But there was a nasty blow waiting for me when we got to Richmond; Alexander Sebastian, the man for whom Jesse now worked, regretfully informed me Jesse had been sent to the United Kingdom the day before we'd arrived. "Apparently his talents are needed," he told me, as we sat in his modest but gorgeously appointed office. "I'm sorry, Beth. Castillo did all he could to ensure a meeting, but, as you know, your sister and brother-in-law are very vindictive."
I firmed my shoulders. "Castillo wants to travel to the United Kingdom to perform," I said. "But just in case Bessie Jane and her asshole husband ask, I was never here."
Alexander nodded. "I don't even know a Bethany," he said with a sly grin, and I laughed, glad to know I had him on my side.
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The next blow came as we got ready to pack up and leave for Orange, Castillo's home city. Rob's lawyer tracked us down with a legal document stating that I was to return to Mountain View or face jail time.
What for?
Theft, according to the slimy little asshole. Apparently I'd "stolen" Potato, and Castillo's bill of sale meant nothing when Potato had never legally been mine in the first place.
Potato had, in fact, been a rescue, and when Bess had declared no interest in hand rearing the little spud, it had fallen to me to do so. But legally, he belonged to Bess. Rob's lawyer had the paperwork to prove it, and since Bess had never signed ownership over to Hank when selling him, he was still legally hers. Bess had, therefore, decided the one way to bring me to heel was to slap me with theft charges in order to force me to return to Georgia, or risk jail time. If I refused, Rob's lawyer told me smarmily, not only would I risk jail time, but he'd have Castillo investigated for tax fraud. His tone implied he'd use all manner of legal chicanery to get Castillo shut down, if it meant causing harm to those who'd been so kind to me.
"He can kick rocks," Castillo said angrily, his moustaches bristling as he paced up and down. "I've paid my taxes, and no one gets paid under the table; it's all legal and above board."31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHZBeSTcxY
"What about Potato?" I pleaded.
Castillo spun to face me, jabbing a finger at my chest. "Potato stays here," he said through gritted teeth. "My God, girl! You'd think I'd hand him - and you - over? You've got rocks in your head, my dear."31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkalFFKUVYo
I let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you were going to tell me your circus was more important than my horse," I admitted.
"We're family," Castillo said, his voice strangely urgent as he walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders. "Now you listen, and you listen good. I've got a man who knows the legal system inside and out. He'll pull all the strings necessary to make sure Potato stays, with us, where he belongs."
I swallowed as I looked up into blue eyes that were so heartbreakingly familiar, but at the same time so painfully unfamiliar. "Is he okay?"
Castillo sighed and shook his head. "He's safe, but if the word gets out... it's his head on the line. I'm sorry. It hurts, but the truth can't be revealed for a little while yet. Not while all this mess is hanging over us like the proverbial sword of Damocles."
"Who are you?" I whispered. "I thought I knew you, but I don't know you at all."31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdILVLsaMzB
Castillo winced. "I'm sorry," he said again. He took a deep breath and dropped his hands. "Look, all I can say is this; I've been a ringmaster for ten years. Most of those ten years was spent in absentia, because I ran into some huge trouble in Orange. Going back there would mean my life, but my father is dying. I need to make peace with him before he goes."
I reached out, carefully stroking the curled and waxed moustaches. "Glue?"
"Glue," Castillo said with a rueful smile. "And it hurts like a bitch to take the damn things off at night." He sighed. "I'd forgotten how damned painful it was. But listen - I want you to know, those nine and a bit years were the best years of my life, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I cursed fate for taking me away from you, and while I'm over the moon at having you back with me, I'm terrified I'm going to lose you again, this time for good. I can't risk that, not while your sister and her asshole husband are still hellbent on getting their hands on you."31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d3ItMN400
"I miss you," I whispered.
Castillo gently touched my cheek. "I miss you too," he said. "That last kiss we had - it was the best kiss I'd ever had in my life, and I've had plenty. But that kiss in the lake - no kiss can ever compare, I promise you."
"It better not," I said, managing a small smirk. "Otherwise we both nearly drowned for nothing."
"Just wait till we're near our next body of water," Castillo said, smirking back. "You thought that last kiss took your breath away? You haven't seen anything yet, my dear. Now," he added, his good mood fading as grim purpose took over, "go and get some sleep. I'll handle all the legal wrangling for our spud. You just keep doing what you're doing; nothing is going to take you away from me again, even if I have to do murder for it."31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppgLYX6oG8
He meant it, and I shivered in mingled fear and anticipation as I made my way through the twilight to my wagon. I hoped it wouldn't come to that, but since Bess and Rob had all but implied murder wasn't off the table - hinted at by their lawyer - I knew Castillo was well and truly prepared to fight fire with fire.
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