Free Full Circle by Mona Ingram Page A

they
legal?”
    Sofia nodded
again. “Yes, most of them. The others, I’m helping with the paperwork.”
    “Then that’s
fine.” Rafael grinned. “They’re one of your most important resources, and I’ve
always believed in treating people well. We could hire a lawyer to handle the
immigration business.” He glanced at Sofia. “That will free up more of your
time. As for the children, we’ll find a place big enough to set up our own
daycare facility. They’ll have to start paying tax on their income, but we’ll
create such a great environment that they’ll be happy to come to work.”
    Sofia beamed
her approval. “That solves a lot of problems. Maybe we can also offer English
classes. Some of them need help.”
    “We can do
that too.” His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. “I know I’ve given you a lot to
think about, so I’ll leave now, but if it’s okay with you, I’ll come back
tomorrow evening.” He turned to Bella. “Where do you work, if you don’t mind me
asking?”
    “In a fabric
store.”
    “Aha. You’ve
made some excellent choices, but with your permission I’ll start sourcing some
new suppliers. Even if we don’t come to an agreement, I’ll pass on the
information.”
    “This all
sounds interesting, but won’t we over-produce?” Bella gave a wry smile. “Right
now, I’m concerned about making enough garments to see us through next week,
but if we got into full production we’d have far more than we could sell at the
market three days a week.”
    Rafael’s eyes
glittered. “You’re right, of course. I wasn’t going to go into that tonight,
but we’d have to choose our options carefully. There are two, mainly.”
    “And they
would be?” Bella was amazed that he’d thought this far ahead.
    It was as
though he’d read her mind. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about this while I
was waiting to talk to you two. Your first option is distribution through
retail outlets.” He paused. “There are a dozen variations on that, none of
which are perfect, but they get your product out there.”
    Bella sensed
that he’d left the best for last. “And the other?”
    “We’d open
our own retail outlet.”
    “What, just
one?” She’d meant it as a joke, but the look in his eyes brought her up short.
    “In the
beginning, yes.” He spread his hands. “But California’s a big state. The United
States is a big country.”
    “Oh, My God.”
Bella sat back in her chair and studied him openly. He was gorgeous, no doubt
about that. Gorgeous, elegant, and every woman’s dream. But deep inside he
harbored a desire to succeed that equalled her own, and that made him even more
exciting. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
    He looked
from Bella to Sofia, then back again. “Yes.”
    His eyes held
hers and she gripped the arms of her chair. That one, simple word spoke
volumes. Once in, he wouldn’t stop until they reached the top rung. Bella
didn’t kid herself; it would be hard work, there would be struggles, but they
would make it. Her dream would come true.
    But at what
price? She dropped her eyes. If she and Sofia were to become partners with
Rafael Vargas, she had to stop viewing him as an attractive man. As partners,
there could be nothing between them but business. She took a deep breath and looked
up.
    “As you said,
you’ve given us a lot to think about.” She turned to Sofia. “Do you have any
more questions for Mr. Vargas?”
    “Please, call
me Rafael.” He grinned at Sofia. “Or Rafa, if you prefer.”
    Sofia stood
up. “No questions from me.” She looked at Bella.
    “Nor me.” Bella
stood up and extended a hand. “Until tomorrow evening, then.”
    Bella watched
him go through the gate and walk down the street to where he’d parked his car.
It was dark now and his hair shone under the streetlights. He was a different
man to the one she’d first spotted at the market...cool, handsome and
infinitely appealing. Back then, she’d dared to dream of the