Chapter 24
Kira tooka sip from her drink and rested her head back on the beach chair. Barcelona was beautiful. The weather was perfect for soaking in a little sun while unwinding from their hectic schedule. Kira had to take advantage of the hotel’s massive pool and cabana at least one day beforeleaving.
Finny and Python had been more than civil throughout the tour; it was evident that they were truly repentant afterall.
“Excuse me,” a voice came from behind. A woman, the one who’d brought Kira her drink, stood there. A small apron was wrapped around her waist. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Hope you don’t mind. But you’re the one traveling with Finny Shea and her fashion team, right? You’re their newphotographer?”
“Yeah,” Kira said with anod.
“And you left home to come out here with them, and now you’re headedback?”
She gave her another nod. “Yes.”
The woman didn’t have an accent like many on the island did. But her skin held a nice olive complexion. Her hair was smooth and black, and her eyes were the deepest brown. Kind eyes, with a beautiful smile tomatch.
“You know, I just want to tell you that … that you’re very lucky to be returning home as you are. A lot of people, they chase dream after dream until they don’t even remember who they areanymore.”
Kira sighed. “I feared I might do that myself at first, but I fell in love with a man who trusts me. He knew I’d come back. And it gave me the confidence I needed to believe inmyself.”
The woman nodded absently. “This might seem silly, but do you mind if I confide inyou?”
A band of warmth tightened around her heart as she took in the tears welling in the woman’s eyes. “Please,” she said. “I’ve got all day. Have a seat if you’d like.” She motioned to the chair besideher.
The woman tipped her head to eye the clock in the cabana. “Okay,” she said. “Idon’thave all day, but I’ve got a fifteen-minute break. Closeenough.”
Kira sat up, lifted her hat off the glass side table, and rested it on her head.There.Now she wouldn’t have tosquint.
“Years ago, I left a place and a man that I loved, too. I had every intention to return. I thought if I sowed some wild oats, I’d be a better person for it.” She wiped her face, rubbed her lips together before continuing. “The first place I went just … it wasn’t what I hoped it would be. So I tried something else. And then something else. And before I knew it, seven years had gone by. Seven whole years. It was like I’d lost track along the way. I was ready to go back at that point, but I couldn’t get myself to do it. I told myself that … well, that they probably hated me by then. For leaving them like I did. They’d never take me back. Even if my husband hadn’t remarried, which I figure after seven years he probably had, but even if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t want me. Neither of themwould.”
Kira tipped her head. “I’m sorry,neither of them?So it was more than just yourhusband?”
“Maria,” a voice called from deep inside the cabana. “Break’sover.”
The woman gave him a nod. “Coming.” She turned back to Kira. “Yes, it was more.” Her face scrunched up in a word she could only describe as agony. Like the face Kira probably made when she contemplated leaving Anthony behind. “I left behind a child too. I hate myself for it. But I guess this is just … who I am. I can’t change itnow.”
She hurried to her feet then, wrapping the apron snuggly around her waist once more, and patted Kira on the knee. “You are a very blessed woman. I want you to knowthat.”
“Thanks,” Kira said through a teary grin. “I appreciatethat.”
She leaned back in her chair, covered her face with the hat, and let the exchange run through her mind once more. The woman’s story triggered something inside her. Something just barely out ofreach.
Kira couldn’t guess why, but her mind shifted back to the moment she and Anthony were at the bowling alley. When he’d described his tattoo. “Three M’s,”he’d said.“For my mother,Maria.”
Goose bumps rushed over her arms as Kira climbed off the chair, sending her hat to the hot cement in the process. “Hey, Maria?” she hollered before she’d even placed her. Eyes squinted against the bright sun as Kira peered deep into thecabana.
“Yes?” Her voice came from someplace near thepool.
Kira spun around. “You said you left a man and a child. Was it a daughter or ason?”
The woman tilted her head. Smiled softly. “A son. My Anthony, named after hisfather.”
