Inamorata (8 page)

“Ezekiel, would you please excuse us.
Uno momento, por favor
.”

Mick noticed the switch to her native tongue and got worried. She quickly pulled Zeke in front of her and put an arm around him.

Isabella glared. “Do not hide behind a little boy, Mick,” she said tersely.

“He is not a little boy. He is a man,” Mick said with mock indignation, all the while petrified of the glare in the lovely hazel eyes.

Zeke saw the anger in the doctor’s eyes; he was glad she was not angry with him. He turned and looked up at Mick. “I do not mind being a little boy right now, Mick.
Adios
,” he said quickly and ran.

“Wait…” Mick reached for her protection in vain, as he scooted away. She stopped at the angry look, completely confused. “Isabe…”

“Do not say a word…” Then the Spanish came.

She was quietly ranting in her native tongue and Mick stood there, mouth gaping trying desperately to hear a word she recognized. A litany of angry Spanish spouted forth. She wagged a finger in Mick’s direction; she leaned back in a protective gesture. Then she heard the only phrase she recognized ‘
muy loco’
…

“Hey…” Mick interrupted indignantly and frowned. She was trying not to feel like Lucy while Ricky went off in a Latin tirade.

Suddenly, Isabella stopped and took a deep breath. “Come with me,” she said and turned on her heels and marched away.

“Uh, no.” Mick was stunned as she blinked. When Isabella whirled around and glared once again, she very compliantly, which was so unlike her, followed the angry doctor. She gave a pleading look to Juan and Maria, who shrugged helplessly. Sean looked like he’d divulged top-secret information. He smiled apologetically, which concerned Mick.

“I’m so sorry,” he said quickly.

“What did…?”

“Inside,” Isabella said as she angrily unzipped the tent.

Mick still had no clue what was happening. “I…”

Isabella spouted Spanish again and then stopped and repeated so Mick would have no doubt.

“Do not argue with me right now,” she said in a low voice that sent a shiver down Mick’s spine. She helplessly looked around and saw everyone stunned as she walked into her tent. Isabella followed her.

“Okay. Wanna tell me what in the hell is going on?” Mick asked, too confused to be angry.

“Take off your shirt,” Isabella ordered.

Mick’s eyebrows shot up. “Wha…um...”

“Now.”

Mick complied and took off her shirt. She stood there in her black tank top. “That one as well.”

Mick now chuckled nervously and blushed horribly. “Um, Isabella, what are you doing? Is this a ploy to get me undressed?”

The doctor walked up to Mick and looked at her side. She saw the bandage under the black material. She reached in and firmly pressed her hand on the wound, and Mick let out a yelp of pain. “Shit! Dammit!”

“Precisely. Now, take off that top,” Isabella ordered. Mick, wincing, pulled the top over her head now stood there in her black sports bra. “Lie down.”

“How did you…? Ah, I’m gonna kill
mi hermano
!” Mick grumbled sarcastically as she lay back on the cot, thinking up ways to torture her brother. She said nothing as she watched Isabella, who was blatantly staring at her breasts. Mick’s heart raced and she blushed horribly as her nipples hardened under Isabella’s scrutiny. The doctor shook her head quickly and concentrated on the wound.

“Why did you not come to me?”

“I don’t know...”

“You could have gotten an infection. Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Isabella closed her eyes and mumbled in Spanish. “If you say I don’t know one more time…”

“I-I didn’t want to worry you. It was only a scratch and I’ve had a tetanus shot so… I’m sorry, Isabella. Is that why you are so angry?”

Isabella said nothing as she gently took the bandage away. It was a small wound; not even needing stitches. “Do you have medical supplies?”

“In the back, on the little desk.”

After retrieving the first-aid box, she sat on the edge of the cot and dressed the wound. “Answer my question. Why are you so angry?” Mick asked quietly.

“I-I do not want to see you, anyone, hurt because of this,” Isabella said, avoiding her eyes and trying to avoid her racing heart. Her hands innocently brushed Mick’s breast and she flinched involuntarily. “Did I hurt you?”

“Nope, nope…” Mick said, pursing her lips together. Her body was on fire from the mere touch of this woman.

“Let me check your hand while I am here,” Isabella said and gently unwrapped the bandaged hand, which was a bit swollen and discolored. Mick flexed it and the doctor was satisfied that nothing was broken. She wrapped it in a lighter bandage, leaving Mick’s fingers free as she wriggled them and nodded her thanks.

For some reason, seeing this woman in pain bothered her. Tears sprang to her eyes and Mick quickly sat up.

“Isabella, please,” she begged in a soft voice as Isabella hid her face in her hands. “What is it?”

