She picked up her napkin and threw it at him. “You are a cad of the first degree.” Cash was right, it had been good. Perhaps that was too mild a word; great might be more accurate. The sensations his kiss evoked definitely were in the superlative category.
When they returned to the hacienda, Maria and a handsome young man were in the front garden.
“Marco!” Cash said. “How good to see you. Why aren’t you up at the university? They didn’t throw you out already, did they?”
The two men laughed and shook hands.
“Christie, this is Maria’s nephew, Marco. He’s in his second year at the University of Arizona.”
“Thanks to Señor Cash,” Maria said.
“I’d be sweeping floors at the market if it wasn’t for Cash,” Marco said.
“You underestimate yourself. I’m sure that you would have won a scholarship once you put your mind to it.”
“Nothing fuels determination like a helping hand,” Marco said. “I won’t let you down, Cash. My grade point average is still three-point-eight.”
“Glad to hear that.”
“Of course, to maintain grades, I’ve had to give up my social life completely.”
“Let’s not pour it on too thick. Maria told me about the sweet gal you’re dating.”
“No family secrets, are there, Auntie?”
Maria looked like she was going to scold her nephew, but she realized he was teasing and her face broke into a smile. It was obvious that she doted on the young man.
“We have a three-day weekend, and I promised Auntie a visit. She told me that you were in town. Couldn’t go back to school without saying hello.”
“You did a good job with this boy,” Cash said.
“Gracias, señor, and so did you. We have much to thank you for.” Maria turned toward Christie. “My sister and her husband were killed in an auto accident when Marco was twelve.” She made the sign of the cross before continuing. “Marco came to live with us. He was a sad boy. Who wouldn’t be, after losing their parents? My sister and her husband had great hopes for Marco; he was going to be our family’s first college student. But fate seemed to take that dream away.”
“Until Cash brought it back,” Marco interjected.
“Yes. When Marco was a junior in high school, Señor Cash told us that he had established an education fund for him.”
“I wouldn’t be at the university if it hadn’t been for Cash.”
“Whoa, you guys are making me out to be a saint!” Cash turned to Christie. “Marco did odd jobs for me over the years. I was impressed with his industriousness. He said he wanted to become a vet someday, and I gave him a boot up.”
“That’s not the whole story,” Maria said. “Señor Cash was like a big brother. He gave Marco more than odd jobs; he gave him friendship. Marco looked up to him. When other boys his age were getting into trouble, my nephew studied so that he would not disappoint Señor Cash.”
Cash put an arm around Marco. “I was smart to invest in this big guy. He’s going to become the best veterinarian in all of Arizona. At least he’s not going to become a lawyer. Goodness knows, we have enough of them.” The remark lightened the mood.
“I left a basket of fruit and rolls to take on the flight back to San Francisco, Señor Cash.”
“Thanks, Maria. You’d make a great flight attendant.”
“We have to be on our way,” Marco said. “I have to pick up my roommate for the drive back to school. It was great seeing you, Cash. Nice meeting you, Christie.” He clasped Cash’s hand again, then he and his aunt left.
“You are a many-faceted man,” Christie said.
“Stick around and you’ll find out all kinds of things about me.”
“I’d like that.”
“Right now, we’d better get our gear and head out to the airport.”
“It’s been a full day. And full of surprises,” Christie said.
“Yes,” Cash agreed. “And you never know what’s next.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The flight back to San Francisco was smooth. The sky was cloudless as daylight eased into dusk. Golden streaks stretched across the horizon, leftovers from sunset. As the Beechcraft made its final approach, the plane’s nose dipped and began the descent. Christie did not have to be reminded to buckle her seat belt—it had been fastened since she boarded.
So much had transpired in a relatively small stretch of time. Finding Elliot Parker, and confirming that Dani was indeed Danielle, had brought joy into each family’s lives, and had filled Christie with a deep satisfaction. How could she slip into the mundane after such significant accomplishments?
And there was the matter of Cash. Her feelings for him had to be addressed sooner or later. She recognized the intensity of the attraction, of her connection to him. The question was, What was she going to do about it? She had to decide if she was ready to risk a more permanent relationship. Not just a romantic fling. He had hinted at commitment last night. Could we possibly have a future together? she wondered. It was hard to be optimistic where love was concerned. A broken heart in college had only resulted in messing up a couple of exams. The stakes were higher now.
The propellers changed pitch, jogging Christie out of her reverie. She realized that her doubts about Cash might be part of the letdown that often comes after the euphoria of successfully concluding a case. Especially one of the Farleys’ magnitude.
“You’re very quiet,” Cash said.
“I don’t want to distract you during your instrument check,” she fudged. “I’m counting on reaching San Francisco in one piece.”
Cash smiled, and shook his head. When the Beechcraft touched down and rushed across the runway, her eyes were on Cash, not the ground. He made the necessary adjustments and the Beechcraft slowed until it was smoothly rolling toward the corridor that led off the tarmac. Christie breathed a sigh of relief. Would this ever become routine to her?
They deplaned at a private hangar and Cash fastened the wheels to the chocks. Christie hefted her lightweight duffel and headed to the SUV. On the way to her apartment, they discussed the weekend and the surprise at being invited to be godparents. At the door Cash lingered but did not ask to come in. It had been a long day for both of them, and Christie looked forward to pajamas and a hot chocolate before hitting the bed. Not a romantic thought, but realistic. She was beat.
“I’ll pick you up in the morning and we can get your car.”
Christie nodded, too tired to hold a conversation. Cash put his hand under her chin and he slowly leaned forward until his mouth claimed hers. No amount of fatigue could override the sparks his kiss ignited. She clung to him, her fingers twisting into his rough cotton collar.
“Um,” he murmured before they broke the embrace. He chucked her under the chin, and once again told her he’d see her tomorrow.
Christie had no recriminations about skipping work the following day. She had accomplished enough to fill a week, she mused. At nine a.m. Cash was at her door with a Starbucks cup in his hand. “For you,” he said.
“You think of everything. Thanks. I don’t think I could face the day without a latte.” She grabbed a sweater and her purse, and they were out the door and on their way.
The drive was pleasant. The stretch of freeway was flush with trees and rolling hills. In the distance she could see horses and other livestock grazing.
As they neared Watsonville, Cash suggested that they first go to Big Sur and pick up the painting Elliot had promised her. They could retrieve her car on the way back.
The gallery owner appeared pleased to see them. He told Christie to take her time choosing a painting, and tagged along, making comments on each of Elliot’s pictures. Elliot would be generous, not only with her, but with Allingham, she was sure. He would undoubtedly receive a commission just as though he had sold the painting. That was probably his motive in trying to influence her to choose one of the larger canvases.