Chapter 2 ~ The Letter

The next few days were pure heaven for Diego. He took her riding and showing her their vast land. He gave her a tour of the gardens for which they were known. They went to the pueblo to look at new trinkets and materials that the vendors sold. They also had pleasant lunches with Sergeant Garcia.

One afternoon, upon exiting the Inn after their lunch, they spied some children playing a game in the pueblo where one was the outlaw Zorro and another was the commandante. Garcia tsked and waddled quickly over to them to try and break it up. This brought much amusement to the children as well as every onlooker.

Some afternoons were spent playing chess or cards. Other afternoons, they leisurely drank wine on the patio and Diego would strum a few melodies on his guitar while leaning against the willow tree.

Alejandro was delighted to see his son so happy. He and Bernardo had quietly hoped this visit would eventually turn into something more permanent. Seeing Anna Maria and Diego happy together brought him some peace of mind. He still felt guilty having stopped his son from marrying her before. What he did was what needed to be done, but to deprive his son of some kind of happiness, it broke his heart.

Anna Maria came from a good family and her father was an old friend. She was a very spirited woman, an independent woman who was very active. She would fit very well into this family and into Diego's life - his other life.

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Diego and Anna Maria were having a siesta on the patio - both leaning against the trunk of the willow tree. Anna Maria was slowly fanning herself and Diego strumming a few chords.

Her concerning demeanor had changed since her first night. The color in her cheeks reappeared and the dark circles had faded slightly. Diego noticed her habitual glances at the doors and windows decreased and she seemed to be enjoying herself.

This afternoon was most pleasant. They stirred when they heard a horse approaching. A few moments after the horse stopped, a vaquero entered the patio. Diego stood.

"Joaquin," he grinned.

"Here is the mail, Patron." Joaquin handed over a few envelopes.

"Gracias," Diego took them as the vaquero bowed and exited the patio. "Letters for my father," he thumbed through them.

"No love letters? Your popularity is dwindling," Anna Maria teased as she stood.

Diego grinned as he walked back over to the tree. As he continued to look through the envelopes, he stopped with a surprised look, "Well, it looks like your popularity is increasing." He handed her a letter, "You're receiving mail."

Anna Maria took it and began to open it, "It must be father." When she opened it to read it, the color in her face drained instantly. Her face was ghost white.

Diego grew alarmed, "Is everything all right? Your father, he is not ill?"

Her fingers trembled a little, but she quickly lowered it to her side and forced a weak grin, "No, excuse me, Diego. I am a little tired." She ascended the stairs and shut the door.

Diego watched her until she disappeared into her room. It wasn't from her father. That was for sure. Something in that letter brought back Anna Maria's fear.

Diego hated what he was thinking. He couldn't. He shouldn't. It would be wrong.

Only this once.

He went into the sala, made sure no one was looking then entered the secret passageway. He rushed up to the second floor and quieted his footsteps as he approached the corridor that led to the secret entrance to the occupied guest room. He stopped. He really didn't want to pry. He felt like a peeping tom. But he had never seen her face become so ashen before. Something was bothering her and it had to do with that letter.

He carefully pulled the knot hole from the wall and shook his head before peering into the hole. He could see Anna Maria staring at the opened letter which laid on the bed. She looked around the room. Her fingers in knots. She looked into every shadowy corner. After a moment, she went to the bed, grabbed the letter and reread it.

As if it were a hot coal, Anna Maria threw the letter onto the bed and wiped her hands on her skirt. "This cannot be," she whispered. "It's hopeless," her voice broke. She covered her mouth to refrain from crying.

After a moment, Anna Maria reached out for the bedpost for support as her body hunched over and soft cries emitted behind her hand. She dropped to the bed. "What am I to do?"

Diego was alarmed. He wanted to fly to her side but knew that would be wrong. But one thing was for sure. Something was wrong. Very wrong. He wanted to help. He made sure that that night he would know the contents of that letter and why it caused her such turmoil.

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Diego went back to his room and changed his shirt before he descended the stairs to go to the sala. He found his father in the study sitting at his desk reading through his mail. Alejandro peered over his spectacles as his son approached, "I take it you just left the mail on the patio for me to eventually find?"

"I'm sorry, father."

Alejandro chuckled, "That's all right. I know you've had other things on your mind."

Diego sat on the edge of the desk, "At the present, I am quite concerned for Anna Maria."

Alejandro turned his chair around, "What is it, Diego?"

"Anna Maria received a letter in the mail today. Apparently it's contents terrified her."

"Terrified her?"

"Si."

"What did the letter say? Who was it from?"

Diego shook his head, "I do not know, she excused herself to her room. Father, have you noticed that she has not been quite herself?"

Alejandro sighed as he nodded, "I will have to admit that her behavior has not gone unnoticed. She has tried to hide it but there is something troubling her."

"Did her father say anything in his letter?"

