Stacey helped get the boys from the car and the four of them went to the huge double front doors, carved of dark wood, gleaming with a rich, dark finish. Knocking brought a maid in no time, who obviously knew Luis as she broke into rapid Spanish words of welcome. Hugging him, she looked at Stacey and the boys. Quickly she spoke again.
“Sorry, Camilla, they don’t speak Spanish yet. Juan and Pablo, this is Camilla, she works for your great-grandmother and can always find a snack for a hungry boy,” Luis said with a grin.
She beamed at the boys and spoke again.
“She says come visit with her when you get settled,” Stacey translated.
The maid looked at her. “You speak Spanish,” she said in that language.
“Sí. I’m Stacey, nanny to the boys. Perhaps you can show me where I should go?”
“Oh, la señora wishes to see all of you as soon as you arrive. Come in. What am I doing, talking when she awaits? Come, come. She’s on the terrace by the sea. It’s warm this morning, she’s enjoying her chocolate there. Come, come.”
Following her as she walked quickly through the villa, they soon came to a lovely terrace that was surrounded by flowers and straight ahead a view of the Med. The sea sparkled in the sunshine, reflecting the light like diamonds on the waves. The blue of the water was deeper than that of the clear sky.
An elderly woman sat at a table with another, enjoying their hot beverages.
“Ah, Luis, you have arrived!” The older of the two jumped up and rushed to greet him. She was dressed in black, her silvery hair fashioned in a short style suited to an active life.
Stacey watched as the petite woman embraced her much taller grandson, tears of happiness in her eyes. She then looked at the boys and hugged each of them, exclaiming on how big they’d gotten, how happy she was to have them visit, how she’d missed them. When she got to Stacey she smiled. “I’m Marie Aldivista. Welcome to my home.”
“Stacey Williams, nanny for the boys,” Stacey replied.
She frowned and looked at Luis. “I thought their nanny was older.”
“Stacey is a vacation nanny only. Hannah’s the boys’ regular nanny and she is older, but she couldn’t accompany us. Stacey’s just for the trip.” He spoke in Spanish.
Maria Aldivista looked at her again and smiled, a hint of speculation in her eyes. “So, welcome to España and to my house. May I call you Stacey?” She also spoke in her native tongue.
“I wish you would. I’m so pleased I could come to watch the boys. What I’ve seen so far is lovely. I can’t wait to see more of the gardens and the beach.”
“You must have spent time in Spain, your Spanish is excellent.”
“I had a great teacher, but this is my first time in Spain,” Stacey said, pleased with the compliment.
Maria looked at Luis. “You must show her the village and take her and the boys to some of the sights. This is the best part of Spain.”
“So says a woman who has lived here all her life,” he said with a smile of affection.
“So I should know, right? Come, sit. Have something to eat or drink. Sophia, welcome Luis and his boys and Stacey. You are all the first to arrive after my dear cousin.”
Introductions were made to Sophia who, as far as Stacey could determine, was a distant cousin to Maria. They’d been girls together and Sophia had come for the birthday celebration. She remarked to Luis that his sons reminded her of him when he was young and came to visit his abuela.
Hot chocolate and fresh coffee were soon served and Luis’s grandmother asked him about his work, the trip over and what he wanted to do while visiting.
Stacey listened, keeping an eye on the boys. They were growing bored and she thought it best if they went to their rooms, changed clothes and maybe took a short nap.
“Ah, the boys are growing restless,” Maria said a moment later. She smiled at them. “Luis, show them the room you had as a boy. I’ve put you on the second floor in the room you used when you brought Melissa. I thought they’d be more comfortable on the third floor next to the playroom.”
“You’ve kept the playroom?” he asked.
“Of course. Each generation has children. I want them all to love coming here as much as you did.” She looked at Sophia. “I think I’ll put Stacey in the rose room, what do you think?”
“She would do well there,” Sophia said with a nod.
“Wherever you wish,” Stacey said. “Is that next to the boys’ room.”
“No, it’s on the floor below. There will be other children on the third floor. The twins won’t feel lonely. Luis, your cousins Sebastian and Theresa will be here tomorrow afternoon with their families. And the day after Miguel and Pedro and their families. I love it when the house is full of children. I’m sorry Isabella can’t come until next week.”
Luis looked thoughtfully at his grandmother. “And where is this rose room?” His grandmother looked at him. “It’s on the second floor—right next to yours.”
CHAPTER TWO
LUIS kept his composure but he was not pleased with the obvious ploy on his grandmother’s part. He knew she fervently believed men should have a wife to help in life’s journey. She’d been very happy with his grandfather and wanted all her grandchildren married and as happy.
His sister Isabella and his cousin Sabrina were the only other unmarried members of the family. Did grandmother have plans for them as well?
He looked at Stacey. She glanced at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. She’d definitely picked up on his grandmother’s machinations. Would it give her ideas? He didn’t kid himself, the money he had was sufficient appeal to anyone. He’d known Melissa had married him for love as he hadn’t had two cents back then. Yet she’d never complained. She’d delighted in their good fortune when the software had begun to take off. Now he was too cynical to believe in love with money and fame so enticingly included.
“Come on, Juan and Pablo, let’s go find your rooms. You might want to take a short nap, too,” Stacey said, heading for the door.
“I don’t want to take a nap,” Juan said, racing after her. Pablo lagged behind a little, looking over his shoulder at his father in appeal.
“I’ll come up with you,” Luis said. Pablo clearly needed some extra encouragement in the strange setting.
Juan was already racing up the stairs when Luis and Pablo caught up with Stacey.
“These stairs are so wide. The extravagance of space is not what I’m used to in New York,” she said, admiring the staircase.
“This was built in the 1920s when lavish styles were the rage. It’s a solid house.”
“Lovely.” She didn’t say anything else. Or try to flirt or make mention of his grandmother’s room assignments. Her serenity fascinated him. So far he’d never seen her flustered.
The third floor held several bedrooms and a large playroom. Memories crowded in as he surveyed the old toys and games and books. The chairs were way too small for him now, but once upon a time they’d been perfect.
“What fun we’ll have here if it rains,” Stacey said to the boys as she wandered to the shelves and looked at the books. Most were in Spanish, but there were a few English versions. Board games were neatly boxed. There were blocks, and puzzles, and trucks and dolls. It was perfect for children of various ages.
“Their room will be next door,” Luis said. He felt awkward. She should be staying near