That idea was troublesome to Carmen as well.
Carmen had already spoken to Mums about it.
Carmen had given Josh no encouragement.
Carmen glanced at her in surprise.
Carmen stopped washing the dish in her hand and stared at Mary in mute silence.
Carmen finally found her tongue.
Carmen rinsed a dish and sighed.
Carmen shrugged again, plunging her hands into the warm dishwater.
Carmen sat with her hands clutched together tightly as the plane taxied out to the runway.
Alex didn't look at Carmen, which was her first inkling that something was amiss.
When Señor Medena introduced the girl as his daughter, Carmen caught her breath and looked at Alex for an explanation.
Carmen tried to hide her surprise.
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.
Alex climbed into the car beside Carmen and placed his arm protectively on the back of the seat behind her neck.
Carmen scooted closer to him, wondering if he heard Felipa.
Carmen refrained from looking at Alex or displaying the shock she felt at the introduction of two more siblings he had never mentioned - an entire family.
Like her father, the dark eyes that examined Carmen revealed little emotion.
We can stop right here if you want, Carmen.
When Carmen's father died, she thought she was alone in the world, yet all these people had been there for her.
Katie picked up the plate, her focus on Carmen.
Then there was the money he left to Carmen.
Ed merely looked at them and then back at Carmen.
Random eyed Carmen silently.
Katie said that was because Carmen had been raised poor and had become frugal.
Jonathan came in as Carmen was setting the table.
Jonathan grinned and Carmen glanced at Alex.
Carmen hurried over to Destiny.
Carmen, don't bother to cook.
With everything going on, Carmen didn't have time to worry about flying, but when they were all sitting at the airport, she finally had time to stew over it.
Felipa looked to be in her early twenties and had a sunshine smile that made Carmen feel welcome.
She hugged both Alex and Carmen.
Carmen tried to focus on Felipa, but her mind was full of questions.
Señor Medena was watching Alex, but from the corner of her eye Carmen could see Alex was looking out the window.
Alex shifted a faintly amused gaze to Carmen.
Carmen wrinkled her nose at him.
Carmen said, grabbing her hand and kissing the chubby little fingers.
His gaze sought Carmen and the sides of his mouth turned up in a warm smile.
Carmen met his gaze for a moment - long enough to reunite, and then they both turned back to the others.
After she left the room, Carmen glanced down at her dress and then at Alex.
Carmen is a very good cook.
Señor Medena's reflective gaze rested on Carmen.
Carmen wanted to shrivel out of sight.
Carmen whipped her head around.
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.
His contemplative regard fell on Carmen.
Carmen shot a glance at Alex, who was giving his meal undue attention.
Carmen glanced at Alex again.
Carmen met his mocking gaze.
Carmen kicked Alex under the table.
Later, as they walked back to their room, Jonathan looked up at Carmen.
Carmen's mouth went dry with fear.
Waiting until they were out of view from the men at the corral, Carmen rode up beside Alex.
Her anxious gaze went from Carmen to Alex and back again.
When no one said anything she sighed, her attention on Carmen.
Señor Medena asked Carmen and Alex to come to his office with him.
Carmen sat down, but Alex remained standing.
Señor Medena glanced at Carmen and then back at Alex.
Alex glanced at Carmen, his eyes twinkling.
He took Carmen by the hand and leaned close to her ear.
Carmen was up first, showering and dressing before Alex woke.
Carmen, you're driving me crazy.
Carmen glanced up at Alex.
Carmen glanced up at her.
Carmen continued wrapping gifts and didn't comment.
Her dark eyes fixed on Carmen, eagerly waiting for the rest of the story.
Carmen drew a slow breath and glanced self-consciously at Dulce and Alondra.
Finally her sober gaze came back to Carmen.
Alondra watched Carmen reflectively for a while and finally spoke.
Carmen went back to wrapping her present.
Carmen caught her breath - and the denial.
Carmen mentally counted to ten before responding.
Finally Carmen looked at Felipa.
Carmen asked, setting a freshly-wrapped present aside.
Felipa lifted a steady gaze to Carmen.
Felipa left Carmen at the foot of the stairs, striding off without another word.
Carmen put a foot on the first step and then heard voices.
