Read Online Catch as Cat Can by Rita Mae Brown - Free Book Online Page B

are opposite. Spring fever comes in late October and early November.”
    â€œI imagine it's beautiful in South America.”
    â€œYes—not every centimeter but—yes.”
    â€œDid BoomBoom give you today's schedule?”
    â€œWe are to go to a tea party. BoomBoom wanted me to meet you in the garden. She suggested I see the parade and meet you afterward but I wanted to meet you as soon as possible and I'm glad I did.”
    â€œMe, too. I guess BoomBoom wanted us to meet in the garden because I'd have a dress on. I rarely do.” Harry blushed for a moment. “The truth is I'm 'most always in jeans.”
    â€œSeñorita, you are beautiful no matter what you wear.” He bowed his head slightly.
    â€œOh, this is good.”
Tucker happily drooled.
    Harry burst out laughing. “Mr. Aybar—”
    â€œDiego.”
    â€œDiego, you are very kind.” She took a deep breath. “We have a few hours before dressing for the party. If you'd like I could drive you around, show you a bit of the county. I don't think there's any way we could get to Monticello and back on time, though.”
    He held up his hand. “I have seen it. Mr. Jefferson has my full admiration.”
    â€œCruise?”
    â€œCruise.” He echoed her word. Diego was a quick study.
    And cruise they did, chatting all the while. She drove by estates, apple orchards, cattle farms. To her delight she learned that the Aybars maintained a residence in Montevideo but the family had an
estancia
where they bred cattle.
    Diego, educated at Duke, studied law at Yale and then studied back home in Uruguay. His father propelled him toward diplomacy but his heart was in farming.
    â€œI'm at a crossroads.”
    â€œAnd your father will be upset?”
    â€œBallistic.” Diego smiled wanly. “Family is, oh, I can't say more important in my country but tighter, a deeper sense of obligation, perhaps. Here the job comes first—or so it seems to me. Home, it's family. And like everything, that's both good and bad. You see, we have ruling families and they ask not what is best for Uruguay but what is best for the family.”
    â€œI think I understand. And you come from such a family.”
    â€œMy father and grandfather would like to think so.”
    â€œPerhaps the weekend can take your mind off your crossroads.”
    â€œOr help me make a decision. One hates to disappoint one's family, no?—but one hates to violate one's self.”
    â€œEntire novels have been written about that.” Harry turned back toward the mountains. “Where is Thomas Steinmetz?”
    Diego replied, “He had some business to attend to but will be at the tea. You must know that your county is overflowing with retired ambassadors, diplomats, senior officials, and senior officers of the military.”
    By the time Harry dropped Diego back at the guest house at BoomBoom's place, they had learned a lot about one another. Perhaps the most important thing was that they both had a sense of humor.
    The phone rang as Harry struggled with her panty hose.
    â€œHow do you like Diego?” BoomBoom asked.
    â€œHe's handsome and charming.”
    â€œI thought you'd like him. His passion is farming.”
    â€œYes, we discovered that. Are you calling me just to find out if I like him?” Harry remained suspicious of Boom.
    â€œWell, no. I need your help. Roger O'Bannon insulted Lottie Pearson and she's mad at me anyway—all the more so since she laid eyes on Diego. I asked Aunt Tally if she might disinvite Roger and she wouldn't hear of it, but you know how Aunt Tally likes a scene. I thought you might speak to her. She likes you better than she likes me.”
    â€œBoomBoom, since when are you solicitous of Lottie Pearson? There's more than you're telling me.”
    â€œNo, really there isn't. I was hoping to spare Aunt Tally a scene.”
    â€œFor God's sake, BoomBoom, as you said, Aunt Tally