Renegade Love (Rancheros)

by Fletcher, Donna

  Rosa didn’t hesitate. Her choice came easily. “I’ll have supper here with you.”

  Dolores shook a finger at her. “How many times must I remind you that you are part of the Cesare family now and do not belong in the kitchen?”

  Rosa smiled. “Then we shall eat out under the stars.” Before Dolores could protest Rosa got to work snatching up a gaily colored tablecloth from the stack kept in a large basket and hurrying outside with it. In the next few minutes she had the long wood table appearing as if there was about to be a party. Glass jars held candles while others overflowed with flowers. Baskets held fruit and bread and plates sat stacked in case anyone else wished to join them.

  Rosa’s enthusiasm soon had Dolores joining in and others as well. Soon the table was laden with Tortillas, Torrejas, corn dough fritters that Rosa’s mother had often made and Relleno de Carne a chopped beef mixture that was a favorite of her father’s and only made on special occasions. One of the girls squealed with detail when Dolores added a bowl of Jiricalla, delicious custard, to the table.

  Soon there was laughter and talk and Rosa finally felt at home here with the other peasants. They had also forgotten her status and spoke with her as if she was one of them. To Rosa it was what she had longed for since her parents’ death. It was as if she was with family once again.

  Rosa learned who was wed to who, who was expecting a baby, who was not feeling well and needed help with their workload. It was the most pleasant evening she had spent since her arrival here and she wished that the Cesares could see what a meal should be like.

  Silence suddenly struck the few who had lingered at the table after the meal was finished, and then they hurried off without a word. Rosa didn’t have to turn around to see what had caused their reaction. She knew her husband stood behind her.

  Dolores was the only one who didn’t leave, though she stood. “May I get you something, Don Esteban?”

  “I’ll have a glass of wine with my wife.” The strength of his voice made it clear that he wanted to be alone with her.

  Dolores was quick to pour him a glass of wine and hurry off.

  “You will cause undue stress on my parents if they were ever to find out that you had supper with the servants.”

  “I meant no disrespect, and I so enjoyed it. I hadn’t realized that some who work here are relatives of people I know in town. It was so nice to speak with them as it was to visit with Marinda today.” If she hoped by mentioning her friend that he would admit to being the one who had arranged the visit, she was disappointed when he made no reference to it.

  He sipped his wine and kept a steady eye on her. “Do you like it here on the hacienda?”

  “It is a much more favorable one to life with the Curros.”

  “That’s not what I asked. Do you like it here?”

  Rosa reached out for the decanter of wine to fill her empty glass.

  Esteban grabbed the crystal decanter before she could reach it. “You need fortification before answering me?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “One of the things I favor here is the wine.”

  Esteban didn’t hide his smile. He removed the stopper and filled her glass. “And are there things you don’t favor?”

  She nodded and considered her response.

  “Tell me,” he said sharply when she hesitated.

  If he wanted the truth, she would give it to him. “The place lacks smiles and laughter... and the cherished comfort of a loving family.”

  “There is no family here. There hasn’t been in some time.” He took a sip of wine and appeared deep in thought, or perhaps memories, then he finally spoke. “I wasn’t surprised to learn that my sister Crista got sent away. After my capture my parents sent her off to Spain to be educated, or so they led everyone to believe. But it was fear for her safety that had them rushing her off and leaving this place empty.”

  “But you have returned and so shall your sister. It will be a home once again.”

  “You forget the one thing that makes a home a home,” Esteban said.

  Rosa didn’t forget and she didn’t think Esteban did either and so she waited for him to answer.

  “Love,” he finally said. There is no love here.”

  “There is plenty of love here, though people fear to show it.”

  “Love should not let fear stop it.”

  “Fear can do much damage.”

  “A strong enough love can conquer fear.”

  “But fear can overpower and leave even the strongest love vulnerable,” Rosa said and wondered over their difference of opinion. He felt love should conquer all and she had learned that fear could be a deterrent to love.

  “In the end though, would love succeed?”

  She pondered the question but more so why he asked it, yet she responded instinctively, “That would depend.”

  “On what?”

  “On how strongly two people loved.”

  Esteban leaned closer. “And what if one loved strong enough for the both?”

  What was he truly asking of her? Did he expect her to love him, yet not return it? She answered without further thought. “It would take great foolishness or tremendous courage for one to love strongly and not have that love returned.”

  He stared at her, as if her response was not what he expected, and then he asked the very question that she thought to ask him. “Are you foolish or courageous, Rosa?”

  Foolishly courageous. The answer had popped quickly into her head and she caught it before it could tumble past her lips.

  “No answer?” he stood abruptly. “If you ever find an answer, let me know.”

  Rosa watched him disappear into the shadows and could not help but wonder how he would have answered the question.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Esteban rode along the ridge at the far end of the Cesare property. It was an overcast day and the smell of rain hung in the air promising more than a simple rain shower. He didn’t know what brought him out here today, this far from the hacienda. Or did he? He gazed over the land—his land—and felt a tug in his gut. This was the first time he had felt a connection to it since his return. It was the first time he felt he had a future here.

