A Spanish Inheritance

by Susan Stephens

  ‘One in particular.’

  The amused challenge in his stare met the growing comprehension in Annalisa’s eyes. ‘The finca is not for sale,’ she said flatly.

  ‘Did I say I wanted to buy it?’

  ‘You’ve seen something similar?’ she guessed.

  ‘Having seen what you’ve achieved with the interior of Finca Fuego Montoya, I have to confess that I am attracted to that style of property.’

  ‘A rural retreat?’

  ‘A home,’ Ramon corrected softly. ‘You have no idea how envious I am,’ he said, holding her gaze.

  Was he serious? ‘I could help you do something similar when you find a suitable property.’

  ‘Would you do that for me?’

  ‘I’d be happy to do that for you.’ She had the feeling she was hearing everything and learning nothing about his true intentions, but her enthusiasm spilled over. ‘I really enjoyed working on the interior of the finca… I’d love to have the chance to do something like that again.’

  ‘I’ve been hoping you would take an active part in the design and development of my hotel complex.’

  ‘You’re offering me a job?’ she said in surprise.

  ‘Why not? You won’t be able to practise law here in Menorca. And I imagine that once the finca is fully operational you will soon be looking for fresh challenges.’

  His regard for her work on the finca seemed genuine enough, and her mind was stuffed with ideas… But he was only offering her a job, Annalisa reminded herself—hardly a dream proposition. Yet right now it suited her just fine. ‘I’d love to,’ she confirmed briskly. ‘When do I start?’

  The sickness began the next day.

  ‘Señorita Wilson, are you OK?’ Maria Teresa called as she came hurrying across the yard.

  When the bucket of feed had fallen from her hands Annalisa had hoped no one had noticed. But now she was slumped against the gate with Maria Teresa’s arm around her waist to hold her up. ‘Fine… I’m fine,’ she said weakly, pulling away only to sway backwards again.

  ‘Let me get you back to the house,’ Maria Teresa insisted firmly. ‘You need to take more rest or you will weaken the baby.’

  ‘Baby!’ Annalisa exclaimed, struggling to right herself. ‘What on earth are you talking about, Maria Teresa?’

  ‘Señorita Wilson…’ The capable housekeeper sighed patiently. ‘I have had thirteen babies. I know.’ She tapped her nose. Then, looking concerned, she added in a conspiratorial whisper, ‘Señor Perez…does he know?’

  ‘No! And you mustn’t tell him,’ Annalisa insisted.

  ‘But of course, Señorita Wilson,’ Maria Teresa agreed solemnly. ‘You must do that.’

  Ramon had to know. There could be no putting this issue on the backburner. She wouldn’t be able to hide the pregnancy from him for ever, Annalisa reasoned as she drew up outside his house.

  The manservant Rodriguez seemed to have anticipated her visit and stood waiting for her beside the open door.

  ‘Good morning, Rodriguez.’ She couldn’t believe her voice sounded so calm. ‘Is Señor Perez at home?’

  ‘He is at the office in Mahon, señorita. But I believe he won’t be long, if you would care to wait?’

  ‘Thank you. I will,’ she said, walking past him into the hall.

  ‘You can wait in here,’ Rodriguez murmured, showing her into the same room as before—the room with the photographs. ‘I’ll have some coffee brought to you.’

  ‘No,’ Annalisa called before Rodriguez had a chance to leave. ‘Don’t go.’ She was determined to lay each ghost in turn…permanently.

  ‘Can I do something else for you?’

  Annalisa thought she detected a cool edge to his voice. ‘Yes,’ she said candidly. ‘Why do you always show me into this room, Rodriguez?’

  He looked at her blankly. ‘I have no idea what you mean, Señorita Wilson.’

  ‘Really?’ Annalisa said pleasantly. She walked across to the rosewood desk and picked up the photograph of her mother. ‘I understand old loyalties more than you might suppose, Rodriguez,’ she said, turning around to face him, ‘but you should know that there are no surprises for me here.’ She held the photo frame towards him. ‘Señor Perez has explained everything to me…about my mother,’ she said, using sufficient emphasis to ensure there could be no mistake.

