The Villa

know if she gets… if she starts to get a crush on you. It's probably normal, but I'd like to head it off if it veers that way."
    "It's not like that. I think I'm more big brother, maybe uncle material. But your boy's got a champion crush on Sophie."
    David stared. Blinked. Then rubbed his hands over his face. "Missed that one. I thought it came and went the first week. Hell."
    "She can handle it. Nothing she does better than handle the male of the species. She won't bruise him."
    "He manages to bruise himself." He thought of Pilar, and winced.
    "Hard to fault his taste, huh? Under the circumstances?"
    David shot back a bland look. "Another smart-ass," he muttered and walked out.
     
    Pilar chose a simple cocktail suit, thinking the sage green with satin lapels was midway between professional and celebratory. Perfect, she hoped, for hosting the wine tasting.
    She'd taken on the role to prove herself—to her family, to David and even to herself. She'd spent a week assisting with tours, being trained—delicately, she thought now. Staff members treated family members with kid gloves.
    It had jarred her to realize just how little she knew about the winery, about the vineyards, about the process and about the public areas and retail venue. It would take more than a week and some subtle education to learn how to handle any of those areas on her own. But by God, she could handle a group at a wine tasting.
    And was determined to prove it.
    She was going to learn how to handle a great many things, including her own life. Part of that life included sex. So, good for her.
    And on that thought, she lowered to the edge of her bed. The idea of moving toward an intimate relationship with David terrified her. The fact that it did, irritated her. And terrified and irritated, she had made herself, she admitted, a nervous wreck.
    The knock on her door had her springing to her feet again, grabbing her brush and fixing what she hoped was a confident and casual expression on her face. "Yes? Come in."
    She sighed hugely and gave up the pretense when she saw Helen. "Thank God it's you. I'm so tired of pretending to be a twenty-first-century woman."
    "You look like one. Fabulous dress."
    "Under it, I'm quaking. I'm glad you and James are here for the tasting."
    "We dragged Linc along. His current honey is working tonight."
    "Still the intern?"
    "Yeah." Helen sat on the curvy velvet chaise, made herself at home. "I'm starting to think he's getting serious about her."
    "And?"
    "I don't know. She's a nice girl, raised well. Focused, which he could use, and independent, which I appreciate."
    "But he's your baby."
    "But he's my baby," Helen agreed. "I miss the little boy sometimes, with the scabbed knees and loose shoelaces. Still see him in that tall, gorgeous lawyer in the three-piece suit that strolls in and out of my life now. And Jesus," she said with a sigh. "I'm old. How's your baby holding up?"
    Pilar set down her brush. "You already know about what Tony did."
    "Your mother thought it best that I know, so that I can cover any legalities that might come up. I'm sorry, Pilar."
    "So am I. It was so unnecessary." She turned. "And so like him. That's what you're thinking."
    "It doesn't matter what I think. Unless I see you start blaming yourself."
    "No, not this time. And I hope never again. But it's rough, very rough on Sophia."
    "She'll get through it. Our babies turned into strong, capable adults while we weren't looking, Pilar."
    "I know. When did we blink? And still, we can't help worrying about them, can we?"
    "The job never ends. Sophia was just heading over to MacMillan's as we came in. Drafted Linc to go with her in case there was any heavy lifting involved in the setup. He'll keep her mind occupied."
    "It's always good to see them together, almost like brother and sister."
    "Mmm. Now, sit down." Helen patted the chaise. "Catch your breath and tell me all about your romance with David Cutter. With nearly thirty years of marriage under my belt, I have to live vicariously."
    "It's not really… we're enjoying each other's company."
    "No sex yet, huh?"
    "Helen." Giving up, Pilar dropped onto the chaise. "How can I have sex with him?"
    "If you've forgotten how it works, there are a number of very good books on the subject. Videos. Internet sites." Behind her lenses, her eyes danced. "I'll give you a list."
    "I'm serious."
    "Me too. Some very hot stuff in there."
    "Stop it." But she laughed. "David's been very patient, but I'm not