CHAPTER
FIVE

 

 

 

“Well, I’ll be dammed,” Bull muttered as he watched the beautiful woman make her grand exit. Miss Isabella Cortez was proving to be quite a handful.

“Hell.” He’d love to fill his hands with her soft, luscious tits.

Not knowing what else to do, he headed for the stairs. He didn’t get far before the manservant spotted him. “Do you need anything before retiring, Senor?”

“No, I’m good.” He’d already been given a room, more like a suite. “I can find my own way, thank you.”

“Very good, Senor. If you need anything, there is a call button on the bedside table. Someone will come immediately.”

“Thanks.” Bull wasn’t used to this type of lifestyle, he didn’t know if he ever could be.

All the way up the stairs, he thought of the kiss Isabella had given him. He touched his lips, remembering how sweet she’d tasted. She was something else, his opinion of her was changing. She was confident in what she knew and what she was doing. Bottom line, she was sexy as hell.

None of that changed the fact that she was too young…and way too rich.

By the time he reached his room, his thoughts had turned from one temptress to another. Now, Carmen was a different story. There was no doubt she was a woman, a very desirable woman. Taking off his Stetson, he tossed it on a table. He moved to a window, gazing out over Terra Dura, his mind not seeing the landscape at all. No, the memories of being with Carmen overwhelmed him. He still couldn’t get over how she responded to him. She’d started climaxing the second he entered her and she hadn’t stopped until they’d both touched the gates of heaven. Bull hadn’t held out any hope that a woman would ever react to his touch in such a way. If he closed his eyes, he could almost feel her quivering in his arms. He’d never even known such pleasure existed. The difference between Carmen and his ex-wife was night and day.

Fishing his phone from his pocket, he tried to call Carmen again. He needed to hear her voice.

…In the opposite wing, Isabella laid on her bed and held her phone in her hand as it vibrated.

Benedict was calling.

She felt pulled in two different directions. How odd it felt to be jealous of herself.

Unable to resist, she brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Thank God, you scared me when you didn’t answer earlier. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t sound fine. Has something bad happened?”

His concern melted her heart. “No, nothing has happened.”

“Can I see you tonight?”

Isabella closed her eyes and willed herself to be still. How easy it would be to run to his room and into his arms. The only thing that held her back was the fact that he might reject her once she got there. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t get away.” Rising from the bed, Isabella went to stand in front of the mirror. She picked up her La Diosa mask and held it in front of her face. Looking at herself through the eyeholes, she tried to see what difference the mask made. She’d always heard that men enjoyed a little mystery in a woman, maybe they were right. 

“You sound different.” Bull was worried. “Please talk to me, I’ve never known anyone like you before.”

Isabella bowed her head. “I don’t mean to be different, I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

The concern was evident in his voice. For a split second, she considered just pouring it all out to him and confessing everything. But what if he told her uncle? She couldn’t risk that, not when they were all under the same roof. “No, I wish I could.” She sat down on the large bed and pulled a white satin pillow into her lap. “I want you to know something, Benedict.” She swallowed. “I think you’re wonderful, a good man.”

“I think you’re perfect, Carmen.”

His admission troubled her. “Things aren’t always what they seem. I wear the mask for a reason. You might not like what’s beneath.”

“Impossible. Put me to the test. Anytime. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”

Isabella closed her eyes as a cloud of pain and guilt washed over her. “It’s not my disappointment I’m worrying about.” Before he could say anything more, she told him she needed to leave. “I can’t talk anymore right now. You be safe, Benedict Redford. I will dream of you.”

“Wait!” Bull cried, but it was too late. She was gone. “Damn!” He had a funny feeling she was saying goodbye. Knowing this woman existed somewhere in the world, how could he go home and return to the lonely life he’d been leading?

 

 

 “Good morning, Senor Redford. Did you sleep well?”

