“Impressive work,” Afonso said. The stone floors looked original as well, having been refinished to a polished gloss.
Filipe pushed the last door and they entered a room that looked half-lived in. A heavy mahogany desk sat by one of the windows and a wing-back chair and sofa in dark leather were positioned in front of the fireplace. The wall opposite the windows was lined with floor to ceiling shelves in the same mahogany, conspicuously void of books.
“The books are in storage and I didn’t have the time to unpack them yet.” Filipe gestured around. “So this is the office and library. In case you’re wondering, the built-in shelves are original but I had the desk made to match. Not exactly my taste but it goes with the house.” He walked to the desk and cleared a pile of papers to the side. “The house doesn’t sit square with the cardinal points but we still call this side the west wing.” He unfurled a blueprint and tucked the corners under various objects sitting on the surface.
Afonso approached and listened to Filipe’s explanations of the house interior.
“For the time being, you’ll be working in the areas immediately surrounding the house.” Filipe tapped the paper again. “The road from the gate to the front door needs to be cleared. And the formal gardens require a lot of attention.” He brought a smaller map from under the blue print. “These are the original plans that I was able to unearth in Castelo Branco’s registrar. There’s an English-type garden with roses and boxwood edges.” He paused and looked up to Afonso. “You do have experience with yard work, don’t you?”
“I have hands-on experience, but no formal training.” All the summers Afonso had spent at his grandparents working in the farm were finally paying off.
“That’s good enough for me.” Filipe turned back to the map and Afonso followed along a series of geometric designs with numbers and a key written in a curled script on the margin.
Filipe slid a drawer open and drew out a tablet. “I actually hired a landscape designer who outlined each stage of the cleaning and restoration before the new plants come in.” He pushed the tablet into Afonso’s hands and kept talking. Afonso swiped the screen as he looked through the color-coded plans.
“Of course, you can always call me or send me a text if you have any questions,” Filipe said.
Afonso raised his head from the screen. He must have missed something. Why would he need to call Filipe? “Won’t you be here every day?”
Filipe sat on the sofa and indicated the chair to Afonso. “My plans changed. I’m in the middle of acquiring a property by the coast and I need to be there. As much as I’d like to supervise the garden’s restoration, it’s not as pressing as the other project it. That’s why I need a person I can trust to stay here.”
Afonso extended his arm slowly and returned the tablet to Filipe. “You do know where I’ve I just came from, don’t you?” What exactly had Matias Romano told his cousin about Afonso? As much as Afonso wanted this job, if Filipe wasn’t aware of his past, he would quickly take back his offer.
“If you’re referring to your recent release from prison, yes, I am aware of that.” He leaned back and crossed an ankle over his knee. “Even though I haven’t seen my cousin in a while, we stay in touch. I told Matias I needed someone to take over the groundskeeping and he recommended you. I don’t know you, but I trust my cousin, and that’s enough for me.” He paused. “We all make mistakes. It’s how we learn from them and move forward that proves our integrity. Do you still want the job?”
Filipe was direct and that was something Afonso appreciated. “Yes, I do,” he said slowly, trying to tamper his eagerness. Afonso wanted this job more than he remembered wanting anything in his recent life. He would do his best to make sure he was worthy of that trust.
Filipe spent the next half hour going over a detailed list of each restoration stage, taking the time to answer all of Afonso’s questions about the house and the property. He pulled out two sets of key rings. “This one has the keys to vehicles, including the one to the truck. You’ll need to get supplies from town and haul equipment around the property. This ring has the keys to the house, the detached garage, and the outbuildings. There’s a small house to the east side where the caretakers live. They pretty much came with the house when I bought it and I didn’t have the heart to kick them out. I restored their house and renewed their contract even though they’re getting on with years and I rather they don’t really work at all.” He glanced at his watch. “I was going to introduce you but I think they left already. They’re only here between Monday mornings and Friday afternoons as they spend the weekends at their home. Sometimes they have family who comes by and then they drive down together.”
Afonso nodded, adding another mental note to his list.
