DECEPTION - A Family Affair (11 page)

“Hello, you look like you had a fun evening.” Freddie greeted Marco with a weary smile.

“Hey Pop, what are you still doing up?  You should be in bed getting rest.”

“This recliner keeps me elevated so it’s better for me than my bed plus your mother needs sleep without me disturbing her.  Your mother is a strong woman, I’m truly lucky to have her.”  He spoke each word slowly and clearly as his eyes glared out looking at empty space.  These past few weeks have unquestionably taken a toll on him.

Marco walked over without removing his jacket and sat on the arm of the leather sofa across from his father.  Placing his hands in union on his leg he responded.  “Yes, you are a very lucky man not many men are as blessed.  Make sure you let her know how special she is every chance you get.”

Marco noticed his father’s smile fade as he fidgets in his seat still avoiding eye contact.  He seems nervous when he spoke again.  “Marco, I just want you to hear me out before you react to what I have to say.” He paused, trying to appear confident before he cautiously continued since no objections were received.  Meanwhile, Marco sat rigidly awaiting the confrontation about to erupt.  He knew it was just a matter of time – the inevitable.  He also reminded himself to stay calm for the sake of his father’s current health condition.

“I’m not sure what is going on with you and Marisol – I do know you have been seeing her and I don’t think it’s a wise decision on your part.  You should just stay far away from her for both your sakes.  This union will only bring more hurt and pain to each of you and all for what?  Don’t forget she has been with El Gringo all these years and now you are going to hurt him as well.  Plus, this family has been through hell and back because of her family, we don’t want to lose you again.”

He stood up with straight shoulders and a rigid stance that demanded respect.   His expression unreadable and his tone lacked any emotion when he finally responded to his father.  “Thank you for your concern, but I will say this once and once only.  I will have no one in this family disrespect or show any ill will towards Marisol.  It stops today.  She holds no fault for any misfortune that has come upon this family she is clearly a victim in this whole mess.  Her scars are just as deep maybe even deeper.  It all stops right here and now.”  He sighed and stared at his father who finally shifted his gaze to meet his son’s and acknowledged his demands with a nod.  Discussion closed… 

Chapter Eight

Mixing up her Saturday routine she decided to visit the florist then the bakery for her bread order.  She went to the cemetery with fresh cut flowers, mums for her mother and baby pink carnations for Marissa.  After tiding up their plots she laid out the flowers for each of them and said a silent prayer.  She updated her mother about her life starting with her dad and hoping it’s not true about her and Freddie’s deception; the chaotic issues at work; and of Marco’s return.  Marisol wished she could respond back with motherly advice on how to manage all her mixed emotions.  Then her thoughts took her back to Marissa, the daughter Marco never knew existed.  Pools of tears began to fill her eyes; wishing over and over it was her lying in the cold dirt instead of her baby girl but just knowing her mother and Marissa are together gave her some solace.  Thinking of the two together looking down at her brought a smile to her face.

While she drove over to the nursing home she wondered what kind of mood she will find her father in today.  Strolling through the entrance of the nursing home what has become her second home; she stopped to greet everyone as she made her way to the nurse’s station to sign in.  Lucy was no where to be found so she set the bread up in the kitchen before trotting her way to see her father.  Lingering at the doorway of his room with the bag of items she purchased for him; she watched him enjoying a car race on the television while he sat upright in his wheel chair.  His face held a genuine grin containing no bitterness today portraying a carefree appearance.  It was an insightful moment one she wanted to cherish.  She couldn’t think of a time where she seen his guard down, which made her question if there was ever a time in his life where he was truly happy? She lost track of time once she started tiding up his room, putting his new necessities away and gathering all the dirty clothes.  As soon as he became aware of her arrival his whole demeanor had changed and he looked tense and harsh again.  Her cherished moment was short lived.  It was 2:45 pm when she finally said her good-byes.  She found her visit pleasant even though he was a bit quiet since he focused mainly on the races.  Her tears trickled down her tender face while she drove in silence.  She wasn’t even clear why she was crying.  She should be used to her father acting like she didn’t exist.  She just wanted to feel loved as if she truly meant something to him.  If her own father couldn’t love her how could anyone else love her?  Her own grandfather despised her. When he died he left nothing in her name and gave everything he had to charity.  Even her mother’s family had no interest in her especially knowing she was left motherless.  Not a call, not even a letter or a card of condolences.  What was it about her that made her unlovable to her own family? 