Bull had come down for coffee, he hadn’t expected Isabella to be up and about so early. Didn’t spoiled rich girls sleep late? His opinion of her wasn’t really fair, she didn’t appear particularly spoiled. He was a bit surprised at how down to earth she seemed. “I did.” He shook his head. “No, I didn’t. I’m lying. I have a lot on my mind.”

“Anything I can help with?” She gave him a saucy little smile.

Bull decided to come clean, maybe it would make things more comfortable between them. “Look, Isabella, I’m going to be straight with you. You’re a very attractive young woman and I am not immune to your charms. The reason I’m resisting you is not because you’re aren’t sexy as all get out.”

He looked over his shoulder, presumably to make sure her uncle wasn’t coming through the door. Isabella held her breath. She couldn’t believe he was being so straightforward. “Yes, go ahead. I hear a big but coming.”

Bull turned back around to meet the incredible young woman’s gaze. “You’re too young for me.” When she went to protest, he held up his hand. “I’m thirty-five years old.” He looked down at his not-so-perfect body. “And I’m almost past my prime. You are like a rosebud about to burst in bloom, fresh and sweet.”

Truth burst from her lips. “You are the type of man who’ll always be in his prime.”

Her sweet words went all over him. Carmen. Remember Carmen. “Thank you.” He didn’t believe a word of it, but he thanked her. “The truth is, Miss Cortez, out of all the beautiful, sexy women I’ve seen on television, in person, or in the centerfold of a magazine, you rank number two in my book.”

Isabella’s heart began to patter in her chest. “Only number two? Who is number one?” She planted a petulant look on her face, a look which hid the excitement she was feeling within. “Is she a girl from back home?”

“No.” Bull smiled. “I met her here, just a few days ago. I don’t know if I even have a chance with her, but if I don’t try, I’ll never forgive myself.”

“So, there’s someone else in your life. Is this paragon of virtue your age?”

“No.” She saw a look of confusion pass over Benedict’s face. “I’m not sure how old she is. She’s older than you.” He nodded, seemingly sure of that. “You’re used to fine things, too. Things I could never give you. I’m just a retired rodeo cowboy. My business makes me a living, but not a fancy living.”

“There are more important things in life than material possessions, Mr. Redford,” Isabella retorted. “Whomever I marry will become a patron of Terra Dura.”

Bull shook his head and folded his arms across his chest. “See, I couldn’t handle that. I couldn’t live off my wife.”

Isabella narrowed her eyes, she could see barriers rising where she hadn’t expected them before. “What does this other woman have that I don’t?”

Bull surveyed Isabella Cortez’s lovely face. He didn’t know why it mattered to her so much, she couldn’t be experiencing anything other than a mild crush on an older man, an infatuation with the cowboy myth. “Well, this takes nothing away from you, you are exquisite…but Carmen is amazing. She is beautiful and brave. And when I touch her, she bursts into flame. She desires me. Me!” He spread his hands in disbelief. “I don’t understand what she sees in me, but I’m thankful I met her. She’s like no other woman in the world.”

Isabella was mesmerized, listening to Benedict talk about her. Some of the things he said were troubling, like his conceivable problem with her age or wealth – but when he spoke of their intimate connection, she understood that no matter the cost, no matter how hard she had to work to convince him, Isabella had to make him see her. “Carmen is a very lucky girl, Benedict.”

Bull’s head jerked. “What did you say?” Had Isabella called him Benedict? “How…”

“Senor Redford, are you ready to ride out to see the bulls?”

Don Luis’s arrival had gone unnoticed by the pair who were speaking so seriously.

“Yes. Yes, I am,” Bull answered, a little shook up from his conversation with the young Isabella. Seeing that she was dressed in a riding outfit, he made a gesture of conciliation. Now, that he’d explained his situation, maybe they could be friends without the unnerving sexual tension flaring up every few minutes. “Are you coming with us, Isabella? I’d love to hear your opinion on the stock.”

There was no missing Don Luis’s disapproval. His disgruntled expression was plain to see. “Her accompanying us is hardly necessary.”

