Wooed by You

by Sophia Knightly

  He had already given her roses so that wouldn’t do. "No, not flowers. She owns The Tropical Paradise Nursery. She's surrounded by trees and exotic flowers." Linc tapped his pen on his desk. "I'll have to come up with something else."

  "I don't think I've ever seen you so determined to get a woman. It's good Isabel can stand up to you," Jenny said, eyeing him with undisguised amusement.

  Linc’s lips formed a flat line. "I'll just have to work harder."

  Her lips twitched. “You do that, Steel.”

  Scowling, Linc reached for the Styrofoam cup before him. "Why are you here?" he asked with a bite in his tone to quell the teasing.

  "I wanted you to see this article in the Miami Herald," she said, handing him a newspaper. "It criticizes our attempt to set up the Figueroa family for the buy-bust operation that went sour. You're not going to like what you read," she said grimly.

  Linc downed the remains of his Cuban coffee and crumpled the cup, sending it flying into a metal trashcan across from his desk. "Damn it, that last buy-bust failure between Paco and the Figueroas still gives me a bitter taste," he muttered.

  Detective Paco Lopez, one of Linc's undercover officers, had planned to show the money to the Figueroa family drug traffickers as if a buy was to be made. Then once the drugs were delivered, instead of paying, the police would arrest everyone. But something went awry and Detective Lopez was shot and killed in the process.

  "Let me see that." Linc took the newspaper article from Jenny's outstretched hand.

  After glancing down the page, he shouted an expletive and banged his fist on his desk. "Get Blackthorne. We're going over every detail of Operation Rattlesnake again. Get Estrada and Ramirez too. This article makes my blood boil."

  Undercover officers Ramirez and Estrada were working closely with Linc on the case. They had been gaining the Honduran drug lords' confidence over several months and had recently set up a plan with the Figueroa family during a meeting at a Key West bar. There were millions of dollars being washed offshore and cocaine going through Honduras on the way to Miami.

  Moments later, Jenny returned to Linc’s office with Clay, Estrada and Ramirez. Linc stared at each of the detectives with probing eyes. "Where do you think the leak to the Herald came from?"

  "The Miami International Airport," Estrada replied right away.

  "Paco was shot after he talked to a customs agent before the buy-bust. He had told the agent of our plans and asked him if he wanted to participate in the sting."

  “The agent was supposed to let Paco know when a container of hand-painted Honduran ceramics full of cocaine was arriving," Ramirez added.

  ''Who the hell is this agent?" Linc barked.

  "Manny Fernandez," Clay replied, his mouth grim. "He's already been questioned."

  "Bring him in again, Gator,” Linc said, using Clay’s nickname. “We need to know if he leaked the information.”

  Once the officers left, Linc reread the article objectively to gauge how much damage had been inflicted on the case. Relieved that Estrada and Ramirez weren't mentioned, he dismissed the story as unsubstantiated speculation.

  Isabel woke up Thursday morning determined to stop moping. She’d spent the last two weeks trudging around, going through the motions of everyday life—working long hours, taking care of Suzie…and simply trying to breathe. Her chest felt constricted with the burden of remorse, and she just wanted to feel better.

  Other than a brief call from Linc to check in on Suzie the day after she’d had the stomach virus, he’d been visibly absent. Suzie had constantly asked about him, each day growing more frustrated over his disappearance. Isabel had tried explaining that he was too busy working to come visit them, but Suzie kept insisting he’d be back.

  Suzie wasn’t the only one missing Linc. It was confounding and draining how much Isabel missed him. How had he become so important to her in such a short time? The ache in her heart and the nagging doubt that she’d made a mistake kept her up at night and ruined her appetite.

  She had to get on with her life, make plans, start dating again—do anything to fill the void he’d left. Don’t think about Linc anymore. Heeding her inner voice, she shook off the self-defeating lethargy and turned her thoughts to her nursery business. She got ready for the day in a navy sheath dress paired with kitten-heeled pumps. She pulled her hair into a smooth knot at her nape and put on make-up and simple jewelry, aiming to look professional and composed as she set out to secure a loan for her business.

