Laura stared at it in dismay. She'd been hoping for a little light banter before easing her way into the subject of Daniel and Stone Brothers, but Rachel sounded terrible. She looked guiltily at her watch. It was early. Maybe they'd only just got up.
When Rachel rang back five minutes later, she sounded a lot brighter—but they'd been friends a long time, and Laura knew it was forced.
"Rachel, what's wrong? You sound awful!"
"I . . . think I ate something dodgy yesterday," Rachel blustered. "It might have been the . . . er . . . the mussels."
"Rachel, you've been eating mussels for years with no prob—" Laura stopped dead. Early morning. Retching. That first night, when Laura arrived, she'd been pale and had barely eaten anything. Two plus two equals . . . "Rachel, are you pregnant?"
There was a long pause, and then her friend burst into tears. "Yes!"
"But that's wonderful! Aren't you . . . aren't you happy about it?"
"I'm happy about having a baby," Rachel managed between sobs. "I'm not happy about throwing up a dozen times a day. I can't eat anything. I feel sick all the time."
"That's a shame," Laura sympathised. "Especially on your holiday. Aren't you enjoying any of it?"
Rachel sighed. "It's nice to be away from the hotel with Paulo for a while. And it's nice seeing the family. Everyone's over the moon about the baby. We weren't going to tell anyone yet, but it's hard to keep it a secret when you've got your head in someone's toilet most of the time!"
Laura laughed. "Does Maria know?"
"Of course. She's no fool!"
"That she isn't." Laura thought about the permanent worry lines on Maria's brow. Maybe it wasn't only business that was occupying her. "And how does Paulo feel about it?" she asked.
"Proud. Scared. Crazy happy. Worried."
"Sounds about right for a first-time father." Laura's mind raced. No wonder the Silvas were worried about business. The possibility of losing some of their block bookings, the money that would be needed to get Teresa through the course she wanted to start next year, and now a baby on the way . . . Not only would there be another member of the family to take care of, but Rachel wouldn't be able to work so hard, which would mean taking on more staff.
The conversation Laura had originally planned suddenly seemed ill-timed. She'd wanted to tell them about Daniel, maybe ease some of their worries, but with Rachel so sick, it sounded like they had enough to deal with. This might be their last chance for a proper break before the baby came, and she didn't want to spoil what was left of it for them, or worse, have Paulo come rushing back on what might be a wild goose chase. Daniel had been complimentary about the hotel, but she needed to be sure his interest was genuine. She would speak to Paulo the minute he got back and ensure he got in touch as soon as possible. It was the best she could do.
"Take care, Rachel," she said with genuine feeling. "Try to enjoy yourself as best you can."
Tossing her phone onto the bed, Laura groaned with frustration. After the boat trip yesterday, followed by her conversation with Natalie, she'd decided she would be better avoiding Daniel if at all possible. Natalie was welcome to him if she was that determined to have him.
But Rachel's news had put paid to that. It seemed Laura was still on "keep the customer sweet" duty whether she liked it or not.
****
As it turned out, she needn't have worried. Either Daniel was busy with meetings and visits, or luck was giving her a break and making sure she didn't bump into him. Laura hadn't seen him for two days.
She'd spent the better part of those two days helping Maria and Teresa set out tables in the function room with spotless white linen and colourful flower arrangements. Further chairs spilled onto the lawns outside, and fairy lights had been strung between the fruit trees. Now, she surveyed the scene before her with pride. She couldn't help but think if she was ever foolish enough to consider getting married – which she doubted – then the Quinta Maria had to be the most beautiful setting anyone could wish for. Even the weather seemed to know it had to behave today. The early morning mist had long since cleared and it was sunny but not too hot, with dreamlike white clouds floating lazily across a perfect blue sky.
Satisfied everything was in order, she headed back to the house where Maria and Teresa had been slaving with the other help in the kitchen since dawn. Laura had attended numerous events during her stays here, and she never ceased to be filled with admiration for Maria's skill and special touches. Somehow she always made sure each event was perfect and unique.
