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CHAPTER THREE
SONIA
Ten Years Ago…
“What the?!” My sister grabs for the blanket I’ve ruthlessly pulled off her and attempts to tug it back over her shoulders.
But before she can accomplish it, I throw myself on her. “Amelia! Sweet sister, do you know what today is?”
“It will be the last day of your life if you don’t get off me!” She rolls, but with her smaller frame, it’s easy to hang on to her. “Get off. Of course I know what day it is. It’s the day I’m being cursed with having to share my room with a spoiled brat.”
“A spoiled brat you love,” I remind her. I get off the bed, pull the blanket up to her neck, then kiss her cheek.
She smiles faintly and snuggles into her pillow. “I do love you, dammit. Happy birthday, Soni. Now let me sleep or you won’t get a present from me later.”
I leave her be, in part because if I don’t, she’s capable of making me beg for days until she gives me my gift. But also because of what I hope is already waiting for me.
Though I’m able to control myself as I exit the room, I’m off the moment the door shuts behind me.
“Feliz cumpleaños, mi niña.”Happy birthday, my girl.
“Gracias, Nana.” I hurriedly hug the woman who’s helped care for my siblings and me as I pass her.
“Where are you going in such a hurry? It’s not proper to run around in your nightgown!” she yells after me.
“I know!” I blow her a kiss and laugh. It doesn’t matter if it’s proper or not. I’ve been working on something for a year now, and this is the morning I’ll find out if all the pleading has finally paid off.
Almost tripping over my own feet, I yell, “Is she mine?” as I burst into the breakfast room, startling one of the maids about to set a covered dish on the table in front of my mother. She drops it hard, causing some of the yellow hollandaise sauce to spill over the edge onto the white embroidered fabric.
“Perdon, Señora Beltran,” she says and tries in vain to clean it.
“Don’t worry, Lupe, it’s fine,” my mother assures her but shoots me a pointed glance that has me slowing my pace as I go to her.
“Mamá,” I greet, bending down to kiss the top of her head.
“I trust you slept well?” she asks as she gracefully slathers butter on a slice of toast.
“Yes, thank you.” I move to my father, kissing his head as well. He taps my hand with his and continues to eat. “Well?” I urge when I realize neither of them is going to acknowledge what today is.
“Well what?” My father attempts to hide a smile, but the bright morning light spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows catches in his green eyes, and they twinkle in that way they do when he’s about to give in to me.
“Is Luna mine?” I stand behind him and, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I bring my face closer to his. “Is she?”
“Why would I give her to you?”
“You said that on my eighteenth birthday, you would give her to me.”
“Is today your birthday?” he teases.
“Pa!” I slap his shoulder. “You didn’t forget, did you?”
“Of course he didn’t,” my mother interjects. “None of us did. Happy birthday, darling.” From under the table, she produces an ivory-colored box and gives it to me.
Inside, I discover a document. “I don’t understand. This lists me as owner of Rancho Lozano.” I stare at her in confusion. “Mamá, are you giving me your ranch?”
“It’s small and unused. Your sister has no interest in it and your brother will inherit Villanueva. My father would be disappointed to learn we’ve abandoned his home. You always loved it there, didn’t you?”
“I did,” I say wistfully, recalling the days when I was a child and my grandfather was still alive.
