A Love Beyond
Page 23
She turned carefully onto the side street running along the weathered-wood look exterior of Tía’s. The neon sign outside the club was unlit, but pictured a smiling woman surrounded by an explosion of stars.
Somehow the sign sent confidence surging through her. If Tina billed herself as the town’s “aunt,” or tía, then surely she’d be delighted to have her only real niece turn up out of the blue. Right?
Apparently the business catered to an evening crowd; only two cars were in the parking lot and their proximity to the side door suggested employees, not clients. Esmeralda parked carefully, taking up a lot of space, but being sure delivery trucks or anyone cutting through the large parking lot could maneuver around the trailer. She disliked leaving the mare unattended, but couldn’t see driving out to the farm where she’d found a stall for rent until she’d spoken to her aunt.
When she opened the side window, Domatrix immediately stuck her velvety nose in the opening and nickered plaintively.
“Five minutes,” Esme promised. “I’ll get you out of here before you know it!” Gently pushing the mare’s nose back in, she fastened the panel, drew a deep breath, and headed off to find her aunt.
The front door was locked. She should have just tried the back. Esme glanced around. Across the street, a restaurant had customers going in and coming out. Probably the social hub of the town, she decided. The three—three!—bars in Truth undoubtedly catered to the cowboy and tourist crowd that wouldn’t be in town until nightfall. Next to the restaurant, a neat, cheeky little salon sported a sign claiming to offer “Truth In Beauty.” She smiled and retraced her steps, seeing a large pickup, dark and gleaming, slide into a nearby space.
The back door opened, letting her into a brightly lit food-preparation area. She could smell oregano-spiced menudo simmering on a stove and hear the sound of someone humming from somewhere unseen.
“Hello? Tina? Anyone home?” Esmeralda called, reluctant to go any deeper into this unknown place and startle someone, or set off an alarm. She moved a step or two farther along the island, and stopped short, her attention snared by the mirrored back of the door separating—she supposed—the club area from the kitchen. She brushed at the strands of hair that had come loose during the drive—light auburn hair made darker by the dampness from heat and drive-induced stress. Her breath caught suddenly in her throat as a figure loomed behind her, light glinting off almost-black hair, brown eyes spearing her own in the mirror—a formidable, unexpected stranger.
But surely this person wouldn’t have just walked in if he didn’t have that right. Apprehension dissipated with the logic, and she turned and held out a hand, hoping it wasn’t as damp as her hair.
“Hello. I’m Esmeralda Salinas, Tina’s niece.” His brows went up slightly, as if her introduction surprised him. Did he know her aunt, then? He didn’t look like a delivery man, in his Western shirt, creased pants, and polished boots.
Her parents had called Tina some awful names, in Spanish and English. The kindest thing Esme could remember hearing from her mother was that Tina “liked men.” Could this man be her partner? The names, and the possibility of a man or men in her aunt’s life, didn’t bother her. Lord knew she’d been pegged, usually by other women, as everything from a tramp to a whore. None of the labels were true, but she never disclaimed them—gossips wouldn’t change their minds and she didn’t care. But her aunt might not appreciate her deciding to just drop by and say hello, taking her up on that long-standing invitation to come any time.
Esme ignored the misgivings. If her aunt didn’t have room or time for her, she’d hang around a day or two and move on. She had a degree, a few dollars in the bank, and absolute confidence in her own abilities.
The man still hadn’t answered. She arched her own brow. “And you are?” she prompted, with a tinge of sarcasm.
His head moved back slightly, almost as if he weren’t used to being challenged. Then he smiled and took her hand. “Rafael Benton.”
Her hand tingled under the firm pressure of his, but she ignored it. She’d come to Truth to find herself again, not a man. She’d committed a professional blunder back in Rose Creek, toying with a six-year-old’s emotions because she wanted the little girl’s father. One could argue that she hadn’t done any real harm, but she expected more from herself. Always.
