by Ginny Baird
“Querida,” he said, green eyes on hers. “You nearly killed me.”
“Fernando!” she gasped, catching her breath. “You’re okay.”
He hadn’t been on his deathbed at all. It was just Jess’s guilty imagination that had caused her to think so.
“Some parts hurt more than others,” he assured her.
Yes, and she felt terrible about that. More than terrible. “Is it your head?”
“Actually,” he said, centering his gaze on hers, “it was my heart. Ironically, it seems to be feeling better.”
“I’m glad,” she offered sincerely.
Fernando stared at her, appearing more handsome than she’d ever known him, bare-chested beneath the covers.
“Why did you come back?” he asked.
Jess twisted her lips into a smile. “Because, you silly, there was a birthday party I couldn’t miss.”
“I’m afraid all the presents have been opened.”
“Not all,” she said with a wicked smile.
Fernando’s mouth hung open. “Did my new wife lock the door?”
“She’d be glad to,” Jess said, meaning it absolutely.
She couldn’t wait to tell him about the package and the post office and her decision to live here forever. But for the next thirty minutes or so, maybe she would.
Fernando pulled her down on the bed, bringing her mouth to his.
“Are you’re sure you’re okay to do this?” she asked.
His body pressed forward in response. “What do you think?” he asked with a sexy grin.
“But what about your mother? Gustavo? The doctor?”
“I don’t think any of them would blame me for recuperating,” he said with a husky rasp.
Jess felt the heat sweep from her breasts to her deepest feminine regions. “You’re not going to make me get naked now, are you?”
“I don’t think we have time for that,” he said, flipping her onto her back.
In a flurry of kisses, Fernando had pushed up her short skirt and pulled down her panties.
“Tell me that you want me to take you,” he said, his tone urgent with desire.
“I want you to more than take me,” Jess said, melting away.
Fernando raised his brow as he swept back blonde strands from her cheek.
“I want you to take me and keep me. Take me and keep me. Forever, please.”
A broad, willing grin swept across Fernando’s face.
“Anything—and everything—to keep my new wife happy.”
****
Chapter Fifteen
Jess snuggled down under the covers, happily embraced in Fernando’s arms.
“For a man just bested by a bull, you do all right,” she said with a naughty grin.
He gently stroked her arm. “I only had the wind knocked out of me. A few bumps and bruises, but I’m fine.”
“Lucky for us both.” Jess kissed him sweetly.
“Yes,” he said, squeezing her rump.
“Fernando.” She raised her brow. “How did you do that thing with the horns?”
“It’s an old trick my father taught me.” He grinned, and the adoration in his eyes warmed her through and through. “A self-preservation technique.”
“So you practiced it before?”
“My father threw me in the ring when I was five,” he answered. “I didn’t get to carry a weapon until I was twelve.”
Jess cupped a hand to her mouth in horror. “You’re kidding?”
“Nope.”
Jess had heard of parents tossing their toddlers in a pool to teach them how to swim, but this seemed even worse. Truth was, neither scenario sounded very civilized to Jess. Surely Fernando wouldn’t think to continue the barbaric tradition.
“Fernando…” she began with a tentative blush. “You wouldn’t actually. What I mean is, not with our child…”
He tenderly massaged her belly through the sheet. “What was that you were saying about our baby, my wife?” he asked, giving her neck a sexy nibble.
“That’s another thing I need to discuss with you.”
Fernando tugged at the sheet, not dissuaded from his mission. “Boy… Girl… It doesn’t matter. I will absolutely adore them both.”
“Not that,” she said, gripping the duvet and yanking it up from where it had nestled at their feet.
Fernando twisted his lips and eyed her curiously. “Cold, querida?”
“No, no.” Jess’s face caught fire. “All the opposite. Thank you.”
“Then, what?”
“It’s about our marriage. The papers…”
“We’ll get all that straightened out as soon as you’re ready.”
Jess swallowed hard, gathering her courage. She hoped she’d done the right thing, making such an enormous unilateral decision. “I was ready about six hours ago.”
“I’m sorry?” he asked, perplexed.
“The package, Fernando. When I was in Madrid, I took it to the central post office and mailed it.” She ducked her head under the covers, not sure what sort of fireworks to expect. Her answer came in an explosion of laughter, a rich, rumbling tone that washed over her as Fernando gently peeled the covers away.
“Is that a fact?” he asked, green eyes merry.
She nodded silently.
Fernando cupped her chin in his hand, surveying her with loving eyes. “That’s got to be the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten.”
Ana María impatiently checked her watch.
“What is taking them so long up there? Maybe I should go and see.”
Gustavo shot to his feet. “No, Doña Ana María. I’ll go.”
