by Mimi Milan
Josefina continued on, revealing her mother’s growing desire to become renowned and the separation that grew between her parents. The next thing she knew, she was spilling out most of the truths of her sordid past. She told him about dancing for Hank and both the man and Madame Bonheur trying to finagle money out of her – his money.
“I wasn’t going to do it, though. I had already made up my mind that tomorrow I was going to tell them the arrangements were off.”
He suddenly stood and strode out of the room.
Fearful he was thoroughly repulsed by her past, she raced after him. “Nacho, please forgive me. I’m so sorry.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” he said as he entered the dining room and pulled the gun out from its hidden spot from behind the counter.
“Ignacio! What are you doing with that thing?”
“I’m going to find the sheriff… and then I’m off to have a serious discussion with la Señora Bonheur and find this no good Hank you speak of. I will teach them to try to intimidate my fiancé. They’ll both be sitting in a jail cell by the time we’re finished.”
“Wait,” Fina cried. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not? I will not bear that woman meddling in my affairs any longer. She has been a thorn in every single person’s backside for as long as I can remember. It’s time she understood that certain things will not be tolerated in this town – blackmail being one of them.”
“But what about Hank?”
“What do I care about this man and his silly piece of paper? He wants to see you dance? We’ll put on a show for dinner one night.”
She hung her head, her voice filled with dismay. “You don’t understand. I was more than his dancing girl.”
Nacho carefully approached her. He laid the pistol on the counter beside where she stood. “Fina, what is it you’re not telling me?”
She choked back a cry, forcing herself to meet his gaze. This was the moment she had been waiting for – the one where she would follow through with her promise to stop subsisting on a life full of lies. Whatever happened next would be up to him to decide.
“Dancing didn’t earn me enough to survive,” she declared. “I did what I had to do – the same as the women of La Maison de Chats. You asked the agency for ‘a God-fearing woman’ who knew how to sew and cook. I’m sorry to say I’m not that woman, though. I thought you should know that before you make the mistake of rushing off to defend my honor. I have none left.”
His confused expression forced her to finally look away, her heart breaking at the sudden awareness that she no longer had a future with Nacho. Perhaps she never really did.
He finally spoke. “Is that all you have to say?”
Her head snapped back up. Not trusting her voice, she only nodded.
“Good. Then I’ll do as I stated earlier and go for the sheriff.”
“But what about everything I just told you?” She sighed heavily. “What about all the lies?”
The smallest trace of a smirk pulled at his friendly face. “Ay, mi fina Fina. You know, you really shouldn’t confuse a calm demeanor with ignorance. Everything you just confessed? I kind of already knew.”
“You did? But how?”
“Well, you see, I’m not exactly the greatest cook in the world. I have the desire for it, but until I got a hold of my mother’s recipes, I didn’t have a whole lot of skill. Still, there are a few dishes I do know how to make, and one of them is beans. Truth is, yours were even worse than mine.”
She gasped.
“Sorry, amor. I mean no offense. I’m only saying that it doesn’t get much simpler than that. The fact you didn’t know how to make even those caused me to question how well you knew how to cook at all, but I kept making excuses – especially after seeing you dedicate yourself to learning my mother’s recipes. Every time I came over for a visit, you tried a little something new, surprising me with a dish I didn’t expect. That’s when I convinced myself all that mattered was that you had the same desire as me. I see now that it isn’t entirely true. Is it?”
Fina glanced away.
“Not exactly.” His disappointed sigh made her rush on. “But nothing would make me happier than to see your dream come true of making ‘Nacho’s Tacos’ the finest dining establishment in all of Noelle.”
He beamed brightly. “Truly?”
“Of course. I saw how content you were on your visits to La Maison when I brought you a hot meal. I would love to make that a part of my daily routine.”
“Maybe not every day. Don’t forget that I, too, enjoy cooking. I would like to return the favor sometimes. Besides, there are other things that I know you enjoy doing as well. Things that I think should become a part of your daily routine… as well as an established part of the restaurant.”
“You mean my dancing?”
“Claro. We could host something called ‘Fancy Fridays’ where folks from all around come to see your beautiful dancing while they enjoy a magnificent meal.”
“You would do that for me?”
“Of course. I, too, enjoy seeing you happy.”
“But what about the rest of it?” she asked, referring to the way she had earned a living. “You aren’t angry that I lied about what I did to make money?”
“To be honest? I was very upset while you were saying it. Not so much about what you did or the idea that you couldn’t find any other way to make money, but more because you lied about it. Then I remembered the not-so-small detail that I don’t have a squeaky-clean past myself. How can I judge you for doing what you had to survive, when I was the sort of man supporting that kind of work? Furthermore, it is in the past. The important thing for us is to remember that as we move forward we’re always honest with one another, and to take the time to listen to what the other has to say – whatever that may be.”
The truth was finally out. Fina felt a great weight lift off her shoulders. Now that they were making amends with each other – and their pasts – they could have a fresh start and begin again. She gave him a warm smile. “Thank you for understanding, Nacho. I’m so thankful we can start all over as friends.”
