“Just me.” The carefree response came from the doorway.
Rafael stood and for a moment his breath locked in his throat. How could Gaby look more beautiful than when he last saw her? And how could her simple peasant skirt and blouse appeal more to him than if she was dressed in a silk gown. He grumbled beneath his breath annoyed with his thoughts as he walked toward her. “Did you request permission for this activity?”
Gaby had a basket hooked on her arm with a bright colored blanket folded across it. “I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“It is very necessary.” He stopped inches from her. “You will not take my mother from the hacienda without my permission. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Don Rafael,” she answered and added. “I just thought your mother would enjoy something different, a change in her mundane routine.”
His first instinct was to chastise her for her impertinence, but on second thought perhaps she was right. Perhaps his mother would benefit from the harmless excursion. It would at least— if nothing else—turn her thoughts away from the murder of Padre Manuel.
“I will have one of the vaqueros accompany you.”
“Thank you.” Gaby smiled her appreciation.
Rafael stiffened his already straight posture. Her smile had the effect of an unexpected bee sting, only it wasn’t a painful sting, it was a pleasurable one. It heightened his senses and tugged at his emotions. He recalled the night before when he had held her in his arms, drawing her near, intending to taste those enticing lips and satisfy his curiosity. She had felt good in his arms and her scent of fresh fruit ripe off the vine had intoxicated him. She was tempting, deliciously tempting. He had so wanted to taste her.
He drew in a deep breath, annoyed with his musings. A mistake since her scent was even more vibrant this morning. It was a blend of the sweetest and richest fruit in the orchard. He took a step back. “Make certain mother doesn’t tire.”
“Si,” she said, curious by the strange look in his eyes. It was the same look he had last night. And at that time she had thought he would kiss her. And for an insane moment she had wanted him to, but later she had realized what a mistake that would have been. He was a powerful ranchero and she would be his plaything to enjoy when the moment struck. Gaby wanted no part of that. It always ended in sorrow and not for the ranchero.
She waited by the door while Rafael finished speaking with his mother. He wheeled her over to Gaby and placed an affectionate kiss on the older woman’s cheek. “Enjoy your picnic.”
“Yes, Rafael, I will. It has been so long since I’ve been on one. The last time was with your...” Her voice trailed off and her eyes pooled with tears.
Rafael was about to comfort her when Gaby stepped forward.
“The day is hot, Dona Maria, and I have much planned for us. I think you will be more comfortable in a lighter colored dress.”
Dona Maria’s eyes widened. “But I am in mourning—”
Gaby didn’t allow her to finish. “Your mourning period is over. It is time for life to go on.”
Rafael was angry at her insensitivity to his mother’s feelings. He was about to reprimand her, but before he could, his mother spoke.
“The mourning period has passed,” she repeated as if reaffirming the truth.
“Yes, it has.” Gaby smiled and placed the basket on the woman’s lap. “And from what I’ve heard of your late husband, he fully enjoyed life.”
Dona Maria chuckled. Yes, my Ramon loved life.”
“Tell me about him,” Gaby encouraged and pushed the wheelchair from the room as Dona Maria began with the first time she had met the handsome Ramon Cabrillo.
Rafael watched from the doorway, amazed by the exuberant chatter. He had always changed the subject when she would speak of Father. Perhaps she needed to speak of him so that she could heal the ache in her heart.
~~~
Gaby spread the colorful blanket on the ground under the shade of the large tree, not far from the river bank.
“I had forgotten how beautiful it was here,” Dona Maria said. “Ramon and I would come here often.”
“He liked picnics too?” Gaby asked, slipping the cloth off the top of the basket.
“He loved them. He was so romantic. He would bring me here with a basket filled with fruit and a jug of wine. He would tell me how much he loved me and he would carve our names in the tree trunk, insisting our love would go on forever.”
Tears sprang to the old woman’s eyes and Gaby quickly stood and held out her hand. “Show me your names.”
