Vale: Cousins & Friends, #5

By Clotilde Martinez

        The second the word “No” flew out of her mouth, former Special Agent Gemma Alvarez realized that she had made a mistake. The biggest one in her life. The one that caused the love of her life, Nathan Halle to hightail it back to his home state of Montana. After all, who in their right mind wants to be around the person who reject their marriage proposal.

       Gemma finds that life without her reddish blonde Viking from the North unbearable. But what can she do?  Nathan had make no attempts in rekindling their relationship and She’s too proud to beg Nathan to give their love another chance.

              The only thing that Holly Pavel wants is for her best friend and godfather of her unborn child, Nathan Halle, to come back to Ardura for the baby’s birth. All Carolina Gonzalez wants is to see her best friend Gemma Alvarez happy again. Together, Holly and Carolina come up with a plan to get Nathan and Gemma back together. An assignment that Gemma will not be able to resist.

                Her mission is simple. Go to Montana and get her man back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aranga2Cee
• Release date: Jun 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386930662

Clotilde Martinez

For those who are curious to know about me. Here’s a few tidbits. This Jersey girl comes from a large super close Galician family. My siblings and cousins were the first to rallied around me when I was diagnosed with both ovarian and uterine cancer. After working overnight, my brother drove to the hospital where I was getting my surgery. My sister held my hand when I went to my first chemo treatment. My other brother drove me back and forth to my treatments. Cancer for me has been a blessing. It sounds weird saying that but it’s the truth. I have so many people praying for me, sending me positive thoughts, that it gave me the strength to deal with the aftermath of the treatments. When I lost hair, I couldn’t stop staring at myself in mirror. Which I could explained how powerful and how fucking beautiful I felt in my bald head stage. The hair has grown back. It’s curly. The color’s now salt and pepper. I’m rocking it.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Gingerly, I picked up the matted silver frame photograph of the two of us that I had on my desk and gazed at it. My long slender fingers traced gently the contour of the man’s facial features in the photograph. Reddish blonde hair, teeth that sparkle in the sunshine and those dimples. Don’t get me started on those dimples.  In short, he was too beautiful for words. He was perfect and I was-well-the exact opposite. I was ugly. Long brownish blonde hair. Tall but not that sexy model type of tall. Tall as in the floppy kind. I wasn’t beautiful until I met him. He made me believe that I was beautiful.

Sighing sadly, I put the frame down and picked up one of the work folders that were sprawled across the red oak desk that I had purchased at the secondhand store.  I flipped thru the vanilla folder, hoping to get my head back into the game but my eyes kept drifting back at the man in the photograph.

The larger than life man who took full possession of my beating heart the moment we met. My wife.  He called me. No man has ever made me feel so wanted and so loved as he did. How do I repaid him back for loving me? By saying the one word he never thought he will hear from me. And by saying that horrendous word, I did the unthinkable. I broke the heart of Nathan Halle. I bit down so hard on my bottom lip that I could almost taste the metallic sweetness of my blood. 

C’mon Gemma, the deed was done, and it is too late in the game to cry over the past. Too late to rewind time and give Nathan the answer he wanted when he went down on one knee and proposed to me.  I can still see the look of dismay on his face when I said no to his proposal in my nightmares.  Yes, I say nightmares, for I no longer dream.  My reddish blonde Viking from the North took my ability to dream when he left for Montana the same day I rejected his proposal.

Alright, I had enough. said Carolina Gonzalez snatching the manila folder from me. It took my brain a second to realize that Carolina wasn’t alone. There was another person with her.

Holly Pavel.

The copper hair pregnant woman exchanged a look with Carolina who flung her purple hair back.  I was on the outs with Holly who refused to talk with me after I refused Nathan’s proposal.  Still, I can’t blame Holly for being upset with me. After all, Nathan was her unofficial big brother and best friend.

She did not take kindly that I single handily destroyed the heart of a good man. I must admit that I am surprise to see Holly here. Perhaps, she has come to gloat in my face. What are you doing here? I asked wearily. Holly’s hazel eyes focused on me to the point I wondered if I need to get a lawyer. Apple came to see me.  replied Holly using the nickname that Nathan gave Carolina.

According to Nathan, Carolina was sweet as apple pie. I had no idea on what an apple pie was until Holly’s sister Julia gave Frolian her family recipe for pastry goodness. The pies are now the number one seller at the Dulce, the bakery that Frolian operates with his wife to be Vanessa.  As for Carolina, the nickname stuck. I glanced over at Carolina who was not looking at me. About what? I asked.  Oh, Gemma. You know why. You’re miserable. said Carolina. I stood up. I’m not miserable.  Shaking her head, Carolina replied I beg to differ. You haven’t been yourself since Nathan left.

