AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“In our home.”
She smiled. “If we’re lucky, it might snow.”
“Perfect.”
Cat lifted her mouth to his. “I adore you, Joaquim.”
/>
Somehow, the name sounded right on her lips.
“You’d better,” he said gruffly. “I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t.”
They stayed locked in each other’s arms for long moments. Then Jake drew back.
“I should call Estes.”
“What…? Oh. The lawyer.” Cat’s smile dimmed. “Jake? Are you sure? You can still change—”
“I’m sure,” he said firmly. “I’ll never change my mind, honey. I promise you that.”
It was almost as if Estes had been waiting for the call, because he answered on the first ring.
“Senhor Estes,” Jake said quietly, “this is Jake Ramirez. Yes. I’m fine, thank you. Yes, Senhorita Mendes is also fine.” He drew Cat closer. “Senhor,, we have some news for you. I’ve found a husband for the senhorita. Yes, she’s happy about it. Of course—if you like.” He held the phone to Cat’s ear. “He wants to talk to you.”
“Hello, Senhor Estes. Sim, eu sou muito bem, obrigado. Sim, eu sou muito feliz.” She listened, then smiled up at Jake. “He wants you again.”
Jake put the phone to his ear. “Senhor Estes. I have more news, but you won’t be pleased to hear it. You see, the husband I’ve found for Catarina is me.” His eyes met Cat’s. “I love her,” he said simply, “and she loves me. We understand the ramifications, that she’s forfeiting her inheritance and I’m forfeiting the right to know who my half-brothers are, but—”
Cat, watching her lover’s face, was baffled by what she saw. Jake’s brows shot toward the ceiling, his mouth dropped open, then curved until his grin stretched from ear to ear.
“What?” she whispered.
He started to laugh.
“What?” she said, but louder.
“Yes,” Jake said. “Yes, of course. I can’t believe I didn’t…Yes. Sim, Senhor Estes. Sim. Goodbye for now. And thank you. Thank you very much.”
“Sim?” Cat repeated, starting at him. “Since when do you speak Portuguese? And what’s so fun—?”
Her words became a squeal as Jake swung her up into his arms and spun in a circle.
“Jake? What’s going on?”
“A miracle,” he said, and kissed her.
“What miracle? For goodness’ sakes, tell me what’s happening!”
“Senhorita Mendes.” Jake laughed out loud. “It turns out you’re going to marry a suitable Brazilian husband after all.”
Cat stiffened in his arms. “No! Jake, you said—”
“Me, sweetheart. I’m that guy.”
“You?”
“My old man was a Brazilian citizen. His name and nationality are right there on my birth certificate. That gives me dual citizenship. I’m American…and I’m Brazilian.” He tried, and failed, to look stern and serious. “And, as you well know, I’m a very proper man.”