  A mixture of emotions flashed across the manservant’s face, but almost immediately he resumed his customary professional mask. ‘Shall I bring the coffee now, señorita?’

  ‘Thank you, Rodriguez.’

  As Annalisa returned the frame carefully to its place their eyes met briefly in a glance of mutual understanding, and then with a low bow Rodriguez left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

  Annalisa sighed with relief as his footsteps disappeared. Whether the remaining ghosts agreed to be laid so easily remained to be seen. But for now the past could wait. She had the future on her mind and that had to come first.

  ‘Annalisa!’

  Ramon didn’t just walk into a room, he charged it with electricity, she realised, springing to her feet.

  ‘Rodriguez is looking after you?’ he demanded, shooting her a keen stare.

  ‘Very well,’ she confirmed. ‘Shall I call for some fresh coffee?’

  ‘Don’t bother,’ he said, tossing his jacket onto a chair as he dropped onto the sofa. ‘What brings you here?’

  They were meeting later for dinner, to discuss her appointment to his team, so no wonder he was surprised to see her. ‘I have to talk to you.’

  ‘Talk away.’

  ‘Ramon, this is serious.’

  ‘So come over here,’ he said, patting the sofa, ‘and tell me what’s on your mind.’

  ‘I don’t want you to think I’m here because I expect anything—’

  ‘What’s happened?’ he said, leaping up. ‘What is it, Annalisa? Something at the finca? Tell me,’ he insisted, moving towards her.

  ‘I will if you just give me chance.’

  ‘OK, OK,’ he said, lashing a strong hand through his hair as he stared at her with concern.

  ‘I’m having a baby…our baby.’ She froze as he just stared at her. Somehow she forced the words out again.

  ‘I heard you the first time,’ he said, shaking his head as if he couldn’t quite believe the evidence of his own ears.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Annalisa said quickly. ‘This doesn’t change a thing. I can still work on your project and I don’t expect anything from you. I’ve got plenty of money—’

  ‘Money! What the hell does money have to do with this?’ Ramon demanded passionately. ‘And as for not changing anything…a baby changes everything!’ His grip on her arms was fierce; the look in his eyes was no less intense. ‘You’re sure about this?’

  ‘According to Maria Teresa—’

  His grip softened and she watched his lips tilt at the corners. ‘I should have known,’ he murmured. ‘But this is the most wonderful news…isn’t it?’ he demanded softly, tipping her chin with one hand so that she was forced to look into his eyes. ‘You must be the happiest—’ He frowned as he read her expression. ‘You’re not happy, are you, Annalisa?’

  ‘I’m frightened—’ She stopped. That wasn’t what she meant. And he knew it too.

  ‘You? Frightened?’ Ramon chided gently, allowing his fingers to wander into her hair. He turned her gently to face him again and dipped his head until their eyes were on a level. ‘That doesn’t sound like you, querida.’

  She had never seen such emotion in his eyes…such tenderness, such intimacy and warmth. ‘OK. Not frightened. I know I can manage—’

  ‘Manage?’ His brows knit together as he studied her face.

  ‘On my own.’

  He seemed stunned for a few moments, then in a low, tense voice he said, ‘Is that what you want, Annalisa?’

  As he let her go she shook her head, confusion sliding into vehemence. ‘I only know that if my mother had thought things through sooner she
might have been better prepared when my father abandoned—’

  His sharp curse cut her off and his keen gaze fastened on her face as his fingers cupped her chin and forced her round to look at him. ‘Let the past go before it ruins your life too!’

  ‘How can I forget?’

  ‘Remember the past by all means. But learn from it, build on it—’

  ‘What? Use it to hone my parenting skills?’

  ‘Don’t be so cynical,’ he insisted. ‘You’ll be a great mother.’

  ‘And how do you come to that conclusion?’

  ‘I only have to look at what you’ve done with the finca—’

  ‘What? Filled a few plant pots and cleaned out—’ She stopped. Everything he said was designed to prepare her to face the challenge of bringing up their child alone.

  ‘You’ve not only made a home for yourself and every stray animal within walking distance,’ Ramon insisted, oblivious to the effect his words were having, ‘you’ve resurrected dozens of jobs for the villagers, giving the young people reason to stay here instead of heading for the mainland first chance they get.’

