Though Stanley Alvarez tried to dodge, the feather duster still landed twice on his legs. The sting sobered him up a good deal."Auntie, Uncle just had a bit too much to drink."Joseph stepped in on Stanley’s behalf."Drunk or not, you can’t talk nonsense!"Madeline fumed."Serves you right."Mason shot her father a look."Hic!"Stanley let out a hearty burp."I think we’ve had enough. It’s getting late. Auntie, I’ll tidy up—then everyone can turn in."Joseph offered."No need. I’ll do it.""Take a breather and then go shower."Madeline waved him off at once."Let me. You’ve been busy all day."Joseph insisted."I haven’t—you have. It’s your first time here, how can we let you do everything?""Besides, we two old folks can still move. Housework isn’t for you youngsters.""Go on, go do you

But the moment his eyes opened, Joseph squeezed them shut again. He shifted lazily, turned onto his side with his back to Mason Alvarez, and feigned sleep.“Still pretending?”Sensing his movement, Mason didn’t let up. She pressed herself against him, slipping an arm around him from behind.The warm, silken softness against his back, mingled with Mason’s intoxicating scent, sent Joseph’s blood racing in an instant. He let out a quiet breath, then turned to face her.“Ms. Alvarez…”By the thin spill of moonlight sneaking through the curtain, he could just make out the exquisite lines of her face. A delicate blush colored her cheeks, and the sight stole his breath.Heat crept up Joseph’s own face. He was barely keeping himself in check—like a levee straining under a flood, weakening as the waters rose, threatening to break at any moment.“I knew you weren’t asleep.”Mason’s gaze softened as it met his, then she tucked her head a little deeper under the quilt, shy yet expectant.“Ms. Alv

“Because she slept well last night. That’s why she looks so fresh.”Joseph answered.“How do you know she slept well, son-in-law?”Stanley looked over at him.“Were you watching her sleep?”Madeline turned to Joseph too.“No—we slept together. She told me this morning she slept well.”Joseph hurried to explain.“I see.”Stanley and Madeline exchanged a meaningful glance.“Dad, Mom, why are you two so nosy?”Mason rolled her eyes.“Nosy? We’re just curious.”Madeline protested.“Eat your breakfast.”“Dad, when you’re done, go to Uncle Castillo’s and bring the keys back.”Mason looked at Stanley.“Oh, right, sure. No rush.”Stanley agreed readily.“What do you mean, no rush? Where’s he going to sleep tonight?”Mason snapped, glancing from her father to Joseph.Joseph, for his part, was focused on his food. Mason suspected he’d burned through a lot of energy last night. Then again, it made sense—he’d started all polite and restrained, but later he’d drawn the bow and let it fly, working

"Toby Dristan, are you out of your mind? Did you not hear a word I said?"At that moment, Pauline Alvarez came charging up, fuming."A life’s at stake. I’m begging you."Toby was beside himself with urgency."Sob… it’s Auntie Mason Alvarez. I’ll go get Auntie Mason Alvarez!"The little girl ran from the crowd in tears, heading toward Mason Alvarez’s house.After two minutes of sprinting, she reached the door and pounded on it with all her might."Third Grandpa! Third Grandma! Waaaah!"Her small fists thudded against the wood. Moments later, the door swung open."Hannah, what’s wrong with you?"asked Madeline Castillo."Third Grandma, my brother fell in the water—he was just pulled out! They told me to get Auntie Mason Alvarez!""Hurry, please, hurry—my brother’s going to die!"The girl swiped at her tears as she spoke."Old man, call Mason! Now—quickly!"Madeline panicked, and Stanley Alvarez fumbled for his phone at once."Auntie, Uncle—what’s going on?"Another voice came from insid

Pauline Alvarez stood blocking the doorway. Outside, Toby Dristan, soaked to the bone and bedraggled, faced her."Pauline, you matter to me. But that was a human life—and your eldest uncle’s grandson at that.""In a moment like that, I couldn’t just stand by. My father raised me on justice, integrity, and compassion. Every teacher and mentor I’ve had taught me to save lives and help the wounded.""The way I was brought up doesn’t allow me to be cold-blooded.""When I chose to become a doctor, I stood under my seniors’ guidance and swore the Hippocratic Oath. Saving lives is a promise for life."Toby exhaled and spoke to Pauline with patient calm."Oh, so now you want to give me a lecture?""How many times have I told you? Home is not where you come to argue logic.""Idiot straight man. And you think you deserve a girlfriend?""Get lost. This is my house."She slammed the door, leaving Toby alone in the courtyard."What’s a straight man? If this is what it means, I guess I’ll be one fo