Hidden Agenda by Rochelle Alers Read Free Book Online Page A

en Español?
”
    “Marshmallow!” Matt and Alma said in unison, laughing.
    “
Sí
,” Carlos stated solemnly. “That is what I have become. A marshmallow.”
    Alma dropped an arm over Carlos’s shoulder. “A marshmallow I love beyond description,” she admitted openly.
    Carlos cradled Alma’s face between his hands,kissing her mouth in a tender gesture. “I love you too,
Niña
. But I must get back to my papers before I go to bed.” He rose slowly to his feet, extending a hand to Matt. “Mateo, Eve, please excuse me.” Leaning down, he pressed his lips to Eve’s forehead. “
Buenas noches
.”
    She smiled up at him. “Good night, Carlos.”
    Alma stared at her husband’s retreating figure before picking up a crystal decanter filled with sherry. She noted Eve’s glass. She hadn’t drunk her wine. “Matthew?”
    “No thank you,” he replied, declining another glass. He had to be sober for the drive back to the hotel as well as clearheaded, once he replayed the tape of Harry’s latest call. Every call that came in through his private line was recorded, and erased within hours. He memorized everything he needed to know or do, eliminating the risk that someone would uncover his double life.
    Alma refilled her own glass with cranberry juice, then settled back on a wicker loveseat. Her alert gaze missed nothing. She noted the surreptitious glances Eve and Matthew exchanged and she also noted the possessiveness of his touch. Each time his hands grazed a part of Eve’s body they said
mine
.
    “Alma, I’d like you to help Eve with her Spanish,” Matt said, breaking the comfortable silence.
    “I’d love to,” she agreed.
    Eve gave Alma a warm smile. “Did your mother teach you Spanish?”
    “No,” Alma replied. “Matthew’s mother taught me. I spent more time at Matthew’s house than I did at my own. Becoming bilingual paid off, because I decided to major in Spanish once I entered college. I taught at a junior high school in Lubbock for eight years beforeapplying for a position to tutor the children of wealthy Americans and Europeans, who either lived or vacationed in Mexico. I moved here permanently six years ago, and now call it home.”
    “How long does it take to become fluent?” Eve queried.
    Alma took a sip of her juice. “It all depends how much you truly want to learn. It always helps if you fully immerse yourself in the language. In other words, think in Spanish rather than in English. The words may come haltingly at first, but after a month you’ll find yourself doing it unconsciously.”
    Matt squeezed Eve’s shoulder. “Don’t concern yourself too much,
Preciosa
. Alma is the best.” Leaning over, he placed his wineglass on a wrought iron table. “I’m going to get your luggage from the car, then I’ll be on my way.”
    Eve and Alma rose simultaneously, smiling at each other, and Eve knew she had found a friend in Alma Navarro. Living with Carlos and Alma would help soothe the month’s wait before she and Matt married. Her confidence spiraled upward as her smile widened.
    One more month
, an inner voice crooned. One more month and she and Chris would be reunited.
    Matt returned with Eve’s luggage and followed her and Alma into the house and up the curving staircase to the second story. The bedroom and adjoining bathroom selected for Eve were spacious and filled with furnishings reflecting the country’s Spanish and Indian influences. Shuttered windows opened out to vistas boasting mountains and valleys.
    He walked over to the windows, drawing theshutters and concealing the nighttime sky. Turning, he met Eve’s steady gaze and smiled. Her expression was serene and trusting. She wore the same expression the photographer had captured in the black and white photo her uncle had sent him.
    Alma watched the silent exchange between her cousin and his future wife, slowly backing out of the room. It was apparent they wanted to be alone. “I’ll see you in the morning, Eve. Matthew,