Matthew tucked her under his arm and ruffled her hair until she screeched.
Mama held both of Jasmine’s hands and kissed her cheeks. “Give my parents my love, and please take care of yourselves. Send word as soon as you arrive.”
Jasmine nodded. “I will.”
Mama moved to the side, and Papa hugged her, whispering in her hair, “I’m proud of you, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Papa.”
Papa shook Matthew’s hand, then stepped back.
The ship’s bell interrupted their farewells, and a sailor bellowed, “All aboard for San Sebastián!”
Jasmine left her family’s embrace and stepped onto the gangway. It swayed over the water, shifting under her feet. Her breath caught, and she stopped before taking another step.
Matthew was still on the docks.
Right where she left him.
His amber eyes met hers. A moment of hesitation. A flicker of vulnerability. Time slowed, narrowing down to this one moment. They had been there before, but this time was different. This time, neither of them would be alone.
Jasmine offered Matthew her hand. With a grin wider than she had ever seen, he placed his hand in hers.
And together, they boarded the ship for Spain.
Epilogue
Spring, 1815
Zarautz
Abuelabatted Matthew’s hands away when he tried to clear the table.
“Lo siento, Abuela,” he said.“Solo intento ayudar.”
“No lo necesito, mijo.”She raised a towel at him playfully, preparing to snap him with it. “Fuera, fuera!”
“All right, I’m out!” He turned to Jasmine. “She’s all yours,mi amor.Hace calor en esta cocina.”
Jasmine looked like a dream in a simple ivory muslin dress. After months in Spain, her complexion had darkened with her time in the sun, and her smile brightened.
“Go on.” She giggled and gave him a peck on the cheek. “I’ll meet you outside.”
As he left the kitchen, Matthew caught the approving winkAbuelagave Jasmine. Carmen looked much like Aunt Valentine, except she was shorter and rounded. Each night, they had dinner together. Herpollo al chilindrónwas mouth-watering—but he still preferred Jasmine’s.
Matthew nodded toAbuelo. Don Felipe had salt-and-pepper hair, wrinkles around his eyes, and a new wine to enjoy every evening. Tonight was atxakoli,a white wine so dry and tart it made his cheeks hurt.
“Hasta mañana, Abuelo,” Matthew said. “Buenas noches.”
The older man smiled. “Buenas noches, muchacho mío.”
Stepping outside, Matthew was greeted first by warm, humid ocean air. A golden sunset kissed obsidian water, and above, a red sky was painted with pink clouds.
Once on the beach, he removed his shoes and rolled the legs of his trousers up to his knees. The sand held the leftover heat of the day, warming his feet. He walked into the water until waves lapped at his ankles.
“Is it cold?”
He turned to see an angel descending the steps. Jasmine’s feet were already bare, and her hair tied back in a ribbon. Loose tendrils swayed about her face when she padded to him.