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“I’ll get our bags,” Rafael replied. He went into the house without speaking to Santos.
“Are you coming with me, Fox?” Santos asked.
Fox sent Ana a questioning glance, but she shook her head. “Sorry, I have an appointment and can’t take you with me.”
“I’ll go with Santos, then,” Fox said, and he followed Rafael up the stairs to get his duffle bag.
“Santos, will you bring my bag down with yours?” Ana asked.
“I’ll throw it off the balcony.” Santos entered the house and left the door standing open.
Ana laughed. “He’s teasing. You needn’t worry, though. The video will show Rafael knows more than enough to satisfy Miguel.”
“That’s exactly what does worry me,” Maggie replied.
Ana stepped close. “Spanish men do what they wish. Don’t ever try and stop them. Stupid women force them to choose, then weep when they’re not their man’s choice. You don’t strike me as being stupid, though.”
“No, I’m generally considered too smart for my own good. If I don’t see you before I fly home, thank you again for buying such a beautiful dress and shoes for me.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll get the photos to you before you leave.”
“Thank you. They’ll make perfect souvenirs.” Maggie went in to thank Mrs. Lujan and Refugio for making her feel so welcome.
“I hope you’ll come back soon,” the housekeeper stressed. “You have been in our thoughts and prayers all these years, and it took much too long to meet you.”
“I came the first time I was invited.” A worried glance passed between the housekeeper and cook, but she didn’t regret telling the truth. After all, they knew her father better than she did and couldn’t have been all that surprised by her remark.
She waited for Rafael at the bottom of the stairs, and they walked together to his car. After he’d put her bag in the trunk, she draped her new dress over it and took her seat in the Mercedes. “I’m glad you came here with me.”
He turned the key in the ignition and then grew puzzled. “Were you going to come here without me?”
He was smiling as though the thought were absurd, and she let him think so. “It wouldn’t have been nearly as nice a trip without you.”
“Last night I got six stars, and today I’m only nice?” He turned the car in a wide arc to head out on the road.
She looked out her window. “You’re excellent company in or out of bed. Is that better?”
“I prefer excellent to nice. It should rate at least four stars. ”
“At least.” She tried to stay awake but was soon yawning and closed her eyes. She had only a few more days with him, and if she gave in to her fears, she’d miss those. He’d gone way past a mere fling with her, and she wondered if he would say the same about her. Like many of her questions, it remained unasked.
Miguel was playing cards with his nurse when Maggie rapped lightly on his bedroom door. He appeared delighted to see them. “You’re back, and you have the camera. Open the cabinet opposite the bed, and you’ll find whatever you need.”
The petite blonde nurse picked up the cards, returned them to their box and remained seated at the small table. She folded her hands in her lap, eager to watch it too.
Rafael opened the cabinet and turned to Maggie. “Do you know how to do this?”
“No, maybe we should wait for Santos.”
Miguel left his chair, and while holding onto a bedpost for support, explained exactly what to do. “Do not be embarrassed. I make little effort to keep up with technology myself.” He went on around the bed, sat down and adjusted his pillows. “When did you film this?”
“This morning,” Rafael replied.
Ana had scenes of the bullring, the bull and the ranch hands. For a woman with no experience with that camera, she handled the transitions smoothly. Then Rafael entered the ring, and Maggie couldn’t bear to look. She’d thought she could watch, but even after Rafael had taken her hand, it was too much for her. The sound was
good and included the snorting bull as well as the men’s enthusiastic shouts. She was certain Rafael had to be good but stared at the floor until the end of the tape.
“Play it again,” her father asked.
