treated the boys much differently than the girls. Cosseted and spoiled, adored and made to feel that the world revolved around their likes and dislikes, they reached manhood with a cultivated degree of self-assurance that bordered on entitlement. They knew the world loved them. It’s what they grew up being told.
To learn different from one’s own fiancé penetrated into the very male essence, then shattered and twisted a gallant spirit into impenetrable hardness. He knew he’d changed, and this woman who’d always treated him like a royal prince would know it also.
She turned, wip ed her hands and hugged him to her. “Miguel, I’m so glad you are safely home. Tu mamá, she missed you. She worked hard to be brave and accept Felipe and Mary-Anne’s death, but it took such a toll on her poor sick body.” She smoothed the collar of his open-necked blue work shirt while continuing her gentle harangue. “The tears wouldn’t stop. Like a river, they flowed until I believe she ran dry. We had to bully her to eat and to sleep, instead of all day long crying and praying. She needed to build her strength. Once she knew her babies were coming, she began to eat and care for herself. They are her reason to return to her old spirit.” Her hand searched her sleeve for the hankie he knew she kept hidden and once she found it, she used it furtively. “But you are home now and everything will be better.”
“I’m here to stay, Maria. No more assignments for me.”
“Gracias Dios! Was it horrible dealing with Felipe’s estate?”
“Not really. Most everything had been finalized between the insurance company and his clinic. As it should be, all went to his babies. Since so much time had passed, the bulk of the paperwork had been completed. Sheri had done most of the research for the necessary information they requested.” His searching look told him little of what she thought, and he had to know. “Tell me. I know you’re dying to. Will my new wife be good enough for the Rivera family?”
His wording broke through her normally austere look and made her smile slightly.
She stared him down, something no other person could do since he’d reached manhood. “Isn’t it a bit late to seek my approval now? What’s done is done. Best we live with it.” As she moved to turn back to the sink, Miguel grasped her and made her face him again.
“Something is wrong? You’ve acted strangely ever since you saw her. Why? She’s lovely and a wonderful mother. Why have you been so distant?”
“I haven’t—”
“Maria por favor. It’s me . Miguel .” Frustrated, he slammed his hand on the counter like he did as a small child when he didn’t get his way. “Look, we’re married, and I like the girl. I have to make this work if we want to keep those babies here where they belong. She is their blood mother, and until I can attain a legal adoption, she has full rights over their future. Please, my dear, treat her well.”
The slight dampness of her hand against his cheek didn’t deter from the gentleness. “Si, Don Miguel. It will be as you wish.” With her eyes averted, he heard her capitulation, but couldn’t help but see the worried frown as she sucked her bottom lip under her teeth.
The back door opened noisily. “Miguel, I have the car in front waiting.” Not a fool, Juan obviously noticed his wife’s posture. “Has Maria’s nattering and fussing kept you?” He wagged his finger at his wife.
She snorted and turned back to her work, but not before Miguel heard her muttered Spanish words that referred to her husband as an old fool. Used to this behavio r, Miguel grinned at Juan who grinned back. “You did say you wanted to go to the office today, didn’t you? Since the calls have been non-stop, I’ve no doubt there’ll be a pile of work waiting for you.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” With a hug from behind and kiss to her cheek, Miguel left his snarky housekeeper, and within twenty minutes, he
To learn different from one’s own fiancé penetrated into the very male essence, then shattered and twisted a gallant spirit into impenetrable hardness. He knew he’d changed, and this woman who’d always treated him like a royal prince would know it also.
She turned, wip ed her hands and hugged him to her. “Miguel, I’m so glad you are safely home. Tu mamá, she missed you. She worked hard to be brave and accept Felipe and Mary-Anne’s death, but it took such a toll on her poor sick body.” She smoothed the collar of his open-necked blue work shirt while continuing her gentle harangue. “The tears wouldn’t stop. Like a river, they flowed until I believe she ran dry. We had to bully her to eat and to sleep, instead of all day long crying and praying. She needed to build her strength. Once she knew her babies were coming, she began to eat and care for herself. They are her reason to return to her old spirit.” Her hand searched her sleeve for the hankie he knew she kept hidden and once she found it, she used it furtively. “But you are home now and everything will be better.”
“I’m here to stay, Maria. No more assignments for me.”
“Gracias Dios! Was it horrible dealing with Felipe’s estate?”
“Not really. Most everything had been finalized between the insurance company and his clinic. As it should be, all went to his babies. Since so much time had passed, the bulk of the paperwork had been completed. Sheri had done most of the research for the necessary information they requested.” His searching look told him little of what she thought, and he had to know. “Tell me. I know you’re dying to. Will my new wife be good enough for the Rivera family?”
His wording broke through her normally austere look and made her smile slightly.
She stared him down, something no other person could do since he’d reached manhood. “Isn’t it a bit late to seek my approval now? What’s done is done. Best we live with it.” As she moved to turn back to the sink, Miguel grasped her and made her face him again.
“Something is wrong? You’ve acted strangely ever since you saw her. Why? She’s lovely and a wonderful mother. Why have you been so distant?”
“I haven’t—”
“Maria por favor. It’s me . Miguel .” Frustrated, he slammed his hand on the counter like he did as a small child when he didn’t get his way. “Look, we’re married, and I like the girl. I have to make this work if we want to keep those babies here where they belong. She is their blood mother, and until I can attain a legal adoption, she has full rights over their future. Please, my dear, treat her well.”
The slight dampness of her hand against his cheek didn’t deter from the gentleness. “Si, Don Miguel. It will be as you wish.” With her eyes averted, he heard her capitulation, but couldn’t help but see the worried frown as she sucked her bottom lip under her teeth.
The back door opened noisily. “Miguel, I have the car in front waiting.” Not a fool, Juan obviously noticed his wife’s posture. “Has Maria’s nattering and fussing kept you?” He wagged his finger at his wife.
She snorted and turned back to her work, but not before Miguel heard her muttered Spanish words that referred to her husband as an old fool. Used to this behavio r, Miguel grinned at Juan who grinned back. “You did say you wanted to go to the office today, didn’t you? Since the calls have been non-stop, I’ve no doubt there’ll be a pile of work waiting for you.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” With a hug from behind and kiss to her cheek, Miguel left his snarky housekeeper, and within twenty minutes, he
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