“I want to go, Uncle.” Isabella brightened, a happy smile on her face. After hearing Benedict’s explanation, she’d decided to tell him the truth. The first opportunity she had to speak to him away from her uncle’s presence, Isabella planned to pour out her heart and explain her deception. She had no way of knowing what the future might hold, but the possibility they could be together was too sweet to ignore. “I would enjoy the company and seeing the cattle.”

“That’s settled then.” Bull smiled. “Let’s go, I’m anxious to cut a deal with Terra Dura.”

 

 

Bull’s idea to invite Isabella to accompany them, despite his host’s objection, backfired on him. The sight of the young beauty controlling the spirited stallion she rode was erotic as hell. As the trio made their way to a special holding pen located some distance from the main house, he was finding it hard to keep his eyes off her. She seemed perfectly at ease, keeping up a steady dialogue with him as they rode, sharing information with him on various topics, from the grasses they’d chosen to plant, to the attributes of the cattle they raised. All of this was done as she expertly handled a horse that she’d apparently been training. “You are an accomplished horsewoman, Senorita Cortez.”

“Thank you.” She beamed at him. “This arrogant prince is not my usual mount. Uncle bought him from a Saudi prince and I’ve been breaking him to the saddle.”

“Isabella’s definition of breaking a horse is plying him with sweet-talk and kisses,” Don Luis grumbled. “She thinks any animal can be tamed with kindness.”

Cortez’s complaint about his niece reminded Bull of the way Carmen treated the bulls. “I tend to agree with that philosophy, Senor. In the rodeo business, I’ve worked for years getting the rules changed as to how the horses and other stock are handled. Treating an animal humanely doesn’t mean it won’t perform the function that it’s bred for.”

“Exactly!” Isabella exclaimed. “You get it, you get me!”

Bull’s heart lurched in his chest at her words. The more he was around Isabella Cortez, the more she appealed to him. Whoever the man was lucky enough to claim her would be fortunate indeed.

“You are as naïve and nonsensical as your parents, Isabella,” Don Luis said with conviction. “I can still remember how you and your mother harped to Romero until he quit raising beef cattle and only raised registered breeding stock.”

“Yes, Uncle, but that decision increased revenue for the ranch. We can make much more from an animal when we profit from its ability to reproduce than the pesos we get per pound of ground hamburger.”

“You and Valentina didn’t stop there, you just kept pushing and pushing, don’t think I don’t know it. If your mother and father hadn’t been killed when they were, he would have either quit bullfighting or turned into a male La Diosa!”

Bull sat straight up in the saddle, shocked by the turn of the conversation. Shocked by the name he’d just heard come from Don Luis’s lips.

“Murdered, not killed, Uncle. My parents were murdered.” Isabella could still see the horrible pictures from the paper’s in her mind’s eye - her father laying on the floor of the club, gored to death by the horns of a bull long dead. Someone had taken the trophy head of a bull from the wall and used it as a murder weapon. Her mother had been strangled, but her father’s death had been an obvious public statement to protest his newfound stance on bullfighting. What had always troubled Isabella, was the fact that no one knew of her father’s plans to upend the status quo, none but his inner circle.

“Your father had enemies. One can’t challenge a centuries old tradition, a tradition so ingrained in the heritage of our people, without suffering consequences. Many people’s livelihood depends on the culture of bullfighting, and those individuals could not idly sit by and allow someone as influential as your father to turn a ritualistic institution on its head. Just like your father, this La Diosa will find herself in the crosshairs of resistance, changing the legacy of a nation at the whim of soft-hearted liberals will not work!”

“La Diosa?” Bull repeated.

Isabella cut her eyes to Benedict in a panic, the conversation was fast getting out of hand. “This is not the time or the place, Uncle. Our guest has no need to hear our political rantings.”

Bull was hanging on their every word. They had no idea how important all of this was to him. “I’ve met La Diosa, she is an incredible woman. Her bravery far surpasses the matadors who defend themselves with swords.”

