The Sentence Examples
The horse did not stir.
He was going to call the doctor.
This might be the most difficult decision she would ever make.
As it came to a stop the conductor called out in a loud voice.
The boy was startled and his eyes were big.
This was the final step.
But all along, they believed they would ultimately prevail—and not just win the war, but also do something epic that would change the course of history for all time.
Didn't you feel the ground shake?
She came to the airport with him.
She had the most expressive face he had ever seen.
AdvertisementI thought that was the best way to carry her.
He stared at the picture.
But I wish we could find a way to get to the ground.
The family on my father's side is descended from Caspar Keller, a native of Switzerland, who settled in Maryland.
It had to be the new baby.
AdvertisementShe climbed into the buggy and he followed her.
Zeb shook the reins and urged him to go, but Jim was stubborn.
Isn't it funny? asked the kitten.
The kids are asleep and we're alone.
And yet, didn't clinical words like selective reduction and gestational carrier mask the facts?
AdvertisementThey even agreed to take care of the animals while Alex and Carmen took their first vacation.
With a wild neigh of terror the animal fell bodily into the pit, drawing the buggy and its occupants after him.
The sudden rush into space confused them so that they could not think.
The fire snapped as it grew.
Getting around in front, so that she could look inside, the girl saw a boy curled up on the seat, fast asleep.
AdvertisementThese they could not see, but they could feel them pelting the buggy top, and Jim screamed almost like a human being when a stone overtook him and struck his boney body.
I've tumbled through the air long enough to make me contented on this roof.
He needed the rest.
She set down the bird-cage and poked the boy with her parasol.
Dorothy was too dazed to say much, but she watched one of Jim's big ears turn to violet and the other to rose, and wondered that his tail should be yellow and his body striped with blue and orange like the stripes of a zebra.
The roast will be ready in about 15 minutes.
Then he got into the buggy again and took the reins, and the horse at once backed away from the tree, turned slowly around, and began to trot down the sandy road which was just visible in the dim light.
Right or wrong, the decision had been made.
He walked out of the room chuckling.
The household account he had set up for her was healthy and growing with the monthly deposits he made.
The holiday weekend passed pleasantly.
She walked toward it and found the horse tied to a tree and standing motionless, with its head hanging down almost to the ground.
Just then the buggy tipped slowly over upon its side, the body of the horse tipping also.
We are somewhere in the middle of the earth, and the chances are we'll reach the other side of it before long.
I can see plenty of nice gardens and fields down below us, at the edge of this city.
They have no friend Iolaus to burn with a hot iron the root of the hydra's head, but as soon as one head is crushed, two spring up.
One day they were sitting at the table working on coloring books when Alex came home early.
Carmen glanced quickly outside to see if the threatening snow had arrived.
The neighbors couldn't see into any of their windows, and they were far enough off the main road that the only traffic would be people coming to see them.
The kids are in the next room.
Around it were arranged, like the five points of a star, the other five brilliant balls; one being rose colored, one violet, one yellow, one blue and one orange.
Soon he reached the street and disappeared through a glass doorway into one of the glass buildings.
On the other hand, the dream was in her head, not his.
The balmy weather of Thanksgiving Day had given way to a frosty day after.
No more searching for frozen half-tires in the snow and stomping the water out of them.
It isn't the first time I've cooked.
The unknown can be worse than reality, and she had no idea what to expect on the flight.
At any rate, the Medena hacienda was impressive.
Alex wouldn't lie, but if he was given enough time to think about it, he could certainly evade the issue.
The return address was the Doctor's office in Chicago.
The children played and they all talked for a while longer.
The shed at Hugson's Siding was bare save for an old wooden bench, and did not look very inviting.
Dorothy grabbed fast hold of the buggy top and the boy did the same.
At this they both put their heads over the side of the buggy and looked down.
She smiled to herself - and not always because he rubbed her the wrong way.
His warm hands slid under her jacket, caressing her back through the thin T-shirt.
All the papers had been signed and the money provided.
Alex walked into the room, smiling when he saw what she had done.
For the next three days the clinic would be closed.
With his return to work, things at the house shifted to a faster pace.
The men did not know of the wound.
She was invited to the party.
As she peered through the soft gray light not a house of any sort was visible near the station, nor was any person in sight; but after a while the child discovered a horse and buggy standing near a group of trees a short distance away.
