“I know,” Olga said with an understanding smile. “Did you know Suzie invited him to her play?”
Isabel drew back and stared at her, shocked. “She did? When? How?”
Olga chuckled. “She asked Siri to call him from your iPhone. Didn’t she tell you?”
“No, she didn’t. I’m going to have to guard my phone. I can’t believe she kept it a secret from me. That was very naughty of her.” Isabel shook her head. “Did Linc go? I didn’t see him there.”
“Suzie said he did. I didn’t see him either,” Olga said with a hapless shrug.
Isabel sighed deeply and averted her gaze from her mother's knowing eyes. "Let's finish setting up dinner." This wasn’t the time to discuss Linc or her mischievous daughter’s attachment to him.
They organized the food each family member had brought to share. The long table overflowed with the traditional black beans and rice, a sweet potato dish called boniato, yucca smothered in sautéed sliced onions, fried green and ripe plantains, several types of salads, and warm loaves of buttered Cuban bread. The guests filled their plates to overflowing and then walked to Tío Pepe's corner, where he carved succulent pork slices for them while he munched on the crispy pork rind, chicharrones.
Isabel tried to relax, but she couldn’t. Even though she was surrounded by her family and their laughter and good-natured ribbing, she felt a huge void without Linc. Where was he right now? Was he spending Christmas Eve alone?
Linc heard lively Latin music playing when he drove up to Isabel's festively decorated driveway. Little glass and metal lanterns with candles inside lined the circular driveway, illuminating the path.
The house was decorated with multicolored lights surrounding the red barrel tile roof. Gold lights twinkled in the large royal palms surrounding her house. When he got out of his car, he breathed in deeply of the delicious aroma of roasted suckling pig. Isabel had told him about the pit and how Tío Pepe was an expert at making it.
Linc opened the back door and took out the dog kennel with the sleeping puppy inside. Setting it on the ground, he reached for a bag filled with dog food, puppy toys, a collar and a leash. He had picked up the nine-week old white Labrador Retriever that afternoon and sneaked her into his condominium under his windbreaker.
It was near midnight when Linc placed the kennel on Isabel's doorstep. He left a brightly wrapped box for Isabel beside it, then rang the doorbell several times and bounded to the car before the door was opened.
Parked behind a tree, he saw Isabel clearly in the porch light when she opened the door. She was a vision in an emerald green dress, her black hair swept up into a French twist. He delighted in her surprised smile when she saw the packages. She opened the kennel and picked up the sleeping puppy, nuzzling its downy head with her chin. Hugging the puppy close, her eyes scanned the driveway, but Linc had hidden his car well.
When she went back inside and closed the door, Linc drove off and didn’t look back to see her dazzling beauty. It was already imprinted in his mind and heart.
Chapter 18
Snuggling the puppy's warm little body close, Isabel watched Linc's retreating taillights with a heavy heart. Thank goodness Suzie had already fallen asleep and was waiting for Santa’s arrival in the morning.
Olga came and peered over her shoulder. "What a sweet little pup. So tiny and soft," she cooed in delight. "Aren't you going to see who the packages are from?" She picked up the wrapped package and handed it to Isabel. "This one has your name on it."
Isabel gave Olga the puppy and took the gift from her.
Opening the card attached to it, she silently read the message inside, her heart filled with longing. Merry Christmas, honey. Love, Santa.
"Who is it from?" Olga asked.
"Santa," Isabel said, her voice catching.
"There's a card on this one too." Olga pointed to the kennel. "And a shopping bag on the other side of it."
Neither of them mentioned Linc as they shared a moment of silence, his sweet thoughtfulness surrounding them.
Olga’s eyes glowed with sympathy when her gaze connected with Isabel’s. “Tender love, that’s what he feels for you, Isabelita. Do you know how lucky you are? He’s man enough to show his tenderness.”
Her heart aching, Isabel nodded and put the sleeping pup back inside the kennel. Why did Linc have to be so wonderful? Why couldn’t he be selfish or inconsiderate so she could get over him? With a despondent sigh, she lifted the large bag and Christmas box next to it. Olga picked up the kennel and followed Isabel into the house.
