“She doesn’t have friends?” Nino snapped. He was beginning to believe Eugene didn’t know Aubrey at all. “A social life?”
A man?
“You don’t love me,” she’d accused Nino.
She wanted love? Had another man broken her heart? Or was she the innocent wallflower as her grandmother’s comment about virginity implied?
“She has four sisters, and a couple of cousins, some of whom work at Bon Bon Chocolate.” Eugene cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Mr. Alfaro. I’m not sure what you want to hear.”
Nino’s phone buzzed with a message from his assistant, Mateo.
Your father wants to meet.
Too much espresso roiled through Nino’s belly as he typed a quick response: No.
Nino checked the time. If he left now, he’d get to the golf course just before nine. With any luck, Aubrey would be there. Perhaps he could coax her into telling him more about her cocoa process, more than Eugene had been willing to do. In the meantime…
“I’ll instruct my manager to dispose of the cocoa beans and to have staff clean the facilities from top to bottom.” The equipment may be old, but it was still in good working order, and would suffice until production increased. “But I need a plan in place by Monday, a plan on how to fill my chocolate factory with high quality cocoa beans. That plan will come from you and it will guarantee Caradoc Confections will be as high in quality as Bon Bon Chocolate.”
“By Monday?” Eugene paled. “But that’s only seven days away. There are so many moving pieces, it will be almost impossible to–”
“Do it.” Nino stood, patience at an end. “Or this will be your last week in Ecuador.”
Chapter 4
Grandma Dotty drew back her putter as if it was a nine iron and she was about to tee off.
“Stop!” Aubrey shouted, nearly tripping in her haste to reach Dotty. “Grandma, stop!”
They were on the putting green along with ten other people in the wedding party. Dotty’s swing would have sent a ball into a group of groomsmen.
Grandma Dotty lowered her club and blinked at Aubrey. “Bree, golf requires a big swing.”
“Yes, but…” Aubrey put a hand on Dotty’s arm, the one holding the club. “We’re on the putting green. That means you don’t swing above your knees, okay?”
Her sister Kitty was a doctor and had mentioned their grandmother was having cognitive lapses, particularly when tired or dehydrated, but Aubrey hadn’t expected the events to occur so frequently. She’d expected the medication to make Dotty normal.
But come to think of it, Grandma Dotty had never been the traditional definition of normal.
The morning air was already warm and moist. The back of Aubrey’s polo shirt was damp, and she’d hardly done anything but practice her putt and panic when her grandmother had a mental lapse.
Aubrey turned Grandma Dotty to face the first hole. “We’re not teeing off yet. We’re waiting for our turn.” And while she’d been waiting, Aubrey had reintroduced herself to the men in the wedding party, making sure no one was Marcos Alfaro.
No matter. She planned to make an appearance at his chocolate factory later that afternoon. Maybe she’d see the man there. Maybe she’d get the intense satisfaction of witnessing the look on Marcos Alfaro’s face when Eugene accepted her offer of a raise and walked out with Aubrey.
“Is everything okay?” Layla appeared at Dotty’s side and pressed a bottle of water into her hand.
Layla somehow managed to make a polo shirt and khaki shorts look feminine, at least more feminine than Aubrey felt. Possibly, she’d tried on her polo before buying, unlike Aubrey who’d ordered one online.
“It’s a beautiful day for a round of golf,” Layla said.
As much as Aubrey wanted to golf on the challenging, hilly course, she had to say, “I think we’d better return to the hotel.” Water and sand traps wouldn’t be the only hazards on the course if Dotty attempted a round.
“I will not go back.” Grandma Dotty back-pedaled. “Let me remind you that I’ve changed your diapers, not the other way around.”
“Abuela Dotty.” Layla placed her palms on Dotty’s cheeks. “When I get old, I want to be just like you.”
“A widow with cold feet?” Grandma Dotty’s temper still sizzled. She removed Layla’s hands, and resettled her pink visor on her white frizzy hair, staring as regally at the two younger women before her as if she’d just resettled a crown on her head. “Or a good golfer?”