His gaze flitted to Carmen as they passed.
Carmen turned the light off and shut the door.
After flipping through a few channels, Carmen decided to take a long bath.
Carmen leaned on her pillow and watched him dress for bed.
Carmen reached over and flipped off the light.
Her calculating gaze ran over Carmen from head to toe and she smiled.
After the fitting, Carmen retrieved Destiny.
Felipa smiled at Carmen's inquisitive look.
True, but her answer left Carmen's stomach tied in a knot.
They rounded the corner of the building to see a group of men lounging against the fence, watching a display that made Carmen's blood run cold.
He looked pleased with himself until he saw Carmen.
Jonathan asked Alex excitedly as they joined Carmen and Felipa.
His gaze lifted innocently to Carmen.
A stop for lunch and then a drive over the biggest bridge Carmen had ever seen - and then they were in Galveston.
Dulce glanced at Carmen, her expression unreadable.
That night after Jonathan was in bed, Carmen turned to Alex.
Carmen couldn't make out more than a few words, but one of them was mare.
Carmen stood looking after him and then sighed.
His gaze shifted to include Carmen.
Carmen made a ball out of a pair of socks.
It was the first time Carmen had seen Alondra actually laugh.
Some might think Dulce didn't know what she was missing, but Carmen suspected she did.
She smiled as Carmen put hands to her mouth in surprise.
She helped Carmen into the new dress.
Alondra and Felipa laughed when Carmen blushed.
Carmen swirled around, enjoying the feel of the skirt as she eyed her image in the mirror.
Finally Alondra guided an Amethyst necklace around Carmen's neck.
Carmen asked in surprise.
Felipa led Carmen to the top of the stairs.
Taking a deep breath, Carmen started down the stairs.
Carmen gazed up at him, shaking her head.
Carmen wrinkled her nose.
Carmen turned and tipped her head back to look at the face of the man who towered over her.
Carmen smiled to herself.
Carmen lifted her chin and studied his face.
Carmen gazed up at him innocently.
Carmen gazed up at his somber features.
Carmen felt her face growing warm.
Carmen rubbed her sore neck and searched the room for Alex again, but didn't find him.
Dulce appeared at Carmen's side, dressed in a dark blue gown with a high collar.
Carmen caught her breath, instinctively searching the sea of faces.
When Carmen's gaze returned to Dulce, the woman had a smug smile on her lips.
When Carmen turned, Dulce was watching her with the same expression.
Carmen shrugged, not knowing what to say.
A strong hand grabbed Carmen's arm as the band started another song.
When the band took a break, Carmen was looking for something cool to drink.
They were so synchronized and fluid that Carmen asked Alex if they danced often.
They mingled with the guests a little longer and then Carmen excused herself.
Shutting the door after her, Alex reached for Carmen.
Carmen rushed to him, but found that he was either asleep or passed out.
Finally his gaze found Carmen as they walked toward the car.
Jonathan tugged on Carmen's arm.
Dulce motioned to Carmen from a hallway, so Carmen told Alex to take the children up and she would be up shortly.
Carmen followed Dulce into the empty hallway.
Dulce handed Carmen a picture, her face a study of emotion, but her lips revealing nothing.
Carmen took the picture from her hand and studied it.
It was a picture taken at the party and the focus was on Carmen and Alex.
Carmen was looking at someone behind the camera and Alex was looking at a girl who stood about five feet from him.
Carmen stared at her in surprise.
Carmen stared after her and shook her head.
Carmen found Alex relaxing in a chair next to the bed in their room.
Carmen stood and put her arms around him.
Carmen remained quiet for a few minutes, allowing him to think about it.
Carmen watched him absently.
Carmen sucked in her breath and looked up at Alex.
Carmen glanced at Señor Medena, who was beaming as if they were his children... or as if they were his biological grandchildren.
She patted Carmen on the shoulder and left the room.
Carmen wiped Destiny's face and eyes with the cool rag and used a tissue to wipe her nose.
Alex looked stern, and when Carmen met his gaze, he looked down at his plate.
That evening after Destiny and Jonathan were asleep, Carmen was picking up in their room.
Carmen looked up at his face and found it as stern as his voice.
Carmen, remember what you said to me before we married?
I want to be that way, Carmen.
