Read Legacy of the Highlands for Free Online Page A

opened a pair of French doors that led to a large
inner courtyard which they crossed to reach the opposite wing of
the house. Diego didn’t take his eyes off Alex and only turned away
when he could no longer see her.
    Alex paused to admire her surroundings.
Trickling fountains, a profusion of flowering plants, shade trees
and columned loggia formed the sheltered heart of the villa. She
could hear chirping birds and the thrum of insects. “This is
beautiful,” she murmured.
    “Yes, it is lovely, Señora . This way.”
Luisa led them through another set of French doors, past a casual
sitting room to a grand staircase, which they climbed to the second
floor.
    Luisa opened one of the doors along the wide
corridor. The elegant simplicity of the room’s butter yellow walls,
soft lighting and delicate four-poster bed draped in a gauzy fabric
suited Alex’s need for calm. She crossed the room to step onto its
balcony, drawn by the sound of the ocean. The air was still warm,
but with a cooling night breeze. She inhaled the salty scent of the
sea and began to unwind.
    “Shall I close the doors and draw the drapes
so the light doesn’t awaken you in the morning?” Luisa inquired,
then waited patiently as Alex explored her surroundings.
    “Yes...please. I love the sound of the ocean,
but I need to sleep. I haven’t had much rest in the last week,” she
explained, but the dark circles under her reddened eyes made that
statement unnecessary.
    Luisa nodded. “I understand. Señor Navarro told me about your loss. Lo siento ,” she said and
squeezed Alex’s hands in sympathy before she closed the balcony
doors and drew the drapes. Silence filled the large space except
for the subtle hum of central air conditioning. “The television and
sound system are in that cabinet and you’ll find an assortment of
novels and magazines near the bed. There is nightwear in the closet
and also some swimsuits for tomorrow. They’re all new, so choose
whichever you like. Toiletries are in your bathroom and the tub is
filling,” she said and paused for breath. “If you need anything
else, Señora , you only have to ask. The Navarros believe mi casa es su casa , so please consider the Villa Recoleta
your home,” Luisa concluded as she stood in the doorway. Alex
sensed that the woman was reluctant to leave her alone.
    “Thank you, Luisa, I’ll be fine after I get
some sleep,” Alex said, comforted by the woman’s sincere concern.
“You’ve been very kind. Thank you. And please call me Alex.”
    “It would be my pleasure. I will have your
supper brought up. Buenas noches , sleep well.”
    Alex peeled off her clothes and pulled her
hair into a ponytail. She sighed with pleasure as she lowered
herself into the bath’s scented water and silently blessed the
Navarros for choosing a tub large enough to accommodate her long
legs. Luisa had lit a few candles and their subtle perfume filled
the air. “Bliss,” Alex murmured, and allowed the water to soothe
her.
    Clean, dry and wrapped in a powder blue silk
robe, Alex put her hand to her stomach as it growled and realized
she was hungry for the first time since she’d forced down a piece
of dry toast along with a mug of strong coffee early that morning.
One of the household staff had left a tray in the bedroom’s sitting
area while she’d bathed and she hungrily dug into a salad dotted
with goat cheese. There were slices of juicy pineapple and papaya,
assorted cheeses, crusty bread, a glass of wine, sparkling water
and chocolate chip cookies, still warm and fragrant from the oven.
Luisa would quickly learn that chocolate was her houseguest’s
favorite comfort food. Alex reached for a second cookie as she
leaned back and sighed. Maybe leaving Boston with Diego hadn’t been
so crazy after all. It might make perfect sense to avoid reality in
his family’s luxurious oasis for as long as possible.
    Whoever delivered supper had also turned down
the bed and whisked away the clothes she’d