfalls, and open meadows. When I need to recharge shit in my life, I come here. It somehow puts everything in perspective.”
“I bet it does. How long have you been coming here?”
“For about six years or so.”
After Cassie broke up with him.Overcome with emotion, she turned toward him and kissed him deeply. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
He hugged her close to him. “I wanted to. You’re the only person I’ve ever brought here. I’m glad I was able to do it before lockdown starts tomorrow.”
“And you leave,” she added softly.
The train ride was just under four hours, and when they arrived back at the station, Paco held her hand and guided her toward Main Avenue where they spent the next two hours exploring antique shops. Despite her protests, he bought her an antique amethyst crystal vase that she’d admired, along with a Navajo sand painting of a warrior atop his horse, several postcards circa 1870, and a small, framed watercolor of Cascade Canyon. As they walked out of the last antique store, thoughts of happiness, excitement, and even love had Chelsea’s mind reeling. Love was the tricky one because she didn’t want to frighten him away. Paco had shared many things with her, so she knew he liked her, but did his feelings go beyond that?Can he ever love another woman the way he did Cassie? Is he just showing me a good time because of what I’ve been through?
“I was thinking Mexican for dinner. Is that good with you?” he asked, cutting through her musings.
She nodded. “Sure. Can we gonow? I’m pretty hungry.”
He chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing. We can have an early dinner then go back to the room. I’ll light a fire and show you a real good time.”
Heat flushed through her. “Sounds like a great plan.” She smiled and grasped his arm. Pressing against it, she kissed his cheek lightly. “Thanks for giving me one of the best days of my life.” He lifted his chin at her and they walked down the street, his free hand holding the sacks from the store.
As she sipped her margarita, Paco’s gaze bore into her.
“You’re going to have to get some ID when you get back home,” he said.
“I know. I was wondering if they were going to serve me this margarita.”
“If I didn’t know Francisco, they wouldn’t have.” Paco picked up a chip and dipped it in the tomatillo salsa.
“You must come here often. You seem to know a lot of people.”
“Once in a while, I’ll come to this town with a few of the brothers to hang out at some of the bars or play pool. It’s a change of scenery from Alina.” Then he added, “The hiking I do alone.”
Taking a big gulp of her drink, she looked away. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?” The fluttering in her stomach made her hold her breath.
His face grew tight and his brows furrowed. He gripped the beer bottle and took a long drink. She didn’t think he was going to answer, but then he caught her gaze. “Yeah.” He motioned to the waitress for another beer and leaned back in the chair. “You must be looking forward to going home.”
He changed the subject real fast. Don’t push it. You don’t want the demons from his past affecting this perfect day.“I am. I mean, I’m looking forward to seeing my mom and my sister, my grandma—hopefully—and Aunt Sandy, too. I’m not so anxious to see Peter.”
“What’s the deal with your stepdad?”
“We just never got along. In the beginning, I resented him for trying to act like he was my dad or my good friend. I got that my mom needed him to help her out financially and to keep her company, but I didn’t care for him. When I started becoming interested in boys, he acted like a dictator or something. I don’t know. Peter also had problems with alcohol. Once my mom married him, my growing years were chaotic and punctuated by fights. For my mom’s sake, I hope he’s sobered up.”
“That’s tough. It’ll be an adjustment for you when you get back home. I know you’ll be able to do it, but just know it won’t be easy. Although, going to therapy should help you a lot.”
I’m going to miss you so much, Paco.She blinked rapidly. “Do you ever see your aunt and uncle who you stayed with when your mom died?”
“Nah. After I was old enough to be on my own, I left. Kendra fared better with them and their fucking rules. Like I told you, they weren’t thrilled that they got stuck with us after my old man went to prison. I can’t say I blamed them. Money was tight, and they already had five kids. While I was with them, I worked after school at a drugstore, sweeping up and stocking shelves to help out.”
“You didn’t have any other relatives?”
“Nope. My old man was estranged from his family, so we never knew them, and my mom only had a sister. My maternal grandparents died when I was young.”
“I bet you and your sister have a close bond.” He nodded as he put some carnitas in a corn tortilla, rolled it, and took a big bite. “I’d like to meet her.”I still want to be a part of your life even when I go home.
He wiped his hands on the napkin. “Someday. I think you two would hit it off. She’s a friendly person.”
Chelsea smiled. “And likes to chat?” He chuckled. “Maybe I could come back for a visit sometime.” Her heart thrummed.