After all the instructions, including the location of the wifi tower and login information, Filipe presented two copies of a simple contract which they both signed. Six months—from the last week of April to the first week of November, with an option to renew, if both parties agreed.
He handed Afonso a credit card. “All the expenses associated with the house and property are on this card. You don’t have to worry about bookkeeping. I got someone for that.”
Afonso resolved to keep all the receipts just in case.
“There’s one more thing.” Filipe paused and rubbed his chin. “I have a relative staying in the west wing.” He indicated the area above them. “She’s been here for a few weeks and she’s staying for as long as she wants or needs to.” He reached for his wallet and drew out another card. “Anything she needs goes on this card.”
Afonso hesitated. “Wouldn’t it be better if she keeps the card herself?”
“She has a card of her own but she’s quite stubborn and doesn’t drive. I usually take her lists when I go shopping as well. Just make sure she’s got what she needs.” After a paused, he added, “She was recently widowed and hasn’t been out much yet.”
For a minute, Afonso thought of the woman in the old rose garden, but she was far too young to be widowed. His experience with older people was limited to the interactions he’d had with the ship’s passengers, but he had observed plenty of stubbornness in that age range.
He took the card from Filipe. “I’ll keep the receipts and send you digital copies.”
Filipe looked at him. “Sure, that will work. She’s resting or I’d introduce you. Actually, it might be best to give her a wide berth until she’s ready to socialize a little more. ”
“Yes, of course.”
“And she might need some rides to Castelo Branco, but you can hire somebody for that if you’re too busy.”
Afonso nodded, not knowing what to say until he knew the old lady better. “Do you have problems with villagers coming on the grounds?”
Filipe blew out a long breath. “It hasn’t been a problem since the house is a bit of stretch from the village. Just be firm, but kind, if you see anyone around who’s not supposed to be here.”
Afonso frowned. The mysterious woman must be a relative of the caretakers. He was not looking forward to another confrontation with her. Hopefully they wouldn’t cross paths again.
*
Catarina leaned back against the stuffed chair in Filipe’s bedroom as she watched him pack. “Say that again, please? I don’t think I heard you well.” Her mouth pressed into a hard line.
Filipe chuckled. “Don’t start pouting, Catarina. That doesn’t work on me. Besides, you knew I was looking for someone to take over the grounds before I leave.” He shoved a few items of clothing into a day bag.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you really have to leave? I won’t have anyone to talk to.”
“Why didn’t you call your mom like I suggested? Or one of your siblings? Or even a friend?”
She shook her head. “It’s still too soon for that. I wouldn’t want the media rags to get a clue on my maiden name.” She hadn’t used the Romano name in over eight years. Hiding in the district of Castelo Branco, hours away from Lisbon
and from everything that had been her former life, was hopefully far enough that no one would recognize her. Staying inside the property ensured nobody would. And even though Filipe was a high-profile business man, well known throughout the country, he’d never announced the purchase of the manor house. The remodel had been slow going as well, not attracting any attention beyond the few villages around the area. Any kind of attention was the last thing she wanted at this point in her life.
Filipe pulled the zipper closed. “You can always call me, but I’ll be away for a few weeks at least. The new guy I hired can get you anything you need but you’ll have to talk to him.” He smoothed the traditional bedspread on the bed, then hoisted his bag.
“You hired him already? Did you even run a background check on him?”
“Yes, he’s hired. Got the contract signed, the financial paperwork filled out, and he’ll be around for at least six months.” Filipe paused and looked pointedly at her. “And I did run a background check even though he was personally recommended by Matias.”
Catarina wrinkled her forehead. “Matias who?”
Filipe arched an eyebrow in response. “Matias Romano. Our mutual cousin. I know you’ve been away from the family scene for a while, but you remember Matias, don’t you?”
Catarina ignored Filipe’s remark. She carried enough guilt for keeping away from the family without needing reminders. “In what room did you put him?”
“I put him in the east wing, away from you. In the guest bedroom facing the rear court.”
