A/N- This chapter contains a lot of backstory. And I guess I ought to mention that Paloma and Antonio don't exist. I don't like their characters much. Please read and review. I know a lot of people have been reading this but I only got three reviews for the first chapter and that is so upsetting. Review even if you want to flame me. I can take it.

Chapter 2

Summer, 1975

"Angelo, I'm heading out," a harried Pilar shouted to her boss as she snatched her purse and dashed to the door. It was nearly seven and Pilar knew that if her father made it home before her there'd be hell to pay. He didn't approve of women working but money was so tight Pilar had been forced to hunt for a job behind his back. Angelo had agreed to let her work the morning and lunch shifts at his popular restaurant and she usually made it home before her father finished his shift at the Crane Cannery. But Angelo had been short-staffed today because two of his evening waitresses had come down with the flu and she'd been roped into covering for them. Which wouldn't be a problem if her father had worked the second shift at the Cannery as he'd told Mama he'd have to this morning.

"Take care of yourself cara," Angelo called back.

Pilar was in such a rush, she failed to notice the sheet of ice on the ground in front of the restaurant until she landed on her butt. Her purse went flying the other way and she was scrambling around, trying to stuff everything back in it. She thought she had everything back in it when a helping hand picked up her house keys and handed them to her.

"Thank you," Pilar murmured gratefully.

"No problem, my dear," the gentleman replied in cultured tones and Pilar glanced into the face of the most exciting man she'd seen in her entire life. He wasn't classically handsome, his face too craggy, his dark hair cut military short, and his build too stocky for that but he possessed an aura of absolute confidence that made him seem more appealing than he was. The smile tugging at the corners of his sculpted mouth softened the austere lines of his face and Pilar felt herself smiling back.

"I'm not usually so clumsy but I am in a dreadful hurry and wasn't watching where I was going," Pilar explained with a self deprecating laugh.

"Can I take you anywhere?" he asked motioning to the car that was parked a few feet away and Pilar shook her head. She knew better than to accept a ride from a stranger.

"Thanks but that won't be necessary. I only live a few blocks away. It was nice talking to you. Bye," she called over her shoulder as she dashed off.

As Alistair watched the slender brunette walk away he realized he was trembling and taking a slim cigar out of his pocket, he lighted it, his mind reeling with shock. For he knew without a shadow of a doubt that his life was going to be changed forever.

It was as if he'd stepped back in time. Her resemblance to his love was so striking that Alistair knew the girl in front of him had to be her daughter. Teresa had inherited her mother's lustrous black hair, honey toned complexion and chocolate brown eyes. She even had Pilar's smile.

Teresa waited nervously for Alistair to acknowledge her presence and when he remained quiet she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. He hated her and she was going to lose her job after all the smooth talking she'd had to do in order to land the position in the first place.

"Well girl don't just stand there, come in" Alistair impatiently muttered after a few awkward minutes had passed. "Sit down and join us for lunch," he ordered gruffly, a hint of a smile teasing the corners of his mouth when Teresa did as bidden.

Pilar's daughter, he marveled with a trace of sadness. For he knew that if he had played his cards right she could have been his daughter; his and Pilar's. A daughter born of the great love he had felt for Pilar.

Summer 1975

Alistair hated parties. He knew that as a Crane he was required to attend such functions and that the parties were a necessary nuisance since most of his business was conducted over dancing and cocktails but he hated every minute he was forced to spend at these functions.

Taking a sip of his drink, Alistair looked around the room once more and deciding there was no one he wanted or needed to socialize with he set about making his escape. Then he halted in his tracks when he saw the woman he'd bumped into the other day gracefully weaving her way around the room; a tray of drinks in hand. In spite of the fact that she wore a simple white blouse and tailored black slacks while most of the other women in the room dripped diamonds and were decked to the nines in gorgeous gowns Alistair found her stunning.

"Would you care for a drink sir?" she offered with a shy smile when she noticed him staring at her.

