Evie’s gaze roamed over her friend’s face. They’d never kept secrets from each other. Ever. She trusted this woman more than she trusted any other person with the exception of Hilde,but this was something she could never say to her companion of thirty years. Nor could she say it to Felicity, whom she trusted as well. Heck, she could hardly say it to herself.
She opened her mouth, but still couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud. “It’s hopeless. I’m hopeless. I can’t even say the words.”
“It’s just me and you here, Evie. No one can hear us. You can say anything at all, and it won’t go any further. You know that. Just blurt it out like you always do.”
She gave a slight nod, took a breath, and said, “I’m going to ask Jake if he…I mean…”
“Oh, for cryin’ out loud, Evie. If you can’t say the words, I’ll say them for you.” She grinned. “You’re going to ask Jake to become your lover.”
“Yes.”
“It’s about damned time.” Marisol laughed. Well, it wasn’t quite a laugh. It was more of a surprised cackle. “I’ve been watching you make calf-eyes at that man for far too long. Good for you,cariña. Good for you.” She patted Evie’s hand then went back to her sewing. “When?”
“I don’t know. I don’t even know how to begin or what to say or…anything.” She stared at the garment in her lap. “See? I told you it was hopeless.”
“No, it isn’t hopeless. Nothing is hopeless. Do you love him?”
She didn’t hesitate. “I do.” Happiness bubbled inside her, finally admitting what she knew to be true to someone other than herself. “After Tom, I never thought I would feel this way again, but yes, I do love him.”
“Do you want him?”
“Yes.” And that was the truth. Ever since that first kiss, she’d thought of nothing else. She did want him. She thought he wanted her as well, but couldn’t be certain. He certainly seemed to.
Marisol laid her sock aside, careful with the needle. “Then this is what you’ll do.” The woman lowered her voice as she gave detailed directions.
Evie laughed when Marisol finished. “It seems you’ve been thinking about this for quite some time.”
“I have, almost since the moment I laid eyes on him.” Marisol chuckled, then grew serious. “Can you do it?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never…seduced anyone before.”
“It won’t be hard. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I think all you need to do is set the stage, and what better place thanPequeña Casa? It’s quiet. It’s private. It’s comfortable.” She grinned her incorrigible grin. “I’ve used it myself over the years.”
“Wait. What are you saying? You’ve used the little house for secret assignations?” Funny, she wasn’t upset about her friend using the house. After all, it was in the perfect location, just on the other side of the river that separated Montaña del Trueno from Hacienda Zepeda, surrounded by tall, shade-giving trees. It wasn’t that at all. It was the fact that she’d never known. “I thought we didn’t keep secrets.”
“We don’t. Well, except for that one. Sergio and I have met there a few times, and no one ever knew, not until now.” Her smile widened, as if relieved she’d finally shared her secret. “We didn’t think you’d mind.”
“I don’t mind, but I don’t understand either.” Evie fiddled with the material in her lap, then picked up the shirt and began to sew, her stitches short and precise this time, despite the confusion in her mind. “You and Sergio have a home of your own and a ranch as big as Montaña del Trueno.”
“Yes, we do. I also have children and grandchildren running around. My house is full, as yours is. And you know as well as I do that work on the ranch never stops.” She sighed, and an expression came over her face that Evie recognized. It was contentment and the love Marisol had for her husband of almostthirty years. “Sergio and I just need to get away by ourselves for a little peace and quiet for a few hours.” She cast a glance Evie’s way, one dark eyebrow raised into a perfect arch. “Haven’t you wondered why it’s always clean?”
“I assumed the boys’ wives kept it clean.” She hadn’t been to the little house in a long time until just the other day when she and Jake picked berries.
“As well they should, as they all meet there, too.” She actually blushed, something she didn’t do very often. “Sergio and I were almost caught by Teddy and Esmeralda one afternoon and by Heath and Jenny another time.”
Evie lowered the shirt, finished repairing the small tear. “So you’re telling me that everyone usesPequeña Casafor secret trysts except me?”
“That’s what I’m telling you,” she said. “So maybe you should take a page from our book and invite Jake there.” She wiggled her eyebrows, which made Evie laugh.
“Maybe I will.”
They continued with their mending and talk turned to Marisol’s newest grandchild.
Later, after Marisol went home, Evie climbed the stairs to her room. She sat at the small desk, pulled a piece of stationery from the drawer, grabbed her fancy fountain pen, and jotted a short note. She blew on the ink to make it dry quicker, then folded it and placed it in an envelope. Now to get it to the bunkhouse without being seen.
She rose from her desk, envelope still in hand, and ran downstairs before she lost her nerve. No one was about, either in the kitchen or on the patio as she stepped outside and ran across the lawn. She stood on the porch of the bunkhouse, her heart pounding in her chest, her hands shaking.
Am I insane? This is the stupidest idea.
