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AFTER STEVIE HAD BEEN TUCKED in bed, Ethan touched Mercy’s hand. "How about watching a movie? I'll make popcorn."
He didn't want the evening to end. Somehow, this small guesthouse had become more attractive to him than the mansion with big-screen TVs and loud speakers. And he sensed by the look in her eyes that she was ready for a step forward in their marriage.
He’d been ready for many steps forward from day one, and it had taken every ounce of his patience to force himself not to do it.
Mercy’s eyes softened. "Really?"
"Well, popcorn is about the only thing I know how to cook."
She smiled. "Not that. I just never knew you for a homebody."
Maybe because he’d never had Mercy at home before. Ethan held his tongue.
He brought a bowl of popcorn into the living room, its buttery scent spreading through the house. After a small, playful fight over the remote control, he surrendered it, and they settled on a sitcom they both liked.
When the sitcom was over, her eyes dimmed. "I forgot to tell you something. Thank you for getting me a credit card, but I can’t use it. Except for groceries."
He shook his head. "You’re my wife now. It’s your direct obligation to spend my money."
She chuckled. "Maybe just for the things Stevie needs. I can finally..." She stopped without finishing the sentence.
"Why haven’t you let me help you?" Ethan blurted out. Well, he’d paid some of Cole’s debts behind her back and had treated Mercy and Stevie to dinners after she’d become a widow. But he wished he’d done much more than that.
Mercy sighed. “Because I didn’t want to owe you, too. I had to stand on my own two feet. I didn’t want your pity. And... I guess I didn’t want you to tell me I told you so.”
For the second time that evening, Ethan held his tongue. He’d warned Mercy that Cole had been up to no good, but the warning had been based more on Ethan’s instincts rather than on facts. And he could’ve been biased because a large dosage of jealousy had been added to those instincts.
“I wouldn’t have pitied you. I always admired you. And you’d never owe me anything,” he said quietly.
Mercy reached for his hand, making his heartbeat speed up. “You’ve already done enough for me and Stevie. You took us out to dinner. You fixed my car for free. You bought Stevie gifts. And now you paid all his medical bills.”
“I don’t want you to suffer. I never wanted you to suffer.” He squeezed her fingers slightly.
She looked so pretty in the dim light of the lamp, her blonde curly hair slightly disheveled, her blue eyes having a spark he hadn’t noticed in them before. Even better, the imprint of despair was no longer in her eyes.
“You’re not going to ask how Cole racked up such huge debts?” She leaned closer to him. Her scent was a mixture of tomatoes, avocado, spices, and some flowers. Oh, yes, hyacinths.
Mercy’s scent, her closeness wreaked havoc on his senses. He longed to run his fingers through her long hair, to feel its silkiness.
Her eyes widened. “You know, right? You already knew he had a gambling issue.”
Ethan shrugged. “It’s a small town. And let’s say I made some inquiries.” He hoped she wouldn’t guess what he’d done after he’d learned the truth about Cole.
Mercy slid her hand out of his and pinned him with a stare. “You knew... And...” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, no! You paid some of his debts.”
Ethan figured, as far as they’d already started this difficult conversation, he might as well ask. “Cole spent all the money he and you earned, was rarely at home, and wasn’t a good father to Stevie. Why didn’t you divorce him?”
Her eyes misted.
Ethan’s heart sank. Had he pushed her too far? Or... “Did you love him that much?” A shiver of fear ran down his back. “Do you... still?” He should’ve asked those questions before proposing to her.
“I loved Cole very much when we married. But that love took a heavy hit when he learned I was pregnant with Stevie. I thought he’d be as ecstatic as I was. Instead, he wanted me to have an abortion.”
“Oh, Mercy... That’s horrible.” Indignation at Cole warred with compassion for Mercy inside Ethan. He couldn’t even imagine Stevie not existing.
“Then Cole’s disappearances started, as well as angry outbursts, and my love was dying little by little.” Mercy sighed again. “See, love wasn’t the reason I stayed by his side all this time. First, it was hope Cole would change when he’d hold his son in his arms, or he’d see Stevie’s first smile, watch our child take the first step.” She paused.
That was Mercy, all right. An eternal optimist.
Admiration for her spread inside Ethan. He wanted to hug her, bring her close. But he was afraid to spook her and ruin the fragile connection between them.
She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling from unshed tears. “When Cole didn’t change and refused to get help, I wanted to leave many times. But I gave my vow. I believe in marriage until the very end.”
It took all Ethan’s willpower not to take her in his arms right then and there.