"You look like you're all in need of a cup of tea!" Laura declared as hot, tired faces turned towards her.
"What a good idea!" Pushing aside some of the equipment on the large farmhouse table, Maria sank wearily onto a chair while Laura made tea and brought it to the table.
"Thank you. Is everything alright out there?" Maria asked anxiously.
"Absolutely gorgeous, just as it always is," Laura reassured her. "How you keep up the pace all summer, I don't know."
Maria shrugged. "It brings in the money, that's the main thing, but you know how much I enjoy making things special." She directed a piercing look at Laura. "Besides, I have to keep in practice. I still harbour the hope I might get the chance to organise your wedding one of these days!" She winked at Teresa as Laura spluttered on her tea.
"I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you, Maria. I have no intention of getting married in the near future, thank you. I don't need to invite trouble."
"Marriage isn't always trouble, Laura, not if you find the right man," Maria scolded her, not unkindly. "I had many happy years with my husband, God rest his soul. And there's Paulo and Rachel."
"I know, but I'm perfectly happy as I am, thank you."
"Well, it's a terrible waste if you ask me," Maria grumbled. "You're young, pretty, intelligent . . . any man in his right mind would snap you up!"
"Not if I can help it," Laura muttered. "Anyway, Mr. Right hasn't come along yet, and I have no intention of deliberately going out to look for him."
"What about Mr. Stone?" Teresa piped up.
Laura glared at her. "What about him?"
"I thought you were dating him." Teresa's eyes were full of mischief.
"Not at all!" Laura quickly denied. "We went out a couple of times, that's all. I wouldn't class one dinner and a boat trip as dating." She would dearly love to come clean about her relationship with Daniel, but that would mean telling them about his interest in the hotel, so she bit her tongue.
"Well, I don't know how you can resist him," Teresa sighed wistfully.
"Looks aren't all that matter, you know," Laura chided her. "You have to able to get on with someone as well." Which doesn't always apply as far as Daniel and I are concerned.
But she could see she was beating her head against a brick wall. The girl was only seventeen, her head full of romance and roses—or something equally innocent, Laura hoped!
"Has he kissed you yet?"
Laura blushed to the roots of her hair as Maria made a mock swipe at her daughter. "That's enough, young lady! Back to work!"
"I think I'd better go and get ready." Laura rose quickly from the table, anxious to end the conversation, but as she was leaving, Teresa caught her arm.
"Aren't you going to go out with him again?" she asked, full of youthful curiosity.
"I have no idea," Laura answered truthfully, trying hard to keep her face expressionless. "I haven't even seen him for the last couple of days, let alone made any romantic arrangements." And she shot off before she could be interrogated any further.
Back in her room, she plucked her best dress from the wardrobe and tugged it on. The tight-fitting bodice led to a narrow waist, where a full skirt flared out from her hips; the cream and black of the soft fabric complemented her dark hair and newly tanned skin. Pushing on a pair of high-heeled sandals that she already knew she would regret by the end of the evening, she swept her hair up in a softer version of her usual style, a chignon with wisp
s of hair curling to frame her face, and carefully applied more makeup than usual. She would be helping Maria greet the guests and direct them to the function room, then making sure everything ran smoothly for the rest of the day, and as such she needed to be smart and presentable.
When she'd finished, she studied herself in the full-length mirror. She knew she looked good, but somehow the image staring back at her didn't please her as it usually would. It was all Teresa's fault for mentioning Daniel. With the preparations for the wedding, Laura had done her best to put him to the back of her mind—not always with complete success.
Heading up to the reception building where she had a few last-minute things to do before the guests arrived, her steps slowed as she glanced up to see Daniel coming down the path with long, lazy strides. It was as though thinking about him had conjured him out of thin air. She'd almost forgotten that cat-like grace of his, and she caught her breath. The last time they'd spoken had not been particularly amicable. She returned his wave with trepidation.