  Her face twisted with pain as he said everything but the words she needed to hear. ‘I don’t see what that has to do with—’

  He grabbed hold of her arm and brought his face very close to hers to say fiercely, ‘Don’t underestimate your worth, Annalisa. You’ve got guts and compassion and you’re not afraid of hard work. If that doesn’t match the job description—’

  She tore her arm out of his grasp. ‘I only did what had to be done—’

  ‘And your father gave you that chance,’ Ramon insisted fiercely. ‘That’s why he refused to sell the finca…why he left it to you. He wanted you to have financial independence as well as the freedom of choice he never had. It was his way of letting you know that he cared…that he never forgot you…that he always loved you—’

  ‘Don’t!’ she warned, feeling his passion stoking her own raw emotions.

  But he wouldn’t let her turn away. ‘Don’t run away from your feelings, Annalisa. This time it is too important. You will pass on everything you create at the finca to our child…your father’s grandchild.’

  His voice was so eloquent…so full of need… At that moment Annalisa thought that if he had been asking her to take down the finca and rebuild it brick by brick she would have found it easier than confronting the savage intensity in his face.

  ‘Everything has come full circle, Annalisa,’ he said, more gently now. ‘Don’t let the past steal away your chance of happiness. Not now that you have everything to live for.’

  But what part would Ramon play in her future…the future of their child? He had talked about everything, but not that. Annalisa’s gaze sharpened as she listened. If she was to build on the past, go forward as he suggested, she would need to arm herself with facts, not emotion. ‘I fully intend to pass on the finca to my child, as you suggest,’ she said, forcing steel into her voice. ‘And that is exactly why I don’t intend to allow my beautiful beach to form part of any hotel complex.’

  He eased his grip as he stood back. ‘I can understand that.’

  ‘So—?’

  ‘We will come to an arrangement,’ he said distractedly.

  ‘And the water?’

  His impatience showed clearly in his broad-shouldered shrug. ‘Will form part of that agreement. Must we talk business—?’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ she cut in coolly. ‘Now that I’m about to become a mother I have to think about the future security of my baby.’

  ‘Our baby,’ he reminded her quietly. And when her chin shot up he added wryly, ‘Just don’t forget to feel as well as think, Annalisa. And if you need anything…anything at all—’

  ‘Do I still have that job?’

  He gave her a bemused look as he nodded agreement. ‘Of course you do. For as long as you want.’

  She tossed him a thin smile as she walked out of the room. She had achieved her aim. But his tacit agreement that she would bring up their child alone was a pyrrhic victory that could bring nothing but sadness. His offer of a job only made things worse. She was fated to be with him now…but in the wrong role. Being the lawyer she was, her argument was strong—too strong. She had argued her way out of everything she wanted and replaced it with nothing but a hollow prize.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ANNALISA stared at the telephone accusingly. Since leaving Ramon’s house the previous day he had rung her four times to discuss a point in the contract his lawyers were preparing. He was prepared to let her continue using his water for a peppercorn rent if she reconsidered her position on the shoreline. A small patch of beach out of sight from her favourite spot didn’t seem a high price to pay for the success of the finca—but not once had he suggested meeting up to talk it through.

  As her hand hovered over the receiver she felt her eyes fill with tears and dashed them away impatiently. Even if the survival of the finca depended on his co-operation, parenting was different. She could manage that perfectly well on her own.

  Typically, the phone cut out as she picked it up, and she was reduced to pacing up and down the room as she forced herself to concentrate on the safer topic of hotel accommodation. Apart from all the standard rooms they would need a family suite, an owner’s suite…a bridal suite. Clenching her fists, she stopped and went to stare aimlessly out the window just as an unmistakable black car swept into the yard. Jolted into action, she raced around in a panic, checking and straightening. Pausing to pluck a brush out of her shoulder bag, she snatched it through her hair. But before she could finish the door flew open and Ramon walked in.

  ‘Are you all right?’ he demanded, striding across the room.

  Her throat dried as she felt the tension in his hands. ‘Of course I’m all right.’

