Chapter 14
Two days after their return to Los Angeles, Victoria was back in her tavern while Diego went over to his newspaper office to catch up with his work. Absorbed in his reading, he didn't notice the door opening and Victoria coming in. Only when she closed it rather loudly by leaning against it, he looked up and saw her standing at the door with tears in her face.
"What's wrong, Victoria?" Diego rose from his chair to take her in his arms. "Has something happened in the tavern?"
"Yes, no, there was just a group of vaqueros passing through Los Angeles."
"Did they make trouble? Do you need my help?" He could see that she was upset.
"It was nothing out of the ordinary, the usual remarks, the rowdy behavior, just what you'd expect..," she declared.
"Then why are you so troubled?" Diego couldn't see her problem.
"It's not the men, it's me. The tavern was always my life and I looked forward to return to my work, but it was different. The way the men looked at me and the remarks they made reminded me of Sanchez and his men. I don't want any men trying to touch me anymore when I serve them or have their dirty looks on me. I know now what they want from me and how easy I may become a victim. I just can't stand it anymore."
It took her a while to calm down in his arms and stop crying. "Do you think I'm overreacting, Diego?"
"It's alright, Victoria. This pueblo has lost far more than the lives of some citizens by the attack. We have lost our innocence and now we see how vulnerable we are. Our ignorance has protected us so far, but we can't go back."
"I know. Diego, we haven't really talked about it, but would you mind if I don't work in the tavern anymore? I can't go back there now and I don't know if I ever will!"
"I had always hoped you would give up the tavern one day to take care of our children and help me with the ranch. Though my father is recovering well, it will take a long time until he will be able to ride out with the vaqueros again or do any heavy work. My father won't admit it, but he is growing old and I will have to take over the management of the ranch from him sooner or later and I could use your help. There is enough to do for you on the hacienda and it has been missing a woman's touch ever since my mother's death. If you decide on never putting a foot in that tavern again, I'll be all too pleased to have you for myself."
"Then you don't mind if I stay at the hacienda and stop working t the tavern?" Victoria looked at him relieved.
"No, not at all." Diego grinned at her impishly. "I'll have you all for myself and we have more time to grant my father his greatest wish."
"What do you mean with his greatest wish?" Victoria asked confused.
"Grandchildren!"
"I like that idea," she smiled. "They are my greatest wish too."
"I will take you home and we will make our dreams come true!"
THE END