  She'd been reluctant to use her mortgage-free house as collateral, but she had no other choice. Gathering all the necessary papers, she headed to the bank, on a mission to somehow solve their financial dilemma.

  When she returned home after her meeting with the bank rep, she headed to her office where her mother was waiting for her, sitting on the buff leather recliner next to the window where Isabel liked to read late at night.

  “How did it go?” Olga asked as soon as Isabel walked in. “I tried calling your cell, but no answer. Is it off?”

  “Sorry, I forgot to turn the volume back on after the meeting,” Isabel said. She filled her mother in on what the banking rep had told her about refinancing the mortgage and then added, “We're already running a skeleton crew and we can't lay off more workers, so I think this is the best alternative. Our insurance policy will have to be renewed without making any reductions.” Isabel sighed. “We’re in this sorry mess because I failed to renew the policy on time and we had no coverage from the disastrous freeze last winter. We can’t risk it happening again, but the rising insurance rates are choking us.”

  "With everything that happened last year, who can blame us for forgetting to make the insurance payment?” Olga mused. “I should have done it for you.”

  “No, I was responsible for it,” Isabel said glumly. “I’m in charge of our bookkeeping and all the office stuff, and I dropped the ball.”

  “Don’t blame yourself, Isabelita. It’s not fair.” Olga got up and paced the room, anxiety making her look years older as she wrung her hands. “Anyone in your position would have fallen apart. I’m proud of the way you hung in there and took care of Suzie after your divorce.” She threw up her hands in desperation. “If the divorce wasn’t bad enough, Frank died in a terrible accident, and then we found out he was involved with drug dealing.” She paled and made the sign of the cross, turning her gaze heavenward. “Ave Maria, let’s pray that it will be the end of tragedies for our family.”

  “Yes,” Isabel said fervently. “We need a fighting chance to turn the nursery around. With that security, maybe everything else will fall into place.”

  “Maybe, but I'm not thrilled about mortgaging either of the houses,” Olga said, her eyes uncertain as she considered the bank loan idea. “Your father took great pride in the fact that they were paid off before he died. If he were alive today, he wouldn’t want to see us get heavily into debt." Her jaw lifted with resignation. “But if that’s what we need to do to save the business, then let’s do it.”

  "Good. I’m so glad you’re in agreement,” Isabel said, relieved. “We have to be able to handle another freeze if it comes this winter, but we can’t do it without the funds to buy a new micro sprinkler system and fiberglass wraps to protect our trees."

  Isabel hated what she was going to suggest next, but their choices were severely limited. “If you don’t feel comfortable getting the loan, then maybe we should consider the Carbonell family's offer to buy some of our land. I can ask Bill Carbonell if he is still interested, and if not, I’ll reach out to other farmers and see if there’s interest.”

  “No.” Olga stopped pacing and faced Isabel with fire in her eyes. “This is our land. Your father worked too hard for us to just up and sell it.” She exhaled a frustrated breath. “But our trees won't survive another freeze without the right equipment. Let’s try for a bank loan. It’s the lesser of two evils."

  Another week went by and every day dragged from morning to night as Isabel waited for
news from the bank. She strove to banish Linc from her mind by giving herself pep talks. Discussing it with her mother had helped, but not enough for her to stop pining for the love she could have had if Linc hadn’t been a narcotics detective.

  Olga had told her she needed time to get over him, and to adopt the mentality of taking life one day at a time. All wonderful advice lovingly dispensed, but they both knew Linc was one of a kind—a heroic man to treasure and admire, yet it didn’t override the reality of his perilous situation.

  Initially, Olga had urged Isabel to reconsider and give Linc a chance, reminding her of the qualities he’d shown thus far, but after Isabel enumerated her reasons why he wouldn’t make an ideal stepfather for Suzie, Olga reluctantly agreed.

  Friday night, Isabel was trying to be upbeat for Suzie, though she wasn’t feeling upbeat at all. Earlier, she’d received word that their loan request had been rejected. That meant she’d have to start looking for another bank to approach on Monday.

  Just as she and Suzie were about to sit down to dinner, the doorbell rang and Isabel’s heart began to thrum erratically. She rarely had visitors who didn’t call first, and she couldn’t help the shiver of apprehension snaking through her.