“Enough! We have arrived!” Don Luis indicated the fenced area before him. “Come, Mr. Redford, let us see if we can find a new bull for your breeding program.”

As they dismounted, turning over their horses to a vaquero, Isabella felt ill. She kept expecting Benedict to confront her at any moment. The way he was looking at her, she just knew he was beginning to put two and two together.

Bull Redford was in a turmoil. He was barely aware of his surroundings. After hearing these two discuss La Diosa and what she did, he was beginning to understand the whole situation a little better – and he didn’t like it, he didn’t like it at all. If Isabella’s father was murdered for his actions, he realized his Carmen wasn’t safe.

Don Luis led them into an arena and up into a viewing stand. Bull forced his mind back to the business at hand. Just as soon as he could wind up this deal, he had some business with a certain lady bullfighter.

“There they are, aren’t they beautiful?” Isabella couldn’t help but preen with pride as she viewed the animals she’d raised by hand.

Bull had to agree. “They’re sleek, well fed, and as ripped as if they spent hours in a gym,” he muttered, taking in the two huge beasts strutting around the ring like they were competing in a beauty pageant. He knew these animals had never known a moment’s discomfort, fear, or uncertainty. They were as confident in their value and place in the order of things as anything could be.

“I am confident they would perform to your satisfaction.” Don Luis began rattling off numbers, numbers big enough to make Bull’s head spin.

Isabella frowned. What was he up to? Her uncle had increased the price by at least fifty percent over what he’d been charging regional ranches. “I believe you’re mistaken, Uncle.” She countered his assertion with figures of her own.

“Isabella, leave the business dealings to me,” Don Luis demanded. “You know nothing of the value of these animals.”

“I know everything about the value of these animals and what you’ve been selling equivalent stock to others for.” She refused to let him cheat Benedict Redford. Before her elder could retort, she stood. “Mr. Redford, would you like to take a closer look?” As she stepped by Don Luis, she could feel the rage pouring off him. It was fast becoming obvious that their situation was reaching a critical stage. Isabella vowed to call her lawyer as soon as she returned to the hacienda.

Bull rose, a bit unsure of what to do. By the look on Don Luis’s face, he was livid. Frankly, Bull was surprised the man didn’t demand that Isabella stand down. For the first time, he was beginning to wonder about the power play going on at the ranch. “I would, indeed.”

“Good, I’m sure you will be sold on their winning personalities,” she teased, leading him down the steps and up to the gate. A smiling vaquero met her, greeting Isabella with affection. She stopped to exchange pleasantries with him, inquiring about his family. To Bull’s surprise, a grumbling Don Luis tagged along behind, seeming to acquiesce to her lead. “Let us greet Valiente first.”

She spoke to the man holding the bull’s halter in Spanish and to his surprise, the man turned the animal loose. Isabella clicked with her tongue and held out her hand and Bull almost bit his tongue when the big bovine struck up a little trot and made a beeline toward them, grunting and lowing as he came. To Bull’s chagrin, he noticed that Don Luis had lined up beside him, about two feet behind Isabella. “Come here, Chiquita. My boy likes to have his ears scratched.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Bull had to smile when he saw the purebred monster do all but curtsy and purr for the young woman. “He’s as gentle as a lamb.”

“To me he is, I’m not sure how he would react if challenged.” She continued to caress the creature, murmuring words of praise to it. “He would make many fine babies for you.”

Bull felt like he was trapped in a carnival house of mirrors, he was having trouble separating reality from dreams. Isabella reminded him of Carmen in so many ways. In others, they were nothing alike.

“I would be honored to have either one of these animals in my herd, if we can settle on a price or a promotion deal.”

“I am firm on my price…” Don Luis spoke up, but was quickly interrupted by Isabella.

“I am sure we can come to terms, Mr. Redford. Isn’t that right, Uncle?”

