A Love for Rebecca Read Online Free PDF Page A

though Mario’s proposal had underwhelmed her, she began to get excited about their future. Yes, Mario was more practical than romantic, but she was sure he was the man for her.

A TRIP AND A WEDDING
    They went ahead and announced their decision to marry in the fall. It was celebrated first at the Caralt home, where it was toasted with the best Spanish cava , and then at the Bassols residence, where Elvira avidly received the news, wonderful news in the midst of the emotional crisis she’d experienced with her son.
    But her happiness was short-lived, lasting only until she heard about her daughter’s planned adventure. “How could you even think about it?” her mother said Rebecca told her.
    “It’ll only be a few days.”
    “With all the plans we have to make—the gown, the invitations, the decorations, the registry—you want to take off with your friends to Scotland! I simply cannot understand why Mario agreed to it.”
    “He says he’ll be really busy this summer.”
    Her mother paced the living room nervously, one hand on her forehead, the other on her hip. “You’re both conspiring against me. First your brother leaves home, and now you come up with this, with your wedding only a few months away.”
    Her father looked up from his newspaper to intervene on his daughter’s behalf. “That’s exactly why, Elvira. Rebecca is twenty-two years old, and in a few months she’ll be a married woman for the rest of her life, God willing. Give her this time. It won’t hurt anything.”
    “You really think so? That there’s no danger in three young girls traipsing around the world on their own? Think about it, Víctor.”
    “Should I remind you she’s been in London the last two summers? You didn’t have any problem with that.”
    “That was different. The Narváez family was looking out for her . . . And she went to learn English, not to be a tourist. She had hardly any free time.”
    Her mother continued pacing and wringing her hands. Her blond hair, pulled back in a low bun, gleamed like an amber jewel under the spotlights of the lamp. “At least have Enric accompany them,” she proposed. “Surely he wouldn’t be missed at the office.”
    “Enric cannot take time off; we have some very important business, and we need everyone working on it.”
    When Elvira Brañanova lost an argument—a rare occurrence—her green eyes took on a particular sheen and her cheeks flushed a deep red. She was a woman of self-control, but she had a strong temper she had to work to keep in check. This effort was reflected in her eyes and the color of her cheeks, which were now aflame.
    Rebecca watched her leave the room taut as a steel cable.
    “Don’t worry,” her father said. “She’ll get over it.”

    The next morning, before opening her eyes, Rebecca felt a heavy weight on top of her. She pried one eye open and found Inés, still in her pajamas, perched on her.
    “Will you put the ribbons in my hair?” her little sister beseeched her. “Mommy bought them for me yesterday.”
    Rebecca looked at the clock on her nightstand. “Inés, it’s only eight fifteen. Can’t you at least wait until eight thirty?”
    “Why? I’m awake.”
    “But I’m not. Come on, give me a little longer.”
    “No! Then you’ll get up and go see your friends, and I’ll have to wait a whole ’nother day to show Nelly my hair when we go to the park.”
    “Fine.” Rebecca gave in. “I’ll shower and come down, OK?”
    “Yes!” her sister responded with a triumphant gesture. She left the room as quickly as she’d entered.

    After showering, Rebecca had some breakfast and then spent the next hour adorning her sister’s hair with ribbons of various colors. Her father had already left for the office, and her mother had scarcely spoken, limiting herself to instructing Baudelia about the day’s lunch and dinner plans.
    As Rebecca put the finishing touches on Inés’s new hairstyle, Elvira addressed her. Her tone demanded a