Chapter 3

Victoria looked up from the newspaper she was reading while pondering the past few days. She heard someone come in, looked up to see who it was. It was Don Diego.
He walked over to her. Seeing she was reading her column in the Guardian. "And are you satisfied? Luckily I had some space to spare. But it was fitting and measuring to get it all in. Maybe next time you can try to be a little more concise?"

"Diego, you can't be succinctly when it comes to love. I was hoping to be able to talk to you and that you could give me a little more space. I have received a lot of letters in recent weeks. Maybe I can create a special column in which people can declare love for each other."

"I'm sorry, Victoria, I'm afraid Sergeant Mendoza asked me too for more space. But I have limited room, and there must also be enough room for the usual news. That comes first, I hope you can understand that."

"Certainly," Victoria thought about the other question she had for the editor of the local newspaper. Little afraid, she already knew the answer. "And for personal ads?"

"What are those?"

"People can then place an ad that they are looking for someone to have a relationship with and come into contact with each other. I've heard of it. They are in most major newspapers."

"I'm not sure, Victoria. The distribution area of the Guardian is not that big. Personally, I think it is much easier just to ask someone you are interested in for a relationship."

"Hear who is talking, have you ever ask the woman you love, what she thinks about you?"

"What woman?" Diego asked, not understanding what about Victoria was babbling. She knew he loved her? Had he given himself away somehow? Then why was Victoria talking like she did not know, she was the one.

"You once told me you had special feelings for a certain señorita. It was over four years ago, and I have never seen anyone you had a special interest in or tried courting. So see, you say it is easy, but you don't try it yourself.
And why not? Because it can be scary to show someone your emotions not sure, or they are answered." For four years Victoria had tried to find out who was this mystery woman. Not someone living in Los Angeles she presumed.

"Yes, and then, I did read there is someone who loves a Maria. Have you any idea how many women named Maria live in and near Los Angeles? And then you have the right Maria, how is she supposed to know who is the messenger?"

"Don Diego, don't be so unromantic. By the way, if I have to understand correct. It is more for people wanting to find someone and has not met anyone yet. And try to get in touch with someone also interested in a serious relationship. Anyway, can I get some extra space or not?"

"I'm sincerely sorry, Victoria, not for now. But as soon as there is an opportunity, I will let you know. Call it coincidence, but señor Estómago has asked me the same question, only three weeks ago."

"The only restaurant Mendoza reviews is mine," Victoria uttered, feeling slightly insulted don Diego seemed to value her column and Mendoza's the same. While hers had so much more.

Like expected, Diego did not notice this, and just went on with what he wanted to say. "I was hoping I could get a drink."

And he also did not hear the sarcastic undertone Victoria tried to put in her answer. Like Diego would ever notice anything that wasn't in a book. "But of course, what will it be? "

" Just have a glass of lemonade, por favor." Victoria quickly walked away to get the requested order. Meanwhile, waving to Felipe coming in. When she came back to the table, Diego had disappeared, leaving a generous tip where he'd been sitting only minutes before.

Victoria didn't see anyone from the hacienda the rest of the day. She knew that Diego would like to give her a little extra because he was worried about her. Many times in the past, he had offered to fix furniture that Zorro had broken. She hated it when Diego tried to give her money. He was a friend, and although she had no problems getting paid for the meals she served, she hated whenever he just left some money. Sometimes without having used anything.

That afternoon her column in the Guardian was again the talk of the town. Women who agreed with the advice of dona Corazón.
The padre slightly irritated because so many flowers were missing from his garden. Which no one knew anything about, but in the meantime, glances got exchanged between various couples.

Almost a week later, Victoria stopped her cart near a riverbed and watched how the small stream of water cringed its way over and around rocks and stones.

Today she had gone to an old school friend of hers. Sophia was her age and married for seven years. She had three children. The youngest only six months old. A cute baby boy loved to smile and try to grab locks of hair in his small fists.
It ached somewhere deep inside her. Victoria had always loved children. And for many years dreaming of having one of herself. No, she wasn't jealous of Sophia or any other woman having children. Victoria had chosen to wait for Zorro for as long as it will take. She loved her hero and longed to be with him.

But on moments like now. Victoria also longed to hold a little child in her arms. She felt an emptiness. Today the pain was more intense. Was it worth the wait? Yes, she answered her question in her mind.
Tomorrow was her mothers birthday. Had the woman still lived, she would have become fifty-four. At her age, her mother had already two children and pregnant with her only daughter. And somehow, while holding little Marco, this thought had made Victoria realize she might have Zorro his love. She had wanted more for herself when she was younger.

Sitting next to Victoria, Sophia had sipped from a cup of coffee, talking about old memories. The kind of memories that had gone forgotten years ago. But when you talk about it, one memory brings back another.
"Victoria, do you remember that one time the padre caught us stealing oranges?"

"Yes, he got his knife and sliced them in pieces for us, and he said we could eat as many as we wanted, asking, or they tasted nice. We did not dare to say they were bitter." Victoria had laughed, remembering the disgusting-tasting oranges. "It did teach us not to steal again."

In the distance, a horse and rider were approaching. It was Sophia, her husband. "I also recall that you had a crush on a certain someone," Sophia said in a teasing tone.

Victoria was defending herself before she realized her friend was teasing her. "We both had a crush on him."

Sophia chuckled, "Yes, we did. But I knew I never stood a chance against you, and I have grown over it. Miguel is my true love." Sophia looked at her husband slowly coming closer. He was two years older than Sophia and the elder brother of other of her friends.

Victoria stuttering, "I have also grown over it. I have met my true love. And one day, we will be together."

"Yes, Zorro, I know. Still, it is too bad you gave up on him. I always believed the two of you would make a nice couple had you given it a change."

Victoria had felt uncomfortable and blushed, changing the subject to how Sophia, her children were doing.

And now, Victoria was on her way back to Los Angeles. The small talk with Sophia had reminded her of the boy she had a crush on when she was a little girl. It was the best friend of her brothers. Sophia and Victoria used to try and spy on the boys. Taking every opportunity they could find to have a glimpse at him. At the same time, to shy to say more than two words together.
Sophia and she both had grown older. Don Diego had left for Spain, and her brothers had left the pueblo, leaving Victoria on her own to run the tavern. Working hard, Victoria didn't have the time to think about romance.
Until, without any kind of warning, she had fell head over heels in love with a masked man.

This morning don Diego had brought her another lovely poem from the mystery writer. And that was the reason why Victoria had now stopped her cart and was getting of. She liked what got mentioned in the poem. She wanted to do the same thing.
Walking a couple of yards down the river, Victoria found what she was looking for. A rather large rock, light in colour and with the use of your imagination almost heart shaped.
Victoria glared down the stream, and after a few moments, she walked to where the water touched the land. Kneeled and placed the rock a few inches in the river. She had mesmerized the poem.

On a full moon night,
I placed a stone,
somewhere in a riverbed.
And now I know,
that the good Lord will never forget
My feelings for you can only grow.
Cause by placing just this single stone,
somewhere in the riverbed,
The river changed the course.
Of which the Lord created it to flow.

Again the poem had touched something that made her hope this man and his love end up together someday.
There even was a hint of jealousy. Like many other women in the pueblo, Victoria wouldn't mind if the poem was supposed to be for her.
Of course, it wasn't. Zorro knew she loved him. And every man in the pueblo knew he didn't stand a chance against the outlaw.

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