Page 66 of Till Death Do Us Part

“He and Rei left early this morning.”

“He left the yacht?”

ChapterSeventeen

Mia

Josefina must have seen the concern in my expression. She twisted until she was sitting with her bare feet in the pool water and looking in my direction. “They left before I was out of the cabin. Jorge told me that something happened last night, and they were both needed on the mainland.”

My empty stomach twisted.

She feigned a smile. “Did you bring a bathing suit? If not, I’m sure I have one that could fit you.”

“I did.” I looked around. The ocean went on in every direction for as far as I could see. “Is Patr?n concerned?” I hoped using the term I’d heard Catalina use was acceptable. “Is he with them?”

“He’s not alarmed.” She stood and walked to me until she was out of the pool and on dry travertine. “What my sons do is not safe, but they’re very good. Jano will come back to you.”

“He didn’t tell me he was leaving.”

“Well,” she said matter-of-factly, “that is something he needs to be told, by you.”

I swallowed. “I’m just feeling sorry for myself.” I scanned beyond the deck into the blue waters. “And that’s probably the most ridiculous thing in the world. I mean, look where we are.”

“México,” she said with a smile. “It’s always beautiful.”

The woman from earlier arrived with a tray. A silver coffee carafe, a silver pitcher of cream, and a cup were placed on a nearby table, shaded by an umbrella. “Gracias,” I said.

“If you need anything else…”

Josefina spoke. “I’m about to have my midday meal. You should eat, Mia. Would you like lunch or breakfast?”

I didn’t want to be any trouble. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

She spoke to the woman. While her words were coming fast, I thought I picked up onceviche. Josefina stopped and turned to me. “Any allergies? Shellfish?”

“No.” I shook my head and went to the table where my freshly poured cup of coffee sat.

Aléjandro’s mother reiterated what she’d said to the woman. The lady in white nodded affirmatively and walked away, leaving us alone.

“Do you have sunscreen?” Josefina asked. “I hate to mention it, but with your fair complexion, I don’t want you to burn.”

That made me smile. “I didn’t think to bring any.”

“I’ll have the staff take some to your suite. After your coffee, you can go change into a bathing suit and be sure to apply sunscreen. I don’t want Jano upset because his new wife is too burned to be touched. Oh, and on the first level I have a small office, much smaller than Jorge’s. The bookshelves are filled with books. If you’d like to borrow one, help yourself.” Before I could question, she added, “There are some in English.”

“That’s good. I’m better at speaking Spanish than reading it, and I can’t speak it.”

“I’d be glad to help you.”

“Gracias.”

“Buen comienzo.”

By the time I finished my coffee, found Josefina’s office, selected a book, changed into a bathing suit, applied my sunscreen, and made my way back to the pool deck, our food was waiting along with a pitcher of hibiscusagua fresca.

Josefina pulled a second hat from a bag near her feet. “I went and got this for you. The sun can be harsh. We must protect your beautiful skin.”

“Thank you.” I took the hat and placed it on my head. “You look too young to be a mother of grown men, but you do the mothering thing well. I guess I miss mine. After Rocco, my first husband, died, my brother didn’t want me to live on my own. He sent me to live with my mother. Since my father passed at the same time, we were in mourning together.”

---