Chapter Five


The Stairway And Love


During breakfast they all chatted about the weather and the harvesting that was going on all over Mexico. When ever Senior Andres moved his arms Catrina could see he had large muscles but the way he talked about his life and such he gave the impression that he had never worked a day in his life.


Presently Catrina's stepfather stood up and said that he and her mother and sisters where going into town. Padre, Catrina's brother said that he was staying at the ranch to continue with the training of his horse for the bull fights that would be held in spring. He invited Senior Andres to come with him. Senior Andres asked Catrina if she was coming to watch. She said she was as she didn't feel like going to town today. So after securing the information that Catrina would be there he excepted Padre's invitation.


The persons going to town all left right after breakfast. In fact they went right from the table to the carriage. Padre, Ramon, as he insisted they call him, and Catrina went down to the stables. Padre brushed his horse and then saddled and bridled him. After taking him around the coral at a walk, trot then canter he went on with the training. Ramon and Catrina went to some trees and sat in the shade under them. She had brought a black parasol with her and now opened it with a comment on the how hot it already was today. Ramon offered to bring her a glass of water but she declined saying that she was fine.


They soon began talking about horses and found that they had at least that in common. Catrina said that she preferred pretty little chestnuts while Ramon preferred bays. He said that on his ranch he had over one hundred horses. Catrina replied and they were off on horses from there.


After a bit Catrina excused herself saying she wanted to go rest a bit before lunch. Really she wanted to go on a walk by herself so she could sort out her feelings about Ramon. He excepted the fib and asked when he would see her again. Probably at dinner she said. As she walked toward the house she didn't see the admiring eyes of Ramon that followed her.


She turned off on a path just before she reached the house. The trees were starting to change color but she didn't notice as she was lost in thought. Ramon was charming

but..... but what? She wasn't sure. It was just something. He certainly was handsome but of course, looks aren't everything. He was kind and attentive, also he seemed to like her. She sighed. "I don't want to think of this now." She thought. "I need to think of a way to get that necklace back." She had come to a stairway and now she climbed it. Suddenly she heard a sound behind her. She whirled around to see what it was and in doing so she caught the toe of her shoe in a crack and went head first down the stairs of which she had just climbed. As she was falling she felt strong arms seize her and stop her decent. She looked down at them, they were not clad in black. She looked up and saw Ramon looking down at her.


"Are you all right?" He demanded.


"Yes." She said. "Thank you. I could have broken my neck."


"Yes, I know." He said. She notice he was still holding her tightly. She gently pulled away from him and patted her hair.


"How did you come to be here?" She asked. He looked ashamed.


"I confess," He said "I followed you."


"Why?" She questioned. He turned and looked straight at her.


"Because I love you." He said. She blushed and looked away.


"Sir, I...... We've just met." He turned her around to face him.


"I know and I'm madly in love!" He pulled her to himself and put his arms around her. She knew she should pull away but strangely enough, she didn't want to. He leaned down as though to kiss her. Suddenly she thought of Zorro.


"Please stop!" She cried and tried to push him away. And as the gentleman he was, Ramon let go of her.


"I'm sorry." He said. "I just... your so beautiful."


"It's all right, Sir. Thank you." She said and with that she clutched her skirt and hurriedly ran up the rest of the stairs and down the path.