  ‘You didn’t answer the phone.’

  ‘That was you?’

  ‘Of course,’ he said impatiently.

  ‘Are you here to check out the shore? The water supply?’

  ‘Sometimes,’ he said, glaring down at her, ‘I really do despair.’

  ‘Why? I—’

  His hands moved fast, as if he would have liked to seize her and shake her, but he stopped himself midway. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he murmured, and his touch was gentle as he steered her towards the door.

  ‘I still find all this hard to believe,’ Annalisa admitted as they dodged a couple of wheelbarrows full of trimmings.

  ‘You had the vision,’ Ramon pointed out, yanking her out of the way when it became clear that a race was in progress between some young boys from the village.

  ‘But without your water—’

  ‘A perfect partnership?’

  The amusement in his voice made it hard for her to concentrate on talking business. She was thankful when they reached the big yellow trailer where most of the activity was taking place. ‘I’ve only just been able to start paying everyone,’ she said as they dodged some flying trimmings.

  ‘But that never stopped them coming to work, right?’ Ramon prompted.

  Guard down, she turned to him. ‘I’m not used to such—’

  ‘Trust?’

  The look he gave her was both provocative and challenging.

  Raising her chin determinedly, she said, ‘Will you call everyone together for me, so that I can explain about back pay?’ She was determined to keep the exchange on a professional level. ‘I want to make it clear that I’m going to compensate everyone for all the days they—’

  ‘Señorita…señorita!’

  ‘Maria Teresa!’ Annalisa said, swinging round in surprise. ‘I thought you left ages ago.’

  ‘First, Señorita Wilson, I have this to give to you.’

  ‘A present for me? You really shouldn’t,’ Annalisa said self-consciously as Maria Teresa pressed a package into her hands.

  ‘Aren’t you going to open it?’ Ramon murmured diplomatically. ‘Everyone’s waiting.’

  ‘Of course.’ Annalisa glanced around self-cons
ciously, realising she had suddenly become the centre of attention. She tugged the string off the brown paper package and her eyes widened as she examined the contents. ‘But this is—’ She had been about to say exquisite. But as she shook out the fine lawn shirt she could see that it was far too big for her. Hastily folding the sides inwards, to make it appear several sizes smaller, she held it up. ‘It’s really lovely…beautiful. Thank you, Maria Teresa.’ And, grabbing hold of her, Annalisa landed a kiss either side of her beaming nut-brown face.

  ‘No, no, Señorita Wilson! Not like that,’ Maria Teresa protested, shaking her finger in mock-reproach. And, taking the shirt out of Annalisa’s hands, she stretched up on tiptoes to spread it across Ramon’s chest. ‘Like this!’

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Annalisa whispered to him. ‘Is it a gift for you?’

  ‘It is a Menorcan wedding shirt,’ he informed her dryly as he executed a formal bow to Maria Teresa.

  ‘A what?’

  Putting his hand on Annalisa’s shoulder, Ramon turned her slightly to murmur discreetly, ‘She has given you a traditional shirt—the type a Spaniard might wear at his wedding. And look,’ he said, pointing to a gap in the black silk stitching. ‘She’s left some of the embroidery for you to finish.’

  ‘I don’t understand—’

  ‘Just thank her,’ Ramon prompted softly. ‘She must have been working on this for weeks.’

  ‘But what will I do with it?’

  ‘Put it in your bottom drawer. You do have one?’

  ‘Surprisingly, no.’

  ‘Perhaps you should start one.’

  Acutely aware that their whispering had gone on long enough, Annalisa pulled herself together. ‘Thank you,’ she said, smiling as she turned to Maria Teresa. ‘It is a truly beautiful gift and one I will treasure always.’

  ‘It’s not a museum piece,’ Ramon cautioned. ‘You’re supposed to put it to use.’

  ‘Doubtless I will,’ she said. ‘If I ever marry.’

  ‘I’ve left some stitching for you to finish, señorita,’ Maria Teresa said with a broad wink as she hustled between the two of them. ‘To bring you good luck…and many, many children!’

  Remembering Maria Teresa had thirteen, Annalisa reminded herself to go steady on the stitching.