Happy Sunday, all! Poor Diego. He was so close to that kiss, wasn't he? -sigh- Darn Olivia and her clumsiness. :)

Perhaps that just means that it would be worth the wait then, right?

Anyway, here's a bit more to keep you satisfied until that happens.

Enjoy!

Linny

Chapter Nineteen

Diego strolled toward the taberna with a spring in his step. After his afternoon with Olivia the day before, he was seeing the world in a whole new light. Even if their kiss had been interrupted because of her clumsiness, he had still just enjoyed talking and being with her.

He wanted to see her again. He hadn't slept at the thought of needing to see her again.

Pausing at a stall, he purchased a gorgeous, fragrant bloom from a señorita selling flowers in the plaza. He tipped her generously before continuing on his set path. Before reaching for the door handle, he dusted off his jacket and slicked a hand through his hair. Then, he reached out.

"Diego," a voice called out to him.

He groaned in response and let his hand fall back to his side in defeat. So close.

Managing to put on the friendliest smile he could muster, he turned. Alfonso was tying up his horse to a hitching post which caught Diego's attention. Alfonso wasn't known to be much of a morning person, so he had to wonder what had brought him into the pueblo so early.

An internal battle ensued between Diego's curiosity and whatever it was about him that sought out Olivia again. Unfortunately, his curiosity won out. He could call on her any time, but to find out what had drawn the young Don into town so early, Diego would have to move now.

"Alfonso, my friend," he greeted with a smile. "It's good to see you again. What brings you into town this early?"

"I came to speak to the Capitán about Gilberto. Perhaps there is some information I could give him."

"That's very commendable of you, but I thought you didn't know any of the others." At least, that was what Alfonso had previously told him.

"I don't. But, I do remember their faces. I could give him a description. Surely someone must know who they are."

Diego considered his young friend's train of thought. "I don't see what it could hurt." He patted him firmly on the back. "Good luck." With that taken care of, now was Diego's chance to meet with Olivia. He turned back to the tavern but stopped when Alfonso continued speaking to him.

"Actually, Diego, I'm happy that I ran into you. Do you think you could accompany me? The Comandante seems to like you and you and your father are so respected around here. I could use your support."

Frowning again, Diego glanced at the flower he held and over toward the inn. "Oh, well, I had planned to do something this morning..." He wanted to surprise Olivia. Maybe see if she would like to go on a walk with him. Perhaps even continue the intense interlude from the day before.

"Hola, Diego," another voice entered the conversation. Turning, Diego saw Don Tomas pulling up in his surrey which was being pulled by two large Roans.

"Don Tomas," he greeted warmly. "What brings you out so early?"

"I'm taking Señorita Walker to meet with Don Francisco this morning." He set the brake and climbed down so that he could stand toe-to-toe with the younger men. "You know how he can be when it comes to dealing business. The earlier the better." He glanced toward Alfonso and nodded to him. "Good morning, young Alfonso."

"Good morning, Don Tomas," was his response, though he was beginning to seem nervous. Not because of Don Tomas, but it seemed the longer he waited to speak to the Comandante, the more his confidence dwindled.

"I certainly do. I hadn't realized the meeting was today, though."

"Sí. So, she told you about it, then?" That seemed to amuse the older man, though Diego didn't know why.

"Yes. She mentioned it yesterday." Diego felt Alfonso trying to slink off toward his horse to make his escape, but he reached out to grab for him. "I think I will accompany you when you go to speak to the Capitán."

A huge wave of relief washed over the younger man. "Oh, fantastic, Diego. Gracias."

Don Tomas dug out his watch from his pocket and checked the time. "If you will excuse me, I am on a tight schedule and I must fetch my companion."

"That won't be necessary," a soft voice interjected. Olivia was just stepping out of the door, clad in violet with a white lace shawl draped around her shoulders. "I was just finishing up breakfast when I saw you pull up."

"You look exquisite, my dear," Don Tomas said, grasping one of her hands and placing a kiss on it.

