Chapter 21

Consuela placed the last of the items in the large wicker basket. She had prepared flan, fruit and other dishes that Diego and Victoria would like. She was happy to prepare a special meal for the man she had known since he was a small boy. The cook was particularly pleased by his choice of companion. Senorita Escalante was beautiful, intelligent and well-suited for Diego. Despite appearances, there was more to her patron's son than met the eye. He was too much like Don Alejandro to have changed so drastically…"Everything is ready," she stated as the tall man hugged her affectionately.

"Everything looks and smells wonderful. If you weren't already married, I would marry you myself."

"If I were twenty years younger, I might consider the offer. Now off with you, you rascal. I don't want you to be late for your date with Senorita Escalante."

"Wish me luck, Consuela," he said as he walked out the door.

You won't need it. If that young woman has any sense…she will see you for the wonderful man you are…

ZZZ

The sunlight filtered through the trees as the couple sat on the blanket laden with the remains of the delicious meal Maria prepared. Felipe sat a discrete distance away finishing his own lunch. Alejandro would not allow a man and woman whether they were courting or not to be unchaperoned. Still, Diego enjoyed the time that he had with the woman he secretly loved...

"What happened with Rafael after I left today...I was a little worried about how it would go with Lolita," he wondered as he took a bit of Consuela's delicious flan.

"The two of them seemed to get along perfectly fine," Victoria laughed.

"I hate that I missed out on all the drama but it was worth it just to spend some time with you..."

"Gracias," Victoria blushed.

"What exactly did the qu- Margarita do?"

I heard that little slip. "She wasn't exactly thrilled when Pilar 'accidentally' spilled some lemonade on her dress."

"I am sure that went over well," Diego smirked.

"Stop that...before you make me laugh, Diego...You know perfectly well that it was an accident.'

"You probably wished that Pilar had spilled something more substantial like a plate of tamales, perhaps. You forget exactly how well I know you, Victoria. Admit it! I am right. Aren't I?"

"Oh! You...Yes, you are right on both counts but she deserved it! Acting all high and mighty!"

"Maybe, one day she will learn her lesson," the caballero sighed, "If she doesn't...then she will risk losing my cousin...Dona Maria is sure to introduce him to someone else if Lolita does not suit him..."

"You sound just like a matchmaker. Are you sure you are not applying for the job."

"There are enough matchmakers in Los Angeles especially if you include my father..."

"I know how you detest matchmaking,."

"It is a beautiful day...I am with a beautiful woman and we are talking about my cousin and his troubles."

"Just like you to change the subject.."

"What should we talk about then? The weather...well, that's not too exciting...the adventures of Zorro...perhaps that would be too much!"

"Too much? I distinctly remember a certain young caballero who jumped horses at Diablo Canyon...Who was always getting into trouble."

"Now, who could that be, Victoria."

"You know perfectly well who I am talking about Diego de la Vega!"

"Who, me," he said innocently, "you must be talking about someone else."

"You are incorrigible...Once upon a time, you were a lot like Zorro...Don't you miss the fun...the adventure..."

"The 'old' Diego would have been swinging from the alcalde's rope within a month. You know that as well as I do...Do you miss the 'old' Diego?"

"Sometimes, I wonder what happened to him...what changed him but I would rather have you alive and well right here with me. I like you for who you are...I don't want you to be him...I want you to be yourself..."."

"Gracias, Victoria. That means a lot to me...There are things...that happened in my past that changed me...I am a different person, Victoria...older and definitely wiser...I met someone...we fell in love but that was a lifetime ago..."

"Is that the reason why you haven't married? Because of this woman...in Madrid."

'"I thought that I was in love but now I know that what I felt was not real love," he confessed. Not like the love I feel for you...

"Whoever this woman was...she was probably not the right woman for you if she could give you up so easily."

"It never would have worked out between the two of us...I...I have always wanted someone who could love me for myself," the caballero brushed her lips gently with his own...Diego smiled at the look on his beloved's face. She had most definitely enjoyed the kiss...

"I...I...I had a wonderful time, Diego," Victoria said quickly. I don't know why I am so flustered by a simple kiss. I must admit, I did enjoy it...Perhaps more than I should have...

"So have I, Victoria," he gathered the blanket, basket and other picnic items, "I suppose we should be getting back to the tavern. I will go get Felipe and we will be on our way."

ZZZ

Diego escorted Victoria to the door of the tavern. "Thank you for the pleasure of your company," he said as he kissed her hand.

"Gracias, Diego," she sighed. Who knew that Diego could be so romantic?

"May I call upon you again, Victoria?'

"I would enjoy that very much, Diego," she smiled.

"Adios, Victoria." Diego felt happier than he had in a while and that filled him with hope for their future.