Mending Fences (Destined for Love: Mansions)

by Lorin Grace

  Afonso nodded, adding another mental note to his list.

  After all the instructions, including the location of the Wi-Fi tower and login information, Filipe presented two copies of a simple contract, which they both signed. Five months—from the last of May to the end of October—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 pause, he added, “She was recently widowed and hasn’t been ready to socialize much.”

  At first, 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 works. She’s resting or I’d introduce you. Actually, it might be best to give her a wide berth until she’s feeling better. Grieving has taken a toll on her, and she’s been quite sick.”

  “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, visiting them for a few days. 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 right.” 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. “I should have hired someone two months ago.”

  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 brothers? 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 six years. She was hiding in the district of Castelo Branco, hours away from Lisbon and from everything that had been her former life, 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 come with me.”

  “I can’t.” The less she was out and about the better, and the coast was more populated than this area.

  “It’s your choice, 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. “I should have introduced you two before he left to the village.”

  “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 five 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 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. “What room did you put him in?”

  “I put him in the east wing, away from you. The guest bedroom facing the rear court.”

  “You gave him a room in the east wing?” For sure she’d run into the man even with him on the other side of the house.

  Filipe looked up. “Should I have put him in the servants’ quarters? Oh that’s right, I don’t have any.” His mouth pressed in a straight line. “Don’t be such a snob, Catarina. The attic is unfurnished, and the room off the kitchen is too small for someone staying this long.”

  Was she being a snob, or did she simply have a higher common sense?

  “But you’re leaving me with a stranger,” she argued. How could he not see her point of view?

  “The Silvas are here too.”

  “Not on the weekends.”

  Filipe gestured at the tablet sitting on the dresser. “Their phone number is on the list of important contacts. You can call them, and they’ll be here in twenty minutes or less. Sete Fontes is not too far.”

  “It will still just be me and this guy in the house.”

  “I doubt you’ll see him that much, with him so busy and you on the opposite side.”

  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 all right? You can’t afford to lose any more weight. You should probably go to a doctor to see what’s wrong with you.”

  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, even if she didn’t tell Filipe. Kind of ironic that she’d finally lost the five kilos Juan-Carlos 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.

&
nbsp; “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 rolled 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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  Waking Lucy

  Lucy dreamed of marrying Samuel, until she woke-up as his wife.

  Remembering Anna

  The key opens a box, unlocks the past and defines the future.

  Reforming Elizabeth

  Elizabeth is out of control. Can her great aunt and a disgraced preacher succeed in reforming her?

  Acknowledgments

  Starting a new adventure is almost as terrifying as it is exciting. Thank you to Lindzee and Lucinda for letting me try my hand at writing in the Destined for Love series.

  A special shout out to Benjamin R. Stowers, PA-C, who answered my questions about Mandy’s injury and diagnosed the imaginary ‘Lover’s Fracture.’

  Huge thanks to my beta readers and proof readers especially Nanette for her willingness to read things so many times. I would never make it though a day without Sally, and Cindy, whose advice keep me going. Thanks to all the writers in Cache Valley League of Utah writers, and iWriteNetwork, each of you has made me a better writer. Thank you for your part in my growth as a fledging writer.

  Thanks also to Michele at Eschler Editing for the edits and finding oh so many little things to fix; any mistakes left in this book are not her fault. Nor are my excellent proof readers to be blamed. Thank you ladies!

  My family, for sharing their home with the fictional characters who often got fed better than they did. And my husband who encouraged me every crazy step of the way, and who is my example for every love story I dream up. The real one is better.

  And to my Father in Heaven for putting these wonderful people, and any I may have forgotten to mention, in my life. I am grateful for every experience and blessing I have been granted.

  About the Author

  Lorin Grace was born in Colorado and has been moving around the country ever since, living in eight states and several imaginary worlds. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Graphic Design.

  Currently she lives in northern Utah with her husband, four children, and a dog who is insanely jealous of her laptop. When not writing Lorin enjoys creating graphics, visiting historical sites, museums, and reading.

  Lorin is an active member of the League of Utah Writers and was awarded Honorable Mention in their 2016 creative writing contest short romance story category.

  You can learn more about her, and sign up for her writers club at loringrace.com or at Facebook: LorinGraceWriter