Page 28

Marriage Vows & Margaritas

Shelby—

The thunder of motorcycles coming up the drive carries to the bathroom where I’m putting on my last bit of makeup. I’ve given myself a little swoop of a cat eye with the eyeliner, and it looks great with the black dress. I’ve kept my jewelry simple, sticking with only a pair of dangling earrings.

Grabbing the small clutch Jenny lent me, I get to the door just as Rio comes through it.

Every thought in my head goes right out when my eyes sweep over him in his black suit and stark white shirt. He looks fantastic. “Wow.”

His gaze drops to my dress. “Goddamn, woman. That is some dress. You are stunning.”

“Thank you.”

“Your hair is sexy up like that. I like it.”

I reach up and touch it. “And you look gorgeous in that suit.”

My compliment has the corner of his mouth tilting up. “You think so?” He adjusts his cuffs and looks down at himself.

“Definitely.”

He chuckles and approaches me, his hands landing on my waist to pull my body flush against his. I drink in the cologne he’s wearing.

“You smell amazing.”

“Thanks. The sales guy at the store recommended it. It’s not too much, is it?”

“It’s just right.”

He dips his head and kisses me, and my hands land on the shoulders of his suit jacket, reminding me this is a different Rio. When he pulls back, I grin.

“What?” he asks.

“Nothing, it’s just that you keep surprising me.”

“Do I?” He glances around. “Where’s Bella?”

“She’s spending the night with Jenny. They have a whole night planned. Pizza, movies, Ice cream, and in the morning, Jenny promised to take her out for a pancake breakfast.”

“The kid’s got it made.” He gives me a look with the devil in his eyes. “So, that means you’ve got the place to yourself tonight?”

“I do. And if you play your cards right, mister, I might ask you to spend the night.”

“Count on it.” He kisses me again, then tilts his head to the door. “You ready? The boys are waiting.”

“I did hear a horde of motorcycles. Does that mean your whole club is going to this wedding?”

“Yup. Eduardo invited them all.” He turns and extends his elbow. “Come on, Cinderella. Your carriage awaits.”

When we step outside, I see the guys. They’ve got their cuts on, but underneath they have what are obviously brand-new white dress shirts and new dark wash jeans.

I can’t help smiling.

Rio leads me over to his crew cab, newly washed for the occasion, and helps me up, then comes around to the driver’s side and we’re off. The club takes the lead, and we fall in behind.

They ride in tight formation, and I realize the skills that must take.

Rio takes my hand, lacing our fingers together, then kisses the back of mine. “What are you thinking about, pretty girl?”

“Just that it must take practice to ride like that.” I nod to the men in front of us.

“It does, and they’ve had years of it.” He glances at me. “Reminds me, I have to get you on the back of my bike one day soon. You ever been on a motorcycle before, Shelby?”

“Nope.”

“Good. I’d have been upset if you had.”

“Oh, you would, huh?”

“Damn straight. Last thing I want to do is think of you on the back of some other guy’s bike. I’m glad I’ll be the first.”

“Will it be just the two of us?”

“Riding, you mean? Sure, if that’s how you want it. Or is my baby up for riding in a pack?” He gives me a devilish grin.

I look at the motorcycles in front of us. It looks like so much fun. “I think I’d like that.”

“Well, well. Maybe my girl is a bit of a wild child. We’re going to have so much fun together.”

“On the motorcycle?”

“In life, angel. You were made for me. I can feel it.”

I lift a brow. “What if I don’t like riding?”

He chuckles again and grabs his chest. “Don’t break my heart.”

I giggle in return.

“Not possible. You’re going to love it. I’ve got a feeling.”

We arrive at the location, and Rio turns in under a wooden arched sign that reads Sanchez Pecans .

The stately trees are tall and planted in rows.

A sign leads us to a parking area, and in the distance, I see a big white tent set up, and between two rows of trees covered in twinkling fairy lights, I spot white wooden folding chairs and an aisle lined with lanterns and colorful flowers. More paper flowers hang from the trees.

“Oh, it’s so beautiful,” I whisper, unbuckling my seatbelt.

Rio comes around and helps me out, and the others park their bikes.

We walk toward the festivities to find guests gathered on a patio sipping on glasses of champagne. A mariachi band is playing softly.

Eduardo approaches Rio, and they shake hands.

“I’m so glad you could come, my friend.” He’s in a tux with a boutonniere on his lapel. He checks his watch. “Please, get yourself drinks. It’s almost time for me to walk my daughter down the aisle, so I must go, but I’ll see you after the ceremony.”

“Look forward to it,” Rio replies.

After Eduardo walks away, Rio grabs us each a glass of wine from the silver tray of a passing server.

I take a sip and look around. “It’s really beautiful here, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

Zig approaches. “And to think the whole place almost went up in flames.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, frowning.

