Nacho Figueras Presents (18 page)

N
oni opened her eyes to see Max standing by the bed, a tray in his hands with coffee and fruit, a croissant with a lit candle in it, a single yellow rose in a vase, and a hand-drawn picture of what looked like her two dogs. “Happy birthday!” he trilled. “Happy birthday, Noni!” He turned back to the door. “I did it, Pilar! She's awake!”

Her dogs looked up from their place on her bed, tails thumping in unison.

Pilar stood in the doorway, beaming at him. “
Que bueno, hijo
.”

Antonia had to smile. Max looked so pleased with himself, his little cheeks pink with pleasure as he handed her the tray. “Pilar made the coffee, but I cut up the fruit. Blow out your candle!”

“Don't forget to make a wish,” added Pilar.

Noni closed her eyes and paused, holding her breath. She truly did not know what to wish for.

Her mother showed up in her red Miata just as Noni was leaving the house with Georgia and Kat.

“Happy birthday, darling!” Benny swept Antonia into her arms and rained kisses on her face. “I can't believe you're thirty! I mean, how is that even possible seeing that I'm still twenty-nine?”

She looked around, laughing at her own joke.

“Mom,” said Noni, detaching herself from her mother's grip. “I didn't know you were coming.”

“Well, of course I'm coming.” She swept back her long blond hair and straightened the red cotton romper she was wearing. “I'm your mother. It's your birthday. But”—she looked from one woman to the next—“where are you going right now?”

“Haven. It's a spa in Sag Harbor,” said Kat. “Birthday treat. Do you want to join us, Benny?”

Antonia's heart sank.

“Oooh, wonderful!” cooed Benny. “Just let me get my purse.”

Noni sat next to her mother in the back of Kat's Mercedes, lost in thought.

Georgia turned around. “I feel bad hogging the front seat, Noni. It is your birthday, after all.” She looked at Benny. “Or maybe you'd like to sit in front, Mrs. Black?”

“For God's sake, call me Benny,” said her mother.

“You're like thirty months pregnant, Georgia,” said Kat. “Now stop trying to be a martyr. You have to sit in front because you're so dang big, we'd never be able to pry you out of the backseat.”

“Do you know what you're having?” asked Benny.

Georgia sighed. “Twin girls. And I'm terrified.”

Benny made a face. “I would be, too. Can you imagine what twins will do to your”—she gestured south—“down there? God, one kid was bad enough. I don't think mine was ever the same after Antonia was born.” She dropped her voice. “She weighed almost nine pounds, you know.”

Kat laughed.

“Mom!” said Noni, pulled out of her thoughts. “What is wrong with you?”

Georgia shook her head. “Believe me, she's not saying anything I haven't already thought about pretty much obsessively. I mean, I pee every time I sneeze and that's only after one fairly little kid.”

“Here's the spa!” sang Kat in her Southern accent. “Massages, mani-pedis, facials, steam room, mud baths!” She reached back and patted Noni on the head. “I'm so glad it's your birthday. This is going to be awesome.”

Noni tried to enjoy herself. She had a hot stone massage, but her masseuse said she'd never worked on someone so tense before. She had a full-body scrub, followed by a seaweed wrap, but she'd felt panicky and claustrophobic, lying there waiting for her toxins to be drawn out.

Now she sat neck-deep in the whirlpool, her face covered in yogurt and crushed caviar, her hair pinned up in a towel. Her mom and Kat sat next to her, each with a different colored mask on. Georgia sat on the edge, just dangling her feet, since she couldn't do high temperatures because of her pregnancy.

Noni was trying very hard to look like she was having a good time, but she knew, from the worried looks that kept passing between her sisters-in-law, that she wasn't fooling anyone.

Except for Benny, of course, she thought wryly. Her mother was chattering happily about everything from her latest bikini wax to her next art opening. As usual, she was completely oblivious to anything that might be going askew with her daughter.

The spa attendant came in to tell them it was time to remove their masks. They all got out of the water, toweled off, and wrapped themselves back up in thick, soft terry-cloth robes.