Rushing to get in the house her cell was buzzing and her senses became slightly alive again lifting up her spirits when she saw who the sender was.

Hello Marisol, Just wanted to let you know I am only a block away.  I have been counting the minutes all day long impatiently…  Can’t wait to see you.  M….

Replying with the silliest of grins she could muster.
Mr. Marco – you do know it’s against the law to text while driving so please put the phone away or all the minutes you counted will be all wasted if you crash… M…

Right when she hit send she heard his car and she went outside to meet him on the porch.  She watched him descend from his car reading his text and he looked up with a smile that made her insides melt.  He came up the stairs and stopped in front of her taking in her appearance she wore black dress slacks with a crème colored blouse definitely not the attire for the ranch then the evidence of fallen tears on her face with circles under her eyes looking sleep deprived; his face went from a smile to a frown in matter of seconds.  “What’s wrong?  You look like you were crying and you have circles under your eyes.  What happened?”  He asked abruptly.

Disappointment washed right through her wiping away all the thrill and excitement of seeing him.  She shrugged her shoulders feeling annoyed and turned to walk back into the house with him following her unclear on what was happening to her. He grabbed her arm before she reached for the bag of dirty clothes she brought home with her. 

“Hey, hey what’s going on?”  He asked again with concern written all over his face.

She shot back with fire in her eyes.  “Hello to you too Marco and nothing is wrong I’m fine.  Why do you care anyway?”  She tried to shrug her arm from his grasp to no avail.

Still holding on to her arm he loosened his grip.  “I’m sorry for my thoughtlessness.  Hello to you too and for the record in case you are not aware, I care a great deal about you.  I don’t want to see you upset or hurt.  Now can you please tell me what has you upset?  I have all day until you’re ready to speak.”  He pleaded and she noticed his expression filled with compassion and determination.

Lowering her eyes she battled with all her mixed emotions.  “I’m sorry; its just some weekends are rough for me, its no big deal.”

“Weekends?  Can you elaborate a little – I want to understand and it is a big deal to me.  I miss knowing everything about you.”

“It’s silly, really.”  She shrugged her one shoulder and looked up at him and their gazes met causing major intrusion to her insides.  Sighing she complied with his demand for answers.  “Alright, on the weekends I usually visit my father at the nursing home and every other weekend I go to the cemetery to visit my mom so to speak.  It’s sometimes still difficult for me.  That’s all.”  Tears welled up in her eyes once again driving her insane she’s cried more in the past two weeks than she has the whole entire year.  He grabbed her into his arms and brought one hand around her waist and the other to the back of her head as he held her tightly kissing the top of her head.

“I’m so sorry.  You deserve so much more.”  He whispered his words into her ear.  Inhaling her perfume mixed with her scent he felt intoxicated.

Slowly, prying herself out of his secure arms she stepped back out of his range and felt shy all of a sudden.  Between his whispers caressing her ear and engulfed within his warm embrace made her feel dizzy.  Passing her hand through her hair she looked up at him with a shy smile.  “I’m good; really I should be accustomed to all this already.  Let me go change my clothes, that’s if you still want me to go to the ranch.  If you changed your mind I totally understand.”  Who wants to hang out with a downer, a fun sucker when he could find someone who knows how to have fun and not bring the mood down?  She gets it.

He momentarily studied her trying to read her thoughts; realizing her lack of self-confidence when he is around her, he answered her firmly.  “No way am I changing my mind Marisol.  I’ve been counting the minutes all day long.  Plus who better to help me with the horses.  I am excited to see you work your magic.  Go change and if you want to bring Mace with you he is more than welcome.  He could get some good exercise there.” 