Carmen glanced at him, but he was still deep in thought.
Carmen thought that might be the end of the conflict.
Later that evening in their room Carmen asked him about the exchange.
Felipa took Carmen by the arm.
Carmen hesitated, catching Alex's eye.
Destiny stared at Alex over Carmen's shoulder and Jonathan was so focused on Alex that he nearly ran into Alondra.
Carmen glanced at Alex, but he either didn't notice her attention, or he was avoiding her eyes.
Alex excused himself early and Carmen stayed downstairs with the children.
Alondra leaned forward on the couch so she could see Carmen.
Carmen felt warmth flood her face.
Finally Carmen picked up Destiny and stood.
Carmen headed for their room.
Carmen set Destiny on the floor and then sat down beside Alex.
Carmen watched him silently, waiting for an explanation.
Carmen, I don't think you really want in the middle of this.
But Carmen had better luck with Señor Medena.
Carmen glanced up to find him frowning down at her.
Carmen stood and took Destiny's hand.
Dulce glanced at her father and then at Carmen, her dark eyes barely veiling contempt.
Carmen shifted her attention to Señor Medena, who was focused on Alex at the moment.
Carmen couldn't deny that fact.
Carmen nodded and stepped out the door.
Carmen turned and lifted a hand to shade her eyes from the sun.
He scowled at his father and rode up beside Carmen.
Morino's uncomfortable gaze shifted from Señor Medena to Alex, and then to Carmen, but he said nothing.
Carmen accepted the outstretched hand and placed a foot in the vacated stirrup.
When Morino rode far enough ahead so that he couldn't hear their conversation, Carmen finally spoke to Alex.
Carmen let loose of his waist, moving away from the unclean thought.
They talked for a few minutes and then Carmen left to take Destiny to their room.
Carmen stopped at the corner, uncomfortable with the heat of the exchange, yet unwilling to interrupt.
When she spotted Carmen, her eyes widened, but she kept walking.
Alex turned red when Carmen stepped forward.
Carmen shoved a wide-eyed Destiny into his arms and turned to follow Dulce.
Dulce turned, and for a moment Carmen thought she might strike her.
Finally she wiped her eyes and glared at Carmen.
Carmen caught her breath.
She waved a hand at the house and leaned toward Carmen.
Carmen recoiled from her words and the hatred.
Carmen shook her head and turned away.
Carmen avoided his hands, turning to the closet.
What part have I got wrong, Carmen?
Alex was lounging with one shoulder against the wall on the other side of the family room when Carmen walked in.
Carmen smiled, basking in the warmth of his attention.
Carmen picked her up and turned as Jonathan joined her.
Carmen kissed Destiny goodnight and shut the door to their room.
Carmen and Destiny dressed mother/daughter style in red/green/yellow plaid blouses and hunter green jeans.
Carmen glanced up at Alex and he shrugged.
Carmen stiffened and looked up at Alex, but he found something interesting outside to look at.
Carmen was so tired that the icy wind failed to keep her awake.
Carmen let go of the blanket she had been clutching to her chest and turned to shut her light off.
Destiny glanced up at Carmen from her elevated chair at the table and then her attention swung back to Alex.
Carmen carried the basket of eggs to the counter beside the sink and watched as Alex took the lid off the roasting pan.
He worked quietly for a few minutes and then finally turned his attention to Carmen.
A few days later when Carmen and Destiny were visiting Katie, the issue popped out of her mouth in another conversation.
Katie was peeling potatoes at the kitchen sink and Carmen was holding Destiny, watching her.
Carmen shrugged, her face growing warm.
Carmen let out a long sigh.
She threw the potato into a pan and eyed Carmen reflectively.
Carmen sat Destiny on the floor and picked up the pan of pealed potatoes, along with a paring knife.
Destiny followed her and Carmen pulled the chair beside her out so she could crawl into it.
Katie made a face as she sat in the chair opposite Carmen.
Carmen picked up a potato and started pealing it.
Katie stopped talking and frowned at Carmen?
Katie made a face and then winked at Carmen.
Carmen met a playful mocking gaze that reminded her of Alex.
Katie glanced up at Carmen, her attention still not complete.
Her gaze drifted off in contemplation, finally returning to Carmen.