The remaining guests gathered around Isabel, fussing over the new puppy and giving Isabel advice on caring for it. When the excitement died down, they slowly filtered out as they said their good-byes, leaving Isabel alone with Olga.
Everyone had pitched in to clean up the kitchen and patio earlier, so Isabel was free to care for the puppy. Placing it in the guest bathroom, she left a bowl of water and food, then opened the kennel door and spread newspapers on one side of the floor. Closing the door behind her, she left the sleeping puppy in the bathroom, wishing she could take her into her room with her.
She went into the family room and found Olga sitting beside the Christmas tree with a pensive look in her eyes. She turned to Isabel expectantly. "What are you going to do about the puppy?"
"I'll let Suzie keep her."
“Aren’t you going to open Linc's gift?" Olga asked.
"Yes, I didn’t want to open it with the family watching. It was hard enough to pretend the puppy was from Samantha and Nathan. I’ll open it later," she said, wanting to be alone when she did.
"I wonder where he spent Christmas Eve?" Olga mused.
"Probably with his mother.” Isabel stretched and stifled a yawn. "I'm going to bed." She leaned over and kissed Olga on the cheek. "The guest room is made up for you. I'm sure Suzie will be up early to see what Santa left under the tree. Good night, Mami, sleep well," she said and left quickly.
Isabel carried Linc's gift to her bedroom and laid it on top of her dresser. She undressed and drew a warm nightgown over her head, then headed to the bathroom to remove her makeup and brush her teeth, prolonging opening his gift.
Before getting into bed, she reached for the shiny gold and silver parcel and carefully unwrapped it. She smiled, enchanted when she saw the fluffy pink and white bunny slippers and a square jewelry box. Unable to resist, she slid her feet inside the plush interior and wiggled her toes.
Closing her eyes, Isabel dreamily replayed the night Linc's eyes had twinkled as he'd teased her. "While I was driving here, I imagined you'd be wearing a soft blouse with those tight little jeans that look terrific on you, and fuzzy bunny slippers."
Sucking in a nervous breath, she opened the jewelry box and found a gold charm bracelet with a single charm shaped like an orange. On the back it was inscribed with, “You will always be my sweet girl.”
Her throat thickened and her eyes misted as she clutched the bracelet to her heart. An orange charm. He could have chosen a heart or something else, but the orange suited her perfectly and she loved it!
Wiping her eyes, she put the slippers and bracelet back in the box and placed it under her bed. Isabel turned off the light and stared out the window, wondering where Linc might be. She gazed at the moon through her bedroom window with lovesick eyes, reliving the first time Linc had made love to her. She wanted him more than anything in the world and felt powerless to resist the hope surging inside her.
She tried to fall asleep, but couldn’t stop seeing Linc in her dreams and hearing his deep voice as she tossed and turned. It was almost four in the morning before she finally dozed off.
Early that morning, Suzie ran into Isabel's room, jumping up and down with excitement next to Isabel’s bed. "Merry Christmas, Mami. There's a puppy in the bathroom!"
Isabel sat upright and rubbed her eyes. She stretched her arms and hugged Suzie tightly. "Merry Christmas, baby." She rumpled Suzie's gleaming mop of hair affectionately. "Did you say t
here's a puppy in this house?"
"Yes, hurry up." Suzie grabbed Isabel's hand and dragged her to the bathroom. "Look how cute!" she exclaimed, opening the bathroom door. “Do you think Santa brought it?”
“I don’t know. Let’s check and see.” Isabel took the gift card from the kennel and carried the puppy outside where she read the card to Suzie. "To Suzie. Love from Santa.' That’s what it says here.” She glanced at Suzie expectantly. "What are you going to name her?"
Twirling her hair, Suzie pondered the question for a long moment, then her face lit up. "How about Fluffy?" she said. “Doesn’t she look like a little fluff ball?”
"She does. Let's go find Abuela and tell her," Isabel said.