Alejandro shook his head, "No, he just asked if we could watch over her for a while until he can make arrangements to arrive for his business sale."

"And what about her sudden arrival? Albeit it is a pleasant surprise, but it was completely without warning."

"What do you think, Diego?"

Diego chewed on his bottom lip, "I'm not sure yet."

Alejandro tossed the letter that was in his hand back on the desk, "Well, all we can hope is that she will tell us what is troubling her, sooner rather than later."

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At dinner, Diego half expected Anna Maria to be red eyed and crying when she entered the sala. In fact, it was the opposite. Anna Maria had freshened up and put a smile on her face. She was actually quite jovial. Her pleasant façade was too good. But Alejandro and Diego could tell as they ate dinner that she was burying her terror. Every door opening, every creak, every footstep did not go unaccounted for by Anna Maria.

At one point, Alejandro had exhaled in exasperation and was about to confront her at the table but Diego shook his head subtly and gave him a warning look. Alejandro relented and went on eating his roasted chicken.

After dinner, Diego and Anna Maria went out on the patio for their end of the evening routine. They leisurely talked, sipped wine and played a game of cards. As the night wore on, Diego was surprised at a yawn.

Anna Maria chuckled, "My visit has become a bore to you."

Diego excused himself, "No, not at all. You could never bore me."

"I am teasing. Go to bed. Please. I think I shall grab a good book and read in my room until I fall asleep." She went inside and into the library to find a book. She found Alejandro sitting by the fireplace, going over some papers. He had a cigar in one hand. He had just taken a sip of madeira when she walked in. "Excuse me, Don Alejandro. I am looking for a book to put me to sleep."

Alejandro grinned as he stood, "Not a problem, my dear," he gestured to the floor to ceiling shelves that were filled with books. "What kind of book do you wish to read?"

"I'm not sure. I have always enjoyed fiction."

Alejandro skimmed the binds of the books to find the right book. "Do you wish more drama or adventure?"

Anna Maria giggled, "You are too kind, Don Alejandro. Drama."

Alejandro found a book and pulled it from the shelf, "Ah, this one should hold your interest. I know Diego has read it many times," he stopped as he handed her the book. Her expression had changed to a more contemplative look. "Is something the matter?"

Anna Maria had a far away look on her face. When she realized she had not heard him, she shook her head back to the present, "Hmm? I'm sorry, Don Alejandro. What did you say?"

"I asked if there was something the matter. From the look on your face, you answered my question. Is there something wrong, my child?" He gently probed her.

Anna Maria took the book, "No. Gracias."

"Your father is in good health?"

"Of course. Stronger than ever. We sincerely appreciate your hospitality. Thank you for the book," she turned to start for the door.

Alejandro took a step back toward his desk, not wanting to force her to tell him anything she did not wish to divulge. When he took his step, the floorboards creaked.

Anna Maria spun around quickly with a terrified look on her face. When she realized it was the elder don who had made the noise, she half chuckled. "Excuse me, guess I'm tired."

Alejandro half-chuckled, wishing she would tell him what was troubling her, "This is an old house. It makes noises from time to time. Rest assured, you are safe," he tried to comfort her.

Anna Maria was about to leave before she paused, "Don Alejandro, I understand that Los Angeles has been governed under a just leader."

Alejandro frowned at such an odd statement, "Si, we have the occasional thief or swindle, but Commandante Raphael is a fair man. It has been quite the reprieve."

Anna Maria nodded a look of defeat on her face, "That is good to hear. So there hasn't been any need for additional help in the way of fighting for justice?"

Alejandro understood to whom she was referring, "There has not been much need for the outlaw Zorro but he is still seen on occasion."

Anna Maria nodded again with another look of hopelessness.

"I understand you and he have crossed paths."

"Si."

Alejandro paused a moment before taking her hand and asking, "Something is wrong. What is it?"

A flash of terror appeared in her eyes but was blinked away and replaced with a smile. She patted his hand, "Nothing. Gracias, Don Alejandro. Thank you for the book. I think I shall retire." She took her book and left.

Alejandro pursed his lips in thought. There was something wrong and if he could hazard a guess, she needed the help of the outlaw. The elder man went to the bookcase and pushed it to the side to reveal the secret passageway. He climbed the stairs and entered the chamber next to his son's bedroom. He paused a moment to hear if Diego was awake. When he heard mellow guitar strumming, he opened the door and entered his son's room.

Diego turned at the sound of the wall opening and stopped strumming. "Father. Not the usual way you enter my room," he spoke lightheartedly as he stood from his chair by the fireplace.

"Forgive me, my Son. But I thought it best given the nature of the matter at hand."

"What would that be?" Diego saw the concerned look on his father's face.

"I just had an interesting conversation with Anna Maria."

"Did she tell you what has been bothering her?"

"No, not really. But just now, she asked about Zorro."

Diego raised an eyebrow.

"I think she is in some kind of trouble to which she thinks only Zorro can help."