"We must stay in touch, Isabella, and please tell your mother how sorry I am."
"I will," she promised. She slipped the phone back into her bag and looked at Nick. "My father contacted Carlotta, and she got him to go to a clinic. He said he was visited by an angel last night."
Nick gave her a compassionate smile. "Well, he was."
"I hope he stays there and gets better. I know it's not a sure thing."
"It's a start. You got through to him, Isabella."
"I really didn't think I had, but maybe so. Or else he just thinks he had a dream. But it doesn't matter. He's in a place where he can get help. And when I return home, I'll write to him."
He put his hand on her thigh and gave it a squeeze. "You did well. You should be proud of yourself."
"Thanks." She let out a breath. "I feel so much better."
"Good." He tipped his head toward the window. "We're almost there."
She turned back to the scenery, amazed by the turquoise blue sea that sparkled under a clear blue sky and a very bright sun. "Is this your beach?"
"It's part of it," he said.
"It's beautiful, Nick."
"That three-story building is the hotel my mother wanted to visit."
"It has a sad kind of charm, but beautiful beach views. You're really going to tear it down?"
"Yes, but we'll take items from the hotel—photos, a fireplace, a window, doorknobs—and use those pieces in the resort to bring authenticity."
"It sounds like you've thought of everything." She wasn't surprised by that. Nick was nothing if not very, very thorough.
"I've been thinking about it for a long time."
As they passed by the hotel, they turned away from the beach and took a long, winding one-lane road for another few miles. The car finally stopped in front of a large three-story home with a wide veranda that wrapped around the building.
The garden in front of the house was blooming with color, and behind the home she could see a barn and some horses grazing in the more distant meadow.
An older man and a woman came out to the porch as they got out of the car. The man was short in stature with a wiry frame and an energetic stride. He had dark hair and eyes and wore a short-sleeved embroidered black shirt with gray pants. His wife was also dark, her long hair pulled back in a single braid that fell down to her waist. Almost the same height as her husband, she wore a simple peasant blouse with a long skirt. They both appeared to be in their sixties or early seventies.
"Juan and his wife, Dolores," Nick said as he helped her out of the car.
After Nick and Martin exchanged greetings with Juan and Dolores, it was her turn to accept a warm, welcoming hug from both of them.
"We are looking forward to your dance tonight," Dolores said with a smile. "We have invited our friends and family to the party."
"We're looking forward to it, too," Isabella replied, thinking it would be easier for her to say that and mean it than for Nick to do so.
"Dolores is making lunch for you. I hope you are hungry," Juan said. "After lunch, perhaps you would care for a siesta or you will have time to work, Nicholas. I know how much you like to work."
"I usually do, but I think I'd like to take a walk down to the beach before lunch—if there's time."
"Of course. There is always time. I will go with you. Would you like to join us?" Juan asked Isabella.
As much as she'd like to see the beach, she thought that Nick needed this time alone with Juan. "I'll help Dolores with lunch. You two go ahead."
"Martin?" Juan asked.
"I have to make a few more calls, so I'm going to disappear for a while as well," Martin replied.
"I'll show you your rooms," Dolores suggested. "Lunch will be ready in thirty minutes, Juan. Don't stay too long at the beach."
"We won't," Juan promised.
Isabella gave Nick an encouraging smile and then followed Dolores into the house.
* * *
Nick walked alongside of Juan as they took the path to the beach. They didn't speak until they reached the sand, until he was looking out at the blue-green water that had been in his dreams for so many years.
"Is it as beautiful as you remember?" Juan asked.
"My memory didn't do it justice." He looked down at Juan. "I'm glad we have a chance to speak before the party tonight."
Juan gave him a wary smile. "You are angry about my request, yes?"
"I was angry," he admitted. "We made you an extremely good offer. I think you know that."
"The land means more to me than money. I want the resort to blend with my culture and for the owner to respect the people who have lived here for hundreds of years."
"I understand that a little better now. Actually, I want to thank you, Juan. You forced me to do something I didn't want to do, and it has changed my life."
"The tango has changed your life?" Juan asked in surprise.
"Well, not exactly the tango."
Juan nodded, understanding now running through his gaze. "Ah, it is the beautiful Isabella then."
"Yes. I hired her to teach me how to dance, but she did a lot more than that. She encouraged me to look up from my work, to reconnect with my family, to stop and enjoy the small moments of life."
"That is quite a lot."
"Yes, it is." He paused. "Isabella was born in Buenos Aires. She hadn't been back here in eighteen years—until yesterday. We walked all around the city. Seeing it through her eyes made me realize how much I had missed on my last visit here. She also introduced me to some of her family members, and I enjoyed getting to know them. You were right, Juan. When I was here before, I didn't know the people. I had studied the facts, but the emotions were not important to me until someone reminded me that life without feeling is really not any kind of life." He paused. "Isabella told me that the tango is a dance of opposing desires, a battle of wills, need versus desire, love versus hate, passion versus love. The tango is a metaphor for life."