They pulled Olga out of bed and led her to the patio to meet Fluffy. While Olga played with the puppy, Suzie ran into the family room and found the bicycle from Santa and a miniature dollhouse from her grandma. Suzie ran in circles trying to decide what to play with next. By nighttime, Isabel was exhausted from the previous night's lack of sleep, Suzie's non-stop excitement, and Fluffy's mischief.
Linc spent Christmas Day with his mom and her boyfriend, Calvin.
When he arrived at his mom’s Key Biscayne condo, he deposited a kiss on her scented, powdery cheek and handed her an envelope with a gift certificate for a luxury weekend of pampering at the Ritz Carlton. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”
“Thank you. Your gift is under the tree,” she said, smiling at him with love in her eyes.
"You look great," Linc said, pleased to find her looking so well. She had rebuilt her life, and he was proud of her.
"I feel great, but I’m worried about you. Why are you walking with a limp, son?" she asked, alarm dimming her clear blue eyes.
Linc lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. "I had a slight injury a while ago. I'm limping because the cold weather makes it stiff, but it's nothing to worry about," he assured her.
"If you say so,” she said, not sounding convinced. “Cal is coming over after he spends time with his grandchildren. Are you hungry?”
Linc grinned. "I’m always hungry. What did you make?"
"Your favorite, and as it happens, it’s Cal’s favorite too. I made a crowned rack of lamb and homemade mint sauce," Eleanor said, leading him into the kitchen. "Everything is almost ready. I’m going to whip up the potatoes now, and I’ll put the rolls in the oven when Cal phones that he’s on his way. Help yourself to wine or beer and some snacks,” she said, gesturing to a marble and wood board on the granite counter bar that had a delicious spread of assorted cheeses, crackers, hard salami and olives.
"Great," Linc said. “I’ll grab a cold beer from the fridge. I’m looking forward to meeting Cal. I’m sure he’s thrilled with your good cooking. I've never been able to resist it myself."
“You need to get married and settle down. Have you met anybody nice yet?"
"I have, and she’s a wonderful cook. But Isabel won’t have me," he said, half-joking and waiting for her reaction.
Eleanor’s eyebrows shot up. "Who is this foolish girl?" she demanded, her lips pressed together with affront.
Linc chuckled at his mother's umbrage, then filled her in about Isabel and their ill-fated relationship, relating the events of the drug bust and Isabel's subsequent refusal to marry him.
"It’s understandable that she’d be fearful of how it would affect her little daughter,” she murmured. “I've always worried about your safety. Wouldn't you consider taking a safer job? You inherited enough money to do whatever you want. Your dad would have been happy to see you put the money to good use."
Linc refrained from telling her about his investment in Isabel’s nursery. “I’m planning to transfer out of narcotics once this case is solved.”
“I wish you would get married already. I need some grandkids to spoil.” She smiled warmly and patted his hand. “From what you’ve told me about Isabel and her little daughter, I like them already. Make it work."
“It’s not that simple, Mom. I've busted my chops on this case. I came very close to nabbing the scumbag dealers, only to have them slip from my fingers. They are evil and need to be taken down. There's no way I can quit now."
"Is that worth losing the woman you love?"
"No.” He groaned. “I understand that she can't accept my job because of Suzie, but I want her unconditional love."
"Don’t be demanding, like your father was. He constantly tried to make me into someone I wasn't."
Linc stiffened at the comparison. “I’m not like Dad, and I don’t want Isabel to change. I love her the way she is.”
Eleanor clasped her hands to her heart. "Oh, how I love hearing you say that, Linc! You must find a way to win her over."
“I will," he said with more confidence than he felt.
On the drive home, Linc tried to remember any happy moments he’d spent with his father and was surprised to find a few instances when they had bonded in spite of his father’s insanely busy work schedule. Linc had been too busy blaming his mother's addiction on his father to try to understand what had driven him to be a workaholic. He had forgiven his mother for her weakness. Why hadn't he been able to forgive his father for the divorce and his mother’s subsequent heartbreak?
Linc had wasted precious time being mad at him and resentful about his expectations for Linc. It was time to heal and put his inheritance to good use. That was the only way he could imagine getting closure from the estrangement with his dad.
