Free Belong to You by Cheyenne McCray Page A

because she was like one to him and her aunt.
    “Are you staying for refreshments?” Aunt Maria asked Chad. “I brought my tres leches cake, Anna’s favorite.”
    Anna held her breath, hoping Chad would say no.
    Chad looked at Anna and smiled. “I would love to.”
    Anna swallowed. “Why don’t we go before all of the cake is gone?”
    Uncle Tito chuckled. “Maria’s cakes are popular.”
    Maria gave an approving smile, as if she thought Chad was there because he was interested in her in a romantic way.
    Trying to look relaxed, Anna hooked her arm in her aunt’s with Josie taking her opposite hand. Tears pushed at the backs of Anna’s eyes and she struggled to keep a single tear from falling. This was her family, the people she loved, and Chad was threatening them to blackmail her.
    Refreshments were always in a large basement room at the back of the church. Anna wasn’t hungry but took a piece of her aunt’s cake and ate it so that her aunt wouldn’t worry that she was ill. Heaven forbid that Anna imply she wasn’t feeling well. Aunt Maria would be mothering her the rest of the day.
    When Aunt Maria and Uncle Tito were occupied, talking with friends, Anna turned to find Chad standing behind her. He was holding a paper cup filled with punch and he took a drink while his eyes met hers.
    “What are you doing here?” she demanded in a low tone.
    He lowered his cup. “Just making sure you’re doing what I asked you to.” He gave such a fake smile that she wanted to slap him.
    “I’m doing what you are blackmailing me to do.” She clenched one hand into a fist, the other holding the plate with what was left of her cake. “Stay away from my family.”
    “Blackmail?” He raised his brows. “All I did was ask you to get in good with Sheriff McBride.”
    “That’s a load of—” She took a deep breath and let it out. “Call it whatever you want, but you know it is blackmail.”
    “As long as you know I’m serious, we’re fine.” Chad gave a shrug of one shoulder. “Make sure you update me regularly.” He drank from his punch cup.
    She really, really wanted to slap him. Instead she gritted her teeth then said, “I went out with him yesterday. I’ll start working on his campaign on Monday.”
    “I’m impressed.” Chad smiled and nodded. “You’re working faster than I expected. Look what can be accomplished when you’re properly motivated.”
    She thought seriously about smashing the rest of her cake into his face but managed to restrain herself. “I’ll be in touch if I learn anything that might be of use to you.” She said the last words with distaste.
    “Good.” Chad tossed his empty paper cup into a nearby garbage can. “I’ll plan on talking with you soon.”
    Anna clenched her jaw as she watched him wend his way through the crowded room.
    “Is something wrong, hija ?” Aunt Maria laid her hand on Anna’s arm.
    Anna fixed a smile on her face and faced her aunt. “Not at all. I’m just a little tired. I had a long day and evening yesterday.”
    “You should rest when we get home,” Maria said.
    With a shake of her head, Anna put her hand over her aunt’s. “I’m fine. I’m going to help with Sunday dinner as usual.”
    Maria raised her other hand and patted Anna’s. “Are you ready to go home?”
    “Yes.” Anna felt some relief as her aunt let her concern slide. “Is everyone else set to go?”
    Maria nodded toward the door. “Tito is waiting with mis hijos outside,” she said, referring to Uncle Tito and her children. Even though Maria preferred to speak English, she would slip into Spanish at times.
    Once they were in Anna’s Honda and left the church, they reached home in no time. For dinner, Maria and Anna made homemade flour tortillas along with carnitas, a tender and juicy fried pork; arroz con frijoles negro , which was black beans and rice; and pico de gallo , a traditional salsa. It was a simple dinner, but Uncle Tito’s favorite.
    As they ate dinner,