She smiled at him like he was the father she'd lost all those years ago and did a little twirl. "Thank you. Do I look unassuming and innocent?"

"Francisco won't know what hit him," the older man chuckled.

"Good morning, Diego," she finally greeted him, her tone warmer as her gaze settled upon him.

Her smile made him forget the rest of the world around him. "Good morning, Olivia."

"I didn't expect to see you this morning." Yet, thankfully, she didn't seem to be disappointed by it either.

"Actually, I came to see if you would like to walk with me this morning, but I see that you are already engaged in other matters." He didn't hide his disappointment from her.

"Oh, that would have been lovely. We should plan that for another day."

"I'd like that. But, I must say, if you really want to wow Don Francisco, I feel that something may be missing from your outfit."

"Oh?" She turned herself around and checked as if she would be able to see it for herself. She even felt at her neck to be certain she hadn't forgotten her necklace. But, that wasn't what he'd meant. "What could that be?"

"This." He lifted the bloom into her vision with a flourish. It was light pink in color. Coincidentally, it was almost the same shade as her dress.

"It's lovely." She accepted it from him and raised it to her nose. "Thank you." She looked like she wanted to do more than say thank you. Although, perhaps that was only wishful thinking on Diego's part.

"We'd better be off, my dear," Don Tomas told her softly yet he seemed disappointed he had to be the one to interrupt this moment between them.

"Of course. Diego, it was lovely to see you again." She smiled at him and her eyes held a hint of heat in them as they met his.

He smiled in response, feeling that same heat. "As it was you."

Standing by, he watched as Don Tomas helped her climb into the buggy and waited for them to be almost out of sight before turning to his nervous companion that was now shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Diego had forgotten Alfonso was there but played it off by patting the boy encouragingly on the back.

"Come on. Let's go see the Capitán."

"The señorita is certainly making a name for herself in Los Angeles," Alfonso commented. "After the deal she'd made with Don Tomas, even my father is interested in selling to her. Even more so now that Don Francisco is willing to meet with her."

Don Cristofer was one of, if not the most, frugal of the landowners. It wasn't that he didn't want to spend his money, but only that he would spend it on what was worth it. "If that isn't a glowing review, I don't know what is. I shall have to tell her the next time we meet."

"She is also very attractive. I wonder why she isn't married."

That was an excellent question. They had previously touched on it during a previous discussion, but they had never talked about why she was still unwed. He wondered if it would even be worth mentioning or if it would lead him to more disappointment.

"One of life's many mysteries, I suppose." They passed through the opened garrison gates and paused at the sight of the soldiers standing in formation in the center of the cuartel. Lieutenant Allende led the group who all looked physically and mentally exhausted. He paced the yard in front of them with his hands behind his back.

"Again," he barked the order while glaring at each man in turn.

The collection of tired soldiers groaned in response.

"Silence! You men are lazy and the more you complain, the longer we will be at this. So, I repeat, do it again."

With a grumbling murmur, each man collapsed onto the ground until they were laying flat on their bellies. A handful were able to push themselves back to their feet until they were once again standing at their full height. They then would fall back to the ground again and repeat the process a half dozen more times. Others weren't so lucky. Garcia had only been able to make it to his knees and Reyes was trying to help him to stand back up.

Allende audibly groaned in response. "I can't believe what I've been given to work with." He turned his gaze away from the humiliation in front of him to find Diego and Alfonso watching them. Diego caught the hint of a bandage hiding underneath his collar from where la Sombra had cut him. "Did you need something, señor? Or did you come to complain about a missing cow or some such nonsense?"

Diego tried to remain calm, but he wanted to wipe the sneer off of the Lieutenant's face. He was looking at them like they were something unsavory that had stuck to the bottom of his boot. "We were wondering if the Comandante was available? Don Alfonso and I have something we would like to discuss with him."