  Rosa.

  He had grown annoyed with her last night when she had not answered him. But then what had he wanted from her? Had he wanted her to be strong enough to love him regardless of how he felt about her? Or had he hoped that her love could spark even the smallest bit of love that Pacquito had failed to beat out of him? Or was it hopeless? Would he never be able to love?

  He shouldn’t have been surprised, though he was, this morning when he had found that Rosa had breakfast set out on the terrace for his family to enjoy. She had even had the table set more gaily, similar to last night’s table. Though instead of jars filled with flowers, crystal vases overflowed with freshly cut ones. A basket of grapes, still on the vine, sat in the center of the table and a bright yellow tablecloth struck the eye and should have brought a smile to everyone’s face, but it hadn’t.

  Conversation had remained stilted, his mother and father as restrained as ever. By the end of the meal he wasn’t surprised to see his father and mother go their separate ways, though at one time his father would have asked her to join him to inspect the vineyard that produced her favorite wine. And she would have accepted. Now it seemed that his mother and father rarely went anywhere together.

  He wondered if Rosa could change life here on the hacienda or would she become as remote as the others in his family. He hoped she didn’t. He had looked forward to seeing her smiling face each day. It had sparked an ounce of hope that life could possibly turn good. With hope, however, came concern that it could be snatched away from him in an instant, just as he had been snatched away from his family.

  He knew Pacquito all too well. There was no way the man would allow him to walk away without retribution. He would be deemed weak in the eyes of his men and that Pacquito would not tolerate. It was only a matter of time before he cam
e after Esteban... or someone he loved.

  He tensed, every muscle growing taut. He would kill, and not quickly, anyone who would dare harm his family. It had been one of the reasons why he had considered not returning home, though in the end the tug to reunite with his family had been too strong to ignore. He had wanted, had ached, to return home ever since his capture. And he was glad he had.

  He continued to glance out over the land and wondered if there would come a day that he would take this ride with his son alongside him. He had long ago dismissed the thought of children in his future, but with Rosa that was now a possibility.

  He scowled. Of course he’d have to make it a possibility first, and that would mean...

  He grew aroused and his mood darkened. How could he touch his wife after all the evil and vile things he had done? The spark of hope and joy the morning meal had brought faded quickly and he turned his horse around and rode back to the hacienda annoyed that he had allowed himself such foolish thoughts.

  He arrived at the hacienda to find Dolores rushing his wife along one of the garden paths toward the hacienda, neither woman wearing a smile.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked stepping in their path and bringing them to an abrupt halt.

  Dolores explained. “Padre Marten is here and wishes to speak with Rosa.”

  “Did he say what he wished to speak with her about?” Esteban asked, stretching his hand out to his wife.

  Rosa went to his side and took his hand, grateful he was there, since she worried over the padre’s presence. Could he have possibly found out that their vows had yet to be sealed? Could he somehow nullify the marriage? She was surprised by how fearful she grew at the thought. She had not wanted to wed Esteban, but now that they were wed... she didn’t find it all that terrible. And besides, she had come to care for her husband and...

  She almost blushed at the sinful thoughts that filled her head and rushed a tingle between her legs. She turned her attention back to the matter at hand and tried desperately to ignore the spark of desire that seemed to ignite whenever Esteban was near.

  “I only know that it is very important that I bring Rosa to your mother’s parlor,” Dolores said.

  “Then let’s see what the good padre wants.” Esteban tightened his grip on his wife’s hand and led the way.

  Padre Marten paced the parlor where Dona Valerianna sat, her stitching resting in her lap. Esteban did not like the man’s nervous strides or how he paled when he caught sight of him in the doorway. He had a feeling that the padre was not there to deliver good news.

  Don Alejandro entered just as Esteban eased his wife down to take a seat and placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

  Don Alejandro acknowledged the padre with a nod, and asked as he went to stand beside his wife, “How can we be of service, Padre?”

  The padre wrung his hands as he took a step forward. “I never thought I would have to divulge a secret I have kept these many years, but circumstances have changed and the truth must now be told.”

  Rosa felt a chill rush through her and she shivered. Her husband’s hand gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, the strength of it helped calm her.

  The padre continued. “Many years ago baby, twin girls were left at the mission in Los Angeles with a letter instructing that the girls were to be found good homes and that the church would be compensated monthly.”

  The padre shook his head. “I was visiting the mission at the time and I and the padre there discussed the matter. Since the letter wanted the girls separated, we thought it was best that I take one of the babies and place her with a family in St. Lucita.” He looked to Rosa. “That baby was you, Rosalita.”

  Rosa was too shocked to speak and had no time to digest the stunning news since the padre hurried on.

  “It has recently been discovered that the twins were actually the daughters of Spanish nobles and their parents are in Los Angeles with the one twin Gabriella and have requested that the other twin,”—the padre gave a nod to Rosa— “that would be you, Rosa, join them there.”

  “My wife isn’t going anywhere,” Esteban said sharply.

