Happy Sunday, all! I've loved reading your comments. They've definitely helped me try to make this the best that it could possibly be. Especially when you tell me just how much you are enjoying it. It means a lot.

But now that Olivia seems to be off the hook, I think it's time for her and Diego to spend some more time together, don't you?

Enjoy!

Linny

Chapter Eighteen

The day was relatively warm, but they had found the perfect spot for their picnic. They set up on a hill that overlooked a pond surrounded by a grove of lush trees that promised more than adequate shade from the blazing sun.

A soft blanket had been set out beneath a large oak tree and an exorbitant amount of food sat before them; far too much for only two people, for certain. The two of them had stretched out, taking in as much food as they dared while their two silent chaperones gave them space and were still able to keep a watchful eye on them as well.

A separate blanket had been set out for Emily and Bernardo adjacent to them. She was focused on stitching up the seam of a piece of white fabric; a handkerchief or perhaps a stocking. She spared them a glance every few moments or so, but paid them little mind, in the end. He had brought along his guitar, but he hadn't yet begun to play it. Instead, he had pulled out his knife and a piece of wood that he had been whittling with over the past week. Something was beginning to take shape, but Diego couldn't even begin to discern what it was that he was making.

"This is a beautiful spot," Olivia complimented as her eyes roamed over the rolling hillside just opposite their perch.

Diego turned his attention back to her and nodded in agreement. "Gracias. I used to play in this spot constantly when I was a boy. It used to be my favorite place." The trees had changed a great deal over the years, but the water was still clear and blue. The sight was breathtaking when the sun glistened off of it just right.

"I can see why."

"I'm glad that I could share this place with you, Olivia." Diego bit into one of the orange slices on his plate. He was far beyond satiated, but the cool, sweet juice was a balm from the heat of the afternoon. Summer was coming and that meant much warmer days and even warmer nights.

"Me too." She set her plate aside and stretched her legs out in front of her, a comfortable silence falling between them.

Diego glanced toward her and watched as she settled her head against the trunk of the tree, letting her eyes drift closed. She looked so serene and the sight made a pit form in his stomach. Someone still wanted her dead. He didn't know what he would do if they were to succeed.

She opened her eyes again a moment later, catching sight of his gaze. Curious, she tilted her head toward him. "What?"

Shaking his head to hide his inner torture, he cleared his throat. "Nothing. I was just lost in thought, I suppose."

The sudden furrow of her brow told him that she didn't completely believe him, but thankfully, she decided not to comment. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you; Don Tomas introduced me to a few of the other Dons." She picked up the last of her roll and spread a hint of butter onto it.

"And how did that go?" Diego knew what some of the Dons were like. They were usually so set in their ways. There weren't many that would willingly do business with a woman.

She shrugged before taking a bite. "Fine, I suppose. You would think the thought of money would have swayed them more to my offer. But, I think only two or three took the bait." She didn't seem too put out by that, but he had the feeling that their rejection of her had stung quite a bit.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I do remember overhearing Don Tomas speaking to Don Francisco about you at the party."

"What did he say?" She seemed uneasy about the fact that she'd been talked about without her knowledge; a bit embarrassed even.

Diego was quick to assuage her worry. "Well, with the way he talked you up, I would have easily jumped at the chance to do business with you." Among other things.

Olivia grimaced as if she'd suddenly gotten a bad taste in her mouth. Diego frowned at her reaction. "I'm sorry, Diego, but I could never take you up on it. I try not to do business with friends. Things always end badly."

He wondered what kind of story was behind her hesitation, though he couldn't exactly fault her. "I couldn't agree more. It was a mantra my father had instilled upon me since I was a boy."

"Mine too." Their gazes connected for a brief moment, that familiar spark of energy radiating between them. She looked away first. "I believe he did say that Don Francisco was interested. Along with Don Emiliano."

He didn't like the fact that she always seemed to pull away from him, though, at the fiesta, she had seemed almost willing to receive a kiss from him. He would give everything he had to know what was going on inside her mind. Still, if it was either space or time that she needed, he would give it to her.

Diego pictured both of the Dons in his mind. Don Francisco was older and more stuck in his ways. His hacienda had been around almost as long as the de la Vega rancho. He would be a harsh negotiator. Don Emiliano was about ten years older than Diego. His father had started from basically nothing, but now they grew some of the finest lemons in the province while also caring for a rather large herd. He was more on the progressive side but had a good eye for business. "Two fine choices. I don't think it would be very difficult to swing either of them into your good graces." She was as harsh of a negotiator as they were, after all.

