Page 6 of Serving my Dragon (The Dragocracy Chronicles #2)

Chapter Four

“Mama! No!” I hollered as I dove for Pollita. I scooped up the lizard as Mama magically produced a broom and aimed it menacingly.

“What are you doing, mijo?” A confused Mama eyed me cradling Pollita.

“Mama, meet my new pet, Pollita.”

I never thought my mother’s eyes could get so big. “That is not a pet.”

“I beg to differ.”

We’d been arguing thus far in Spanish and Kayleigh cleared her throat. “Hello, Matias’ mom. I didn’t realize you’d be coming over. Can I make you a sandwich?”

The comment drew the attention from Pollita and I readied for the fireworks as Mama’s gaze narrowed. In heavily accented English she spat, “Who are you? Why are you in my boy’s house?”

“Hi. I’m Kayleigh.” My guest held out her hand and didn’t seem daunted by the fact Mama ignored it.

“Matias rescued me from the canyon, which I thank the lord for because I don’t know how I ended up there on account of I seem to have injured myself which resulted in me losing my memories, and when I ran into him, like a hero, he offered to help while I figure out how to get home. ”

The rapid-fire explanation widened Mama’s eyes even further to the point I worried they might fall out.

In case Mama hadn’t followed the entire thing, I summarized.

“Kayleigh has amnesia, according to the doctor. Since she had no wallet or passport and nowhere to go, I offered to let her stay with me.” I didn’t bother explaining that she’d technically invited herself.

Then again, even if she hadn’t, my conscious wouldn’t have allowed me to abandon her.

“You invited a stranger to live with you?” Mama exclaimed.

“Well, I couldn’t exactly abandon her in the street, and since the police have no report of a missing tourist?—”

“You called?” Kayleigh interrupted.

“Yes. No one has filed anything. The person I spoke with said it’s possible you weren’t expected back yet, hence why no one reported you missing. I also left a message at the embassy while you were cooking.”

Kayleigh’s lips curved. “Thank you so much for doing that.”

As we spoke, Mama’s head bobbed as if at a tennis match. “She’s wearing your shirt,” Mama stated in Spanish. “And her hair is wet.”

I replied in English. “Because, as I said, she’s lost all her things. I let her borrow some of my clothes.”

Mama’s face pinched as she switched languages. “This woman is not your novia ?”

“No, she’s not my girlfriend. I am simply helping her out.”

“By letting her cook?” Mama’s gaze narrowed.

“I offered,” Kayleigh interjected. “I love making food. My mom taught me how at a young age and it was the least I could do for Matias after all he’s done for me.”

“Mijo is a good boy. Always helping. You are Americana?”

Kayleigh nodded. “Yes. Born and raised in Ohio.”

“What is your job?” A strange question for my mom to ask.

“Kindergarten teacher. I just love kids,” Kayleigh gushed. “I can’t wait to have a few of my own.”

Mama’s gaze turned appraising, and I began to worry, especially considering the next question. “You are married?”

“Not that I recall, and I doubt I got hitched in the two months I’m missing memory-wise. I was engaged once years ago but that didn’t work out.” Seeing Kayleigh’s crestfallen expression, I wanted to punch the guy who’d made her sad.

Mama’s gaze turned to the half-eaten sandwiches. “Store-bought bread,” she uttered with a disdainful sniff.

Poor Kayleigh sounded apologetic as she said, “Not the best, I know. I usually prefer to make it from scratch.” In an almost conspiratorial whisper, Kayleigh added, “Matias has got, like, no ingredients in his kitchen.”

“Because he is bad at cooking. I make his food until he finds a wife.” Mama suddenly smiled and my trepidation doubled. “You will come to dinner.”

I quickly protested, “No need, Mama. I bought steaks.”

Wrong reply.

Mama’s gaze fixed me.

That was all.

I muttered, “We’ll be there.”

“Good. I will make your favorite even if you are a terrible son who doesn’t let his mother know he’s returned early from his trip with a guest.”

I knew better than to ask what my favorite dish was. Mama had her own ideas about my preferences depending on her mood. In her defense, I loved it all. Still, her commandeering manner in front of Kayleigh brought out a bit of rebellion in me.

“Can I bring Pollita?” I purposely asked to antagonize Mama despite knowing the reply. It worked.

“No lizard in my house,” Mama huffed.

“Then I don’t know if we can come. Pollita needs to eat too. Maybe we will stay here and have the steaks.”

Mama’s lips pinched. “You would choose the lizard over me?”

“I can’t exactly let her starve.” I rubbed Pollita under the chin and she could have been a cat the way she tucked into me and practically purred.

The muttering in Spanish was followed in grudging English by, “I will send you home with a plate for the creature.”

A compromise that proved acceptable. “Then we’ll be there.”

“You’d better.” With that warning, Mama swept out.

Kayleigh smiled. “I like your mom.”

I just about choked.

“I wonder if she’d mind if I brought over a dessert. I make a mean pie.”

Bring food to Mama’s as if she couldn’t provide? Mama would hate it. Would hate Kayleigh. “That sounds like a great idea.” Because such a crime would ensure Mama’s matchmaking gleam fizzled.

We finished our meal, with Pollita getting a second sandwich because she made big, liquid, begging eyes at Kayleigh who exclaimed, “Oh you’re such a cutie. Are you still hungry?”

After our meal, we crafted an email to her friend, using my account to send it since Kayleigh knew her email but couldn’t recall the password.

