Chapter 10
A week later Diego felt alive and contented for the first time in a long time. His father had accepted his secret without any hesitations, once he recovered from the initial shock and they were rebuilding their relationship to what it had been before he had left for Spain, while Felipe was growing into the man he knew that he would become and the adoption was soon to become official. And as for Victoria, well it was a little more complicated but he knew that she did love him, just as he loved her and that it was only a matter of time before they would be together.
But at the moment he was watching Toronado enjoying himself as the great stallion rolled on the golden sand of the beach near their hacienda. Toronado needed to be exercised and the only way that could be done, was for him put on the black clothes once more. They had gone for a hard gallop and ended up on the beach, where he had removed Toronado's saddle and walked him for five minutes to cool him down before he rubbed him with a dry cloth and then he let him run free on the soft sand. He knew it was a risk to unsaddle him in broad daylight but if the worse happened and the lancers came upon them, he could always ride Toronado bareback to escape, even though it would be uncomfortable for both of them.
He grinned as the great stallion pranced, bucked and pawed at the edge of the gentle surf, splashing himself with the cool ocean water and he recalled how thrilled his father had been when he told him that Toronado actually belonged to them, who as a colt had escaped into the wild during a terrible thunderstorm. It meant that Toronado would be able to cover their mares and any foals would legally be theirs. Don Alejandro had rubbed his hands in glee at the thought of such a sire as Toronado and knew any foals would be worth their weight in gold.
Toronado shook his whole body and slowly walked to his master. Zorro smiled warmly as he rubbed his faithful steed's neck. "You've had enough eh boy."
The black stallion nodded his head and snickered quietly. He stood patiently as Zorro wiped away the remaining sand grains off his back before he saddled him. As he was about to mount up, he heard the sound of gunfire. Zorro frowned as he heard another shot and although he had promised himself not to respond to every incident, he knew it meant only one thing, violence. He could not stand by and do nothing so he leapt into the saddle and urged Toronado into a canter up the beach, towards the tree line.
He reached the small rise and stopped for a moment as he took in the scene before him. The stagecoach from Santa Paula to Los Angeles had been stopped by Hangman's Rock, the perfect place for an ambush, by three masked bandits. There were two passengers standing outside the coach while the driver was slumped over his seat. Zorro didn't know if the driver was alive or not but right now his main concern was for the passengers who were being terrorised by the bandits. He urged Toronado down towards the stagecoach.
"...and those lovely rings on your fingers too, Senora." one of the bandits sneered as he held a pistol on the elegantly dressed Senora.
"Now just wait one minute, you can't do this..." said the outraged gentleman as he stood close to the woman.
The bandit snorted. "Yes I can, I'm the one with the pistol..."
"Not anymore you're not." came an amused voice from behind the coach and before anyone knew it, a whip lashed out and struck the bandit's hand, causing him to grunt in pain as he dropped the pistol and grabbed his wrist.
"It's Zorro." said another of the bandits with a small amount of fear in his voice.
Zorro grinned as he gave a slight bow. "At your service Senor." he quickly lashed out with his whip again and another pistol joined its companion on the dusty ground. "You shouldn't play with guns Senor, someone may get hurt." he advised.
"Yeah and that someone will be you Zorro." roared the third bandit as he leapt down from inside the coach and drew his sword. "I will run this through your heart Senor."
Zorro took several paces back as recoiled his whip and placed it on his belt before he drew his sword. "You can try Senor, but my heart belongs to someone else."
The bandit sneered. "Then I will serve your heart on a plate to them." he lunged forward.
Zorro swirled out of the way. "Really Senor, you should take some lessons in manners."
"Look out." cried the Senora as she saw the other two bandits circling behind the masked hero.
Zorro saw them and quickly punched one of them, knocking him off balance and into his comrade and together they fell down onto the dusty ground. "Gracias Senora, your warning was most timely." he gave the lady a warm smile before he turned his attention back to the bandit with the sword who had taken opportunity of Zorro's distraction to move towards his horse.
"So much for honour amongst thieves." he muttered to himself as he uncoiled his whip once more and lashed it out at the bandits' legs, causing him to crash into the ground. The bandit struggled to his feet but Zorro grinned at him. "Say goodnight Senor." he said as he punched him, knocking him out cold.