Benny latched on to Kat's arm as they headed back to the salon, telling her she thought her own life story would make an amazing movie. Georgia hung back with Noni for a moment.

“Hey,” Georgia said. Her wide hazel eyes looked even bigger under the creamy green mask she wore on her face, “is everything okay?”

Noni smiled. She had liked Georgia from the moment her sister-in-law had first signed on as veterinarian for the Del Campo team years before. She was warm and smart, and Antonia desperately wished she could confide in her.

“Can I ask you a question?” Noni said.

Georgia cocked her head. “Of course.”

“You'd do anything for Tomás, right? I mean, anything to protect him?”

Georgia wrinkled her brow. A glob of the mask chipped off and hit the floor with a little splat. “Of course. Wouldn't any mother?”

Noni looked over at Benny wryly. “Well, most moms, maybe.”

Georgia laughed.

“So, even if the thing you had to do to protect him was unethical or dangerous? Or even if it was something that meant you'd be giving up a lot—giving up everything, really. You'd do it?”

Georgia nodded. “Look, Noni, I would die or kill for Tomás if I actually thought he needed me to. But I'm dearly hoping it won't ever come to that. What is this all about?”

“Nothing.” Noni shook her head. “I just wondered.” She hugged her sister-in-law. “Thank you for taking me out today. It's been great.” She looked at Georgia and laughed. “Oops, smeared some caviar on your robe.”

She locked herself in the bathroom and called Jacob.

“Noni?” he said. He sounded relieved. “I didn't think I'd hear from you until later.”

“Can you meet me?” she said. “I'm in Sag Harbor.”

She'd told them she was running out for chocolate. That she wasn't going to survive on green juice and salad all day. It was her birthday, for goodness' sake. She was going to sneak in some of the good stuff.

They all agreed that it was a great idea. “Maybe we should get a pizza, too?” offered Kat. “And wine? I didn't realize the menu here was limited to nonfat everything.”

“That sounds perfect,” said Noni. “I'll get it all. We can sneak a picnic in the rock garden after we get our toenails done.”

“But I'll go,” said Kat. “You shouldn't have to do that.”

“No, no,” said Noni, hurriedly heading out the door. “I'm already dressed.”

Jacob was sitting in the coffee shop waiting for her. He looked exhausted and rumpled, though Noni was pretty sure she didn't look any better herself.

He stood up when he saw her and kissed her on the cheek, his prickly beard scraping her skin. “I'm so glad you called,” he said. “I mean, I was willing to try, but I don't know if I could have made it all the way through the party.”

She smiled nervously. “Let's sit down,” she said.

They sat down and she bit her lip. “Jake,” she said, “you know I really care about you, and I would do anything for Max.”

He looked hopeful. “So—”

She raised her hand. “I haven't stopped thinking about this since last night. I've been round and round.”

He nodded and grasped her hand.

She looked at him and then took a deep breath. “First of all, I will get you the best lawyer there is.”

He pulled his hand away. His eyes went flat with dread. “You're not going to do it.”

She shook her head. “I'm sorry, but it doesn't make any sense. Think about it. I mean, how would we even be able to leave the country? Do you and Max have fake passports? Even if you did, think of what this will do to Max. We'd always be on the run. What kind of life would that be?”

He shook his head frantically.

“Listen, listen. I have a plan,” she said pleadingly. “Like I said, I will get you a new lawyer. I can afford the best there is. If they can't fix this right away—and I bet they can—then we will just keep trying, and I will take care of Max while we do. And even if worse comes to worst, five years or ten years isn't forever. I will make sure he calls you every day, and I'll bring him to visit every chance we're given, and I promise that he will understand that, even though you did a not-so-great thing, you did it for good reasons. I will keep you guys close. I swear I won't let that change.”

“Noni—” he said again.

“And once you're back out,” she rushed on, “I'll help you then, too. I can finance whatever you need to get your art career back on track. I can make this easier.”

His eyes darted around the room; he looked like he might bolt.

