"NEW WORLD ZORRO"

"DREAMS LOST AND FOUND"

PART 3

Chapter Four:

For the next two days, Diego absolutely refuses to leave Victoria's side, except when Maria forcibly removes him in order to attend to her more "personal" needs. Having read in one of his many books that hearing a familiar voice will help bring back an unconscious person, he keeps up a running commentary about first one thing then another--news in the pueblo, reading from his many books, rumors that Mexico may make a move on California,. . .anything to stir her brain into working.

Finally, on Thursday, April tenth, her eyes open.

Her first sensation is of a dull pain above her left eye, but also of being so weak.

She forces her eyes open to find herself lying in what feels like a soft feather bed, and covered with soft cotton sheets. Someone, she can't imagine who, slipped her into a comfortable cotton nightgown and brushed her hair out.

Turning her head slightly, she discovers a man sitting in the chair next to the bed. He is tall, and slender, with broad shoulders. His dark (almost the color of a raven) hair is ever faintly dusted with just enough gray to make it shine. He's very handsome, she thinks with a slight frown.

Seeing that she's awake, Diego moves to pour a glass of cool water from a caraff on the bedside table. Perching on the edge of the bed, he helps her to sit up a little and take a few sips to soothe her dry throat. Lowering her back to the soft pillows, he tucks the sheets and comforter back around her. His voice is deep, but warm, "Victoria--how do you feel?"
"So--weak--"

"Are you in any pain?"

"Not--really--what--happened?"

"Apparently someone robbed the tavern and you interrupted them. I found you lying in the floor. Once Doctor Hernandez examined you, I brought you here. Your room at the tavern isn't exactly conducive to a rapid recovery."

Having heard voices, a tall white haired man sticks his head in, "Ah ha--you're awake." He comes to sit on the edge of the bed, "How do you feel?"

"Like I--was thrown off--of a horse--"

"You will remain here until you are up to returning to the tavern. Meanwhile, Rosa and Caterina are managing just fine. I've been and checked on things for you."

"Gracias."

"De nada. Now, rest while I see what Maria has prepared for you," with a courtly bow, he stands and vanishes.

She impulsively grabs the hand of the man who is still sitting beside her. He looks at her curiously, "What is it?"

"W--who are you?"

Diego feels like he has been slapped. The woman he has been in love with for five years doesn't even know who he is. He's careful to keep his voice low and gentle,

"Do you know who you are?"

"You called me--Victoria--is that--my name? Why can't--I remember--anything," there's no mistaking the panic starting to well up.

Sensing her fear, Diego pours a bit of laudanum (a sedative) into a glass of water, "Here--sip this. I put in something to help you sleep. Then while you rest, I will send for Doctor Hernandez."

In a very rare show of meekness, she quietly swallows the water. "Will--you--stay with--me," she asks as she drifts off.

Diego strokes her hair in a soothing motion, "Of course."

Chapter Five:

Once she has fallen asleep, Diego tucks the covers more snugly around her before stepping into the hall. He quickly finds Felipe' and sends him to the Pueblo, mounted on his own mare, with a note for Doctor Hernandez. Then, he finds his father in the kitchen and tells him about Victoria's loss of memory.

Doctor Hernandez, escorted by Felipe, arrives shortly before noon. As one of the stable hands catches the reins of his blood bay mare, he muses that while Diego has been a large help over the last few years, he seems to spend quite a bit of time at the Hacienda, seeing about father, son, or guests. And he sometimes come just to consult with the younger man, since he is quite knowledgable about medicine himself.

Don Alejandro immediately escorts him to his son's room.

Doctor Hernandez' manner is kind as he steps into the bedroom, to find the young man sitting in a chair beside the dosing young woman, holding one of her hands in his, pressing it lightly to his lips. "Buenos dias, Diego."

The young woman startles awake at the sound of an unfamiliar male voice. Diego hastens to reassure her, "It's all right. This is Doctor Hernandez."

"Hello Dear." He sets his bag on the foot of the bed, then moves to the other side to sit on the edge, "How are you feeling?"

"I--I'm not--sure--"

"How do you mean?"

"I can't--seem to remember--anything--"

"Allow me to examine you briefly, then we will talk a bit."

Diego starts to stand, as if to leave, but is stopped when she refuses to release his hand, "Please--stay--"

"If you insist."

Doctor Hernandez carefully pulls back the comforter and sheet, then pulls up the long nightgown. Diego politely turns away, not wanting to see more than is proper for an unmarried man with an unmarried woman. But a soft hiss of pain causes him to look back. There's a large bruise, about the size and shape of a boot, on her lower belly, just above her waist. He struggles to contain his rising anger as the doctor finishes the examination.

Doctor Hernandez looks up, "Physically, except for the bruise and the gash, she is fine." He asks her to follow his finger with her eyes, which she does with no problem. "Now, can you tell me what day it is?" When she shakes her head, he tries another question, "And how about the year?" She once again shakes her head.

The good-looking dark-haired man, whom she overheard one of the servants address as Don Diego, asks a question of his own, "Do you know where you are?"

"No."

"Can you tell me your name," the doctor asks kindly.

"He," she nods towards the young man sitting beside her, "called me Victoria. Why can't I remember anything?"

The doctor is careful to keep his manner gentle, "I've seen this a few times over the years. The blow to your head has caused your memory loss."

"Is it permanent?"

"To be honest, I do not know. For now, simply rest."

"She can remain here," Diego reassures them both.

"Excellent. Knowing Don Diego and his father, you will be spoiled and pampered. So it is my suggestion that you simply relax and let things come back as they will."

"I will see you out," Diego offers, then looks at the woman in the bed, his blue eyes now worried, "Rest easy. I will be back in a moment."

Doctor Hernandez waits until they are outside the front door, standing beside his mare and out of hearing range, "What will happen to the tavern?"

"Father will keep an eye on things, I'm sure. He's already been and checked on things twice. He will simply tell Pilar to continue on as she has been and perhaps hire someone in addition to Caterina to help until Victoria can return."

"Head injuries are strange. You and I both know that. She could possibly wake up tomorrow and remember everything. Then again, she may not ever regain her memory. But the fact that the only physical injury she suffered was the kick to the ribs and the blow to the head means that there is no mental reason for the loss. Such as having been raped would be."

"True. But another reason could be that her mind simply shut down--due to a culmination of everything she has suffered over the years: her father's death at Devil's

Fortress, her mother's death by firing squad, being forced to grow up so quickly,. . ."

"We will never know for sure, will we?" Doctor Hernandez winks at his friend as he takes the reins of his mare and swings into the saddle, "Perhaps a visit from a certain masked man will stir her memory."