Her face lit up with delight, she needed this outlet.  It’s been so long since she worked with horses.  “Thanks, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to go.  I’ll hurry up and get ready please make yourself at home.” 

When he looked around he noticed her jacket tossed on the arm of the sofa and bag of what appeared to be her father’s dirty laundry.  Shaking his head in annoyance and facing Mace.  “Is there anything she doesn’t do for people?”  Twitching his ears trying to decipher what exactly he is saying, Mace decided to just sit and stare.  “Alright forget it, how about we go outside?”  That he understood as he ran to the back door.  Dogs!

****♥****

Once at the stables Marisol was in her element introducing herself to all the horses reading their files Marco received from the previous owner with all their documentation and medical notes.  They rode some of the horses providing them exercise; then cooled them down.  Marisol enjoyed her time and she worked her magic gaining immediate trust with the horses, cooing them and taking her time grooming them it was amazing.  Her immediate bond was with Star he was a tri-color buckskin Quarter Horse/Arabian mix.  She found out before the previous owner attained him a year ago he was not raised with other horses.  He joined the ranch at the age of five and had a difficult time in the beginning to learn how to be a horse and get along with the other horses.  There was something in his eyes that reached deep into her soul, he knew she understood him.  He had a loving disposition but she sensed he was classified as the misfit.  It would sound strange to say the words out loud to another adult so Marisol just kept it to herself.  Her and Star already had a connection she felt the strong chemistry between them.  Softly stroking him she expressed her sentiments with him.  “Don’t worry I’m here now and we misfits stick together.”  She chuckled when he nudge his head bumping into her forehead.

Marco could watch her all day long this is where she truly belonged.  She let her guard down and she looked beautiful and happy.  They rode together most of the afternoon and it was the most fun he had in years.  She laughed and smiled the whole time it tugged his heart strings in so many ways.  The way she connects with the horses is a gift.  There were a few horses that were skittish around him but once Marisol cooed them they were putty in her hands.  He had his own private Horse Whisperer.  How he wished he could keep her this content all the time.  Even Mace was a mad man having a ball chasing the cat around.  The cat came with the stable and he was informed she was great for keeping the mice away so she became his new best friend.  Regretting to end this day he knew it was late and Marisol had no breaks since they arrived she must be starving.  Watching her rub Star’s face whispering words to him as she leaned her face to his the horse was in love and he couldn’t blame him.  “Hey my beautiful horse whisperer, you ready to call it a day?  I need to feed you I can’t believe how fast the time goes.” 

Shifting her gaze she stuck out her bottom lip to pout.  “If we must, I just hate to leave them.”  Turning her head she spoke to Star, “Okay Mister, I will see you soon so you have a good time here with your buddies okay boy.”  She patted his head and reluctantly gathered her things while Marco closed up and set the alarm for his office and supply storage.

Once they were in the car Mace collapsed on the back seat lying down from lack of energy. Marco satisfied on how the day transpired he turned to Marisol who was still smiling and he had the sudden urge to kiss her and suck on her bottom lip - wondering how those lips would feel around his hard shaft.  Shaking his head to wipe out his dark thoughts he finally spoke.  “I can’t thank you enough for today; you were fantastic.  I have a full staff tomorrow we should begin the classes by next week.  All the fences are secured and the construction plans for the barns will begin within a couple of weeks.” 

“Oh my God, are you kidding me.  Please don’t thank me it’s the least I can do for you giving me the most amazing day.  I can’t thank YOU enough.  I just can’t believe how fast you have everything moving along.” 

“It’s been an easy transition; majority of the staff decided to stay on with me.  I have spoken with each of them; they seem to be a great crew.  I’m more than pleased.  I just want you to keep in mind, you are welcome to come by anytime you don’t need to ask and I’ll give you the security codes in case you need them.  Feel free to ride whenever you like.”  Marisol’s face lit up with pure excitement, she was ecstatic for a whole five seconds then she looked down realizing the insanity of his offer.  She had no right to just come on his property and well…its not like they are a couple.  It would be inappropriate.