Summer Dreams (22 page)

She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. The awful scene of waiting at the well for the rescue squad played over in her mind. What was the lesson she'd learned? That she couldn't control everything, much less everybody. Esteban had a right to do whatever he wanted with his land.

"What about the mountain ... our special place?" She asked.

Hector's head came up and he stared at them. 

"I'm keeping the mountain ... forever."

"Oh, Esteban," she sighed and launched herself into his arms, her mouth seeking his. Their mouths fused together, hungry and desperate for each other. Coming home again.

How could she have doubted her love for him? She loved him with all her heart and soul, with every fiber of her being. Like his feelings for her, she didn't know when she'd started caring for him. Their beginnings were lost to the distant past, intertwined with their childhood memories. Why had it had taken her so long to recognize true love? 

Because she had wanted life all tidy and organized, a man that would commit to her and a family and a house and all the trappings of the middle-class lifestyle she'd learned to cherish. But she'd also learned the hard way that life wasn't a Christmas present, all shiny and gift-wrapped.  You couldn't control everything in life and sometimes you just had to live it, taking the bad with the good, the uncertain with the known.

The sound of a door swinging shut interrupted them. Gently breaking their kiss, she realized they were alone in the waiting room. Hector had left without a word. She was glad he was gone.

"How did you know Hector was behind the vandalism?" She asked.

Esteban held her in the circle of his arms and gazed into her face with so much adoration, she thought her heart would burst. "I put two and two together and came up with four. A friend of mine, Paco, knew where to find the likely culprits." He shrugged. "It had to be settled. I found Hector at his hotel and offered him the deal if he would confess to you." 

Lifting her chin in his hand, he brushed her lips with his. "I couldn't let him come between us any longer. He didn't count on finding Pura hurt because of his actions, nor did I."

"And you gave away your land so he would admit what he'd done," she said.

"I would give the world and the stars away to earn your love ... and respect, Natalia."

"Oh, Esteban, you have both,
mi amorcito
, you have both." And then she knew in her heart that the time was right. She said the words she knew he'd been waiting to hear. "
Te amo
, I love you."

***

Natalia fluffed Pura's pillows and offered her a glass of water. Her grandmother had come home from the hospital two days before and was still recuperating. Natalia wanted to make certain Pura rested, as the doctor had instructed, and made a full recovery.

"Do you need anything else?" She asked.

Pura waved her hands and said, "Just to get out of this bed. How long did the doctor say I had to stay in bed?"

"Another week."

"I don't think I can stand it," she declared. "A week in the hospital and now another week at home. Almost makes me wish I owned a television set," she observed with a wry smile. "The nurses kept turning it on in my hospital room. I liked the game shows," she admitted. "They weren't as silly as the reality shows. But the news, ugh, the news could turn your hair prematurely white."

"Would you like for me to buy you a set? They don't cost much and it might help this next week pass more quickly," Natalia offered.

"You won't get off that easily, Nieta
mía
," Pura said with a twinkle in her eye. "You're not going to park this old woman in front of one of those squawk boxes and forget about me."

Leaning down, she brushed her grandmother's hair from her forehead and said, "You know I wouldn't do that."

"Better not." Sighing, Pura said, "I wish I could have seen Esteban play today. It was his last game of the season, you know. Might be the last time he plays, too." 

Pura knew as much as she did. Esteban planned on quitting ball and returning to school if nothing came of the autumn showcase.

"I know it might be his last game," Natalia agreed. "I wanted to see him play too."

"You should have gone. I would have been fine here."

"I'm not going to let you out of my sight for a long time, Abuelita."

"I was afraid of that," her grandmother grumbled.

The sound of tires on the recently-resurfaced road caught their attention. Natalia ran to the bedroom window and peered out to find Esteban's Corolla pulling into the farmyard.

"Go and greet him." Pura inclined her head. "And after you've made kissy-face, tell him I want to see him. I want to know how his game went."

"You're incorrigible, you know that?"

