Page 21 of Guarded Knight (Echo Valley #3)

When I was younger, I tagged along to Gabriel’s birthday parties any time Xander took pity on me or my mom made him. I asked all the time, because after the first, I never wanted to miss a single one.

They were epic. Mariachi music, often from their own family members.

Pinatas. Tres leches cake that would be my final supper if I ever got to choose.

Carnitas, tamales… and the smell of charcoal and meat for hours.

Gabriel’s birthday is in late March, but rain or shine, they’d throw an outdoor party, and somehow, even if the Starlight Canyon winter still clutched our bones, the Mendezes could make the whole world warm up with those parties.

Being wrapped up in this tight-knit family gathering, with homemade guac on the horizon, is better than my oversized cable knit blanket.

Mariachi music plays out of Bluetooth speakers placed around the yard, and dappled light filters through the trees. The gang is gathered in Luis’ backyard, which looks a lot like Gabriel and Anton’s as the houses are near enough identical. It’s a heavenly sight.

Luis preps meats on the grill with the help of Julia, the woman from book club who I now know owns Heritage Tack and Feed.

Rio laughs about something and clinks beer bottles with Anton. Santi crouches next to Kat’s son, Theo, and his nephew, Nino, helping them with a whittling project. Owen, the youngster Santi fosters, throws balls for the little dog who I think he called Keeper. And Freya tosses one for the big dog.

And my eyes finally stop on G’s sister, Shay, sitting on her husband, Logan’s, lap, sipping one of the Chimayo Blondies they brought in cases from a brewery back home.

I nearly sigh inside seeing how in love they are. Logan was the hockey superstar in high school, then NHL, Shay the baker girl. I know they had something brief but serious in college before splitting. Them getting a second chance is priceless and stabs at my romantic side to have one of my own.

And all this closeness in one place, this bond, this happiness and comfort…

It makes me miss my family and even wonder if I’ve made the right decision seeking my independence.

Sure, I didn’t want them doting and giving unsolicited advice.

Sure, I didn’t want them to have to worry all the time and thought “out of sight out of mind” would help that.

But this vibe here? It’s me through and through.

But now Xander and my nieces are miles away on the East Coast. Mom and Dad are thinking about moving off the family land, which is becoming too much to manage as they get older and there aren’t any kids running around on it.

It’s too late to turn around. Home is still a feeling; one I get every time we’re all together.

But home isn’t a place anymore.

Not like what the Mendezes have created here.

The playlist shifts, and the first strains of violins rise, quick and urgent, curling into the night air like a spark catching.

Rio grins and cranks the volume, and Luis throws his head back with a whoop. “?Más fuerte, hijo!”

Rio turns it even louder, and a joyous song bursts free, trumpets chasing violins, rhythm tumbling faster and faster until it becomes a heartbeat under my skin.

Luis keeps his tongs in hand but abandons his station at the grill and heads to the middle of the lawn, dancing and letting out yelps in perfect sync with the music.

“My birthday wish…” he shouts over the music, “is we dance!”

At that, the yard erupts.

Nino shrieks with laughter as he grabs Logan’s and Shay’s hands and whirls across the grass.

Owen and Theo crash into one another like a pair of drunken pinwheels, collapsing into helpless laughter.

Julia tugs Rio toward the makeshift dance floor, and he gives her a spin so quick her bun unravels behind her, an elegant, white ribbon.

Even Anton bumps his hip into Freya’s. She lets out a cute high-pitched squeak before dissolving into giggles.

And Luis, God help me, Luis is singing into a set of barbecue tongs like they’re a microphone, his voice raw and wildly off-key but carrying pure joy. “Negrita de mis pesares…”

It’s chaos.

It’s magic.

Music, laughter, love. Everywhere I turn it’s spilling into the dusky evening, wrapping itself around me.

For a moment, I feel the way I used to when I was a kid at G’s parties, when happiness lived in the soles of my bare feet, determined to dance until dawn.

I throw my arms in the air and let it soak in, replacing any worry, any fear… any place but here and now.

Gabriel watches me dance, that deep, unreadable gaze tracking every sway of my hips. A low laugh escapes him, and then his foot taps, his shoulders loosen, and he joins me.

“You can still move, Mendez,” I bite my lip and roll my shoulders.

His grin slices through me, wicked and devastating. “I can still do a lot of things, Firefly.”