They seemed to be falling right into the middle of a big city which had many tall buildings with glass domes and sharp-pointed spires.
The roof beside them had a great hole smashed through it, and pieces of glass were lying scattered in every direction.
But not a sound had broken the stillness since the strangers had arrived, except that of their own voices.
But then, she hadn't approved of his drinking or the way he treated Lori either.
The Christmas tree could only be seen from the back of the house, but that didn't matter.
She stepped forward and pulled the newspaper down with one hand.
The answer came swiftly - because she no longer thought of him as adopted.
Is the ranch far from here?
The kids are asleep.
Remembering what Felipa had said about the girls being out of a home if Alex refused the inheritance, she smiled.
I'm glad you saved me the trouble.
A nearby steeple had been broken off short and the fragments lay heaped beside it.
Slowly carrying the full cups into the living room, she handed one to Alex.
Staring out the bay window at the old house, she abandoned her coffee cup on the window sill.
At this point, abandoning the two fertilized eggs might be a worse sin.
Later, she lay in bed, tucked warmly under the covers as his boots clicked away from her on the hardwood floor - down the hall and into the den.
Apparently his greatest concern was the fact that his mother was married to his adoptive father at the time he was conceived.
With so many people at their house, it was fortunate that the weather was warm and dry so they could utilize the courtyard for the children.
Like Alex, he saw the logic in surrogacy, as did Bill.
They circled the room twice before a hand reached up and tapped Alex on the shoulder.
What was he disappointed about - the new baby?
A long sigh escaped her lips as she slid back down under the covers.
He was respectful of her concerns, but they didn't see eye-to-eye on any of it - except the fact that they both wanted another child.
She fed them and gathered the few eggs they had laid after she gathered them yesterday.
Back outside, she headed for the barn.
When she opened the barn door, the Appaloosa mare lifted her head over her stall and nickered.
Alex had promised the foal to Jonathan and he had already named it Eureka.
At least at this point, the old house was paying for itself.
Alex met her at the door, a steaming cup of coffee in one hand.
I figured you could use the rest.
He slapped her on the backside playfully as she passed.
On the other hand, Alex exuded confidence.
Alex glanced at Jonathan and then rubbed the top of his head.
Is the gulf far from here?
When her attention returned to the others, she caught Señor Medena and Felipa watching them.
I think she was merely directing the comment at you because she thought you might want to know.
The muscles on his chest and arms were not well defined.
The smile faded and his expression became ardent.
The man sitting at the other end of the table was introduced to them as Morino el capataz - their foreman, Morino.
Not even a year had passed since the stabbing, but he had been doing well.
Apparently the horse knew the rider meant business, because it didn't act up again.
He closed the door and they walked several yards down the hall before he spoke.
That evening all the women got together to wrap gifts.
Felipa tipped her head to the side, as if she was considering that information.
On the way across the open water, they saw several dolphins.
The weather was balmy, adding to the enjoyment of the day.
By the time they got back and dressed for supper, Destiny's eyelids were drooping.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Alex watching her.
I can hardly wait for the new baby.
The grin faded and he started to look frightened.
We're the guests of honor tonight.
Tessa was the girl who left him standing at the altar once.
He had loved a singer, but he had married the farmer's daughter.
His gaze traveled over her face expressionlessly as they danced away from the spot.
The smile warmed his eyes.
The smile broadened, including the dimple.
So the party was actually for him, not both of them.
After all, he knew Katie too, but they only wanted the people he knew before he met his wife - excluding his sister.
As the dance came to an end, she gazed up at him.
Alex followed her and stumbled on the stairs.
She had to grab it to keep it from falling to the floor.
Her accent was still there, but the clumsy speech pattern was gone.
The other obvious fact was that Dulce didn't accept the inheritance issue.
She dropped the picture in his lap and watched his reaction.
One glance at the picture and his neck turned red.
She reached out and took the picture from his hand.
Alex admired the breasts - which probably rated him right up there with the majority of men.
I've been getting the feeling she is trying to break us up.
She held up the picture.
Maybe she thinks I'm the only thing keeping you from doing that.
As for the drink, there was no point in bringing that up.
He stood and walked over to the window, staring out it absently.
I'm the one who should be apologizing - for dragging you into this.
I don't want to put the girls out of a home.
