Chapter 2

Diego turned as the sounds of guitar music sounded throughout the tavern. Don Pedro attempted to serenade a seemingly annoyed Victoria. Diego watched with a trace of amusement and concern. Don Pedro would be the first of many to try to win her hand. Senorita Gomez would not rest until she found a suitable match. Diego glanced at the amused expression on his father's face and knew that he was thinking along the same lines.

"Victoria, we should have warned you we were coming. Senorita Victoria Escalante, May I present Don Pablo Pepito Punsun, a humble suitor?" The young man was clearly smitten with the innkeeper much to the delight of Senora Gomez...

"I'm flattered but I'm really very busy now," the taverness continued about her duties. She did not want to deal with this potential suitor that Senora Gomez wanted to present to her. The sound of that infernal guitar ringing in her ear was beginning to get on her nerves...

"Don Pablo is very shy and very rich but he would like to invite you to dinner at his hacienda."

"I am flattered, but I cannot leave the tavern unattended." I really don't want to be bothered with him. His guitar playing is so irritating. Is this the best she can do...

"Do you have a night off?" The matchmaker could see that Victoria was not too interested but she pressed on regardless. Don Pablo was wealthy and certainly eligible. The woman would be a fool not to consider him...

"I have a night off in...about... about three months. He can come back then. Now if you will please excuse me." Victoria escaped through the swinging curtain and into the kitchen

Diego breathed a sigh of relief as the duo left the tavern in anger and disappointment. Thank goodness Victoria was not interested in Don Pablo...He knew that being unfair to Victoria. Making her wait for his quest for justice to end. Don Pablo was the first but certainly not the last suitor to seek Victoria's attentions. She was too beautiful and generous to go without offers. Only her loyalty to the masked man had stopped her from accepting other suitors in the past. Now he was not so sure...Babies, Diego, I want grandbabies. How often had he heard those words?

Don Alejandro listened to his son's barely audible sigh of relief as Don Pablo and Senora Gomez left the tavern. The old caballero suspected that Diego cared for the woman more than he let on. He was probably intimidated by Zorro. The outlaw was a formidable rival but his handsome son had much to offer a woman if only he would express an interest. Diego possessed a quiet strength. He would be a faithful and loving husband to the right woman. Victoria was beautiful, vivacious and compassionate ...The two young people would be ideal for one another if they would open their eyes. Their lifelong friendship could evolve into love if they gave it a chance. Victoria was just the woman for his son. She just didn't know it yet. "Diego?"

"Yes, Father?" Diego forced himself to focus on his father's words...

"You were a million miles away."

"I am sorry, Father. I..I...I was just thinking…"

"About one of your experiments, no doubt."

"I was thinking about Victoria and...and Zorro."

"Everyone knows that Victoria loves Zorro, Don Diego," the portly sergeant stated as he took another bite of his tamales.

"That is true, Sergeant. She loves the man but Victoria is young and beautiful. She has waited al long time for Zorro...It is time that she consider other alternatives...Any man would be proud to call her his wife. She owns property as well which makes her attractive to any potential suitor."

"You sound like Senora Gomez, Father. You make it sound like a business transaction instead of romance..."

"I am merely pointing out Victoria would be an ideal choice for any man."

"Not once have you mentioned love, respect and friendship, Father. You and mother married for love...I thought that you would want the same ting for Victoria."

"I do but Victoria is not getting any younger. It is time for her to get on with her life. Zorro has kept her waiting for a long time. She needs a husband and children."

"Victoria should not rush into marriage just because she is lonely...just because she wants a marriage and children..."

"The two of you have always been so close. Your mother and I were friends first but that friendship turned into love...Friendship is a good foundation on which to build a marriage. I hoped that you would find someone to love just as I loved your mother. I hoped that it would be Victoria. I guess that was just a dream…."

Mendoza knew that this was a touchy subject for Diego and Don Alejandro. Diego's lack of interest in any eligible señorita was a great source of disappointment for the old don. It was well known that Don Alejandro wanted grandchildren and the man often expressed his disappointment that he did not have any. Poor Don Diego often bore the brunt of it...If only Don Diego and Senorita Victoria would fall in love...That would be the ideal solution...I had better leave before emotions began to run high. "Well, I must return to my duties. Don Diego, Don Alejandro, adios."

"Victoria does not even know that I exist.I could not possibly compete with Zorro."

"How do you know if you have not even tried to court her? It is time that you think about marriage and a family of your own. Think about it. That is all I ask." Don Alejandro would not allow his son to let a golden opportunity slip through his fingers. Victoria would be the ideal wife for his son and mother to his grandchildren. "Court her, Diego. You can win her heart. You are a young, eligible man. She is a eligible, desirable woman. I know that you care for her, son. She might chose you if only you would make the effort. Think about it, son." I hope that my son will take what I've said to heart.

ZZZ

The sun set as they returned home. Each man lost in his own thoughts. Don Alejandro hoped that his words would spur his son to action or he would risk losing Victoria forever. No young man in his right mind would let such an opportunity slip through his fingers slip so easily. I hope my son has sense enough to heed my advice. His son was skilled in scientific matters but in matters of the heart, he was woefully inept.

Diego considered his father's words. I've postponed what a man my age should be doing, like building a family with the woman who I love. Victoria and I should have been together a long time ago. I need to move forward with my life and I should spend it with Victoria. Diego prayed that he was making the right decision.