Isabella shook her head, but the tears flowed down her lovely cheeks. “I cannot bear to see you in pain,” she blurted out and Mick blinked a few times.

“I’m okay…”

Isabella started to get angry again. The native tongue started. Mick chuckled and waited for the tantrum to finish. She then put her hand gently over the angry mouth. “Whoa, whoa. Good grief, if you’re gonna be mad at me, at least yell at me in English,” she chided gently.

Isabella felt the warm hand against her lips and the blood coursing through her veins. “What is happening? I do not know.”

“Don’t you?” Mick whispered and swallowed. She gently traced her fingertips against the soft lips. “Isabella…” she whispered helplessly and if drawn to each other like moths to a flame, their lips met in a scorching kiss.

Both women moaned openly as their bodies trembled. Isabella found her hands traveling up Mick’s torso; her fingers burning as she felt the soft firm breasts hidden by the soft fabric of Mick’s bra.

Mick growled and deepened her kiss, her tongue lightly flicking across Isabella’s soft full lips. Then, quickly she realized what was happening and she pulled back, breathlessly. Isabella’s eyes fluttered open and Mick was shocked to see the look of wanton desire in the amber depths.

“Mick, Mick,” she pleaded softly and wrapped her arms around Mick’s neck.

Mick clung to her and reveled in the soft murmuring words. Then Isabella quickly pulled back. Mick thought she would be embarrassed so Mick took the high road. “I’m sorry. I never should have let that happen, Isabella,” Mick said. She quickly stood and hastily slipped on her tank top. She ran her fingers through her hair and turned to see Isabella smiling slightly. “Once again I’ve made an ass out of myself. I am so sorry. I know we’ve kissed and well, I…”

Isabella walked over to her, grinning. “Mick, do you not think I wanted this as well?” she asked in a low voice.

“I…Well I…I mean I…” she stopped and grimaced, knowing she sounded insane.

Isabella laughed quietly, reached up and ran her fingers through the thick sun-streaked hair.

Mick shuddered and then swayed slightly. She gasped as the warm lips touched hers in a gentle, loving kiss.

“We will talk of this later, no?” Isabella murmured against her lips, amazed at her body’s response to this woman. No one, man or woman, had ever ignited a passion deep within her as Michaela Brennan had now done. In one kiss, Isabella Rivera found what she has been looking for all her life.

Mick nodded and then pulled her into her arms, kissing her deeply. “We will talk of this later,
yes
!” Mick assured her, and reluctantly let her go.

Isabella stepped back and laughed. “I will leave you to finish dressing,” she said.

“You could help,” Mick suggested with a goofy grin. Isabella’s heart skipped a beat and she laughed as she walked out of the tent.

Sean was right at the doctor’s side. “You were in there quite a while. Is she okay?” he asked seriously.

Isabella chuckled nervously. “She is very okay. It is just a scratch,” she assured him.

He let out a deep breath. “Thank God,” he said then gave her a wary look. “Is she angry?”

“No, Sean. I do not think right now angry is the word I would use. I think you are safe,” she said and took the offered bottle of beer. He let out another huge sigh of relief.

Juan and Maria were concerned as well, and Isabella assured them that Mick was quite fine. Maria watched Isabella with a skeptical glance.

“What is it, Maria?”

“Nothing, child. You just look different.” Maria smiled when Isabella avoided her gaze.

“Different? I do not know what you mean.”

Maria raised an eyebrow and laughed. She looked up when Mick walked out of her tent. “Michaela looks different as well. Hmm…” She grinned as she concentrated on the food.

Mick walked over to Maria and snuck a bite to eat. Maria slapped her hand away and turned to her, ready to scold.

Mick looked like a small girl with her fingers in her mouth, licking them. “Wow, this is good. I’m starved.”

As Maria opened her mouth, she looked at Mick’s shirt. She glanced at Isabella who stood nearby. “Did you dress in a hurry?” she whispered with a smug grin.

Mick followed her gaze and noticed her tank top was on backward and...inside out.

Maria had never seen Michaela Brennan turn such a deep shade of crimson as she wore now. “Heh-heh,” Mick chuckled nervously. “Isabella, um Dr. Rivera that is, was checking the cut on my ribs. I, well I had to take off my shirt, you know. She couldn’t very well examine it…Well, I had to take off my shirt…” she said again.

She stopped and took a deep breath, shaking her head in disgust and walked back into her tent.

Isabella looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck. Maria hummed quietly as she stirred the pot.

*******

The workers and their families arrived and enjoyed the benevolence of their employer. Each man introduced his wife and family. The children played together; the wives helped Maria with the food and the men gathered in a quiet discussion.

