Read Online A Man to Remember by Mary Tate Engels - Free Book Online
Authors: Mary Tate Engels
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fantasies took over her logic. He was right. They did have important business together. And their deal shouldn't be muddied by a sexual relationship. That wouldn't help either of them.
Tomorrow was a new day. He would take her to the villa and prove his strange story. Soon they would be on their way. Simple as that.
Wasn't it?
Then why did she lie awake for hours, longing to feel Jake's arms around her again? The voice of her heart told her it had nothing at all to do with business.
It was nearly noon the next day before Jake came to pick her up. On the first leg of the journey they took a cab to the outskirts of town and disembarked at an old mission. There they joined a few tourists who were stumbling around the ancient ruins. Crumbling mud-brick walls attested to the age of the church and created an eerie background. Eventually Jake led her around to the rear, where he had parked a car.
"Get in. I'll drive the rest of the way." He motioned and quickly started the sedan's motor.
Alyse looked at him curiously. "What's this about, Jake? Another of your tourist games?"
"Why not?" He shrugged and tried to sound nonchalant, but there was an intensity about him that couldn't be shrugged away.
"Well, it seems a little silly, that's all," Alyse said. She waited for his explanation, but he was quietly concentrating on driving up the curvy mountain road. With a baffled frown she turned her attention to the spectacular view as they rose above the city. The clear waters of the bay sparkled like blue jewels glistening in the sunlight. It was a glorious sight, but Alyse couldn't stop worrying about Jake's mysterious actions.
It seemed he suspected they might be followed. Otherwise, why would he have taken such elaborate precautions merely driving from town to his aunt's private villa? But why would anyone follow them? And who? A government official who suspected he was about to leave the country with contraband? Unlikely, but that was his story. Who, besides family members, would know or care that his aunt was dying? And who would theorize that an American wanted to escape with an inheritance? Perhaps someone from the company could profit from his aunt Myra's death.
Alyse couldn't shake the feeling that Jake was hiding something else. But what? A million questions plagued her, but she decided to keep quiet and observe what happened. Maybe her intuition kept her from questioning Jake; maybe she was afraid of what she'd hear.
She glanced across at him as they trekked up the winding mountainous road! The man was definitely puzzling. He was a hottie today in a pale blue embroidered native shirt. He still wore jeans, though, and those elegant boots. The western attire seemed so natural on him; it convinced her at least that part of his story was true. His reddish-blond beard was growing thicker by the day and seemed to fit his rakish character, a pirate right out of Badass Bristol's fictional pages.
When they arrived, brick walls and an ornate wrought-iron gate marked the entrance to the fortress-like villa compound. With a casual wave to the gate-man they rolled inside the elegant arch beneath a magnificently scrolled name, "Viaje a Sol" Journey to the Sun. Jake parked beside an elegant two-story Spanish hacienda and gave Alyse an abbreviated tour of the rambling estate with its cool tiled floors and white-stuccoed walls. Each room had a beautiful view from a patio or balcony. The lower levels enjoyed lush, private courtyards with fragrant tropical flowers accenting small fountains.
Alyse was impressed with the beauty and wealth expressed in the villa. "Jake, this place is fabulous! How could you leave it?"
"It isn't mine." He steered her toward a lower patio near the pool. "Aunt Myra is too ill to join us for lunch. She sends her regrets," he said, politely seating her at a glass-topped table.
A young Mexican girl brought goblets of white wine, succulent shrimp and calamari salads. She returned with hot, crusty rolls
Tomorrow was a new day. He would take her to the villa and prove his strange story. Soon they would be on their way. Simple as that.
Wasn't it?
Then why did she lie awake for hours, longing to feel Jake's arms around her again? The voice of her heart told her it had nothing at all to do with business.
It was nearly noon the next day before Jake came to pick her up. On the first leg of the journey they took a cab to the outskirts of town and disembarked at an old mission. There they joined a few tourists who were stumbling around the ancient ruins. Crumbling mud-brick walls attested to the age of the church and created an eerie background. Eventually Jake led her around to the rear, where he had parked a car.
"Get in. I'll drive the rest of the way." He motioned and quickly started the sedan's motor.
Alyse looked at him curiously. "What's this about, Jake? Another of your tourist games?"
"Why not?" He shrugged and tried to sound nonchalant, but there was an intensity about him that couldn't be shrugged away.
"Well, it seems a little silly, that's all," Alyse said. She waited for his explanation, but he was quietly concentrating on driving up the curvy mountain road. With a baffled frown she turned her attention to the spectacular view as they rose above the city. The clear waters of the bay sparkled like blue jewels glistening in the sunlight. It was a glorious sight, but Alyse couldn't stop worrying about Jake's mysterious actions.
It seemed he suspected they might be followed. Otherwise, why would he have taken such elaborate precautions merely driving from town to his aunt's private villa? But why would anyone follow them? And who? A government official who suspected he was about to leave the country with contraband? Unlikely, but that was his story. Who, besides family members, would know or care that his aunt was dying? And who would theorize that an American wanted to escape with an inheritance? Perhaps someone from the company could profit from his aunt Myra's death.
Alyse couldn't shake the feeling that Jake was hiding something else. But what? A million questions plagued her, but she decided to keep quiet and observe what happened. Maybe her intuition kept her from questioning Jake; maybe she was afraid of what she'd hear.
She glanced across at him as they trekked up the winding mountainous road! The man was definitely puzzling. He was a hottie today in a pale blue embroidered native shirt. He still wore jeans, though, and those elegant boots. The western attire seemed so natural on him; it convinced her at least that part of his story was true. His reddish-blond beard was growing thicker by the day and seemed to fit his rakish character, a pirate right out of Badass Bristol's fictional pages.
When they arrived, brick walls and an ornate wrought-iron gate marked the entrance to the fortress-like villa compound. With a casual wave to the gate-man they rolled inside the elegant arch beneath a magnificently scrolled name, "Viaje a Sol" Journey to the Sun. Jake parked beside an elegant two-story Spanish hacienda and gave Alyse an abbreviated tour of the rambling estate with its cool tiled floors and white-stuccoed walls. Each room had a beautiful view from a patio or balcony. The lower levels enjoyed lush, private courtyards with fragrant tropical flowers accenting small fountains.
Alyse was impressed with the beauty and wealth expressed in the villa. "Jake, this place is fabulous! How could you leave it?"
"It isn't mine." He steered her toward a lower patio near the pool. "Aunt Myra is too ill to join us for lunch. She sends her regrets," he said, politely seating her at a glass-topped table.
A young Mexican girl brought goblets of white wine, succulent shrimp and calamari salads. She returned with hot, crusty rolls
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