Page 26 of Cruelest Contract
I can understand her reluctance and I’m tempted to offer her some final words of encouragement before she’s thrown to the wolves. However, I’d rather see how she handles the challenge on her own.
Cecilia exits the truck carefully, taking her time, keeping her face pointed down until she’s got both feet firmly planted. Then she slowly raises her head to confront the many eyes focused on her. She’s about to get a crash course in being the center of attention.
By the time I’ve jumped out of the truck, she’s on her way to greet my father. Her shoulders are squared and her chin is up, determination engraved in her attitude. I admire how she can pull it off at the end of a day like this.
“Cecilia.” My father grips her by the shoulders and kisses both of her cheeks. “I haven’t seen you since you were a child. Welcome to Storm’s Eye Ranch. The boys have been looking forward to your arrival.”
She looks tiny and fragile next to my hulking father. I’m sure it’s not easy for her to come up with a greeting that doesn’t sound sarcastic. Technically, she’s here of her own free will.
The key word is ‘technically’.All that hangs in the balance is the life of her twin brother.
“Thank you, Mr. Tempesta,” she says, sounding properly gracious. “I appreciate the welcome. I’ve always been curious about your ranch.”
My father is satisfied with her answer and Mel steps up next, her face alight with excitement. We’re not in the habit of hosting pretty young women here. Cecilia is a novelty.
Mel embraces Cecilia and gushes with praise. Cecilia looks over her shoulder and when our gazes connect, a few seconds pass before she shifts her eyes away.
Why do I get the feeling she was searching for me, hoping to be comforted by the fact that I’m nearby?
It’s a thought worth chewing on while I remove Cecilia’s cat from the truck.
My father is already on his way back to the house. He motions to the staff to disperse. Mel talks a mile a minute and steers Cecilia to the front porch while promising the kitchen staff has been hard at work preparing an epic multi-course Italian dinner.
With Cecilia’s cat in hand, I join my brothers. The animal thumps around in the crate, unhappy with being transported yet again.
Tye elbows me with a grin and jerks his chin toward our guest. “We have the power to make this really easy for her,” he reminds me.
“We do,” I agree, my eyes glued to Cecilia’s body as she daintily climbs the porch steps. “But we won’t.”
My brother laughs.
6
CECILIA
The mouse has lost its black felt nose and the ability to squeak.
I’ve yet to see Louisa touch any of the cat toys that arrived with her, but this one appears to have been well loved at some point. That’s why I’m on my hands and knees while dangling it from a stringy yarn tail.
“Look!” I shake the toy mouse and pitch my voice far higher than normal. “It’s your friend, Louisa. It’s Mr. Mouse.”
The cat’s unblinking eyes stare right through me. Her nostrils twitch. She remains hunched beneath the bed and everything about her manner says she thinks I’m dangerously insane.
With my knees now feeling bruised by the knotty hardwood floor, I give up. The rejected mouse gets tossed into Louisa’s cozy new bed on the floor. She refused to sleep there last night, preferring to remain hidden beneath the four poster bed in the middle of the room. Twice she darted out to use the litter box I set up in the adjoining bathroom. The bowl of cat food in the corner remains untouched.
I would have been overjoyed if she’d snuggled up in bed beside me. No luck there.
At least caring for Louisa has allowed me to stay distracted from my own predicament. I was exhausted enough to sleep soundly when my head hit the pillow last night but now it’s a new day and I can’t put off thinking about my situation.
I’ve been given a week.
One week to select a Tempesta husband. Cassio Tempesta waited until we were all seated in the dining room and made this declaration in a very nonchalant manner as he passed the antipasto tray.
“If you don’t need a full week, Cecilia, just say so. From this moment, you are free to make your choice.”
Naturally, I would choose to return to my cozy Arizona apartment with nothing more dire than job hunting on my mind. This isn’t one of my options.
And I suppose I now have only six days left to announce my decision.