"Thanks," Alistair replied. "I'm Alistair," he added softly when he had snatched a tray of champagne from the tray.

"My name is Pilar," Pilar murmured; her heard beating wildly in her chest.

Though she knew it was old-fashioned Pilar had never believed in pre-marital sex and though her friends had teased her about being a prude Pilar had been bound and determined to remain a virgin until she married. She had never wavered from her beliefs because she had never met a man who tempted her enough to stray. But that had all changed when fate had put Alistair in her path and Pilar was honest enough to admit that it wouldn't take much to have her falling into his lap like a ripe peach.

"Pilar, a beautiful name for a beautiful lady," Alistair murmured.

"I umm…I have to umm get back to work," Pilar stammered a soft blush staining her cheeks at the intensity of his gaze.

"Take a drive with me. I'll wait till you're done here," Alistair asked.

"I can't," Pilar replied knowing her mother would be beside herself if she was even a minute late getting home.

"I'll drive you straight home," Alistair promised somehow divining her thoughts.

"Alright," Pilar murmured without thought. It was enough to know that she'd get to spend a little more time with him.

"Teresita, did you get the job mija?" Pilar asked her daughter in a soft voice.

"Yes, Mama," Teresa replied excitedly. "I was really nervous at first because I've heard such horrifying stories about my boss but Mr. Crane is just as sweet as can be," she added.

"Mr. Crane? You're working for Alistair Crane?" a horrified Pilar cried.

"Yes Mama. I'm Mr. Crane's private nurse," Teresa responded. "Oh, Mama I wish we could talk longer but duty calls. I love you and I will call you again as soon as I'm able," she added disconnecting the call before her mother could protest.

"Dios mio my Teresita has walked straight into the lion's den. What am I going to do?" Pilar wondered a harsh sob escaping her as memories of the past overwhelmed her.

Those hazy days of summer before her nineteenth birthday were the most perfect of her life. Pilar had fallen in love for the first time and because she loved she lost her inhibitions. A scant six weeks after their first meeting she and Alistair became lovers. Her first time was everything she'd ever dreamed of. Alistair was so tender, so passionate that she lost herself wholly in the moment. Afterwards, cradling her possessively in his arms Alistair had whispered that he loved her. The words had eased the anxiety she'd been feeling and had assured her she hadn't made a mistake in giving herself to him.

What a fool she'd been to believe that a man as rich and powerful as Alistair Crane had fallen in love with a nobody from the wrong side of the tracks. She'd been just another notch on his belt, an amusement he'd passed the time with before he took over the reins of Crane Industries from his father and settled down to married life with Rachael Alcott. But oh how she had paid for her naiveté. Her ill advised affair with Alistair had come at a high price. Penniless and pregnant she'd been forced to marry a man she didn't love to hide her shame. Martin had hated knowing he held second place in her affections and when she'd miscarried the babe she carried he'd been overjoyed. She'd never been able to forgive him for that and their nine years of marriage had been filled with nothing but strife. It had almost been a blessing when he'd walked out on her. At last she'd been free though she'd struggled without Martin's check to supplement their income. Luis had suffered terribly when his father had disappeared but Teresa and Miguel had been too young to feel Martin's absence and Pilar did her best to make sure they didn't suffer the effects of Martin's neglect.

Gazing at the photo of his beloved Pilar, Alistair formulated his plan. He'd spoken earlier to his lawyer and the man knew what Alistair wanted. Now all he needed was to convince Teresa that his plan had merit. She was the tool he'd use to get revenge on his family and to right the mistakes of the past. He refused to die without gaining Pilar's forgiveness. She had to know that he'd really and truly loved her. Come hell or high water he was going to atone for what he'd done in the past. And the lovely Teresa was the key to his plans. Oh yes, it had been a stroke of luck that Pilar's beautiful daughter had become his new nurse. It made things so much easier.