“I hope so,” Bull began, but his attention was quickly diverted by the vibrating of his phone. He started not to check it, but knowing it might be Carmen, he looked. “Carol?” He was shocked. “Excuse me one moment, I need to take this.”

Stepping to one side, Bull answered his phone. “What’s wrong, Carol?”

“It’s Luke, he’s in the emergency room with a high fever and I don’t have any money to pay the bill.”

All Bull heard was high fever. “Where are you?”

“Austin, Seton Center on Research.”

“I’ll be there in a few hours. Don’t worry. Tell the doctor to admit him if need be and give them my number if they need to call. I’ll take care of everything.”

“What’s wrong?” Isabella asked, her hand warm on his arm.

“It’s my little boy, he’s sick.” Bull was already walking back to where the horses were tied.

“Oh, no! I’m so sorry.” Isabella’s mind was spinning. “I didn’t know you had a child. Are you married?” The shock of the possibility stole her good sense.

“Used to be and…” He kept walking, worry clouding his mind.

“Oh, I see.” Isabella’s heart contracted for him. “I will pray for your son.”

“Mr. Redford, what about our deal?” Don Luis was coming behind them as fast as he could.

Taking the reins in hand, Bull placed his foot in the stirrup and pulled himself up on the horse. “I’d still like to do business with Terra Dura. I’ll be back in touch as soon as I make sure my little boy is okay.”

Isabella mounted her horse also and they started back toward the hacienda at a gallop. “I hope everything is okay. Please do let us know something.” She wanted to explain to Benedict about the masquerade and that she was his Carmen, but now wasn’t the time.

The ride back was made much faster than their initial trip, Isabella called ahead to have the house staff ready Benedict’s car and his bags. “You’ll be able to leave straightway. What is the airport closest to your ranch?”

Bull shook his head, hardly able to think. “Austin-Bergstrom is where I left my truck when I flew down here.”

Isabella nodded, busy on her phone as she held the reins with her other hand. “I’d like to book a first-class flight to Austin-Bergstrom, first available.” She rattled off her credit card number.

“I’ll pay you back.”

“No, let this be my get-well gift for Luke.”

Stunned, Bull looked hard at Isabella. “That was hardly necessary…” He paused. “But one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”

She gave him a caring smile. “I have enjoyed getting to know you, Mr. Redford.”

“And I you.” He tipped his hat to her as they arrived at the barn. “Tell your uncle,” he gestured back toward the rider approaching in the distance, “that I’d like to see about buying both those bulls if we can work out some kind of a deal.”

“I’m sure we can.” She didn’t push who would make the decision, right now those details were unimportant. “You don’t worry, let me handle this for you and you take care of your child.”

Bull nodded as he handed his mount off to a waiting ranch hand. “I appreciate your hospitality, Miss Cortez.”

Isabella felt a wrenching pain in her chest. Regardless of who he thought she was or wasn’t, she couldn’t let him leave without hugging him one more time. Running to him, she held out her arms and he pulled her close. “You are most welcome, it was a privilege to meet such a southern gentleman and a Texas cowboy.”

Bull held her until his rental car was pulled up behind him. His body was as confused as his mind. She felt so good, almost familiar. He refused to think that one woman was replaceable for the other, but he was drawn to Isabella, despite his absolute adoration of Carmen. “Maybe we’ll meet again someday, Senorita.” Bull placed a chaste kiss on the top of her head.

“I hope so,” Isabella said, feeling bereft when he released her to climb into his vehicle. “Goodbye. Be safe.” As Benedict raised a hand in farewell, Isabella was already planning their reunion. She had no intention of giving him time to forget her.  

 

 

When Bull’s plane touched down, he wasted no time getting to Seton Center. He broke the speed limit, his mind racing with one worry after another. He’d phoned Carol as soon as he touched down and she informed him that Luke had been admitted with meningitis. With every turn of the tires, Bull sent up a prayer that he’d come through this okay. Luke was such a little boy, he missed him more than words could say.

