by Ginny Baird
Ana María knew the young couple had many details to work out, particularly with Jessica coming from the United States. A sudden panic seized her. Surely, they weren’t considering moving to America? What a disaster that would be. Fernando in New York, a vast ocean in between them. And what of the grandchild? Clearly, it would be best for him or her to be raised here, on this beautiful hacienda with its stable of horses and the freedom to roam the land. Of course, Jessica’s family would be disappointed with her moving so far away. But it seemed she’d already made that choice, didn’t it? Nobody married a Garcia de la Vega without knowing what that meant. There was a weight of responsibility, not just in maintaining the family name but also in continuing its vein of philanthropy that had proved a boon to the poorest regions of this country.
Ana María took a sip of wine, considering what she might do to help. For one thing, she could make Fernando’s new bride feel more welcome here. For another, she could ensure that Jessica became so taken with La Esperanza del Corazón that she would never want to leave.
There was a sharp knock at the door, followed by Fernando’s husky request. “Jessica. A moment, please.”
Jess set down her fork, realizing her efforts at eating were failing anyway. While the roast pork and potatoes in a sherry glaze was delicious, she’d scarcely been able to swallow two bites. Ever since the end of their ride and Fernando’s pronouncement that he’d set her free, she’d been inexplicably depressed. The fact that he’d refused to meet her eyes afterward had only deepened that effect.
While he hadn’t said it so many words, it was clear that Jessica had wounded him. Could he have really meant what he’d said? That he’d developed actual feelings for her?
Jessica slid her tray back on the dresser top and quickly adjusted her hair in the mirror.
“Come in!” she said, angling toward the door.
He stepped into the room, appearing more handsome than ever, despite his brooding expression. “I’ve only come to get my things,” he said.
He was still angry with her. “Fernando,” she said softly. “You do know we’re doing the right thing?”
“Which thing is that?” he asked with a flat stare.
Jess felt her breath constrict as she doubted the sincerity of her own words. “Going to Seville.”
He studied her with a mix of melancholy and annoyance.
“I already told you I would not keep you here.”
Jess’s words raced from her heart to her mouth, bypassing her brain. She felt consumed by emotion, abandoned yet again. In the light of the moon, she’d shared her dark history. No one who’d professed to love her had ever stuck around. How could she have imagined that Fernando was different? “But you promised…” she began, pain etched in her voice.
“I know what I promised,” he said, pursing his lips. “I said that I would never leave you. And I meant it.” He paused for emphasis as Jess’s heart thumped against her chest. “But, it seems to me that things have turned quite the other way around. You’re the one running away.”
Jess’s face flashed hot as her tongue went numb. Of course he was right, so what could she say?
Fernando crossed to the armoire and withdrew a large feather pillow and a few blankets.
There was a tug in her heart telling her she shouldn’t let him go. That she should insist he stay here so they could talk things out. But to what end? So that she might fall back into his sturdy arms and get swept into his bed?
“I’ll sleep in the study,” he said, turning away. “Breakfast is at eight.”
****
Chapter Six
Eve stretched an arm out from under the covers and nabbed her cell phone off the nightstand. Who could be calling at this ungodly hour?
“Hello?” she said groggily into the mouthpiece.
“Evie, it’s me. Jess.”
Eve pushed herself upright into a sitting position in her yellow polka-dot pajamas. “Jess, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s all good. I’m going to fix it.”
“The marriage?”
“I talked to Fernando, and it’s all arranged. He’ll take me to Seville tomorrow to get things annulled.”
“What day is it now?” Eve asked with a yawn.
“Monday.”
Eve sleepily studied the numbers on the nearby clock.
“Good God, Jess. It’s two a.m. here.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I just…” Her voice fell off in a whisper.
“Jess?”
There was no answer at first, and for a moment, Eve feared she’d lost the connection.
“Jess, are you still there?”
“I’m here.” She sounded fragile and exhausted.
“You don’t sound so hot.”
“I didn’t sleep well.”
“He kept you up all night—again?”
“Yes, but not like that. I had the worst insomnia, Evie. The worst. As crazy as it seems, I’m feeling all torn up about this, like maybe I’m not doing the right thing.”
Eve blinked hard, switching on the light. “You are talking crazy. Of course what you’re doing is right! You made a whopper of a mistake, and you’re lucky it’s not too late to have it undone.”
There was a pregnant pause on the line that sent shivers racing down Eve’s spine.
“Jess,” Eve said, her breathing measured. “Tell me you are not changing your mind?”
“No, of course not!” she shot back a little too quickly. “Why on earth would you think that?”
Eve massaged her forehead, worried for her best friend. Jess hadn’t just married a matador; she’d apparently lost all sense of reason.
“What the name of that town where you are again?”
“La Esperanza del Corazón. Why?”
Because if Jess didn’t come to her senses soon, Eve might just have to pull out her platinum credit card and fly there. “Call me on Tuesday after everything’s taken care of.”
“All right,” Jess responded weakly.
“Jess!” Eve said sternly. “You are going through with it?”
