Chapter 22

The Tavern…

"Welcome home, little sister," Francisco smiled as he hugged Victoria, "you look wonderful. Married life certainly agrees with you. Diego, you are taking good care of my sister, I see."

"She deserves nothing but the best. The tavern looks great and is as busy as ever."

"I know that Victoria would expect nothing less. Pilar has been cooking nonstop and Margarita has been busy waiting tables. She even cooked a meal or two while you were away…"

"Did I hear my name mentioned? Victoria…Diego…it is good to have you home again…It wasn't the same here without you…"

"She is right, Don Diego…Dona Victoria…welcome back."

"Sergeant, it is good to see you, amigo. My father hasn't been keeping you too busy…"

"It has been pretty peaceful, lately and Don Alejandro is a wonderful alcalde. The soldiers love working for him and the pay is much better…Senora, I have missed you…"

"Did you miss me or my empanadas," Victoria teased, "although I have heard that Margarita's are pretty stiff competition…"

"Hers are good but no one makes empanadas like you…Dona Victoria…it will take a bit of getting used to calling you that…but it sounds right…"

"I agree, Sergeant and for that I will treat you to breakfast…on the house." The jovial sergeant blushed as she planted a kiss on his cheek…

"You don't have to," he stammered.

"I want to…we owe you so much, Mendoza. You have been a true and loyal friend to me and my husband. Come sit down and join us, por favor."

"If you insist."

An hour later…

"That was a delicious…my compliments to the chef…Margarita that was delicious…you are a woman of many talents…Jaime was right…you have become an excellent cook..."

"Gracias, Don Diego. You have your wife to thank for it...I used her recipe and added a few touches of my own. I hope you didn't mind that I used your recipe, Victoria."

"Of course, not. The tavern is in good hands…I trust the three of you to handle things. An extra pair of hands is always a good thing... I will probably come in from time to time…to cook…to oversee things for a little while at least when I am not occupied at the hacienda."

"Do you mind if we check on things at the paper, my love? I would love for you to accompany me and perhaps, we can do a little shopping…"

"For such an invitation, I will make myself free, but I am more interested in spending time with the gentleman than the shopping. Lead on, husband…"

"Your wish is my command. We will see you later, Sergeant…Everything was wonderful…"

Minutes later…

Diego locked the door to The Guardian office. Felipe had taken good care of it…It was neat, clean and he had even put out an edition while they were gone. No man could ask for a better son, he thought to himself…

The newlyweds continued their stroll pausing to talk to townspeople wishing to congratulate them and welcome them back home. "I have missed this place," Victoria admitted, "Monterrey was a dream come true, but I am glad to be back…"

"As long as I am with you…everything is as it's supposed to be."

"You flatter me, Senor de la Vega."

"To speak the truth is not a kindness. I cannot think or a better way to spend my time or anyone else that I would rather be with…"

The couple walked on for a few more minutes. Victoria purchased a few items for the tavern while Diego watched with amusement…He actually enjoyed shopping with her although he would have found it tedious with someone else…the tall man sighed and rolled his eyes as he saw Marisol approaching…

"I see that you two have finally made it back home," she smirked, "how does it feel to be back in our small, insignificant pueblo after seeing the sights of Monterrey."

"It is good to see you too, Marisol. What brings you here on this fine day," the caballero struggled to be polite as his upbringing dictated…This is one thing that I did not miss about Los Angeles….

"Doing a little shopping. Welcome back, Don Diego. Dona de la Vega…it is good to see you both." The woman almost looks the part of a Dona…well almost...

"Marisol…My husband and I were just doing a little shopping…how is your mother by the way?"

"Mother is fine. I will send her your regards. Don Diego…Dona Victoria."

"That was awkward, Diego."

"She did make an attempt to be civil," he said as Marisol walked away, "she has no other choice. Los Angeles is not Madrid, but you deserve her respect."

"As Dona de la Vega?"

"As the woman that I love…that is all that matters to me…."

The Market…

Lolita walked through the market as Rafael carried a few of her purchases. "I am almost finished, Rafael. Just one more stop and you can load them on the wagon. Thank you for accompanying me…"

"De nada. Oh, excuse me, Marisol."

"Look where you are going, you clumsy oaf. Well…well, what do we have here? Our little Lolita out shopping with you of all people, Rafael…"

"Shall we go, Senorita," the caballero began. I will not let my temper get the best of me…I would sincerely love to throttle the woman…

"Lolita…You really must raise your standards…I mean…being seen around town with the hired help…It is bad enough that his cousin married the help. Maybe it runs in the family…"

"Rafael is my friend; Marisol and he is still a caballero."

"A caballero who works for a living. Are you sure that he is not after your money, Lolita? It is common knowledge that the man used you to get back at Margarita, but she seems to have moved on with Francisco Escalante…I suppose beggars cannot be choosy."

"Frankly, what I do with my time is none of your business," Lolita replied, "I am not the same woman that you taunted a few months ago and I don't see you with anyone…Do I? Where is Carmen by the way? Oh, that's right…she is seeing Don Estevan's son…everyone seems to have moved on but you…"

"Someone seems to have grown a backbone, but I don't see a ring on your finger or a caballero on your arm…just the de la Vega castoff."

"I don't have to defend my actions to you, Marisol. You are a petty, selfish little woman. I don't know how I let you get to me in the past, but those days are over. I am a Quintero and I will not be cowered by the likes of you."

Rafael smiled as he listened to Lolita. Perhaps, there is more to her than meets the eye. Good for you...That woman is a pain in the neck..."Are you ready to go, Madam?"

"I am finished here, Rafael. Good day, Marisol. I can't say that it was a pleasure."

Marisol stormed off narrowly avoiding Diego and Victoria. The couple laughed at the expression on her face…They were proud of Lolita for standing up to her nemesis...Marisol definitely deserved what Lolita had said to her...Things were definitely looking up…