"At one time, I thought maybe you hoped
there would be a more permanent merger with Mr. Ramirez. One involving
me."
"I’d be in hell before I’d let that
happen," her father said coldly, "Diego may have hoped that. I can’t say.
He’s an odd bird. I was glad you never wanted to be involved with him, but you
are old enough to be finding someone, to think about marriage. I'd feel better
if I knew you had a man if something ever happened to me." She looked at
him again, aware of the strain in his voice.
"It's been that little problem of meeting
the right person." She wasn't ready to talk about Jake. There were so many
variables and uncertainties attached to him. Could they put their lives
together? Add to it, she wanted to be sure of his intentions before she said
anything.
"Sure you aren't looking for the perfect man?" he questioned with a
grin. "You know there is no such animal, right?"
Letting her voice deepen, she imitated his.
"Men are no good, out for everything they can get and not to be trusted.
Always assume they don't mean any of the promises they make. Be careful because
they are beasts!"
He laughed. "Now I didn’t put it quite
that way, but you do have to be careful. There are a lot of men out there who
do not have honorable intentions toward beautiful young women."
"Sometimes women aren't honorable toward
men either."
"That's the warning fathers give to
sons." He smiled. "Get out more, princess. An apartment in town is a
good idea. Or maybe even in Tucson,
just to meet more people. Go to the right places where you can meet a nice guy,
one like Mark Sandoval, a guy who wears a suit, comes home on time for dinner.
You won't find a man like that out in these hills."
Rachel smiled, thinking how little Jake would
fit her father's criteria for a husband. Remembering Jake's childhood, with no
parental love, she felt a renewed surge of gratitude for the stability and love
her father had provided especially after her mother died. "I love
you," she whispered, moving over to kiss his bristly cheek.
"I love you too, honey. You know I just
want you to be happy."
"Hey, you should take some of your own advice;
find a woman to be with, to marry."
He laughed with disbelief. "That's
different. I'm an old man."
"Hah," she snorted, remembering the
power of his body as he hugged her.
He started to leave, but then turned back.
"Hear anything more about the man who died out here?"
"No. Why?"
"Nothing. I just wondered. I'll leave you
to your work. See you at dinner."