"You look spectacular!" he said as he reached her, and she couldn't help but be pleased by the compliment. His eyes swept appreciatively over her, making her nerves tingle as though it was his touch and not just his gaze that roamed.
"Is something going on around here?" His arm swept in the general direction of the lawns, where everything was so fetchingly laid out.
"A wedding reception," she answered, unable to hide an element of distaste in her voice.
"I take it you don't approve?" Flecks of amusement made his eyes dance, causing her stomach to tighten in a knot.
She shrugged dismissively. "Each to their own, I suppose. It's not up to me to approve or otherwise. I just help out." Daniel's presence was making her feel too fidgety to stand still, so she walked on up the path.
He fell in line bedside her. "Do they hold many weddings here?"
"Yes, quite a few during the course of the year, but summer is the most popular, of course."
"Isn't that an intrusion for your hotel guests?" he asked as he followed her into reception.
Turning, Laura noted the concern on his face. Anxious to reassure him, she quickly shook her head. "No, we've never had any complaints. The function room is well way from the guest rooms, and if people are out during the day, they're not affected. Actually, a lot of guests compliment us on how delightful it all is. Sometimes in the evenings the music drifts down through the gardens, but it rarely goes on too late and nobody seems to mind. I guess everybody loves a wedding."
His features smoothed out, much to her relief, but his presence in the small building was intoxicating, making her realise how much the past couple of days had been permeated with a sense of disappointment that he hadn't been around. Laura wasn't used to having a man constantly in the back of her mind like that, and it irked her. She worked hard all year and looked forward to her holiday, usually spent in a pleasant combination of work, sightseeing, and relaxation. This year, with Daniel around, relaxation was proving impossible.
"Have dinner with me tonight." He cut in on her thoughts, his voice soft and persuasive.
Unable to tear her eyes from his face, Laura's acceptance was on the tip of her tongue. She'd put in a lot of hours on the wedding. It would be so easy to have dinner with him. He would be attentive and good company, and then afterwards . . .
"No!" she cried, brought to her senses by the memory of his lips on hers. Seeing his startled expression at her outburst, she hurried on. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm needed here at the wedding."
"All evening?" he queried, his tone a little disbelieving.
"All evening, along with my usual stint in reception." Laura nodded firmly, even though it wasn't strictly true. Her presence would be helpful, but no one would mind if she deserted the event earlier than usual. Still, it served its purpose for now.
Daniel wasn't put off so easily. "Then I'll accompany you. As your guest. Or lend a hand. Whatever."
She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, you can't. I'm afraid it's wedding guests and employees only."
"Don't my business interests in the hotel count in my favour?"
Laura took a deep breath. He could be so persistent when he wanted to be! She had a busy day ahead and she couldn't afford to have Daniel there, not with the distracting effect he always had on her. Firmly, she shook her head. "It's not my place to invite you. I'm sorry."
"Somehow, I don't believe you are." His jaw was set in a hard line as he made for the door. When he turned back to her, his expression had softened but the hardness was still there in his voice. "You can't fight this forever, Laura. You'll have to give in sooner or later. And I don't mean give in to me," he said, as her eyes flashed fire. "I mean give in to your own feelings for a change."
Chapter Twelve
Laura stared at the empty doorway for several minutes after he'd left. He was right—she probably couldn't fight this thing between them forever. Then again, she wouldn't have to, would she? It wouldn't be long before he headed south, leaving her in peace to salvage what was left of her holiday.
Laura had a final check for e-mails and answer-phone messages before getting embroiled in the wedding. Still annoyed by Daniel's commandeering attitude, she locked up, then glanced up the path to see whether Maria was around to discuss one or two last-minute matters. Maria was nowhere in sight, but Teresa was standing in the car park talking to Daniel. He leaned lazily against his car, and Laura had to quell the surge of jealousy that hit her at seeing the two of them together. Embarrassed, she told herself Teresa was probably only doing what Laura had encouraged her to do: being a little bolder about practising her English on the guests.
