Until the Day Breaks (California Rising Book 1) (15 page)

“You do not hear God because you do not listen.” She picked up the Bible, placing it gently upon her lap. “How can you live on this earth and not see the Creator’s hand in all things?”

“Did God create the wolf to devour the sheep? The bear to slaughter the calves? Did God create war and famine and drought and fever and death? Did God create the ship that brought you to California? The ship that brought you to me?”

“We live in a fallen world. Man is sinful, and the devil is real. This is why Jesus came and died and rose again. The Savior offers hope to mankind, a way for us to be rescued from the devil and our sinfulness and so we can know God.”

Roman opened the door, pausing at the threshold. “If you had your choice, would you marry Steven or me?”

“I thought we were talking about God?”

“You were talking about God. I want to know if you had your choice, would you choose Steven or me?”

“You are here, and you are my father’s choice. Steven is in New England.”

“But if you could choose for yourself, who would you choose?”

She stared at him for a long, sad moment. “I would choose Steven.”

Pain flashed across his face before he quietly closed the door behind him.

The next morning when Lupe came into the room, she found Rachel dressed and the bed made up. A bundle of her things—Roman’s mother’s things, really—waited beside the door.

“I’m moving to another room,” she informed Lupe, though she knew the old woman did not understand English. Rachel motioned to her things. “I must have my own quarters.” Picking up her pile of goods, she headed out into the tiled hallway.

Lupe trailed her down the hall, speaking Spanish with a smile on her face. Rachel went to the crucified saint’s room but found Roman’s belongings scattered there. At least he wasn’t present in the room. She looked at Lupe. The old servant waved her on, directing her farther down to the end of the hall. Near a second set of stairs, two rooms opened across from each other. Rachel looked in one room, and a string of Spanish spilled from Lupe’s mouth.

The old servant motioned Rachel into the other room, where a painting of the Madonna graced the lovely quarters. The room was sparsely furnished, but the bed was lovely, covered with a bright brocade spread that matched the vibrant painting of the Virgin Mary on the wall. Smiling, Rachel nodded to Lupe, who grinned in return, revealing several missing teeth. Both women were pleased this would be Rachel’s quarters. It was on the opposite end of the sprawling residence from Roman’s master bedroom.

Downstairs, Rachel could hear the servants astir. This was clearly the functional part of the hacienda where everyone went about their daily work, which pleased her. She’d grown so lonely in such a short time. She wanted to be around people again.

An hour later, she made her way down the narrow flight of servants’ stairs. The stormy weather had finally passed, leaving the land fresh and sparkling with sunshine. At the bottom of the stairs, which led to an outside courtyard, two long, covered patios stretched in opposite directions. One ran north, the other south. The northern patio was lively, filled with small brown children. Several Indian women watched the little ones at play with sticks in the yard.

The other patio stretched out in silence with no one in sight. Delighted, Rachel watched the children for a while and then walked on to the empty patio, feeling her muscles tremble from lack of exercise. She’d not been up and about since arriving at the hacienda with Roman nearly two weeks prior.

After the bout with the strange, sudden illness, she felt more grateful than usual for the air she breathed and the beauty of the Lord’s handiwork this day. A large fountain in the courtyard entertained a flock of sparrows. Climbing roses covered the adobe walls, blooming red with spring back underway. At a wooden bench under the porch eves, Rachel sat for a long time watching the birds bathe in the fountain. She prayed for the Lord’s guidance. What was she to do? Was she really supposed to marry Roman? Or did the Lord plan to deliver her from all this? Was it possible God would reunite her with Steven somehow?

And if so, how could she tell Steven all that had transpired here? Everything that had happened with Roman? His embraces? His intimate knowledge of her body? Her heart? The time she’d spent in his bed? In his arms?

She was most troubled by her own response to that man. Seeing him set her heart racing every time. When he touched her, she felt like swooning. The rare, tender moments they’d shared came to her mind again and again. Him sleeping beside her with her Bible on his bare chest. The times he really smiled, when those delightful dimples of his appeared in his cheeks, and his green eyes shone with pleasure. He was such an attractive man. Why did she have to find him so appealing?

These memories tangled her thoughts. Jangled her emotions. The times he seemed vulnerable and boyish, so eager for her kind words. Truth be told, she found him utterly irresistible like that, and even when he made her angry, he took her breath away, though she was just now admitting this to herself.