We kept the message simple.

Hey, Sally. It’s me, Kayleigh. Do you know why I’m Peru?

I’ve had an accident and can’t remember anything since August. I seem to have misplaced my passport, wallet, and phone as well.

I am fine, although wondering how I ended up here.

I’m currently staying with a friend while I try to figure out how to get back to Ohio.

I might need you to hit my apartment to dig out my birth certificate and anything else the embassy needs to get me on a flight home.

No need to worry about me. I’m great. Matias has been so kind. Can’t wait to hear from you.

BFFs forever,

Kayleigh

The moment I hit send, I groaned. “We should have probably added my phone number.”

“Not to worry. We’ll just include it when Sally replies.”

“Sounds good. Now since you’ll be here at least for the night, let me show you where you’ll be sleeping. I have a second bedroom. Nothing fancy, but the sheets on the bed are clean. There is also a dresser for clothing. We can go shopping for some stuff, if you like.”

Before Kayleigh could reply, a knock at the door turned out to be my cousins Sophia and Emilia walking in, the latter holding baby Tito on her hip.

“What’s this? Tía Lola says you have a lady guest,” Sophia exclaimed in Spanish.

“English, please. And yes, it’s true.”

It didn’t take long to do the introductions and for Kayleigh to end up holding the baby, cooing. Mama had sent them over with clothing because apparently my t-shirt and shorts weren’t acceptable. Had to give Mama credit for working so fast.

Kayleigh exclaimed in delight and gushed over their generosity. When my cousins heard she wanted to make a pie, they waited for Kayleigh to change before taking her to the bodega to do a second grocery shop.

The house felt strangely empty once she left. I turned on the television and sat with Pollita in my lap. My many glances out the window had nothing to do with watching for Kayleigh’s return.

When she did appear, I popped quickly to my feet to help her carry in the bags.

My cousins didn’t stay long and indicated they’d see us at dinner.

Kayleigh began to work on the pie. Two of them, as it turned out.

Each was baked with different fruits and made my mouth water as the scent of them filled my home.

I found it odd my cousins hadn’t warned Kayleigh that Mama hated anyone encroaching on what she considered her domain.

Perhaps they didn’t like her and their smiles and laugher had been faked.

That would be more subtle than usual. Most times, when I introduced them to someone new, they refused to speak at all.

My family had very distinct ideas on who I should spend time with.

By the time the pies had cooled, the time had come to head over for dinner. We ensured Pollita had a big snack, which I placed on the living room table in front of the television I’d left playing. This time my lizard didn’t protest when she saw me leaving.

I’d showered and changed, as had Kayleigh who wore a colorful frock and sandals. She looked quite lovely.

Too lovely. I did my best to ignore it.

My uncles didn’t. The moment we walked in, I smelled trouble.

No surprise, the whole family had gathered and filled Mama’s walled garden.

While the inside of her house might be tight, the yard could comfortably fit the almost twenty people present and had a long wooden table lined with benches for dining.

Kayleigh handed over a pie, while I held the other. “I hope you don’t mind. I brought some dessert. My mom always used to say never show up empty-handed.”

I waited for Mama to blast her and dump them in the trash.

Instead, Mama smiled. “That is very kind of you. The crust on these looks wonderful.”

I blinked. Had someone drugged Mama? That had to be the explanation, for my mother tucked her arm around Kayleigh’s and dragged her around the garden to introduce her to everyone.

My aunts exclaimed over her blonde hair, especially once they realized it came naturally.

My uncles ogled her and nudged me. My cousins chatted with her while the children decided Kayleigh had the perfect lap for climbing in.

It discomfited because only rarely had someone new been introduced to the family and then been accepted so quickly.

My family were good people, but they didn’t usually tend to show so much openness and compassion for strangers in need.

No one hinted that I should think about dating my new friend, and everyone loved the pies. Even Mama.

It might have helped that Kayleigh gushed over Mama’s cooking and asked if Mama could teach her how to make those “ridiculously delicious” tamales. To my shock, Mama didn’t trot out her usual excuse of secret family recipe and she hugged Kayleigh as we were leaving.

Me, I got handed some bags with leftovers, Mama muttering, “For that creature.”

Looked like I remained the bad son for adopting a lizard.

We strolled home, Kayleigh with her hand tucked on my bicep. Blame the beer with dinner for making me mellow and enjoying it. When we reached my house, Kayleigh paused before going inside.

“Thank you for a lovely evening.” She leaned up and brushed her lips on my cheek and set my blood on fire.

My uncles would have screamed at me to kiss her properly. Being a gentleman, I simply replied, “I’ll be sure to let Mama know you enjoyed it.”

“Your mama is an epic cook. That meal was so delicious,” Kayleigh exclaimed as we entered the house to hear the television still playing.

“I always told her she should have been a chef instead of a seamstress.”

“She can sew too? So jealous. I can cook but that’s about the only thing I can do with my hands. It’s a good thing I teach kindergarten because even my art skills are meh.” Said with a giggle.

“I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

“You obviously have never seen my stick people drawings.” More laughter followed before Kayleigh kicked off her shoes and sang, “Polly, baby, we’re home.”

“And we have food.” I added. Probably unnecessarily as the bags I carried emitted a savory scent.

A lizard head popped up over the back of the couch, and in perfect Spanish Pollita said, “Ya es hora de que me muera de hambre.”