Dona Maria shook her head.
“Don Ramon would not want to see you like this, mourning his loss. He would expect you to be strong and get on with your life, making the most of it.”
Dona Maria stared at her for several moments. Then she held her head erect and drew her shoulders back. “You are right, Gaby. Help me stand.”
Gaby supported the woman with a firm arm. It was easy to help her. She was petite but far from frail. And there was a sudden spark of determination in her eyes that had Gaby believing it wouldn’t be long before she was back to her old self.
They walked to a large oak tree only a few feet away. It looked as if the tree top touched the heavens and the branches sprawled out providing a spot of shade beneath.
Dona Maria gently traced their names with her thin fingers. They had been carved in several spots. “Such a romantic,” she whispered.
“He was a rare man.”
“Rafael is much like his father. I could see it in the way he treated his wife when she carried his child. He was so caring and considerate.”
Gaby wished Dona Maria would continue. She wanted to know more about Rafael’s wife, having heard gossip. It wouldn’t be proper, though, or respectful to ask.
Gaby noticed Dona Maria’s attention had been diverted and when she followed her glance she saw that a lone rider approached at a slow gallop in the distance.
Enrico, the vaquero Rafael had sent along with them, stepped in front of them, his rifle balanced on his hip and his finger steady on the trigger. When the rider got closer, Enrico withdrew his finger from the trigger and lowered his rifle.
“Senor Serra approaches, Dona Maria.”
Dona Maria grew flustered. “Hurry and help me to the blanket, Gaby. I refuse to be sitting in that confining chair when a neighbor comes to visit.”
Gaby did as asked; assisting Dona Maria in adjusting the folds of the pale blue dress she had changed into. The woman also patted her dark hair to make sure that all strands were secured in the chignon at the back of her head.
Don Joseph wasn’t a tall man, though he was powerfully built. He had a pleasant smile and once his sparkling blue eyes settled on Dona Maria they never left her. He dismounted and handed the reins to Enrico before approaching the woman.
He bowed gallantly, knelt before her and then took her hand in his and placed a kiss upon it. “It is so good to see you looking so radiant once again.”
A blush rushed to stain her cheeks. “It is good to see you again, Don Joseph.” She hesitated only a moment then said, “I was just about to have a picnic with my companion Gaby. Would you care to join us?”
The man’s face brightened. “I’d love to. It has been too long since I’ve enjoyed one.”
Dona Maria patted the spot across from her. “I’ve admitted the same to Gaby.”
Gaby finished arranging the food on the plates. She was glad she had packed the linen napkins and the crystal glasses. While she did, she noticed that Senor Serra continued only to have eyes for Dona Maria. The attention he was giving the woman was doing more good than all the tonic the doctor had insisted she take for the last year.
Gaby prepared two plates and quietly slipped off to eat with Enrico, the gaily chatting couple never noticing her departure.
~~~
Padre Jose gratefully accepted the cool drink Lupe offered him. The ride from town had been hot and tiresome, but Don Rafael had requested his presence at his ear
liest convenience to answer questions concerning Padre Manuel. He hadn’t waited; he had ridden out as soon as the message had been delivered. He had prayed all night that the awful man be found and brought to justice for the horrendous crime. And he knew that if anyone could see that justice be carried out, it was Don Rafael.
“Did Padre Manuel seem upset by this stranger’s presence?” Rafael asked, taking the glass of wine Lupe had poured for him.
“I’m not sure if upset is the right word. He seemed to... expect him. I felt as though he was waiting for him, although he was definitely unnerved by his presence.”
“But he didn’t know him?”
Padre Jose shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. But then they didn’t speak in front of me so I couldn’t be sure.”
“But you felt nervous about leaving him alone with the stranger?”
The padre nodded. “Yes. If I hadn’t been called away I would have returned to the garden to check on him.”
