Chapter 9 [Los Angeles—A Half an Hour Later]
[A/N: And this is where the story starts to diverge away from "Strands Broken". By the way, since Victoria, I'm presuming, doesn't speak much English, I'm keeping her dialogue with Buck, Sam and Pedro in Spanish. When she speaks with Mendoza or Diego on their own, it'll be in English. Oh and for the record, Chaparral Fans, you know all of the references and hints about Mercedes' great-grandparents throughout the series? Well here are Diego and Victoria. Enjoy!]
Buck, Sam and Pedro rode down the dirt road at a healthy pace. They made sure to keep enough distance between Diego and themselves so as not to be seen by the nobleman. Each wondered what they'd encounter in the pueblo.
Just as they got into sight of the pueblo's sign, Sam called, "Buck! Maybe we should hide our gun belts and guns? We don't want to draw the locals' attention. You know?"
"Si, Señor Buck. Pistols like ours…they will not be seen for a long time here." Pedro pulled up on his horse's reins. He got down off of his horse and took off his belt and pistol. "I will put mine in the saddle bag."
Buck frowned. "I really hate this. I feel plumb naked going in there without my gun!" He took off his belt and pistol. He stashed his in the saddlebag as well.
"It's like Mercedes said, Buck, we don't want to be sticking out in a village like this." Sam looked about. Seeing that the coast was still clear, he got back up on his horse. "Let's get in there."
"Yeah. Sooner we're done, sooner we can get back." Buck rode into Los Angeles. He surveyed the plaza and surrounding buildings. He located the church, the forge, the store and the armory in quick order. "Don't seem much different than Casa Cueva."
"Es lo mismo." Pedro spied the tavern. "It is there! The Tavern Victoria."
Sam looked about the area as well. His eyes took in the rooftops' vantage points. "Yeah. Let's get in there. Maybe they have something good in there?"
"Let's just fit in, Boys." Buck dismounted and tied his horse's rein to the front bar. He heard something in his pocket. He fished around and brought out a few of the era's coins. "How'd that get in there?"
"Didn't she give us some money for that soup?" Sam recalled.
"Yeah she did. This here's extra. Maybe we can get us something to drink?" Buck suggested.
"I would not. We cannot get in trouble," Pedro clenched his teeth.
"I'd love a whiskey, Buck. Pedro's got a point. We sure don't need to get into it with the locals. Maybe some soup for us too?" Sam concurred. He sniffed the air. "That smells like chili to me."
"¡Si!" Pedro's mouth watered at the promise of good meat and beans.
"Yeah fine." Buck frowned. He shook his head. "Let's get inside." He led them inside the tavern. He noticed a few customers dotting the tables around the room. A heavy set soldado twiddled his thumbs by the bar. A slender Latina woman in a red top set a bunch of lavender in a water glass. Diego settled into his corner table. His poetry notes and pen sat on the table beside his right arm. He felt his stomach growl. He walked up to the bar. "Morning, Ma 'am." He tipped his hat to her.
"Allow me, Señor Buck." Pedro walked up beside him. "Buenos dias, Señorita. Mi amigos y yo nos gustaría un poco de chile por favor."
She nodded. "Ciertamente. Es un peso de bol por favor." She held out her hand.
Buck put four pesos in her hand. "And uno mas for the soldier there. He looks like he could use some as well."
"Gracias, Señor. Perdóname." She looked to Diego.
Diego nodded. He strolled up to the counter. "Did I hear you speaking English, Señores? I do as well. Welcome to Los Angeles. I'm Don Diego de la Vega. And you are?"
Buck grinned. Relief relaxed him. He shook Diego's hand. "I'm Buck. This here's Sam. And our friend's Pedro. We just passing through. Sure glad to know you."
"Thanks for helping with the translation. Pedro's good with his Spanish. Buck and I don't speak as well." Sam shook hands with Diego as well.
"Well then. Perhaps you might join me? I appreciate the gesture toward Sergeant Mendoza. The lady behind the counter is Victoria. She runs this fine establishment."
Victoria arched an eyebrow. Her mouth twisted into a smirk. "Flattery, Diego?"
"Can I help that it is the truth?" Diego sighed. "Where are you coming from?"
"We're just riding down the coast from Monterrey." Sam explained. "Sure is a long road. I know it's early but…"
"That's fine. I always have something for hungry travelers. You should sit with Diego. I will bring your chili and Diego's tea." She set up a bowl and ladled the hot food into it. For a minute, she considered giving Diego the first bowl.
"The sergeant seems to need it. I will get my portion with our new friends." Diego motioned toward Mendoza. Assurance warmed his glance and the smile raising his mustache.
