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