Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series by Blake, Carina (novels in english .txt) 📗

“How long have you been working for Victor, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“You can ask any question you like. I actually worked for the winery’s restaurant when Señor Serrano’s father died. He was looking for a new housekeeper and offered to give me the job. I have been here six years now.”

“I’ve only been here for five years after working in France for a decade.”

“Wow. France? I’ve never been there. Hell, I hadn’t left New York until Victor scooped me up and brought me here.” My stomach rumbles loud enough to gather everyone’s attention.

“Let me feed you before it’s the end of my five years. What would you like?”

“Something simple. I don’t know if Victor’s going to be home in time for dinner. I don’t know how you all operate over here.”

“Dinner, as you’d say back in America, will be around seven, assuming there is no change in plans. Señor Serrano is extremely easy to please when it comes to his foods. What do you like?”

“Not to starve. A salad or sandwich would be good. Breakfast was delicious, but I’ve hardly eaten in the past couple of days, so I couldn’t eat that much.”

“Will a pork sandwich hold you over until dinner?”

“Yes, please. I’m not a picky eater, but I’m not accustomed to the food here.”

“You’ll get used to it. Tell us if you don’t like a dish I make or if you do, and that way I’ll be able to feed you. Also, I have traveled over my lifetime and learned many American and Mexican dishes if you choose to have something from your old home.”

“Thank you.” For the next twenty minutes, Geraldo tells me about the places he’s been while Maria makes a list of things I like. So far, the staff has been excellent and this pork bocadillo is fantastic. By the time we’re done chatting and eating, I decide to head over to the library somewhere in this big house.

“I’m going to run and pick up the things on this list that we don’t have.”

Do you need anything?" Maria asks.

"I think I am fine. You supplied me with everything so far. I can't ask for more."

"Que preciosa. You are too precious. We are here to serve you. If you need anything, please do ask. Señor Serrano would be quite upset if he learned you weren't being taken care of."

"Thank you. If I do think of anything, I will let you know. I'm off to the library now. Thank you for lunch and the chat." I walk out of the kitchen and nearly bump into Vicente again. "We have to stop meeting like this," I say playfully. He's older than me, but not much older. He's dressed like the others, but there's something about him that screams arrogant. Maybe it's the way he carries himself. Either way, it's none of my concern because Victor knows who he has working for him.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Serrano."

"It's okay. I'm off to the library, so beware. Oh, and by the way, which way is it?"

"I'll escort you there." He leads the way, making sure to keep his distance. I feel an awkward silence that unsettles me, so I make some small talk as he leads me down the long corridor off the kitchen.

"It's sad that I'm lost around here, but I'll get the hang of it."

"Yes, we can't have you getting lost forever." He gives me a nervous smile that brings my own grin to my face.

"Here we are." He waves his arms at the large wooden doors.

"Thank you. I don't know how long I'll be in here, so you don't have to follow me anymore. It's not like I'm going anywhere."

"Just doing my job."

"Well, I don't want to be disturbed." It may come off rude, but seriously, I'm a little annoyed that he's up my ass. I know Victor doesn't trust me, and that's why he has his minions following me like puppies. Still, I find it irritating.

"Call out if you need anything." He nods and turns on his heel in the opposite direction we came from. This house is practically a castle. It definitely has that historic charm. I open the double doors like I'm in Beauty and the Beast and to my amazement, the library is massive. Two floors with a walking path on the second. It's beautiful. I close the door behind me and then walk to the nearest bookcase and run my fingers along the spines of the books while breathing in the scent of paper. A happy sigh escapes my lips, and then I scan the titles. There are so many titles that I'm not sure which one to pick.

I randomly grab a small stack and sit on the most comfortable chaise ever. It’s heavenly.

I pick up the first book. It’s A Tale of Two Cities, which I immediately put down. The next is Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. This time, I read at least a page before setting it on the table beside the head of the chaise. Next is Dracula by Bram Stoker. Unable to stop myself, I dig in. Page by page, I devour the story until there’s a knock at the library door.

“Yes?”

“Señor Serrano has pulled into the driveway.”

“Thank you.” I don’t care. I look at the clock on the wall, and it’s already six thirty. I grumble the time to myself and go back to my book. I refuse to look up when he enters the library.

“If that’s the greeting I get when you’re engaged in reading, I’ll just have to take this back to the store.”

“You’re late,” I hiss, refusing to look up from the book.

“Oh…well. I was busy working.” I turn and look at him, and he’s wearing a different shirt.

“Working? Why is your shirt different?” I question, narrowing my eyes so he knows damn well I’m not stupid.

“I spilled wine on it.”

“Oh, work. Wine?”

“Dove, we own a winery,” he says.

“A winery?” Well, I didn’t know that.

“Yes. An entire vineyard as well. I’ll take you one day if