Even a bird is smart enough to push the fledgling out of the nest when it fails to fly on its own.
All the girls have the opportunity of going to college while the money is still there.
If he wants to keep this estate in the family, he'll have to leave it to his daughters.
Are you sure that's the way you want it?
There was a breath of danger in the very air, and every few moments the earth would shake violently.
Jim the horse had seen these spires, also, and his ears stood straight up with fear, while Dorothy and Zeb held their breaths in suspense.
It is a simple premise and yet, at the same time, an article of faith—a faith that the future would be better than the past.
Mr. Reynolds was indifferent to the subject.
Then there was the money he left to Carmen.
As she left the kitchen, his voice followed her.
He intended it as a joke, but the memory it resurrected was painful.
I just thought it would be fun for the man to tell the wife this for once.
He lifted the paper and started to read again.
Still feeling the sobering effects of that cool regard, she forced a smile.
She leaned back against his arm, watching his profile as he looked out the window.
Like her father, the dark eyes that examined Carmen revealed little emotion.
After he left, she lifted one of the suitcases and placed it on the bed.
He pulled the shirt tails out of his pants and shucked it.
The boy who sat beside him was his son.
Instead, Felipa met them at the corral.
Unbuckling his belt, he pulled his shirt up and examined the knife scar on his abdomen.
Alex tossed her into the air.
Removing his hands from the wall, he placed them on her shoulders, pulling her closer.
She tossed the picture in his lap again and made a face.
Otherwise, he'll have to live with the idea that it will no longer be in the family after he passes.
I'll get supper on the table.
Alex stood and walked down the hall.
A few minutes later his deep voice drifted back down the hall as he discussed something with her.
Do the Sanders know where everything is and what needs to be done with the animals?
I didn't have much of an idea about the cost of raising children then, either.
Do you think Jonathan might feel left out when the new baby comes?
He pulled the undershirt over his head before answering.
He was going to like the clothes she bought for the trip.
Alex helped the man get the luggage into the trunk and then hurried to assist Carmen into the car before the man could touch her.
Señor Medena was watching Alex, but from the corner of her eye Carmen could see Alex was looking out the window.
Surely he didn't intend to be verbally invisible the entire visit.
His empty gaze shifted momentarily from the window to her face.
This wasn't the Alex she knew.
As he turned the horse around, he eyed the men suspiciously.
The men cheered as he turned the horse and rode it out of the corral.
Waiting until they were out of view from the men at the corral, Carmen rode up beside Alex.
Pressing on the scar, he winced.
The belt buckle that deflected the knife from his heart was now irritating the scar.
The shock of what happened gave way to fury as Felipa turned back to them.
We would not let him get on the horse with Destiny.
Still, by the time they returned, Alex looked exhausted.
He had probably been hurting during the ride, but refused to say anything.
Yet the next morning he acted normal - even cheerful.
Felipa will be punished for her part in the incident.
The men are as guilty as she is.
Señor Medena motioned to the door.
He paused at the door to wait for her.
He instantly gave in to chase her down the hall.
She was so worn out that she fell asleep at the table.
My, aren't you the night owl tonight - the boy who has been dancing with me half the night.
Possibly not, but that was the end result.
And then she remembered seeing Dulce watching her when she accepted the drink.
By the way, neither Alex nor I drink.
He paced back and forth across the room, deep in thought.
You have set aside the money for a college education.
But a lot more complicated for the other two, maybe.
Glancing in the mirror, he straightened his jacket and tucked the tie back down into his vest.
Alex spoke to her reflection in the mirror.
Señor Medena was the first boy in his family.
It was a good thing they didn't change after church, because everyone at the table was dressed as if going to church.
He quickly opened it and pulled out the contents.
Pulling the contents out, she stared at the ultra sound.
Marked on it in bold letters were the words "Baby A" and "Baby B".
The babies in the photo were living beings.
She looked back at the picture.
Actually, her first morning of sickness had been unpleasant, until she discovered the cause was pregnancy.
Nothing more was said about the tear session.
Son, you know the rules.
I think a few days cleaning in the stable would pay for it.
She picked a toy off the floor.
I have the same need to nurture and protect.
He sank into the chair and let out a long breath.
The atmosphere felt stiff and formal, as if this was not part of their routine.
There will be one from each of us to the other, and then a couple for the children from Santa.