  Suzie ran to the window and looked outside. "Mami, it’s Linc. He’s back!" she cried joyfully. Isabel joined her at the window and watched Linc give Thunder a big bone and pet him before he ambled toward their house.

  Isabel’s heart did a little skip of happiness and she couldn’t help the smile that spread over her face like warm sunshine.

  Chapter 10

  Suzie got to the door first and flung it open, greeting Linc with a tight hug around his waist. She looked as adorable as he remembered, all happy smiles and pink cheeks. Craning her neck back to peer at him, she said, "Look, I'm feeling fine now."

  “Glad to hear it, sweetie." Linc ruffled the top of Suzie's hair and locked eyes with Isabel above Suzie’s head. "How are you?" he asked, taking in her drawn face

  "I'm okay," Isabel said slowly, gazing at him with trepidation. Was she even a little bit glad to see him? He’d purposely kept away to give her time to miss him.

  The delicious smells of home cooking made Linc’s stomach growl as he entered her home. He had wolfed down an Italian sub sandwich at noon and hadn’t eaten since. "Mmmm. Something smells good."

  ''Mami made arroz con pollo and fried plantains," Suzie said proudly. "There's plenty for you. Right, Mami?"

  Isabel paused. "Well, yes. But…”

  Linc raised an expectant brow and smiled, noting her colorless face and the faint circles under her dark eyes. She looked wary and vulnerable, her eyes distant as an invisible wall went up, but Linc wasn’t about to let her off the hook. She was too used to pulling back from him and hiding behind her defenses. “I recall your aunt bragging about your famous arroz con pollo. Can I have a little taste?” he said with a crooked smile.

  “Sure, why not?” Suzie piped in.

  Isabel hesitated, but Suzie tugged at her hand. "Yes, all right. You can join us," Isabel finally said. She set another place at the table and invited Linc to join them while she filled his plate with her delicious meal.

  Linc devoured the moist arroz can pollo and ate all the fried plantains and salad she’d served him. "These plantains are amazing.”

  "Wait 'till you taste Mami’s flan. It's really yummy," Suzie said.

  "I can hardly wait," Linc said, glancing at Isabel. She’d been quiet during most of meal while Suzie had held court, chattering nonstop.

  Throughout the meal Suzie fidgeted, and when she saw Linc take the last bite of flan, she blurted out, "There's a field trip next week to the Seaquarium."

  "Sounds like fun. Are you going?" Linc asked.

  "No," Suzie replied, her eyes downcast and her rosebud mouth forming a pout.

  "Why not?" he asked.

  "Because it's a daddy and daughter field trip…and I don't have a daddy," she said in a woeful voice.

  Isabel cleared her throat. "Suzie, I’m sure Tío Pepe would love to go with you."

  "But I don’t want him to.” Suzie’s chin turned up stubbornly. "I love Tío Pepe, but he’ll get tired. He’s too old."

  Linc’s lips twitched as he swallowed a chuckle.

  "Tío Pepe has plenty of energy. And he’s not old. He is only sixty-five," Isabel countered.

  "Sixty-five is old, Mami," Suzie retorted, her mouth set mutinously. "Miss Sutter told me I could invite anyone I wanted to since my daddy died." Her face scrunched up pitifully. "I want Linc to come with me.”

  Isabel's jaw dropped as she stared at Suzie. “No. It can’t be Linc, Suzie,” she said, keeping her gaze averted from him.

  “But he said he would take me to the zoo again. Remember when I was a good little girl and drank the medicine?” Suzie whined.

  “This isn’t about going to the zoo,” Isabel said emphatically.

  "When is the field trip, Suzie?” Linc interjected.

  "Next Thursday. Will you come with me?" Suzie’s big, chocolate eyes beseeched Linc with such longing his stomach tightened.

  “It’s up to your mommy to decide,” he said, noting the high color in Isabel’s face.

  "I don't think it's a good idea," Isabel said with a shake of her head.

  "Why not, Mami?" Suzie demanded, her lower lip quivering. "Linc is so nice. He took care of me when I was sick."

  ''Yes, baby. I know he did, but it can't be Linc," Isabel said gently.