  The padre spoke with nervous patience. “While I advocate a wife obeying her husband, in this special circumstance, I believe it should be the wife’s decision.”

  “No, what you’re saying is that the church must now answer to the mysterious man who has been supporting it all these years,” Esteban corrected. “That, Padre, is not going to happen. My wife is not going anywhere.”

  “No, Esteban, what I’m saying is that perhaps Rosa would like to meet not only the sister she never knew she had, but her true parents as well.”

  “I will say this only one more time,” Esteban said his eyes focused directly on the padre. “My wife isn’t going anywhere.” He then stepped in front of Rosa and extended his hand.

  Rosa was still shocked by the news, though she wanted desperately to speak to the padre, ask him questions, but most of all she wanted to go meet the family she never knew she had. However, she knew it would not be wise to disagree with her husband in front of everyone. She would talk with him privately and let him know how she felt. She only hoped it would make a difference.

  She took his hand and walked out of the room with him.

  They didn’t exchange one word until they reached their bedchamber.

  “You’re not going,” Esteban said releasing her hand and taking a step away from her.

  She wasn’t sure if he was angry or upset and at the moment it didn’t matter to her. What mattered was why he would deprive her of meeting a family she never knew she had.

  “Why not?” she asked firmly.

  “Don’t question me on this,” he warned sternly.

  “How can I not question you?” she said with a sense of disbelief. “I have just been told that my parents who I loved dearly are not truly my parents. That my parents are of noble birth and that I have a sister and that they wish to meet me. How can you not let me go and meet my family?”

  “You have a family here.”

  “Do I?” she asked, her temper beginning to rise. “Families care and love, share laughter and sorrow, I see none of that in this house. You are all distant, rarely smile, and barely spend time together and when you do, you are all so stiff and proper. Where is the love?”

  “And you think the family you have never met will give you all that?”

  “I don’t know, but I would like to find out. I would like to meet my twin sister and see if there is a bond there between us even though we have been kept apart all these years.”

  Esteban knew he was being unfair, but he couldn’t take a chance, not now. Pacquito could be waiting just for such a moment. And it wouldn’t matter if he took a dozen or more vaqueros with them, Pacquito’s men would easily conquer them and take him and Rosa prisoner. He needed to see this ended with Pacquito before he took such a chance.

  He doubted Rosa would understand and he would give no explanation. “You are not going anywhere.”

  She wanted to snap at him and tell him that she certainly was going to Los Angeles, and then a thought struck her. “Then let me invite them here.”

  “No,” he snapped. He had enough people to keep safe. Adding more would only make it that more difficult to protect his wife.

  His absolute refusal had her finally spitting out her anger. “You have no right to make this decision for me. I will go to Los Angeles regardless of what you say.”

  He stared at her a moment, and then he smiled, though it was not a friendly one. Then his dark eyes narrowed as his brow knitted tightly, and he took a step toward her.

  Rosa did not know how she held her ground, though it probably was because her legs grew weak with fear and she would not be able to move them if she wanted to.

  His hand reached out slowly and though it was obvious that he had no intentions of striking her, she felt the need to cringe, not that she did. She tucked her fear away and stood strong, though she worried that her trembling legs would g
ive out any moment.

  He ran his hand down her soft cheek and took hold of her chin as he stepped even closer to her, their bodies faintly touching. “It would be a mistake to defy me.”

  She responded with more bravado than she felt. “And what would you do to me, Esteban... whip me?”

  She wished she could take the words back as soon as they fell from her lips, especially since he drew back for a moment as if she had slapped him.

  He recovered quickly enough, his smile disappearing and his expression turning harsh. “Why would I mar your lovely skin when there are better ways to inflict punishment?” He lowered his lips to hers, though before he kissed her he whispered, “Much better ways.”

  Rosa shivered and if his arm hadn’t coiled around her waist she would have collapsed. His kiss was gentle and yet beneath it she felt a tremor, almost as if he restrained himself.

  As he ended the kiss, his hand slipped around her throat and though he caressed it, she sensed the tension in his touch.

  “Don’t ever defy me, wife, or you will regret it.”

  He moved so fast that her breath caught as he scooped her up and had her on the bed before she realized his intentions. His next move shocked her. He stripped the black sash from around his waist and quickly wrapped it around her wrists and then tied the end to the headboard, forcing her arms to stretch up above her head.

  Fear trickled over her as he sat on the bed beside her.

  “You would make a perfect sex slave.”

  Rosa gasped and Esteban laughed.

  “Pacquito kept them to please his men. I became quite proficient at making a woman an obedient slave to serve my needs.” He braced his hands on either side of her head and nuzzled her neck, kissing and nipping along her delicate skin, then settled his lips near her ear. “I’ll strip you naked and keep you tied to this bed, and then I’ll take you over and over and over again.”

  “You wouldn’t.” She hadn’t intended to sound as if she pleaded, but her words rang like a plea to her ears.

  His hand gently slipped over her breast and gave her nipple a taunting pinch. “Try me.”