Today, almost all of those new and remaining old faces will be joining us to celebrate in the big house. It will be nice to have them there again. It will remind me of those chaotic days of having a full house of babies, children, and troublesome teens again.
We’ve never so much as hinted that any of our children or grandchildren will be responsible for taking over this vineyard when Enrique and I are gone. But this will always be a home for them, should they wish to return.
Gabriela, one of our grandchildren who is about to start university, has begun to show a particular interest in winemaking, which is promising. Then again, it may just be Alejandro, who works here seasonally when he’s home for the summer, that has piqued her interest.
This place does have a way of bringing people together.
“Let’s go before they think we’ve run off together,” I say.
“Hmm, that would be a fine way to celebrate our anniversary,” Enrique says with a grin. “We can make it to Barcelona before it gets too crowded. I’ll buy a pitcher of sangria, get you drunk enough to take off your pretty dress, and watch you dive into the waves.”
I laugh and shake my head. “That truly would horrify people.”
“Nonsense, you still turn me on,” he says, leaning in to nuzzle my neck yet again.
This time, my laughter is softer. His lips still have a way of lowering my defenses, leading me down a path of wickedness that I know I’ll have no regrets about.
Let them be scandalized.
* * *
The sun is starting to make its creep toward the western horizon, the cusp just about to touch it, and the party is winding down. It was a wonderful affair, full of love and laughter and cheerfulness. A fine way to start the next fifty years together.
“Say goodbye to your great-grandmother and great-grandfather, Mariana,” Julieta, my oldest granddaughter, says as she hands her daughter to me.
I smile as I take the newest addition to the Abaroa family (though she’s a Calleja by birth). Her large brown eyes stare up at me in that curious way that babies do when they are only a few months old. But her hands are far more active, reaching out for any and everything she can get them on.
“You are the curious little explorer, aren’t you?” I coo, laughing as I gently release the gold cross around my neck that she’s latched onto.
“She definitely takes after her great-grandmother that way,” Enrique says as he reaches out a finger for her to grab instead.
We both laugh softly. “In which case, be very careful of men with boats.”
That has us laughing even more, though Julieta and her husband eye each other as though we are just two dotty old fools.
Enrique and I ignore them with nothing more than the bemusement of two people who have lived life too well to be offended. Instead, we focus on the tiny one in my arms.
“Welcome to the world, little one,” I whisper. “May your adventures be as amazing as ours have been.”
Author’s Note
Most of the places (other than cities and countries) mentioned in this book are fictional.
~Yes, Leira is Ariel (from The Little Mermaid) spelled backwards. A semordnilap, in case you’re wondering how to define it. I had to look it up.
~There is no Santa María de Atlántica Abbey, nor is there an Atlántica Island in the Mediterranean (as far as I know).
With regard to the Catholic Church and various technologies mentioned in this book, any errors and liberties taken are my own.
To Answer Questions You May Have:
Yes, the mystery behind Constantin’s week dealing with “matter of a painting” will be answered in a book coming out soon, tentatively titled, The Greek Muse.
Also by Camilla Stevens
WRIGHT BROTHERS SERIES
Mr. Wright & Mr. Wrong
Mr. & Mrs. Wright
So Wrong
STAND ALONE
One Night
Sweet Seduction
EX-CLUB ROMANCE SERIES
Archer: Ex-Bachelor
TEXAS HEAT ROMANCE SERIES
Home Run
High Stakes
Hard Sell
INTERNATIONAL LEGACIES ROMANCE
The Italian Heir
The French Thief
The Nordic Lightning
Her Icelandic Protector
Her Russian Defender
The Luxembourg Betrayal
The Monte Carlo Shark