“Both!” Layla laughed and tossed her thick black hair over her shoulder. She was used to Dotty’s lack of filter. “I want a long marriage, like you had, and a big, beautiful family, like you have. And when they lay me to rest, my family will say I was an excellent golfer who lived a full life, as you have.”
“Oh.” Grandma Dotty almost smiled. “You make it sound like I should endure cold feet without complaint.”
“Exactly, my sweet.” Layla hugged Dotty once more, before enveloping Aubrey in her embrace. “Golf with Diego and me today.”
“I’ll take them, Laylita.” Nino parked a golf cart on a path on the incline above them. He wore a black polo shirt and black slacks, and looked as if he could be featured in an ad for high end golf equipment or the brand of designer sunglasses he wore. “If I take them, you can play with your father and Diego’s father.”
“No, thank you,” Aubrey said firmly, cheeks feeling warm. She’d embarrassed herself enough for the week.
“Yes, thank you,” Dotty said equally firmly.
“Gracias, Nino.” Layla hurried over to kiss Nino’s cheeks. “That is so considerate. My father is very nervous about walking me down the aisle. He could use some tender loving care. Can you take my little brother?”
It may have been Aubrey’s imagination, but Nino’s smile seemed to droop. He nodded.
“Jeron is a better golfer than last time.” Layla promised, waving her teenage brother over. “And he promised not to drive his cart into you again.”
Ah. That explained Nino’s loss of smile. Aubrey chuckled, while Layla moved on to other guests.
Jeron lumbered down the incline toward them. He was as tall and wide as an offensive tackle on the New York Giants. “Nino!” He enveloped Nino in a bear hug and set him on the ground, before turning to Grandma Dotty and doing the same. “Abuela!” And then it was Aubrey’s turn. “Aubrey!”
The teen squeezed the air from Aubrey’s lungs and spun her around.
Nino’s hand was steady on Aubrey’s arm when the teenager dropped her back on the green. “Jeron.” Nino gestured to a line-up of carts near the club house. “We’ll need another golf cart.”
Jeron whooped, his wide face nearly splitting with a smile. “I love driving.” He moved up the hill with more speed than he’d descended.
“Just remember how to brake,” Nino called after him.
“How much time before we tee off? I feel like speed dating.” Grandma Dotty took a sip of water, and then high stepped it over to another foursome Layla was forming nearby.
“You look beautiful today,” Nino brushed a lock of hair from Aubrey’s shoulders. His light touch activated the magnetic pull she’d felt toward him last night. “That shade of blue suits you.”
“That shade of black suits you, Nino,” she returned absently, watching her grandmother attempt to cross “fall in love again” off her bucket list.
“I hadn’t realized there were different shades of black.” Nino shifted into Aubrey’s line of vision, smiling. So certain of his charm to the opposite sex. To her.
She had little experience handling bold come-ons and her search for the predictability of dreamy kisses for a happy relationship had revealed nothing. Concern for her grandmother meant she had no time to sort through the proper steps in the dance of seduction.
“I’m sorry. Add flirting to the list of things I don’t do well.” Aubrey craned her neck to see around him. “I’m more concerned about my grandmother getting into trouble than getting another k
iss from you.” And that said a lot about her continued single status.
“I don’t want you to worry, mi cielo. There are many people here who will watch out for her, which leaves me to watch out for you.” He continued to use his bedroom voice. Low, playful, seductive.
Again, Aubrey felt the pull of attraction. She risked a glance at Nino. He was so manly and beautiful. What could he possibly see in her? She lacked Layla’s curves and Kitty’s confidence. She didn’t even have her grandmother’s knack for saying the outrageous.
Nino claimed her putter and examined it. “Are you a good golfer?”
Was that surprise in his voice? She’d rented clubs, but she had standards. They were top of the line.
Aubrey tried to look as regal as her grandmother had a few minutes before. “I don’t suck at golf.” Not the way she sucked at dancing.
“Perhaps we should have a wager.” Nino’s voice was as tempting as rich chocolate when she had a sugar low. “If I win, you’ll have dinner with me. And if you win, you’ll have dinner with me.”
Either way, he wanted to have dinner with her. What universe had she landed in? “A girl has to admire logic like that, Nino, but no, thanks. I can’t leave my grandmother alone.”
