Chapter Twelve: Black Stones
"Impossible! My dear, Antonio never has time for women." Shifting his flabby body in the cushioned deck chair, Don Jose gazed at the slim English beauty lying beside him by the pool. "What goes on inside that clever little head of yours, Catherine? Why all the sudden interest in my naughty nephew's social life?"
"Well . . . I thought I saw him with someone. The other day, I mean. It was down in the village, just before my accident. Ow!" Catherine yelped because the physical therapist had just given her sprained ankle a painful twist.
"Careful, Consuela! La joven es muy delicada." Don Jose scolded the big-bosomed woman in the starched white nurse's uniform, but his warm, dark-brown eyes were twinkling with laughter. He knew his charming English guest was recovering rapidly from her injuries. And she was also receiving the very best of medical care.
"I am not delicate." Catherine adored her new business partner, but she hated the slow pace of her recovery. In the morning, she swam laps and worked out with weights. In the afternoon, all she did was relax by the pool with Don Jose. She enjoyed her daily sessions with the physical therapist, (even when Consuela got a bit rough) but she didn't want to forget her plans about opening a brand new dance club in Puerto Tranquillo.
"So what was she like, this mystery woman?" Don Jose chuckled, politely turning his gaze elsewhere as Consuela untied the girl's bikini top and began rubbing her shoulders with scented oil.
"Well . . . she was very pretty." Catherine closed her eyes, letting the misty images gradually take form. "Her hair was very long, down to her waist, and so black it gleamed. She had enormous brown eyes. And a figure I would positively die for!"
"And were you burning with jealousy, watching Antonio and the mystery girl make romantic plans together?" Don Jose gave a chuckle. He clearly wasn't taking the conversation very seriously.
"It wasn't like that!" Catherine's temper flared, but she told herself it was no concern of hers what Antonio did with his time. Instead she just focused on the massage, enjoying the way Consuela's cunning hands soothed the soreness from tired muscles.
"It was not like that? Then what was it like? Beautiful Catherine, do not tantalize me!"
"They were fighting." Catherine sighed, remembering the scene as though it were a dream. "She was asking for something, begging for something. There were tears in her eyes. But Antonio just sat there. His eyes were like. . . like black stones. And then she gave him the gold chain she was wearing. I think it was gold. Each link was a jumping fish, whales or dolphins or something."
"And he took it from her? He took the gold necklace?"
"Mm." Catherine couldn't see the anger on Don Jose's round face. Now that she'd gotten things off her chest, it was amazing to feel so relaxed. Her strenuous physical therapy sessions always ended with a brisk and invigorating massage. Catherine felt as if she had no more aches and pains. Her entire body felt marvelous.
"Forgive me, beautiful one, but I must go into the village. Business matters, very urgent." Don Jose was rising from his deck chair, getting his things together in a great hurry.
"Business?" Catherine half-opened her heavy eyes. But Don Jose shushed her with a joke about making Consuela earn her money. Then he bent down and kissed her goodbye, telling her to stay out of trouble and be a good girl. Catherine didn't really mind. She felt safe, cherished. She was still smiling when she fell asleep.