She took his hand again. Her voice was urgent. “Jake, listen to me—you can't do this to Max. You can't make him pay for your mistake. It's not fair to him. Try to imagine what his life would be like with you guys always moving around, always on the run.” She tightened her hand on his. “I actually know exactly what that's like, and it's miserable. It's no way for a kid to grow up. Please don't do this to him.”

He stared at her, stricken. “But what about us?”

She glanced away. “Jake, I—”

“You and me. What about us?”

She looked back at him, tears in her eyes. “I've been over and over it and I just don't think I can make myself feel that way any—”

He held up his hand, cutting her off. “Don't,” he said. “You don't have to say anything else. I get it.” He smiled sadly. “It was always a long shot anyway, right? Even before you knew I was a crook.”

She squeezed his hand. “But you'll let me help you, right? You'll let me do whatever needs to be done for Max?”

He took a deep breath and blew it out again. “Yes. Okay. I know you're right. I was panicking. I wasn't thinking clearly.”

She smiled, relieved. “Don't worry, okay? We're going to take this one step at a time. We're going to figure this all out, I promise.”

He smiled back at her, brought her hand to his mouth, and kissed it. “Thank you, Antonia,” he said. “I'm never going to forget this.”

“Okay,” she said, glancing at her watch. “Shit. I have to get back at the spa. They're waiting for me. You're still coming to the party, right?”

He nodded. “Wouldn't miss it for the world.”

E
nzo stood nervously in front of Del Campo stables. He was decked out in a Team Stone jersey, white jeans, and riding boots. Lined up next to him were Raj, Lachlan, and David, all in their riding gear as well.

Alejandro, Sebastian, and Rory, their third player, were also in their La Victoria uniforms and standing next to the other team, waiting.

“She should be here any moment,” said Enzo. “I told Pilar to bring her down as soon as they got back.”

Alejandro glanced at Enzo and shook his head. “I am still not totally understanding what we are doing here. She wants to watch us play a game for her birthday? She has seen a million games.”

“I still don't understand how we're playing without a fourth guy,” said Sebastian.

David shook his head. “Mark's going to kill us when he finds out we played a game without him.”

Enzo rolled his eyes. “Mark will be fine.” He looked at Sebastian. “You will understand soon, okay?” Then to Alejandro, “This is a special game. Just—Oh, here they come!”

Pilar, escorted by Lord Henderson, Benny, Georgia, Kat, and Noni, came walking down the driveway. The women made a pretty picture, all wearing their breezy summer clothes, laughing and chatting, not yet noticing the men standing in front of the stables.

Enzo knew the moment that Noni saw them. Her eyes met his and she froze. She seemed to understand his intentions immediately. Her cheeks flushed and the look in her eyes shifted between excited and alarmed.

As they walked up, Pilar looked at Enzo and winked. He smiled.

“What is all this?” said Benny, wrinkling her nose. “Polo? I didn't know there'd be a game today.”

Enzo stepped toward Noni, keeping his hand hidden behind his back. “Happy birthday, Antonia,” he said, and offered her the vintage polo mallet he'd found in the antique store, all bound up with a red bow.

She reached for it, her eyes wide. Their hands met with a little shock of electricity.

He bent toward her. “You've got this,” he whispered.

He turned to the Del Campo team. “Gentlemen,” he said, “would you care to play a little stick and ball?”

After changing into her riding gear, Noni laughed nervously to herself as she mounted Sunny. She still couldn't believe this was happening. It felt like a dream.

She wasn't sure she was ready. She had been practicing as much as she could, but her time on the pitch had been short, and she hadn't played with a team of any sort since she left Wellington.

Her brothers and Rory rode up on their mounts, flanking her.

“Apparently, I'm to be surrounded by Del Campos on all sides,” said Rory, grinning at her.

“I'm a Black,” she said automatically.

He raised an eyebrow. “You're looking awfully like a Del Campo to me right now, darling,” he said before he rode out to the pitch.

She looked at her brothers.

Seb shook his head. “None of us knew you played,
niña
,” he said. “Why didn't you say something sooner? We could have been having so much fun.”