Grandma Dotty’s giggle cut through the quiet chatter of putting golfers. Her grandmother was closing in on a man.
“I’ll get your clubs.” Nino sounded triumphant as he walked toward her bag and Dotty’s a few feet away. “And find a dinner companion for your grandmother.”
From another man, that might seem annoyingly presumptuous. From Nino, it was thrilling.
Her grandmother smiled at a man in his mid-forties and said something Aubrey couldn’t catch.
Not that she needed to hear. Aubrey could guess what was said by the horrified expression on the man’s face. Grandma Dotty was flexing her throwing arm.
Before Aubrey could intervene, Nino was there, having veered over from his errand to collect their golf clubs. “Such a sense of humor, Dotty.” He guided her back to Aubrey.
“I was shot down,” her grandmother said in a hurt voice, petite shoulders slumping. “I may have to rethink my strategy.”
“What strategy?” Nino directed Jeron to bring his cart closer. “A plan for your golf game?”
“No.” Grandma Dotty scoffed, mouth set in a stubborn, wrinkled line. She resettled the pink visor on her short white hair. “I need a man. It’s on my bucket list. But boy, is it hard work finding one.”
“You’ll need a young man to keep up with you.” Nino played along, as if he was an average nice guy Aubrey had met at the gym, not a handsome Ecuadorian hunk who ran in the same circles as celebrity Layla Bolivar. “Young men have more stamina.”
“I said much the same thing to Bree last night.” Dotty perked up, smiling.
Nino gallantly kissed the back of Dotty’s hand. “I’ll find you a man.”
“You’ll do nicely.” Grandma Dotty batted her thin gray lashes coquettishly.
“I’ll find you another man,” Nino clarified with a mischievous smile as he caught Aubrey’s eye. “I am taken.”
Aubrey’s resolve barrel-rolled down the green grass to the bottom of the hill. This man continued to yank the rug right out from under her and was ready to catch her when she fell.
“Rats.” Dotty sniffed. “You smell really good, too. But I suppose that means you could be Bree’s new nose. She lost hers, you know.”
The concept of sensory perception was beyond her grandmother’s comprehension.
“I don’t think Aubrey’s lost anything.” Nino stroked Aubrey’s nose with his forefinger, causing her heart to leap out of her chest and prostrate itself at his feet.
With every glance, every touch, every kind word, he was seducing Aubrey. Nerds had no natural defense against men like Nino.
“In fact,” Nino said. “Aubrey may deny it, but I think she’s found something here in Ecuador.”
Aubrey didn’t dare breathe until he turned away, afraid she might fall into his arms and agree. Where were her meddling sisters and their Kissing Test when she needed them? Sadly, they weren’t due for another day.
Nino escorted Dotty into Jeron’s cart, loaded their clubs, and they were off, moving toward the first tee with Jeron in the lead.
“Brake!” Nino shouted when the teen careened toward a caddy carrying two golf bags.
Jeron veered around him instead.
Nino swore, but Grandma Dotty cackled gleefully, enjoying her wild ride. She’d found her younger man, and as long as she wore socks to bed she wouldn’t have cold feet.
Nino stopped to apologize to the caddy and gave him a generous tip. His kindness made Aubrey smile. He came across as a powerful, successful man, but he was kind, not just to her and Dotty, but to strangers as well.
Once back in motion, he said to her, “If we don’t get run over by Laylita’s brother, we will have an excellent dinner tonight.”
So presumptuous.
“I don’t think I agreed to have dinner with you,” she said, trying to keep her feet firmly in reality.
“You will.” Nino drove to the first tee, where they waited for the bride and groom’s foursome to begin play. He stared at Aubrey with those black eyes that seemed to see so much. “Tell me about your life’s work, these dreams you claim Marcos Alfaro stole. Did he break into your office in the dead of night and crack a safe?”
He made light of her distress. Or maybe she’d come across as overly dramatic, making a mountain out of an ant hill. In either case, Aubrey was relieved for a break in his seduction campaign. “It was worse than common thievery. Marcos hired my research assistant, tempting him with promises of fame.”