The farther from her, the better. “I’m not so sure about this new guy. I caught him watching me throw up by the rose bushes.”
“You’re still puking? I thought you were feeling better.” Filipe opened the door and they both exited the room.
She followed him to the landing. “So did I, but apparently not.” She’d spent the last month and a half in close proximity to the bathrooms in the house. Today was the first day she’d ventured outside in a long time and her moment of humiliation had been witnessed by a strange man. Just her luck.
Filipe stopped before descending. “Are you alright? You can’t afford to lose any more weight.”
Catarina sidled a hand over her still-flat belly and quickly moved it to her hip. “I’m pretty sure I’m on the mend.” She could blame it on her little stowaway. Kind of ironic that she’d finally lost the three kilos JuanCarlos had nagged her about.
She flinched at the thought. Where had that come from? She didn’t want to spare him any thoughts. He didn’t deserve them.
Filipe watched her but didn’t say anything. He probably regretted taking in a long-lost cousin who came with so much baggage. If Catarina had another choice, she’d take it, but she had nowhere else to go. She was much like the baby she carried, clandestine and totally dependent on someone else for the most basic needs.
They walked through the kitchen and stopped outside the back door.
Filipe playfully pulled a lock of her hair. “You take care of yourself and don’t get in too much trouble.
Catarina rolled her eyes. “You’re just my cousin, not my older brother.” The five-year gap between them had been more noticeable when they were children.
“I’m exactly the same age as Tiago. But maybe I’ll call him instead.” He smirked.
“Don’t you dare.” She leaned on the open jamb as he crossed the paved path to the rear courtyard toward the garage. “Are you taking the Audi or the Jeep?”
Filipe held up his keys. “The Jeep. Afonso has the keys to the Ford, and the Audi is there for you.”
“Not funny,” she called back to him.
Minutes later, the red jeep peeled out of the garage and Filipe waved at her. She held a hand up in return, unable to the hold back the small smile that pulled at the corners of her mouth when he honked the horn before disappearing around the house.
Catarina walked back to her bedroom. Two questions came to her mind. What was she going to do with herself without her cousin around?
And how was she going to avoid the man who’d just moved in?
__________________
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Every time I think I know what I’m doing, I get a project that challenges me.
Such was the case with this story. Matias and Vanessa came to me, hesitant at first, and I struggled a lot in the beginning. It didn’t help that I was ill when I started writing, but I had enough faith to keep going, and I’m glad I did. I love how their story turned out!
Along the way, several people helped me get there and I want to thank them here: Amber and Jolene for the brainstorming help; Lindzee, for running with the series idea; my editors, Michele Holmes and Haley Swan; Michael for the ship damage scenario; Daynielle, for her timely suggestions regarding Kansas and first responders; and my great critique partners, Laura, Sally, and Lori, who hung in there with me almost pretty much everyday.
Last, but not least, thanks to my Mom for giving me the idea of a river cruise and then sponsoring a real one when I went to visit her (it was a one-day cruise instead of the eight days, but still very lovely). Obrigada!
Thank you for helping me share Matias and Vanessa’s story with the world.
Quem tem família, tem um porto seguro.
One who has family has a safe port.
Lucinda Whitney was born and raised in Portugal, where she received a Master’s degree from the University of Minho in Braga, in Portuguese/English teaching.
She lives in northern Utah with her husband and four children. When she’s not reading and writing, she can be found with a pair of knitting needles, or tending her herb garden.
She’s the author of The Secret Life of Daydreams and One Small Chance, her LDS romance series named A Love Story from Portugal. Meet Me at Sunrise is her first book in the new series A Destined for Love Romance.
Please visit her website at lucindawhitney.com for more information and news.
Copyright © 2017 Lucinda Whitney
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events, is entirely coincidental.
Edited by Michele Holmes and Haley Swan
Cover design ©2017 Steven Novak
Published by Lange House Press
Ebook edition published in May 2017
ASIN: B06XHYC1ZW
Meet Me At Sunrise (Destined for Love: Europe) Page 17