Oh, how I wanted to glare and thrusted my fist at Carolina but damn it, she was right. I have been miserable. So, you come here to gloat in my misery.  My comment was aim at Holly. No.  I’m not that type of woman. Although as tempting it is to stomp your face to the ground, I will restrain myself from doing so. replied Holly.  I shouldn’t expect nothing but the brutal honesty coming from the lips of Nathan’s little sister.

Her unbreakable loyalty to Nathan astound me. There was a time I was jealous of the sibling relationship that they shared. Alvaro and I were like that once. Alvaro is my big brother but my relationship with Alvaro took a nosedive when I made friends with the woman my brother hunted. Glancing at the purple hair woman, it still amazes me that this was the woman who my brother searched hi and lo for.

The woman who made my brother questioned his sanity. She did something that not even Alvaro’s girlfriends ever did. Carolina got under his skin. A while back, I too hunted Carolina. She was known as a ruthless jewel thief. Well at least, that was according to the memos that were spread around in the agency.

Nothing was farther from the truth. Carolina was a jewel thief, but she wasn’t your typical thief. She stole from the crooked pawn shops that took advantage of her poor neighbors. The ones who were desperate to sell their most valuable jewelry in hopes to get a hand up and with a desperate hope that their valuables will still be there when they return to the pawn shop sixty days later.

Unfortunately for the victims, their valuables weren’t there at pawn shop when they returned for them. The jewelry was sold to the crooked jewelry shop owners. La Gata was born and took matters into her hands. Ten years has passed until La Gata showed up again. But this Gata was different. She was brutal and greedy. This was not the Robin Hood from ten years ago.

Ten years my brother chased her throughout the entire Spanish countryside. Chasing every rumor and innuendo that he got his hands on. He even chased a rumor to Russia. Finally, the moment that Alvaro had hoped for, happened. 

La Gata was caught or should I say Las Gatas.

Carolina’s twisted older sister Carmen was the greedy woman who deemed it her mission in life to destroy her baby sister. I could only image what could have become of Carolina if Vanessa Bujan didn’t recruit her best friend Febronia Roca to help get Carolina out of jail. I have never seen friendship like the one between Febronia and Vanessa. The love and respect that they share with each other astonished me.

I wasn’t used to women like them. The women I knew didn’t respect each other. They did all they could to make sure that they were first in line at the workplace. You would have think that in an agency where the men outnumbered the women 8 to 2, that women would have band together. That wasn’t in my case, I lost count of the amount of times I was thrown under the bus by my female counterparts.

Still, I did not expect that I would become friends with the woman I myself hunted. But how can you not be friends with the benevolent soul that is standing in front of me? Alvaro gave me an earful for quitting the force and then opening a detective agency with Carolina.

Thankfully his boss sent Alvaro on another secret mission, so it will be awhile before I heard back from my brother. However, before he left, Alvaro paid a visit to the office. I wasn’t there. Nathan had taken me horseback riding but Carolina was in the office. Not sure what my brother said to her. All I know is that Carolina becomes jumpy whenever his name or her sister’s name is mention.

How long, Gemma? asked Holly. I threw the question back at her. How long, what? Are we playing games?  How long are you planning to play these games?  My eyes narrowed at Holly. I’m not playing any games.  Then why isn’t your butt on a plane to Montana? asked Holly. I sat back down on my chair.

Hard.

How do I answer that? How do I say that I’m scare to death to go to Montana? I’m scared that Nathan might shut the door to my face or worse, his wife might answer the door. Then, I will come face to face with little Nathans. I’m getting ahead of myself. Thinking the worst possible scenario that could possible happen to me in Montana. My eyes blink at that appalling thought of Nathan having children with some other woman. Answer me. said Holly. Great! Just what I need a demanding pregnant woman ordering me about. I snapped What is it that you want from me?  I want what you want. replied Holly flinging her copper hair back. 

My lips smirked You don’t know what I want. She laughed Oh but I do. I was you once.  I knew that Holly was talking about the time her husband Dr. Neil Pavel left her behind.  It worked out in the end. You and Neil are together. 

Holly took out one of the chairs and sat down. We would have been together sooner if only someone told me to get my butt on his plane and tell that man how much I love him. The years that Neil and I weren’t together are the years I deeply regret. I don’t want that for you and Nathan. Look, tell me one thing that you love Nathan? 

I- Shoot, how do I said yes? Yes, I love Nathan. Before I could even answer, Holly answered her question for me. You do love him. I can see the truth on your face. She then turned to Carolina. Apple, are there any can’t wait this is top priority cases? Shaking her head, Carolina replied No. It has been an easy week so far.

Good. Did you get the items I request? asked Holly. Carolina went to her desk and came back with a sealed envelope. She handed the envelope to Holly. I stared back and forth at the two women. What was going on? You are going to Montana. said Holly.

What? I argued I don’t have the time. Holly held up her hand to stopped me from going on with my protests. You heard what Apple said. There are no important cases. I hold in my hand a first class around trip ticket to Montana. Said Holly. I can’t accept.

