Renegade Love (Rancheros) (21 page)

“I understand, Don Alejandro,” she said. And she did. She had learned that nobles lived by foolish rules. Their stiff and proper nature kept them at a distance from one another, though their lies made it appear otherwise. She much preferred to hug her friends and share with them and know that they cared.

“I knew you would understand. Now let us have breakfast.” He held his arm out to her and she took it.

Esteban didn’t join them, but then she hadn’t expected him to. The meal passed like all others with inconsequential conversation.

It was when Don Alejandro stood to leave that Rosa asked, “Would it be permitted for me to go into town today? I’d like to visit with my friend.” Before Don Alejandro could answer Rosa turned to Dona Valerianna. “I will change into a proper dress.”

Dona Valerianna smiled and looked to her husband. “It would be good for the people to see that we do not hide during this troubling time.”

Don Alejandro agreed. “You are right and especially so for Esteban’s wife. I will have vaqueros escort you.”

Rosa thanked them and hurried out of the room, though she detoured to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Dolores, and how are you this beautiful morning?” she asked upon entering the kitchen.

Dolores planted her hands on her ample hips and smiled. “At least you ask how I am doing before asking me for something. Your husband enters, barely nods, tells me what he wants, and then he’s on his way.” She shook her head. “I miss the young, caring boy who would haunt my kitchen for treats and bring me flowers.”

“Esteban would bring you flowers?” Rosa asked.

“Wild ones from the meadow.” Dolores smiled. “When he was little he’d bring roots and all. He had such a giving and caring heart.” Again she shook her head. “Those animals stripped him of everything. He doesn’t smile, doesn’t laugh... doesn’t care.”

“He does care,” Rosa insisted. “I have seen it in him.”

Dolores reached out and placed her hand on Rosa’s shoulder. “Then fight and chase away the demons in him, then you will find a truly good and loving husband.”

“What did Esteban want and where did he go?”

“He took some bread and fruit and told me that he would not be here for the noon meal. He did not say where he was going, though when he was young he would often share his plans for the day with me, and I would make certain that he took enough to eat with him. He was satisfied with what I gave him, so he will return for supper.”

Rosa was relieved to know that her husband had not taken off again. He would do what he needed and so would she. Tonight they would once again sleep together. She would make sure of it. “I have plans of my own. Could I have some fruit and some of your luscious treats to take to a friend in need?”

“You share just like Esteban once did,” Dolores said, smiling. “You two are good for each other.”

Rosa gave the woman a hug and she returned it. They worked together filling a basket, Rosa adding two bottles of wine to it. She then asked Dolores to see that it was placed in the carriage

She took extra care dressing and braiding her hair wanting to make certain she presented a proper appearance. She knew there would be consequences for what she was about to do, but she had to do it. She had to show people that she believed in her husband and would not hide away afraid of their gossiping tongues. Besides any repercussions couldn’t be as bad as what she had suffered at the hands of the Curros. No one here had raised a hand to her and she didn’t fear anyone would.

Don Alejandro saw her off and it wasn’t until they were out of sight of the hacienda that she called out to the driver.

“Don Alejandra did inform you that I would be stopping at the Garavito hacienda before going to town.”

The driver eased the horse to a stop. The vaqueros that accompanied began to stop as well.

“I was told you were going to town,” the driver said.

“Pedro, isn’t it?” Rosa asked, smiling and the man nodded. “I knew Don Alejandro would forget. I should have reminded him before we left. Dona Valerianna asked that I take this basket to the Garavitos and express our sorrow.”

“What’s going on?” the last vaquero to approach asked sternly.

It was obvious by his authoritative manner that he was in charge of the small group and took his position seriously. Rosa turned her smile on him. “I was just explaining to Pedro that I’m to stop at the Garavito hacienda and give them this basket before proceeding into town.”

“That was not Don Alejandro’s orders,” the vaquero snapped. “We are to escort you to town and back again.”

“It’s a brief stop and means much to Dona Valerianna,” Rosa said, “but you have your orders and I do not wish to tread on your authority.”

