“It’s getting late in the year,” she said. “When it starts to snow, it’s a lot harder to get into town. I like to stock up, just in case we get snowed in.”

“Snowed in?” he asked incredulously, unpacking cans from the bags and stacking them on the counter. “Like Little House on the Prairie?”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Most places have this thing called winter, Ángel. The county snowplows don’t come all this way. Unpack that bag next. We sometimes get trapped for a while. Have you ever seen snow?”

“Of course I’ve seen snow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a snowplow, though.”

He pulled a plastic jar of instant coffee powder out of the bag and dropped it on the counter as though it were hot. “¡Ñooo!” he cried theatrically, clutching his hair. “¿Ai, señora, qué has hecho?”

“Now, Ángel,” she said sternly, “there’s nothing wrong with instant coffee—”

“¡Mierda de perro!”

“And it’s cheaper than these beans,” she said, plopping a fat bag of dark-roast espresso beans on the counter, “and you don’t need one of these to make it!” She tossed a moka pot into the air, and he caught it, laughing.

“And if you were smart you’d stick with tea,” she went on, shaking her finger at him. “It’s full of antioxidants and flavonoids—”

“You are going to love my coffee.” He grabbed her hands and began foxtrotting her around the kitchen. “You’ll never touch tea again.”

She clearly didn’t know the dance, but she was tiny and pliable, and she laughed as he whirled her around. He dipped her extravagantly, and she squeaked.

That’s when he spotted Oberon leaning in the kitchen doorway, watching them. Ángel jumped like a scalded cat, almost dropping Lily to the floor and staggering away from them both.

Lily recovered her feet gracefully. “Oberon!” She went to him, gingerly touched his sleeve with her fingertips. “We saw the riot on TV. Are you all right?”

“I am fine, Lily,” he said. “Chandler and the others got me out, and then stayed to evacuate the building. No one was seriously hurt.”

“Did she know there were going to be protests?”

“There usually are. She didn’t know they were going to turn violent, but she was prepared.”

“Well, we’re glad you’re home safe,” she said. “Are you hungry? Would you like some tea?” Lily glanced over her shoulder at Ángel, who was hovering awkwardly in the shadow by the mudroom door. “Or Ángel could make you some coffee?”

Oberon’s gaze touched Ángel and he swallowed. Would he ever get used to the electric sensation of being looked at by those luminous eyes?

“I don’t really like coffee,” said Oberon.

Ángel steeled himself. “That’s only because you haven’t tried mine,” he said, stepping forward to pick up the new moka pot. “Did you buy milk?”

Chapter 8