Free Serendipity by Carly Phillips

herself, but he’d been there, wrapping his strong arm around her waist, supporting her.
    And not only had she let him, she’d leaned against him, wanting to crawl inside his skin because he’d smelled so musky and male, so . . . You smell good.
    Faith groaned aloud. “Please tell me I did not say that out loud.”
    Obviously she had because he’d replied, You smell better.
    â€œOh God.” She was mortified enough, but it hadn’t ended there.
    He’d taken her home, helped her up the stairs and into her apartment. She’d been drunk and out of control. She remembered that now. She also remembered a long, rambling conversation she’d had with him, but no real specifics came back to her except that it had led to a kiss .
    And boy could he kiss. She was on fire now just thinking about his lips hard on hers. She grabbed an extra pillow and buried her face into the cool, soft cushion.
    How would she ever face him again? Well, she wouldn’t have to unless she ran into him in town, which she doubted would happen all that often. At least she hoped not.
    The doorbell rang and she glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Nine A.M. It was probably Kate, coming over to find out exactly what had happened between her and Ethan last night. Having just relived it in her head, Faith wasn’t ready for an instant replay with her best friend.
    But the doorbell rang again.
    Faith rose gently from the bed, taking care with her poor aching head. She could barely stand, but if she wanted the ringing to go away, she had no choice but to answer.
    â€œI’m coming!” she called out irritably.
    She opened the door, shocked to find Rosalita, her old housekeeper, on the other side.
    Before Faith could greet her, the other woman stepped into the apartment, a brown bag in her hand. She brushed past Faith and headed for her small kitchen, placing the bag onto the counter.
    Only when her hands were free did she turn around and hold out her arms. “Oh, Ms. Faith. It’s so good to see you! I miss you so much. Not your mama or your papa, I’m sorry to say, but you!”
    Rosalita had worked for Faith’s parents since Faith was a little girl. She’d been the one to sit with Faith in the kitchen, give her milk and cookies after school, and meet whichever friends she brought home. She worked hard so her children could have the life and education she didn’t, something Faith as an adult now understood and respected.
    The woman was a welcome sight and Faith stepped forward and into her warm embrace. “It’s good to see you too, Rosalita.” She was glad to note her old housekeeper still smelled the same, the thought giving Faith comfort. “How did you know where to find me?”
    She stepped back and looked the other woman over. Rosalita hadn’t changed in all the years Faith had known her. Her dark hair was cropped short near her head and her stout, round body was just the same.
    â€œWell, Mr. Ethan, he ask me do a special errand for him this morning. I tell him no, I work around the house and I’m not his errand boy. But then he explained it was for you and I say okay.” She cupped Faith’s face in her hands and kissed both cheeks. “You look good.”
    Faith shook her head—a big mistake—and raised an eyebrow instead. “I doubt it. I’m sure I look like something the cat dragged in.”
    â€œ Sí. But you still look good to me.”
    Faith grinned, when suddenly Rosalita’s earlier words registered. “You work for Ethan Barron now?” she asked, surprised.
    â€œI tol’ him I come with the house and keep my job, but he have to pay me double to work for a bad boy. Because I know the house so well, he say yes.”
    Faith understood her broken English. Despite having been in this country for decades, Rosalita had always chosen to speak Spanish to her children at home, watch Spanish television channels, and