Page 79 of Midnight Surrender to the Spaniard

‘Of course,’ Anna said, and leant on the wall to remove her shoes, trying not to recall all the tender times Sebastián had done this for her.

‘Señorita de Luca?’

Thecapitánwas calling Maria back. Clearly, Anna thought, she hadn’t heard his request, because she was still wearing her shoes.

‘Por favor?’He was politely insistent.

Anna felt her heart still as Maria shot thecapitána look so dark and fierce that Anna sensed a shiver on her neck before her heart suddenly beat faster.

No wonder Sebastián was so protective of his family. This was her first glimpse of Maria with her mask off—though of course she quickly snapped it back on and returned to being ‘Grandmother of the Year’ as she complied.

‘Por supuesto,’she said, but insolently, and she did not put her shoes in the basket. Instead she left them lying in a heap on the floor.

‘Gracias, Señorita De Luca.’ Dante smiled his perfect smile.

He really was a truecapitán!

Anna was honestly a bit shaken, but either the others hadn’t noticed or they were used to it, because no comment was made.

Emily gasped when she arrived on deck. There were tiny arrangements of soft pink daisies and pink candles, and champagne corks were popping. Little Josefa’s arrival was being properly celebrated.

‘It’s so nice to taste fresh air,’ Emily said. ‘Gosh, what a week...’

Anna caught Sebastián’s eyes, very briefly, and she was proud of them both as they gave nothing away.

She thought of the future—years from now, perhaps. When he might be celebrating...whatever. Sebastián, old on his yacht and too rich to be lonely...

I ought to take some pictures, she thought.

She took a few of Emily and Alejandro, and of the cake when it came out. Delicate layers of pastry layered with pink jam and white chocolate ganache...

Sebastián had done all this. Or the crew, perhaps. But she had heard his meetings with Dante and the chef, and knew of the effort he’d made...

‘To Josefa!’ Sebastián said, and everyone clinked their glasses.

‘Willow would have loved this,’ Emily said. ‘You’ll have to take some cake back for her.’

‘She’ll love it!’ Anna smiled.

Alejandro handed out cards for everyone, with photos of the new baby, and Anna found she had to excuse herself. She was tearful and trying not to be, missing being here already, and daunted at the prospect of leaving it all behind.

And that dreadful ending...

Anna was looking up at the stars and the rising moon, and wondering if her phone’s camera was up to it, when she heard Carmen.

‘I mean it!’ She sounded adamant. ‘I’m thinking of taking a break. Maybe travelling...’

‘Come off it!’ Alejandro said. ‘As if anything would tear you away from the horses.’

‘Why would you give up now?’ Sebastián asked.

Anna held her breath, surprised by the harsh question when she’d told him how sensitive this topic was.

‘An athlete is only at the top of their game for a small window of time,’ he went on.

‘Hey!’ José interrupted his eldest son. ‘If Carmen wants a break then she has earnt one. Whatever she does, we support her.’

‘Papá!’ Carmen let out a shriek of laughter and moved from her seat to kiss his cheek, and Anna smiled as José pulled her onto his knee.

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