“Sí,” I said. I handed him the keys, and his eyes filled with excitement.
Then I went in and found Señora Davila folding towels she had just washed.
“Back again so soon? Is something wrong?”
“No, something is right, Señora Davila. Did you get the letter off to Ignacio?”
“This morning,” she said, nodding.
“I need now to get this to him,” I said, handing her the additional letter and information. “It will tell him about my trip.”
“So, you are really going?”
“Sí.”
“You will come back before?”
“If you like.”
“I have some things I would like you to bring him,” she said.
“Then I will be back. I have to rush off now,” I said. “I’m sorry.”
She took the letter, and we hugged. I hurried out. Santos was sitting in the car, dreaming of driving it. He got out quickly, surprised at how short my visit was.
“It is a beautiful car,” he said. He handed the keys back to me.
“Maybe next time I come, I will have time to take you for a little ride in it.”
“Maybe,” he said.
I got in and started the engine
“The top goes down?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’ll show you.”
I lowered the top, and his eyes widened with appreciation.
“When you take me for a ride, I’d like the top down, too.”
“Okay. I will see you soon,” I said, and backed out. I was very excited about everything and had to remind myself to keep my attention on my driving.
When I turned and started away, I checked my rearview mirror.
My heart sank.
There, parked on the street, watching me, were Christian and Sophia in Christian’s car.
They had followed me.
That was why she had asked him to pick her up and why the alarm was going off inside me. Instinctively, like a wild animal in the desert, I sensed the danger. I should have listened to the alarm and anticipated something like this.
I slowed down to see if they would follow me again. When I reached the corner, I stopped and watched them. Christian started his car and drove up to the Davilas’ house. I saw Santos turn with surprise when Sophia got out of the car. She walked toward him.
A car had come up behind me, and the driver leaned on his horn, making me jump in my seat. I accelerated quickly and drove on, my heart pounding harder than the engine, all the way to Fani’s house.
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