"That is very true," Juan said, his gaze thoughtful. "And you are in love with Isabella."
It wasn't a question but a statement. Still, Nick had to give an answer. "I am."
"Have you told her?"
"No."
"Why not? Are you afraid?"
He wanted to say he wasn't afraid, but the old man, with his sharp, piercing eyes, wouldn’t believe that, either. "Because I don't think I've ever wanted anything or anyone as much as I want her. But she's a butterfly. I don't know if I can catch her, and even if I could catch her, is it right to keep her?"
"That is not a question I expected a cold, ruthless businessman to ask."
"I'm ruining my reputation right now."
"On the contrary," Juan said with a smile. "It's improving with every word you speak."
"Then I should tell you the rest. My mother dreamed of vacationing here in Argentina. She cut a picture out of a magazine and put it on her bulletin board fifteen years ago. When she got sick, she dreamed of getting well and going to that beach." He pulled out his wallet and the photo and passed it along to Juan. "The beach by your grandparents' hotel. Unfortunately, my mother died before that dream could come true. I want to build the resort for her. I want it to be a place where dreams are realized for thousands of people. I want it to be a special place."
"Why didn't you show me this before?" Juan asked. "Why didn't you tell me the story?"
"I didn't believe there was any room for sentiment in business. I didn't think it was important to anyone but me."
"Until I made you see that for me there is no good business unless there are strong emotions in play," Juan finished.
"Exactly."
"I will sign the contract when we get back."
He looked at Juan in surprise. "But we haven't danced yet."
"You don't need to perform for me. You have just given me the answers I was looking for. We will go back to the house, sign the contract, and toast to the creation of your beautiful new resort."
It all sounded incr
edibly perfect, except for one thing. "No," he said.
Juan's eyebrow lifted in shock. "No? You don't wish to buy the land?"
"I definitely want to buy the land, but I don't want you to sign the papers until after Isabella and I dance tonight. Then we'll celebrate."
Juan smiled. "I think perhaps we will have more to celebrate than just a contract."
"We'll see."
* * *
Isabella looked at herself in the mirror. She'd brought one of her most dramatically designed tango dresses with her, and it was quite simply stunning—red and black with lace and sequins. Hopefully, it would dazzle the audience, and no one would notice any small mistakes that they made in the dance.
She was a little surprised that Nick hadn't wanted to run through the dance with her before the performance, but after lunch he'd disappeared, and she'd taken a much longer nap than anticipated. Now, it was almost seven, and she could hear the chatter of the crowd downstairs.
They would dance before dinner, which she was happy about. She'd be too nervous to eat until she got Nick through the tango and hopefully through the signing of a very important contract.
A knock came at her door, and she hurried over to answer it.
Nick stood in the hallway dressed in a black tuxedo. His dark hair was slicked back, his face cleanly shaven, and there was a determined gleam in his blue eyes.
"You look beautiful," he said, his gaze filling with appreciation. "I don't know why I was worried about this dance. No one will be looking at me. All eyes will be on you."
"I doubt that. The women are certainly going to appreciate you. You're a very handsome man."
"They're ready for us downstairs."
"Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"You're going to be great, Nick. I have no doubts."
He drew in a deep breath. "I have a few doubts, but I like your confidence."
"Then it's time to dance." She gave him her hand.
He squeezed his fingers around hers. "Thank you for doing this with me."
"You're more than welcome. I'm going to make sure you get that contract."
He stared back at her as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "For luck," he murmured.
Her lips tingled. "We don't need luck, just each other. I'll catch you if you trip, and you'll do the same for me. We'll be each other's backup."
He nodded. "I may step on your feet, but I will not let you fall, Isabella. You can trust me."
"I do. Let's go."
They walked down the stairs together and entered the living room. At least twenty people were standing around the walls of the room, the center having been cleared for their dance. The hardwood floor was slick and shiny. Isabella led Nick to the center of the floor.
Dolores was waiting to cue the music. She gave them an encouraging smile.
Isabella turned away from the crowd and faced Nick. As they took the starting position, she said, "Just look at me, Nick. There's no one else in this room. It's just you and me. This is our dance. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be honest and real."
His eyes darkened, but there was no fear in his gaze, just courage and strength and maybe a little bit of passion.
The music began. She felt as if she were about to dance the most important dance of her life. She had nothing to lose, but Nick had everything to lose, and she couldn't let that happen. She had to make sure he succeeded.
"Relax," he said.
She looked at him in astonishment. "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"
A smile played around his lips. "You taught me well. Let me show you what I've learned."
With a murmured one-two-three, he pulled her up against his body and then she twirled away as they danced the tango better than they'd ever danced before.
Nick was amazing. Light on his feet, sure in his moves, his gaze never left hers. Stiffness had been replaced with passion, worry with desire, reluctance with enthusiasm. He wasn't thinking anymore. He was just dancing. And he was better than she'd ever imagined he could be.
