Chapter 17

Ramon and Aria walked through the plaza stopping from vendor to vendor admiring their wares. The dons were polite and of course, Mendoza was generous in his treatment of the woman. The only objections came from Senoras Espinoza and Hernandez. They were very displeased with Ramon's choice of companion and did not mind showing it...

"Ramon, you should be careful about the company you keep."

"And exactly how is that your business, Senora Espinoza?"

"I hate to see you ruin your life. Such riffraff do not deserve such attention or compassion. She should go back to Europe where she belongs and not be allowed to live among decent people. She is a common trollop. Since she could not succeed with Don Diego, she has set her sights on you."

"This is no trial and you are not my judges. God will be my judge."

"Are you going to stand there and let this woman insult us?"

"You should mind you own business."

The Tavern...

"Good afternoon, Senor de la Vega. Is there anything I can get for you?"

"Nothing yet but may I have a word with you, Senorita Escalante?"

I hope they settle things between them, Mendoza thought.

"Let them alone, Sergeant," DeSoto smirked, "As much as I would like to stay and view this entertaining spectacle, we have other matters to attend to."

"What is so important that you had to interrupt important business, Don Diego?"

"We need to settle things between us."

"Is this Diego de la Vega showing some back bone?" The innkeeper wanted to get a rise out of him and he knew it.

I will not lose my temper. "Aren't you the one who is always challenging me to do more?"

"I thought that we were past that, Diego."

"Sometimes, I wonder," he sighed. "If you don't get your rash temperament under control, you will alienate all the people you love and that includes Ramon!"

"My brother loves me. He may not always agree with me but we are Escalantes."

"He loves you but he loves Aria more. Do not force him to choose, Victoria."

"You are the most infuriating man sometimes!"

"I don't agree with you all the time but you will not lead me by the nose! Your unwillingness to change is the issue and not Aria! I am tired of this animosity between the two of you. I love your kindness, compassion and generous nature but you must compromise," Diego was frustrated with Victoria's stubbornness.

"You say you love me but you cannot understand my point of view."

"I will not turn my back on what I believe even for you! I hope you come to your senses, soon."

"And if I don't?"

"I support Ramon. He is my friend, I can do nothing less."

"Even if it puts us on opposite sides."

"Si," he whispered.

The Guardian...

"What is bothering you, Diego?" Ramon watched Diego set the type. Diego and Victoria had barely spoken over the past several days and it bothered him. "My sister is still a little annoyed with you."

"Annoyed? She is so set in her ways that she cannot see that she is hurting everyone including herself..."

"I shudder to think what will happen when Victoria finds about our little confrontation, it may become even worse."

"What did the ladies and I use the term loosely say this time?"

"The usual thing... Aria and I can work through whatever difficulties we may have."

At least, one couple seems to have a bright future...

"My relationship with Aria has caused tension between the two of you. I never meant for any of this to happen. Things will work out between the two of you, Diego. My sister loves you...she will come around," Ramon encouraged, "I will let you get back to your work, Diego." Someone needs to knock some sense into the two of them …

ZZZ

Later that afternoon, Ramon decided to talk to his sister. She had probably heard about the incident and he knew that it would be a source of contention. It hurt to see Diego and Victoria at odds. They were made for each other and needed to reconcile their differences. "We need to talk."

"I know that we have been at odds these past few days, Ramon but I have always had my own opinions. I do not expect to change overnight."

"Will you stop for a minute little sister, and look at me?"

"Alright, Ramon. I am listening."

"Trust me and respect my choice. I disagreed with your choice of Zorro but I did not interfere. Zorro is an outlaw but I accepted it because I love you. I trusted your judgment and I expect you to trust mine...We are brother and sister not opponents."

"Why do you feel so strongly about Aria? What is it about her? Is it love or pity? She has been nothing but trouble since she arrived. She does not deserve a man like you."

"I enjoy spending time with her. I love her... Is that so hard to understand? Why do you dislike her so much?"

"She has a past. I made sacrifices to make this tavern a success but there are some things that I will not do."

"You had the support of the de la Vegas which is more than what Aria had. You sound like Senora Rodriguez..."

"Mendoza told me about your little run in with the senoras. Why can't you see that Aria is not good enough for you?"

"I can handle them, little sister but I don't want to live my life without Aria! You have a man who worships the ground you walk on. Wake up or you will lose him. Whether you support me or not will have no effect on my relationship with Aria. I am in love her and that will never change. Adios."