Chapter ten
The Oasis
Summer 1922
Do you ever smile?
C atalina didn’t know why her feet carried her back to the Oasis. Well, that wasn’t true. She knew exactly why.
It was him.
Carlos .
The boy with the broad shoulders, quiet scowls, and eyes that seemed to see straight through her. He’d been grumpy, curt, and borderline rude the first time they met. And yet, something about him made her chest feel lighter.
Her sandals crunched softly over the forest floor as she followed the familiar path. He was going to be annoyed. She could already picture the way his hazel eyes would narrow, his lips pressing into a thin line as he muttered some excuse to make her leave.
But he wouldn’t mean it.
The Oasis opened up before her, sunlight spilling over the clear spring water like gold. Carlos crouched near the edge of the water. His dark curls fell over his forehead, and the muscles in his forearms flexed as he sharpened his carving knife.
Her breath caught at the sight.
“Hola, Carlos,” she called out, stepping behind him with a bright smile.
He let out a slow breath before turning to face her. “You again,” he muttered, but not as sharp as she’d expected.
Catalina grinned, walking closer. “Miss me?”
He snorted. “What are you doing here?”
“I was bored. And I kinda like it here.”
“You shouldn’t keep coming back. Someone will notice.” His eyes narrowed slightly.
“I’m careful,” she said, brushing past him to sit on the grass near the water.
He huffed, muttering something under his breath as he returned to his carving.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she said, taking a seat across from him on the grass.
“What question?” he asked, not looking up.
“Did you miss me?”
“Why would I miss you when you’re nothing but trouble?”
“Because I’m fun.” She leaned back on her hands. “And deep down, you like having me around.”
Carlos didn’t answer, but I could feel the way her presence stirred something inside of him.
And Catalina didn’t understand why she liked being there; he was stubborn and far too serious.
She rested her chin on her knees, watching him.
“How old are you Carlos?” she asked, breaking the silence that stretched around them.
“Why?” He frowned.
A smile tugged at her lips at his frown. “Because I want to know why you act like an old man.”
“I’m nineteen.”
“Really? Only two years older than me? I would’ve guessed forty.” She stifled a laugh.
Carlos gave her a flat look, but the faintest smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth.
“Do you ever smile?”
He paused, his hand tightened on the knife. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“Is that bad?” She lifted her head to look at him. “I’m trying to get to know you.”
Her words caught him off guard. No one had ever bothered to get to know him before. “Why?”
“Why not?” She smiled, and he didn’t like the way his body reacted to her smile. She leaned closer. “You still haven’t answered me.”
“Answer what?” It was hard to think when she was this close.
“Do you smile?”
“I smile plenty.” He shook his head to break whatever spell she was putting on him. He tried to focus on the carving on his lap, but it was impossible with her around. She had a way of filling his mind with thoughts he had no business entertaining.
Catalina grinned, her curls bouncing as she tilted her head. “I don’t believe you. Not even for a second.”
“That sounds like a personal problem.”
“I guess it is. I’ve decided it’s my mission to make you smile.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Challenge accepted.”