Catch Me in Castile (5 page)

Yet the tower was preferable to the empty place, which resembled dreamless sleep, soundless, lonely. The emptiness pulled at her, stronger than any current, lulling her to slumber. But she could not afford to rest in a place which fed on her memories, sucking them dry. She needed her memories, no matter how terrifying and horrible they were. She had to find Andrés.

“No,” she said and startled a little at the sound of her own voice echoing against the walls and bouncing off the sloped ceiling. “No,” she repeated again, louder. “I will not close my eyes. Andrés! Where are you?”

There was no reply.

Taking the rosary out of her dress pocket she said her Hail Marys slowly by rote. When her fingers rolled across the last worn bead, she added a new prayer. “
Madre, ayúdame
.”

Shutting her eyes and concentrating with all her strength, Serena chanted, “Erin, Erin, Erin.”

A swooping feeling hit her stomach like flying or,
Dios
, falling. She cried out, expecting the slashing pain, the breaking of her bones against the rocks, the agonizing last breaths. Nothing of the sort happened. A strange tearing sound, as if fabric had ripped in half, made her open her eyes again.

Wonder of wonders, she had escaped the tower. She was free!

But where was she? The room was empty save a few pieces of furniture. An armoire, large canopy-covered bed and a chair. Serena moved closer. The chair was familiar. It seemed like the one she used to sit upon when—

Her thoughts ended quickly. Someone was coming. Again.

“This is it?” I faked disappointment. “I was planning to host a Lakers’ Party in here.”

Unsure, she peered at me closely. “You can have my room. It’s a bit larger.”

“I’m kidding. This room is much too good. Put me somewhere less elegant if you want and save this room for royalty.”

“Nah, you’re the most important guest here.” She smiled brightly, all tears tamped down. “My room’s next door. Why don’t you rest a while before dinner?”

“Sounds lovely.” I looked longingly at the queen-sized bed complete with four wooden posts and lacy canopy. The soft pink down comforter called my name.

“See you in a few hours.” Maria closed the door behind her.

I yawned. I was ready for a nice long nap.

What the—?

Turning slowly, my gaze drifted across the bed, nightstand, wall mirror, antique velvet chair, cherry-wood armoire and back to the chair again. Flutters of familiarity tickled my brain and lifted the hairs on my scalp. I rubbed my arms. They were covered in goose bumps.

For no explainable reason, the antique chair continued to draw my attention.

The room tilted. I sat on the edge of the bed, balling the comforter up in my fists, hanging on as the room spun around me.
Damn, vertigo
. I’d had it once before when a cold virus infected my inner ear. Why now? What was happening to me?

Virgin Mother, could this be her savior?

Serena forced herself to sit quietly on the chair waiting to see what her redeemer might do.

The lady was beautiful and strange in long hose similar to those of the other lady in the tower. And what of her hair? Unbound and chopped short, barely to her shoulders did it reach. The loose tendrils floated about her face like the soft feathers of a goose. Unheard of.

Does she not see me?

The lady’s actions surprised her. Why did she press her fingertips into her temples as if her head pained her?

Serena began to fear the lady would never see her. Something had to be done.

Taking a deep breath, Serena steeled herself and whispered, “Erin?”

It was the craziest thing. The room wasn’t really spinning, my inner ear had gone wonky on me. Keeping my head upright, I hoped the fluid in my ear would settle and behave. Needing to focus on something, my gaze drifted back to the antique chair. I had the sensation I wasn’t alone.

“You’re losing it, Erin.”

No one was sitting on that stupid chair. To prove it, I carefully stood up, walked across the room and sat down.

Glory of glories, she sees me.

Happiness bloomed in her heart. Oh, to be free of the tower once and for all. She did not understand what a “say-on” was, but knew Erin could help her find her true love.

Andrés, we shall be together.

The lady said, “You’re losing it, Erin.”

Serena pressed her hands to her own heart. She did not know what was lost, but knew for certain her savior had been found.
Erin
, you are my only hope. You must help me. You are…about to sit upon me? Stop.
“No!”

Serena’s insides shook and she fell, landing hard. She groaned and rubbed her sore backside.

I am back in the tower.

