The man laughed. “If you add a splash of juice inside the glass, it no longer counts as drinking.”
Lalo’s brow furrowed. That hardly made sense.
“I really should be on my way.” He had his fake fiancé and her family to meet. And if she was going to be of any help to him, he had to keep up this charade.
But Carolina had mentioned la cantina held most of el pueblo’s records. If there was anything new to learn about Vidal and Alma Fuentes, he’d find answers inside. Maricela was here, meaning the number of days he thought he had left were long gone. He had to find a way to reverse the curse before she hurt him or anyone else. And it was still early. Carolina’s family wouldn’t be arriving to his rented home just yet.
The man started for the door.
“Wait!” Lalo shouted. He jogged closer to the entrance. A cramp pinched at his side. He stopped and rested his hands on his knees. “I think I could use a drink,” he panted.
Smiling, the man said, “You’ve come to the right place.”
CHAPTER 18
Carolina
At a quarter to threein the afternoon, wooden coach wheels bumped up the road that led to the old Alicante estate. No one dared live so near to the woods since the Alicante family had been slain by sedientos twenty-some-odd years ago. A host of Papá’s guards rode horseback now, flanking the mayor to thwart any sudden attacks.
Mamá drew a curtain back and peered through the window. “Why would the Montézes choose to stay here of all places?”
Papá looked up from his newspaper. The lead article was about a slew of people found dead in some bar in Los Campos. The date of the article was from just over a month ago, but it had only reached Del Oro today. And Papá thought shipping Carolina away to the capital city would be safer than staying in DelOro. She rolled her eyes. No matter where she went, there would be villains, even if they were of the human variety.
The carriage came to a stop and the door swung open. Insteadof the cochero, Fernanda Montéz appeared, holding an umbrella.
“Welcome,” she said. Her makeup and hair looked impeccable. She smiled warmly, but there was tension behind her eyes. Where was Lalo? They’d taken the long route to get here. Papá wished to stop by some of the guard towers and check in on his men. Lalo had plenty of time to sneak away from her home and get himself ready for her family’s call.
“Ah, Fernanda. How are you this fine day?” Papá said as he clambered out of the coach, his weight, or lack thereof, causing the carriage to sway.
“I am well. So happy to have company. It gets rather dull out here.”
“Yes, about that.” Papá helped Mamá disembark. “Why did you choose this casa to lease? I believe the Gonzálezes are renting out, and their home is so near to the center of town.”
“Apá,” Carolina groaned. “That is none of our business.”
“Says who? These are our potential in-laws, no?” Papá rested his hands on his hips and took in the crumbling manor. Raindrops bounced off his coat. “Are you certain your brother has his finances in order?”
“Luis,” Mamá chided. “One thing at a time.”
Fernanda smiled kindly. “It is quite all right, Señora Fuentes. I don’t mind. Lalo and I hold no secrets.”
Carolina snorted. When her parents gave her a quizzical look, she pretended to fight off a sneeze.
“My brother is frugal and also likes his privacy. Scholars crave quiet.”
“Surely you know what a risk it is to be so near to the forest?” Mamá inquired.
Fernanda’s smile did not falter when she said, “We didn’t when we arrived. But we do now.”
All this talk of the forest was getting dangerously uncomfortable. One slip from Fernanda and her parents might catch on to Lalo’s true nature. Carolina couldn’t let that happen.
“I am famished,” Carolina said. She patted her belly in the most uncouth way.
“Please, come in,” Fernanda said. “I made my very first batch of jamoncillo this morning.”
Carolina inwardly winced. Her papá hated sweet treats. And Mamá’s stomach did not favor foods made with leche. She supposed she’d have to eat enough for the three of them. Which was fine by her since she hadn’t eaten all day.
Fernanda led them up the steps and inside. They followed Fernanda into a quaint sitting room that smelled of lavender and rosemary. “Have a seat. I will get refreshments.”