Alejandro listened as they spoke of the problems they had with the lumber and getting the road paved. He sipped his drink but said nothing. Juan watched him curiously. Señor Reyes was dressed in expensive clothes; his hands were not calloused, which in and of itself was odd. He must come from money, Juan thought.

One worker spoke up to Sean. “I have been told to stop working for you, Señor Brennan. I will be honest,” he said and looked Sean right in the eye.

Sean was shocked. “Why?” he asked. Both he and Juan noticed several other men nodding their heads in agreement.

“We do not know. But it has happened to me as well. The other day a man told my wife the same thing.”

Sean called Mick over, who was playing with the children. She heard the urgency in his voice as she handed the soccer ball to Zeke.

“What’s up? Everyone having a good time?” she asked as she looked at Pedro. “Hey, Peddy-boy, you need a beer,” she scolded playfully then looked at the serious faces. “What the hell is wrong?”

As Juan and Sean explained, Mick became more outraged. “Who? Who is telling you this?” she asked quickly.

The laborers looked at each other and said nothing. Mick watched them. She put her hand on Pedro’s sleeve.

“Are you being threatened?” she asked, and he avoided her look.

“It is probably the same guy in the woods, sis. And the same two that waylaid me a few weeks ago,” her brother assured her.

“And the two in the bar,” Mick said thoughtfully. She described them to her workers, who all exchanged glances but said nothing. “You don’t have to say a fucking word, I know,” she said angrily and marched over to her Land Rover. Her brother was right behind her.

“Sis, whoa. What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m gonna to go into Los Rios, find the mayor, and have a few words with him. That’s all. I’ll be back in a few.”

“I’m going with you,” he said firmly.

Mick shook her head. “No, Sean. You stay here. Let me take Juan with me. I’d feel better if you stayed here. Just in case,” she said. He shot a look at his older sister.

“In case of what? Dammit, Mick. Don’t…”

Juan interrupted him as he walked over. “She won’t, not with me with her,” he said firmly and got into the Land Rover.

Mick chuckled and gave her brother a kiss on the cheek.

“See? I have protection. Now, hold down the fort, and we’ll be right back.”

As they drove down the little paved road and out of sight, Isabella ran up to Sean. “Where are they going?”

He explained and Isabella shook her head. “That woman!”

“
Sí
! She is a pain in the ass!” Sean agreed and led her back to the party.

Chapter 13

“I do not know who you are speaking of, Señorita,” the fat mayor said as he ate his lunch.

“You don’t, huh?” she said sarcastically and felt the strong hand on her knee. She stopped and sat back, sipping her beer.

Juan looked at the older man and spoke in Spanish. Mick rolled her eyes, tired of feeling left out of conversations in this country. She watched as the mayor raised an eyebrow and looked at Mick. Juan was speaking calmly and almost friendly; it was annoying Mick. She wanted to reach over and stuff the tortilla down his fat throat. She knew he knew who those men were.

She looked over at the bartender who tried to listen without them noticing. She quickly chugged her beer, walked over to the bar and recited the only Spanish she knew, without having her face slapped.

The bartender placed the beer in front of her, avoiding her eyes. “You know who we’re talking about, don’t you?” she asked quietly as she took a healthy swig.

He shrugged and wiped off the little bar. “You do not want to anger those men, Señorita,” he whispered.

Mick grunted. “They do not want to anger me, Señor,” she countered seriously.

“Are all American women as tough as you?”

“Only the good-looking ones,” she said and both chuckled quietly.

“I do not know their names, but I have seen them around Los Rios and I heard them mention a Señor Reyes.”

Mick’s eyebrows shot up at the name but said nothing. “What’s wrong with that?”

The bartender shrugged. “Perhaps nothing. I do not know who this Reyes is…”

“But…”

“It seemed to me to be their boss. I could be mistaken,” he said honestly as he threw the towel over his shoulder. He took away the empty bottle and walked away.

Mick took her beer and sat back at the little table. The mayor glanced her way. “I am sorry, Señorita Brennan, that I cannot be of more help to you,” he said, finishing his lunch.

Juan gave him a scornful look but said nothing.

“No matter, Mayor. But I will tell you something,” she said as she stood and loomed over him, leaning on the small table. He blinked several times; the fork poised at his open mouth. Juan rolled his eyes and inwardly smiled. She was impetuous like her mother, he thought.

“I will not stop building that clinic. I don’t know who is behind this, but I will not be threatened, harassed, or bullied and neither will my workers. If you ever happen to see those men, you can tell them that for me. That clinic…will…be…built,” she snarled and then stood. She drank her beer and walked away.

