“Thank you.” I look away, not used to being showered with compliments, but I’m finding it easier to accept after spending time with Trace’s family.

  Although they tease one another relentlessly, there’s so much love and uplifting one another that nothing else that’s said matters. They’re what every family should be, though many somehow miss the mark.

  Mrs. Caldo squeezes me from behind almost to the point of pain, which shocks me because she’s a little thing. “My heart is so full.”

  We’ve grown close over the last six months. She’s filled some of the hole left by my mother’s death, stepping into the role like she was always meant to be there. She’s taken me under her wing, much to Trace’s dismay. He says we’re a terrible twosome—his words, not mine.

  We’ve gone on shopping trips at least once a month with my two sisters-in-law. When the four of us get together—watch out world—it gets loud.

  I never thought this would be my life. I pictured myself being alone or at least lonely until my very last breath. I never imagined my world would be filled with so many people. New grandparents, who are the best on the planet…two pairs. But we see Mrs. and Mr. Gallo every single weekend, which I look forward to too. Tons of aunts and uncles, and don’t even get me started on cousins.

  I’m also an aunt, something I figured would never be possible since Sean swore he’d never have a child because he didn’t want to pass on our family bullshit.

  “I’ll go check on Trace and the guys. I’ll be back in a few minutes to walk you down the aisle,” Mr. Caldo says to me as he slips a hand around his wife’s waist and then turns his attention to her.

  “Thank you,” I tell him.

  He places his mouth next to her ear. “Don’t cry too much, baby. It’s a happy day.”

  “I know,” she says, lifting her cheek to meet his lips. “I promise I won’t be too bad.”

  “Your lips to God’s ears,” he whispers against her skin.

  I stare at them, watching as they’re tender and sweet to each other. The love they share is something I always wanted but never thought was possible. He worships the ground she walks on, and she takes care of him like she was put here to make sure he survives. They’re a powerful duo, and I hope Trace and I can have the same amount of happiness.

  “Go,” she tells him, pushing him away with her shoulder. “I need to speak to my daughter.”

  My entire body warms at her words. She makes sure to call me that at every opportunity. She asked me first, of course, and I said I would be honored. She shared with me her struggles through pregnancy, and although she loves her three boys, she always wanted a girl. Now, she has three.

  “Ten minutes max,” he tells me before stepping out of the room.

  “Are you okay?” she asks.

  I shake my hands and jostle between my feet. “I’m so nervous.”

  “Why?” She reaches out, taking my hands in hers. “You two were already married. He’s a sure thing, babe.”

  I smile at her, knowing she’s right, but it doesn’t make the nerves go away. “I don’t know. The thought of everyone looking at me.”

  “Ah,” she whispers with a smile. “It’ll be fine. There isn’t a person out there who doesn’t love you and Trace. They’re thinking good thoughts, and they’re going to be drooling over how stunning you are in that dress.”

  I picked an off-the-shoulder, knee-length dress that poofs out at the hips with layers of lace. It’s closer to something Cyndi Lauper would’ve worn back in the day than a traditional wedding dress. It felt right because nothing about our relationship has followed the norm. But where Cyndi would wear a loud color, I’m still wearing white.

  “They’re going to think I’m a little off,” I tell her, laughing a little bit. “I mean, look at me. All I’m missing is some teased hair.”

  She laughs too and spins me around to the mirror. “Listen, we’re all a little off in the head. What fun is it being normal? I’d rather take my last breath than be boring. Our family is not going to think anything negative about you or that dress. They’re beyond damn happy that our family is growing and that you’re our newest member for the second time.”

  “Thank you,” I say softly, but I turn around, needing to speak to her face and not her reflection.

  “For what, babe? I’m only speaking the truth, and you already knew everything I just said.”

  “For being here. For loving me. For accepting me. For always making me feel welcome and wanted. You could’ve turned your back on me when you found out who my father was, but…”

  She shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I don’t care what man’s sperm was used in your creation. That has no bearing on who you are as a person. I see the way my son’s face lights up when you walk in the room. I see the serenity in his soul that I’d never witnessed before and feared I never would. I see the way you’ve given him a purpose for being alive that he always tried to fill in ways that never make a mother proud. But you brought that into his life. All a mother could want is to see her children happy, healthy, and thriving, and before you, I was afraid I’d never see the day with Trace. But boom! You.”