The vaquero seemed to give it thought and one of the other vaqueros smiled and said, “Maria would be pleased to see you.”

That certainly changed the man’s mind fast enough. And in no time they changed direction and headed for the Garavito hacienda. Rosa prayed that proper manners would not allow the Garavitos to treat her poorly, but regardless, she intended to keep her chin up and show everyone that she was a good wife to a good man.

When the carriage drew closer to the hacienda Rosa’s stomach began to roil. She had not expected to see such devastation. Half of the hacienda lay in ruins and a large barn had burnt completely to the ground. A smaller structure had also burnt to the ground. Wood fencing lay in ruins and the vaqueros were busy working hard to repair the damages.

She had heard of the renegade attacks and the damage left in their wake, but never had she seen it with her own eyes. She knew Esteban could not have been part of this attack, but had he taken part in other raids that had caused the same destruction? She knew in her heart he had, for he reminded everyone often enough that he was a renegade.

However, the question on everyone’s mind was... why had he stayed with the renegades so long? Why hadn’t he returned home as soon as he was capable of leaving Pacquito’s band? The question was one that would need answering.

A slim woman of fair height suddenly appeared in front of the hacienda and stood waiting for the carriage to approach. Rosa could see by her harried appearance that it had not been easy for her. But she put a smile on her pale face, tucked loose strands of gray hair behind her ears and greeted Rosa cordially.

“How kind of you to stop by,” Elena Garavito said after Rosa was helped down out of the carriage.

“I was on my way into town and I wanted to express my sorrow over your tragedy and see if there was anything I could do to help.”

“You can keep that renegade husband of yours away from here!”

“Manuel, your manners,” Elena Garavito reprimanded harshly.

“My manners?” Don Manuel said shaking his head at his wife as he walked out of the shadows. “What of her manners coming here when her husband was the cause of all this destruction?”

The Cesare vaqueros dismounted and stepped closer to Rosa.

Rosa remained calm. She could not imagine how horrible the ordeal had been for the Garavitos and she did not wish to bring them anymore pain. She could see by the way Don Manuel kept his arm close to his side that he still suffered pain from his injury. And he looked to have aged considerably since her wedding, his dark hair having more gray in it and his once broad shoulders now had a slight hunch to them. She did not intend to argue with him, for she knew it would do no good. She wanted to extend her friendship as best she could in hopes that it would show that she believed in her husband. And she hoped that somehow, even in some small way, that would help.

“I am sorry you feel that way, Don Manuel,” Rosa said calmly. “Perhaps we could share a glass of fine wine that Don Alejandro has sent along to you and discuss the matter.” She gave Pedro a nod and he lifted the basket out of the carriage.

The man bristled for a moment, and then acquiesced with a sharp nod.

Dona Elena smiled and seemed to relax as she hustled Rosa into the hacienda. Rosa was shown to a small parlor that had survived the damage. It was similar to Dona Valerianna’s parlor. Crystal glasses were soon brought by the servants along with a tray of fruits and cheeses.

Don Manuel sipped at his wine and glared at Rosa. She could see the frustration in his eyes and the anger. She could see how badly he wanted to say something and yet he held his tongue. It wouldn’t be proper for him to unleash his anger on her, though the man did look ready to burst.

She came here to help her husband, but she realized that the Garavitos also needed help. So she made it easy for him. “Tell me of this horrific attack.”

His wife stared at him as if he was a complete stranger as he poured out all the details, snarling and nearly spitting with anger as he did. When he finished, he poured, with trembling hands, a glass of wine and drank it down, then he poured another and sipped at it as he stood at the window staring out at his loss.

Rosa hoped that the venting of his anger at her would help Don Manuel. She had wished many times that she could spew her anger at the Curros when she had realized what her life would be like with them, but she would have suffered greatly for it. She wanted him to know she was friend not foe and so she offered it in a way he would understand. “The vaqueros linger while they wait for me, perhaps they can be of some help to you until I leave.”