Rafael sipped the wine from the crystal glass enjoying the faint dryness of the golden liquid. “Describe him for me.”
The padre placed his glass on the small table next to his chair and settled a curious look on Rafael. He appeared a king on a throne, sitting the way he did in the large chair behind the massive desk. A fair king, though, one concerned with his peoples’ problems.
“He smelled.”
Rafael couldn’t help but smile at the blunt description.
“I meant he smelled as though he had been traveling a great distance. No time for a bath or change of clothes. He was taller than me but not as tall as you. And thin, extremely thin. His face was a mass of lines and creases and he wore no smile. Actually, he wore no expression at all. His hair was dark and hung to his shoulders. He wore a holster with two guns. He should be easy to spot.”
“Or impossible to find.”
Padre Jose scratched his head confused.
“The man you described sounds like a hired gun. Not one to stick around after he finishes what he’s come to do. The question is what did he want from Padre Manuel? Was there any secrets shared with the padre that you are aware of?”
Padre Jose thought a moment. Many families trusted the padres and would often confide in them. There was a secret the old priest had recently spoken about, though it didn’t seem likely that his death was related to it. And he had promised the padre that he would keep the information strictly confidential, particularly since there were people who could be hurt by it. No, that secret certainly couldn’t have anything to do with his death. So he answered, “No nothing that I can recall.”
Rafael didn’t believe the padre. He knew the men of the cloth shared many secrets concerning the people of the town. He only hoped the secret he kept had nothing to do with Padre Manuel’s murder, or that it would bring more harm to the community. “I’ll do the best I can, Padre, to find this man and bring him to justice.”
“Thank you, Senor Cabrillo.”
Rafael stood after the padre rose. “It is hot and the ride long. Please rest and enjoy a meal before you depart.”
Padre Jose smiled. He loved Lupe’s cooking and was hoping for an invitation. “Thank you again.”
“My pleasure, Padre. Please join Lupe in the cookhouse. I am sure she has prepared something special for you.”
Rafael walked over to the window and looked out. This murder had him confused. It didn’t make sense. No sense at all.
“Your meal, Don Rafael,” Lupe said, placing the silver tray on the desk.
He thought about the padre sharing his meal with Lupe and the house staff. Then he thought about his mother and Gaby enjoying the picnic. He grabbed his hat from the hook by the window. “I won’t be eating here, Lupe. I’m going on a picnic.”
~~~
Gaby wandered down by the river. She didn’t want to disturb Dona Maria and Don Joseph. Their busy chatter was frequently interrupted by spurts of laughter. They were obviously having a good time, and she didn’t want to intrude on their pleasure.
The afternoon sun was hot as usual, especially out in the open away from the cool shade of the trees. Her skin sparkled with a sheen of perspiration. She was glad she had washed this morning with scented soap. She could smell the sweet hint of fruit drifting off her and was grateful her mother had taught her the secret of smelling fresh and pleasant. “Fruit peels,” her mother had said, “adds fragrance.”
Gaby stopped by the river’s edge. She stooped down and cupped the water up into her hands. It was clear and cool. She sipped at it and patted her face with the remainder.
She stared at the rushing water with envy. It had been several weeks since her last swim. She had gone with her brothers and sisters. She had been teaching Juan to swim. He kept pretending he couldn’t learn. He had wanted her to continue teaching him because she had made a game of it and he had been having fun. She had discovered his trickery and soon they were swimming together and splashing each other in even more fun.
“I could just wet my feet,” she whispered to herself. The memories of how the cool water felt could not be chased away so easily on such a hot day.
She quickly shed her sandals and hoisted her plain brown skirt between her legs, hooking the material over the waistband. She looked as though she wore short pants, perfect for wading in the refreshing water.
Gaby surveyed the bank looking for a safe place to enter. She didn’t want to get snagged by debris beneath the surface or a slippery rock. She found a clear spot just a few feet away where the bank gradually sloped down. She followed it and dunked one foot in the water. The bottom felt smooth and clear, no stones or debris. However, the current was more rapid than she expected and she reminded herself to be careful.
