Page 4 of Always Mine

Standing, forcing a smile on her face, she turned to see his mother and, ah, his three sisters in the doorway.

Angelica rushed to the bed. Took her in a bearhug. At sixty-five, she was still solidly built, sturdy and vibrant. “Hija.”

The woman had started calling Anniedaughterwhen she and Diego got serious.

“Mama.”

“Que bueno verte de nuevo.”

“It’s good to see you too.”

“Mama?” Diego spoke from the bed.

The woman turned to her son. “Hijo.”

Annie stepped away and glanced across the room. All three girls were tall, dark-haired and eyes, just like Diego. Their features were more feminine. When she’d come back to Westwood, she bumped into them in town, or some social occasions, but they were estranged and each time, it was strained between them.

Sofia came over first. She’d loved Annie the most. “Hola.” They hugged then Annie drew back. “You’re here? What a surprise.”

“To me too. I heard about his injury and came to check up on him.”

Sofia took her hand. “Gracias.”

Over his sister’s shoulder, she saw another come toward her. Sara, the shy one, hugged Annie without saying anything.

But Elena stood like a statue by the entrance. Her eyes blazed with dislike. She’d never really accepted Annie. Annie had thought maybe she was jealous of the time Diego spent with her.

Mama turned. “Girls, come over here.”

When they flocked around their baby brother, Annie silently snuck out of the room. Outside, the sun blinded her, so she put on dark glasses. She blanked her mind until she got to the car. There, she put her head back on the seat.

How stupid to come to see him! Her heart was filled with love and loss and resentment and…a kernel of hope. But she couldn’t feel hope. Diego nearly destroyed her when he left her.

Her phone chimed into the quiet car. She had to clear her throat after she checked caller ID. Then, “Hi, Seth.”

“Hey. What are you doing today?” As teachers, they both had the weekends off.

“Errands.”

“Too many to have lunch with me?”

“I’m sorry yes. And I have schoolwork to do.”

“That’s okay. Is five still good for you tonight?”

“Yes. I’ll be over at five on the dot.”

“Hmm. I look forward to it.” Oh, God, his voice lowered to a sexy rumble.

She said, “See you then,” and clicked off.

The guilty silence intensified.

Pushing the cell down, Annie did errands, then went home and cleaned her small ranch house on the edge of Westwood. She’d done a lot of remodeling and now had it just like she wanted: a large redone kitchen with stainless steel and granite and lots of light. A living room decorated in pastels and a bedroom to match. A nice bathroom. A second bedroom.

Afterward, she showered, put on jasmine scented lotion, dressed and drove the short distance to Seth’s house. He bought the three-story home that he grew up in from his parents. He painted the place, made some repairs and got new furniture. He was happy as a clam.

The side door creaked as she opened it without knocking. “Seth?”

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