Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
“C an you pick me up?” Bella said as they stood on the walkway to Cynthia’s front door.
Antonio’s heart flipped when she gazed up at him with those big, gorgeous brown eyes. How could he deny this kid anything when she looked at him like that? Like he hung the moon or like he could fight off dragons for her? Having her and Scarlett in his life was becoming one of the greatest gifts he had ever received. If she wanted him to carry her around, no problem.
“Bella, you can walk,” Scarlett said, cutting into his thoughts as she started up the walkway to Cynthia’s front door. “You’re too big for someone to be carrying you around.”
Bella continued gazing up at Antonio, and he laughed as he lifted her into his arms. “Are you trying to get me into trouble with your mom?” he whispered and placed a kiss on her soft cheek and started after Scarlett.
“No,” she said innocently. “I just like it when you carry me, and you smell really good.”
As if to punctuate how she felt, she rested her head on his shoulder. That move alone was worth the wrath, which Scarlett might leash on him when she realized he was carrying Bella. Once again, he had fallen for her cuteness.
“Tony, you’re spoiling her. She’s not a baby, even if she acts like one sometimes,” Scarlett grumbled when she glanced back at them .
For a person who wasn’t a fan of people shortening his name, Antonio loved when his girls called him Tony. It might not seem like a big deal to some, but it felt intimate… special. Like something that was just between the three of them, and he cherished it and them.
He hadn’t planned to join them at Cynthia’s house this afternoon. He only planned to drop them off and then pick them up after their visit. However, Bella’s great-grandmother had other ideas. She called Scarlett that morning and insisted she bring him to meet her.
When Scarlett mentioned it to him, he had declined. No way did he want to infringe on their visit, but Scarlett and Bella wanted him there.
Seconds after Scarlett pushed the doorbell, the large oak door swung open, and they were greeted by Cynthia’s assistant, Nancy. The tall, rail-thin woman was dressed in a crisp white, short-sleeve blouse and navy-blue pants with matching flats. This woman was all business. Her fair complexion gained a little pink in her cheeks when her lips formed into an infectious smile.
“Come in. Come in. Welcome back,” she said and hugged Scarlett like they were old friends, then turned to Antonio and Bella.
“Nancy, this is Ton—I mean Antonio,” Scarlett said and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. It was interesting how neither Scarlett nor Bella seemed very comfortable in the stately home.
Nancy gave him a slight nod and a warm smile. “Nice to meet you, Antonio. Glad you could join us.”
“It’s my pleasure. Thanks for making the arrangements.”
“No problem.” She smiled warmly. “And hi there, Miss Bella. You’re growing up so fast.”
Bella gave Nancy a shy smile and said hi as she held on tighter around Antonio’s neck as if making sure he didn’t put her down.
“Mrs. Cynthia is anxious to see you all and has arranged for a lunch buffet on the lanai.”
As they strolled through the stately home, Antonio admired the detailed architecture and twenty-foot ceilings. The space had an old-world charm with wood detailing everywhere, including the beams overhead and the dual, spiral staircase. Shiny travertine floors, antique furnishings, and oil paintings filled the enormous space.
The size of the mansion reminded him of his Jenkins family estate, but this place lacked the warmth of his grandparents’ home. There were no personal photos lining the walls, no kids of all ages running through the hallway, and the house was eerily quiet.
Was this why Bella and Scarlett didn’t visit often?
“Here we are,” Nancy announced, stopping after what seemed like a mile of walking. “Mrs. Cynthia, your guests are here.”
The smell of barbecue permeated the air, and Antonio realized just how hungry he was as they entered the lanai. The massive screened-in area held an outdoor kitchen and a buffet table loaded with various dishes. He looked left to spy a cozy sitting area in front of a fireplace as well as a dining table. Straight ahead his gaze took in the lap pool, and just beyond that was a man-made private lake.