The mayor, still sitting with his fork in the air, just blinked. He looked at Juan. “Is she insane?”

Juan nodded. “
Muy loco
,” he said and then gave him an evil grin. “And so am I,” he added and followed Mick out.

Mick waited outside for Juan who appeared moments later, chuckling. Mick grinned. “Think he understood?”

“Oh yes, he thinks you are
muy loco
,” Juan assured her as they drove down the dirt road.

Mick angrily shifted gears.  “Good. I meant it,” she said seriously.

Juan flinched, believing her completely. “So tell me, what did you find out from the bartender?” Juan asked with a smug grin.

Mick explained. She glanced at him every now and then as she spoke. His frown deepened considerably when he heard Alejandro’s name. Mick saw his eye twitch angrily.

“We don’t know if he has anything to do with this. And he is Isabella’s…” she stopped not knowing what their relationship is.

“Her what?”

“Her friend.”

“I do not like him.”

Mick laughed. “I don’t either. There’s something about him.”

“What does he do for a living?”

“I don’t know. But it can’t be anything physical. Did you notice the clothes?”

“And the car. I will have a talk with Isabella when we get back. I do not want her to leave with him.”

“Agreed.”

As they drove in silence, Mick could feel Juan glancing her way every so often.

“What’s on your mind, Juan?” she asked, watching the road.

“I am worried about many things. Isabella is a grown, intelligent woman. She will not be taken in by anyone but that does not mean someone will not try.”

“We’ll look out for her,” Mick said. “What else.”

Juan hesitated for a moment; Mick waited.

“Michaela…”

When Mick heard her formal name, she knew the father in Juan was about to make an appearance.

“Someone obviously does not want this clinic built. We have to rethink this, Michaela.”

“What?” she asked as she drove, stealing a glance at her old friend.

“Listen. We do not know who we are up against and why. Let us go on, business as usual, but if anything happens…” he stopped and ran his hand over his worn face. “I am thinking of sending Maria to Panama.”

Mick gave him a wary look. “Good luck.”

“She is my wife and will do as I say,” he said in manly fashion.

Mick bit off so many sarcastic remarks she gave herself a headache. She merely nodded.

However, Mick thought of little Zeke getting in the middle of whatever may happen, and Isabella. The thought of anything happening to the two of them made her stomach churn. What was going to happen? She asked herself as both drove back to the construction site, lost in their thoughts.

*******

“Oh, that man!” Maria exclaimed angrily as Sean winced after he told her where Mick and Juan had gone.

“The same for Mick,” Isabella said, just as angry. “Stubborn…” She looked at Alejandro. He was talking with several workers. He would glance her way from time to time.

Everyone else was playing, laughing, and drinking. Maria fumed quietly, thinking of Mick and her impetuous husband, as she prepared the feast with the women. Isabella offered her help, and Sean kept an eye out for what, he didn’t know.

“The food will be ready soon,” Maria said. “Zeke, when will your grandmother arrive?”

“She is coming soon. I told her when…”

When they heard the truck rumbling down the paved road, Zeke pointed. “That is Miguel’s truck. She is here!”

Maria dried her hands on the towel and walked over to greet the old woman, along with Isabella and Sean.

“Grandmother!”

Zeke ran to the truck as an older gentleman got out and assisted Zeke’s grandmother.

Maria offered her hand to the old woman. “Welcome. I am Maria Martinez.”

“I am Carmella Estaban. It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said kindly. She looked at Isabella and smiled. “Doctor Rivera, it is good to see you. Your clinic is coming along nicely, I see.”

Isabella kissed her cheek. “Yes, it is. Oh, this is Sean Brennan, he and his sister, Michaela, are the builders of my dream.”

Sean offered his hand to Carmella, who pulled him down and kissed one cheek then the other. “Bless you for this. It is much needed.”

Sean pulled back, shocked to see tears welling in her brown eyes. “Our pleasure. When Juan told us about this idea, we figured it was the right thing to do. It’s been slow going with the rain and…” He stopped when they heard several workers arguing.

Carmella looked as well. “What is he doing here?” She motioned to Alejandro Reyes.

Everyone heard the anger in her voice as she stared. Carmella then looked at Isabella. “You are not still associated with that man, Doctor?”

Isabella seemed stunned. “What do you mean Carmella?”

Maria watched the old woman; she put her arm around her. “Come let us get out of this heat and sit in the shade. May I call you Carmella?”

Carmella relaxed and nodded. “I am sorry for my rudeness.”

“You are not rude,” Maria said. “We will talk of this.”