She reached for his hand and laced her fingers through his. “Thank you for being patient with me.”
“You’re worth it.” His heart shifted in his chest.
For several moments, they sat in silence, neither one saying a word. But even simply being in Mercy’s presence, her hand in his, was precious to him.
Her words gave Ethan hope she wouldn’t divorce him once the year was over. But he was a demanding man. He didn’t just want Mercy’s hand in marriage. He wanted her heart. And apparently, that heart hadn’t healed yet after Cole had stomped on it again and again.
In their teenage years, Ethan had been so used to always having Mercy by his side that he’d taken her for granted. He hadn’t noticed how an ugly duckling had become a swan, an awkward teenager had turned into an attractive young woman, until somebody else had.
Then it had been too late to change anything. He’d had to endure Mercy talking about dates with Cole, about their first embrace, first kiss when all Ethan had wanted was to be in the other man’s place. At least, thankfully, he’d known that Mercy wanted to wait until marriage.
Still, the fire of jealousy had consumed Ethan then. The only way to douse that fire had been to date other girls. But he couldn’t find another Mercy.
Her lower lip trembled. “Sometimes I felt it was my fault somehow.”
His jaw dropped. “How could it be your fault?”
“I wasn’t enough, so Cole had to seek something outside our marriage.”
“You’re more than enough.” Ethan’s heart nearly broke for her.
Mercy shook her head. “I was never enough for you, either. I’ll tell you a little secret. At fifteen, when I met you, I had a crush on you. But you dated a different girl every week, and I was just a buddy for you. And let’s face it, I was a late bloomer.” She withdrew her hand.
He missed the warmth of her fingers immediately.
They had never been on the same page.
Ethan could’ve kicked himself.
“On the other hand, if I hadn’t married Cole, I wouldn’t have had Stevie. And I wouldn’t trade my little boy for the world.” Mercy smiled.
A man could have only so much patience.
Ethan leaned to her and cupped her face. “I’m glad we got this chance to start anew. In case you haven’t figured it out, I like you. I like you a lot.” He much more than liked her, but he didn’t want to scare her off.
She’d changed a lot during the years he’d forced himself to stay away from her. The new Mercy was much more cautious and careful than the Mercy he’d once known.
Her eyes darkened. “You don’t need to use your techniques on me. I’m already your wife, and I know the rules of the arrangement.”
Ethan tensed. Apparently, the new Mercy was even more cautious than he’d thought.
“I mean it. Don’t you know how lovely, kind, and sweet you are?” He moved his thumb over her smooth skin slowly.
With a soft sigh, she shifted closer, and his pulse went into overdrive. Several more inches, and he’d be able to kiss her. His breath caught in his throat just at the thought.
Really kiss her.
The kiss at the wedding had been so fast, as Mercy had withdrawn much sooner than he would’ve liked.
Her lips opened.
Yes, a man could have only so much patience.
Ethan brushed his lips against hers tentatively, half expecting her to pull away. When she didn’t, he deepened the kiss ever so slightly, and the world became vibrant with colors. His heart was beating wildly against his rib cage. A wave of elation swept him up and carried him away, somewhere where only the two of them existed.
When Mercy pulled away, the expression in her eyes was dazed.
She touched her mouth with her fingertips. “That was incredible. But it doesn’t change the truth.”
The elation he’d felt a moment ago evaporated. “And the truth is...?”
Her expression hardened. “Cole couldn’t wait to find diversion away from me. Besides, I’m sure you’ve met plenty of lovely, kind, sweet women. You didn’t stay with any of them.” She rose to her feet. “I need to check on Stevie.”
As Mercy disappeared down the hall, Ethan whispered to nobody in particular, “I didn’t stay with any of them because none of them was Mercy.”
But was that the only reason?
***
A WEEK LATER, MERCY glanced at a little hill of cornhusks and masa on the table. Making tamales from scratch was a time-consuming task. It was best when several people made them, like when she’d made them with her mother.
No matter.
She had time, another luxury she hadn’t had before her marriage to Ethan. She could surprise her husband and son with homemade tamales. From dinners at Ethan’s parents’ place, she knew he loved them.
Okay, she had the corn masa dough ready, as well as cooked and shredded chicken.
Mercy covered the first corn husk with the masa, careful not to reach the ages. Then she spread soft cooked chicken over the masa. Next, she just rolled the tamale, her movements fast. First tamale, second one, third one...
While her hands were occupied, her mind kept wandering to Ethan. Today was Saturday, and Ethan was spending it with Stevie, first playing with toy cars and now reading him a book.
