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‘Wherever it is, I’m happy.’
‘Good.’
The helicopter thudded down and a moment later the door was opened.
‘Ready?’
‘You betcha.’
He removed the blindfold as the golf buggy pulled up beside the helicopter. It took her a moment to realise what was happening.
‘Your island?’
‘Someone organised a very elaborate party. I didn’t want it to go to waste.’
She frowned, confused. ‘You want me to come to the party as your date?’
‘You are the party,’ he said.
She stared at him, shocked. ‘That’s... You can’t be serious.’
But he was. Every element she’d organised had been scaled back to suit two guests. There was food, dancing, champagne, and when the barge just out from the island began to release the fireworks, Graciano went down on one knee, squeezing her hand to draw her attention to him.
‘There is no one on this earth I love like I do you. In every way, for all time, since we first met, you have been my other half. I was foolish and arrogant and I will never be able to change our past, but you are my future, Alicia. You and Annie are the meaning to my world. I know it’s soon, but having wasted ten years, I can’t wait another night. Will you marry me?’
She stared first at his face and then at the ring he’d opened a box to reveal, and tears sparkled on her lashes—tears of such happiness. ‘I never thought this would be our ending,’ she said. ‘All those nights spent missing you, wondering where you were, worrying for you, loving you without purpose and hope...’
‘There is always hope,’ he corrected, standing so he could draw her into an embrace. ‘With a heart so full as yours, there is always hope.’
He slid the ring onto her finger and she stared down at it, mesmerised by the enormous, sparkling gem, but also by the future they were stepping towards. Everything about this moment, his proposal, felt absolutely perfect.
One year later, Mrs Alicia Cortéz had the pleasure of telling her husband of six months that they were to be parents again—and this time, together. Their journey would be a shared one, every step of the way. Their time was split between Spain and London. Both would have preferred to relocate to Spain full-time, but Annie had a life in London, and there was Diane to consider, now as dear a friend to Graciano as she always had been to Alicia. When their baby boy was born, it was Diane who oversaw his medical needs, and a month later, Diane who was named their son’s godmother.
Graciano could only look at his family with gratitude for the second chance he’d been given. A third baby would someday bless them, but before she was born, Graciano received a call that would change his life for ever.
He answered his phone on the third ring, watching his wife and daughter play with his little boy, his heart stretched to a wonderful breaking point.
‘Cortéz?’
‘Speaking.’
‘It’s Caleb James.’
Graciano, momentarily, drew a blank. ‘Yes?’
‘The investigator, from Washington.’
It had been so long since he’d engaged the man—of course he’d forgotten. He’d seen a bill from time to time, and had been content to let the matter tick along in the background on the basis that maybe, one day, he’d get lucky and something about his brother would turn up.
‘Can I help you?’
‘I think I’ve got something.’
Graciano stood straighter. ‘You think, or you know?’
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alicia shift, her face turning to his, curiosity on her features. They were so in tune it was predictable that she’d hear his voice and worry.
‘I’m ninety-nine percent sure.’
