Chapter 19
The de la Vega Hacienda
Alejandro read the letter from the newlyweds thoughtfully. He was surprised yet grateful that they had taken the time to write at all. To be young and in love, the old don thought, I couldn't be happier for my son…
"Excuse me, Patron. Senor Rafael is here as you requested."
"Send him in, Miguel. Sit down, Rafael."
"You wanted to see me, Uncle. Have I done something wrong?"
"I am concerned about your performance…on the hacienda."
"I have been on time…I have been working hard. What is the problem?"
"How is your job at the Quintero rancho going? Don Luis says you have been going just fine…but I am concerned about your performance here at my ranch….working two jobs for anyone is a quite a stretch even for the most experienced vaquero…"
"It is no problem, uncle. I can handle it…"
"It has only been a few days…Right now, it is not a problem but later on…"
"You won't be able to work two jobs without exhausting yourself."
"It won't interfere with my ability to do my job here."
"Your job here was only temporary…that was our agreement…since you already have another job that won't be a problem. The Quintero's are fine people and I am sure that he could use an extra hand possibly for the foreseeable future."
"Are you sure this has nothing to do with what happened at Diego's party the other night? I thought that all of that was settled…I would have apologized to him if I had known this would happen."
"That is not a good enough reason to apologize and the fact that he is your cousin should have been enough reason to apologize but that's neither here nor there. Alfonso has recovered from his illness and would like his old position back…he has a family to support so…"
"You decided to hire him back. What about me?"
"You have a job with the Quintero's…you have done a fine job, but Alfonso needs the job more…if I had another position, I would reconsider but my decision is final… It's standard business practice…last hired, first fired. No hard feelings…"
"Will I be allowed to finish out the week or is that too much to ask?"
"That would be fine…Rafael. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some business to attend to…"
The Quintero hacienda…
"What brings you out this evening, Don Alejandro? Please do come in. Would you like some refreshment?"
"No, thank you. I wanted to talk to you about my nephew, Rafael."
"He is doing a fine job so far Alejandro. I would like to hire him fulltime if he ever decides to leave your place. I like him despite the fact that he used my daughter very ill."
"That's very high praise indeed. I know that you are a fair man and that you don't give praise lightly."
"The boy reminds me of myself at that age…before I met my wife…she changed me for the better."
"He needs space…the chance to prove himself…the boy has it in him, but he is so stubborn."
"He reminds me of someone else we all know and love…eh…Alejandro."
"He is like me…I am afraid…maybe, he will be blessed with a wonderful woman and see the error of his ways…before it is too late."
"It is possible, Luis. I suppose anything is possible…Thank you, my friend."
"You would have no problem with me hiring him fulltime."
"None whatsoever, Luis. Whatever you decide is fine with me…I hope things work our…Give my regards to Inez. Good night, my friend."
Monterrey…
"It has been a wonderful evening," Victoria sighed as she felt her husband's arms around her, "I could stay here forever."
"So, could I. It wouldn't hurt to stay here for a few more days. I will write Father and let him know that we plan on staying for a while longer. He'll probably approve if it gets him closer to his heart's desire."
"Grandchildren…Would it be selfish of me to want you to have you to myself for a little while?"
"I don't think that would be selfish at all. When the time is right, we will have those grandchildren that my father wants so much but for right now. Let's enjoy our honeymoon…"
Victoria's Tavern
"I wonder how the newlyweds are doing, Pilar. The wedding was so romantic. Diego and Victoria really seem to love each other…"
"They do…It was beautiful…Victoria is a very lucky woman," Margarita sighed, "and now a honeymoon in Monterrey….all the shops…the beautiful gowns…the food."
"Is that all you ladies can talk about? Weddings…flowers…romance."
"Francisco…How long have you been standing there?"'
"Just long enough to hear the two of you talking about weddings…romance and all of that…Surely you can find something more practical to talk about," he stated.
"There is not that much going on in Los Angeles, Francisco. I mean the tavern has been busy…but that's about all and what do you have against weddings. Are you afraid that someday you will be married with a family of your own? A confirmed bachelor such as yourself."
"The thought doesn't frighten me one little bit, Margarita. Why do women seem to think that all men have to be married? Maybe, some men are destined to be bachelors."
"You haven't met the right woman," Pilar teased, "I believe that right woman will change your mind."
"Perhaps, but I have yet to meet this woman. Enough talk, ladies. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I will check the doors and make sure everything is secure."
"Such a waste…Don't you think, Margarita that a handsome man like that is not interested in marriage. The Escalante brothers are certainly eligible and very handsome…"
"That's true but there is more to Francisco than just the way he looks…he has a good sense of humor and a kind heart under that calm exterior…"
"Does someone have a crush on a certain senor," Pilar teased, "you two have been very chummy lately."
"We are friends…he has been very helpful…and very supportive. A man and a woman can be friends you know…"
"Umm…hmm…I suppose it is possible but if I had the chance, I would snap him up in an instant…"
"You make it sound so calculated…he is a human being…not prey to be trapped."
"I am just making an observation…that's all…if I had the chance…Let's finish up…"
"Right…It has been a long day and we need our rest."