She walked a little further out and leaned over to scoop up a handful of water. She stood raising her hands and letting the cool water run along her sun-drenched arms. The refreshing douse brought a smile to her face.
~~~
Rafael watched Gaby from the blanket under the tree. He had joined his mother and Don Joseph only moments before. His mother had wasted no time in fussing over him, fixing him a plate of cold meats and bread and pouring him a glass of red wine.
He had tried to keep his mind on the conversation at hand, but once his roving eyes found Gaby, he couldn’t turn away. He watched her every move. His muscles tensed when she approached the river. The current was strong and he worried that her foolishness would bring trouble. It didn’t come as a surprise to him when she hoisted her skirts up and entered the water.
“Excuse me,” Rafael said and without glancing at his mother or Don Joseph he stood and headed to the river and Gaby.
“Come out of there,” he demanded sharply.
Gaby startled and almost lost her footing, righting herself quickly. “You frightened me.”
“You should be frightened that current can be dangerous. You have no business being in there. Now come out this instant.”
Gaby glared at him. He stood with his long legs slightly spread, his hands on his hips and his blue eyes hot with anger. “I will not. I’m enjoying the cool water on this hot day.”
His hands went to rest on his hips. “You dare disobey me?’
Gaby mimicked him, her hands going to her hips. “I do my chores. I take care of your mother. But the decision to cool my warm skin with the river’s refreshing water is mine to make, not yours.”
“You are my responsibility.”
“I am responsible for myself.”
He raised his hand and shook a finger at her. “You are obstinate and foolish.”
She laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I can see that I have not used a firm enough hand with you. Now get out of there!”
“No!”
Rafael gave a low, feral growl and advanced on her.
Gaby instinctively took a step back, her foot sinking into a deep hole. She lost her balance, teetering precariously to and fro as she tried to stop herself from tumbling over.
Rafael rushed forward, his hand stretched out. Gaby reached for him, their fingertips touching.
“Grab hold,” Rafael shouted, fighting the current to get closer.
His fingers were about to close around hers when suddenly she went down, the current swallowing her and rushing her downstream.
Rafael tore his jacket off and tossed it on the riverbank, his boots followed, knowing both would slow him down. Then he allowed the river to swallow him and the strong current to carry him along.
Gaby was tossed about as easily as a small stone. It took several seconds to gain control and get her head above water. She had no doubt she could manage to swim to shore. She was a good swimmer and her father had taught her the quirks of the river. She would go with the current until she felt its strength weaken, and then break out against it.
Rafael finally spotted her just ahead. The river was sweeping her away. If he didn’t catch up with her soon, the river would claim her. His muscles burnt from the force of his exertion but still he battled the mighty current. His heart pounded and fear gnawed at his stomach.
Gaby felt the slight change, as if the river had taken a breath. This was her chance. She wasted no time. She dipped beneath the surface and began her struggle for the riverbank.
Rafael saw her go under and the fear that she was drowning near burst his heart. He submerged and raced toward her, his powerful arms slicing through the water. He spotted her and surged forward. As soon as he was able, his arm went around her waist and he locked her solidly against him.
He brought them to the surface coughing and sputtering.
“You stupid —” were the only words she could spit out before they went under once again.
“Stupid?” Rafael managed to yell as they surfaced once again, his grip on her remaining solid.
Gaby, realizing he wasn’t about to let go, hooked her arm around his neck, leaving her other arm free to help swim.
The river carried them along, the current having gained strength.
“I was doing fine,” she shouted fighting the rushing water along with him.
“You were drowning,” he yelled back, surprised that she wasn’t weeping and frightened beyond measure. Instead, she knew what to do to help him rather than hinder his rescue attempt.
Untamed Fire Page 5