  “I don’t think I should take the credit for that.”

  She grabs my hands again and squeezes my fingers. “Baby, you’re the entire reason. Never doubt that. My son was as unsettled as they come until that day. You stuck your neck out, you rescued him from possible death. What mother wouldn’t love a woman who risked her life to save her youngest baby?”

  I shrug. I’m pretty sure my own father wouldn’t, but I keep that to myself. “My life is fuller with you in it, too. I knew I missed so much when my mother died, but the hole she left isn’t as big as it once was. You’ve given me more than I could ever give you, Mrs. Caldo.”

  She tilts her head, raising an eyebrow. “Izzy, Ana. Mrs. Caldo is James’s mother, not me. I’d love if someday you’d call me Ma or Mom or whatever, but I know those terms may be too much for you right now. Maybe in time.” She pulls me in for a hug. “I love you, Ana.”

  My embrace is tighter than normal. I’m on the verge of tears, but they’re filled with happiness. I wish I could bottle up all the goodness of this day and keep it with me forever. “I love you, Ma,” I tell her, meaning every single word. I love her as much as I’ve ever loved another human being besides her son.

  She pulls back, her eyes wide. “Did you… You did. Fuck,” she says, releasing me from the hug, and starts to wave her hands in front of her eyes. “I will not cry. I will not cry.” She repeats the words, trying to keep the water that’s sitting on her lids from falling. “My makeup will never last beyond the ceremony.”

  “Mine either.”

  “Ready?” Mr. Caldo says, sticking his head around the door. “The guys are lined up and waiting on the beach and the women by the pool area.”

  “This is it,” she says to me before turning toward her husband.

  His eyes search her face, zooming right in on her tears. “Doll, what did I tell you?”

  “She called me Ma,” she says softly, her voice quavering.

  “Fuck,” he hisses. “There’s no stopping them now.” He reaches into his pocket, fishing out a white cloth. “Keep this with you, baby. You’re going to need it more than me.”

  She takes the hanky from him, dabbing near her eyes. “You’re a softy too, big guy.”

  He smiles down at her, brushing some of the hair away from her face. “Yeah, but I’m not crying today. Today’s a day to rejoice. The last one is hitched. Our job is over.”

  She smacks his chest and shakes her head. “Our job is never over.”

  He sighs. “I suppose you’re right. I can dream about it for a little while, though.”

  “I’ll go out. Chin up. You’ve got this, baby girl,” Izzy says before walking out of the room, leaving me with Mr. Caldo.

  “You did good,” he says to me as soon as we’re alone.

  “With?”

  “You made her day. No, wait—” he shakes his head and smirks “—maybe her whole year, by calling her Ma. She’s been waiting for that moment, hoping it would come.”

  “I wanted her to know it means something to me. You two have been more than I ever could’ve asked for or dared to dream about.”

  “You’re good people, Ana. I couldn’t have picked a more perfect match for my son. You two make each other happy, and that’s all I ever wanted for him.”

  If my father were a different man, he’d be here saying those words to me. But I haven’t spoken to him since the day he dropped off the annulment papers and we had words. I don’t think we’ll ever have a relationship. I refuse to let such a toxic person into my life again, and I don’t see him ever changing.

  “I love your son.”

  “He loves you. Now,” he says, rubbing his hands together. “You ready to go? Anything else?”

  I turn around and grab my bouquet of lilies. “I’m all set.”

  He holds out his arm to me, and I stick my hand through, clutching his large arm. “Thank you for making this day as easy as it’s been. I don’t know what I’d do if…”

  He peers down at me with his deep eyes, every bit as striking as his son. “You’ll never be alone again,” he tells me. And for some reason, I know what he says is the truth. “I will always be here for you, and so will the rest of the family. I wasn’t born into the group, but they’re every bit as much my family now as they are yours. I’m gaining a daughter today. And truth be told, although I loved raising sons, my life didn’t feel right until you three women became part of us.”