Carmen felt the full weight of a question that had no answer.
Carmen had always looked forward to evening when Alex returned from work, but she was doubly relieved for the evening hours now.
Carmen took her to the doctor, but he said there was no cure for the common cold and not to worry about it.
She had been lying around all day catching up on her sleep while Carmen worked on her bedroom.
Carmen fed her a light lunch and she lay down to sleep for a while.
When she woke, shortly before Alex arrived, she played quietly with a doll while Carmen prepared supper.
Carmen, how long has she had this fever?
Carmen gasped, her heart jumping into high gear.
Carmen grabbed the thermometer from the counter and gave it to him.
Carmen covered her mouth with her hands.
Destiny sat on Carmen's lap and Alex held her arm while the pediatric nurse inserted an IV.
Carmen's throat constricted and unshed tears stung her eyes.
She sobbed and begged them to let her out until Carmen felt like her heart was being brutally wrenched from her body.
Carmen sat one side of the bed and Alex on the other, each holding a tiny hand.
Carmen sat in a chair next to the bed and prepared for a long night.
Exhaustion from the ordeal was taking its toll on Carmen as well, but she tried to stay awake.
Carmen followed his gaze.
Destiny was still asleep when Carmen and Katie left the hospital.
Carmen was so exhausted that after Bill picked up Katie, she went to bed.
I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning to relieve Carmen, so I'll drop you off at Katie's.
After they left, Carmen sank into the chair and picked up a horse magazine.
Destiny woke several times during the night, but went back to sleep when she saw Carmen was there.
Once she asked for daddy, but went back to sleep when Carmen told her he was asleep.
Carmen dozed in the chair a few times off and on until about midnight.
Carmen assigned responsibility for that to herself because she didn't notice early enough that Destiny was sick.
Carmen woke suddenly and glanced around the room, half expecting to find him there.
Carmen's stomach squeezed into a knot.
She started crying and holding her arms up to Carmen.
Carmen pushed the button for the nurse and cuddled Destiny.
Carmen could hear her crying all the way down the hall to the elevator.
After the doctor left, Carmen stood over Destiny, looking down at her tiny body while she slept.
Carmen sat down and put her elbows on the bed.
Carmen woke to a crackling sound and sat up, trying to identify it.
Carmen was at her side instantly.
Carmen let the bed rail down and jerked the tent from under the mattress, allowing Destiny to crawl close.
Carmen grabbed a tissue from the table next to the bed and wiped Destiny's nose.
Carmen disentangled herself from Destiny and urged her to lie down.
Carmen swallowed a lump in her throat and blinked tears from her eyes.
Carmen followed her gaze and was surprised to find Señor Medena standing in the doorway.
He handed the doll to Carmen.
Carmen handed Destiny the doll and she wrapped it in her arms.
Carmen turned to Señor Medena.
Felipa leaned around him to look at Carmen.
For the first time, it crossed Carmen's mind that he was kind of cute.
Carmen gazed down at Destiny inside the oxygen tent.
He spoke so clearly and with such conviction that Carmen wondered if he was thinking about Alex.
Carmen led Felipa to the cafeteria and bought her lunch.
Carmen asked, and then made a face.
Alex said something and Jonathan conveyed it to Carmen.
For Carmen, it was an enlightening experience.
He hesitantly announced to Carmen one evening that he wanted to learn to play a guitar.
When Alex came home that evening, Carmen told him about it.
Carmen glanced up from rinsing the pot.
Carmen uncrossed her legs and stood.
Alex hugged Destiny and kissed her before turning to Carmen.
Carmen stared at him, trying to follow his runaway thought train.
Carmen shook her head in disbelief.
Carmen was making the bed while Destiny slept in.
Pulling Alex's pillow from the bed, Carmen caught the faint whiff of his cologne.
There's nothing wrong with dreaming, Carmen.
Alex hired someone to till the garden, refusing to let Carmen do it.
When she paused, Carmen yelled at her.
Destiny ran to Carmen, her eyes large.
Carmen picked her up, watching the skunk suspiciously.
Carmen watched with Destiny while they waited anxiously for Alex.
Carmen waited until after the children were in bed before questioning him.
It's nothing you want to be involved in, Carmen.
