AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“A little boy, Luke, he’s three.” He hadn’t reached the point where he stopped thinking of Luke as his baby, he probably never would.
Don Luis held up his hand to indicate he needed to speak on the phone. “Ready two horses. We’ll be down to the barn momentarily.”
“I can’t wait to see your ranch. This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.” Bull wasn’t buttering the rancher up, the little he’d seen of Terra Dura was breathtaking.
“All in good time.” Don Luis smiled at his guest. “For now, let’s ride around the grounds surrounding the hacienda and I’ll show you my pride and joy.”
Over the next hour, Bull was shown an operation unlike anything he’d ever seen. No expense was spared, yet there was a historical feel to the place. He almost felt like he’d stepped back in time.
“I have many fine animals I want you to see.” Don Luis urged his horse up on a high ridge, overlooking a lazy river winding its way across a verdant valley.
“I’m ready to see them, I’ve been renting the use of one of your bulls from a neighbor, I’d like to own one just like him.”
“Who possesses this bull you covet so much?”
“A man named Esteban, he owns a ranch about seventy miles east of mine. Remember him?”
An odd expression crossed Cortez’s face. “I’m not sure, I’ve sold many animals.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Tomorrow, you shall see some of them.”
“Tomorrow?” Bull had been hoping he could see them today.
“Yes, manana.” He pulled his horse up abruptly and the stallion reared. “For now, let’s go back, have a meal and get to know one another.”
From her bedroom balcony, Isabella watched her uncle and Benedict come riding toward the hacienda. Her cowboy looked amazing on a horse. She kept her eyes on their progress, her heart and mind in turmoil over the unexpected encounter with the man who’d so captured her imagination…and her body. At first, she thought he might be protecting her by pretending he didn’t recognize her and not mentioning La Diosa, then she realized he truly didn’t know. Apparently, her disguise was much more effective than she’d hoped.
The serendipity of her two-time savior being a possible buyer for their stock was not lost on Isabella. Releasing a pent-up sigh, she admitted to herself how much she wanted to believe in the romantic notion that their paths crossing like this was a sign of fate.
When they returned to the stables, Isabella waited and watched until they emerged. She kept her eye on them until the men came toward the hacienda, then she slipped off her shoes and padded to the second-floor landing so she could see what they were up to. Their voices carried, so she could trace their progress through the house.
“Make yourself comfortable in the den, Mr. Redford. My attention is required for a couple of business matters. I’ll have Magdalena prepare us some lunch and we shall discuss our common interests before the afternoon siesta.”
“Whatever you say.” He wasn’t about to argue. From what he’d heard, the Mexican was persnickety about who he did business with and Bull didn’t want to do anything that might discourage Cortez from selling him some of his fine breeding stock. Finding himself alone, Bull eased down into an oversize leather chair facing an ornate fireplace. The temperature wasn’t cool enough to warrant a fire, but he could see from the worn places on the hearth that it had been well used.
A few dozen steps away, Isabella plotted her next move. “Stay here, Lola, desperate times call for desperate measures. I’m heading for my lookout position.” The dachshund kept her adoring gaze on her mistress as Isabella tripped down the stairs and out into the courtyard. There was one particular tree she’d been climbing since she could walk. Up in the comfortable branches, there was a generous fork where she could rest and observe most of what went on through the interior glass windows facing the den and living room. This used to be her hideout when she was small and wanted to evade nap-time, now she used the spot as her sanctuary when the absence of her beloved parents became too great to bear. Today, however, this would be her vantage point to keep an eye on Benedict and to ensure he was alone while he received a very important phone call from La Diosa.
Bull didn’t know how long he was supposed to wait, he just hated to sit and twiddle his thumbs. Glancing around, he saw a magazine with some cattle on the cover. He reached for the periodical, then realized it was written in Spanish. “Forget it,” he muttered. Fixing his gaze on a lizard scooting across the outside window ledge, he let his mind wander. Naturally, the first thought in his head was of Carmen.
Buzz! Buzz!
“Diosa?” Bull murmured, seeing the ‘blocked call’ designation again. He tapped the ‘accept’ button so hard he almost put a dent in the phone. “Carmen? God, it’s good to hear from you. Where are you?”
Up a tree. “I’m at my home. Where are you?” She was careful to use her La Diosa voice.
“I’m at some rich man’s house, trying to buy a bull. When can I see you?”
“Do you want to see me, cowboy?” Even though she was filled with uncertainty, Isabella tried to sound flirtatious.
“Hell, yes. I haven’t been able to think of anything else. Only you.”
Feeling torn, Isabella pulled on one of the broad leaves. “I miss you.”
“You don’t have to miss me. As soon as I get away from here, I’ll call you. Can I have your number?”
From Isabella’s perch, she peered at him through the leaves. “Maybe. Are the people you’re visiting being nice to you?”
Bull shrugged. “Sure, yea, I guess so.” He chuckled. “Cortez has this young niece who seems like a little hellion.”
Isabella gasped, a little affronted. “What do you mean?”
