The Spanish Merchant’s Kiss (Book 4)

Chapter 2

Vicente

Ines left my side almost immediately when she saw her father. She had ran to him and he swept her up in his arms and kissed her cheek.

Señor Hector was a great man and everyone knew how much he loved his family. That had been clear as day when he had arrived to Costa Brava with his wife Benita and Ines as a baby.

I was too young to remember, but Mother said that people began to whisper and point fingers at Benita. Her brown skin stood out and the small minded began to talk. However, one night when Señor Hector had made a trip to town, he set the record straight with everyone.

A man had asked him if he was serious about tying himself to a “a woman like Benita” and if “having a family with her was a good idea.” Both Father and Mother along with other townspeople had gotten involved to argue with the man but Señor Hector pinned him to the wall before anyone could get to him.

Father told me that he looked him and everyone else in the eyes and warned them that he would do anything to protect his wife and daughter from hatred and violence, and if they had anything negative to say, that they should keep it to themselves-or else he’d be happy to remove their tongue.

And ever since, the whispers and gossip stopped. And even though there were still ignorant people among us, no one said anything because they knew better.

The Diaz family was loved and respected by everyone, and anyone who dared to act otherwise would have the entire town to go against.

“They’re such a beautiful family aren’t they?” Mother said as she approached me. She was carrying a bag of flour and nodded towards Benita, Ines and Hector.

“That they are.” I responded, taking the bag from her. She fixed her brown hair which was in a bun and dusted off her green dress and white apron.

“And Ines, she’s gotten so beautiful too.” Mother added, as she slung a bag full of spices over her shoulder.

I looked back at Ines was who chatting and laughing with her father. She had smooth brown skin, large dark eyes, short, dark curly hair that reached her jaw and a petite figure. She was probably a foot and a half shorter than I but she still looked strong.

And it was true- I had basically seen Ines grow up and she was very beautiful. She had been a little girl running through the streets in mud soaked shoes picking flowers, chasing her friends and playing with the birds on the beach.

She especially spent her time watching the fireflies and trying to catch them in her hands.

Now she was a kind, warm and bright young woman.

“Yes, she has.” I responded.

Mother smiled and c****d her head to the side. “Would you happen to know if any young gentleman is in pursuit of her? Or if she has any suitors at all?”

I looked at her confused. “No..I don’t.. why?”

Before I could ask more she waved the Diaz family over. When they reached us Mother hugged Benita and Ines.

“Hector! How was your trip?” Mother asked.

Señor Hector sighed. “Too long and too exhaustive. I’m glad to be back. I missed my family so much.” He said as he kissed the cheek of both his wife and daughter.

“Yes, we must get home. My husband hasn’t had a decent meal in months!” Benita said hugging her husband.

“Excellent! Then you all must join us for dinner!” Mother said beaming.

I looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

“Oh no! We won’t intrude!” Ines said quickly.

“Oh none of that! My husband just picked up a large cut of pork from the butcher’s. Please, join us! I insist!” Mother said then turned to me. “Isn’t that right Vicente? Wouldn’t it be great to have Ines and her family join us for dinner?”

I blinked at her in confusion. Where did all of this come from?

Either way, I liked the Diaz family and wouldn’t mind having them over for a bit. “Of course. It’d be nice if you’d join us.”

Benita and Hector eyed eachother then nodded but Ines looked like she wanted to run away. They both began to walk towards the house but Isabella didn’t move.

“Ines sweetie, are you alright?” Mother asked her.

She nodded but didn’t move.

I looked Ines over, trying to see if there was anything wrong with her but she looked fine. Her pale yellow dress was clean and neat, her hair was shiny and eyes wide.

Her hands were still scraped from where she fell but I also noticed she was trembling a bit.

“Ines? Are you sure you’re alright?” I asked her. She looked at me with her large brown eyes and the moment we made eye contact she let out a small breath. She fixed her already smooth skirt and gave me a tight smile.

“Yes of course.” She said quickly.

“Well great! Vicente I’m going to catch up to Benita and Hector and get these spices to your father. Please be a dear and walk with Ines, just to make sure she’s alright.” Mother said with a large smile then walked away quickly before I could say anything.

Both Ines and I looked after her, a bit confused with what was happening.

“I guess we should get going then..” I said.

Ines nodded slowly and then we both started heading towards my parent’s house. As we did, I noticed that she was picking at her bag and looking everywhere but at me.

Maybe she felt uncomfortable because we weren’t exactly close.. She didn’t say a word and she was biting her lip. So, I decided to make conversation.

“So Ines, do you have any suitors?” I asked.

“Excuse me??” She replied in shock. Her eyes were wide with horror and she stopped walking.

I let out a laugh and that only shocked her even more.

“‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say it like that. I’m just asking because my mother wanted to know if you were involved with anyone. And I also wanted to break the silence.” I replied and smiled.

She gave me a tight smile back and then shook her head. “No. I have no suitors, and I’m not involved with anyone.” We began to walk again and she spoke up. “Why does your mother want to know?”

I sighed and shrugged again. “I’m not sure. My mother’s mind is a maze, Father says that even after 33 years of marriage he’s still clueless as to what she’s thinking. I don’t even think my mother knows why she’s curious.”

Ines shrugged too as we arrived at the house. “Your Mother seems like a smart woman. Maybe she has a good reason.”

I smiled and nodded, “Maybe.”