“Cómo? Woman, I’m not starting all over again. I mean, we’re going to be friends, yes… but we’re getting married, too. Now that’s final.” His eyes widened and he smiled. “Hey, that’s a good idea. Why don’t we get married right now?”
“Get married now?”
“Think about it. There’s no way your contract with him would hold any water against a marriage contract. No judge would rule in his favor – not that I think it would even go that far. I don’t think any decent folks here in town would stand for it. And now that I know the truth, the blackmail for money won’t work for him… or la Señora Bonheur. So, the sooner we marry, the better.”
She giggled. “You’re insane.”
“Perhaps.” He drew her close, his dark eyes full of desire. “They say love will make a man do crazy things.”
“The same is true for a woman,” she agreed right before his mouth covered hers. The kiss deepened, making her mind and body reel. He gently pulled away, her lips still aching with passion.
“Now go get your dress.”
“But what about the Reverend? It must be midnight by now. Surely he’s asleep. And where will we marry anyway?”
“Don’t worry about a thing. Everything will work out perfectly, but we have to hurry.”
Filled with nervous excitement, she raced off to the back room and grabbed her garments, returning a minute later to find him waiting with her coat in hand.
“You’re not wearing the dress.”
“Of course not. It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before her wedding.”
“Now don’t you go picking up any of that superstitious stuff like your friend – the one who thinks she has bad luck.”
It had been a few days since she’d seen Penny, but Josefina hadn’t stopped thinking about her. She hoped the woman was doing well and that her misfortunes had subsided
. She ignored the comment, though. “I’m sure there will be a place for me to get ready wherever we’re going. Where is it anyway?”
“Not far.” Nacho escorted her out of the diner, placing a handmade sign in the window announcing they were closed. Then he locked the door behind them. “I’ve learned my lesson about leaving the place unlocked. You never know who might wander in.”
Having heard the story about Grandpa Gus, Fina laughed. “I doubt we’ll have that problem at this hour of the night.”
“You’re right. Now let’s hurry before Seamus closes.”
She followed him down the street. “We’re going to the saloon?”
“Yes. It’s a saloon. Seamus stays up pretty late trying to convince the stragglers to go to bed. Besides, the Reverend and his new wife stay in one of the rooms above the bar. So, he won’t have to travel far to marry us.”
“You’re right. He would be doing us a great favor,” Josefina agreed. She lifted the dress a little higher as they trudged through the snow, thankful when they finally reached the bar and saw that the place was still lit. They entered to find Seamus trying to shake the drink out of Elmer Copperpot.
“Come, man. Ya know ya can’t sleep here. Pull on out.” He looked up, dismayed to see Nacho. “What are you doing back here? I thought—”
He spied a fluffy cream-colored garment and cranked his head to find Fina standing behind her groom-to be.
“My apologies, ma’am. I didn’t see you standing there.” He raised a questioning brow at Nacho who raised his hands in defense. “Don’t worry, amigo. We’re only here to ask the Reverend to marry us.”
“Now?”
“It’s a long story, but yes. Now.”
Seamus shrugged. “Alright. Well, you know which room is his. I guess you can just go on up and see if you can wake him. I’ve got to get the rest of these laggards off.”
“Come on,” Nacho said to Fina as Seamus attempted to once again wake Elmer. “Maybe you can use his room to change into the dress.”
She followed him upstairs, trying to calm her excitement as he knocked on the Reverend’s door. After a couple of minutes, it finally swung open.
“Nacho? What are you doing here?”
“We want to get married?”
“Right now?” the Reverend asked with astonishment. “It’s only… wait a minute. What time is it anyway?”
Nacho dug into his pocket and pulled out a watch. He flipped it open. “A quarter after midnight.”
“Nacho! Can’t this wait until the morning?”
“See, here’s the thing…” Nacho proceeded to tell the Reverend the shortened version of the troubles he and Fina faced. “So, you see that the sooner we get married, the better.”
“And not just for us,” Josefina chimed in. “Our marriage will be one more to add to the list so the train will come to Noelle.”
“Yes, let’s not forget about that,” Nacho agreed. “After all, that’s why we sent off for the brides to begin with. Right?”
“Oh, do it, Chase.” Felicity suddenly appeared, fully dressed. “Let’s go downstairs and marry them right away.”
His wife’s enthusiasm made the Reverend smile. “I’ll need a minute to get dressed.”
“As will I,” Josefina said and held up the dress. “If you don’t mind, of course.”
“Not at all. Just give me a minute to ready myself and then I’ll leave you and Felicity to do the same.”
He excused himself and true to his word reappeared a few minutes later. He invited Josefina in and left, shutting the door behind him, but not before she heard the man joke about a month of free meals at the restaurant in exchange for the midnight call.
Felicity shook her head. “He isn’t serious.”
“I’m sure Nacho wouldn’t mind even if he was.” She slipped out of her old dress and held up her arms as Felicity helped her into the wedding gown. “You are both doing us such a great favor.”
“It’s nothing at all,” her friend insisted. “I can’t think of anything I dislike more than a woman being blackmailed. As soon as you’re married, I’m sure Sherriff Draven will have no problem running that Hank fellow out of town and having a heart-to-heart with Madame Bonheur. The nerve of some people. They seem to forget that women have rights, too. All women.”
