Island Affair (Keys to Love #1)(52)
Despite having grown up here, Luis seemed to enjoy playing tourist with them, adding commentary from a local Conch’s perspective during their train ride. When they’d hopped off the bright yellow cab with its black rooftop to explore Ernest Hemingway’s house and the historic Key West Lighthouse, he even accepted her challenge to march up all eighty-eight steps of the lighthouse after admitting he’d never been to the top.
Later, at the aquarium, he’d filled in as their tour guide, providing info on the animals in the touch tank. Robin had peppered him with questions about the conchs, sea urchins, sea stars, and other animals they had the chance to hold. Even Sara’s brainiac sister had been impressed with the conservation facts Luis had provided for many of the other area fish and wildlife.
Sara’s family genuinely liked him. Maybe a little too much. That would make it harder when the time came to announce their breakup. For now though, she refused to think about that.
While her brother continued regaling the kids with stories about their day, Sara tugged open the fridge in search of some sparkling water. Over the conversation inside, she heard a rumbling clatter, like the tumble of clay pieces clashing against each other.
Following the sound, she stepped to the large window alcove that opened to the outdoor patio dining area. Seated at the wooden table, Luis, her parents, and Edward were selecting dominoes from a pile spread between them. During the rare times her family was all together, they usually played cards or Trivial Pursuit. Robin always chose the latter because she kicked butt at it. If Jonathan’s kids had been here, Pretty Pretty Princess or Candyland would have been on the game menu, too.
“Once you’ve picked your seven pieces,” Luis explained, “whoever has the double six starts the game, then play moves to their left.”
He continued with the instructions, explaining that partners sat across from each other. This meant Luis teamed up with Sara’s mother, while Edward and her dad were a pair. Ruth grinned like the cat who ate the last of the delicious sautéed shrimp dinner they’d enjoyed earlier, thanks to a local restaurant’s delivery service.
“Honey, you should come listen to the rules,” Edward called to Robin, who along with Carolyn lay reading a book in one of the loungers next to the pool. “I think the counting and strategizing will appeal to you.”
Sara bit back a smirk. Of course, the mental agility aspect would draw her sister over, not necessarily the camaraderie.
“So, you grew up playing dominoes then?” her mom asked Luis.
He nodded, his big hands deftly situating his pieces, resting them on their long side facing him. “It’s how my brothers, sister, and I first learned addition. At every family gathering, there’s at least one domino table set up. My abuela was a champion. As a kid, my younger brother avoided partnering with her because she used to get upset if he wound up distracted by the TV and missed a key move. She was a fierce competitor, and pretty amazing person all-around.”
The love he felt for his abuela rang in his deep voice. It was evident in the soft smile curving his lips and the faraway look in his eyes as he stared at the dominoes, lost in his memories.
Sara noticed his use of was and she wanted to ask him about his grandmother. He hadn’t shared much more about his family other than basic details to help with their charade. Not even a family photo. She’d only met his younger brother. By mistake. There was no reason why she’d meet any of the others. No reason other than her keen interest in all things Luis Navarro related. And the familia that reminded her of Mamá Alicia’s.
The image of her beloved nanny flashed in Sara’s mind. Diminutive yet firm when a reprimand was needed, which hadn’t been often. Watchful dark eyes and jet-black, later gray-streaked, hair she wore in her signature sleek bun. The lilt of her Mexican heritage dancing through her Spanish, heavily accenting her English. Sara liked to think Mamá Alicia and Luis’s abuela were probably looking down on them all right now. If so, Sara figured the two older women would be shaking their heads at Luis and Sara’s ruse. Although, after her family’s fun-filled day and the sun-kissed color on her mother’s thin face, Sara had a hard time seeing the error of her ways.
Twisting the cap off her bottle of sparkling water, Sara strolled out to the back patio, feeling oddly at peace around her family. Mostly thanks to Luis, whose calm demeanor seemed to rub off on all of them. Including her.
Robin and Carolyn left their lounge chairs to join everyone at the table. Her sister-in-law stepped around one of the citronella candles dangling on a hook at the top of a waist-high metal stake stuck into the soil near her lounger. Several others dotted the perimeter of the raised porch, while two more candles burned in the sitting area. Orange flames flickered inside the dark glass orbs cradling the candles.
A light breeze blew away the heat and humidity of the day. While the sun’s last rays poked through the tree branches, splaying wispy shadows and light across the backyard oasis.
“Is Jonathan still talking to the kids?” Carolyn asked, motioning with her head toward the kitchen alcove. “I don’t know which one of us feels worse about not bringing them along. But couple time is hard to come by these days.”
Sara’s brother appeared in the large window, holding the phone out toward them. “Say bye to everyone!”
Good-byes and talk-to-you-soons and a “Mommy loves you” from Carolyn chimed in a raucous farewell to the little ones; then Jonathan hung up.