Ethan had also taken time off to go with her and Stevie to her son’s therapy and learned to care for his incisions better than she had. Her heart warmed. Ethan said he couldn’t wait to take Stevie to a park, but she and Ethan had agreed that Stevie might not be strong enough yet. They hadn’t even dared to brave the tree house Ethan had built in the yard behind the guesthouse.
Okay, about a dozen tamales were done.
As much as Mercy strained her memory, she couldn’t recall Cole spending much time with Stevie. Having a child had obviously been a burden to Cole.
She’d tried so hard to give her little boy love for both parents, but now it was as if a heavy mountain weighing on her chest had been removed. She felt light with relief that she wasn’t alone anymore in her struggle to keep her son healthy and happy.
The large bowl in front of her was filling up with tamales, ready to be steamed, and the hill of cornhusks was diminishing.
Ethan obviously adored Stevie with the love of a caring father, and Stevie responded in the same way. And she couldn’t deny there was an invisible connection between her and Ethan, which grew stronger with each evening spent together. She’d felt safe snuggled up to her husband while they watched a movie or a cartoon with Stevie, or read a book to her son.
Something shifted in her chest. She finally felt cared for. And the kisses she and Ethan had shared had made her deliciously dizzy.
But what would happen in a year, when Ethan would be able to leave her and still keep the auto shop chain? The thought was like a stab to her heart.
She needed to concentrate on something else. Oh, yes, right, tamales. She finished another dozen and checked on the peach cobbler in the oven, Stevie’s favorite dessert. The delicious aroma made her mouth water. She put on mitts and removed the cobbler from the spacious oven.
Ethan had offered to let her use the kitchen in the mansion, and she’d agreed. Everything was bigger there than in the guesthouse. But the main thing, the dining room had a much larger and more convenient table than the tiny table in the guesthouse that was located in the living room. Besides, the mansion provided space for Stevie to drive his new little car Ethan had bought for him today.
Mercy grinned. Ethan was spoiling her son rotten.
Now all the masa, cornhusks, and chicken were used up. She needed to start steaming the tamales in the brand-new steamer Ethan had bought for her, together with tons of other kitchen equipment.
The sound of the doorbell made her wince. Ethan had a key, and somehow she didn’t think it was a neighborly visit to borrow some bread or coffee, the way she used to.
Mercy froze. Should she answer? Most likely, this would be one of Ethan’s female friends.
The doorbell rang again, nonstop this time. The guest was an impatient one. Would she eventually go away? The splitting noise in Mercy’s eardrums told her that was highly unlikely.
Mercy dragged herself to the door and opened it.
“Finally!” A beautiful redheaded woman in a beige designer suit tapped at the asphalt with her foot. She grimaced when she saw Mercy. “You’re not Ethan.”
I wonder how you figured that out.
Mercy pushed sarcasm out of her voice. “Good evening. I’m...”
The woman moved past Mercy inside the house, barely sparing her a glance, and even that one was at Mercy’s apron. “It’s about time Ethan hires a cook. Though I’d go with a man. Make sure you answer the door faster next time. Or you might be out of a job like that.” The woman snapped her fingers.
Mercy hiked her chin. “Let me introduce myself.”
The woman waved her off like an annoying gnat. “I don’t care for your name. Go tell Ethan that Leah is here. His girlfriend,” she added, as if for emphasis.
Girlfriend?
A wave of anger burned Mercy’s insides, and she made an effort to push it away. “Ma’am, Mr. Echeverría is not here at the moment.” She was about to say that she was Mrs. Echeverría and could go get him from the guesthouse.
The woman interrupted her again, “So I see. Make sure you tell him Leah stopped by. I need him to call me. It’s important.” Leah headed to the door, muttering something about how difficult it was to find good help these days.
Mercy lifted her hand to stop Leah. Then Mercy’s hand dropped to her side. How was it possible that Ethan still had a girlfriend?
How could I be so wrong about him?
Mercy closed the door and stood speechless. Her heart dropped to the floor. For her, marriage vows were sacred, even if this was a modern marriage of convenience. But apparently, Ethan didn’t have the same opinion.
Her fingers fisted as she headed to the guest house. She was going to give him a piece of her mind. If he thought he could see other women behind her back, he thought wrong!
She opened the door with the key Ethan had given her and marched into the living room. Then she stopped in her tracks.