After sitting there on the bench for over an hour thinking about Roman, she rose and followed the patio all the way around the hacienda and up the other set of stairs on the opposite end of the house. She passed only one servant on her way, a smiling Indian girl sweeping wet leaves off the front patio.

When she reached the upper-story balcony and began making her way to her room, she noticed a large group of horses and riders in the distance. As they rode closer, she realized it was Roman’s family, along with several male riders she didn’t recognize. The strange men wore hats, not sombreros; clearly, they weren’t Californios.

She gripped the balcony tightly when one rider in particular captured her attention. He sat tall in the saddle, exuding grace and peace even from a distance. His brown felt hat looked so familiar. Every instinct inside her came alive with dread and longing. Though she couldn’t see his face, she’d ridden with him about the countryside on horseback on numerous occasions while he wore that hat.

Steven stepped down from his horse in front of the hacienda and came to her on the lower porch where she waited beside Roman. She was afraid to leave Roman’s side, afraid of what he might do. Steven’s face shone with love and excitement. “Rachel,” he breathed, grasping both her hands as he reached the veranda. “I’ve missed you so much, my dearest.”

“Steven . . . what . . . are you doing here?” She stumbled over the greeting, allowing him to draw her into his arms.

“I have found you, my darling.” He wrapped her in a chaste embrace.

She tried to smile but could not. “This is such a surprise.” Would Roman draw his knife from his belt and kill Steven right there on the porch? She really didn’t know what would happen, and her knees trembled as she held on to Steven.

“We met these gentlemen in the midst of our ride home,” Don Pedro boomed. “They were headed to Rancho El Rio Lobo. Senõr Gains explained to us he was searching for his fiancée.” Don Pedro’s smile disappeared, and he gave Rachel a troubled stare. “Señorita Tyler, you must settle this confusion for us once and for all. Are you and Senõr Gains really engaged?”

A blush seared Rachel’s cheeks. She wished the ground beneath her feet would swallow her up. Heat engulfed her face and traveled down her neck, mortification making her dizzy as Steven still held her hands expectantly in his. Her legs would not stop shaking.

“The Lord helped us find you,” Steven said, unaware of how his arrival affected everyone. “This is my friend, Dominic Mason.” He nodded to the other American, his brown hair bouncing boyishly across his forehead. “His ship,
The White Swallow
, has brought us here from Boston. The voyage was grand. Just grand, Rachel. How was your voyage? I’d hoped for a letter to hear about it.” He squeezed her hands. “But I have seen how wild California is. It must be hard to get letters back to the east.”

She managed to return Dominic Mason’s smile before responding to Steven’s question. “My voyage was challenging. I sent you a letter. I’m sorry it didn’t reach you.” She wished it had, for she’d explained her father’s demand that she marry Roman and how much this distressed her. Squeezing his hands as much to encourage herself as to encourage him, she continued, “Steven, I’m so sorry to tell you my father has arranged a marriage for me here in California.” She paused to let her words sink in.

Steven’s gaze did not waver from hers, but his face turned ashen, and he released her hands.

“Roman Vasquez is my betrothed.” She nodded to him, standing stonily on the porch. “His family has brought you here.” She motioned at the Vasquezes, standing there staring at them. Her eyes connected with Isabella’s. Rachel sent a small smile meant to ease the child’s obvious distress.

Isabella leaped forward when their gazes met, running up the porch steps to Rachel. “She is going to be my sister!” she said sharply to Steven.

Rachel stroked Isabella’s black hair as the little girl grabbed her around the waist. “Steven, this is Isabella,” Rachel introduced them, unsure of what else to do.

“Hello, Isabella,” Steven said kindly. Though he appeared crestfallen, he smiled at the girl. She wrinkled her nose at him, her blue eyes narrowing with hostility.

Maria stepped forward. The redhead’s boldness surprised Rachel. “This is Maria, Roman’s other sister.” Apparently, there hadn’t been any introductions made on the road.

“Pleased to meet you, Senõr Steven.” Maria turned coquettishly to Dominic Mason. “And pleased to meet you, Senõr Mason.” She bowed prettily for the ship captain.

