She shook her head. “No, thank you. I haven’t seen her since I wasa child, so I’d love to catch up. But maybe next time. It’s very kind of you to offer, though.”
“No worries. I’ll stop by Las Pescas. Text me when you want me to come pick you up. Or you can come by, and I’ll show you the restaurant.”
“That sounds great.” She gave him a long kiss. “See you in a bit.”
She got out of the car, and he waved and drove away.
The house was a quaint Craftsman sandwiched between a tire shop and an apartment building.
Carolina knocked at the door, and her aunt’s dogs came running to the screen door, barking wildly. “Tía Luísa!”
Her aunt opened the door, clutching the leash of a one-eyed pit bull. The years had been kind to Tía Luísa. There were only a few lines on her face, and she was in great shape. Her hair was dyed a bright red, and she wore a long kaftan robe.
Her aunt hugged her, and the scent of roses overtook Carolina.
“Sobrina, you look so pretty!”
Carolina smiled at the pit bull. “Thank you. He’s so cute. What’s his name?”
“This is Gordo. He’s very calm.”
Carolina knelt down to pet Gordo. “Oh, you’re a good boy.” Carolina wanted a dog of her own. A place of her own. A life of her own.
“So—to what do I owe this wonderful surprise? I’m surprised your father let you visit me.”
A lump grew in her throat. Carolina should’ve reached out to her aunt years ago. Her father should’ve never forbidden her from communicating with her. “You’ll never believe this... but I’m here with Enrique Montez. You know him.”
Her aunt’s jaw dropped. “Qué? Are you dating a Montez? Though I must say, Enrique is my favorite.”
Carolina laughed. “Mine, too!”
She grabbed Carolina’s ring finger, staring at its nakedness. “You are here alone? Without a chaperone? Your father allowed that?”
Carolina shook her head. “Yes, I’m dating him, and no, Papá most certainly did not. That’s why I’m here.”
Tía Luísa nodded. “I understand completely about my brother. But forget about him—you have to tell me how you met Enrique! Come on in.”
Carolina walked into her aunt’s kitchen, which was full of knickknacks and crystals. Open shelves were covered with plants, and there were candles with herbs sprinkled in them on the counter. A couple of cats lounged in the window cuddled up next to a fluffy white dog. Out back, there was a tiny Chihuahua sunbathing with some black mutt.
Tía Luísa stirred a clay pot on the stove, and the sweet and spicy scent of café de olla filled the room.
“Do you want some coffee?”
“Sí.”
Tía Luísa grabbed some mugs. “Carolina, tell me everything.”
Carolina exhaled. “Well, it’s a long story, but the ending is similar to yours—Papá kicked me out.”
Tía Luísa shook her head. “Cari. No. Lo siento.”
“I’m sorry, too. Enrique drove up to Santa Maria to meet with me. He wanted to partner with my farm. I never saw the email he sent requesting a meeting—Blanca impersonated me and invited him up. She wanted to meet the infamous Montez brothers and knew I’d think it was a terrible idea.”
Tía Luísa grinned. She ladled the coffee into the cups and handed one to Carolina.
“I always liked Blanca—though I haven’t seen her since she was a little girl. She loved her dolls. But if I were her, I would’ve done the same thing.”
Carolina laughed. “Well, that decision changed the course of my life. I met Enrique, and even though I was determined not to like him—I just couldn’t help myself. He volunteered to be Joseph to my Mary in Las Posadas, and when Papá got sick and thought Enrique was my boyfriend—”
