Page 107

“You don’t need to thank me. I’m grateful you pointed me in the right direction. Camila and Ava have become my entire world,” I say before I confess that I’m absolutely and utterly in love with my wife to someone else before I get a chance to tell her.
Mrs. Evans nods and disappears back in her room. Knowing that Camila and Ava must be behind the other closed door, I walk with purpose.
The moment I enter the room, my heart skips a beat at the scene. Camila is combing Ava’s hair. It’s a simple task, something she’s probably done a million times by now, but somehow watching them together—getting ready for lunch—warms my heart in a way only a man in love can feel.
“Are you ladies ready?” I say, closing the door behind me.
“Boss Man,” Ava says, making a beeline for me.
“Hey, duckling. Are you feeling better after the little nap?”
She nods against my leg, and I pat her head.
“Gustavo,” I start, and Camila frowns.
“Mr. Durán,” I correct with a chuckle, and she smiles.
“He said lunch will be served as soon as we’re ready, and then we can take the afternoon to explore.”
Ava claps excitedly as Camila crosses the room to join us.
“That would be great. Maybe we can go for a walk or something? These mountains are stunning. I need to stretch my legs after being seated for so long,” she says.
I give her a peck on her lips, and the three of us make our way to the kitchen for lunch.
“You’re right, the views are gorgeous. I also saw a pool in the backyard. Maybe we can play in the pool after our walk?” I ask Camila.
Ava fist-pumps the air. “Best holiday ever!” she cheers as she busies herself setting the table.
“Do you see yourself living in a place like this?” I ask Camila as we both help Ava swim back and forth between us.
“A farm, you mean?” she asks for clarification.
I nod, and my heart starts beating faster.
I know we signed a contract, but I hope she does this willingly, not because she feels obligated to uphold her end of the deal.
“Yes, of course. What’s not to love about living in a magical place like this?” she replies without hesitation.
“I’ve been thinking about moving to Alamo Peaks sometime around August or September,” I say, holding her gaze. I don’t want to miss her reaction.
And my wife doesn’t disappoint. There’s a war playing out in her head—evident in the smile fighting to break free from her lips and the emotion pooling in her eyes.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask, moving closer to her.
Ava shifts over to the steps and starts playing with a few pool toys.
“You said…you’re moving,” she says in a low voice.
I immediately catch my mistake. “Yes, I’m moving, and I hope you and Ava will want to come with me. Even though we made a deal, I don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want to. And small, bumfuck Alamo Peaks is quite different from London.”
Camila dissolves into a fit of laughter.
Ava rushes over to us, her little hand resting on her mum’s shoulder as I hold her in my arms.
“What is it, Mummy? What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,mi amor.It’s just that Vicente is funny sometimes.”