Page 39 of Falling for the Bosshole

Ana soon realized the enormity of Lash’s preparations as Manfred brought them to a clearing. Two air-conditioned tents complete with hot and cold running water, one for her and Lash and another for Diane and Leon, were to be their temporary shelter. A few smaller tents dotted the campsite, and locals scurried about preparing for their arrival.

When she had time to collect her wits, she went in search of Lash, who was deep in conversation with Diane and Leon.

Diane noticed her and said, “We have all the time in the world to discuss. Lash, I think it’s about time you tell Ana everything. The poor girl is about to lose her mind.”

Diane and Leon left for their tent, leaving her alone with him. Lash told her everything.

He and Manfred had been in constant communication ever since the old man’s visit to the foundation office. The more he learned about the condition of the people in Manfred’s village, the stronger he felt the need to visit Zafarraya. Based on Ana’s stories about Diane and the facility she built in Torrevieja, Lash admitted he was intrigued and reached out to her. Diane was more than happy to share her knowledge, and when Lash extended the invitation to come and visit Zafarraya, Diane was more than happy to accept.

“I didn’t have a definite date for a visit,” Lash admitted, “but when both our schedules became so hectic, I realized that the only way I would be able to spend some time with you was if I brought you here. I hope you find some closure too because this is where your mother spent her childhood.”

“Oh, Lash, this is the most incredible thing anyone has ever done for me,” Ana sobbed as she melted into his arms.

The days wereshort and the nights were long in the enchanting town of Zafarraya. The wind provided a constant gentle breeze and the hills a refreshing oasis where the soul could take refuge.

Ana and Lash spent their time mingling with the local Gypsies and their families. Ana met Manfred’s family and was heartened at how they accepted her wholly as one of their own.

She never realized how complete and whole she could feel. Lash laid out his plans to both Diane and Leon, who promised they would make every effort to see his plans through. Lash planned to build housing projects so that the Gypsies could have decent housing. He intended to build schools for the children. The foundation in New York would fund education for those who wanted to pursue a college education in the city. He planned to put up a satellite dish that would allow technology to reach the poor villages. No one had a cell phone, and hardly anyone had a computer in his home. He envisioned to remedy that as well.

Ana realized the magnitude of his generosity every single day that passed in Zafarraya. A part of her though said he was doing this for his dad and for her too. She was bursting with happiness and contentment.

She went looking for him and found him on a small rise that overlooked the village. Ana crept toward him slowly. She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Lash smiled as he turned and pulled her to stand by his side.

“Can you picture it, Ana,” he asked, pointing down below. “That area will be where we build houses. There will be a park where the children can play. Over there will be the post office and a grocery store. We can renovate that small church,” he added, pointing to a small belfry in the distance.

“Yes,” Ana answered dreamily.

“…And over there in that little area, we can build a dance school.”

“Yes, we can,” Ana replied, caught up in the dream. “We can name it the Aurora Mancini School for Dance, after you mom.”

“Well, I was thinking more about calling it the Ana Garcia Mancini School for Dance,” Lash countered.

Ana smiled with a faraway look on her face. “That’s fine too…Wait? What?” She spun around to face him.

Lash was on his knees with his hand inside his pocket. He brought out a ring and held it to her.

“Ana, would you honor me and allow me to add my name to yours? Will you marry me and become my wife?” He asked.

Ana swooned in disbelief, unable to say a word.

A whispery “yes” was all she managed to say as Lash placed the ring on her finger. He stood and opened his arms wide for her. Ana stepped into his embrace. Her heart and soul proclaimed that her search was over.

She was finally home.

“Mommy! Mommy! Look what I found.”

Little Natalie had a scarf around her head. The bells jingled as she raced to her mom.

Ana smiled as she recognized the hips scarf. It was one of her most cherished possession. She was afraid that her daughter would tear the fragile fabric. But she looked so happy she didn’t have the heart to scold her little girl. Instead, she sat her daughter gently on her lap.

“You have it on wrong, Sweetheart,” Ana said as she removed the piece of cloth from her daughter’s head. “This goes around here,” she said as she tied the scarf around Natalie’s hip.

Natalie struggled away from her mother’s arms and walked to a nearby mirror. Instinctively, she moved her hips to the right and then to the left. She grinned in wonder as the bells chimed with her every move.

“I think I want to be a dancer just like you when I grow up. Then I can wear this to every dance, and I would be very happy,” Natalie announced.

Ana took the scarf away from her daughter and sat her down on a chair. “Do you want to hear a story about how mommy got that scarf?”