The den was crowded with relatives - Morino's and Senor Medena's. Alex drew Carmen into a corner and stood with an arm around her waist. Two more people came into the room and Alex gently pulled her in front of him to make room for them. His arms slipped around her waist, hands capturing hers. Thus they stood and waited for what appeared to be the reading of a will. If so, it was strange that so much fuss would be made over the reading of a foreman's will. Would it be read in Spanish or English?
Senor Medena sat beside his desk and a heavy Spanish looking man with a mustache sat in Senor Medena's big chair. Alondra and Alfonso were sitting in the front row. When everyone had settled down, he began reading in Spanish. Alex leaned down and whispered softly in her ear. If it had not been for the fact that he was speaking so distinctly, she probably wouldn't have been able to hear the translation. Most of it meant nothing to her and there was no reason for him to translate, but it was thoughtful of him to include her that way. In his arms, with his warm breath on her cheek and the smell of his cologne surrounding them, it was actually an exciting experience. Senor Medena glanced at them once and frowned. Then he obviously realized what Alex was doing and a smile played at the corners of his mouth. Was he pleased that Alex was making an effort to get along with her?
Alex stiffened and stopped translating. When she looked up at him, his attention was fixed on Senor Medena. Senor Medena was staring at the man. Something wasn't going as he had wished. The atmosphere in the room was tense, though apparently not hostile. Most of them were watching Senor Medena, but some were watching Alfonso. Alfonso looked confused. The man began reading again and all eyes went to Alondra. She looked startled and then started to cry.
Alex leaned down and whispered.
"He left everything else to Alondra." He paused and then continued. "It is his wish that his brother raise Alfonso."
So that was why Senor Medena looked so upset. How much could Morino have left to Alondra? Surely it wasn't enough to make a difference for the daughter of such a wealthy man. Alondra had everything a young lady could want - with the exception of the man she loved.
Carmen caressed Alex's hand and looked up at his handsome bronzed features. How many times had she almost lost him already? The possibility was frightening.