Page 31 of Tryst's Temptation
“I guess I knew that, although I never really thought about it.”
“I am fifty, so perhaps it is more relevant to me.”
Brix shook his head. “You are in better physical condition than I am, Uncle.”
“While you are taking Addy to her mother’s, I need to stop by Los Caballeros.”
“I’ll go with you if you don’t mind waiting.”
“I don’t want to delay our arrival in Napa. I will run my errand, then return to the airfield.”
Brix nodded. “Understood.”
I had no intention of sharing my reason for visiting Los Caballeros, since it would only be a quick stop after my real destination, where Jaicon and Luisa were. Quite simply, I wanted to see her. Perhaps it was more of a need.
I approached the gates of Butler Ranch and, once granted access, pulled up near the main residence, went to the front door, and knocked. Laird opened it, welcomed me inside, and we embraced like the two old friends we were.
“I’m here to speak with Jaicon before traveling to the Barrett estate,” I said.
“Please give our condolences to Martin and to Press and Beau.”
“I will.”
He motioned to Jaicon, who stood not far from the kitchen.
“Tryst? I’m surprised to see you here,” she said when I approached.
“I’m on my way to Napa and don’t have much time. May I speak with you privately?”
“Of course.”
I led her outside, to the front porch, longing to pull her into my arms and tell her how much I missed her, even after two days. I didn’t, though. I merely rested my hand on the small of her back. “I am uncomfortable with the way we left things,” I began. “The kiss—”
“Tryst, please do not apologize. We’re both to blame.”
“Blame?” My heart hurt. “While I regret how we parted, I do not regret kissing you.”
When she turned away, I put my hand on her shoulder. “Please do not run from me again, Jacy.”
She walked to the edge of the porch, hugged herself, and looked up at the sky. “A few minutes before it happened, I thought about the two of us and howif onlywe’d met in another time and another place,if onlywe weren’t so far apart in age. It went on and on, Tryst.”
I stepped closer, wishing she’d turn to me, but spoke anyway when she didn’t. “If we’d met when Rosa or your husband were still alive, we would not have become more than acquaintances. I cannot dispute the age difference except to say it doesn’t matter to me. If it does to you…” I shook my head.
“It doesn’t, but there’s more. You live in Mexico. I don’t live anywhere. I can’t remember the last time I spent more than a few days at my flat in London. And now, commanding this new unit, Merrigan said the base of operation could be anywhere. It would’ve been easier if she’d made the decision for me.”
“She made no suggestions?”
“She did.”
I breathed a sigh of relief when her eyes met mine. “Where, Jacy?”
“I asked if it would be necessary for me to work out of the UK or somewhere else in Eurasia, and she said it wasn’t.”
“Where?” I whispered.
“She said it could be in the US or even Mexico.”
I smiled. “Alamos, Mexico?”