“Our child enjoys the walk as much as the orange,” Rosa said, patting her stomach.
Esteban splayed his hand over her rounded stomach and smiled, feeling him move. “He agrees with you.”
Crista felt tears rush to her eyes. She was truly happy for her brother, but she couldn’t remain here and watch this loving moment between them. It made her heart ache for Diablo and for what she would never have with him.
She stood and took quick steps away.
“Crista, stay and walk with us,” Rosa offered.
She shook her head, not daring to turn around and show her tears. “No, I have things to do.”
“They can wait,” Esteban said. “Spend time with us.”
She shook her head and went to hurry her steps.
“Crista!”
She halted in her steps and shut her eyes against the flood of tears rushing out, her brother’s strong command sounding similar to Diablo’s.
“Don’t run away, little one,” Esteban said with a tender tone.
She bravely turned, tired of hiding her pain and hurt, and let her tears fall. “I can’t do this right now, Esteban.”
Rosa was about to urge her husband to go to his sister, but it wasn’t necessary, his arm fell away from her waist and he went to her. Rosa felt tears tickle at her eyes, proud of her husband and heartbroken for her sister-in-law.
“Don’t,” Crista warned, her hand going up to ward him off.
Esteban paid her word or gesture no mind. He took his sister in his arms and hugged her tight.
“I wish I could wipe the terrible memories from your mind and take away your pain, but I can’t. The only thing I can do is let you know that I’m proud of you. It took enormous strength and courage, few have, to survive your ordeal. It will take time to heal and forget.”
“I’ll never forget,” she said tears streaming down her face. I don’t want to.
She buried her face against his chest, relishing her brother’s arms around her and his caring words.
Esteban held her close. “I love you, little one, and I will never let anything happen to you again. I will see you kept safe.”
No one in her family had told her that they loved her since she had arrived here—until now. And it warmed her heart to finally hear it.
She raised her head. “I love you too, Esteban. I thought and prayed for you often through the years—and I missed you terribly.”
“And I you, but you are finally home—home with your loving family,” Esteban said.
If things were different that would be enough, but things were far from what they should be.
“Now come walk with Rosa and me and tell us about your time in Spain,” Esteban said, stepping away from her, though not before taking her hand so that she couldn’t run away.
“Another time,” Crista said with a forced smile, wishing she could tell him the truth about her time in Spain. “I must get ready for my guests today.”
Crista left them, wiping away the remnants of her tears as she approached the house. She was on her way upstairs to her room when she caught the sound of her parents’ voices coming from one of the rooms. She followed the faint sound to find it came from her father’s study, the door slightly ajar. She shouldn’t listen, but she had heard her name mentioned and she was curious as to what they discussed about her.
“How many times must I remind you that she’s been through a horrible ordeal?” her father said.
“You don’t have to remind me. My heart pains me every day at the thought of what she must have endured,” her mother said. “But she is home now and the more she hides the more people will believe she has something to hide, the more people will think her ashamed. It was not easy getting Don Cabeza and Don Bolanos to give permission for their daughters to accept a lunch invitation here. I had to nearly beg Dona Teresa and Dona Galena to bring their daughters to meet Crista and they in turn practically had to beg their husbands to allow it.”
“Crista needs time to heal,” her father said.
“She has no time. There are several soirees planned over the next few weeks and Crista hasn’t received a single invitation. If today does not go well, Sofia Cabeza and Ana Bolanos will run their tongues and Crista will not be welcomed anywhere. Do you truly want your daughter shunned by all our friends for something that wasn’t her fault?”
Silence settled in the room.
“She’s been through enough, Alejandro.”
Was her mother choking back tears? Crista strained to hear.
“It broke my heart to send my only daughter away to keep her safe only to have her return home and have my worst nightmare come true. I won’t see her maligned when she did nothing wrong. I want Crista to have a good, happy life with a husband who treats her well, and I intend to find her a good, decent husband who will protect her and keep her safe. I failed her once, Alejandro, I can’t fail her again.”
Her mother’s sobs tore at Crista’s heart and brought tears to her eyes. Her mother had sacrificed all those years to keep her safe and now she was fighting to make sure Crista had a good life. Her mother did love her. Crista only wished she would show it, that she would take her in her arms and hug her tight as she had done before handing her over to the woman on the ship, this time never letting her go.
“You didn’t fail our daughter. You did what was best for her as you do now. I see your point and I agree. I’m sure Crista will do well with her guests. The nuns assured you she was properly trained and she will make you proud today,” her father said. “And if she isn’t invited to any of the soirees, then we’ll have one of our own.”
“And no one will attend,” her mother said.
“They will if I can get the new hacienda owner to attend.”
“Could you?” her mother asked with excitement. “He’s caused quite a stir among all the eligible, young women since his arrival four days ago. I hear he is handsome and wealthy. How else could he have afforded the Edgardo hacienda. They all have their sights set on him. I heard he hasn’t accepted any invitations yet. If we could be the first to have him at a party, no one would refuse our invitation.”
