Page 16 of Zorro

His mom just smiled. “He’s yours to deal with now.”

Javi strolled over, arms wide. “Hermano! Look at this guy. Still brooding over the grill like you’re about to recite war poetry.”

“I will stab you with this skewer,” Zorro replied, but his arms came up anyway, pulling his brother into a quick, rough hug.

“I missed this,” Javi said, stepping back. “Where else am I gonna get carne asada, blackmail, and emotional trauma all in one afternoon?”

“Try therapy.”

“I did. They said it was you.”

Laughter rippled through the yard. Blitz and Bree were by the folding table debating salsa heat levels. Buck and Maritza had already claimed the hammock with a plate of elote between them. D-Day had one hand on Helen’s lower back while they talked in the way honeymooners did. Professor was building a tower of grilled vegetables for Julia, who looked like she was plotting world peace with a glass of white wine in hand.

Right before everything was ready for serving, the fire crackled low, someone popped a beer. But it was the soft drum of hooves over dry dirt that turned every head.

Zorro didn’t bother looking up from the grill. Just smirked and transferred the steak to a waiting plate. “Bear’s here.”

The kids were already scrambling toward the gate, voices high and eager. Beyond the backyard fence, a tall Paint horse stepped out of the afternoon sun, its coat a patchwork of black and white, and atop it, easy, effortless, Bear rode like a man who never forgot his roots. Bear dismounted with his usual grace, calm, slow, like the horse was an extension of him.

Bear gave a soft whistle and Flint trotted in behind him, head high, then, a quiet word to the horse in his native tongue, hand brushing over its flank. He tied the loose lead near the fence post as the kids reached him.

“Did you ride all the way from Sleeping Wind?” Fifi, one of his two horse-crazy nieces shouted, breathless. Zorro knew Bear would be giving every single one of them rides on that beautiful Paint.

Bear just tipped his chin, lips twitching like he might smile. “I did. Maybe after dinner, your dad will let me take you and Cami back for a grooming session.”

Flint barked once like he agreed.

By the time Bear stepped through the side gate, Zorro had already popped the cap on a beer and handed it over.

“You can’t help yourself, can you? Have to outshine their uncle with your horsey ways?”

Bear nodded, then flashed a rare grin. “You have your own horsey ways…like connected to ass.”

“Are you calling me a horse’s ass?”

Bear shrugged, nudged with his chin. “If the horseshoe fits, amigo.”

He laughed, then it abruptly cut off as he turned to find Joker was walking toward him with an envelope.

Zorro saw it before LT even said a word. Something in the way Joker’s shoulders squared, the seriousness that didn’t fit the music or the laughter or the beer sweating in his grasp.

Joker didn’t smile, just handed him the envelope and said quietly, “Thought you should be the first to know. Leite signed it. I submitted it. Pentagon fast-tracked it.”

Zorro took the envelope, heavy in a way that had nothing to do with paper. He didn’t open it right away.

“What’s it for?” Javi asked beside him, voice still light but now edged with curiosity. His father came out of the house, approached, the look on his face making Zorro’s chest tight. Somehow his father always knew what he was up to.

Joker answered, not breaking Zorro’s gaze. “Navy Cross.”

The music didn’t stop. No one gasped. But around the yard, heads turned. Maritza sat up. Julia lowered her wine. Dani’s smile froze. His father clapped him on the shoulder.

Zorro didn’t speak. Just stared down at the envelope, thumb resting against the seal.

“It’s not about medals,” he said finally.

“I know,” Joker replied. “That’s why you earned it.”

Zorro exhaled slowly. Then handed the envelope to his mother without a word.