Mamá embraced her and then went to the kitchen.
Carolina put on her clothes, a modest green dress—formfitting and flattering. The soft fabric caressed her skin instead of scratching it.
Gone were the dirty pants and muddy shoes. Shefeltbeautiful, a feeling she wasn’t used to experiencing.
Carolina left her parents’ room and headed to the front of the house to peek out the curtains. Carolina’s sisters were all lurking in the yard, eager to greet Enrique. Adela, at nineteen, led the pack. The youngest girls were playing with a dollhouse on the steps while Eva was on lookout for the car.
Poor Enrique—he had no clue what he was in for. He definitely could use Tiburón for support.
Blanca emerged from their shared bedroom into the living room.
Wow. If Tiburón had a crush on her before, he would lose his mind when he saw her tonight. She was wearing a tight-fitting dress that highlighted her curves while technically remaining full coverage.
“Tiburón is coming. Enrique just texted.” Carolina tugged the curtain closed just in case he saw her. She couldn’t be caught eagerly waiting at the window like a desperate housewife.
Blanca gave a sly smile. “Oh, I know. He just texted me. Hence the outfit.” But then the happiness fell off her face. “But Papá will hate him.” Blanca slumped into a green velvet chair.
“Maybe Papá will give him a chance.”
Blanca shook her head. “No way. Even if you marry Enrique, Papá would never let me go out with a man like Tiburón.”
Carolina turned to her sister. “Papá needs to stop judging people. Tiburón could be a wonderful man. Maybe Papá will see that tonight. It’s what’s inside that counts.”
“I hope so. I want to have his babies.”
Ay, Dios mío. Carolina rolled her eyes.
For all Carolina’s protests about getting married, she did think it would be nice to have a partner in life. Someone who was supportive and cared about her. It had been so hard to go through college feeling disconnected emotionally. She had her friends and family, of course. But she would’ve loved having someone to go hiking with on the weekends or even to see a movie with sometimes.
Papá walked into the living room, a bit unsteady on his feet. Though his skin was sallow, and his breathing was still labored, he was wearing his best suit and his shoes were shined.
Carolina was doomed. He was probably under some sort of delusion that Enrique was about to ask for her hand in marriage.
In some regions of Mexico, courtships were done differently. The young man had to get the father’s blessing to date her. Then he would be invited to the home, like Enrique had been tonight. All dates would take place in the house with other people present. The couple might find a few stolen moments alone on the property, if they were lucky. From there, an engagement would quickly follow—after the man had asked the father for the daughter’s hand in marriage. And the suitor had to bring gifts to the father just to pose the question. Sometimes he would bring baskets of fruit and bread, a candle to light before the Virgin of Guadalupe, food, or even a live animal in exchange for permission to marry. If the father denied him, it was game over. If he approved, the suitor would plan an elaborate proposal for his future bride and repeat these gifts on the wedding day as some sort of a dowry.
It was fast. Romantic.
And totally unrealistic—especially considering the man in question wasn’t even her real boyfriend.
“Papá, how are you feeling?”
He grinned. “Never better. The doctor says I’ve made a miraculous recovery.”
Carolina wasn’t so sure. Knowing Papá, he would’ve signed himself out of the hospital, even if the doctor had given him a grim prognosis. His greatest wish was to see his eldest daughter married. “Even so, I’ve been doing some research. I’ve called to get you on a waiting list with a specialist in Santa Barbara. He’s doing amazing work in this field, and—”
“No, no, no.” Papá held his hand out like a stop sign, then sat in his favorite leather reclining chair, but his knees wobbled as he did, belying his lack of strength. “Tonight is not about my health. Can we instead focus on this miracle of miracles? My daughter has a boyfriend.”
“Well, yes, but—”
“What a great night it will be.” His voice was filled with anticipation, which made Carolina feel even worse. He kissed her hand and twirled her around like he used to when she was a little girl. “You look so beautiful. Just like your mother.”
“Gracias, Papá.”
His eyes softened. “I remember courting her. How nervous I was. But I was sure she was the one for me.” He lowered his voice. “I heard this man’s affection for you in his voice. The way he defended you to me. Brave. I admire that about him.”
Enriquedidseem to be impressed by her. “It was sweet, wasn’t it? But please don’t embarrass me like that again. I know I may not be what many men would want as a wife, but I have value.”
He pulled her into an embrace and kissed the top of her head. “Of course, mija. I’m sorry I said that. Your papá is from a differentgeneration. But please know I’m proud of you. You remind me of myself. Any man would be lucky to have you as his wife.”