“It’s no longer the Edgardo hacienda. It’s now the Navarro hacienda and Esteban and I will be meeting with him tomorrow. Esteban reached out to him and he extended an invitation. It’s only proper that he does so since our lands border each other’s.”
“Good. Good. Then you’ll invite him to a party. We’ll discuss the details tonight and I’ll make mention of it to the women today and hint that he may be a guest.”
“I can’t promise anything, Valerianna,” Alejandro cautioned.
“He is new here and will want to meet people and make himself known. What better way than to attend a local soiree. I’m so excited. I must go make sure Crista is presentable for our guests. Thank you, my dear, you always make me feel better about things.”
Crista hurried away from the door, so as not to be caught listening. She hurried around a corner, then turned and headed back where she’d come from and met her mother coming out of the study. By her eyes that popped wide, Crista knew she didn’t approve of her attire.
“Madre, I was looking for you. I was hoping you’d help me pick something suitable to wear for our guests.”
Valerianna’s face lit with a smile. “I’d love to, Crista.”
Chapter 19
Crista woke not feeling well again for the last three days. It passed after an hour or so and she mentioned it no one. She feared and foolishly rejoiced at what it meant. She had begun to worry when her monthly time was late and now with feeling ill in the morning it all but confirmed what she had thought. She was carrying Diablo’s child.
She had thought, as crazy as it was, that Diablo might come for her, that he missed her as badly as she missed him. But she had heard not a word from him. He had let her go without even a good-bye. Had he thought that little of her? Had she been a complete fool? She had actually thought he cared for her, but the devil cares for no one. So
what had she expected?
A knock sounded at the door and Crista groaned. Tonight was the party and all she wanted to do was bury herself in bed all day and think what to do about her problem. That, however, would not happen. Her mother had been thrilled when the new neighbor, Don Chavez Navarro had accepted the invitation to the party.
Her visit with Sofia Cabeza and Ana Bolanos had been a forced pleasantry on their part and they had no intentions of bothering with her. That was until her mother had mentioned a party and the likelihood of Don Navarra attending. That had changed everything and once it was made known that he accepted, families with young women were clamoring for an invite.
The knock at the door came again.
“It’s Rosa.”
“Come in,” Crista called out and as soon as Rosa entered, Crista ran for the bowl on the washstand and gagged as her empty stomach tried in vain to rid itself of something that wasn’t there.
Rosa went to her, filled a glass with water from the pitcher and ordered, “Drink. You may not keep it down but you won’t strain your stomach.”
Crista drank a little and it came right back up, but at least it stopped the heavy retching.
“Get back in bed and rest a bit,” Rosa said and followed her to the bed, tucking the blanket around her once Crista settled beneath the covers.
She sat on the edge of the bed and pushed several strands of Crista’s hair away from her pale face.
Crista shut her eyes unable to look at her sister-in-law. Rosa had to know or suspect, since she was neither blind nor foolish.
“This is not a secret you will be able to keep for long,” Rosa said.
Crista opened her eyes and confessed, “I don’t know what to do. I will bring shame to the family.”
“It is not your fault,” Rosa assured her.
“But it is my fault,” Crista admitted. “The devil didn’t force me. I gave myself to him willingly and fell in love foolishly.”
Rosa couldn’t hide her surprise and after a moment she shook her head. “The devil knows how to tempt.”
“Believe it or not, Rosa, he treated me well and kept me safe from those who wished me harm. He even saved me from drowning. There is a good man beneath that shroud.”
“It would be difficult for anyone to believe that with all the chaos he has caused around here. And it will serve as no reasonable explanation when others learn of your condition.” She shut her eyes a moment. “Esteban will be furious when he finds out.”
Crista reached out and grabbed her arm. “You must not tell him. Please give me your word you will not tell him. You will not tell anyone.”
“It is not for me tell,” Rosa said, taking her hand and squeezing it. “Know that I will help you in any way I can.”
“You help greatly by not telling my brother, by keeping it secret.”
“We’ll talk another time about it. Tonight is the party and you might want to think about finding a husband sooner than later so that your secret can remain a secret,” Rosa suggested. “It may not be what you want, but it may be necessary.”
Diablo’s words came back to haunt her when she asked him what if he left her with child?
The child would deserve better than an outlaw for a father.
A knock sounded once again at the door and it opened, Crista’s mother entering with a smile, which quickly faded when she saw her daughter pale and in bed.
“What is wrong?” she asked, hurrying to the bed.
Rosa was quick to explain. “I think we both ate too many oranges yesterday and it left our stomachs sour. I’m used to the feeling by now but Crista isn’t.”
Valerianna looked relieved. “I will have something brought to you to soothe your stomach and you will rest until it is time to get ready for the party this evening. You should be fine by then.”
