‘Of course.’
‘Then I would have to find a home for us.’
‘You would.’
‘I would like you to look at these plans,’ he went on and he handed over a wad of papers.
She looked down at the sheets spread out on the desk top.
‘They’re proposals for the modernisation of an older property,’ she murmured, puzzled as to what this had to do with a job proposition for herself.
‘We have two or three weeks yet before Peter leaves. Sofia’s marriage will take place shortly after that. While this is happening the builders will be doing structural repairs on the house, and I will still need you here. Afterwards I will be going away on business for several weeks. During that time I would like you to continue helping Enrique in the office here then to oversee the finishing work on the house.’
Lynn’s jaw dropped. Not only was she being ejected from his love but he wanted her to fit out his house for some future bride. Words failed her.
* * *
Lynn looked up from the postcard she had received that morning from Peter. It was the picture of Big Ben and an enthusiastic message that read, I am loving London and my flat mates are good guys. All around me I find the inspiration I need. Soon I will be very famous and the family will be proud of me. Peter.
They were still his family, she mused.
Sofia and Enrique were married and apart from them moving into Luis’ larger room, very little had changed. She had given up her room on the first floor, despite Enrique’s protestations and moved into a small guest room beside Luis’ office.
Tomorrow Enrique was to drive her up to the village of Santa Lucia where she would stay in a small hotel while she saw to the renovation of Luis’ new house. The days were getting longer and hotter as spring gave way to summer. The air conditioning in the small car was working in top gear as Enrique manoeuvred them around the mountain roads.
‘I’m sure I was up this way with Peter the day we found . . . ’
Here she stopped because she couldn’t bear to think of the Casa Del Pino and the dreams the house had awakened in her.
The hotel was tiny, simply furnished and spotlessly clean. Lynn said goodbye to Enrique after being given directions and instructions for her new job. The builders would still be there finishing off interior work and she was to make use of them for anything she felt still needed attending to. All in all Luis had given her a free rein.
Her heart lightened that afternoon as she started out to find Luis’ new house. It was a nice day. She had an easy job, and was looking forward to the challenge. Enrique had arranged a lift back to Las Palmas with a friend from the hotel.
As she turned at the head of the valley and accelerated up the pine-sheltered road she knew without doubt where she was going.
The house burst into view as she left the cover of the pine trees and drew to a halt on the gravelled forecourt. Tears blinded her to Pedro’s old truck and a large white van with lettering in blue scroll along the side. As she stepped out of the car she could hear voices and banging.
How cruel of him, she thought, to send her here. She shook off her sadness and entered the hall. Manuel was the first to see her. His smile was beautiful as he took her hand and led her into the inner courtyard.
‘Senorita, welcome.’
The shutters and old floorboards had been replaced and the windows shone in the late afternoon sun. Everywhere weeds and moss had been scraped away. New tiles replaced the old ones uprooted by the overgrown orange tree, now pruned and neat. The smell of varnish hung like a cloud in the hot air.
It was all as she had pictured it, as Manuel had described it in its earlier days, right down to the crystal images through the fountain’s spray. In another world she wondered dreamily, did Manuel see the image, too?
Suddenly, Luis stepped out from behind the spray. Manuel had vanished. Suddenly, it all became clear. Luis had arranged all this for her. She was not alone in her feelings that love had flourished between them. They were to live here, in the house among the pines.
‘You promised to take me to the Madonna’s fiesta,’ she said, locking her gaze with his.
She could see her image reflected in his eyes and her heart bounded with hope as he leaned forward and placed his mouth to hers. Then she was pulled closer and held firmly in his arms as the kiss deepened.
‘I was so angry with the spitfire who bumped my car yet I could not drive off and leave her. I followed her all the way into Playa. Why did I do that?’ he asked when at last they separated.
Still dazed Lynn shook her head. Then she was being enfolded in his arms once more.
‘When you rescued Peter it was as though fate was speaking to me. I had to have you near me.’
Lynn nodded, her head against his chest.
‘You are the flame to my hearth, the food for my heart and the air for my breath. You will marry me and stay by my side for ever. Say you love me, my dearest Lynn.’
It was not a question but a statement of fact and Lynn, hiding a secret smile, heard the faintest quiver of uncertainty in his demand.
‘With all my heart,’ she answered, raising her face to his.
The House in the Pines Page 8