Free The Sanctuary (Playa Luna Beach Romance) by Sarah Collins Page B

given up all hope.”
    “Nina, father kept us apart in more ways than you know. Even after my wife and son were killed, he wouldn’t let me return and inflict shame on the family.”
    Sitting up, she never let her eyes leave her brother. “Oh, Pablo, you lost Maria? And you had a son?” she wailed, grasping him in a tight hug.
    Pablo explained his wife and their young son had been killed in a boating accident. Bereft, he had spent several years building churches and homes in the south campos, lovingly crafting the ladrillo structures dotting the landscape.
    “It was the way I chose to mourn, Nina. I had to create beauty, as Maria created beauty for me.” He held her hand tightly, brushing back her black hair with affection. “I tried to contact you, but father intercepted.”
    “What? Why would he do that if Maria was gone,” she said, her knuckles white around Pablo’s hand.
    “He decided I could come back if I agreed to work again for the company. He insisted it was the only way I could erase the shame. Maria and I had such a quiet life, and to me, her memory was not shameful. I declined, and he forbade me from contact with you and your family.” Pablo stood as Nina lowered her eyes and shook her head.
    Pablo turned his kind eyes on his brother-in-law, taking him in a warm embrace. Turning to Alejandro, he said, “And this young man’s courage is what brought me here today.” He wrapped his arms around Alejandro, smiling widely. Alejandro returned the embrace, his eyes bright.
    “I couldn’t help but replay the story in my mind, of Uncle Pablo’s decision to leave the family and marry Maria. I had heard he had built beautiful homes, and when I saw the house in Playa Luna, I wondered if it had been built by Pablo. Then, after spending the day with him on the water, I noticed the resemblance to Mother,” Alejandro said, taking a seat by his mother.
    “He found me last night, at my home. He shared with me your plans to set aside the space designated for the vaquita sanctuary in my honor and that of my beloved Maria. I came today to tell you the highest honor to my wife and son would be allowing the sanctuary. If the vaquita survive, that would be something she would have been very proud of.”
    Cassie’s head spun, the shock of seeing Diego as Pablo still rippling through her mind. Alejandro took her hand, giving it a squeeze. As Cassie squeezed back, Taylor patted Alejandro on the shoulder. “Way to go, Detective Vasquez,” she said, her blue eyes twinkling.
    Senora Vasquez stood, leaning on her husband’s arm and crossed the dais. She reached out her hand to Cassie, smiling. “Miss Lewis, it appears you have your sanctuary after all. Would you consider naming it after Pablo and Maria? That would make me very happy.”
    “It would be an honor, Senora,” Cassie said, with a slight nod of her head. “I can’t think of anything more wonderful.”
    Pablo again embraced his sister, his brother-in-law and all the family members on the dais. Alejandro turned to Cassie, his eyes gentle. He put his hand under her chin, tilting her face to his. Her eyes filled with gratitude, she reached up to kiss him, their warmth reaching deep into her heart.
    “Ahem,” she heard behind her. She turned, and Senora Vasquez motioned to assistants at the back of the room. “Please usher the public back in. We have a vote to take.” With a nod to Cassie, she resumed her seat as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Costa Azul International.

 
    Chapter Nineteen
     
    The stunning brick pillars were the first thing Cassie noticed as she neared the beautiful house on the bluff, its arches enclosing a dramatic patio that overlooked the sea. She had been allowed to watch from afar as it grew, brick by brick, but Alejandro had kept her from seeing more than that until now.
    Alejandro slowed as they came closer, pulling the jeep to a stop at the bottom of the short road that lead from the beach to the dune. “Stay here a