"
Sí
, and it only gets worse, the older I get."

Natalia chuckled. "I'll send Esteban in later."

Natalia rushed to the front door, eager to see Esteban and hear about his game. And she wouldn't mind some kissy-face thrown into the bargain as well.

They'd resumed seeing each other but last week had been spent at the hospital together, visiting Pura and keeping her spirits up. Now with her
abuela
home and her care entrusted to Natalia, she knew their time together would center around the farm, at least until Pura was fully recovered.

After that, it was anybody's guess what would happen. Natalia planned on teaching in Taos and living with Pura. She'd broken the news to her parents and would return to Dallas to get her things. As for Pura and Esteban, nothing had been decided about their futures. Pura didn't know if she would resume teaching or retire. Esteban had decided to wait to get another job until after the showcase.

Natalia's life had never been in such turmoil before ... and she'd never been happier.

Gone was the old, serious-minded, compulsive Natalia, to be replaced by a new, light-hearted Natalia.  She barely recognized herself, filled with the constant joy love had brought.

Throwing open the front door she was greeted by an exuberant Esteban, his face wreathed in smiles. He caught her to him and whirled around the front room like a dervish, raining kisses on her upturned face, humming a catchy salsa tune under his breath.

She'd expected him to be happy to see her. He was always happy to see her, but something told her there was more.

She managed to pull free from his frenzied merry-making and took a step back, placing her fists on her hips. "Okay,
dime
, what has happened?"

Grinning from ear to ear like a kid, he said, "Not like this. I want to do this properly.
Por
Dios
, I've waited long enough for this moment. And it has to be perfect." 

Taking her hand, he led her to the sofa and seated her there. Then he went down on one knee and took both her hands in his. Watching him, her senses reeled. Did this craziness mean what she thought it did? But how could it? His life was one big question mark.

"Natalia Lydia Colón, I love you and want you for my wife," he intoned solemnly. "Will you have me as your husband?"

She couldn't believe her ears. Esteban had finally committed to her! Once she'd acknowledged her love for him in the hospital, she'd hoped someday they could settle down and raise a family. But he'd never hinted at marriage before.

She'd followed her heart, ignoring her head, loving him despite their uncertain future together.

Her first impulse was to throw her arms around him and accept. But a part of the old, analytical Natalia resurfaced. Being in love was one thing, something that should be given with spontaneous joy, but binding their lives together, was another thing entirely. 

"If we marry, what will you do, Esteban, return to college or ...?"

"Whatever you want me to do, the choice is yours, Natalia. I realized today my dream of playing major league ball is nothing compared to loving you and building a future together."  Turning her hands over, he kissed her palms.

"But, do you ... or do we ... have a choice? I mean you don't know about baseball, do you?"

He lifted his head and gifted her with an impish grin. "That's what I told myself, that I should wait until my future was settled before I asked you to marry me. I've wanted to marry you all along, Natalia. But I had to prove to you I was worthy of your love. After that, I wanted to be certain of my future, to give you stability." He paused and rose to his feet, pacing in front of her.

"And then it happened. Just the way I'd envisioned it for so long." He stopped pacing and faced her. "The Royal scout came back today. I hit two homers. He wants to sign me!"  

Jumping to her feet, she threw her arms around him, exclaiming, "Esteban, I'm so excited for you! It's a dream come true! How wonderful!" She squeezed him and wiped her eyes on the back of her sleeve. "Oh, I can't believe it."

"Believe it." He caught her hands in his again and placed them on his chest. "Feel my heart; it's going ninety miles an hour." Then he sobered and gazed into her eyes. "The funny thing was, once he offered to sign me, all I could think about was you and how you would react. The more I thought, the more I realized I wanted you more than a baseball career."

"But Esteban, it's what you've always wanted, you should---"

"Sssh," he hushed her by gently placing his finger over her lips. "You're what I've always wanted, Natalia. Now that I've been offered the contract, I can see it clearly. I know you don't want to be a baseball player's wife. And now, I realize, I don't care, either. Whatever makes you happy. I'll play baseball or return to college. I've saved money to get my degree, so you won't have to support me," he added.