Staring up at the thick wood-beams, she panted to catch her breath. She was exhausted, but vowed to try it again once she had regained her strength. She would not remain in this place of death much longer.

Somehow, someway, she had to make Erin help her.

Kicking off my shoes, I dove under the thick down comforter. The satin sheets were cool and silky on my hot skin. Perfect. With thoughts of a handsome doctor dancing in my head, I closed my eyes. And dreamed.

I stand in a peaceful garden surrounded by blooming rose bushes. My heart thunders in my ears.

A breeze blows a warning across my skin. It whips my dark hair loose from the blue ribbon at the back of my neck and tugs on my long skirt. The rose bushes sway, revealing thorns beneath the satiny petals. Even here, in the gardens, evil exists.

Behind me is the castle. My refuge. I want to turn and flee back inside, but it is too late. I cannot move. Fear binds my legs and steals the air out of my chest.

If I can catch my breath, I will scream.

Death rides swiftly toward me like a man on a dark gray horse.

He is coming.

My pulse raced, thinking about those amazing green eyes, his jet-black hair, the way he moved in those charcoal colored pants… Oh Lordy.

Tossing clothes out of my suitcase, I searched for my nicest blouse while frantically, hand-pressing the wrinkles out of the black skirt.

It may have been a little soon after the Jack fiasco to fantasize about Santiago. But in a way, it felt healthy. Normal. Santiago came with no boost-me-up-the-ladder fringe benefits. It was simple girl-thinks-boy-is-yummy attraction.

This trip was about the normalization of Erin. If the healing process involved a hot studly Spaniard, all the better. I didn’t need a man to clean up my life, or lack of life. No, I knew that responsibility rested solely on my shoulders. But Maria was right. Being a goddess, even for a few weeks, had a nice sound to it.

I rummaged through my carry-on and pulled out the blue notebook. Under
Get a Life
I wrote a second goal:
2) Relax. Flirt. Enjoy a man, just because. Become a goddess
.

“Goddess,” I said to my reflection. The dark circles had faded to light smudges, but my eyes were still tired, my complexion too pale. “Yeah, right.”

Straightening my back, lifting my shoulders, I swiped a little pink lip gloss on my lips. Fingers of excitement tingled down my back and twisted my stomach in knots.

Get a hold of yourself, Erin,
I chided myself.
It’s just dinner.

I took a big breath and turned out the light.

He’d been sitting on the edge of the sofa impatiently waiting for Maria’s friend to show herself. He wanted to speak with her alone, while Maria showered, to determine the woman’s mental state. She had acted so oddly at the airport. His sister had hinted at some sort of breakdown and he could not, in good conscience, leave a fragile female in this house. It was far too dangerous.

He had enough trouble taking care of his mother and shielding his sister from the darkness. How in the hell could he protect another woman? He couldn’t. He’d insist she move out.

But when he saw her…

Sweet Mother, when he saw her all rational thought ended.

“Hello again.” Her voice was as smooth and promising as satin sheets.

His gaze traveled across her curves. She didn’t look fragile. No, she looked good enough to eat. She lifted an eyebrow, shooting him a look loaded with hunger. Need coursed through his own veins. Her smile produced a punch of heat to his groin.

Mierda
, he was in trouble.

“
Buenos tardes
. Did you have a nice rest?” He asked.

“Yes, and, I um—” she moved closer, her cheeks flushed, “—need to apologize for earlier at the airport. I made a perfect ass of myself.”

She came around the couch to sit and he noted how perfect her ass was. His gut twisted. “No apologies necessary.” He forced himself to study her clinically, searching for grounds to throw her out of the mansion. It didn’t take a Chief of Medicine to notice her pale skin and dark-rimmed eyes. “Are you feeling all right?”

Her crooked smile told him she knew she was being examined. “Well, doctor, I’ve had better years.” Her laughter was husky and rich. “But I’m determined to get a life. No time like the present, right?”

He was mesmerized by what sparked from her tired eyes. She was determined and more—she was courageous. Something horrible had happened to her. He could see she hadn’t slept well in days, maybe weeks, and yet she smiled. How had she accomplished that? He longed to dig deeper, to know her secrets. The muscles and nerves in his cheeks rarely turned upwards anymore. Laughter was a thing of the past.