He released her hand and took a step back, but she could swear he was looking at her left hand.
Did he wonder if she was married? Was he thinking about striking up a conversation? Finding a way to ask her out? He’d better not be involved with her aunt, then. She’d been burned more than once thinking a man was free. Or giving herself free rein to pursue men who weren’t available, figuring it didn’t matter to her if their own women couldn’t keep them from straying. Never again, she vowed.
He didn’t toss her compliments or suggestive lines, though, just peered past her at the door. “You caught me by surprise. Tía never mentioned having a niece.” He seemed to think that would hurt her feelings, judging from momentary awkwardness in his quick glance her way. “Not that we’ve spoken often.”
The humming stopped and Esmeralda heard something fall, followed by a brief curse in Spanish. Then a woman emerged, her apron spattered, but her thin face changing from annoyed to pleased as she greeted Rafael.
“Rafa! How are you?” Then dark eyes turned her way and Esmeralda sensed immediate suspicion.
“Yes? May I help you?” she demanded, wiping her hands on the sides of her apron.
“I’m Esmeralda—Esme Salinas. Tina’s niece.”
“Her niece—oh.” At least this woman, who clearly worked for her aunt, didn’t seem surprised that Tina had a niece. Startled, maybe, but not surprised. She walked over to offer her hand to Esmeralda, giving her a polite nod. “I’m Angelica Morales, but your aunt calls me Angel.” A slight smile lightened her expression. “Tía says a place like this in a town like Truth needs every angel it can get.”
“She isn’t wrong about that,” Rafael Benton muttered and both women shot him a glance. He shrugged and added, “You should know, the place I live is called Witches Haven by the locals.”
“Rafa,” Angel scolded, her face troubled. “Why would you even repeat such gossip? Hasn’t there been enough trouble in this town without helping it along?”
His lips tightened and his chin tilted, making him look angry and a little intimidating. “The trouble isn’t with a house on a hill, Angel. We both know that witches had nothing to do with this town’s personal slide into hell.”
The bitterness and darkness of his words bothered Esmeralda more than they should. “Well, it was nice to meet both of you,” she said robotically. “I’ll come see Tina later. Do you think she will be in later, Ms. Morales?”
“Tía comes in every day. Mostly.” She glanced at a decorative clock on the wall. “About an hour, I imagine. She always comes in to check before we open at four. You can wait—”
“No, thank you. I have a horse with me, and I need to get her unloaded. I’ll drop by in a while.” She nodded briefly and left.
She had her hand on the doorknob when she heard Rafael’s voice, low and fierce, as he whispered to Angel, “I’ll kill her.
To purchase this ebook and learn more about the author, click here.
For more from Leslie P. García, check out:
Unattainable
Praise for Unattainable:
“Kudos, Leslie P. Garcia, on writing an excellent and emotional debut. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a strong heroine who will keep you cheering for her throughout the entire book.”—Harlequin Junkie
Wildflower Redemption
Praise for Wildflower Redemption:
"I honestly cried while reading some scenes in this story. Both Luz and Aaron as well as Chloe have suffered enough for a lifetime and deserve happiness, but until they both learn to trust they will not be able to get past mistakes, misunderstandings, and manipulations . . . If you want a sweet, heart-breaking and
second chances love story, don't miss Wildflower Redemption."—Harlequin Junkies
"Ms. Garcia takes readers through some highs and lows with this dramatic romance."—Julie Caicco, InD'Tale Magazine
In the mood for more Crimson Romance?
Check out On His Watch by Susanne Matthews at CrimsonRomance.com.
We hope you enjoyed reading this Simon & Schuster ebook.
* * *
Get a FREE ebook when you join our mailing list. Plus, get updates on new releases, deals, recommended reads, and more from Simon & Schuster. Click below to sign up and see terms and conditions.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Already a subscriber? Provide your email again so we can register this ebook and send you more of what you like to read. You will continue to receive exclusive offers in your inbox.