As soon as he arrived at the hospital complex, Bull found a place to park, then set off at a sprint for the door. Carol had given him the room number on the third floor. He cursed the slowness of the elevator, but soon he was finding his way through the maze of halls to room 308.

“Carol?” he said his ex-wife’s name as he pushed through the door. He hoped to God that jerk she was living with wasn’t there.

“Oh, Bull! I’m so glad you’re here.” The slight blonde came running toward him, throwing herself against him. “He’s so sick!”

Bull didn’t push her away, but he kept moving toward the bed where his little man lay with his eyes closed. Tubes were everywhere and he was so still. “What does the doctor say?”

“It’s bacterial.”

Bull winced, leaning on the hospital bed, his hand laying on the little boy’s shoulder. “That’s the worst kind.”

“Yea, they said he was exposed at day care. They’re giving him antibiotics. It’s just going to take time.”

Bending over, Bull kissed Luke on the cheek and whispered in his ear. “Daddy’s here, sweet boy. I’m not going anywhere. Everything’s going to be okay.”

For the next few hours, Bull stayed by the baby’s side. Carol was acting strangely. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was coming on to him. “Where’s your man?” he asked her when she handed him a cup of coffee and pulled her straight-back chair close to his.

“Oh, we’re separated.” She gave him a smile. “I’m free again.”

“Good for you.” He wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole, not after the way she’d treated him.

“Thanks for taking care of Luke’s medical bills.”

“Of course, I’d do anything for Luke.” He enunciated the words carefully. “I consider him to be my child, no matter what those blood tests said.”

“Maybe when Luke gets to go home, maybe we can both come to see you. We can talk about those visitation rights.”

The doctor came in about that time, so the only thing Bull was able to say was, “Luke is always welcome. I’d love to have him stay with me anytime.” He was careful not to include Carol in the invitation.

To give the doctor and nurses room to work on their examination, Bull excused himself. “I’ll be right back.” He needed to visit the little boy’s room and he wanted to call Carmen. After he’d relieved himself, Bull stepped out one of the exits and took a walk down one of the sidewalks. He held his breath waiting for Carmen to answer.

…Down in Mexico, Isabella weighed her options. She didn’t know whether to keep up the charade or not. She didn’t want to tell him on the phone, but speaking to him as Carmen would only prolong the confusion. “Oh, God!” Grabbing the phone, she quickly answered.

“Benedict?”

“Hey, baby. I needed to hear your voice.”

“Where are you?” It was hard not to ask about his child, but Carmen didn’t know what Isabella knew.

“I’m back in Texas. I hate I had to leave without telling you, but my little boy is sick”

Carmen didn’t know about the little boy. “You have a child, Benedict?” She put the appropriate amount of shock in her voice.

“Yea, it’s a long story, but he’s mine. I’m divorced.”

“How is he?”

“He’s in the hospital with meningitis. The doctor is with him now. I’m hoping there are signs of improvement.”

“I pray that is so, Benedict.” Her voice trembled. “I hope you are well.”

“I would be better if you were here with me. I worry about your safety. Have you ever thought about visiting Texas?”

In this, Isabella could tell him the truth. She did have plans to go to Texas. “I have thought about it and I will. I promise. You take care of your little boy and I’ll come visit you as soon as I can.”

“Good, baby. I’ll hold you to it. I can’t wait to see you.”

 

 

 “No, I will not go to my room!” Isabella stood up to Don Luis. “We will sell Mr. Redford those bulls for the discounted price. The opportunity he has offered us for exposure in the U.S. is worth the difference!”

“A woman should not be making these decisions!” Her uncle countered, his fists balled up and his cheeks rosy with rage.

“If the woman is the rightful owner of the property, she should!” Isabella refused to retreat. “My lawyer will be contacting you tomorrow, Uncle. It is time we settled this disagreement.”

“Romero left no will and I am the patron!”