“Hey guys. Glad you two are getting to know each other,” Maria called from the hallway.

He jumped to his feet and met his sister halfway across the room. “Wonderful to have you home, sis.”

Maria hugged him. “I can’t tell you how it feels to be here. Staying for dinner?”

He cast a look over his shoulder towards Erin, feeling the hunger rumble in his bones. He had to get away from her, fast. “No, I’m meeting Helena tonight.”

“Helena?” Maria asked.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Erin when he said, “She’s a volunteer at the hospital. A friend. We’re discussing an intern program over dinner.”

“I see,” Maria said.

“Nice to speak with you, Ms. Carter.” He willed his legs to walk him right out the door. Instead, he found himself standing before her, his hand outstretched. She rose and placed her hand in his. They didn’t shake. Instead, their eyes locked and he bent and placed a kiss on her cheek.

“You too.” Her eyes were on his lips. “See you soon?”

He was still holding her hand. No woman had captivated him so quickly, so completely. She was trouble. Big trouble. He had to get out of there. “Soon.”

Finally, somehow, he made it to the front door.

Maria’s voice carried all the way from the living room and bounced off the entry walls. “Surprise of surprises. My brother has a girlfriend. Hospital Helena. Great, huh?”

“Um, yeah, great.” Erin’s voice floated to him like a breeze.

Frowning, he turned the knob and left.

My heart was still beating too fast. I sat down before I fell down.
My gosh, he kissed me.
On the cheek, sure, but it was a kiss.

“Maybe the planets have aligned or something.” Maria plopped on the couch next to me. “Hey, will my luck change too? Kind of a familial lucky streak?”

“Looking for love, are we?”

“Love? I’m talking about getting lucky. A hot Spanish hunk rolling around under my goose-down comforter? Yum, that’s what I’d call dessert.”

“You go, girl.” I laughed. “What about commitment? Do you ever think about the long-term stuff?”

“During sex?”

“Ever?”

“I did once…” She let the sentiment hang there a moment.

“And?”

“And hot sex is more fun to think about.”

“Maria,
está lista
?” A voice called from the kitchen.

“Come on, dinner’s ready. I’m starved.”

I tagged along behind Maria, my hand to my cheek.

We gorged on spicy vegetable soup, an almond-crusted calamari steak, and chicken breast swimming in a dark mole sauce. All of it to die for.

After dinner we brought our dishes into the kitchen. Maria threw her arms around a short dark seventy-ish woman. “Thank you, Rosa. Everything was delicious.
Dios mío
, how I’ve missed your meals.”

“
De nada, mi amor
.”

“Erin, this is Rosa, the true woman of the house.”

“
Sí, Señorita
Ereen, I is dat,” she said in her broken English. “I is de cooker, cleaner and peacekeeper. Lord knows what dey do widout ol’ Rosa.” She took our dishes and began hand washing them.

“And you speak English. Here, let me help with those,” I offered.

“She’s taking an online course,” Maria said.

Rosa shook her head firmly. “No
Señorita
Ereen. I don’ need no help.”

“Good try,” Maria said to me. “Rosa is queen of the kitchen. We just stay out of her way.” Maria scooted her rear up onto the kitchen counter and motioned for me to join her.

“If I is de queen, dan why you no listen to me?” She pointed at Maria. “You knows, I no like when you sit up there.”

“I knows it,” Maria teased.

“So why you want my heart to a-stop wid worry?”

“I always sit up here to listen to your stories.” Maria winked at me.

Rosa muttered under her breath, but I could tell it was only a halfhearted protest. I had a sneaky suspicion she’d missed the bantering ritual with Maria.

“Do yous want to hear about de time Santiago and Maria put de snake in me bed?”

“Fun times, fun times,” Maria joked and a bemused smile softened Rosa’s wrinkled face.

I laughed. “I want to hear it all.”

Rosa recalled many funny stories in the Botello household, while careful not to reveal anything too personal about the people she worked for some thirty-odd years. The time flew by.

“Okay,
chicas
,” Maria slid down off the counter. “Beddy-bye time.”