Sean and Isabella stood back and watched them. “What did she mean, Doc?” Sean asked.

Isabella watched Alejandro, who was now drinking a beer, standing alone with his hand resting on the framework of the clinic. “I do not know, but I will find out.”

“I wonder if Mick and Juan had any luck in Los Rios.”

“I hope so. I am still angry with that sister of yours, Sean.”

Sean playfully bumped shoulders with her. “Don’t be too hard on her, Doc. She’s all distracted by some woman.”

Isabella looked up and laughed. “Is that so, Señor?”

“Sadly, yes. I think some Spanish beauty stole her heart.”

“Why is that sad?” Isabella asked softly.

Sean slipped his hand under her elbow, leading her toward Maria and the others. “It will only be sad if the beauty does not feel the same.”

Isabella patted his hand. “Then it may not be too sad at all.”

As they laughed, they heard the Land Rover rumbling down the newly paved road.

“They are back!” Zeke exclaimed and dashed for the car as it pulled to a halt.

“Hey, my man,” Mick said and ruffled the boy’s hair. Juan chuckled as well.

“My grandmother is here. She wants to meet you,” Zeke said, pulling on Mick’s hand.

“Great. I want to meet her too,” Mick said. She stopped abruptly when Isabella and Maria marched their way. “God, not again.” 

Zeke nodded sadly. “Meet grandmother later.
Adios
,” the little traitor exclaimed and dashed off to his grandmother’s side.

“Where have you been?” Isabella asked.

“I have the same question for you,” Maria said to her husband.

Mick held up her hand. “Before you start, let me introduce myself to Zeke’s grandmother. I wouldn’t want to meet her with a black eye,” Mick said and skirted out of Isabella’s way.

“Me too, also,” Juan said, doffing his cap then quickly walking by his angry wife, but not before kissing her on the cheek.

Zeke introduced Mick to his grandmother. “This is Carmella Estaban, my grandmother. This is Señorita Mick.”

Mick extended her hand. “Just Mick will be fine. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

“I am Carmella. And I am glad to meet you as well. Ezekiel speaks much of you. You and your family are doing a noble thing. It is time we have a clinic close to Los Rios. It has been tried before with no much success.”

Mick sat down next to Sean. “Really? When?”

“Many years ago. My friend tried to do the same. But something always got in the way. Accidents, workers leaving. Supplies not being delivered,” she said, looking at both Sean and Mick.

They exchanged glances and sat forward. “The same has been happening to us,” Mick said.

Isabella and Juan joined the circle along with Maria. “Ezekiel, go and play,” Carmella said.

“But I want to…” He pouted when he got the stern look. “Yes, Grandmother.” And off he went.

Mick laughed. “He’s a good kid. You can be very proud of him. Can I ask where his parents are?”

Carmella’s smile faded as she watched Zeke. “His father left before he was born.” She watched her grandson and smiled slightly. “How he looks like his mother. Perhaps building this clinic is a good thing.” She looked at Mick then. “My daughter might have lived through the birth of Ezekiel if they got her to a clinic. Panama City was fifty miles away. When you are poor and with no money, why build a hospital where no one could pay? So, my old friend, Luis Montaña, wanted to change that. And he tried.”

Mick followed her gaze; she watched Alejandro Reyes now.

“But someone stopped him,” Sean said.

“Yes. Someone did. He died,” Carmella said. “Oh, they say it was an accident and no one could prove otherwise.” She laughed sadly. “I tried.”

Juan offered Carmella a glass of iced tea. She grimaced. “You have nothing stronger?”

Mick laughed. “
Una cerveza por favor
,” she said to Juan. “That’s about all I know.” She avoided the smirk from Isabella.

“That is enough,” Carmella said. She took the icy can from Juan, who came back with several.

“So, Carmella, as I said, we’ve been experiencing the same thing. Why don’t they want a clinic here?”

Carmella took a drink from the can of beer, seemingly hesitant to elaborate. She looked at Isabella then. “I know you, Doctor Rivera. I know your family. And I remember how they treated you.”

Isabella nodded. “I remember you, Carmella. And I believe I remember Luis. He had a good heart, and was a good man. Better than my own father.”

Carmella nodded. “As I said, I remember your family. Your father.” She sighed sadly.

“It was all too common,” Isabella said. “Men in the village were either drunk or hard-working. There was no middle ground.”

“I was grateful that my own husband of forty years had been a good, hard-working man like Luis. But you, Isabella, you love the village of Rios, and you have done well with your life.”

“Carmella, what do you know?” Mick asked. When she didn’t respond, Mick continued, “Juan and I went to Los Rios earlier, talked to that inept mayor.”