“You are not my patron,” Isabella stated calmly. There might not be a will, but there was a way. She had found proof of her father’s wishes in a video her mother had made of Isabella sitting on her father’s knee while he sang to her and talked to her. He’d stated plainly that everything he owned was hers. Terra Dura was her birthright. Her legacy.

“I won’t be available tomorrow. I’m going out of town.” He shook his cane at her. “Do what you will with the Texan. Just remember who has taken care of you all these years!”

Isabella couldn’t believe the guilt trip. The servants had taken care of her and him. “Good luck with the horses,” she called after him, knowing he would be at the race tracks. Her accountant had informed her recently that Don Luis had invested in some horses, with ranch money, of course. At least, he’d be out of her way - and while he was gone on his trip, she’d make one of her own.

Not wanting to waste any time, she went to the den to use the house phone. Taking Benedict’s card from her wallet, she placed a call to the states. While she was waiting for her cowboy to answer, Lola joined her and Isabella picked her up, giving the dog a kiss. “I wish I could take you with me, but Magdalena will take care of you while I’m gone.”

“Redford.”

Isabella swallowed and modulated her tone, making sure she didn’t use her ‘Carmen’ voice. “Hello, this is Isabella Cortez, Mr. Redford. Am I calling at a bad time?”

“Isabella, no, I’ve got a few minutes. What can I do for you?” Bull was standing next to the hospital office. He’d just settled the hospital bill for little Luke and he was waiting to help Carol load him up to go home. Each time he had to say goodbye to that little boy, he felt like he left a piece of himself behind. 

“I called to tell you what I could do for you.” She quoted the price for the two bulls. “Are you still interested?” She crossed her fingers. If he said ‘no’, this was about to become more complicated.

“Heck yea, I’m still interested.” After paying these unexpected medical bills, he’d have to tighten his belt, but passing up on the Terra Dura breeding stock wasn’t something he was willing to do. “Are you sure Don Luis will let them go for that price?”

“This is, as you Americans say, a done deal.”

“Great. How is this going to work?”

“I will have them shipped to you in one week’s time, accompanied by a ranch representative. You will be informed of the details when he reaches America. Once the bulls are delivered, you can make payment.”

“Will this ranch representative be your uncle? I’m hoping to convince him to agree to that partnership you mentioned.”

Isabella hesitated. “I’m not sure, Mr. Redford. Rest assured, if my uncle can’t come, we’ll send someone appropriate in his place.”

“Sounds good to me, thank you.”

“How’s your little boy?”

Her personal question didn’t surprise him. “He’s getting out of the hospital today. The little tyke had meningitis. He had a pretty high fever there for a while, but the doctor gave him some antibiotics and he’s going to be fine.”

“Wonderful, I’m so glad.” She knew it was time to hang up, but she didn’t want to. “How are you, Mr. Redford?”

“I’m tired, Miss Cortez. I haven’t been home since I left Mexico.”

“I understand and I’m so thankful the child is much improved.”

Bull struggled with the odd tugging in his chest. “Isabella, I want to apologize for the way I treated you. I was disrespectful. You’ve turned out to be a very good friend.”

Isabella wanted more than gratitude from Benedict Redford. At the moment, however, she’d take what he offered. “You are most welcome. I wish you well, Mr. Redford. I hope you get everything you want from life.”

She just hoped when he discovered her deception, he’d still want her.

After hanging up from the call, she immediately placed another one. “Manuel, please prepare Valiente and Feroz for shipping by plane to Mr. Redford’s ranch. I want their arrival to be in one week, so arrange for a trailer and other proper transport from the airport. I’ll need you to accompany them on the trip. I will be flying to Texas to work out further arrangements concerning our business proposition, but I must make a detour first. I can’t be assured of the timing, so head on to the ranch as soon as you clear customs.” Visiting Benedict Redford trumped La Diosa’s next appearance. She would travel to Veracruz and make her apologies, then fly to the states from there.  

“Yes, Senorita. I will do so immediately.”

Satisfied, she kissed her dog and went to pack. “Watch out, Texas, here I come.”