Wow! I have been crazy busy for a long time, designing period costumes and making patterns for them, it's insane!
So, I am sorry about not posting this sooner I just haven't really had the time, please forgive me.
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"Diego?"
Diego started, blinking.
"I'm sorry father, were you speaking to me?" Diego asked.
"You mentioned last night that you might ride out a check the cattle this morning, why don't you take Cal with you and give her a tour of the ranch?" Alejandro asked.
"Excellent idea, Father, I don't know why I didn't think of it myself." Diego turned to Cal. "Would you allow me to keep my promise by taking you for a tour of the rancho this fine afternoon."
Cal nodded and looked down at her dress. "I should probably change first though." She said.
Diego nodded. "Have you had breakfast yet?" He asked.
Cal shook her head.
"Perfect." Diego said. "I'll have Buena fix a picnic for us to enjoy sometime this morning, is that agreeable to you?" Cal nodded.
"Good." Diego said.
-Z-
Diego led Cal into the stable. Juan came out of the barn leading Diego's usual mount and La Reina .
"I thought you might enjoy riding La Reina. She is one of my father's prized mares." Diego said, watching Cal's face carefully. He knew she had ridden the mare before as he had come across her as Zorro and it would've been obvious to anyone who had seen her that she loved the horse.
"I'm sure I will." She answered simply.
-Z-
Cal turned her face into the gentle breeze and allowed the rush of air the close her eyelids. She was thankful that the heat wave had moved on. She took a deep breath and smiled gently.
-Z-
Diego watched Cal close her eyes and smile. The breeze played with the few strands of black hair that had managed to escape the long braid hanging down her back.
"Do you ride often?" He asked, breaking the peace of the moment.
Cal shook her head. "There are too many dangers near our hacienda. I am mostly confined indoors." She snickered. "Either that or a rare jail cell."
Diego laughed. On occasion Cal had shown fiery spirit that could easily get her into trouble, but for the most part Diego couldn't imagine her doing anything to land her in jail.
"I am sorry, but I cannot seem to see you behind bars no matter how hard I try to visualize it." He said.
Cal glared at him out of the corner of her eyes and pulled on the reins. "I think it is time to eat." She said, changing the subject.
-Z-
After a delicious meal Cal headed down a small slope to wash her hands, which were greasy from the food. She picked her way through the rocks and small boulders that littered the hill. Diego leaned his back against a small tree and stared up at the clear, blue sky. He had just closed his eyes when he heard an earsplitting scream come from the direction of the creek. He jumped to his feet.
"Cal?" He yelled. The only answer he received was silence. He shaded his eyes from the afternoon sun and gazed down where she had gone. Cal stood frozen her eyes fixed on one spot.
"Rattlesnake." Diego said under his breath. He grabbed the whip that was kept in his saddle bag and made his way quickly toward Cal, who looked as though she were ready to faint. Diego walked up to where Cal was standing. She was so focused on the brown snake and the way it was curled up that she didn't notice him. He stopped several yards away, before the snake could notice him and unfurled the whip. He flicked it around behind him and then sent it flying toward the snake. The thin tip of the rawhide whip wrapped around the snakes ugly throat and jerked it away from the terrified young woman. As soon as the snake was safely away from Cal he dropped the whip and made his way over to her.
"T-T-There was a s-snake." She said. Diego nodded. His eyes flickered over the terrain around them to make sure there were no other rattlesnakes lying in wait.
"Let's go back to the horses." Diego suggested. Cal nodded took two steps and collapsed into his arms.
-Z-
Cal felt something cool and wet dab her face. She moaned and turned her head away from the sensation.
"It's alright California, you're fine now, the snake's gone." A voice said. Cal opened her eyes to see Diego watching her worriedly.
"D-Did I faint?" She asked. Diego smiled and slightly laughed.
"Si, senorita." He answered. She offered a half smile.
"I don't usually faint, but rattlesnakes and I have quite a history." She said. Diego nodded silently, but Cal could see the curiosity written in his dark eyes. She pushed herself to a sitting position and leaned toward her feet. She paused for a minute to shake the black spots out of her eyes.
"Maybe you should sit still until you recover." Diego suggested. Cal shook her head and pushed his arms away. She pulled down her stocking and slipped off her shoe, revealing a large scar on her ankle.
"What happened?" Diego couldn't help but ask.
"Rattlesnake." Cal answered. "When I was 5, I didn't know what to do if I came across one, and…" She trailed off.
"I understand Cal, do you feel well enough to go back to the hacienda?" Diego asked. Cal nodded.
-Z-
Bernardo came out to greet them when they returned. Diego handed the reins of his horse to him then lifted Cal off of Le Reina. She began to walk but to her surprise Diego swept her off her feet and carried her toward the stairwell in the courtyard.
"You can put me down here." Cal said when they reached the bottom of the stairs. Diego didn't answer but began climbing the steps one by one. Buena met them at the top of the stairs.
"What in the world happened?!" She asked.
"She had a small run in with a rattlesnake." Diego answered. "It didn't bite her, she's just had a bit of a shock."
Buena opened the door to Cal's room so that Diego could carry her straight into the room and put her directly onto her bed.
-Z-
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