With the food warming, Carmen took Destiny to her room and dressed.
Carmen tied Destiny's curls with a yellow ribbon.
When Destiny wanted to wear a ring like mommy, Carmen tied a yellow ribbon around her finger and made a bow of it on the top.
She looked so cute that Carmen took a few pictures of her.
Alex divided his attention between a very attentive Destiny and a reserved Carmen.
Alex shifted his attention to Carmen, his gaze covering her from toe to head.
When Alex returned to the table, he sat in the chair Carmen held for him.
Carmen smiled as she leaned over to kiss him.
Carmen jerked her arms from his neck and sat up.
Carmen climbed off Alex's lap and took Destiny's soft little hand in hers.
Carmen leaned back in his arms and smiled up at him.
After her bath, Carmen dressed Destiny for bed.
Carmen read to her from a book for a few minutes until she fell asleep and then turned the light off.
Even Katie noticed the change in him and asked Carmen about the cause.
You have a right to know, Carmen.
Carmen clamped her mouth shut.
You're trying to live like your parents, Carmen.
Carmen left her chair in one quick movement and circled his neck with her arms, kissing him on the temple.
I wouldn't lie to you, Carmen - not intentionally, anyway.
You're Carmen, and that's a lot.
This time Señor Medena greeted Carmen with a hug.
As it turned out, Señor Medena had the same perspective on the situation as Carmen did.
That should have been no big surprise, but Carmen would have thought he would welcome the idea of a willing heir.
When Alex approached Carmen about giving Tessa some money, she said it was up to him, but keep in mind that the issue could have been something like drugs.
Carmen caught her breath and stared at him.
Alex pointed his fork at her and opened his mouth to speak, but Carmen cut him off.
Carmen set her jaw and challenged them each with a stern look.
She was the prettiest Appaloosa Carmen had ever seen.
Carmen abandoned the garden and followed him into the house.
Katie arrived an hour later to pick up Jonathan and Destiny, and thirty minutes later Carmen and Alex were in the car headed for the airport.
Carmen leaned against the nursery window, gazing at them in awe - Alex at her side.
Carmen glanced up at him and he smiled.
Carmen had assumed breast feeding would be a natural thing, but as Matthew lay fussing in her arms, it seemed a major obstacle.
Alex stood beside her, watching the nurse as she gave instructions to Carmen on how to nurse the infant.
Carmen looked up at the nurse.
Carmen glanced up at the nurse for reassurance.
Carmen stroked his cheek again and Matthew went back for another try.
Carmen gazed down at Matthew, overwhelmed with the joy of motherhood.
Carmen detached Matthew from her nipple and handed him to Alex, who sat down beside her.
His attention was distracted momentarily as the feeding tube was switched to Carmen's other breast.
Natalie needed little encouragement - or maybe it was because Carmen was a little more relaxed and experienced.
Carmen glanced at Alex and did a double take.
His brows drew together as he glanced up at Carmen.
Alex hesitated and looked at Carmen.
Carmen and Felipa were engrossed in feeding the twins.
Carmen was breast feeding Matthew and Felipa was feeding Natalie with a bottle.
Sure, they needed to clear the air about the inheritance issue, but that wasn't enough for Carmen.
Carmen was right... about the way I really feel... about... you.
Felipa and Alondra see how it is with Carmen.
They want what you give Carmen.
If they wanted what he and Carmen had, why didn't they go out and find it?
Carmen and I love it here.
It would probably satisfy Carmen.
Carmen had been his soul mate for a long time.
Carmen thought she wanted him to make the decisions, but she wanted to be involved with the process.
The truth was, Carmen lacked the confidence to make decisions.
Carmen tried to shut them out by thinking about something else, but her mind kept going back to the same thing.
It had never been his intention to hide his past from Carmen.
Carmen was all about honesty and innocence.
Since Carmen had been the one to initiate that adoption, it was safe to assume she was over her adoption phobia.
He paused in the dining room doorway, watching as Carmen stretched to put a glass in the cabinet.
Carmen was as passionate as she was beautiful.
Carmen didn't warm to people instantly, nor was she generally impressed by praise... which was why it came as such a surprise that mere words were such powerful tools.