Jess opened the door to find Consuelo smiling and holding a tray arranged with fresh flowers and coffee. “A morning treat from Doña Ana María,” she said. “A little something to get you started.”
“I thought breakfast was downstairs?” Jess asked with surprise.
“Oh yes, it is,” Consuelo said, merrily breezing past her to set the tray on the dresser. “This is just for while you’re getting ready.”
Jess cinched the large cotton robe more tightly around her waist. It had been supplied by Fernando on their wedding night and was luxurious in its comfort.
She surveyed the silver coffee service and accompanying basket brimming with homemade pastries, thinking there was enough here to feed a family.
“You’re eating for two,” Consuelo quipped as if reading her mind. “And don’t worry” she said heading for the door. The coffee is decaffeinated.”
Jess poured herself a cup of coffee with steamed milk and carried it to the seat by the window, its heavenly aroma wafting upwards. The morning sun spread its warmth across the landscape surrounding Casa de la Vega, encompassing its stark beauty. Jess felt as if she’d been transported into a dream or catapulted somehow back in time, to a place where life was simpler. There couldn’t be any greater contrast to her busy life in New York than the serenity of La Esperanza del Corazón.
She couldn’t help but wonder how things might have played out if she and Fernando had had an actual courtship. The chemistry between them as business colleagues had been brewing beneath the surface for months. What might have happened if they’d acted upon it sooner? Had even started dating and developed a transatlantic relationship? There might have been ups and downs, but ultimately, one of two things would have occurred. Either things would have ended between them, which would have been the most likely outcome, given Jess’s track record. Or, there was an outside chance they might have fallen in love and decide
d—thoughtfully and intelligently—to make the bond between them permanent.
Given more time to get to know him and consider the prospect of their life together, what choice would Jess have made? There were so many things to take into account, like their separate commitments to their jobs and where they might eventually live as a couple. And then there was the prospect of children to consider.
Jess brought a palm to her belly; her face flushed at the thought of carrying Fernando’s child. While she felt awful about deceiving his mother, she had to admit that the notion of making a baby with Fernando wasn’t completely abhorrent. In fact, she probably wouldn’t have gone so far as to imagine it had he not invented that little story about her being in a maternal way. In any case, she hoped Fernando would tell his mother the truth soon. Everyone here was starting to treat Jess with deference due to her pregnancy, and that simply wasn’t fair. It was bad enough to be thought of as married, but expecting a baby added a whole new layer to this blanket of deception. Perhaps Fernando was waiting until all was resolved in Seville before coming clean with his mother. Or perhaps, Jess thought with a hopeful start, he’d talked to her already!
Jess recalled Consuelo’s morning words, realizing that was unlikely. And that was terrible too. The longer this ruse went on with Fernando’s family, the harder it would be to reveal the truth. And the more awful she’d feel about herself, for having let Fernando get away with it. Something had to be done, and soon.
Fernando approached his mother as she tended the roses in her garden. “Mamá,” he began tentatively. “I have something to discuss with you.”
Ana María adjusted the brim of her wide straw hat. “And I with you, my son.” She carefully set down her pruning shears and cleaned her hands on her apron. “I’m afraid I haven’t been quite fair to you and your new wife.”
“Precisely what we need to talk about.”
“Yes,” she answered, a sincere apology in her eyes. “It’s true. I know I’ve failed you.”
“Failed me?” Fernando said, taken aback. If anyone was the let-down party in this twosome, it was him, and he knew it. “I don’t see how—”
“Yesterday at lunch, I was less than hospitable,” she said, cutting him off. “It’s just that it all came as such a surprise.”
“I know. I understand.”
“I let the shock get the better of me. I really shouldn’t have, but I did.”
Fernando laid his hands on her shoulders. “Mamá, listen to me. About Jessica…”
His mother’s face brightened. “Well, there she is now! And looking even lovelier than before. The rest must have served her well.”
Fernando turned toward the house to see Jessica standing on the patio, uncertainly glancing around. The breakfast table was set, yet empty.
“Oh dear, is it eight already?” Ana María asked. “Please, make my apologies to Jessica. I’ll dash on in the house and clean up. Be back in a flash.”
Fernando sighed with dismay as his mother scurried off toward the garden shed to deposit her tools. He really needed to tell her the truth, but sharing such dismal news over breakfast hardly seemed civilized. He shoved his hands in his pockets and trudged toward the house, considering how he might put things. There really wasn’t an easy way around it. He’d just have to come straight out and tell her the whole thing was a lie. But it hadn’t been, starting out. That was the hard part. Jessica caught sight of him and waved, her flowing sundress rippling in the morning breeze. She was a sight to behold by the trellis, her golden hair catching sparkles of sunlight. Fernando felt a pang of regret, knowing he’d have to let her go. That seemed such a contrary thing to do, when every ounce of his being argued that she belonged right here.
