Chapter 42

The de la Vega hacienda…

"It was a wonderful party, Father," Diego said as he stretched his shoulders, "everyone looked like they enjoyed themselves. Thank you for hosting the reception for Francisco and Margarita."

"It was my pleasure, son. You know how I feel about Victoria….Francisco is like a son to me. I was glad to help in any way that I could," the older man took another sip of his wine, "a wedding is always such a joyous celebration."

"Yes, it is, Father. My wedding was the happiest day of my life…"

"You are married with a baby on the way…I couldn't be happier for you, son. I think you and Victoria will be good parents," the old don admitted, "things are looking up for our family…everyone seems happy except for your cousin. Rafael seemed awfully quiet tonight."

"I am sure that Rafael is fine, Father. He seems content with his life and he and Margarita have made peace. There is nothing to worry about…"

"Everyone's future is settled except his," the old don stated, "Rafael needs to settle down. The boy isn't getting any younger, son."

"Now why do those words sound familiar," Diego teased, "you said the same thing about me, but everything has turned out fine…Is there something going on inside that cunning brain of yours that I should know about?"

"Why would you think such a thing," Alejandro replied innocently, "I am just a harmless, old man…"

"I know you, Father. You and my wife have one thing in common. You are hopeless romantics with caring, loving hearts. You can't stand to see anyone unhappy. Especially when it comes to those that you love." Diego was certain that his father or his group of friends were planning something whether they admitted it or not…

"Can you blame me for wanting my nephew to be happy, Diego? He has been through a look this last year…Rafael deserves some happiness and I can't think of a better person than Lolita. Can you blame me," Don Alejandro defended.

"No, I can't but sometimes, the best intentions go awry…Interfering could always backfire on you and cause problems that you haven't anticipated. You have good intentions, but Rafael may resent your interference. He is a de la Vega, after all," his son continued, "I know that you love him but be careful, Father…"

"That's all you're going to say…no more trying to talk me out of it. I know that you are opposed to matchmaking of any kind. Isn't the mighty Zorro going to stop me?"

"What do you want me to do? Challenge you to a duel? I will be there for Rafael if he needs someone to talk to," his tall son stated, "and before you even think of it, don't plan on enlisting my wife in your little scheme. She has promised me that she will not interfere, and I will hold her to that. Our focus will be on presenting you with a happy, healthy grandchild."

"I agree to your terms, my boy. I am disappointed though. We would have made a formidable team, but all will be well…I just know it…"

Later that evening…

Diego watched as Victoria finished brushing her hair. She looks so beautiful, he thought. I am a fortunate man. "I thought that you might be asleep by now. It has been a long day but a good one."

"I was waiting up for you, my love. That feels good," she sighed as he massaged her shoulders, "you have quite the touch, husband. How did things go with your father? Is he planning something as you suspected or am I right."

"He and his friends are planning something. I don't know when and I don't know where, but they are up to something. Their plans may not be necessary if my cousin has any say in the matter. It is not public knowledge but Rafael plans on proposing to Lolita. With all of the wedding preparations and his father's illness, he has been waiting for the right moment."

"That is good news, Diego. I hope that Lolita accepts. Despite their rocky start that they are made for each other…I couldn't be happier for them…I never thought that Margarita was the right woman for Rafael," Victoria snuggled closer to her husband, "but she is the right woman for my brother."

The Quintero Bunkhouse…

Rafael stared at the bunkhouse ceiling. He had spent several minutes tossing and turning trying to get some rest. Sleep would be elusive tonight…Francisco and Margarita had looked happy together. They had taken the time to get to know each other…to begin as friends and develop a relationship into something solid built on shared friendship and trust not like the arrangement that his own parents and the de Madeira's had made for them….The young caballero was not unlike his cousin Diego. I am determined to marry for love….Lolita is not only my friend…I love her…I respect her…I cannot imagine my life without her…I believe…I hope that she will give me one more chance…it is time to make my dreams a reality….

The Quintero hacienda…

Lolita stood outside her bedroom on the balcony which overlooked the hacienda. She had been doing a lot of thinking over the past few weeks…about what she wanted out of life…who she wanted to spend her life with….The wedding was beautiful and romantic…there had been no shortage of young men asking her to dance…complimenting her but she was not interested in any of them. I missed Rafael more than I thought that I would…he had been attentive and polite since his return. He had not pressured her or inconvenienced her in any way. He is not the same man that I knew months ago...Could my father be right? Is it time to put my fears aside and take a chance, she wondered to herself, it is the most important decision that I will ever make. I hope that I will make the right one….