"I'm glad you think so. And I appreciate everything you've done for me ever since I arrived." She sipped at a goblet that was filled only a quarter of the way up with wine; The de la Vega's own vintage. "It has made my task all the easier."

"That makes me sad," he told her, solemnly as he drank from his cup.

Her expression shifted to one of confusion. "Oh? I thought you would be happy for me."

"I am," he smiled, though he could feel how false it must look to her. "It's just that, the quicker you are finished with your task, the quicker you will return home." They were only beginning to get to know one another. It wasn't fair that she could be leaving so soon.

"Yes, but even then, I hope we would remain in contact. I would so enjoy reading of the things happening in your life; along with Zorro's continuing exploits."

His brow furrowed with confusion at the mention of the outlaw. "I was unaware that he interested you so."

"Oh, I find him absolutely fascinating. I wonder what drives him to do the things he does."

"I suppose it is for the good of the people," he explained simply. He knew he sounded despondent; after all, his alter ego had gained the attention of yet another fair señorita, which left him to remain in the dust.

"Yes, I get that. The Sergeant and Corporal have both regaled me with tales about him and in each one, he was trying to help someone. What do you know about him, Diego?"

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Of course, the outlaw would have caught her attention. That was usually the case when Diego found himself interested in a woman. "Not very much, really. Only what I've heard through word-of-mouth. I understand that he is quite popular with the señoritas."

"I do not doubt that."

"Oh?" he wondered, yet still feeling a bit disillusioned. The way she was talking about Zorro wasn't the same as when other señoritas spoke of him. Olivia talked about Zorro like he was a novelty, not that he would sweep in and carry her off into her happily-ever-after.

"Of course, he would be, wouldn't he? He is brave and exciting. Strong and courageous. A woman would have to be out of her mind to not find a man like him alluring. And yet..." she trailed off, shaking her head as if her thoughts were silly. "Nevermind."

"No, please continue. I am very interested in what you have to say." And he was. More so about this than any other topic they could ever discuss.

"It's just... I feel like his life would be quite lonely. Everyone relies on him to take care of them, but who takes care of him? Does he have anyone to go home to? Anyone who could love him for him?"

Her thoughts were very deep and they took him by surprise. It was like she was staring deep into his soul and reading what was written in his heart. Those were the very things he longed for and wondered if he would ever find them. "I'm sure he must. After all, the entire pueblo loves him."

"But, that's not the same in the end, is it? That isn't real love that comes from here," she placed a hand over her heart, "but something more akin to adoration. Don't you think? Certainly, the people of Los Angeles love him for what he does for them, but not for who he is."

"Isn't that the same thing?" he questioned.

She shrugged, "In a way, I suppose."

"And what about you? Do you think you would be able to love a man like that?"

"And constantly wonder if he was coming home alive? I'm not so sure. Personally, I value brains more than brawn. A man who is out to change the world with his words is far more alluring to me." Her gaze settled on his as she said that. Again, she was trying to say so much more than she ever could with words.

"And if he was to be a complete pacifist?"

A small smirk lifted one side of her mouth. "As long as he had a good head on his shoulders and respected others, then I suppose I could give him a chance."

Diego smiled in response as his eyes remained on hers. The energy sparking between them was now more intense; almost to the point of implosion. He had to look away. Carefully, he climbed to his feet, though his limbs felt as heavy as lead. He needed to move, though, or else he would succumb to his urges. "Shall we take a walk by the water?"

She looked at the hand he offered to her and her smile widened. "That sounds wonderful." She firmly grasped his hand, which allowed him to swiftly pulled her to her feet. She giggled in response as she was lifted a few inches off of the ground, landing on her feet. It was a sound that he would never tire of.

Looping their arms together, she let him lead the way. Easing their way down the slope of the hill, they were both careful not to slip and fall as they moved closer toward the water.

He plucked a twig from a nearby tree and twirled it between his fingers. "I hope that I'm not being too forward in saying this, but I am happy that I met you, Olivia."

She smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling in the sunlight. "I'm happy that I met you too. And Diego, please. We are friends. Don't hold back. You can ask or tell me anything. I won't be offended. I promise."

He couldn't remember ever feeling this sort of intimate connection before. There was just something about Olivia that made him want to tell her everything. Every deep, dark secret. Would she judge him, he wondered. After their conversation about Zorro, he couldn't be certain. "That's good to know."

