Page 24 of His Secret Wish

“I... I mean, I don’t...” The back of his neck and the tips of his ears went white hot.

“Rosa, why don’t you go and get me el pastel, hmm?” Yaya’s tone was the kind that brooked no argument. For such a small lady, she still had a spine of steel.

“Sure, abuela.” Rosa gave him a withering look and went in search of some cake for Yaya.

“Don’t you pay her no mind.” Yaya patted his arm again. “My granddaughter is just very protective of her family, and just wants what’s best for them.”

He nodded, although he knew why Rosa was at least partially still so frosty toward him. Isabella’s immediate family knew about their issues conceiving and their split. Izzy had sworn her mother to secrecy about all of it, and thankfully, Rosa had abided by those wishes. Which was surprising, since it didn’t seem that anything remained a secret for long in this family. He’d heard a few supposed secrets and rumors already, and had been here for less than twenty-four hours.

“And I know things in a marriage aren’t always easy.” Yaya’s gaze softened, and there was a deep understanding in her dark eyes. Almost like she knew his and Izzy’s secret. But that couldn’t be right.

“Hey, you guys.” Izzy came up and gave her great grandmother a quick hug. Her two little shadows from this morning were nowhere to be seen. She smiled at Owen, a genuine smile with teeth and all, and he was struck again by just how beautiful she was. Her hair was in a braid—surprise, surprise—that hung down over her shoulder, the end laying on her right breast. If she’d been naked, the little curl at the end would probably be wrapped around her nipple. Like a perfect little frame.

Jesus, no, he was not thinking about her breasts or her nipples while talking with her great grandmother. It had clearly been far too long since he’d been laid. He was reverting back into a perverted teenager.

He cleared his throat. “I bought a new mattress for the bed we’re using and was just about to take the old one back to be recycled. Is there anything you guys need from town?” His voice sounded like he’d swallowed a handful of gravel from the driveway outside.

“Oh,” Isabella said, her cheeks turning that adorable shade of pink he loved. “That was very kind of you. Thank you.” She bobbed her head in his direction. “I’m going to get some new sheets and stuff for the bed.” Without waiting for anyone to say anything, she spun and walked away. Rather quickly, if he was any sort of judge.

“I’m good, mi tesoro,” Yaya said, taking a sip of her tea. “You go on now. I see Rosa coming with my sweets.”

He glanced up. His mother-in-law was headed back in their direction. Refusing to get into it with her again, he gave Yaya a quick squeeze and then turned and headed for the front door. Cowardly, yes. But he was beyond dealing with Rosa and her disapproval at the moment. He had enough to worry about trying to win Isabella back.

Or trying to decide if winning her back was actually the right thing. For both of them.

Stepping onto the front porch, he noticed that some rather menacing looking clouds had rolled in. Looked like maybe there was some rain in their future. He walked down the steps and over to his truck. People still milled around, and it looked like someone had started up some lawn games on the grass at the side of the house. Horse shoes and some other game he didn’t recognize. The drinks were flowing freely now, and he couldn’t help but smile. Looked like it was leaning toward another rowdy night.

Say what you will about being holed up in the rafters, but it meant they were far enough away from the party people. There hadn’t been any noise last night, at least none he could remember. Well, except for the squeaky bed.

His grin grew. Izzy had been so scandalized when he’d jumped on the bed and the springs had screeched. The fact she was worried folks would think they were having sex was adorable. Not that he cared what anyone else thought. If he wanted to have sex with his wife, and she wanted to have sex with him, who cared if the bed squeaked a bit and everyone could hear?

Clearly, Izzy had, and the idea had bothered her. Which in turn bothered him. It was one of the main reasons he’d bought the new mattress.

He climbed into the truck and fired up the engine. Not that he thought they’d be having sex. There was always the possibility of course, but that wasn’t why he’d done what he’d done.

Okay, so maybe it played into his choice a little.

He pulled onto the road. A big, fat raindrop splattered against the windshield. So much for the outdoor games back at the house. Which meant everyone was going to be crammed inside when he got back. Not ideal, but he could manage. For Izzy. And Yaya.

Because he loved Izzy’s great grandmother like his own. Unlike his mother-in-law, Yaya had never thought he wasn’t good enough for Izzy—even though there were days when even he doubted he was good enough for her. Hell, he knew he wasn’t good enough for her. He was just lucky she’d chosen him to begin with.

It still floored him that, out of everyone she could have chosen, she’d picked him. Being a young, arrogant asshole, he’d taken it for granted. But now, now he could see just how lucky he’d been.

No, not been, was. It wasn’t over yet.

Determination slid through him, making his chest feel light and wobbly. His fingers tightened in the steering wheel. Enough of this waffling back and forth. Izzy was the best damn thing that had ever happened to him. He loved her so much that, with her gone, it felt like part of him was missing. And they were technically still husband and wife.

He was winning her back no matter what this weekend. End of story.