  “I don’t know what I did to get so lucky.”

  “You’re good people, Ana,” he repeats, “Don’t ever forget that.”

  Mr. Caldo opens the door, ushering me into the hallway of the house, with the private beach on the other side of the glass. All my bridesmaids are waiting by the pool, wearing their dresses that I let them pick out. I wanted everything to be fun and casual. I spent my life around uptight people, and I refuse to let it follow me into the future.

  The music starts playing, and the girls are on the move, walking slowly down the aisle before my feet ever hit the cement.

  “Remember to breathe,” Mr. Caldo says to me, walking slowly and no doubt feeling my body trembling. “Try to be present in the moment so you can remember this day for the rest of your life.”

  “I’m going to try,” I tell him, plastering a smile on my face as we turn the corner to the aisle.

  At the end, standing with the priest, the same man who married us before, is my husband, dressed in a white button-down shirt and tan linen pants. Unlike most grooms, the man stands barefoot in the sand with the biggest smile on his face, and he hasn’t even seen me yet.

  But when our eyes lock, his entire body rocks backward, and his smile gets bigger. His gaze never leaves me as we make our way down the aisle with everyone looking at me. I block them out, though, and only look at my husband to keep my panic from boiling over.

  “Son,” Mr. Caldo says as soon as we’re in front of Trace.

  “Dad.” Trace dips his chin at his dad, only looking at him for the briefest of moments as his father gives my hand to him.

  “You look amazing,” Trace says to me. “If we weren’t here, I’d rip…”

  “Tone it down, cowboy. There are all these people here,” I say through my toothy smile, trying to hide what I’m saying and a little bit mortified.

  He pulls me toward him, plastering my body to his, and plants the biggest kiss on my lips. He’s breaking all the rules of the ceremony, but then again, we never do anything right, and it’s worked for us so far.

  The crowd erupts with a cheer, always by our side and on our side for everything.

  The priest clears his throat, clearly not as excited about our breaking from tradition.

  “Sorry, Father Murphy,” Trace tells him, backing away from me but leaving me breathless.

  “Don’t be sorry, son. It’s a happy day, and you love her.”

  “I do,” Trace tells him. “More than my own life.”

  Father Murphy smiles, genuinely happy for me. “You’re still married in the eyes of God. No paper can change that,” he reassures us. “This is for your family.”

  “And for us,” Trace tells him. “The first time was a shock, but this time, I plan to celebrate my ass off.”

  Father’s eyebrows shoot up.

  “Sorry. I’ll watch my words.”

  Father Murphy laughs. “I’ve heard worse at the rectory.”

  This time, Trace’s eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”

  “You two can catch up later.” I smile, peering over the now-quiet crowd.

  “We are gathered here today,” Father Murphy starts to say as Trace squeezes my fingers with the brightest smile.

  He’s mine…now and forever.

  Thank you for reading Trace & Ana’s story in Torch. The Gallos aren’t over yet. Read INFERNO now and watch Stone Gallo fall heard for a woman he never expects. He has a protective streak as big as his…attitude. Their love story is one funny, sexy, wild ride.

  INFERNO - HEATWAVE #12

  Stone Gallo has lived life like every day is a party. No attachments, no responsibilities, and absolutely no falling in love. He spent his days at Inked and his nights wherever he pleased. But when Stone rescues a beautiful woman in need, his entire world gets turned upside down, and he’ll never be the same.

  Opal hasn’t had much luck in life. No family, no friends, and absolutely no love. But when a handsome tattoo artist steps in and saves her from a horrible situation, her entire world changes. She's immediately sucked in by his charming family, wanting nothing more than to be one of them, but knows it’s not in the cards for her…it never is.

  But when fate steps in, they can’t stop what’s coming—Stone and Opal sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g…

  Tap here to read INFERNO now!

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  OPEN ROAD SERIES

  Book 1 - Broken Sparrow (Morris)

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