But as Laura turned away, something caught the corner of her eye and she glanced back in time to see Daniel hand something to Teresa. Despite the distance, there was no mistaking the unique design of a hotel key fob as Teresa's fingers took it from his.
Before she could be seen, Laura ducked back inside. Scrabbling through the keys, she realised Daniel had never handed in Natalie's spare after she left. She couldn't believe what she'd just seen. Daniel had handed a young girl of seventeen his room key! Didn't he have any sense of responsibility? Even if he didn't realise Teresa's age, surely he could see how infatuated she was? To take advantage of that just because Laura didn't want to play was nothing short of despicable.
Sick to her stomach, she peered out again. Daniel had gone and Teresa was heading back to the house with a distinct spring in her step. Should she confront her about this? Persuade her that going to Daniel's room on her own wasn't a sensible idea? Laura remembered enough about being a teenager to know they were inclined to do the opposite of what adults wanted them to do, and the last thing she wanted was to push Teresa into Daniel's arms out of rebellion. Besides, she had no idea whether Teresa would be fool enough to follow through with his invitation. She didn't want to offend her if she had no intention of going. The girl was innocent until proven guilty, surely? Laura being heavy-handed would only create a rift between them.
Laura let out her breath with a whoosh. She might not want to tackle Teresa, but she had no qualms about tackling Daniel. For now, though, there was nothing she could do but be vigilant and watch Teresa to make sure she didn't sneak off, whilst keeping an eye out for Daniel's return. And all while trying to ensure that a hundred wedding guests had a day they would never forget. How she would keep her temper when she finally got hold of him, she had no idea. She would be hard-pushed not to throttle him.
And yet even as her blood boiled, a small voice inside her tried to tell her that something wasn't right. Daniel could be domineering, and he certainly wasn't shy about using his charms to get what he wanted, but she struggled to believe he would sink so low as to entice a young girl to his hotel room. The inner turmoil made her feel slightly sick.
****
The wedding reception went exactly as planned, but it was a long, tiring afternoon and evening, especially with her two-hour stint at reception sandwiched in. By ten o'clock, Laur
a's feet were aching as much as she'd predicted they would. Standing at the back of the function room, she watched the band and the dancing with a detached weariness. She was desperate to be out of her high heels and in her bed, but even though she was no longer needed, she had no intention of leaving until Teresa did. She wanted to make sure the girl headed safely for the house, and then she would tell Daniel exactly what she thought of his behaviour the second he got back—although she'd been checking the car park every half hour since he'd left, with no result.
When she saw Teresa slip through the door, Laura hurriedly edged her way around the dance floor towards the exit. She hoped Teresa was aiming for her own bed, but she had to be sure. Straining to see which direction Teresa took, Laura ran headlong into a guest at the door. Mumbling her apologies, she moved aside to let him pass.
"Don't you ever watch where you're going?" Daniel's voice intruded into her weary mind.
Laura scowled up at him, but his features were mellow in the soft light and there was no malice in his tone, only amusement.
"What are you doing here?" she snapped, although it occurred to her that if he was here, at least he couldn't follow Teresa anywhere. As long as she had an eye on the whereabouts of one or the other, it didn't matter which.
Daniel quirked an eyebrow. "That's not very gracious of you, considering I came looking especially for you and brought you a drink."
"Looking for me?" Too tired to play games with him, her tone was cynical. "Or Teresa?"
Daniel's brows knitted together in puzzlement. "Teresa? Why on earth would I be looking for Teresa?"
Laura's laugh was harsh, causing a couple of nearby guests to glance round at them. She lowered her voice. "Oh, come on, Daniel. I saw what you were up to this afternoon. What I'd like to know is how you could even consider such a thing!"
"Whoa there, back up a minute. What thing? What are you talking about?"
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