He lifts a finger off his glass to point at Rio. “We were riding past and Prez signaled for us all to pull over. We all pitched in to help put out two trees that had been set on fire by some vandals. If we hadn’t been able to stop it there, all the trees for as far as you can see would have gone up.”

I look at Rio. “You did that? I didn’t know.”

He shrugs. “You see something like that, you help. It’s no big deal.”

“It was a big deal to Eduardo,” Zig adds.

A man rings a small service bell. “If you will all make your way to the ceremony space, please.”

We finish our glasses and a server comes by and collects them.

I take Rio’s arm and follow the rest of the crowd. A woman holding a basket passes out a wedding program. She’s an older Spanish woman, and she smiles at Rio and me with a twinkle in her eye. “You two make a lovely couple.”

I smile. “Thank you.”

We sit in the very last row, with Rio and I in the seats next to the aisle, and the rest of the boys next to us.

Soon, everyone is seated, and the groom and his groomsmen file in to stand at the altar next to the priest.

I lean over and whisper to Rio. “I’ve never seen a priest perform an outdoor wedding before. I thought they always had to be done in the church.”

A woman sitting in front of us turns and smiles. “The Sanchez family has had their weddings in these groves since the turn of the century when Eduardo’s great grandfather helped build the new church. They have always gotten special permission to do the ceremony on their land, like all their forefathers have done.” She winks. “It helps that they are very big donors to the church.”

“I see.”

Soon, the music starts, and several bridesmaids walk down the aisle. And then the music changes, and we all stand.

Turning, I see the bride escorted by Eduardo. She looks beautiful in a lace dress with several tiers of flounces and a long veil.

After a very long ceremony which includes full mass and communion, the couple are presented, and after kissing their parents, they walk down the aisle, looking so very happy.

At that moment, the woman in front leans back to touch my arm. “Now comes the fun part. The La Callejoneada.”

“What is that?” I ask.

“A parade similar to a Second Line that might take place in New Orleans. It takes us from here to the reception site across the grove.”

The mariachis start up and a group of six women in traditional Mexican garb with full colorful skirts, spin and dance, and escort the couple and wedding party, with all the guests following along.

Rio and I exit the row, and the rest of the club follows.

“Well, I’m in the mood to party all night,” Zig says behind us, clapping his hands and dancing along.

When we make it to the tent, an incredible party has already started.

Rio leads us over to an open bar that’s serving everything from traditional Mexican beer and tequila to margaritas.

I get a margarita, and the guys all get beer or tequila.

“You hungry?” Rio asks, leading me over to the long buffet. White-clothed tables are laden with food, including tacos, tamales, pork carnitas, chiles rellenos, enchiladas mole, and more.

“Look at all this,” I say, grabbing a plate, and passing my drink to Rio to hold.

“We’re going to find a table,” Zig says.

“Here, take these with you,” Rio says, passing him and Blue our drinks. They wander off into the crowd, and the others follow.

When our plates are filled, we find the rest of our group.

The guys are already chowing down with gusto.

“This is the best wedding I’ve ever been to,” Mauler says around a mouthful of taco. Nods of agreement from the others go up all around the table.

Eduardo makes his way from table to table, welcoming guests, and soon he’s at ours.

“How’re you holding up?” Rio asks him.

He chuckles. “I’ve barely had time for a drink.” He looks over his shoulder. “Soon I have to dance with my daughter.”

“Everything is beautiful, and your daughter is lovely,” I say.

“Thank you, my dear.” He points across the dance floor. “That bridesmaid there is her sister. Luckily, she’s only seventeen, and I won’t have to worry about her getting married anytime soon. She is forbidden to date until she is older.”

I look over and spot the girl. She is beautiful, perhaps even more so than her older sister. Glancing around the table, I see all the guys take note of her.

Eduardo pats Rio’s shoulder. “You and I should have a cigar and a drink before you leave tonight. Yes?”

“Absolutely.”

He nods and moves off to the next table.

After the couple’s first dance and the dances with their parents, the floor opens up to the rest of us.

Rio takes my hand. “Come on. I want to dance with the prettiest woman here.”

It’s a slow song, and he takes me into his arms. Muted lighting falls on us like a golden kaleidoscope, and it’s magical.

From the never-ending dancing, the lively mariachi music, to the amazing food and desserts, it’s a celebration that goes well into the night.

They cut the cake and serve it, and Eduardo makes it over to our table, with a bottle of tequila and two glasses.

Some of the guys are on the dance floor, dancing with the many available single women. I can’t help grinning, watching them.

It seems more than one lady, even some of the older ones, are taken in by their bad boy charm and apparent dancing skills.

They also seem to get along with the other men here, some of which Rio told me were Eduardo’s employees who were here the day of the fire. I can imagine they would be friendly to the men who stopped to help save the place from burning down.

When they light up cigars, I excuse myself to go find the ladies' room and exit the tent into the fresh night air. There’s a wooden boardwalk set up leading to a set of porta-potties up on a trailer. It’s quite nice. They even have a little women’s lounge set up with velvet chairs and bottles of water.