Isabel’s phone rang in her purse minutes after she entered her house. "Hi, I just walked in," she said, her heart pounding when Linc’s number popped up on her screen. “We were having dinner at my mother's."
Linc cleared his throat. "How was your Christmas?"
"It was good. All the family was here for Nochebuena. Tío Pepe made the usual roast pig in the pit. Thank you for the puppy. Suzie named her Fluffy, and she’s already fallen in love with her." She paused. "And thanks for the bunny slippers and the charm bracelet. I love them,” she said softly.
"You're welcome.”
"How was your Christmas?"
"Fine. I spent it with my mom."
"Oh, I'm glad," Isabel said, relieved he hadn't spent it alone.
"Isabel, I have to ask you a personal question. Have you gotten your period yet?"
She drew in a sharp breath. “Gosh, do you have to be so blunt?”
“I need to know. I've been wondering about it since that night we—”
''You don't have to wonder anymore,” she cut in. “I'm not pregnant."
"Are you sure?" Linc asked.
The disappointment in his voice made her wince. "Yes. Why would I lie to you?"
"I can think of several reasons."
"I have to put Suzie to bed. It’s way past her bedtime,” she said. “Thanks for calling and I hope you have a Happy New Year."
She hung up feeling unhinged. She hated lying to him, but there was no other way. Dear God, what would she do if she was pregnant? She had lied about getting her period, hoping that stress had delayed it, like it had in the past.
If it didn't come by next week, she would buy a home pregnancy test.
Chapter 19
New Year’s Eve came and went uneventfully, but Linc was always on Isabel’s mind. Two weeks into the New Year, Suzie came down with fever. By nighttime, she was running a temperature of one hundred and two degrees. Isabel gave her sponge baths and urged her to drink clear liquids. Her fever went down a few degrees, but it wouldn't break. She stayed up with Suzie most of the night, making her as comfortable as possible. The next day when Suzie got worse, Isabel drove her to the pediatrician's office. Strep throat was ruled out, but she had the flu and a touch of bronchitis.
Isabel took turns with Olga, caring for Suzie and running the nursery during the daytime. Between worrying about Suzie and keeping Fluffy out of trouble, Isabel was worn out and by the weekend, she felt the dreaded beginning of a sore throat.
That evening, Isabel started running a fever. As soon
as she tucked Suzie in, she fell into her own bed, too exhausted to watch the news.
Olga called the following morning. "How did you sleep last night, Isabelita?"
"Not well. I must have had fever. I was burning hot one minute, then freezing cold the next," Isabel said, each word irritating her throat. "Now I have a splitting headache."
Olga clucked maternally. "I was afraid you might get sick. You haven't had a good night's rest all week, and I’ll bet you never got a flu shot, did you?"
“Nope.”
Olga sighed. "How is Suzie doing?"
"She’s better today. Her fever finally broke last night. I think the worst is over."
"I'll come by later with chicken soup," Olga said.
"No, please don't. It doesn't make sense for you to risk getting sick. We're already short-handed at the nursery and you have to stay healthy for the art festival next month."
"I won't catch it," Olga scoffed. "I've had the flu shot. Remember?"
"Still, I'd rather you didn't risk it."
"Okay," Olga said. "Give Suzie a kiss for me and call if you need anything."
Later, Isabel took a break from work to watch the news at noon. A cold front was moving in with the threat of frost. She immediately called Olga. "Let's call a meeting ASAP. I can't believe the bad timing for a cold front.”
"It’s never good timing for a cold front. I already contacted Javier and the workers. They'll be working 24/7 to save the trees," Olga assured her.
''Yes, but we still haven't gotten the fiberglass wraps I ordered. The supplier promised they would be in by the first of the year. I'm going to call them now."
"All right. Let me know if you need anything tonight. I'll be over in the morning."
By nighttime, Isabel reclined on her queen-size bed with two pillows propped behind her head with Suzie asleep beside her. Isabel sipped hot lemon tea infused with raw honey and waited for the evening weather report. The only light illuminating the room came from the glow of the TV.
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