Yes, you can. argued Holly. The two of us kept going back and forth until Carolina came over to me. She fell to her knees in front me. Grabbing my hands, Carolina said Do it for me. There were tears in her puppy eyes. Looking at her face, I replied Alright, I will go.  Carolina stood up and wiped the tears from her face.

Great, I have the suitcase ready. stated Carolina.  Holly smiled I will call Vanessa.  Vanessa? What does she have to do with this? Hold up, did Carolina said she had the suitcase ready? What suitcase? Where is Carolina going? Is that my black and white checker suitcase that Carolina is rolling? How did she get a hold of my suitcase? The last time I saw it, the suitcase was safety stored in my closet.

Catching my look of confusion, Carolina replied You forgot. Didn’t you?  I just stared. Not knowing what to say. Everything was happening too fast for my brain to register. Carolina continued You forgot who I used to be. You forgot about my special talent. 

Still, my brain came up with nothing. Holly laughed You can’t blame her for forgetting, Apple. You’ve gone soft, Gata.  Carolina recoiled at the mention of her old wanted name.  Despite being six months pregnant, Holly immediately stood up from her chair and ran over to Carolina.  Her arms reached over Carolina, bringing her closer to her. I’m so sorry. You are not that person.

Seven months ago, Carolina hated being touched. Hugs terrified her. I often wonder what her childhood must have been like. It was bad enough that poor girl was born into that atrocious family. I knew that her sister Carmen was still sending her threatening letters and email. How that ghastly excuse of a woman got a hold of pen and paper, yet alone a computer, I will never know. However, Carmen wasn’t the only one writing to her, there was another person.

I pressed Carolina about the mystery writer, but Carolina refused to tell me who it was. The only thing I knew was this mystery writer petrified Carolina even more then her crazy sister. Now, watching the two women embracing, I noticed how much more at ease was Carolina’s body. She had come a long way.

I wasn’t sure what to pack. So, I just threw in some of everything. said Carolina.  I gave Carolina a smile thanking her for packing my suitcase. Inwardly, I groaned.  Carolina is the sweetest, kindest, and gentlest woman I’ve ever meet. However, her sense of style has me starching my head. I can only image what she threw in my suitcase.

Shutting off her cellphone, Holly replied Vanessa will be here soon.  Why is Vanessa coming here? I crossed my fingers. Hoping that Holly did not asked Vanessa to drive me to the airport. My stomach has still not forgotten the last time I was a passenger in Vanessa’s car. 

CHAPTER 2

That day, Arturo and Frolian were at some culinary expo. Arturo didn’t want to go as his wife Julia was due at any moment. However, Julia insisted that he go to the expo. Your son still has one more week before he makes his debut. Two hours later after Arturo and Frolian had left for the expo, Julia’s words came back to bite her.

I had stopped by Listo’s for a quick bite. My brother’s early morning phone call had caused me to miss breakfast.  Maybe next time, I will do the opposite. Catch up on breakfast and skipped the phone call with Alvaro. Today, my brother decided to lecture me on the company I’ve been keeping. While he at least had the decency not to mention the said person by name, I knew he was talking about Carolina.

I’m starting to think that maybe Alvaro’s obsession with Carolina is getting a bit out of hand. Alright, it is getting out of hand. I hate the fact that I’m in the middle. Julia was in the midst of making an espresso for Candido. She was about to grab the cup for the espresso when Julia uttered the words Oh no! Are you alright, my dear? asked a concerned Candido.

My water just broke. replied Julia. For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do. Sure, have someone point a gun to my head and I will take them down calmly in less than five seconds. A pregnant woman saying that her water broke and there I am completely overwhelm in what to do first. Candido came over the counter and shut off the espresso machine. 

It was at this moment that Vanessa walked in thru Listo’s.  Her eagle eye took in the fact that Julia was standing still and Candido was behind the counter. Vanessa asked. Candido, what happened? Julia, are you alright? Gemma, what’s wrong? Candido was trying to get Julia to sit down. For what reason, I have no clue whatsoever. Perhaps, he thought that by Julia sitting down, it might prevent the baby from coming sooner.

Candido then grabbed his phone and went to make some calls.  I tried to explain to Vanessa that Julia’s water broke but all the only word that came out of me was Water. Vanessa proceed to give me what the world is she talking about face. I repeated the word then added some arm expressions. Still nothing. I shouldn’t say nothing.

I believe that Vanessa was to about call in the men in white jackets and nets on me. Julia finally snapped out of wherever she was in and said, My water broke. Now? asked Vanessa. I saw tears gathering in Julia’s forest green eyes. My voice finally came back to me.

It’s going to be alright, Jules.  Instead of bringing her some comfort, my words succeed in making Julia cried even harder. Gemma is right, Jules. Everything is going to be alright. said Vanessa.

No everything is not going to be alright. Arturo is not here. I can’t believe that I told him to go. Vanessa went over to where Julia was sitting and crouch down