Rachel was taken aback by the redhead’s flirtation. This Maria was a completely different girl than the defiant one she’d witnessed at Rancho El Rio Lobo
.
Maria displayed a lovely smile for the handsome, young ship captain.

Josefa came forward. “This is Doña Josefa. She is the lady of the hacienda,” Rachel said.

Steven nodded to Doña Josefa, his gentleness radiating to all around him, even though Rachel could see how hurt he was. “Thank you for allowing us to visit your home.” Steven’s politeness never wavered, but the pain and confusion in his eyes wounded Rachel.

Don Pedro, now smiling, stepped up beside his plump, little wife. “It is our honor, Senõr Gains. You and Captain Mason are our guests for as long as you like. My home is your home.” Don Pedro made a sweeping gesture with his arms. “All we own is at your disposal,
mis amigos
.”

“Please call me Steven.” Steven shook Don Pedro’s hand.

Don Pedro gestured to Roman. “Senõr Steven, my nephew, Roman.”

Roman stepped forward but did not offer his hand to Steven. “Senõr Gains,” he acknowledged coolly.

“Please call me Steven,” Steven said graciously.

“Roman and Señorita Rachel will soon marry,” Don Pedro announced loud enough to startle the chickens scratching in the yard.

Steven closed his eyes for a brief moment. Rachel knew he closed them in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the smile did not falter on his lips. He turned to Roman, laying a hand on Roman’s shoulder in a gesture of friendship. “Dominic,” Steven said, “meet the man Rachel’s father has chosen for her to marry.”

Dominic Mason stepped forward. “Señor Vasquez.” The captain politely offered his hand for a handshake. His blue-eyed gaze was as chilly as Roman’s.

With one hand on Roman’s shoulder, Steven placed his other hand on Dominic’s shoulder. The two men shook hands stiffly. Neither appeared pleased. “The Good Lord has brought us all together. Let us be grateful for this new friendship God has given us.”

Isabella made a snorting sound. Maria shushed her.

“Don’t shush me,” Isabella said indignantly.

“
Pequeñas,
” Doña Josefa interrupted. “Go into the house and tell the servants to prepare a feast for our guests. We will have a fiesta tonight.” Doña Josefa clapped her hands. Rachel wasn’t sure if it was a command to the girls to do her bidding or a gesture of delight.

“Sí,”
agreed Don Pedro, all good-natured gusto now that it had been made clear Rachel would still marry Roman. “After we eat, we shall dance.”

“Dance?” Steven stared for a distracted moment at Rachel.

“Si,”
Don Pedro insisted. “In California, we dance in celebration. Tonight’s fandango will be held in your honor, Senõr Steven.”

Roman moved away from Steven’s affable grip, turning without a word to walk off the porch, motioning for some nearby vaqueros to help him gather the horses in the yard.

“My nephew will see that your mounts are situated in our stables. Come, let me show you to your rooms, gentlemen, so you may refresh yourselves before the evening meal.” Don Pedro indicated the visitors should follow him.

Once the men departed, Maria, the smile gone from her face, stepped up to Rachel. “You look striking in my mother’s dress.” The redhead no longer smiled.

“Would you rather she wore your dresses?” Isabella made a face at Maria.

“Since my clothes just arrived with you, I will return your mother’s garments to the chest in your brother’s room right now.” Rachel’s legs still trembled as she walked into the house with Maria and Isabella in her wake. She couldn’t believe Steven was really here.

“You’ve been in my brother’s room?” Maria looked surprised.

“I’m sure she’s been in my room and your room too, Maria,” Isabella said. “Roman showed you all our paintings, didn’t he?” It was more a statement than a question.

“Yes, he did. They are wonderful,” Rachel answered.

“Did he show you where Señora Poppycock lives?”

“No, he did not. I would love to see where Señora Poppycock lives.”

Isabella eagerly grabbed Rachel’s hand to lead her to her beloved pet.

“If that stupid chicken poops on my mother’s gown, I will crucify you, little goat,” Maria threatened.

Isabella stuck out her tongue at her sister.

“I’ve been careful with your mother’s clothes. I will continue to watch out for the gowns until they are safely returned to the trunk,” Rachel assured Maria.

Maria’s face softened before she turned and walked toward the stairs to the upper bedrooms.