Hearing his unselfish sacrifice, she wondered how she'd ever doubted the man Esteban had become. He was so noble and self-sacrificing, responsible and caring. He would make a wonderful husband and father.

She shook her head. "I can't let you give up your dream, Esteban. You can always return to school. You should sign the contract."

"Are you sure?"

"
Sí
, I'm sure."

"And you don't mind being a ballplayer's wife? You'd have to give up your job in Taos.  You probably couldn't work because we'd be moving around. First, they'll try me out on the farm team to see how I do. We might not move to Kansas City until next year. Is that okay?"

A sudden frisson of apprehension skittered down her spine. This was all happening so fast. She loved him beyond measure, but she had commitments too.

"When do you need to go to the farm team?"

"Next week." He grinned, admitting, "Not much time to plan a wedding."

Pain lanced through her, taking her breath away. She couldn't marry him, couldn't go with him. She couldn't go now and leave Pura alone. She'd promised to take care of her grandmother if her life was spared. And it was the most solemn promise she'd ever made.

"I can't leave Pura," she whispered, feeling as if her heart was being slowly wrenched from her chest. But a promise was a promise. "She isn't well yet, and her future's unsettled."

Esteban lowered his head. The joy drained from his face. "
Yo entiendo
."

"Do you? Do you really?" She placed her hands on his shoulders and said, "Can you understand how much I love you? How I want to go with you so badly I could ..." She dropped her hands and turned her face away, unable to continue.

"I love Pura, too," he replied. "You know that. And I know she needs you, though I doubt she will admit it."

"I'll wait for you, Esteban," she said. "Maybe by next summer ..."

"I won't go. I'll stay here and enter the university, and we'll be married. If you and Pura agree, we'll live here at the farm. We'll take care of her together."

"No, I can't let you do that," she replied. "I would never forgive myself if I stood in the way of your dream."

"But I told you earlier, Natalia, I don't care about the baseball, only you." He cupped her chin in his hand and turned her face to his. His voice took on a pleading note. "Don't do this to me."

She gazed directly into his eyes and repeated, "I'll never forgive myself, Esteban, if you don't go. But I'll wait for you," she added again, trying to sound hopeful.

He studied her face for a long time, his fingertips stroking the tender flesh of her jaw.  Finally, he said, "I'll go, but I want you to promise me we'll be married next summer."

"I promise."

***

It was Pura's first day to leave her bed, and by mid-morning, she'd already driven Natalia a little crazy. Confined to bed for two weeks, Pura had conserved her energy. At the first break of dawn, she'd been up, inspecting her farm and the livestock, especially her chickens. She'd walked part way up the new road, marveling at its smooth expanse.

Natalia, feeling as if she were trying to corral a tornado, trailed after her, keeping a careful eye on her grandmother, watching for her strength to wane or a headache to overtake her.

The doctor had warned Natalia that Pura would be weak and subject to headaches for several weeks, due to the concussion. But contrary to the doctor's admonitions, her
abuela
was a bundle of energy, impervious to any lurking headaches. 

At mid-day, Natalia managed to lure Pura inside for lunch. Settling her grandmother on the sofa, she threw together a salad for them. She pulled out the lap trays and set their places.

Taking a bite of salad, Pura said, "This is wonderful. The greens are so fresh. Hospital food makes you appreciate home cooking."

"It's just a salad, Abuelita," Natalia said.

Waving her fork at Natalia, she contradicted, "Your cooking has improved. I've noticed this past week."

"I'm glad you approve."

"I wonder if Luz, José's wife, is a good cook," Pura mused, almost to herself.

José, Pura's oldest child, had visited her in the hospital, bringing his family along.  Natalia had always thought it ironic that José had moved to Albuquerque and settled his family there to be closer to his mother. Because of Pura's self-reliance, she had spurned her son's efforts to care for her, clinging tenaciously to her independence.