Page 24

The kitchen had an old commercial stove and oven, a large table off by the windows, and enough counter space to work. Chopped sweet potatoes sat in a bowl to the woman’s right and more were on a work island behind her. Beyond that was a large refrigerator that was nearly an antique.

Senora Alvarez had her dark hair fastened at her nape and wore a red shirt with tan capri pants, and bright yellow sneakers. She hummed softly to herself as she worked.

Not wanting to startle her, Ayla tapped softly on the door.

The woman’s head came up. She relaxed when she saw Ayla. With a smile, she asked, “Can I get you something, Senora?”

“No, Senora Alvarez, I’m fine. I was hoping I could ask you more questions about my sister, but I see you’re busy.”

“It’s a stew.” She turned back to the stove, lowered the heat, and said, “It will be fine on its own for a time.” Senora Alvarez came over to where Ayla stood, and her expression became concerned as she studied her face. She gestured toward the dining room. “Why don’t we sit and talk out here?”

“That sounds perfect. Gracias.” Ayla sat at the first table she reached, and the older woman sat across from her. Pushing aside her queasiness, she focused on what mattered. “Did you remember anything else that would help me find my sister while I napped? I’m worried about her.”

“I can see that.” Senora Alvarez reached over and squeezed Ayla’s hands briefly. “Senorita Desmond was here such a brief time. There’s no more to share.”

Ayla nodded, unsurprised. “She didn’t run into that drug lord or any Russian mobsters while in town, did she?”

Senora Alvarez lost her smile. “Not as far as I know. Why do you ask?”

Her internal debate didn’t last long. “Because Oz said his friend’s woman was held against her will by Vargas. That she was captured at the ruins. Io—my sister—went to those same ruins.”

“Your sister returned to the inn afterward, checked out, loaded her bags in her vehicle, and left. She didn’t seem concerned at all.”

Io could take more things in stride than Ayla could, but even her twin would be worried if she’d run into trouble. “What about Russian mobsters? Were any in town at the same time as Io?”

“No, I’ve yet to encounter any mobsters that weren’t homegrown in Puerto Jardin.” Senora Alvarez reached across the table and gave Ayla’s hands another squeeze. Probably because she was twisting her fingers together. “You have reason to believe these men are interested in your sister?”

Ayla nodded. “They mistook me for her and tried to grab me in Trujillo. Oz thinks she might have stumbled into something illegal.”

With a final pat of Ayla’s hands, Senora Alvarez linked her fingers atop the table.

“Unfortunately, he is likely correct. The corruption in Puerto Jardin makes it easy for illegal activity to run rampant.” The older woman looked sad.

“I wish I could give you more information, but if your sister found trouble, it must have happened after she left San Isidro.”

“It seems that way.” Ayla covered a yawn with her hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m still tired.”

“No need to apologize.” The soft smile returned to Senora Alvarez’s face. “My sister was the same each time she was pregnant with my nieces and nephews. When is your baby due?”

“How did you know?”

“Aside from the fatigue? The color of your complexion when you smelled the stew and the way your husband watches over you as if you’re made of spun glass. A man only fusses over his woman to such an extreme degree when she carries his babe. Perhaps only the first time at that.”

The older woman nailed it. “It is our first.” Ayla did some fast math. She and Oz had hooked up at the beginning of June and nine months from there… “The baby’s due in March.”

“Have you decided on names?”

“Not yet. We only just had the pregnancy confirmed.” Ayla still felt as if it were surreal. If she didn’t see the test results with her own eyes, she would probably continue to write off her symptoms as stress.

“He can’t be happy you came to Puerto Jardin.”

“That’s the truth,” Ayla said and grinned. “He’d ship me back home, but he’s worried what will happen to me.” She sobered, and voice barely above a whisper, admitted, “Oz said the Russian mob operates in the US and I’d be in danger.”

Just as softly, Senora Alvarez said, “Your presence must put him in a hard position with his commanding officer. It might even compromise his team’s assignment.”

She must be talking about the mercenaries Oz worked with, the ones Ayla met at the house. “Oz never said anything.”

“Of course, he didn’t,” the older woman said, lowering her voice to barely a whisper.

“He’s worried about your safety, yours and the baby’s.

But the US Army doesn’t send a covert Special Forces team into Trujillo for something minor.

He’s not only concerned about the trouble your sister found ricocheting to you, but he must also be worried about his team’s operation endangering you as well. ”

US Army? Special Forces?

Oz was a Green Beret?