The dance ended when he pulled her into his arms and then dipped her almost to the ground.
The crowd broke into applause and as he slowly pulled her back up on her feet, his gaze clung to hers. Then his mouth covered her lips, and the passion of the dance became the kiss of a lifetime. She didn't know how long it lasted, but when it was done, she was completely shaken.
There were more cheers from the audience, finally reminding both of them that they were not alone.
Juan motioned for the crowd to be quiet as he walked over to them.
"Well done," he said, appreciation in his gaze. "That was one of the best tangos I've ever seen. You found an amazing partner, Nicholas."
"I did," Nick said, looking down at her with what looked like love.
Her heart flipped over. Her pulse sped up. Was he just caught up in the moment? Or was there more going on?
"We will have a toast," Juan said as Delores handed Isabella and Nick champagne glasses. "To Nicholas Hunter, to the grand resort he will build on our land, the riches he will bring to our country, and the respect he has for our culture."
Isabella clicked her glass with Nick's and Juan's, then took a sip of the sparkling wine.
"I'd like to say something as well," Nick said. "I'm honored to build a resort here, and I won't let any of you down. This is your land, your home, and I will make sure you are pleased with everything that happens. I would also like to make a toast to Isabella, my amazing teacher and dance partner."
"Thank you," she said as they drank again.
"The buffet is now open," Juan said. "Please everyone drink, eat and enjoy yourself."
"Good job," Martin said with a happy smile. "You were fantastic, Isabella. And I never thought you could dance that well, Nick."
"I surprised myself," Nick said.
"You didn't surprise me," she told him. "I always knew you had it in you. You just had to figure that out for yourself."
"I'm going to get some food," Martin said. "Then we need to pin down Juan and get a signature on our contract."
"We will." Nick smiled at her as Martin left. "Are you hungry?"
"There's a big crowd around the table right now. I think I'll wait a bit, let my pulse slow down."
"Good idea. I want to talk to you. Come with me?"
"Okay." She set down her glass and followed him out to the patio. It was a clear, starry night, and she could see the ocean in the distance, the waves dancing through the moonbeams. "It is so beautiful here," she murmured. "You really did find paradise when you found this place."
"I'm starting to understand that it's not about the place, but about the people."
"That's true. But I'm happy for you, Nick. You danced the tango, and you got your deal."
"I already had the deal before we danced."
She was confused by his words. "What do you mean?"
"I talked to Juan earlier when we went down to the beach. I told him about my mother's dream and how learning the tango from a very wise woman changed my life. After our conversation, he told me I didn't have to dance, that he would sign the contract."
"Then why did we dance?"
"Because I wanted to dance with you. I wanted to show you that I could be a good partner—not just in the tango, but in life." He took her hands in his. "I've fallen in love with you, Isabella."
Her nerves tightened at the unexpected words. "Really, Nick? Are you sure you're not just feeling the passion of the dance?"
A smile parted his lips. "No, I've been feeling the passion for you since I first saw you. You've changed my life in a week. You're beautiful, smart, generous, insightful and have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met. I don't know if you'd consider having a relationship with a cold, ruthless businessman, but there is one here who would like that a lot."
"You're not nearly as cold and ruthless as you make yourself out to be. And I think we're
already having that relationship, as much as we've both been fighting against it." She drew in a breath, seeing a little uncertainty in his eyes and needing that to go away. "I'm in love with you, too, Nick. I need someone to push me, and you do that. I was starting to live my life in a safe, predictable way, and that wasn't going to make me happy. I went back to the theater because of you. I saw my father because of you. I also called the Tylers earlier today and told them I'd be in their show—because of you."
He smiled. "You really said yes?"
She nodded. "You made me remember who I used to be and who I want to be again. I need to let my aunt's studio go. You were right. I was using it as a place to hide out. I don't need a safe place, but I wouldn't mind a safe pair of arms."
He slid his arms around her back. "I'm more than happy to hold you, Isabella, whenever you need it."
He gazed into her eyes with so much love, she almost felt like crying. This was a man who carefully guarded his heart, but he was willing to give to her. She felt incredibly honored. "I'll do the same for you," she said, putting her arms around his neck.
"Good."
"I know that joining the theater production will make it more difficult for us to see each other."
"We'll find a way. I don't want you to give up your dreams for me, Isabella. I want to be part of them."
"I feel the same way. You said you didn't want to be my ball and chain holding me back. I wouldn't want to do that to you, either."
He nodded in understanding. "We both have things we want to accomplish, but there are a lot of things we can do together."
She saw the wicked light in his eyes, and every nerve ending in her body started to tingle. "I like the sound of that."
"I told you before that I wasn't going to kiss you again until we could finish it."
"We're never going to finish it, Nick. Because once we start, we're going to keep going forever."
"Then let's start now."
"Finally," she said as his mouth touched hers.
She'd found love, family and home in one man, the man she would love for the rest of her life.
Epilogue
Before I Do Amazon Page 17