“What in the living hell is happening?” Gabriela jumped to her feet and went to the intercom. “What?”
“It’s Nana. I came to help with the packing.”
Gabriela closed her eyes as she pushed the buzzer. Her Nana was obviously confused.
“Packing?” Jeremy came up behind her and kissed the side of her neck. “I was hoping for some alone time.”
“Nana is confused. I don’t plan to pack until after you leave.” He backed away and gave her a confused look.
“What is going on, Gabriela?”
Gabriela threw her hands up. “I’m moving to Montana. I wanted to tell you in a sweet romantic way that I’ve decided to live in Missoula with you and then later at the ranch. I want to get married there too.”
“Why are you yelling?” Her Nana stood at the door. “For goodness sakes, you sound like a crazy woman.” Nana lifted a cheek for Jeremy to kiss and smiled. “Where should I start?
They ended up sharing the meal with Nana and each had a couple glasses of wine.
Nana settled onto the couch and clicked on the television. “I’ll watch my shows. You two young ones do whatever you want. I won’t hear a thing.”
“Oh my God,” Gabriela exclaimed, her face growing hot. Jeremy laughed and tugged her out to the balcony.
He stood for a long time looking across the expanse of buildings and traffic. The blares of car stereos, honking, and hammering of construction filled the air. “Sure is loud here. You must have some thick glass on the door and window to keep it out of the apartment.”
Her arms around his waist, she rested her head on his back. “I can still hear it at night, that’s why I use a noise machine.”
“I must have been too tired every night last time I was here because I don’t remember all this noise.” He chuckled at the innuendo.
“Must have.” Gabriela waited a beat. “You haven’t said anything about my decision. What do you think?”
He turned and hugged her tight. “More than anything, I want you to be happy. You are concerned about the lack of minorities in Montana, and I totally get that. Also, it’s very different than this. Not as much culture and things to do.”
She backed away and looked at him. He was so damn sexy. Wearing a button-up shirt that he’d left un-tucked over a black t-shirt, he could rock the cover of any magazine. He definitely fit into any environment, whether city or small town. Jeremy could blend anywhere, however, she’d noticed the tight lines around his mouth whenever he was in San Diego. Even while sightseeing and walking around Balboa Park, although he’d smiled, it was obvious the crowds disconcerted him.
And yet this man cared so much for her, he was willing to move to San Diego to be with her. Gabriela’s heart melted at the thought.
“I can’t believe you’d be willing to move here.”
“Why shouldn’t I?” His expression was serious.
“Because you are not in love with San Diego.”
“I’m in love with you,” he replied.
“And I am in love with both you and Montana. I crave the fresh air, the open spaces and ranch living. When I’m here, I miss you terribly, but also miss being there.”
When his lips curved, she rushed to him and pulled his face down for a kiss. The longer they kissed the harsher his breathing became, and Gabriela feared losing control.
“Get away from the edge. I’d hate to have to identify your bodies when you fall over and splat on the sidewalk,” Nana called from the door.
Gabriela groaned.
“We’ll finish this later,” Jeremy whispered into her ear.
Chapter Twelve
Jeremy enjoyed spending time with Gabriela’s family. They were warm and welcoming. Her mother, Isabela, an older version of Gabriela, reminded him of his Mom. She was easy going, soft-spoken but also not one to hold back or mince words. Gabriela’s father, Juan, was jovial and boisterous. Mr. Diaz didn’t have any problems showing affection to his children.
Juanito, Gabriela’s brother, reminded Jeremy of the actor who played Aqua man. He was taller than Jeremy by at least two inches. With long wavy shoulder length hair and football player wide shoulders, he was intimidating until flashing his ever-present wide grin. Like his father, Juanito preferred bear hugs to handshakes.
They sat at a round table in a Mexican restaurant where the waiters knew the Diaz family. Everyone was talking at once, pairing up into conversations and then switching to talk to others.
When Gabriela threw her head back and laughed at something her Nana said, Jeremy couldn’t help but wonder how hard it would be for her to be away from them.
A waiter neared with a tray of shot glasses. Jeremy eyed the bottle of tequila and let out a long sigh. Tequila was his kryptonite. No matter how little he drank, it always kicked his ass.
“For the ladies,” the server announced.
“In our family, men don’t drink tequila,” Juan said. He leaned across to talk to Jeremy. “It makes us do crazy things.”
“Me too,” Jeremy admitted and they both laughed.
Everyone lifted their glasses. “To Gabriela and Jeremy, may they be happy in Montana,” Mr. Diaz toasted.
Gabriela threw back the shot of tequila and smiled. “I can’t wait for everyone to come and hang out in Missoula.”
“Are there any single senior men in Montana?” Nana asked as she put her shot glass down. “I think it would be a good place for me to retire.”
“You moved here to retire, Mama,” Juan reminded her.
Nana scoffed. “Retired people can move around. It’s one of the perks.”
A few hours later, totally spent Jeremy lay sprawled across the bed with Gabriela’s head on his chest. The sounds of traffic permeated, and he couldn’t help but frown at the sound of sirens growing progressively louder until the emergency vehicle went past and the sounds began to fade.
It would have been an adjustment for him. There was so much concrete where Gabriela lived. However, once they drove a few miles out of the city, the scenery did change.
They’d discussed neighboring