“Fame?” Nino’s perfect nose wrinkled. “No money?”
“Oh, I’m sure money exchanged hands, but when Eugene left, he emailed me a resignation letter in which he talked about making a name for himself.”
“That sounds like you should blame this Eugene, not Marcos, for delusions of grandeur.”
Aubrey scoffed, sounding just like her grandmother. “In my industry, you don’t offer a man a job like that. Not when he only has a six-month internship and a one-year employment history.” He hadn’t even completed his doctoral thesis. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh, your friend Marcos is dirty, all right. He expects Eugene to know everything about my work. Tell me about him.”
“Marcos?” Nino’s forearm rested on the steering wheel. His gaze rested on Layla taking a practice swing. “There is not much to tell. He came from nothing. He made something of his life.”
That admiring tone of voice…
“You like him.”
“Yes.” Nino seemed surprised that she’d question his loyalty. “Do you know Plaza San Francisco? In the city proper?” At her nod, he gave her a generous smile. “The San Francisco Cathedral takes up a large part of the square and part of it was built–not by the Franciscan order–but by a native Ecuadorian.”
“A relation of Marcos Alfaro?” Would he have her believe the man was a saint?
“No.” There was something in Nino’s voice–pride, excitement–Aubrey couldn’t tell which. “Legend has it that a man called Cantuña was only to be paid if he completed the atrium for the Franciscans on time. But as sometimes happens with construction, Cantuña fell behind. So, he made a deal with the devil. The atrium would be completed overnight and on time, and in exchange Cantuña would give the devil his soul.”
Something rustled in the brush a few feet away. A bird. A snake. Aubrey was too caught up in the story and Nino’s obvious enjoyment in telling it to look. “Why would he bargain with the devil?”
Nino leaned back, the better to look at her. “Why does anyone make a bargain with the devil?”
She almost shrugged, almost made light of the questions. But something made her dig in. Her researcher roots perhaps, trying to establish hypotheses and outcomes. “Because they’re desperate. Because they’re dying. Because they’re greedy.”
&nbs
p; Nino bristled, eyes flashing. He looked the way he had the first moment she’d laid eyes on him. “I’m sure he did it for his family. To provide for them.”
“Of course,” she said, agreeing to avoid argument. It was his myth, after all.
Nino resettled himself behind the wheel, re-established the pleasant expression on his face, cleared his throat. “But Cantuña…Ah, Cantuña was clever. He pried loose a stone in the atrium wall while the devil wasn’t looking and put it in his pocket. The next morning the atrium was not completed, which made Cantuña’s deal with the devil null and void. When he disappeared, Cantuña put in the last stone and was paid handsomely.” Nino popped the steering wheel with both palms. High five. Done deal.
Why had he brought up the myth?
Oh, yeah. Marcos Alfaro. “So, what you’re saying is Marcos Alfaro is a modern day Cantuña?”
“Yes!” He rewarded her with a benevolent smile.
“And so, he’s to be respected?”
“Yes!” He had the most amazing smile. It took the edges off his sometimes severe expression.
“But Cantuña cheated.”
Nino’s smile fell.
“And Marcos has a reputation for shady dealings.”
“You don’t respect him?” Nino turned to her, pleading his case. “The man outwitted the devil himself. How can this be a bad thing?”
Aubrey chewed on her bottom lip debating how to put this to him gently. “Well, on the one hand, if Marcos is trying to outwit me, I’m not the devil, at least, last I checked, so that argument won’t hold.”
Nino’s black eyes narrowed, but he didn’t look mad. He looked perplexed.
“And on the other hand, I’d want to ask him how he felt about his business career so far.”
“I would expect he’d be proud.” Nino sounded certain. “He came from nothing.”
“But the journey he took…” Aubrey shook her head. “Does he have regrets?”
“I…I couldn’t say.” It seemed a question Nino hadn’t given much thought to. “I’m sorry you think so little of him.”
Aubrey would look the shrew if she spent more time talking down about his friend, besides, why waste a lovely spring day on Marcos Alfaro. “That’s enough talk about the legend. Tell me about you.”
And Then He Kissed Me Page 4