So I say the horses and chickens are mine and Alex says the other animals are his.
Jonathan separated himself from the other children.
She immediately told him about the incident with Jonathan and Alfonso and he simply nodded.
Carmen set Destiny on the floor and then sat down beside Alex.
Alex put the paper down and turned toward her, sliding an arm behind her on the back of the couch.
Carmen, I don't think you really want in the middle of this.
I am in the middle of it right now - only I don't know what I'm in the middle of.
You're supposed to be taking care of me, but that isn't realistic 100% of the time, is it?
You keep telling me it's in the past - until you can dig it back up and throw it in my face again.
Her stomach contracted at his tone and the look on his face.
He was right, to a degree It isn't the past that I'm pitching you, Alex.
It's the lessons we learned from the past.
If you don't remember where you buried the bone, it isn't going to be much help when you get hungry later.
His bittersweet chocolate gaze wandered over her face in search of something, or maybe he was digesting the information.
He picked at a thread on the couch, his mind obviously lost in deep thought.
A long hallway ran across the back of the upstairs, leading to four bedrooms.
She followed him down the hall and down the stairs.
Maybe he wanted to look at the house too.
As he rode into the yard, his expression made it clear that he didn't come to see the house.
Carmen accepted the outstretched hand and placed a foot in the vacated stirrup.
She gripped his waist as he turned the horse around and headed back toward the hacienda.
You're the person he wanted to put in the house.
No wonder he was upset in the stair room.
In fact, at the party he had spent an unnecessary amount of time with the woman he almost married – and hadn't even introduced her.
By the time they reached the barn, she had a different perspective of the entire situation.
When Alex lowered her to the ground, she jerked her hand free and marched off to the house.
He'd be following shortly, trying to make it look like he was the injured party.
She climbed the stairs and entered their room.
He had been spending too much time with the television lately.
Dulce stopped the attack as suddenly as she started it.
And then there was the matter of Tessa.
The memory gave her resolution.
There was no point in dredging up the past again.
Carmen smiled, basking in the warmth of his attention.
He lay down on his back and pulled the covers up.
She dropped to her pillow, wondering if she was the only one who thought their exchange across the living room ended the quarrel.
They would be there tomorrow night, so there was no point in making the remaining vacation time unpleasant.
The national weather forecast on television was calling for light snow in Arkansas.
Felipa looked like she wanted to eat the words.
Jonathan was staring out the window and Alex was playing with Destiny.
It should have arrived at Hugson's Siding at midnight, but it was already five o'clock and the gray dawn was breaking in the east when the little train slowly rumbled up to the open shed that served for the station-house.
So he moved the cars slowly and with caution.
Jumping out of the buggy he put Dorothy's suit-case under the seat and her bird-cage on the floor in front.
Then the boy picked up the reins, shook them, and said "Gid-dap!"
Next minute there was a roar and a sharp crash, and at her side Dorothy saw the ground open in a wide crack and then come together again.
Far below her she found six great glowing balls suspended in the air.
But they continued to fall, all together, and the boy and girl had no difficulty in remaining upon the seat, just as they were before.
Swiftly they drew near to the flaming colored suns, and passed close beside them.
They saw a landscape with mountains and plains, lakes and rivers, very like those upon the earth's surface; but all the scene was splendidly colored by the variegated lights from the six suns.
His clothing fitted his form snugly and was gorgeously colored in brilliant shades of green, which varied as the sunbeams touched them but was not wholly influenced by the solar rays.
I'm as hungry as the horse is, and I want my milk.
But he did not wish the little girl to think him a coward, so he advanced slowly to the edge of the roof.
They saw the mother robin flying about, and crying to her mate.
In a few minutes they had forgotten about the birds.
After the war was over the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee.
Such a house my father built after the Civil War, and when he married my mother they went to live in it.
Alex chuckled and relinquished the remainder of the waltz to him.
She grabbed the coffee cup and took a sip as she stepped around him.
I'll take care of the others if you want to watch the kids.
She stopped in the kitchen when she spotted the skillet of scrambled eggs and a pan of biscuits beside it.
He came up behind her and took the coffee cup from her hands, sitting it on the table.
And stop this necking before the kids come in.
She picked up her coffee cup and took another sip, her eyes searching his over the rim.
He picked up the newspaper she had set out for him and started to read.
He lowered the newspaper and his steady gaze met hers.