“What’s dis? I’s jus about to tell de first time Maria gets kissed by a boy.”

“Have a heart,” Maria whined, raising her hand. “How many times should I be forced to relive the moment Jorge Lupes’s nose nearly poked out my eye?”

I covered my mouth with my hand.

“Laugh all you want. I had a black eye for a week and still have nightmares.” She shuddered. “Damn, if Jorge Lupes is on the menu, think I’ll skip the dessert.” Kissing Rosa’s cheek, she waved to me. “See you
mañana
.”

I couldn’t drag myself away. Rosa reminded me of an older version of my favorite aunt, a beautiful woman who died much too young of breast cancer. “I’ve been thinking about Mr. Botello…Santiago. He’s a man of few words, isn’t he?” I was still worried I’d offended him at the airport.

Rosa’s face fell. She wrung the towel in her hands. “He is dat way now wid everybody. He holds hisself back from de people.”

“You’ll probably find him a bit guarded,”
Maria had said.

“I would be too after what happened to him.”

Color drained from Rosa’s face as if a ghost had leaped out from behind the counter. “You…know?”

“About the disappearing fiancée? Yes, Maria told me. Pretty heartless to dump Santiago three days before the wedding.”

“I should not talk about dis,” she whispered.

“It’s none of my business. But I do like him, I mean, he seemed…”
hot,
“…like a nice man. That woman must have really hurt him.”

Rosa’s eyes flew open in surprise. “Cristina? Dat girl, aye, was
una bella
—oh how you say?—a beauty. She and Santiago,
fantástico
!” She clapped her hands together before her heart. “A couple made by de Lord hisself.”

“She left him.”

“No,
Señorita
Ereen, do not believe all dis you hear.” She looked cautiously around the empty kitchen. “Please, do not speak of this anymore.”

“Now I’m worried about him. Please tell me what happened.”

Rosa’s brows relaxed and her lips turned up slightly at the corners. “I should not say anything, but I tell you more because of
tus ojos
.”

“My eyes?”

“Glory be to God.” She folded her hands together and lifted her face toward the ceiling. “He has answered old Rosa’s prayers. And sent an angel.”

“I’m not following you.”

She cupped her leathery hands around my cheeks, studying my face. “Ereen, don’ tell nobody dis.” She leaned her tiny frame against the counter next to me. Mixed emotions flooded her dark face—propriety, desire to unburden her secret, and fear—the strongest of these being fear. “Peoples saying she ran away, but is impossible, Cristina loves Santiago.”

“Okay…”

“Someting bery bad happened to Cristina. I knows it. Santiago knows too. It changes him. His papa dies, his mama is sick, den dis. My heart breaks inside my body for him.”

I blinked, trying to figure out what she was not telling me. “Surely there was a police investigation. Didn’t someone try to find her?”

“Oh,
Dios mío
,
sí
. Santiago searched everywhere. He hired men to look. Offered rewards. Many months.
Nada
. When de police give up, Santiago keeps looking. Knocking on doors, searching de hospitals.”

“What about her family?”

“No one heard from her again.”

“Wow.” I exhaled, leaning back against the cabinet. “What does Santiago think happened to her?”

“He no talk about dat. Peoples saying she finds a new man. I don’ believe it.”

I lifted myself off the counter and landed lightly on the floor before her. “What do you believe?”

Her voice was low. “Der’s only one reason why Cristina no marry Santiago.” She crooked her finger. When I bent down to her level, she whispered in my ear, “All dey going to find is her bones. Evil done steal her away.”

I backed up in astonishment. “You suspect someone—?”

“Someting,” she corrected. Her lips trembled. “We call it de darkness. It can take any of us. Quickly and without mercy.”

“Darkness?”

“Now go,” she said. “I have much work to do.”

“But—”

Forcibly she turned me by my shoulders and headed me toward the door. Goodness, she was strong for a woman her age. “Go!” She shooed me with the kitchen towel, her soft warning behind me. “Ereen,
cuidado
.”

Be careful? A new man making my pulse race, strange déjà vu, and a spooked housekeeper talking of a missing woman’s bones. What was there to be careful about?