He sent her a soft, sad smile, then made his way along the path, snapping a beautiful red rose off its stem along the way. His mother wouldn’t appreciate his pilfering her garden, but he could no more stop himself from securing this impromptu offering than he’d been able to quell his desire for Jessica last night. He’d barely slept a wink in the study, tossing and turning… Wanting nothing more than to sneak up into that bed and kiss her languorously. Perhaps if he made love to her long—and perfectly—enough, she’d ultimately change her mind? Fernando chided himself for letting such absurd, romantic notions fill his head. The sooner he faced reality, the better. Jessica Bloom wanted nothing more than to be rid of him. And, soon enough, her wish would be his command.
Fernando stepped onto the patio, extending a pretty red rose in Jessica’s direction. She felt the warmth in her cheeks as he captured her in his hypnotic green gaze.
“Forgive me for being forward, but it reminded me of you.”
“I hardly think it’s forward, considering that we’re married,” she said, deflecting the moment.
“You don’t have to remind me.”
She accepted the flower and brought it lightly to her nose, inhaling its sweet scent. “Thank you,” she said, meeting his eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
“Well, this is what I like to see!” Ana María said cheerily, stepping over the great room’s threshold. “Two lovebirds in the morning, making up.”
Jess and Fernando exchanged glances as Ana María took her seat.
“Oh sorry, Mamá.” He scuttled over to help her with her chair and then assisted Jess with hers.
Within seconds, Consuelo appeared to pour fresh-squeezed juice and serve up a bounty of aromatic foods.
“So, what are your plans for the morning?” Ana María asked, spreading her napkin on her lap.
Jessica stared at Fernando and blinked.
“We…haven’t really had time to talk about it,” he said.
“Wonderful, then I have a suggestion.”
Jess turned her attention on the older woman. “Oh?”
“Fernando,” she encouraged with a smile. “Why don’t you take Jessica into town today? Show her around, let her get acquainted with our nice little village.”
“I think that sounds like a fine idea,” Jess piped in. And it did too. Anything sounded better than sitting around here, second-guessing her decision all day through.
“You do?” Fernando asked with mild surprise.
“Absolutely.” She took a heavenly bite of huevos rancheros cooked with chorizo, and to perfection. “How soon can we get started?”
Fernando met her gaze with a puzzled frown. “Just as soon as you’d like.”
“Fernando!” his mother scolded, slapping his arm with a whack. “Where are your manners? Show some enthusiasm!”
Fernando glanced at his mother and then slowly turned his gaze on Jess. “I apologize,” he said with devilishly disarming eyes, “if I came off as anything less than enthusiastic. As you’re aware, I’m quite capable of giving you my focused attention.”
Jess gave a little laugh and fanned her face with her napkin. She be damned if he didn’t look like he wanted to take her, right then and there—on top of this linen tablecloth! Jess felt a rash of heat sweep from her temples to her toes, but the hottest spots were those situated somewhere in between.
“Perhaps you two should take a little nap before heading out?” Ana María noted astutely.
“Excellent idea, Mother,” he said, not pulling his gaze from Jessica’s while he lightly kissed the back of her hand.
Jess’s pulse whipped into overdrive as Fernando’s lips lingered an extra-long moment.
“You’re looking a little tired, my love,” he said in a husky whisper. “Why don’t we finish up? Then I’ll take you to lie down.”
Fernando firmly took Jess’s hand and led her up the stairs. Okay, she had twenty-two steps to think about it. The trouble was, she’d already lost count of which one they were on, and they were nearly to the landing. Hopping back into bed with her new husband wasn’t exactly the best way to start an annulment. And they were getting this annulled or stopped from processing, whichever one applied. Whatever had to happen once they got to Seville. But there were still a lot of hours between now and
tomorrow.
Fernando reached the upstairs hall and pulled her up and off the last step and into his arms. “You know,” he said in a sexy whisper, “my mother never would have condoned this if she’d known all the paperwork hadn’t gone through.”
“You said we were married in the eyes of the church.”
His mouth hovered over hers as he backed her up against the wall. “It feels real enough to me.”
Fire raged through her as he captured her mouth with his and kissed her deeply, his touch tracing the line of her throat, then trailing to her cleavage. Jess gasped involuntarily, her knees threatening to give way. That was some silly cliché from the movies. A woman didn’t actually swoon in a man’s arms. Then again, most men weren’t built like Fernando. She’d certainly never met anyone of his…aptitude, the most pressing part of which pushed rock-hard against her thigh.
He brought his mouth to the side of her neck, then nibbled slightly as he squeezed one breast and then the other. “So good,” he breathed. “I want to taste more.”
Jess felt her panties moisten and knew she was doomed. All she wanted to do now was step out of them. Fernando’s hand slid up her thigh and under her dress, making her want to rip it off completely.
“Fernando,” she moaned, grappling with the words, “we’re still in the hall.”
He pulled back in a heated flush, a savage passion in his eyes. “I can fix that.” Then, in one deft movement, he unlatched the door and kicked it open. The next thing Jess knew, she was airborne, swept into his arms and cradled to his sturdy chest. He spoke as he carried her over the threshold, his voice husky with desire. “If you don’t mind,” he said with a sultry gaze, “I’d like to make love to my new wife…for as long as she can stand.”