He rolled up the newspaper and hit her playfully on the backside as she walked away.
A few minutes later they all marched in and took their places at the table.
We'll have to be careful about that with the new baby.
Shucking the last of her underclothes, she reached for her nightgown.
Do you realize that's the first time you've done that?
She glanced down at the long flannel nightgown.
Besides, it was time to replace some of the things she'd been wearing since before they were married.
Grabbing her hands, he pushed her back on the bed and held her down.
Still, the feel of his hand was reassuring.
In spite of her decision not to, she glanced out the window.
Outside of this being her first trip in an airplane, the rest of the flight was uneventful.
Maybe it was the soft accent that held her attention.
Alex climbed into the car beside Carmen and placed his arm protectively on the back of the seat behind her neck.
The fact that there was nothing to protect her from was irrelevant.
Alex had directed the little he said to her only.
He asked her to go back to Houston with him, enticing her with rides on the beach - and love all night.
And leave the door open, would you?
Someone knocked on the door and when she answered it, a man brought in their luggage.
Popping it open, she started hanging their things in the closet.
Alex walked in and closed the door to the other bedroom.
The white athletic undershirt contrasted attractively with his bronzed skin.
He tossed the shirt on the bed and walked silently to her.
All the same, he was the one who broke the embrace.
The idea of making love in a strange bedroom was disturbing enough, but with only a door between them and the children, locked or not, it didn't feel right.
She'd start feeling more comfortable with the room.
Señor Medena sat at the head of the long dining table, his three daughters on his left.
Apparently the duo was considered part of the family.
When Jonathan spoke, the distraction was welcome.
Alex captured her hand and forced her to drop the potatoes.
Carmen grabbed a napkin and began wiping the mashed potatoes from her hand.
Carmen glanced around the table, but everyone seemed to be more amused than disturbed... everyone but Señor Medena.
She will have the baby for us because I have no womb, but it is our baby.
Carmen kicked Alex under the table.
She had enough for the entire family.
When the kids were settled in their room, she turned on Alex.
Did the cat get your tongue at the table?
She sank to the bed.
I agreed to this and I want the baby as much as you do.
He shoved her back on the bed playfully.
He crawled onto the bed and lay down beside her, his expression becoming sober.
Maybe he was thinking about Alexia, but that was still on their land, in the old house before it was renovated.
Yet Señor Medena never left the house.
Then the horse bunched up under him.
When they turned around, Alex was still on the horse.
He took Carmen by the hand and leaned close to her ear.
At home, presents were under the tree, waiting for their return.
Alex had asked one of the men go into town and rent a car for them.
While he showered, she straightened up the room.
Leaning her back against the wall, hands behind her back, she watched him in the mirror.
He glanced at her in the mirror and continued shaving.
Rinsing the razor, he laid it aside and wiped his face with the towel.
He turned from the mirror and gazed down at her solemnly.
Finally he put a hand on the wall on each side of her head.
Felipa met them in the main room downstairs.
Thank you for getting me off the hook.
For the first time it mattered to her.
Not because she wanted the money, but because it might become an issue.
The last time he made a business trip to Columbia, he had said they needed the money.
The shopping trip was exciting because it was so close to Christmas, but otherwise uneventful.
It was probably the first money, other than the air fares, Señor Medena had been able to spend on Alex - and even then he had to do it through Felipa.
Has Alex told you about the party?
In the first place, he didn't consider this home.
Her dark eyes fixed on Carmen, eagerly waiting for the rest of the story.
You don't have to go to the trouble.
When the band took a break, Carmen was looking for something cool to drink.
He took the glass from her hand and sipped it.
He tipped the glass up and drained it.
While the band was on break, Eduardo entertained them with some Spanish guitar.
He was amazingly good, his fingers plucking the strings with quick nimble strokes.
They mingled with the guests a little longer and then Carmen excused herself.
Obviously the long week was taking its toll on him as well.
Shutting the door after her, Alex reached for Carmen.
The kitchen was open all the time, but Alex didn't drink - or never had to her knowledge.
She pushed him back, speaking as firmly as she could without talking loud enough for the children to hear.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at his feet... and then keeled over on the bed.
She removed his Tux and shoes, rolling him around the bed in the process.
Changing into her night gown, she decided to sleep on the love seat.
The way he acted tonight was a little too much like he did when he came home from the hospital.