"Very well." She smiled in return. She brought the bowl out to Mendoza. "There you are, Sergeant. The first portion from my chili pot."
"For me? I cannot pay!" Mendoza protested. His mouth watered for her fine cooking. Still his pocket remained empty for the next few days.
"Compliments of our visitors. They wish to eat and wanted you to have some as well." She set the bowl down in front of Mendoza. "Enjoy. You need something before your drills. No?"
"Si. Gracias." Mendoza accepted a spoon from her. "I will enjoy this very much." As he ate, he watched the men sitting with Diego. I wonder if he knows them?
Diego sat back down at his table. While he did not know for sure, he recalled three riders following him back from Rancho Henche at a discreet distance. Caution had prompted him to keep a careful eye on Sam, Buck and Pedro. He did not know if they were the travelers they claim to be or perhaps banditos.
Charity had earned them a good first impression at least.
"We don't want to horn in on your table, Don Diego. It's okay." Buck led the others toward Diego's table.
"Nonsense, Señores. Please join me.I am going to have some tea. Perhaps I can offer you some coffee as well?" Diego invited.
"That'd be great, Don Diego! We sure would appreciate it!" Buck felt himself relaxing a little more. Still he didn't want to let his guard down. "This is a nice town you all got here."
"We like to think so, Buck. It is quiet but has its charm. I write a newspaper called The Guardian once a week. Everyone has a story." He saw her coming back with their food. "Our meal is here."
Victoria set a tray down on the table. "Sus tazónes de chile, Señores." She set a bowl and spoon in front of each of them. She placed Diego's cup with the tea bag with the bowl. "Coffee?"
"Si. Tres cafes por favor," Pedro requested.
Victoria nodded and returned to the bar.
Diego blew on a spoonful of chili. "I have had this before in Madrid. This is the first time that Victoria has made it." He ate that first spoonful allowing for the spices, meat and beans to kick at his taste buds. "Mmm! Trust me. This is quite good." He fixed his tea.
"You sure don't have to tell me twice, Don Diego." Buck sampled his chili. "Mmm-MMM! This sure is good!"
"I'll sure say it is!" Sam took some from his own bowl.
"Muy delicioso, Señorita Victoria," Pedro complimented when she returned. "Gracias."
"De nada." She set the coffees down on the table with a small cup of milk and a bowl of sugar. She glanced at Diego. Interest and Intrigue over the newcomers' business nagged at her. "Diego?"
"Esto es mejor que el chile que comí en España, Victoria." Approval shone in Diego's eyes.
"Muy bien." Victoria nodded and returned to the bar. She saw Mendoza getting up. "Perhaps you might thank them for your meal?"
"Si. I will. The Alcalde needs his transit tax as well. You know I have to ask them." Mendoza grimaced.
She raised an eyebrow. "Ask them? They are now guests of the de la Vegas. I believe you should perhaps forget to ask?" She motioned toward the bowl. "One act of kindness, Mendoza…."
He stuffed another spoon of chili in his mouth. Worry over the Alcalde's reaction pressed on him. "Bad enough we have this important person visiting soon…."
"Oh?" She lingered. "Who would be coming to Los Angeles? Perhaps you might let Diego know for the newspaper?"
"He is talking with his guests. The Alcalde will probably tell you. It is an important Emissary from Spain. Maybe we might welcome him?"
She nodded. "That is very nice. I shall ask the Alcalde when I see him." She noticed Buck, Sam and Pedro leaving. "They ate very fast." She shook her head. "Enjoy that." She walked over to Diego. "They were done already?"
"Apparently so." Diego rubbed his chin. "They are an interesting lot I must say." He arched an eyebrow. "Two of them are American. Pedro is from Nogales. They are returning to Tucson."
"Tucson? That is quite a distance. Surely they'd rest here! I have rooms to offer them." She glanced toward the second floor.
"Indeed. Well I am open to random acts of kindness by strangers. It makes for a better world." He put his paper and pen back on the table. "And I have a poem to do."
"Oh? More inspiration with the flowers?" She coughed.
"Indeed so. I do not wish to keep you from the others, Victoria. Meantime that inspiration wants to express itself." He shrugged.
"I would never stand in the way of that. I am glad you enjoyed that bowl." She collected the bowls and set them on her tray. "Enjoy your tea."
"I shall." He watched her go back toward the bar. He scribbled a few poetic lines on the paper. His mind ran over and over the conversation. While he enjoyed the visit and shared meal, Query bothered him. He didn't care for potential trespassers around the Rancho Henche. He knew his father would demand answers.
He'd finish there. Then Zorro might have a word with the travelers himself….