Don Manuel turned and stared at her, his eyes shining with unshed tears. It took him a moment before he said, “There are a few things I need done that could use extra hands. I appreciate the offer.”

“You are most welcome,” Rosa said.

He went to leave, then stopped, and turned, his unshed tears close to spilling over. “Thank you and thank Don Alejandro for his generous gift.”

Rosa nodded and choked back tears that threatened to rise in her eyes. She realized it had taken a lot for Don Manuel to thank the wife of the man who he believed had taken part in the attack that nearly destroyed his home. Her visit had gone well and no matter the consequences, she was glad she had come here.

Dona Elena turned to Rosa with a tear in her eye. “You are most kind and most brave for coming here today. And I must say I appreciate your bravery more than you know.”

“Dona Valerianna would have come if—”

“If her husband would have let her,” Dona Elena finished. “Husbands can be difficult as you probably know.”

Rosa smiled. “And stubborn.”

Dona Elena laughed. “You learn quickly.” Her laughing smile faded. “Valerianna and I once visited often and talked and laughed as we do now. We would work on our embroidery while our children played together. I don’t know what happened to our friendship. Now we only see each other at large gatherings or church.”

“Good friends may drift apart at times, but they never separate.” Rosa had learned that from experience. There had been times, months, the Curros refused to let her see Marinda and when they finally got together again it was as if they had only been separated a day. And then there was Gaby. Even though they would not get to see each other often, their friendship would remain forever strong.

“You speak too wisely for one so young.”

“Life and circumstances has a way of aging us.”

“There you go again speaking as a woman who has lived many years.”

“I will say no more,” Rosa said clamping her lips tightly shut in a smile.

“No, please don’t,” Dona Elena said with a tinkle of laughter. “I enjoy talking with you.”

“I will visit more often and bring Dona Valerianna with me the next time,” Rosa said. “But while I am here perhaps there is something I can help you with, Dona Elena?”

The woman smiled and shook her head. “You have helped more than you already know.”

But Rosa was determined or perhaps it was what she would do if it had been Marinda who needed such help. Soon the two women were going through a section of the hacienda that had been partially burned collecting items that had survived the fire. And Rosa listened with heartfelt interest to stories of some of those items that brought a mixture of laughter and tears to Dona Elena.

Pedro came to collect her several hours later, informing her that time had gotten away from them all, and it was too late to go into town, and they would be late for the evening meal if they did not depart now.

Without thinking, Rosa gave Dona Elena a hug that at first startled the woman, and then she returned it.

“You have restored my hope,” Dona Elena whispered in her ear.

They parted with Rosa promising to visit soon. The visit went far better than she had anticipated. And hearing how Dona Valerianna and Elena had once seen each other often got her thinking of ways to bring the two women together again.

They had barely crossed onto Cesare land when she noticed that the vaqueros had moved closer to the carriage and, as if by instinct, her glance drifted to the ridge. A chill ran through her when she saw a band of men on horses at the top of the ridge.

Esteban washed up for supper. He had spent the day out in the vineyards seeing how the grapes were doing and trying to forget about last night with his wife. But it had done little good. He could not stop thinking about her. And damn if he didn’t want a repeat of it. He didn’t know why he had told her to stay away from him this morning, he didn’t want her to. He hadn’t wanted to leave her when he had woken and found her snug in his arms. But if he had stayed until she had woken he would not have been able to stop himself from taking her again. And she had to be sore, whether she would admit it or not. So he had reluctantly left her to wake alone.

Now all he wanted was to see his wife and take her in his arms. He missed her and the thought frustrated him. He was getting used to having her around, having her care. When had that happened? It was as if she had snuck up on him and insinuated herself into his life and now that she was there, he didn’t want to let her go.

He had thought he had lost the ability to love or did he fear to love or more so to be loved?

He threw the towel down that he’d been drying himself with and grabbed the clean white shirt off the back of the chair. He had to be careful, very careful. Pacquito was in the area and he was looking for trouble, but then he was always looking for trouble. This time, however, he was not the young frightened boy he had been when Pacquito had first captured him, though now he had a wife.