The Disobedient Virgin

She had to be strong.

“Strong as only a woman can be,” Anton said quietly, and they touched glasses again.

“Independent, strong…and with a generous heart,” Nick added.

Another ceremonial touching of the glasses and a celebratory swallow of whiskey.

“My Cat—Catarina—is all those things,” Jake said. “My bride.”

It turned out all three were newly married, and crazy about their wives.

“Wait until you meet my Tess,” Nick said.

“You’ll be crazy about my Cristina,” Anton said.

Smiles all around. Then Jake’s smile faded.

“I hate him,” he said quietly.

“Enrique?” Nick and Anton said, in one voice.

“Yeah. I didn’t even know he existed until a few months ago.”

Anton lifted his glass and looked at it as if it held deep secrets. “Neither did I.”

“Well, I knew he existed,” Nick said carefully. “I even met him.”

His brothers stared at him. “And? What was he like?”

There was a long silence. Then Nick shrugged. “There was a time I’d have said our father was soulless.”

“And now?” Anton said, leaning forward.

“And now I suspect he was a man, just like us—except he didn’t realize what being a man actually meant until death was staring him in the face.”

Another silence. Then Jake let out a breath.

“Maybe you’re right. It’s a long story, but this last thing he did—”

“Enrique?”

“Yeah. Enrique. Our father,” he said, testing the words for the first time. “The last thing he did—what he set out for me in that will—is what led me to my wife. So I suppose—I suppose I owe him something for that.”

His brothers nodded. “The same here,” Nick said, and Anton quickly agreed.

“Still…” Jake said carefully, because even though they’d discovered so many shared convictions he didn’t know how they’d feel about the money their father had left them. “Still,” he said, “I don’t want his money. If you guys do, that’s okay, but—”

“I’ve already told Estes what he can do with my third,” Anton said.

“Graphically, I hope,” Nick added, and the three men laughed.

Jake raised a hand and signaled for another round.

“Actually, my wife will get my share,” Anton said. “It’s a long story, but Enrique set things up so that if I refuse the money Cristina inherits it instead.” His smile broadened. “And she’s going to put it to good use. She has a ranch, and there’s a forest that needs protecting…” He shook his head. “Another tale that’s too long to tell just now, but trust me, the money will be well-spent.”

“So will my share,” Nick said. “Tess suggested we donate it to an orphanage. I think that’s perfect.”

“Yeah,” Jake said, “it’s a great idea.”