Her father opened his mouth to say something, but Carolina stood and pulled Enrique out of the house. “Quick. Let’s go before he comes after us.”
The cool air was a welcome change from that stuffy house. “You really aren’t allowed to be alone with me?”
“It’s nothing personal. I’m not allowed to be alone withanyman outside of business. And he is dead serious.”
“For real?”
“Unfortunately.”
“So, you’re not allowed to date?” They walked toward a grove of citrus trees.
“I am. Thisisa date.” She paused and took a deep breath. “My first one.”
Enrique sighed and put his hands on his head. This was the weirdest shit ever. Was he on some hidden-camera-type show? He couldn’t possibly fathom that this was actually how people still lived. Tiburón was completely right—her family was super traditional.
He focused on the sunset over the horizon—the golden sky melting in with the snowcapped mountains. He took a moment to breathe slowly and try to center himself.
This was what he needed. Just some time out on the land. After escaping that awkward start to the night, he didn’t even care about seeing the farm, though he still wanted to learn more about this place. But for now, all he wanted was to get away from her house and that suffocating feeling that everyone was judging him.
“Do you want to take a tractor or walk?”
“Let’s just walk.”
He took her hand out of gentlemanly habit, and they walked outof her driveway and started their stroll in a row of garlic, the pungent scent filling the air. Grape vines contrasted with nascent strawberry plants, which would probably be ready to harvest this spring. This farm was massive.
Normally, Enrique loved staring out at the ocean from his home in La Jolla, but the view of all these plants as far as his eyes could see almost seemed better. The round artichoke globes reminded him of the undulating waves in the ocean. Wind blew the leaves of the garlic plants, which varied in size.
And all this magnificent greenery fed people throughout California.
After a few strides, Enrique squeezed her hand. “Thanks for getting me out of there. I wasn’t trying to be rude, but I was super uncomfortable.”
“Oh, please don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be groveling to you. I got you into this mess. At least Tiburón seems to not mind this courtship dance.”
“He’s fine with it. His family is more traditional anyway. He’s looking for someone to start a relationship with, and he’s certainly attracted to her. I hope they hit it off. He’s a great guy and wants to settle down with a woman who wants a big family.”
“Then they’re a perfect match. All Blanca wants to do is get married and have babies. Though I sometimes wonder if it’s just because she’s desperate to leave the house. Can’t say that I blame her.”
He paused and turned to her. “You bought this farm yourself, right?”
“Yup. And the house.”
Enrique scrunched his face. “Why don’t you just move out and get your own place?”
She turned her palm up. “Because I’m Mexican.”
“What does that have to do with it? So am I.”
Carolina laughed. “I can’t leave the home unless I’m married. Papá would flip.” Her voice turned somber. “It is what it is.”
Enrique’s mind was blown. “I don’t get it. I don’t. This is all yours.” He gestured to the sprawling land ahead of them. “If they are going to treat you like this, why stay? I love my family, but I would never let them control me like that.”
She turned away from him and kept walking.
“Well, that’s a privilege you have. I just haven’t had the reason to stand up to my parents. It was never worth the fight. I have never wanted to date anyone before, and it has never gotten so bad at home that I wanted to leave and humiliate my parents.”
Right. Enrique wanted nothing to do with enabling this toxic situation.
“This is just too much. I’m sorry, Carolina. I don’t know if I can do this.”