They walked in comfortable silence for a bit. The pond was quite large; it was more of a small lake. They could see fish just under the surface, scuttling about while waterfowl floated lazily above them. It was a serene scene that made Diego realize just how alone they were at the moment.

She seemed to realize it too, but instead of blushing or shying away in response, she seemed to grow bolder. "I'm glad we've gotten this chance to be alone. Our dance was so prematurely disrupted the other night. And I had been so enjoying myself, too."

"I had been as well." He swallowed thickly as he thought about the way her breath had danced across his cheek that evening. His lips had been so close to hers. "It is a shame it had been interrupted." They stopped underneath a large, shady maple tree with roots so large that they were sticking up above ground.

"Such a shame," she repeated as their eyes once again connected.

A bolt of pure energy shot directly down Diego's spine at the way she looked at him. They weren't so far away from their chaperones because they could hear Bernardo beginning to strum away at his guitar. It was faint to their ears, but it was like the melody was floating on the wind.

"What do you say we pick up where we left off?" He eased away from her, holding out his palm toward her.

She instantly took it and stepped toward him. "That sounds like a fabulous idea."

They didn't speak for a few moments as they listened to Bernardo's song; they only moved along with the tune. Olivia moved in closer to him until her head could rest on his shoulder. Her flowery scent reached his nostrils, teasing him with its delicate scent.

Diego felt his heart skip a beat at the thought that she felt comfortable enough and trusted him enough to be so close to him. It was an overwhelming feeling, yet he didn't hesitate to place a hand flat on her back as he held the other as tight as he dared.

"This is nice," she whispered. She sounded exhausted, but when she looked up at him, she didn't look it.

"It is." Diego wrapped his arms tighter around her, hugging her tight.

They stayed like that for a few beats more before she eased away. "Forgive me, Diego. I just got lost in the moment." She turned her face away from him, but he could swear that he'd seen tears in her eyes. They weren't there when she turned back toward him.

"You don't have to apologize. I enjoyed it as much as you." He took hold of her hands again, cradling each one in his palms. "I'll admit, I find myself drawn to you, Olivia. I wish I could explain it, but I can't." He took a step forward and she took a step back; not to distance herself from him, but because he was directing her farther under the shade of the tree.

"I feel it too," she told him and her revelation surprised him. Her expression less so. She looked upset at the way she felt, but it wasn't at him. No, she was angry at herself that she had allowed him to get so close. But this time, she didn't pull away.

"You do?" The sweet feeling of relief washed over him with her simple nod. Of their own accord, his thumbs tenderly brushed against the soft flesh of her wrists. Her hand went to his sides, where her fingers would grasp hold of his jacket as they took another step.

His dexterous fingers slowly continued their arduous crawl up her arms, her light and billowy sleeves following suit. Her skin was so soft and so smooth that he had to wonder what the rest of it would feel like under his touch.

"Olivia," he whispered her name as his lips inched toward hers. His eyes had fallen into slits as they focused only on their goal. Her lips were pink and supple. He wondered how they would taste. His guess was sweet and delicious.

Pulling in a deep breath, he finally moved to bridge the gap. But, suddenly, there was no other side of the gap.

With a surprised "Oh!", she suddenly vanished from view. Stunned, Diego couldn't process what had just happened. Then he heard her laughter.

Looking down, she was perched on top of one of the tree roots, tears streaming from her eyes as she tried to fight back her amusement.

"Are you alright?" he asked, still very stunned and confused by what had just happened. Kneeling down to her level, he studied her. She could barely speak because she was still laughing. "Are you hurt?" he asked again.

She shook her head as she gasped for air. "I'm fine, though I believe my pride might be a bit bruised."

"What happened?" He felt the stirrings of laughter bubbling up inside of him now, yet still very confused.

"I couldn't see where I was going, so I tripped on a root." She winced as she tried to get up. "My landing was not very graceful, though." She whimpered as Diego helped her back to her feet. Her hand immediately went to her backside. "Ow." She rubbed at the offending spot and began to hobble away from him. "Perhaps it would be best if we continue our walk."

Sighing, he nodded in agreement. Another moment between them was ruined. Diego was beginning to wonder if it was the universe trying to tell him something. After all, she would be leaving soon. It was probably best if they didn't get too attached. "Of course." He settled a hand at the small of her back and gently steered her toward the water's edge where they would continue to talk until it was time to head home.