Still in Love by Delaney Diamond

Author:Delaney Diamond [Diamond, Delaney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Garden Avenue Press

Chapter 12

The SUV with Gustavo, his wife, and the other children pulled out the next morning after breakfast for the three hour drive back to the estancia.

Both Antonella and Gabriela suffered some muscle soreness from the accident, but for the most part they exhibited lots of energy, like typical girls their age. Nadine was impressed that the splint didn’t inhibit Antonella’s movements much at all.

Since the girls were fine, Cortez took them into town for lunch and a visit to the zoo. Nadine had plans as well. Joachim took her into the city where she met a friend for lunch that she’d kept in close contact with after she moved to Atlanta.

Catarina was in her early sixties, with fine lines on her face and hair died a glossy jet black, never marred by gray roots. Slender and chic, the older woman had become a close friend and confidante when they both taught at a local school—the job Nadine had found after she resigned from her position as an import/export consultant years ago.

Now retired, Catarina spent her days volunteering with various children’s charities. She’d once told Nadine that it was her way to give and receive the love that bonded children to adults since she’d never married and had children of her own.

After a leisurely lunch at an Italian restaurant, they strolled down Florida Street. The busy area was close to the financial district, and only open to pedestrian traffic. Nadine wanted to buy leather goods and gifts for family back home.

“So when are you coming to visit me in Atlanta?” Nadine teased, as they walked arm-in-arm. She’d been trying to get Catarina to come visit for the past couple of years.

“Why would I leave all of this?” her friend asked, waving her hand with a flourish at the street, teeming with pedestrians carrying bags and browsing for gifts. “And why are you buying souvenirs here? You know better. This place is for tourists!”

Nadine squeezed her friend’s arm. “I know I can get better deals elsewhere, but I like the energy here.”

Catarina cast a sidelong glance at her. “Are you ready to come home?”

“Atlanta is my home now, and you’re welcome to visit anytime. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“You know I have no interest in going to the States.” Catarina sniffed.

“Not even for a short trip?”

She shrugged, a movement that looked decidedly elegant on her narrow shoulders. “Maybe a week. Maybe Alec would like to join me.”

She and Alec, Cortez’s longtime friend who’d gone to work for him at the record label, Musica Fuerte, had been lovers for almost ten years. They’d met through Nadine and Cortez, and their relationship had endured, despite the significant age difference.

“So you won’t come unless Alec comes?” Nadine paused to examine a yerba mate tea set that included a bag of the loose tea leaves, traditional hand-carved gourds, and a pot for hot water. The set would make a nice gift for her neighbor. She made a mental note to come back to this store.

“I like traveling with him.

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