“I’m sure I will be, Mother,” Crista said, not wanting to spoil her mother’s excitement.
A smile returned to her mother’s face. “Good, I’ll go see to the brew for both of you.”
“Thank you,” Crista said when the door closed behind her mother.
“Today is not a day to disappointment your mother. She has worked hard to see that this party is a success. There will be many an eligible young man here tonight. Your heart might foolishly belong to another, but think wisely when it comes to your child. An outlaw’s child would never be accepted into society.
The child would deserve better than an outlaw for a father.
Diablo had been right and Rosa had made it clear. She had to protect their child. She could never let anyone know of his real father. She had no choice then but to look for a husband.
The door flew open startling the two women.
“What’s wrong? Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t feel well?” Esteban demanded of his wife.
“A small upset stomach nothing more,” Rosa said with a smile.
“You will not attend the party tonight. You will rest,” he ordered and held his hand out to her.
“I will not miss watching your sister have fun while making new friends and meeting eligible young men,” Rosa said.
“You will do as I say, Rosa,” Esteban demanded. “Besides you are large with child. No one will expect you to be there.”
“All the more reason for me to attend,” she said with a smile and took his hand and stood and kissed his cheek. “Besides, I feel like dancing with you this evening.”
“You will not dance. You may attend the party, but you will sit,” he ordered.
She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. “I think the baby likes the idea of dancing, he moves to a beat of his own.”
Esteban grinned like a foolish, proud papa. “He does.”
“Now come and tuck me in bed so I may rest,” Rosa said with a smile that invited.
“And that’s what you will do—rest,” Esteban said.
“As you say, Esteban,” Rosa said sweetly and ran her hand down his arm slowly to take his hand.
“I mean it, Rosa,” Esteban snapped.
“So do I,” she said on a whispery breath.
Esteban scooped her up in his arms and headed to the door, stopping abruptly. He turned to his sister. “Rest, little one, tonight begins a new life for you.”
Crista couldn’t stop the tears that kept falling, rolling down her cheeks to spill along her neck. She let them fall, let herself cry for what never would be. She’d never have what her brother and Rosa had, a love so strong that nothing would keep them apart.
She rested her hand on her flat stomach. She might not have Diablo, but she had a part of him there with her and she’d do whatever was necessary to keep their child safe.
Two servant girls were sent to help Crista get ready for the party. They fussed over her and talked endlessly about how beautiful she was and how she would have her pick of any man there tonight.
Something she never imagined she would hope to be true.
She was relieved when they finally left, though horrified when she looked in the full length mirror in the corner of the room. White lace covered nearly all of her from her neck to her toes and along her arms and a deep sapphire necklace rested just above her ample breasts. The one servant had swept her hair up into a mass of curls with white ribbon running through it and had placed sapphire earrings on her ears.
The door opened and her mother entered. Crista wondered how her mother could look so stunning in blue lace while she looked like a lump wrapped in white lace.
“You look beautiful,” her mother said. “You will have all the men commanding your attention tonight.”
She hadn’t been interested in commanding any man’s attention, but that had changed quickly enough. Now she had no choice. Just as her mother had sacrificed to keep her safe by sending her to Spain, she would sacrifice and marry a man she didn’t love to keep her child safe.
After all the years of thinking her mother didn’t love her, she realized now more than ever how much her mother actually did love her.
“The guests will arrive shortly. You will stand with your father and me and be introduced to each and every one of them,” her mother instructed for the third time that day.
A servant entered with a cup in her hand.
“I had a brew prepared for you to make certain your stomach remained calm,” her mother said and summoned the servant forward.
The young woman smiled as she approached and suddenly went flying forward, her foot having caught on the edge of the rug. The cup went flying out of her hand, the liquid spewing out and spilling all over the front of Crista’s dress, soaking into the white lace and staining it.
Apologies spilled from the servant’s mouth, fear in her young eyes.
Before her mother could reprimand the girl, Crista spoke up. “It’s all right. It was an accident.”
“The dress is ruined,” her mother said anger in her eyes as she pointed to the stained white lace.
“I have other dresses,” Crista said, hoping to assuage her upset.
“Not as beautiful as this one,” her mother lamented.
“Excuse me, Dona Valerianna,” a servant said from the open door, her eyes going wide when she spotted Crista’s stained dress.
“What is it?” Valerianna snapped.
“A couple of guests are arriving early, their carriages about to reach the hacienda.”
“Good Lord, this day continues to get worse,” her mother said, worry marring her lovely features.
“Fear not, things will go well, Mother,” Crista assured her. “Go greet the guests and I’ll hurry and change.”
Her mother nodded, looking at her, but her eyes not really focused on her. “Si, and you will wait to come downstairs until the guests have arrived, then make an entrance. This way it will not appear as if you snubbed certain people.”
“An excellent plan, Mother.”
Diablo's Angel (Ranchero Trilogy Book 3) Page 16