She took another sip of her sherry, scrutinizing. While Ana María rarely had a second glass, it was late in the afternoon, and she’d had a long day. The doctor had left with assurance Fernando would be back on his feet in no time. Only a scare, he’d said. Ana María frowned, thinking it was more like a brush with death.
Gustavo took his time on the stairs, dawdling, it seemed.
“Have you lost your way?” she asked him.
“No, señora,” he said, waving his cell in her direction. “Just checking my texts.”
“Well, for heaven’s sake, do that later,” she said, annoyed.
Gustavo quickened his pace, briskly moving up the stairs. Ana María didn’t care what sort of apology Jessica was administering; it was long past the time it should have been over. Ana María widened her eyes, hoping Fernando and she hadn’t been… But, of course, if she knew her son… Ana María sighed, supposing she should feel relieved he really was all right in that case.
As further proof, Fernando and Jessica paraded down the stairs, linked arm in arm. Gustavo trailed them.
“Feeling better?” Ana María asked, sternly raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, much!” Fernando proclaimed brightly. “Mamá,” he said with a winning smile. “Jessica and I have the most amazing news.”
Ana María listened to their story with the composure she’d taught herself to maintain under even the most trying circumstances. She wasn’t that old of a woman, but still, this episode had taken her to task. First, Fernando was married; then Jessica was pregnant. Next, neither of them was either. Suddenly, again they were together, but her son had nearly died in the process. Ana María sighed heavily, praying the drama was over.
Jessica’s cheeks went dusty rose as she turned beseeching blue eyes on Ana María.
“I know it started out kind of messy, Señora Garcia de la Vega. But the truth is, I really do love your son. I really hope you believe it, and that one day soon…maybe not right away…but over time…you’ll come to accept me into your family.
Ana María flagged a palm in her direction. Fernando studied his mother with concern, protectively wrapping an arm around his bride.
“First,” she said sternly, “I think we should dispense with that Señora Garcia de la Vega business. After all,” she said, rising, “someday, in the not-too-distant future, I hope, you’ll
make me a grandmother.”
Her lips drew into a smile as she welcomed her children with arms extended.
“Jessica. Fernando,” she told them, hugging them together tightly. “My blessings on your union.”
They hugged her back, Jessica unexpectedly releasing a few tears.
While Gustavo went for Consuelo and the champagne, Ana María took Jessica’s hand in hers. “You can’t possibly be married without a ring, my dear.”
“I was planning to take care of it,” Fernando rushed in. “I would have done so sooner if I’d known she was coming back.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you any warning,” Jessica offered sincerely.
“No apologies necessary,” Fernando said. “I’m just glad that you’re here.”
“That’s makes all of us,” Ana María said with a warm smile. She turned toward her son. “Now Fernando,” she said, “about that ring…”
Fernando approached Jess on the patio, where she sat drinking her morning café con leche. He was devilishly handsome in his crisply pressed chinos and deep red polo, lending him that sexy matador edge. How Jess had ever second-guessed her gut instinct to marry him, she’d never know. She certainly wasn’t doubting him now.
“Good morning, darling,” he said, strolling over and stunning her with a whopping kiss.
“Buenos días,” she replied, dabbing her moist lips with a napkin. He’d nearly scorched her with his lips. Not that she minded.
“Ah, Jessica,” he said, taking her hands in his. “You look especially bride-like this morning.”
Jess laughed, looking down, realizing she’d once more worn white. Naturally, it was summertime, but she couldn’t help but think there was something subliminal to her dressing that way all the time.
“I own other color clothes, you know,” she said with a smug little pout.
“And I’ll get you some more,” he assured her. “As many as you’d like. Though, in truth, I don’t think a lot of clothing is necessary. Not given our plans for the immediate future.”
“Plans?”
“I know you’ve always wanted to see Paris, but it’s murder to visit the city in June. Too much heat, so many tourists. April is better. We can plan for next year.”
“Fernando,” she teased him lightly. “Just what are you getting at?”
His eyes twinkled with delight. “How does Fiji sound? A private honeymoon hut on the water, overlooking the fish through a window in the floor?”
Jess nearly spilled her coffee setting it down. “Really?” she asked with delight.
“You will need a bathing suit, of course.”
Jess smiled up at him, thinking she’d honeymoon anywhere with this man. Even right here in La Esperanza del Corazón.
“But first,” he said, surprising her by kneeling before her, “I think we should have a proper wedding, don’t you?”
The truth was, she’d thought of nothing else since the moment she’d posted that package. Jess was bursting with joy and wanted the people she loved to share in it. Her mother and Evie…
“It doesn’t have to be a big ceremony,” she said, feeling the moisture in her eyes.
“Well, at least tell me I can invite Brother Emilio.”
“How about Tía Margarita?”
He grinned, pulling a gorgeous antique ring from his pocket, an enormous diamond offset by rubies all around.
