Carolina’s eyes widened; a momentary look of happiness crossed her face. “Yes, she does. Do you know her?”
“I do, actually. She owns the café next to Julieta’s restaurant. Your aunt is beloved by the community. And she makes the best conchas.”
“That makes me so happy. Maybe I can come visit her.”
“I’d love to take you.”
Carolina’s brief distraction seemed to be replaced by the reality of the situation. She exhaled loudly. “I’m so sad they would do this to me.”
Enrique’s brow wrinkled. “Don’t you own the house? Can they legally kick you out?”
“I do own it, but no. I consider ittheirhouse. I know it’s hard for you to understand.” She shook her head and bit her lip. “I’d never ask them to leave. I love them—family is complicated.”
Wow, guess so. Enrique wouldn’t hesitate to cut off his family if they did that to him. “I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry.”
“Honestly, I’m relieved.”
“What? Why?”
She gulped, her voice in a somber whisper. “Because I don’t want to go get married. Not anytime soon, if ever. I’m so young. I just want to be free.” She placed her hand on his thigh, a smile emerging on her flustered face. “I like you, Enrique, I really do, but this isn’t about you. This is about me. And I want to be independent. I want to be able to spend the night in Carmel, or go skinny-dipping in the ocean, or travel. As for the farm—I’ll figure it out.”
Enrique exhaled. “I feel like shit. This was not my plan. You have to believe me.”
“I do.” She grinned a little too wide. “So, where are we staying tonight?”
Chapter Twenty
A wave of apprehension overtook her as she still clutched her phone and turned away to look out the window. Enrique’s presence was calming. He had been a perfect gentleman. Still, she couldn’t believe she was actually going to spend the night in a hotel room alone with a man. She closed her eyes and could hear her mother’s words repeat in her head, cruel insults that she had previously reserved for girls in the community who slept around.Whore, puta, sucia.
Tears welled in her eyes. What was she doing?
Enrique squeezed her hand and looked over. “You okay?”
She gulped. “No. But I will be.”
Enrique turned forward again to give her some quiet as they drove along the coast.
Carolina stared out at the water and its dark glory. The stars shone in the sky and reflected off the rippling ocean. The peaceful moon peered through the violent clouds. If only she could borrow some of that moon’s tranquility.
Enrique pulled up to a quaint hotel on the rocky cliffsoverlooking the beach. The A-frame was painted a bright boysenberry color, and the shingles on the roof had moss growing on them. It didn’t seem to her like the type of place that Enrique would normally stay in, but it suited her just fine.
“Sorry, this was all I could get at the last minute. There’s a nice lodge a few miles away, but they’re booked.”
“Why are you apologizing? This place is lovely.” She smiled at the neon sign in the window that glowed under the huge bulb Christmas lights hanging from the roof. “I’m not like that, Enrique. I don’t need the nicest hotel or the most expensive restaurant. I can pay if you like.”
He shrugged. “No, of course not. Sorry. I guess I’m used to girls equating how much I spend on them with how much I like them because I have money.”
She smirked. “I’m not rich, by any means, but I can take care of myself. I take care of my entire family, too.”
Enrique put his thumb under her chin. “You’re incredible.”
She bit her nails. “Do you mind if I stay in the SUV while you check in?”
His brow furrowed. “Why?”
“I need a moment alone. Just check in. I’ll wait here.”
He kissed her again and went inside.
