She placed another clip and then glanced up to find Gerald watching her. His cool gaze settled on her face.
"Why would Rob care about Aaron's intentions toward Felipa?"
Why indeed? She shrugged. "Maybe he doesn't like the competition."
He stared at the table reflectively. Something was troubling him. Had she been right about a relationship between him and Felipa? Was he worried about Felipa?
She sighed. "Maybe he was only joking - or trying to see how I would react."
His troubled gaze lifted to her face. The pupils contracted in the sunlight, leaving large pools of blue iris. He was a good looking man. Why hadn't she ever noticed that before?
"Maybe," he said, and then hesitated. "Then again, maybe he isn't interested in Felipa at all. Maybe you're the one who has his attention."
Carmen caught her breath. "But I'm married."
He nodded. "To a Medena heir who is wealthy in his own right."
Carmen laughed. "Well, he'd be barking up the wrong tree. I'm just a poor hillbilly. Alex is the one with the money."
Gerald gave her a level look. "When you married him, you became vulnerable as well."
Carmen sobered and stared at him. Why hadn't that occurred to her before? She considered the money still his, but the courts wouldn't. Was that why Alex was so concerned about her safety lately? Was that what had been troubling him? Why didn't he simply say so? Then again, maybe he didn't want her to think about that possibility. Surely he knew she didn't marry him for his money - and that no one else could turn her head. When they met she was living a simple life and she had done nothing to make him think she wanted anything more. The old question returned. Was she holding him back?
Gerald's mouth slipped into a wry smile. "It's a scary thought, isn't it - having someone look at what you have instead of the person you are?"
Her laugh sounded nervous. "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer either way."
Gerald chuckled. "I'm afraid Alex wouldn't agree."
She shrugged. "Alex doesn't have anything to worry about. The only way he's going to get rid of me is with a foot on my backside pushing me out the door - and then I'll leave fingernail marks in the door jamb."
She placed the last clip and stood back, surveying the outdoor dining area.
"There. We're ready for the other guests - and the caterers."