Noni bit her lip. “I…I didn't think I was good enough.”

“I'm sure you will be fine. Don't worry.” Seb wheeled his pony around and headed out to the pitch. “Jandro and I will protect you!” he yelled back over his shoulder. “We'll take it very slow. We'll play an easy game!”

Alejandro glanced at her, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I wonder if we'll need to,” he murmured before he followed Sebastian out to the field.

Enzo came riding up then. She stared at him, suddenly shy. She had seen him ride a million times, but she'd never seen him in uniform. He looked beyond handsome.

He smiled at her beneath his riding helmet. That slow, dazzling smile that made her heart ache. “¿
Estás bien
, Noni?”

She looked at him. “I'm scared witless,” she admitted.

He laughed and shook his head. “Your brothers have no idea what you can do. They are going to be blown away.”

She bit her lip nervously. “I sincerely doubt that.”

He rode in a little closer. She fought the urge to reach out and touch him.

He leaned in and almost touched his cheek to hers. “You deserve to be out there,” he whispered. “This is in your blood,
niña
.”

Pilar acted as the referee at the throw-in. The players lined up parallel to one another.

Pilar stood stick straight, her skirt ruffling in the breeze. “Since we have a party to get to later,” she announced loudly, “this game will be abridged to four chukkas. All other usual rules apply.”

As soon as Pilar rolled in the ball, Raj burst through and sent it hurtling toward his goal. The players followed, thundering down the pitch.

Noni paused—just a split second—before she raced to follow, cursing herself as she fell behind.

David picked up Raj's pass and changed the line of the ball, heading toward the goal. Sebastian charged forward, coming at David from an angle. He slammed his horse into David's, bumping him out of the line.

“
¡Lo siento, hombre!
” he shouted with a grin as he passed the younger player by and took control of the ball.

But just as he turned and raised his arm to send the ball flying, Enzo came from behind and hooked Seb's mallet with his own.

“
¡Lo siento, hombre!
” echoed Enzo to Seb, giving his old employer a friendly mocking salute.

Raj cut in and picked the ball back up, and with one powerful stroke, sent it through the goal just as Pilar blew the whistle to signal the end of the first chukka.

Noni raised her mallet and gave a short cheer for the other team, but she felt humiliated. She'd hardly even made it into the fray. She hadn't even touched the ball. She was trailing her team like a child. She was a disgrace.

It played out that way for two more chukkas. The teams were almost evenly matched, with the ball possession being equally shared on both sides.

Alejandro handed La Victoria two goals in the second chukka, thundering down the pitch so fast on his bay stallion that no one could keep up with him, and the Del Campos took the lead.

Then, in the third chukka, David paid Sebastian back in kind and bumped him, taking possession and making a point of his own, and Lachlan's horse managed a pony goal when Rory accidentally drove the ball right under the horse's feet and the pony kicked it right through.

Enzo watched Noni, worried. She wasn't playing as badly as she had in the first chukka; she did manage to block a shot or two and to grab the ball once or twice, but she certainly wasn't showing anyone what she was truly capable of, either.

Pilar blew the whistle for the end of the third chukka, and the teams went off the fields for fresh mounts.

Enzo knew that it was nerves, not a lack of skill, that hindered Noni. She was standing to the side, fiddling with her boot while she waited for a fresh mount, very obviously avoiding her brothers.

For a moment, Enzo wanted to go to her, comfort her, offer her words of advice.

But then the groom brought her Hex, and at the sight of the little black mare, Noni's face lit up. She rubbed the horse's nose and pressed her forehead against the pony's neck.

The determined look in Antonia's eyes as she swung up on the pony told Enzo to stay where he was.

He thought this chukka might be different.

Every polo player, even the very best, would say that their pony was at least 80 percent of their game. Bad pony, bad game. Great pony, and you were basically unstoppable.

Pretty much all of the Del Campo ponies were great ponies. They all had impeccable bloodlines; they had all been trained and groomed from the time they were tiny foals to be the top athletes they were today.

