Second Chance with Love by Alana Hart, Ruth Tyler Philips Page A

resolve the past, re-establish a connection if not a relationship, especially as Charles was her boyfriend. Most of all Nathan wanted to show her that he'd changed, that he was not the dominating, career-driven Nathan she knew five years ago, who in fact didn't know himself. But, sitting in the dark with Jośe passing silent judgment, Nathan realized the he might have not changed at all, expecting Hilda to just accept him in her life was as big a folly as him being here. "I'm sorry for not being honest. It wasn't my intention to dupe you, or anyone for that matter. It's just..." Nathan couldn't say any more. What more was there to say, that he was foolish and impulsive? Testosterone afflicted? That turn up here, he'd hoped maybe...?
    "Do not apologize. I already knew." The older man's voice was gentle.
    "You knew?" Nathan’s body was seized by tension.
    "Yes. I do keep a close eye on all members of the...mission."
    Nathan wanted to see the expression on Jośe face, to see whether the look on his face matched the kindly level in his tone.
    "Why didn't you just ask me to leave?" Though appreciative of Jośe's generosity, in Nathan's experience, a person's generosity was conditional.
    "Well, of course I was curious to begin with, but when I saw that you were willing to push yourself to work hard, so hard to the point of exhaustion, I concluded that your intentions were overall good."
    "I see." Nathan let out a deep breath and felt the tension ease from his shoulders.
    "Also, I must add, you didn't lie, as no one asked you. When a number of the organizers suggested we confront you, I thought it better that we keep a close eye on you and carry on with our assignment.”
    So others knew? Nathan felt more foolish by the minute, he was usually more levelheaded.
    "Why did you come here, Nathan?" It was as if Jośe extracted these question from Nathan's mind. Nathan shook his head.
    "I don't know now. First there was a girl – an ex-girlfriend. I didn't know what I was doing."
    "Ah, for love. Now I understand. Who, may I ask, is the woman?"

Chapter 9
     
     
    "Have you decided on a husband yet?"
    Hilda had to paused before a sudden coughing fit came on. She had been lost in telling her mother about the progress of the mission and their plans to return, that she hadn't expected the question. They sat in the breakfast area of the hotel. Hilda shared a
    table with her mother and Aaron.
    "Mother, it's not like there are is a group of prospects lining up to marry me."
    Hilda's mother gave her a weak smile – it seemed to be all should could muster in terms of optimism.
    "Charles. He is a good man who cares for you, plus you have to work that awful job, he even said so himself.”
    "He did?" Hilda looked over at Charles, who waved to her with a piece of toast in his hand. "I'm perfectly able to manage my life without Charles' support." Hilda's turned to Aaron and began cutting the fruit on his plate.
    "I'll just go back to my room and lie down."
    "You're not going to go sightseeing?" Hilda felt the welling up of disappointment in her chest.
    "The sight I've seen already," she looked from Aaron to Hilda, "is quite enough." She rose slowly from the table, keeping her eyes ahead.
    "But mom." Hilda reached out to touch her, but her mother wrested her arm from her grip. Hilda watched her walk away.
    "Mom, where's gran going?"
    "She's just going back to bed."
    "Why?"
    "She’s very tired." Hilda could not bring herself to imagine the dissatisfaction she brought her mother. Her mother was wholesomely intent on organizing what she perceived as Hilda's already botched-up life. Hilda knew she had to try and help her mother to understand that she had to live her life.
    The onset of adulthood never carried weight when the time came for Justine Borja to relinquish her hold on Hilda. The authority her mother exercised and harnessed with bit and bridle, though well-meaning, inserted her will into Hilda's life for the purpose of fulfilling her own