  Suzie’s eyes filled with tears. Her face turned red and her chin trembled. "Please? If you say yes, I'll eat all my vegetables. I'll clean my room and go to bed early. I promise, Mami." She rubbed her teary eyes with her chubby little fists

  Damn, the kid was breaking his heart! If Isabel said no, he’d have to find a way to make it up to Suzie. She looked forlorn and desperate for Isabel to agree.

  Isabel also looked gutted, and Linc was pretty certain she was holding back tears listening to Suzie make all those promises.

  "Okay, baby. I guess it's all right," Isabel said, her voice barely audible.

  "Thank you, Mami!” Suzie wrapped her arms around Isabel’s neck and kissed her cheek exuberantly before doing a little jig around the room. “We're going to ride in a big yellow school bus, Linc!”

  Linc chuckled. "Sounds like fun. I hope I fit inside.”

  "You will, just don’t eat any more flan," Suzie said, grabbing her tummy and collapsing into giggles.

  “It’s time for you to go to bed,” Isabel said, a trace of a wan smile breaking through. “You’ve already had your shower, now please brush your teeth and get into your jammies. I’ll be there soon to tuck you in.”

  Suzie smiled meekly, the little shyster. “Okay, Mami.” Isabel’s brows rose as she nodded in approval. “Good night, Linc,” Suzie said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. True to her word, she scampered off and got ready for bed while Isabel and Linc cleared the dishes.

  Studying Isabel, Linc noticed she looked thinner and her shoulders were slightly slumped. “How’s life been treating you these days?” he asked mildly.

  “I’ve had better days.” She gave a hapless shrug, making him want to hold her tight and offer to slay dragons for her.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, searching her troubled eyes.

  He listened attentively as Isabel explained her financial dilemma and how she'd been turned down for a bank loan and would have to start all over again or they’d be in financial straits. She said all of it in a flat tone, but he heard her quiet desperation.

  Linc lightly touched her arm and his blood surged at the feel of her warm softness beneath his callused fingers. "Don't stress about it, honey. I'll loan you the money you need."

  Isabel stopped loading the dishes into the dishwasher. "What?” Color bloomed in her cheeks as she stared at him with dismay. “I was sharing what this week has been like. I wasn't hinting for you to lend me the money, Linc. It’s a huge amount!”

  “How much?”

&
nbsp; “We need a three hundred thousand dollar loan to be able to pay for a new micro sprinkler system and the fiberglass wraps to protect our trees."

  "That amount is fine. I'm offering because I can afford it. My inheritance is sitting in the bank doing nothing. I wouldn’t mind investing in a business venture like your fruit tree farm.” He smiled. “You don't have to pay me back until you're ready."

  "I can't accept your money. It's not right," Isabel protested, her eyes mortified.

  Linc scoffed and waved a dismissive hand. "There's no difference between me lending you the money or a bank lending it to you. We can do any paperwork that will make you feel comfortable."

  She stubbornly shook her head and went back to loading the dishes. "Thanks, it’s very sweet of you to offer…but no."

  Linc took the last dish from her and loaded it, then shut the dishwasher. He was dying to pull her toward him and kiss her, but instead he took a step closer—close enough to get his fill of her beguiling feminine scent. “Think about it logically and don’t dwell on the money coming from me," he said, his voice lowering with persuasion.

  Isabel glanced away and swallowed deeply. "I don't know," she said, her resolve softening. "I'll have to discuss it with my mother.” She expelled a frustrated breath. “If we decide to accept your generous offer, you have to charge us the prime rate of interest on the loan."

  "We’ll hash out the details later," he said cryptically. "Do you think your mom will agree?"

  “I know she will. She is good at many things, but a businesswoman she isn’t. I’ve done my best to run the business end of things while she is in charge of the day-to-day operation. It makes me sad because it leaves very little time for her to follow her passion for photography."

  ''Your mother is a photographer?" Linc asked, surprised.

  “A very talented one. The murals on her wall of the Everglades are pictures she took. She and Papi were avid nature lovers, like me. Her dream is to go to Alaska and photograph the wildlife there. I wish I could make her dream come true,” Isabel said. “But the way things are going she’ll be an old lady before she can take a trip.”