Chapter 5

Several days later...

"You have packed more than enough food for our trip, Consuela," Don Alejandro teased "Diego and I will be fine…"

"I want to make sure that both of you are well fed…Nothing is too good for my Diego…You will need some nourishment along the way."

"Thank you, Consuela," Diego kissed her on the cheek, "your food is the best in the territory…I hope you packed some of my favorite deserts…"

"I did and some of your other favorite foods."

Don Alejandro was used to the affectionate playful banter between the two of them. The cook had been with them since Diego was a child and she thought of him as her own. The interaction between them was real and the feelings mutual…"It is about time we got ready to leave. Juan will be in charge while we are away."

"Felipe…take care of yourself while we are gone. I will bring you back something from Monterrey," Diego smiled, "I will miss you…"

"It is not like we will be gone forever, son. We need to be on our way," Don Alejandro said as he got into the wagon, "Jose will be in charge of things while we are away…"

Felipe waved as the two men left the hacienda headed to Monterrey. I hope their trip will be a success. Los Angeles needs a better alcalde and maybe Diego can live in peace…

Outside Santa Paula...

"Diego, we're riding into a storm," Alejandro looked at the darkening sky, "we need to find someplace to stay for the night."

"There's an old abandoned windmill about a mile up that way," his son pointed to his right, "we can make it there before the storm hits."

"It's getting worse out there. The carriage and the horses are safely inside the barn, Father," Diego said, "I am glad that we bought these blankets. It will keep us warm for the night."

"This is like old times…Remember the cattle drives with the men…Those were good times," Don Alejandro unpacked some of the food that Consuela had prepared, "how did you find this place, son?"

"One of the many perks of being Zorro, Father? I needed a place to hide or even get away from it all."

"It can't be easy living a double life…having to keep part of yourself hidden from those you love…you can always talk to me…if you need me. Felipe is a great help to you, but he is too young to carry that burden," the old don said as he stared into the fire, "let me help you…"

Diego and Alejandro ate their food thoughtfully. "Having the benefit of your experience will help. I…I have always needed you, Father. Being Zorro…keeping the secret has built a wall between us…"

"We.. the caballeros..allowed Luis Ramon to intimidate us...to let Zorro fight our battles for us."

"Do you believe that the Governor will listen…that he will finally do something," Diego sighed, "the man seems unconcerned about Los Angeles."

"Whatever the reason is…we will find out when we get to Monterrey. It is time for a change not just for the people of Los Angeles but for you, son."

"Father, this is not about me…It is about the people…with great wealth comes great responsibility…"

"I understand that but I don't want you to spend the rest of your life fighting as Zorro," Don Alejandro stated, "I want you to live the life that you were meant to…whether it's running the hacienda someday…using your interests and ideas to make it more profitable…to leave it as an inheritance for your children someday."

"I…I had not thought that fair ahead when I donned the mask," Diego admitted, "I only thought of rescuing you and Victoria."

"I know that, son and you can use your skills to help the pueblo. Your mother and I thought that we would have a lifetime together…I don't want you to miss out on the laughter and joy that a family with one special woman would bring," Alejandro admitted, "you deserve some happiness."

"I know, Father...when peace comes to Los Angeles…One day, Zorro will no longer be needed. When that day comes…I will settle down and provide you with grandchildren."

"That is good to know, son. Since you are Zorro, then I suppose your heart is settled on Victoria," he teased, "or perhaps, some other fortunate woman…"

"You know perfectly well who my heart is settled on," Diego smirked, "we have flirted but...I would like to get to know her even better."

"You are friends and the attraction is there. Do you doubt her feelings for you?"

"Maybe, she was attracted to me when I returned from Spain but then Zorro appeared, and things changed…I made the mistake of flirting with her as my alter ego. Perhaps, to protect myself…I don't know…"

"Why would you need to protect yourself? From Victoria? From any woman? Have you been hurt, Diego? What happened to you at the University?"

"I was engaged to...to Zafira…we were supposed to marry but she never showed up for our wedding. I never learned why," Diego admitted, "when I came home…I saw Victoria after so many years and I felt an immediate attraction."

"Oh son. I am sorry that you had to go through that but maybe, Zafira was not the woman for you…If she really loved you, then she should have shown up or at least, contacted you…but to leave you at the altar," he stated emotionally, "that woman didn't deserve you…"

"Wherever she is...I hope that she is happy...Zafira was not the right woman for me...I know that now," Diego admitted, "when I saw Victoria again...I knew that my heart was lost."

"I approve of your choice, Diego and my prayer is that she will feel the same way whether you are Zorro or not."