If he'd met Carmen any later, she probably would have been married to Josh.
If he'd married Tess, he wouldn't have met Carmen at all.
Carmen once said she wasn't like Tess.
Tess needed someone to take care of her, but Carmen didn't.
Carmen was small and delicately built, but she had spirit.
Carmen had shown little interest in their financial status.
He sighed heavily and rolled over, putting an arm around Carmen's waist and snuggling close to her.
Carmen was always willing to listen, whether it was something happening at work or his plans about the wildlife safari.
Carmen pitched the disposable diaper in the trash and hefted Destiny from the changing table.
Alex and Carmen were the only parents Destiny had ever known.
Josh's mother and father lived on a farm within walking distance of Carmen and Alex – and from the farm where Lori and Josh lived when Josh died.
Mums, as everyone called Mrs. Reynolds, had been like a second mother to Lori and Carmen.
Lori said Josh wanted Carmen and Alex to have the baby if anything happened to him.
Josh's sister had made a few comments to indicate that she thought Josh might have ended his life purposely because he still loved Carmen.
Focusing on the present, Carmen straightened Destiny's frilly yellow Easter dress and brushed the thumb from her mouth.
Setting Destiny back on the changing table again, Carmen pushed a shoe back on her foot and tickled her under the arm.
The expression on his face when he took her from the nurse was one Carmen had never seen on his face before – not even with Jonathan.
Alex had been so shocked when Carmen offered to take Destiny home unconditionally.
Movement outside the window caught Carmen's attention.
Carmen lifted Destiny from the changing table again and turned as Alex walked into the room.
His soft chocolate gaze went from the car to Carmen.
Carmen forced her mind from dreamland again and stood Destiny on the floor.
Glancing at her reflection in the mirror, Carmen straightened her dress.
Carmen's first impulse was to snatch Destiny back, but the six months waiting period had long passed.
Carmen sucked her breath in and let it out slowly.
Warm fingers clutched Carmen's hand and she looked down to find Jonathan watching her anxiously.
Lori's voice brought Carmen's attention back to the visitor.
Lori tested the name and glanced from Carmen to Alex.
Carmen is the only mother she knows.
Lori's gaze implored Carmen.
He pealed Destiny from his neck and handed her to Carmen, his voice softening as he spoke to Destiny.
Destiny let go of him and reluctantly transferred to Carmen.
Carmen cuddled Destiny close while keeping her attention on Alex and Lori.
Running a hand through his hair in a way that Carmen had grown to recognize as a nervous habit, he addressed Lori in a tone that was both stern and conversational.
Alex glanced at Jonathan pointedly before his attention returned to Carmen.
We're so fortunate, Carmen.
Carmen had lost her parents before she met Alex.
The money and the farm meant nothing to Carmen.
Alex and Bill had wandered off with Jonathan and the twins, as usual, which left Carmen with Katie and Destiny.
Carmen said with mock indignation.
Katie raised a hand when Carmen opened her mouth to protest.
It was possible that he never had the will changed from the time that he considered Carmen his only choice as a partner.
If she had realized he put her in his will, Carmen would have said something then.
Carmen had worked with Josh's parents to reserve both the money and the farm for Destiny.
Alex had already set aside a trust fund for both Jonathan and Destiny, and Carmen was listed as an equal partner in everything.
Sunday morning had always been a contemplative time for Carmen, but Easter Sunday was something special.
Destiny had finally reached the point that she would tolerate being held by Lori, but after a few minutes she was ready to get down or go to Alex, Carmen or Jonathan.
A week passed without word from Lori... at least Carmen didn't hear from her.
Carmen assumed Lori had gone back to California.
Most of the time they did, but in the case of Lori, each time Carmen asked him about it, he simply said they would discuss it later.
He handed the phone to Carmen.
Later that evening, Carmen was reading a book to Destiny and Jonathan was sprawled out on the window seat, reading a book about horses.
Destiny gradually relaxed and Carmen stopped reading.
Leaning his head close, he whispered into Carmen's ear.
Carmen lay still for a few minutes, soaking up the body heat from Alex.
Carmen sat the butter on the table Your breakfast is ready and I packed a sack lunch for you.
Carmen stared at the track.