Zorro turned and saw the gentleman from the coach punch one of the bandits on the jaw, knocking him to the ground, while the Senora was hitting the last of the bandits over his head with her small purse. He grinned at the sight of the bandit cowering beneath the Senora's attack and watched as the gentleman then grabbed the bandit's shirt and twisted him around before he slugged him on the chin as he had done with the other one, knocking him unconscious.
The gentleman smiled up at Zorro as rubbed his aching hand. "I couldn't let you have all the fun."
Zorro chuckled as he walked to the stagecoach. "Gracias Senor, all help is welcomed. Lets get these men tied up." he climbed up on the coach, checked the driver and found that he was still alive and with the gentleman's help, they lowered the driver down and inside the stage, where the Senora started to remove the bloodied shirt and clean his wound.
Between Zorro and the gentleman, they tied the three bandits and slung them over their horses. "Gracias Senor...?"
The older man bowed slightly. "Don Fabio Torres and my wife Ivette at your service Senor Zorro."
Zorro gave Don Fabio a curious look which caused the older man to chuckle. "Almost everyone has heard of you, Zorro. There's not many masked men that actually helps someone when they are in trouble, rather than steal from them."
Zorro grinned. "No, I don't suppose there are. Don Fabio, the pueblo of Los Angeles is not far from here, will you be able to drive the stage? I'm not sure the driver is able to do so."
Don Fabio nodded. "I believe so but what about these bandits? I can't drive the stage as well as keeping an eye on them."
Zorro nodded. "I wouldn't expect you to, I'll bring them to Los Angeles and leave them for the lancers to take care of." he let out a shrill whistle. "I am grateful for your help Don Fabio."
Don Fabio shrugged. "I'm just doing my duty, is that so different around here?" he replied as a great black stallion rushed up to them.
Zorro gave a sad smile. "Unfortunately it is." he answered as he swung up into the saddle. "Adios Don Fabio." he said as he rode over to the three horses with the bandits.
"Adios Zorro."
Thirty minutes later there was a commotion in the dusty plaza, Victoria glanced up along with the other citizens and watched in surprise as three lone horses walked slowly into the pueblo, their riders slung over their saddles with their hands and feet tied with rope. She knew instantly this was the work of Diego or rather Zorro and she felt her heart constrict in worry. Was he okay or was he injured? How had he captured them when he said that he wasn't going to ride as Zorro? She felt sick in her stomach with fear. She had never felt this way before, oh she had worried about Zorro before but now she knew who he was, she was even more worried for his safety, worried that he might not return home, not return to her. And that scared her more that she realised.
The following day Victoria was standing outside her tavern chatting with her patrons when Senor Sergio Rodriguez, the wine merchant, arrived in his covered wagon.
"Ah Senorita Escalante, how are you this fine day?" Senor Rodriguez called out with a large friendly smile on his weathered face, as he pulled his wagon to a stop.
Victoria turned around and with a warm smile of her own. "I'm very well, thank you and yourself and your family? Are you a grandfather yet?" she replied as she stepped down to the dusty ground.
Rodriguez chuckled and shook his head. "No, not yet Senorita but it will be anytime now." he said a little eagerly as he climbed down from the wagon. "I'm hoping that I can get all my deliveries done before that happens, otherwise my wife will have something to say about it."
Victoria chuckled, she had met Senora Rodriguez a couple of times and the older lady was well known for her demanding ways but it was also evident that he loved her. "Well I won't keep you long. What do you have today?"
Rodriguez nodded as he pulled back the cover of his wagon. "I have your normal order of wine as well as the small crate of four bottles of French champagne you wanted." he shook his head. "Do you have much call for the champagne?" he asked as he began to remove the four crates of wine, two crates of brandy, each crate held ten bottles, along with the crate of champagne and placed them on the tavern porch.
Victoria chuckled. "That's true, not everyone can afford it and even then it's only for very special occasions but I wasn't expecting the champagne until the next delivery."
"I know but the shipment from San Diego had arrived sooner than expected. That's not going to cause you any problems?" he asked kindly. Senorita Escalante was one of his best customers and was willing to give her an extension on her account.
Victoria shook her head with a smile. "No, it's fine, just add it to this month's bill and I'll pay it when it comes due." She always kept funds aside for any unexpected accounts.
