Epilogue

“What a difference a year makes.”

Helen snuggled into Ricardo as they leaned against an old apple tree in the farmyard. She loved being tucked under his arm and the feeling of protection it evoked. “Primrose Farm has changed so much—it looks clean, tidy, lucrative…”

Ricardo laughed. “Yes, thank God. This time last year I was doing a good impression of a drowned rat, remember? A muddy, miserable drowned rat.”

“A bit like that lot over there.” She nodded toward a group of bedraggled-looking individuals sipping hot punch on straw bales by a blazing fire pit. “Delegates from the latest corporate team-building course, Mum said. Bright young things all wanting to work in luxury yacht charter.”

“That’s one way of getting used to being damp all the time, I guess.” He kissed her on the forehead and shuddered. “Rather them than me. They look shattered.”

“So would you after two days living rough in the New Forest trying to prove your worth,” she said with a chuckle. “They usually come back so cold and hungry. They eat anything put in front of them apparently.”

“Signature steak pie and cabbage?”

“No! These companies pay so well that the residential courses are fully catered once they get back to base. There’s a professionally staffed kitchen in the new barn conversion over there.”

Ricardo looked over his shoulder to where she was pointing. “That decrepit barn. It’s got a new roof.”

“And proper windows. And two floors with bedrooms and a huge communal living area. Who’d have thought it was possible?” She could hardly believe how much the architectural transformation of the old building still thrilled her.

He smiled down at her mischievously. “Those contractors of mine did work hard pulling this place out of the muck, didn’t they?”

“You paid them ludicrously well to get it all done in less than twelve months so we could go on holiday, you mean!”

“You were adamant about that as I recall, madam.”

“I needed to see the new ventures up, running, and making a profit before I could enjoy myself. I needed closure on all the bad stuff that happened here. Needed to make sure Mum and Dad were looked after before starting my new life as Mrs. Almanza. I’m so grateful you understood that without me having to spell it out.”

“I would have done exactly the same, and you’ve done a brilliant job of managing the project in the last year. You should be very proud.” He squeezed her shoulder. “And now I have you all to myself again at last, but you do need to know that your mum’s not very happy about where I’m taking you next week. I’ve had her on the phone again.”

“You are joking?”

“No.”

“I’ll talk to her.” She sighed. “Mum knows I’ve always dreamed of going to Leptis Magna and Persepolis. They’re two of the most amazing archaeological sites discovered in the last hundred years. I had pictures of them cut out from magazines all over my room as a teenager.”

Ricardo shot her a wry look. “Unfortunately, she’s just discovered they’re located in Libya and Iran.”

“I knew giving my parents a computer to play with was a mistake! Too much information. The pair of them are Google-mad these days.” She smiled and looked down at her shoes for a moment. “This trip means so much to me. It’s another dream about to come true. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”

“You’re my wife.” He shrugged. “And it’s only money.”

“I know, but still.”

“What I’d really like to see is your parents coming back from their long-awaited second honeymoon. The world’s just waiting for them now there’s an estate team running the events and farm shops. The money’s pouring in. It’s time they took it easy. They don’t have to be slaves to the farm anymore.”

“It’ll happen, don’t worry. Mum’s raring to go, but Dad’s finding it hard to hand over complete control, like someone else I know.”

“Excuse me! This is the new Ricardo Almanza you’re talking to here. The loving husband who’s delegating all his business interests to scrabble around some ancient ruins with his bossy wife for six months.”

“So you’ll be leaving your smart phone and tablet behind?”

“That would be reckless.” He jerked his chin upwards and stared into the middle distance. “I have your safety to consider, and communication with our security team must be maintained at all times. I promised your mother.”

Helen elbowed him in the ribs and chuckled. “Conspiring behind my back again, eh? Cooking up deals with the She-Devil of homemade raspberry jam?”

“It’s a simple strategy. You both get what you want and then it’s my turn. In six months we start on my dreams.” His expression became serious. “That’s still the deal, right? You haven’t changed your mind?”

“Are you mad? Of course not. I’m as excited about developing that old Spanish estate as you are. The vineyards, olive groves, almond and orange trees in the back garden and…”

“And?”

Helen felt herself blush as his golden eyes burned into her. Ricardo still had the ability to make her heart rate triple with just one look. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And then starting a family.”

He brushed a strand of hair away from her smiling face. She seemed to grow more beautiful by the day, and in that brief moment he felt more vulnerable than he ever had. “I love you, Mrs. Almanza, do you know that?”

“Do I get that in writing?”

“Seriously, it’s so real it hurts.” He lifted her left hand to his lips and kissed the tip of her ring finger. “Don’t ever leave me, Helen.”

“As if. I love you too and you know it.” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “Besides, it’s too late. The deal’s been made, so you’re stuck with me now.”

He threaded his fingers through hers and gripped her hand tightly. “For better or for worse?”

“For good.”