Carmen was waiting for Alex outside the clinic with Destiny one day when the red-headed man strolled up to the car.
Alex opened the passenger door and climbed into the car, his attention equally divided between the retreating figure and Carmen.
Carmen waited until he closed the car door.
Lori and I aren't having an affair, Carmen.
Carmen sighed as she placed a plate on the table.
Carmen turned to face him.
I don't pity you, Carmen.
Carmen smiled in a coy way and leaned toward him.
Later that evening while they were alone, Carmen and Alex decided that the next time Lori came by or called, Carmen would talk to her and tell her that the option to take Destiny back had passed.
Several nights later the telephone rang and Carmen answered it.
Carmen asked, trying to establish identity.
When Lori didn't respond, Carmen continued.
Carmen hung up and looked at Alex.
You're one in a million, Carmen.
The next week they got the restraining order, but as Carmen witnessed one day on her way home, it didn't stop Lori.
Carmen saw Alex's truck parked in the drive of an old vacant house where she had admired some healthy quince bushes.
Alex caught Carmen and they both tumbled to the soft grass.
Destiny's little fingers wiggled on Carmen's ribs and she laughed.
Carmen didn't even know it existed.
Josh just wanted to humiliate me by giving it to Carmen.
He was probably thinking years ahead and wanted Carmen to handle it in event of his death.
All I know is that Carmen had nothing to do with this.
For a moment Carmen thought Lori was going to cry.
Carmen glanced at the letter.
Thursday morning when Carmen was taking care of the horses, she noticed that Casper's nipples were dripping.
Carmen had removed the nest box only a few days ago.
Destiny giggled and looked up at Carmen.
Back at the house, Carmen prepared the chicken for the oven while Destiny sat in her high chair playing with some cereal.
When Alex came home for lunch, Carmen picked up Destiny and followed him to the barn.
Carmen called Mums, who said she would come over and pick up Destiny.
She gave Carmen a quick kiss and then kissed Mums.
She shut the door and waved at Carmen and Alex before getting into the driver's seat.
After Mums left, Carmen and Alex headed for the barn again.
Carmen smiled up at Alex.
He even delivered Dawn while Carmen was visiting Mums.
Alex grabbed Carmen's waist and pulled her back a few steps.
Carmen watched with excitement as the foal's feet could be seen inside a thin sac... first one and then the other.
Carmen looked up at Alex and he smiled, whispering to her.
Carmen leaned against the stall and whispered.
Carmen studied the foal for a few minutes.
On Saturday Carmen left Alex with Jonathan and Destiny, heading for the old house.
Carmen, get out of there!
Carmen choked out in a voice that didn't sound like her own.
Bill dropped Katie and Jonathan off at their house before he took Carmen to the hospital.
Carmen filled out all the necessary paperwork and then settled down for a long wait.
His voice was a monotone as he informed Carmen about Alex's condition.
At Carmen's startled gasp, he said he didn't think that was an issue because they brought him back quickly.
Carmen slept fitfully in a chair in the waiting room all night.
He'll pull out of it, Carmen.
They still hadn't caught the red-headed man, but they had a regular patrol, so Carmen took Jonathan and Destiny home with her.
As if they all didn't have enough to worry about, as soon as Carmen put Destiny down inside their home, she started calling for Alex.
By the time she finally fell asleep, both Carmen and Jonathan were crying.
Only after both Destiny and Jonathan fell asleep did Carmen take her shower and go to bed.
Carmen protested, but he insisted that he wanted to help.
They shared a lot of dreams, the way Carmen and Alex did.
Dr. Worthington took responsibility for the clinic and Carmen found the accountant's number in the desk drawer.
Brenda had been handling all Alex's investments for years, so Carmen left that part to her.
One night after chores, Carmen, Jonathan and Destiny were eating supper when Brutus started barking.
Carmen peeked out the window and saw the blue BMW.
Carmen stared at her coldly.
When Carmen continued to watch her, she shrugged.
When Carmen continued to watch her, she rolled her eyes.
Carmen gave her a sour look.
As Carmen turned back to the kitchen, Jonathan looked up at her, his eyes large with fear.
Carmen sat back down at the table.
When Lori ended the phone call, Carmen invited her to eat supper and was surprised when she accepted.