Carlos started getting ready, then sat down on the bed to put on his boots. He looked over at the nightstand directly towards the picture of him and his mother.
“Gracias, Mami,” he said, a small smile and tear forming on his face. He looked around, thinking he might see her, but no, she was true to her word. Carlos continued with the boots, then made his way outside to the gazebo.
* * * *
The night air was cool, making it a nice walk from the house to the gazebo, a definite difference from the raging heat that had forced itself on most of the day. Carlos was trying hard not to look towards the gazebo as he made his way along the trail, but he couldn’t help and try to get glimpses of what Eugenio had in store.
He could see light coming from it but not much else. Carlos’s stomach was full of butterflies, and he could feel them the closer each step brought him. The lights grew brighter, which was a good thing, since even with the moonlight, the darkness loomed across the ranch.