But for Noni, some were greater than others. And no pony was better than Hex.

Noni had fallen for Hex from the very first day she walked into the Del Campo stables. She remembered it like it was yesterday. The long, terrible flight from Berlin to Florida, sitting next to Alejandro, feigning sleep, afraid to talk to her big brother lest he find out just how much of a mess she truly was.

She had hoped to outrun the fresh pain of losing Max and Jacob. She had hoped for a place to hide and lick her wounds. She thought she would take the money that her father had left her and go somewhere far, far away. Maybe even back to New Mexico. She'd wondered if the little adobe house with the red clay roof and blue tiled floors was somehow still there and miraculously available.

When she followed Jandro into the barn, it became obvious to her almost immediately that everyone in that barn knew, if not all of her secrets, at least enough to judge her.

Every eye in the place had turned to her when she walked through those doors; the hush over the barn was palpable. For a moment, she wanted nothing more than to leave. Flee. Get on that plane and go all the way back to her cold bed in Berlin. She didn't think she could stand it. She turned away, blindly petting a horse through its stall door, trying to ignore all the attention on her.

A movement caught her eye and she shifted just in time to see a tall, dark man staring at her from across the barn, and the shiny black pony next to him as it snaked its head out and nipped him right on the neck.

He cussed, surprised, and Noni heard herself laugh before she could stop it. Her eyes met the man's, and then she looked at his pony, and she somehow felt drawn to them both.

Antonia remembered her conversation with Enzo that day and knew that it was the beginning of both their friendship and their attraction. But something else she remembered from those first few moments in the barn—the way that little black pony's eyes had seemed to mysteriously echo her own feelings.

That pony wanted out of the barn, just like Antonia. That pony wanted to escape. And maybe it was as simple as a high-spirited beast tired of being locked up and longing to run free in the fields, but for Noni, it seemed much more profound. For her, it as if Hex were the only living thing in the barn that truly understood her. As she had stood there and scratched the little horse's ears and received an affectionate nibble in return, Noni fell just a little bit in love.

After Jandro had finished giving her a tour of the barn, Noni walked out back and spied Enzo and Hex galloping across the field in the distance. They were spectacularly beautiful. They moved so gracefully together that Noni imagined that they might sprout wings at any moment and take to the sky.

She stood, frozen in place, watching them canter from one end of the field to the other, the tall, dark, handsome man and the radiantly shining black horse. For the first time since Jacob had left, Noni felt something flutter through her that she had been certain she would never feel again. She felt something that she would almost call joy.

With Hex under her, nothing could stop her. She was flying down the pitch, her stick in hand, slamming into Raj, sending the big man and his horse off the line of the ball. Then she was hooking David's mallet as he tried for an offside shot, allowing Sebastian to pick up the ball and send it hurtling toward the goal. Then she was sailing through the air again, feeling the little pony's joy and ferocity and feverish enthusiasm for the game. She caught that ball as Enzo deflected it from the goal and sent it right back past him, scoring the winning point just as Pilar blew her whistle.

Her team cheered wildly as she and Hex spun around, triumphant.

Alejandro galloped up to her, beaming. “Well, I would say we found our fourth,” he said, laughing.

Noni gasped, disbelieving, almost dizzy with joy.

“Oh boy,” said Rory, shaking his head with a grin, “a whole team of Del Campos.”

“
¡Hermana!
” shouted Sebastian. “What a play! Who the hell knew you could do that?”

“I did,” said Enzo softly as he rode up next to her. His face was alight with pride.

She couldn't help herself. She didn't even think. She just leaned off her horse and threw her arms around the man she loved and kissed him with all the wild happiness in her soul.

They broke the kiss with a gasp, still touching forehead to forehead. “Thank you,” Noni breathed.

“It was all you,
niña
,” he said.

“And Hex.” She grinned, patting the little pony underneath her.

“And Hex,” he agreed.

“All right, all right,
basta
,” said Pilar as she walked onto the pitch. “All very impressive, but you all need to go home and change for the party. Get going.”