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He shrugged as though mystified. “You want nothing more than tonight’s memories?”
She forced a trembling smile. “Yes, I do, but it’ll only make it so much more difficult to say good-bye.”
“Don’t say it.” He handed her shoes.
He didn’t speak on the drive to her father’s house, and she was too preoccupied to risk conversation. When he walked her up to the front door, she already had the key in her hand, and he left without kissing her good-bye.
It had easily been the most remarkable night of her life, but as she climbed the stairs to her room, she felt torn. She wanted to change her reservation and fly home later that day, where she could surround herself with people who’d pose no threat to her heart or soul. It was a cowardly thought, and perhaps courage was the virtue she’d always lacked.
She was too tired to sleep but scrubbed off Rafael’s scent in the shower. By the time she climbed into bed, it was nearly dawn. When Santos knocked on her door, she doubted she’d closed her eyes.
“I told Father I planned to take you to the ranch, and he wants to see you before we leave.”
She covered a wide yawn. “Give me a minute.” The print of Rafael’s kisses showed clearly on her inner thighs, but she didn’t need any visual reminders of his passionate touch. She pulled on jeans and a black knit top and sandals. Her father’s door was open, and she rapped lightly on the jamb before entering.
Miguel sat at the table on the balcony while Santos stood looking out at the sea. “Come sit with me. Have you eaten?”
The tray with freshly baked rolls and fruit looked untouched, but while she felt hollow, she couldn’t take a bite. “Thank you, but I’m not hungry.”
“Fine. I want you to go to the ranch with Santos and invite Rafael to go along.”
“You don’t mean it!” Santos exclaimed.
“You heard me. Take the video camera and film him with one of our bulls. If he’s as good as he believes himself to be, I’ll arrange for his Alternativa the next time you fight.”
“You’re trusting me to make an accurate record when I despise him?” Santos asked. “That makes no sense at all.”
“I trust you to show me the truth. I’ll be the one to judge.” He picked up his cell phone. “Do you want to speak with Rafael?” he asked Maggie.
She shook her head because nothing she said would make any sense. I like you so much, but your life terrifies me would be absurd no matter how she stated it. It hadn’t mattered when she’d first met him, but it mattered deeply to her now. She listened as her father explained the reason for the call. His side of the conversation went smoothly, so apparently Rafael had agreed to come along.
“He’ll be here shortly. Be civil to him, Santos. This is important to me, and it will take nothing away from you. In fact, a rivalry between you two will swell the crowds at the bullrings from here to Mexico City.”
Maggie shuddered. “Is that your only concern?”
“We’re not fighting bulls for fun,” Santos replied, clearly amused by her question. “Come on, let’s go pack. We’ll be at the ranch for a couple of days at least. I usually go there to train before a fight anyway.”
Maggie left her chair with a clumsy lurch. “When is your next fight?”
“Sunday.”
“This coming Sunday?”
Her father laughed. “I’ve already changed your flight reservation so you’ll be here to see it.”
Maggie felt trapped rather than grateful. “I wish you’d asked me first.”
“You would have said no,” he replied. “Now we don’t have to argue over it. Besides, no one should come to Spain and go home without seeing a bullfight.”
Maggie didn’t care if she was the first. Many people objected to the harsh cruelty to the animals involved, and she agreed, but her deeper concern lay with the men she cared about.
Her father called to them as they reached the door. “Take Fox along. He’s lost here without the twins.”
“I will,” Santos answered. “There’s no reason for him to miss out on the fun.”
“Fun?” Maggie repeated numbly. She entered her room to pack and found the bed again made up. The maid had to lurk down the hall waiting for a chance to clean. She went out on her balcony to breathe in the crisp fresh air, but her life had never been such a disastrous muddle.
Chapter Ten