Maybe the effects of the liquor would wear off by morning.
In spite of the uncomfortable sleeping accommodations and the situation, she fell asleep almost instantly.
At the time she had thought Dulce was annoyed because she didn't like the punch.
The mattress felt so good.
She was no longer tired - no longer concerned about the children or the strange room.
The service on Christmas Eve day was, of course, about Jesus.
The subject was how Mary had been a vessel to carry the son of god.
After the service, Alex was unusually silent.
Finally his gaze found Carmen as they walked toward the car.
Mom, when will the baby be born?
Alex unbuckled her from the bumper seat and carried her into the house.
Dulce motioned to Carmen from a hallway, so Carmen told Alex to take the children up and she would be up shortly.
Carmen took the picture from her hand and studied it.
Carmen was looking at someone behind the camera and Alex was looking at a girl who stood about five feet from him.
Dulce stared at her for a moment, as if considering it for the first time.
Possibly. Possibly they won't even be the same sex.
She released the breath she had been unconsciously holding.
When you bring the babies home, can I come stay with you for a while and help take care of them?
With the photos in her hands, the fertilized eggs were a thing of the past.
When you want a baby so bad, the first morning of sickness is a blessing.
The memory was poignant, overshadowed by events that took place after she told Alex she was expecting.
The ultra sound photo brought back a vivid memory of Alex watching the screen as the baby moved in her womb.
She shoved the photo back into the envelope and closed the lip, willing herself not to think about the previous pregnancy and its tragic end.
She bit her lips to keep them from quivering and blinked her eyes to get rid of the blur.
She was just surprised by what was in the envelope.
Carmen wiped Destiny's face and eyes with the cool rag and used a tissue to wipe her nose.
The cool damp cloth did wonders to get her own face back to normal and she finally regained control.
They loved one child as much as the other, but one child could never take the place of another.
No matter how sorry Alex was for what happened, or how many times he apologized or tried to make up for it, he couldn't remove the hurt.
Sitting her in her chair, she glanced around the table.
For the most part, the facial expressions of those sitting around the table were sympathetic, but Dulce looked as if she was ready to break into tears.
Well, he was probably embarrassed by her outburst and felt the need to explain.
What would be different this time was the fact that he couldn't deny the babies were his - that and the fact that this time she had no uterus to lose.
She returned to her place at the table.
She had to stop thinking about the past that way.
Mom used to say that people suspected in others what they had experienced or what they would do in the other person's shoes.
After supper they all gathered in the room with the tree.
A piñata had been hung from one of the banisters above and the children of some of the employees joined them.
Blindfolded, they knocked it around for a while until it broke, spilling candy all over the floor.
Jonathan and Alfonso were playing with the sticks as if they were swords.
Jonathan knocked a lamp off the table and it shattered.
Still, Alex had presented the issue as responsibility, not money.
She methodically placed the children's magazine on the table beside the chair, avoiding his gaze.
Hadn't they covered this the night they showed him the picture?
She shrugged as she placed the toy on top of the magazine.
And the spiked drink?
Remembering Dulce's face at the table, she turned, frowning up at him.
That's different... and we're wandering off the point.
Carmen thought that might be the end of the conflict.
Yet before the day was over, it was obvious that wasn't the case.
That evening Alex and Dulce were standing in the entrance room.
Later that evening in their room Carmen asked him about the exchange.
He pulled the pajama top shut and started buttoning it without looking up.
It was simply that he didn't want to tell her - which amounted to the same thing.
She let the conversation drop that night, but early the next morning Dulce caught him in the hallway and it was clear that she didn't think anything was settled.
Felipa took Carmen by the arm.
A few minutes later Dulce and Alex joined them at the table.
After breakfast, they all retired to the entry room and gathered around the tree to open presents.
Dulce remained in a sour mood, and left the group as soon as possible.
Either situation might be the case.
She was lounging on the bed reading a magazine when someone knocked on the door.
On the other side of the thick entry door was a sitting room with lush wine colored carpet.
On one side of the living room a door opened into a large dining area.
The table and chairs were made of a dark rich wood, and the tiles on the floor looked like polished bricks.
The dining room was directly off the kitchen, which was also lavish.
A couple of wing-backed chairs and sofa sank luxuriously into that thick wine carpet, but what caught her full attention was the wide curving staircase.