Heat licks up my spine as his hips roll deeper, smoother, reminding me that stiff as Gabriel can be with his shades on, his hips know how to salsa. My God, what could they do in bed?

His hips vibrate the space between us with memory and want.

The yard is alive, glowing, but all of it funnels straight into him. Into us. Into the way he finally lets go, lets the rhythm carry him the same way it carries me.

My steps slow, not to tempt but to savor—this rare thing: Gabriel unguarded. Gabriel laughing. Gabriel here. My hips sway with the beat, but it’s my heart leading, aching for everything we were.

His gaze catches mine—dark, burning, full of words he’ll never say. His fingers twitch, like his body remembers before his mind allows it. That night he pulled me in by the waist. Close enough for the world to disappear.

I ache for him to do it again. Not just the touch—the claim. The proof that under all the distance and silence, we’ve never let go.

The music builds, violins racing, trumpets triumphant, voices lifted high. Luis is shouting, kids are spinning, laughter is everywhere… but none of it touches me the way Gabriel does.

We look at each other, and it’s not just a dance.

It’s every laugh we shared before the world got hard. Every time I wanted him but couldn’t have him. The reminder that no matter the distance, the years, the choices—we’re only ever one song away from falling back into each other.

And for the first time in forever, I let myself believe—just for these few beats—that we still can.

But all good things come to an end.

As does the song.

Luis laughs and heads back to the barbecue where Julia joins him, leaning on his shoulder, lightly puffing with a beaming smile, and the others crash out, too.

Gabriel’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Need another drink?”

“I’m fine. Pacing myself so I’m not up all night peeing.”

Thinking back to those gray sweatpants of his, I’d rather be up all night doing something else.

“Too much information.” He smirks. “But seriously, do you need to sit or anything?”

“If I need anything, I got it. I’m a big girl.”

His brow creases, his expression caught between amusement and concern. “I’m not trying to smother… just…”

I cut him off with a small smile, and the space between us stills.

I don’t feel smothered. I feel… loved.

And maybe for the first time, I let myself admit that what’s happening now is what’s always been between us.

Not obligation. Not some favor to my big brother.

But Gabriel showing up when I need him most, even when he doesn’t want to, even when it costs him.

Hurt and comfort, tangled together. It’s how we started.

It’s what we are. And God help me, it’s probably what we’ll always be.

And that’s the cruelest truth of all. Every time someone loves me, it turns into worry. And worry is the reason I left Starlight Canyon in the first place. I left so they could live without being tethered to me—and so I could try, for once, to live a life of my own.

“Let’s see if your dad needs help.” I need to ground myself in the here and now instead of spiraling.

I wander over to the grill with Gabriel in tow to see if Luis and Julia need help. Not that it looks like Julia is doing much but perching on the edge of a lawn chair and gazing up at Luis like he’s the sun.

There’s a connection there.

I slip my hands into my jeans’ pockets. “Can I do anything?”

Luis pats the beef with his metal flipper more like it’s a baby’s bottom than to flatten it. “We’ve got it under control. You’re a guest. Take a load off.”

Julia stands from her chair. “How are you settling in, honey? At least you’re not a stranger since you know all the boys. Though there’s no such thing exactly in Echo Valley. Which for most is nice, for some a nuisance.”

“I’m used to that. Starlight Canyon might be even smaller than Echo Valley.”

Luis shrugs. “In off-season for sure.”

Julia rocks on her heels. “I’ve heard a lot about it. Luis offered to take me there. A road trip at Christmas and the promise of sleigh rides. Count me in.”

“Yeah, Dash Hunter has a whole operation going, though it’s getting pretty touristy. Though I guess with a son-in-law who’s a Hunter, Logan can probably get you a friends and family private ride.”

Julia shakes her head. “Honestly, I’m just glad to have someone I can count on at the shop now so I can actually take a vacation.”

Kat wanders next to us with Theo.

“Speak of the devil.” Julia beams. “Or rather my savior. I’ve been chained to the tack shop for years before this one came along. I had help but nothing reliable.”

She puts an arm on Kat’s shoulder, and Kat waves her off.

Theo has an empty plate in his hand. “Papa Luis, how long for a hot dog?”

Luis pushes into a hot dog with the corner of his flipper. “I’ll sneak three off for you, Owen, and Nino to tide you boys over. But we officially eat at five. So, no filling up. I’ll call you back over in a minute.”

Everything smells like autumn and charred meat and safety. It’s the food version of home. I breathe in the beautiful surroundings, serene and full of heart.