Ethan had his arm wrapped around her son’s shoulder as he was reading a book to Stevie. They both smiled, and her little boy had a look of wonder on his face. It tugged on her heartstrings. Her anger coiled deep inside her, not entirely gone, but not blindingly hot, either.
What am I to do?
She’d already had a marriage filled with lies. She wasn’t going down that road again.
Mercy squared her shoulders. “Dinner is ready. Stevie, please go wash your hands.”
“Just one more page, Mommy. Pretty please?” Her son lifted his pleading eyes to her.
She needed to start getting firmer with Stevie. Soon. She nodded. “But just one.”
“Thanks, Mommy. Gracias.” Stevie grinned from ear to ear.
“Thank you, Mercy.” Ethan sent her a half-apologetic glance.
Was he silently apologizing for being late to dinner, or could he guess his girlfriend could’ve paid a visit?
Mercy leaned against the wall as she listened to the adventures of a puppy. Unexpectedly, a wave of tenderness swept her whole. She resisted the urge to snuggle next to Ethan.
This could be happiness. Cozy evenings at home with freshly made dinners with mouthwatering scents, a children’s book, and a happy smile on Stevie’s face... Maybe add a fire in the fireplace and a cup of hot cocoa in her hand. She could easily imagine being close to Ethan, his arm wrapped around her shoulder, breathing in the spicy scent of his cologne and feeling more content than she’d ever been in her life.
It wasn’t about the opulence or not worrying anymore how she was going to put food on her son’s plate the next day. It was about being there for each other, no matter what, and loving each other.
So simple.
Yet so complicated.
One page quickly turned to two, but Mercy kept quiet. She wanted to hold this moment in her heart, store it for later...
She’d forgiven Cole many times, but then she hadn’t known about his gambling issue before she’d married him. She’d known about Ethan’s philandering ways before she’d accepted his proposal.
Have I made the biggest mistake of my life? And what now?
“Buddy, go wash your hands, please. We don’t want your mother’s dinner to go cold.” Ethan’s voice interrupted her musings.
Interestingly enough, Stevie obeyed Ethan without a word of protest.
When the sound of little footsteps died down in the hall, Ethan walked to her. “What did you need to talk to me about?”
Mercy’s eyes widened. “How did you guess?”
He brushed his fingertips along her jawline, making her heart flutter. “Come on. We’ve known each other long enough. I could read it in your face. You’re upset about something.”
Mercy took a deep breath for courage. She only had a few moments until Stevie would come back from the bathroom. “I have a reason to be upset. Your girlfriend stopped by.” She watched closely for his reaction, for the expression of guilt.
Ethan frowned. “I don’t have a girlfriend. I only have a wife. You.”
“Oh, please. Don’t try to deceive me. She said she was your girlfriend. Leah.” Mercy wondered if Ethan might’ve had several girlfriends with this name, so she hurried to refresh his memory. Anger uncoiled, getting stronger. “Long red hair, perfectly styled. Gold rings with diamonds. Designer suit. Shoes that probably cost more than my monthly salary was.”
Ethan folded his hands on his broad chest. “You don’t need to elaborate. I know Leah. She used to be my girlfriend. I broke up with her before proposing to you.”
Mercy’s eyes narrowed. “But you keep seeing her, don’t you?”
Ethan shook his head. “Of course not.”
Stevie ran to them at that moment, so she couldn’t say anything else. He slipped his right hand into hers, and her heart overflowed again with love for her little boy. She wanted so badly for him to have a happy childhood, to have a good father. Stevie slipped his left hand into Ethan’s large palm, and they headed to the mansion.
Doubt crawled inside her. Could she believe Ethan? She’d confronted Cole about his gambling many times, and every time Cole had denied it. So was it any surprise that Ethan denied seeing Leah?
And yet, when she walked close to Ethan, she couldn’t help being drawn to him. She was so desperate to believe him. While Cole had lied to her many times, Ethan had never lied to her before.
A deep longing to be loved, to have a family and a home stirred inside her, the feeling so strong it made her anger disappear.
She was losing her heart to her husband, which wouldn’t be so bad. But her marriage might have an expiration date, and her husband was a known womanizer.
“I’m so happy I can come home to you and Stevie,” Ethan whispered.
Something shifted inside her.
Stevie tugged at her hand when they reached the mansion. “Mommy, Mr. Ethan is my new daddy, right?”
Ethan glanced at her, his gaze half-excited, half-inquiring. Then he leaned to Stevie. “Nothing would make me happier, buddy.”
A lump formed in Mercy’s throat. She’d better figure out her marriage soon because her son already believed Ethan with all his little, trusting heart.
