Chapter 47

Several days later…

"Welcome home, big brother," Victoria hugged her brother tightly, "I have missed you. You both look wonderful. Lots of things have happened since the two of you have been gone."

The couple walked into the tavern arm in arm. "It is good to be back home," Margarita smiled, "Monterrey was wonderful, but Los Angeles is our home now…we can begin our lives together with all of our family around us. What has happened since we've been gone?"

"There will be another wedding in a couple of weeks…Rafael and Lolita are getting married."

"That's wonderful news, Victoria," her sister-in-law smiled, "I am so happy for both of them. Love is certainly in the air here in Los Angeles. How did all of this come about?"

"Believe it or not…my handsome husband played a role in getting the two of them together. Maybe Dona Maria should take lessons from him…Let me tell you about it…"

Minutes later…

Diego walked into the tavern surprised but delighted to see Francisco and Margarita. "Welcome home, you two. I was beginning to think the two of you were never coming home," he teased as he hugged them both, "it is good to see you two."

"Thank you, Diego. Victoria was just telling us that you could give Dona Maria a run for the money in the matchmaking department," Francisco teased.

"I do my best," the tall caballero said unexpectedly, "all in the name of love, my friend."

"So, Diego de la Vega is a true romantic at heart," Victoria teased, "who would have known."

"What would you expect from someone who dashed about the countryside with a cutlass even though it is quite out of fashion," Diego smirked, "you of all people should have known, senora de la Vega."

"I should have…Should I? You can't resist helping someone in need with or without the mask, Senor. No wonder I love you so much…"

Margarita and Francisco smiled at the loving banter between the two. It was good to be home, the pair thought as Francisco leaned forward to kiss his bride gently.

Several days later…

"That was wonderful, Margarita. Your cooking skills are almost on par with Victoria's," Rafael smiled, "Francisco is a fortunate man but so am I."

"Thank you, Rafael. I am honored. Things certainly have changed for both of us. I thought that we would end up together at first, but things really did turn out for the best. I have a man who loves me and that I love in return…you have Lolita. God really must have a sense of humor," she laughed, "who would have thought that the high and mighty Margarita de Madeira would become Margarita Escalante. I actually enjoy my life now…."

"It certainly seems that way, Senora Escalante," he teased, "we probably would have made each other miserable. I was insufferable…I have to admit."

"I was no prize either. I don't know how you put up with me. Thank God for my father and his little plan. I was upset with him, but Father knew me better than I knew myself. I am really happy for you and Lolita. I wish you all the best," the young woman squeezed his hand gently, "in a few more days, you will be a happily married man…"

"I can hardly believe it myself. I wish you and Francisco happiness as well. We didn't get off to a good start but at least, we have managed to be civil to one another."

"He is truly the best man that I have ever known, Rafael. He makes me happy and I want to spend the rest of my life making him happy."

"I believe that you will, Margarita. It was meant to be…Thank you for the wonderful meal and the company. I have a few more errands to run. It was good talking to you. I will see myself out. Adios, Senora Escalante," he said as he kissed her hand, "be happy…"

"I will, Señor de la Vega. Be happy, Rafael," the young woman watched her former fiancée walk out the door, "I most certainly will be…you do the same…"

"What was that all about," Francisco said as he entered the room.

"Two old friends saying goodbye, my love. I will tell you about it later. Did I ever tell you how glad I am to have you and how happy I am?"

"Not within the last few minutes..."

"Well then let me tell you now, my dear Senor. Better still…let me show you…"

The Quintero Hacienda…

Rafael and his fiancée sat in the garden enjoying the fragrance of the flowers and the opportunity to enjoy each other's company. "In a few days, we will be man and wife. A few months ago, I was supposed to marry someone else, but God had other plans for me…I am so glad that things turned out like they did, my little dove."

"So am I, Rafael. I cannot imagine myself with anyone else but you," she admitted.

"Neither can I…I had lunch today at the tavern. Margarita and I had a little talk. She wished us every happiness in our life together…I wanted her to know that I am happy for her," he admitted as Lolita listened attentively, "things turned out exactly as they should have. I have the woman that I love, and she is happy with Francisco. What we had was not the kind of love that I have found with you. What we have is real and lasting. I cannot wait for our life together to begin."

"Neither can I, Don Rafael. Everything is as it should be. I am glad that you and Margarita have made amends. I am glad that she has found happiness and I am sure that we will be equally happy if not, even more so," she smiled.

"I am sure that we will be, Senorita Quintero. I love you, little dove. I am the most fortunate man in the whole world."