‘I mean, surely not, right?’ Rose scrolled back through the photos to the place she’d stumbled upon as soon as she’d started her search. The Santiago family featured in plenty of articles that dated back decades, but the one that she was most interested in was an article ranking the most beautiful privately owned properties in Argentina. It appeared that their family residence was number three on the list. ‘It’s breathtaking.’
Jessica took Rose’s laptop from her and held it close to her face, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing either. ‘This is the place?Thisis the Santiago family estate?’
Rose nodded and took it back from her, scrolling through the photos depicting a large, low-slung Spanish-style house with a red terracotta roof, surrounded by a group of huge stable blocks and endless fields where horses were grazing. If someone had asked her to imagine the most picturesque, stunning property in Argentina, it might well have been this one. It was also as different as it possibly could be from the architecture and landscape she was used to in England.
‘I mean, there could be another Santiago family,’ Rose mused. ‘It might be a common name in Argentina. Perhaps it’s not this one? It’s probably just a modest home with a few stables.’
Jessica shook her head. ‘Even if you were right, how many families with the last name Santiago would own polo estates? I don’t think you’ve made a mistake—this is the property. I mean, it says it has facilities for literally hundreds of horses. It has to be the one.’
Rose chewed on her lip as she kept scrolling. ‘You know, people are fooled by things like this every day. How many times have you received an email saying that if you enter your bank details, you’ll inherit millions? These photos are probably all part of the scam.’
Jessica gave her a withering stare. ‘Rose, this is not a scam email, just like that meeting you went to here in London wasn’t a scam. And if you’re truly not sure, then you can take your own lawyer with you, or at the very least have one write back on your behalf. I’m convinced it’s real.’
Rose hesitated. Her mum had had insurance to cover most of her extra care over the past few months, and she owned her flat, but Rose was still worried about money. Her own savings had started to dwindle and if she didn’t go back to work, she was going to have to be more careful than ever about her finances. But shewas a lawyer. She was more than capable of representing herself and dealing with the law firm in Argentina; it was just that with everything that had happened lately, she simply wasn’t sure she was emotionally capable right now. Or that she trusted her own judgement.
‘Rose?’
‘You’re right. I’m too close to this to manage it all on my own, so in the morning, you can call them.’
Jessica laughed. ‘Me? I’m not a lawyer.’
‘No, but you’ve always been great at detecting bullshit.’
At that they both laughed, and when Jessica leaned her head closer to Rose’s, she fought a fresh wave of tears.
‘And if I don’t detect bullshit and the whole thing seems legitimate, I think we should book you a ticket to Buenos Aires.’
Rose’s heart almost stopped. ‘I’m not convinced that’s your best idea.’
Jessica pushed her laptop back a little, angling it so they could both see the screen. ‘Do you see this beautiful property? Do you see how dreamy it is? Not to mention that there are actual horses there.Horses, Rose.’
‘I don’t even know if I like horses!’
Jessica laughed. ‘Trust me, you’ll like horses.’
Rose wasn’t so convinced. She liked animals, but horses just seemed so…huge.
Rose looked around at her childhood bedroom, the place that had been her haven since she’d come back to live with her mum. She wasn’t so sure she could leave it behind, not yet. It all just felt too soon.
‘I’m not so sure,’ she began.
‘You know, you could meet a gorgeous Argentinian man while you’re there who sweeps you off your feet.’
Rose brushed away tears and laughed. Trust Jessica. ‘Luke put me off men for good,’ she said. ‘But I like the sentiment.’
‘So you’ll go then?’ Jessica asked.
Rose took a deep breath.
‘You know, you could come home via New York.’
‘It’s not exactly on the way, but?—’
‘Please,’ Jessica said. ‘Come to New York afterwards and let me look after you. The girls will be so excited, and we can go out for dinners and just spend time together, like this. It’ll be just what you need, I promise.’
‘You’re sure Ryan won’t mind?’
‘You know he won’t, he loves you.’