Josefina smiled up at her friend, remembering how she had been involved in some kind of suffragette movement in her hometown. “You’re right, of course. How wonderful to find strong men who don’t mind equally strong women.”
“Exactly. Now that should do it. Turn around and let me see you.”
Josefina did as instructed. “What do you think?”
“You look perfect. The dress suits you.”
“Thank you,” Josefina said. “After all the work they did, I wish Birdie and Minnie could have seen me in it.”
“Maybe they still can.”
“What do you mean? We couldn’t possibly wake them now.”
“No, but don’t you enjoy dancing? Maybe you could dance in it sometime – like a reenactment or something.”
“What a lovely idea. I’ll suggest that to Nacho after we exchange vows.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
The two women rushed downstairs to find the men waiting beside the Christmas tree.
“I thought we could get married right here,” Nacho explained. “Look. It even has a little dancing lady on it.”
Josefina ran a finger down the porcelain ornament. “How sweet. Did you do this?”
“No,” Nacho admitted. “However, I think it’s very fitting. Don’t you?”
She smiled up at him, eyes full of love. “I do.”
“I do, too,” Nacho whispered and leaned in to kiss her.
“Oh, Lord.” Elmer Copperpot finally arose from the place he had dozed off. He stalked out of the saloon, muttering. “I ain’t sticking around for none of this mush.”
Of course, Nacho and Fina were too busy to hear anything else he had to say. The Reverend finally tapped Nacho on the shoulder.
“Eh hem,” he cleared his throat. “I think you’re supposed to wait to do that until after I marry the two of you.”
Nacho laughed. “Then say the vows, amigo. This one has swift feet. I don’t want her getting away.”
“They would only find their way right back to you,” Josefina promised as she took Nacho’s hand in hers to recite their vows. When the Reverend finally pronounced them “man and wife,” Nacho leaned forward again and kissed her so thoroughly that it made her heart beat a new rhythm. He finally pulled away, leaving her a bit heady. “Kiss me like that again and I won’t be able to walk – let alone dance.”
Her husband let out a throaty laugh and scooped her up, cradling her in his arms. “Don’t worry, amor. You have a most willing partner now… and I will never let you fall again. So long as you are mine, of course.”
With a look of love radiating in her eyes, she answered truthfully, “I would sacrifice a thousand dances in any life if only to love you forever in this one. Now kiss me again.”
And he did.
Epilogue
Two weeks later…
Josefina lifted the spoon from her bowl and blew on it. Now was the moment of truth. Was this attempt finally going to yield the perfect pot of pozole? The pork had to be tender, the vegetables plentiful and the hominy thoroughly cooked. She wanted it to be ready and waiting for Nacho when he returned from his business in town. She took a small bite of the stew, savored it for a moment and then turned back to the pot to add a dash more salt.
“There,” she said. “That should be perfect.”
Nacho quietly entered the kitchen and slid up behind her.
“I’m sure it is,” he said and she jumped.
“You scared me.”
He gave her an impish grin and wrapped his arms around her. “What have you got to be scared of? The sheriff ran that no account and his men out of town. The Madame is no longer a threat either. See? You are comple
tely safe.”
He planted a kiss on the top of her head and she relaxed into his arms.
“You’re right, of course. That’s why I made the pozole. Now that we’re truly free to do so without any strife, I want us to really celebrate our new life together.”
“That’s not all we’re going to be celebrating.” Nacho pulled back and produced a telegram from one of his pockets. He handed it to her. “I’ve been waiting a while for this. It finally arrived today.”
“What is it?”
“You tell me. Go on and read it.”
She unfolded the paper and read its message. Then she clutched it to her chest, breathless with excitement. “Is this real?”
Nacho grinned wildly. “I told you I would help find your family.”
“Yes, but a Pinkerton agent?” She squealed with delight and then caged her excitement again. “I’ve seen the books, Nacho. We can’t possibly afford all the things we want to do with the diner and pay for a Pinkerton, too.”
“Amor, the money from the business is separate from my own savings. I thought you realized that when you found the raccoon with the coin.”
“That was yours?”
“Of course.”
“But I don’t understand. How did the raccoon get it?”
Nacho rubbed the back of his neck, a grimace turning into a sheepish grin. “So the way I figured it was that everyone keeps their money hidden in their house, because the town doesn’t have a bank. That being common practice, I reasoned that I didn’t want anyone trying to break into my home. Therefore, I decided to keep the money somewhere outside the house.”
“So, where did you keep it?”
“Remember that large tree out front? Well, it’s empty inside. At least that’s what I thought.”
Josefina giggled. “You hid the money in a tree?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
She laughed even harder. “Well, I hope you’ve moved it since then.”
“I had to,” he explained. “I needed to pay for the telegram, as well as a deposit for the agent to begin searching for your family.”
“Is this really happening?” Josefina asked, her excitement once again building at the thought of seeing her father and sister, Elena. “It feels like a delicious dream come true.”