The wooden banisters were polished to a high finish, and the hardwood stairs were covered on the walkway with more carpet.
Following Señor Medena up the stairs, she ran her hand along the smooth wood, enjoying the cool silky soft feel of it.
The master bedroom had wooden patio doors that opened on a balcony facing east.
He nodded, turning to leave the room.
He paused at the foot of the stairs and gazed down at her.
Of course, but most people prefer the carpet.
Something about the way he was watching her felt uncomfortable.
The patio is this way.
The driver was standing by the car smoking a cigarette as they emerged from the house.
Carmen turned and lifted a hand to shade her eyes from the sun.
Kicking his foot free of the stirrup, he offered her a hand, never taking his eyes off Señor Medena.
Señor Medena shook his head and continued toward the car.
The door opened and Alex stepped into the room.
She headed for the door, ignoring the question.
He was making noises like his father was the one he didn't trust, but it wasn't that simple.
She found Felipa and Destiny in the dining room where they were having an ice cream snack.
She wasn't looking forward to being in the room with Alex right now - especially so with the children there to listen.
Carmen stopped at the corner, uncomfortable with the heat of the exchange, yet unwilling to interrupt.
She stepped closer to Alex, her hands balled into fists at the end of stiff arms.
Dropping her arms, she stepped back and wiped her mouth, staring up at him as though he had initiated the incident.
She caught up with Dulce at the top of the stairs.
That is the way it should be, Mama says.
As Dulce had pointed out, he was trying to get away from the family.
To her, the idea was ludicrous, and yet, it probably looked that way to Dulce.
She waved a hand at the house and leaned toward Carmen.
This is the life he was born for.
Carmen recoiled from her words and the hatred.
Dulce lifted her head and managed to reclaim some semblance of pride in spite of the situation.
Alex was pacing the room when she returned.
The door to Destiny & Jonathan's room was closed.
Carmen avoided his hands, turning to the closet.
She pulled the suitcase out and placed it on the bed.
She silently folded them and put them in the suitcase while he watched.
I wasn't the one who wanted to come here in the first place.
She slammed the suitcase shut and glared at him.
Then he turned away and rubbed the back of his neck in that way he did when he knew he was wrong but wasn't sure why.
Aside from his solemn expression, there was nothing in the way he acted with the children that might indicate anything was wrong between them.
When they left, it sucked the life from the room.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at the floor.
And yet, if Señor Medena hadn't been so pushy, would he have accepted the inheritance?
Who could say what might have been if the smallest thing had been different in their lives?
The problem wasn't Dulce or his father.
The problem was how they were both reacting to the situation.
Fighting with each other wasn't going to do anything but play into the hands of those instigating the trouble.
But then, he had made it clear from the start that he didn't want any of them in his life.
She had been the one who pushed him back into it.
That wasn't going to be the answer, and he must know that by now.
In fact, he must be struggling to float on the ocean of problems this family represented.
If they were truly soul mates, she should be in his corner all the way.
There was no riding the fence on this one.
Alex was lounging with one shoulder against the wall on the other side of the family room when Carmen walked in.
Apparently he found what he was looking for, because a smile touched the corners of his mouth and his eyes warmed.
He slapped her backside playfully as she walked out the door ahead of him.
Everyone probably knew about the incident with Dulce last night.
Fortunately, there was no opportunity to discuss the situation with the children present.
The morning passed in a pleasant way and soon it was time to leave.
Señor Medena said goodbye to them at the house, but Alondra and Felipa rode with them in the Limousine to the airport.
Alex was in a good mood and it was a pleasant trip - until Felipa made a comment about Tessa's visit the night before.
She let the subject drop.
Maybe he was wondering when the other shoe would fall.
He had the background and the education, but he obviously didn't have the inclination to adjust to the one being forced on him.
Later, the jolting of the plane awakened her with a start.
We're running into a little turbulence from the storm.
Within a few minutes the plane was dipping and rising in a way that made her stomach roll uncomfortably.
It seemed like only a few seconds before the uncomfortable feeling became nausea.
The feel of his warm fingers on her temple was comforting.
Alex would make the misery go away.
Paper rattled and then something was placed on the skin under her ear.
The nausea persisted for a while, but was eventually lost in sleep.
The next thing she knew, Alex was shaking her awake and telling her they were changing planes.