“Oh, Fernando,” Jess gasped as tears sprang from her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
“It belonged to my grandmother, given to her by my Grandfather Garcia de la Vega, the greatest bullfighter of the twentieth century.” He shot her a sly wink. “Rubies are the sign of a matador, you know.”
Fernando slowly slid the ring on her finger, finding it a little loose. He gave a worried frown. “We can get it sized.”
“It’s perfect,” she said, her voice coming out as a whisper.
“We’ll make it more perfect,” he said with a smile.
Fernando gazed at her, and Jess saw tumbling summer hills, but this time she didn’t mind free-falling. It was delightful and heady and fun. The best part was they were doing it together.
“I know I asked this before,” he said, “but we were both a little…you know…” He made a wavering motion with his hand.
“I knew what I was doing,” she challenged.
“Maybe. But you know it a lot more clearly now. Mrs. Jessica Bloom Garcia de la Vega,” he said, taking her hand. “Will you marry me again in the presence of our families and inviting all those we know to share in the joy of our love?”
“Oh, Fernando,” she said, springing into his arms. “I’ll marry you as many times as you’d like.”
****
Epilogue
The upscale outdoor wedding was conducted on the sprawling Garcia de la Vega estate. A stylized trellis studded with lovely white roses from Ana María’s garden arched over the altar, nestled within a special grove of olive trees. The two mothers got on fabulously, while Evie flirted outrageously with a very handsomely turned out Gustavo. Everyone delighted in the morning, which was bright and sunny, the sweeping azure sky not sporting a single cloud.
Jess kissed Fernando for half an eternity, deciding to save the rest for their second wedding night. Repeating yourself didn’t seem so bad when one put this spin on it. Fernando pulled back, apparently having been tapped on the shoulder.
“You’re supposed to save that part until after the pronouncement,” Father Domingo said.
“I’m sorry, Father,” Fernando said, not sounding like he meant it. “You’ve got to admit the circumstances are extenuating. We are already married.”
“In the eyes of the church,” Jess said with a sheepish smile.
“And in the eyes of the law.”
Seated wedding guests turned and looked at each other.
“What do you mean?” Jess asked her loving husband.
Fernando grinned, first at Jess and then at Father Domingo.
“Confirmation arrived from Madrid this morning. In the form of our marriage license.”
Jess gasped with happy surprise. “Really?”
Fernando hung his head, then devilishly raised his eyes. “Actually, it came a few days ago, but it seemed fitting to save the news as a wedding gift.”
“Shall we get on with it?” Father Domingo asked.
“Yes, let’s,” Jess said, thinking she couldn’t love Fernando any more than she did at this moment.
Father Domingo finished his benediction, then introduced Mr. and Mrs. Fernando Garcia de le Vega to the elated crowd as husband and wife. Applause and cheers rang out all around.
Evie stood at Jess’s side, holding her bridal bouquet and beaming with delight. “So that’s how you do it.”
“How I do what?” Jess asked as she linked arms with Fernando and turned for the recessional.
Evie adjusted her train, then whispered slyly, “How you marry a matador.” Her eyes traveled to Gustavo, extra handsome in his boutonniere. “Think there might be one here for me?”
“I don’t think Gustavo’s a bullfighter,” Jess whispered back, accepting her flowers.
“I might have to check and see if he has a scar,” Evie said a little too loudly.
Fernando playfully narrowed his eyes at his bride. “You haven’t been talking, querida?”
Jess just pursed her lips until they burst into a smile. “Not in detail,” she replied hastily. She may have bragged on him a bit, but a girl could hardly blame her. He was to die for, after all. And she hadn’t said a thing to anyone but Evie.
“Good,” he said, snuggling her affectionately against his side. “Some things are meant to be just between a husband and wife.”
“Fernando,” she said fondly, “there are many things just between us.”
“As the years go by,” he said, “I hope there will be many more.”
“Actually,” she said coquettishly, “there might be one more fairly soon.”
Fernando’s face lit up like
the most brilliant Andalusian sunrise.
“Is that a fact?”
“Just promise me we’ll work out a compromise on the bulls.”
“¡Olé!” he said, sealing his pledge with a kiss.
Somewhere in the distance, champagne corks popped as Jess’s heart soared to the moon. Tomorrow morning, they were going to Fiji. Afterwards, she’d offered to help Fernando revamp his business here. Garcia wines held a lot of promise. If they started exporting their product, that promise could double. Jess didn’t know wines, but she knew international business. Plus, she’d have a willing partner to help her along. Fernando loved the idea of her becoming involved in the family business, and Ana María was thrilled Jess had taken an interest too. Jess’s mom and Evie were invited to visit at any time. By the look in her best friend’s eye, Jess thought with a smile, Evie’s next trip to Iberia might be coming soon.
THE END
A Note from the Author
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