She’d switched to his right foot, and he was lost in her touch. “No, a contract is fine. Have you used them with other clients?”
“No, but I was home where I knew everyone well, and they knew me. I should have had contracts, though, and I’ll have a standard one drawn up when I get home and use it with new clients from now on.”
“Would it embarrass you if I came to visit?”
She concentrated on his foot. “Would you be wearing one of your fancy suits?”
“No, they’re too uncomfortable for travel.” He rested his head against the headboard and sighed contentedly. “Patricia said you gave great massages, and you do. Please don’t stop there.”
Startled by her sister’s name, she dropped his foot and stood. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”
“It felt good. Don’t apologize. Let’s talk to your dad tonight, and you can change your airline reservation tomorrow. I promise you’ll not be bored here.”
With him, that was a complete impossibility. She paused at the door. “I’m never bored. Are you coming downstairs for dinner?”
“If you’ll help me dress.”
The man never quit, and she wouldn’t encourage him. “You’re on your own. I won’t be your valet, and I’ll put it in the contract.” She closed the door quietly on her way out.
Santos raked his hand through his hair. He was at a disadvantage with a brace on his knee, but at least he’d talked Libby into staying for the summer. Now all he had to do was convince her father it would be strictly for business. He’d planned to draw Peter aside after dinner, but Libby brought it up during the meal.
“Santos asked me to stay a few more weeks as his personal trainer. Could you draw up a simple contract for us, Dad?”
Peter glanced toward Santos, who smiled in an attempt to appear earnest and respectable. “Whose idea was it?”
“Mine,” Santos assured him. “Libby had mentioned working as a personal trainer, and I need one. I’ll give her free room and board, double whatever she usually charges, and she’ll have plenty of time off to see the city. She’d be good company for Maggie too.”
“Are you in on this, Maggie?” Peter asked.
She paused mid-bite. “No, this is the first I’ve heard of it.”
“How old are you, Santos?” Linda asked.
He saw a flash of fear cross Libby’s glance, but wouldn’t lie. “I’m twenty-seven. I was born while my father was married to you. It’s a tragic story I’d rather not repeat, but I’m old enough to hire Libby. Let’s talk about a contract later. Please excuse me. I’ve lost my appetite.”
He left with as much dignity as he could display on crutches. Libby started to rise, but Rafael stopped her. “Let him go,” he directed softly.
“Couldn’t someone have warned me?” Linda asked. “What else shouldn’t I ask?”
Maggie drew in a deep breath. “Santos lost his mother at a very early age, and she and Miguel were never married. Santos has carried more responsibility for the family than anyone else, and I trust him.”
Linda pushed her plate away. “I’ve lost my appetite too.
What’s the real story, that Miguel left a pregnant girl here when he came to Arizona?”
“No,” Maggie insisted. “He didn’t know, and his mother didn’t tell him when she found out. I don’t know words vile enough to accurately describe Carmen and her twisted motives. You were lucky not to have known her.”
Patricia was hanging on every word, but Linda had offered both daughters the same advice. “Let’s tell the truth. If you want to stay with Santos because you’re attracted to him, Libby, please say so. You don’t need to make up a story about working for him.”
Rafael tried to hide his smile, and Maggie reached under the table to grip his hand and rein in his obvious amusement. “We’ll see Libby’s happy,” she offered. “If she isn’t, we’ll drive her to the airport. Besides, she’s twenty-one and doesn’t need your permission to stay.”
“You needn’t have reminded us,” Peter scolded.
“I do like Santos,” Libby said, “but that’s not all there is to it. That’s why I asked you to draw up a contract. We’ll set the terms, and if Santos doesn’t meet them, I’ll go home.”
“He’ll follow them,” Rafael added. “I’ll see to it.”
Peter shook his head. “We’ve a wedding on Saturday. Couldn’t we concentrate on it tonight?”