After washing my hands, I step around the wall into the lounge area to sit and adjust the strap on my heels. Three young women enter and go to the large mirror, checking their makeup.

“Did you see the younger one with the blue eyes? He danced with Luisa.”

“Did her older sister see?”

“Consuela is too preoccupied with her groom to notice what her little sister is doing.” And then her voice drops, and I strain to hear the gossip. “She snuck off with him. Did you see? They headed into the pecan groves.”

“Oh, my. What is she thinking? If her father finds out, that boy is dead.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that. Did you see who they are? Those leather vests say Saint’s Outlaws MC. They’re in a biker gang. And their president is a good friend of Eduardo. They helped with the fire.”

“Still. That is his youngest daughter. It’s an honor thing.”

“If he catches them together, this could be very bad. I don’t know what Luisa is thinking… courting such trouble.”

“She is thinking what we were all thinking,” one of the three teases with a giggle. “He is very macho.”

“Yes, that boy is gorgeous,” one sighs dreamily. “He had the prettiest blue eyes.”

Oh my God. They’re talking about Blue, the young guy who bartended at the clubhouse. I stand suddenly and pop around the wall, startling the girls who look at me with big eyes.

“I’m sorry. I heard you talking. My date is the president of the Saint’s Outlaws. I’ve got to find Luisa and Blue before they get into trouble. Can you show me which grove they headed toward?”

They look at each other, as if they’re not sure they want to rat out Luisa. Then the older one nods.

“Follow me.” She leads us outside and down a path, then points. “That grove there. They were walking down the path between the trees. They were about fifty yards in.”

Looking, I don’t see them now.

“Perhaps they returned.”

Or perhaps Blue has taken Luisa farther into the concealment of the trees.

“Thank you,” I whisper, touching the girl’s arm. “Cover for her if you are asked. I’ll do what I can to fix this.”

She nods, and I hurry down the path.

It’s dark except for the moonlit sky.

The music and laughter from the celebration fades behind me.

The farther I go, the more certain I am that they must have already returned to the tent, but a few steps more, and I hear a tinkle of feminine laughter. Pausing, I search for the sound, and see the flounce of a gown peeking out from behind the trunk of a tree up ahead.

When I reach the row of trees, Blue has the girl in his arms, and she’s smiling into his face. He lifts a hand and strokes his finger down her cheek and then lets it trail down her neck to graze along her exposed cleavage.

She cups his face and pulls him down for a kiss.

I wonder if it’s her very first kiss, and I wonder what Blue is thinking. What could have possessed him to bring Eduardo’s teenage daughter out here? Does he even know whose daughter he’s kissing or how old she is?

I hate to interrupt their romantic interlude, and I know this girl will be mortified when I do. Part of me is hoping Blue will pull her hands off him and step back, but with a glance toward the glowing tent in the distance, I’m not sure how long I can delay before someone discovers she’s missing.

I take a step, and a twig snaps under my heel.

Blue breaks off the kiss, his body stiffening when he sees me. “Shelby. What are you doing out here?”

“People are asking where she is, Blue. If Eduardo catches you with his seventeen-year-old daughter—”

Before I can say more, his sharp gaze hits Luisa. “You’re seventeen?”

“You need to escort her back before someone comes,” I say, then turn and walk away.

I’m sure they’re going to have a conversation, but I can only hope Blue heeds my warning. I pick up my pace and make it to the tent, finding Rio and Eduardo still in conversation, Zig included. With a quick glance, I see the others are still dancing.

Slipping into my chair, I lift my glass and take a sip.

Rio lays a hand on my leg, squeezing, then winks at me while Eduardo talks about some business in town, then pauses.

“Well, I’ll let you dance with your lovely lady. I’ve taken enough of your time.”

“Oh, no. Please don’t leave on my account,” I say quickly, trying to think of a way to delay him. If he stays at our table, he’s not likely to notice Luisa is not here. “Please, tell me about when your family came here and started this business.”

He smiles. “Of course. I hope it doesn’t bore you, though.”

I keep him talking for another fifteen minutes, and finally, out of the corner of my eye, I see Luisa slip inside the tent and head to her friends. A minute later, Blue returns to our table.

His eyes flick to mine, but I ignore him, feigning fascination in how pecans are harvested.

Eventually, Eduardo’s wife comes and claims him for a dance, and he excuses himself.

“You ready to go?” Rio leans to whisper.

I sip the end of my drink. “Whenever you are.”

“We’re gonna slip out, boys. Stay and enjoy yourselves. The booze is free, just don’t get so fucked up you can’t ride.”

“Never, Prez,” Mauler says.

“They’re your responsibility, VP,” Rio says, patting Zig on the shoulder.

“Great, thanks,” he mutters.

I catch Blue watching me as we say our goodbyes, and I’m sure he’s wondering if I’m going to tell Rio what I saw.