The space was more welcoming than the rest of the house, and he assumed this was where Cynthia spent much of her time. The older woman sat on the edge of the lanai, close to the pool, in a shaded area. Huge sunglasses covered much of her face, and she wore a short-sleeve, stylish floral dress that flowed to her ankles.
Cynthia removed her shades and a slow smile kicked up the corners of her pinkish-red lips. Considering Scarlett had mentioned the woman was eighty, her sepia-tone skin gleamed, and her face wasn’t as full of wrinkles as one would expect. Her silver-gray hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and there was a regalness about her that showed even in the way she tilted her head slightly.
“My girls are here.” She beamed but didn’t stand.
Scarlett reached for Bella, then set her on her feet before guiding her closer to the woman. Antonio gave them space to greet Bella’s great-grandmother alone. The moment after hellos and hugs were exchanged, Cynthia glanced at him and smiled.
“This must be Antonio. Welcome to my home,” she greeted. He moved closer, prepared to shake her hand, but she said, “I only accept hugs.”
He grinned and obliged. “Thank you for the invitation. You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you, dear.” She patted his arm. “But you’re too kind. You probably felt as if you were walking through a museum of classical antiquities,” she cracked, and he chuckled. “I’ve thought about having the place remodeled, but these days, I spend most of my time out here or in my bedroom. So, I figure why bother.”
“Understandable,” Antonio said and gave the area a cursory glance. “It’s very peaceful out here.”
“It is, especially in the early mornings and late evenings.” She adjusted in her seat as if she were about to stand. “If you don’t mind helping an old lady to her feet, we can go ahead and eat,” Cynthia said.
“It would be my pleasure.” Antonio helped her stand, and she held on to his arm as she shuffled alongside of him until they reached the table. He pulled out the chair for her and helped her sit down.
When Cynthia glanced up to thank him, Antonio could see features of Bella around her eyes and nose. Though Bella was a splitting image of Scarlett, she clearly must have inherited some of her father’s features.
A short while later, with plates piled high, the conversation flowed easily. Cynthia did a masterful job in including all of them in the chit-chat. Clearly she adored Scarlett and Bella, constantly referring to them as her girls. She asked about everything they’d been up to and what they had planned for the summer. She hinted about the trio visiting more but quickly backed off, understanding that they had their own lives to live.
Antonio could only imagine how lonely it must get in such a huge home, with no one but the hired help fluttering around. Though he was a part of a close-knit, large family, he was concerned about growing old alone. But now with Scarlett and Bella in his life, hopefully, that wouldn’t be the case.
The meal, including barbecue ribs, roasted chicken, a green salad, a potato salad, and other dishes, could easily feed twenty people, though it was just the four of them. Antonio wondered if she entertained often, considering how perfectly everything was laid out. His grandmother, who loved hosting gatherings, would be impressed.
He lifted his glass of water and drank heartily until Cynthia asked, “What are your intentions with my girls?”
Water spewed from his mouth, and Antonio choked-coughed as he struggled to recover from the question. Bella, sitting next to him, cracked up, but Scarlett, who was directly across from him, appeared to be as surprised as he was.
Are you okay? she mouthed.
He gave a jerky nod and hurried to wipe up his mess with the cloth napkin that had been in his lap.
Instead of looking at Cynthia, he directed his attention to Scarlett when he finally responded. “I assure you Mrs. Cynthia, my intentions are honorable. Your girls are in good hands with me.”
After a slight hesitation, the woman said, “That’s the perfect answer, Antonio. I’m sure time will tell if it’s accurate though.”
Antonio’s gaze snapped to Cynthia’s. There was a note of something in her tone that set him on edge. Was she pissed that he was getting a shot with Scarlett when her grandson should be the one sitting at the table? Or was he just reading too much into her words and her tone?
By the ambivalent gleam in her eyes and the firm set of her mouth, he didn’t think so. Then again, he wasn’t sure what to think since the conversation had veered so suddenly.
All Antonio knew for sure was he wouldn’t let Bella’s great-grandmother or anyone else come between him and Scarlett. She was a woman he’d fight for… her and Bella.