Rodriguez smiled back as he reached into the wagon and pulled out two bottles of wine. "Here's something new from the southern provinces for you to try. They're both red wines, this one is sweeter, more fruitier while the other is drier. If you think it will sell well, just let me know and I can get you a crate or two at a special rate."
Victoria graciously took the bottles. "Gracias Sergio, I'll let you know how it goes."
"Good, good. Now is there anything else you need for the next delivery other than your normal order?"
Victoria thought for a moment before she shook her head. "I don't think so."
Just then the de la Vegas rode up on their horses.
"Ah Senor Rodriguez, we haven't seen you for some time." Don Alejandro greeted the wine merchant with a friendly smile as they dismounted.
Rodriguez chuckled. "Si, it has been awhile Don Alejandro." he replied as the two men shook hands. "What brings you into town today?"
The smile on Don Alejandro's face widened. "I'm expecting some old friends on the stage from San Diego."
While Don Alejandro chatted with Rodriguez, Diego and Felipe crossed over to Victoria. "Hola Victoria, here let us help you with the crates." He motioned to Felipe and they each picked up two crates.
Victoria smiled warmly. "Gracias Diego, Felipe, please take them into the kitchen." she replied.
The two men turned and walked into the tavern, through the curtains and into the kitchen where Diego moved towards the door that lead to the small cellar.
"Oh wait, I haven't unlocked the door yet." Victoria said as she quickly moved to her storeroom, grabbed the key and returned to the cellar door. Diego and Felipe had left the crates on the floor and as she unlocked the door, they came through the curtains with the last of the crates.
As Diego moved to take the crates inside Victoria shook her head. "You don't have to do that Diego, I can manage from here."
Diego smiled warmly. "Nonsense Victoria, just tell us where you want them." he replied as he walked down the six steps with Felipe behind him.
"Just put them over there by the far wall." Victoria said as she too came down into her small cellar. She watched as Diego and Felipe stacked the crates by the wall in a matter of minutes.
"Thank you so much, it would have taken me twice as long to do that." she said with a smile on her face.
"It's our pleasure Victoria." Diego smiled back as he gazed at the woman he loved.
Felipe glanced between them and with a small smile on his lips, he signed and made a hasty retreat up the stairs.
Diego shook his head slightly at Felipe's somewhat obvious action to leave them alone. They hadn't had much time alone together over the last couple of weeks, he was busy with the ranch and Victoria had the tavern but that was no excuse not to spend time together
Victoria felt a little shy around him now that they were alone. They hadn't been alone since last week and in that week, she had come to realise that her feelings for her best friend was indeed more than just friendship, that she wanted more but she also knew that it was up to her to move them beyond that friendship.
"Vict..."
"Dieg..."
They both started to speak at the same time before they laughed softly.
Diego bowed his head slightly. "Ladies first." he said graciously.
She felt a small flush rise over her cheeks but before she could reply, Felipe came down the stairs once more and with an apologetic look towards Diego, he signed quickly.
He sighed. "I'm sorry Victoria but father is looking for me, his friends have arrived." he said with a regretful look on his face. He had hoped to spend some time alone with her.
Victoria was also disappointed by the interruption and as Diego turned to leave, she reached out and gently touched his arm. "Diego, before you go I want to ask you...I mean.." she paused to gather her words. "With the children's concert coming soon, I was wondering if...you would like to...go together." she stuttered, her face now burning red, she couldn't believe that she had actually asked a man for date.
Diego was surprised but delighted that she was asking him on a date, it was something that he had been waiting for, a sign that she was beginning to accept him. "I would be most honoured Victoria." he said softly as he took her hand and raised it to his lips for a soft kiss. "Until we meet again." he whispered as he kissed her hand once more before he turned and went up the stairs. He was willing to let her take the lead in their strange courtship of theirs, and it was a courtship. They both knew it, even if it wasn't openly acknowledged.
She closed her eyes as she raised her hands to her burning face from the look of love that shone from his blue eyes. Her heart raced with excitement, she felt giddy almost like a young girl with her first crush or her first suitor. It some ways Diego was her first suitor for they were starting from the beginning. The first shy looks, the flowers, the serenade, the first date, the first hand kiss. She felt her face burn even more as she wondered what it would be like to kiss him without the mask.
"Stop it." she muttered to herself. "What will people think if they saw me now?"
It took several moments before she had recovered enough to return upstairs and hopefully no-one would question her about her flushed face.