"He doesn't have time for your tedious bellyaching over whatever might have ruffled your perfectly pruned feathers. Come back some other time." He was purposely goading them on and Diego wasn't foolish enough to fall for it.

"It's something that has to do with Gilberto." Unfortunately, Alfonso was foolish enough.

Diego noted the way the Lieutenant's eyes narrowed in interest. "What do you know of that traitor?"

Alfonso was about to spill his guts, but Diego prevented him from doing so. "It is something we would like to discuss with the Capitán if you don't mind."

"It won't change the fact that he's dead."

"It also won't change the fact that he escaped his jail cell while on your watch," Diego shot back. He knew he shouldn't have let the officer get the better of him, but there was just something about the man that got his dander up. Mostly because he knew that he was plotting to do away with Olivia and Ramon, yet still didn't have any evidence to prove it.

His retort ruffled the officer's feathers, too. "I'd watch your tongue, señor. If you haven't heard, I'm quite the good shot. No matter your name or status, I would not hesitate to put a bu-"

"Lieutenant Allende." Captain Estevez stood on the top step of his office, a frown marring his youthful visage. "Is there a problem?"

Allende glared at Diego for a beat longer than necessary, but then looked away. "No problem, sir. I just felt that you shouldn't be bothered."

"Nonsense. Diego is a friend and I always make time for friends." The stern look Ramon shot the Lieutenant surprised Diego. He and Allende always seemed to be amicable with one another so to see this expression on Ramon's face was very telling.

"Aye, Capitán," the Lieutenant relented, eyeing both me as they were welcomed into the Comandante's office. A grin crossed his face as Alfonso focused on his white eye.

A look of horror had crossed the younger man's features.

Diego grabbed hold of his shoulders and gave him a slight shake. "Come on," he gently urged while settling a glare of his own upon Allende. "Good day, Lieutenant."

"De la Vega." Allende had turned back to the soldiers still in front of him. "Again," he barked.

The groans of exhaustion coming from every man in the garrison could be heard as the office door was shut.

"I apologize for how you were welcomed into my garrison, Diego. The Lieutenant and I have had a bit of a disagreement as of late." Ramon sighed exasperatedly as he urged his visitors into the chairs in front of his desk.

"Trouble in paradise?" Diego teased.

"If this were paradise, my cells would be empty and I would know if I could trust all of my men."

"What do you mean?" He was very interested in what was on Ramon's mind. What had the soldiers told him about the night Gilberto died?

"If only I could tell you, my friend. It's a military matter, is all."

So, Ramon didn't trust all of his men. Good. He shouldn't.

"So, I'm guessing this isn't a social call. Is there a reason why you needed to see me?"

"Sí. This is Don Alfonso Orellana," he gestured to his companion who looked petrified as he sat in his seat. He'd taken hold of the wooden arms of the chair, his knuckles pure white. "You may have been introduced to him or his father at our fiesta."

Ramon smiled kindly at the terrified young man, trying to show him that there was no need to fear him. "Of course. Your father was wondering what my plans were for stopping thievery in the plaza."

"That sounds like him. His purse was stolen a few months back. Luckily he doesn't like to walk around with a large amount. It was merely a few pesos."

"Still, I understand where he's coming from." Ramon poured himself a glass of brandy. "I gave him my reassurances that I would do my best to remedy the situation. Can I pour each of you a glass?"

"I feel like Alfonso is on edge enough and that alcohol won't ease his anxiety." Diego felt bad for teasing the boy, but he just looked so terrified that he couldn't help himself.

"Well observed," Ramon chuckled before sipping from his glass. "So, what is it that brings the two of you to see me this morning?" He perched himself on the edge of his desk and waited for Alfonso to speak.

"I... erm... Please understand Comandante, I didn't know the type of man Gilberto was until the day you arrived. I wasn't involved in any of it."

Ramon frowned in confusion and looked to Diego for an explanation. "I don't understand."

Diego wanted to explain for the boy but he knew he had to do it for himself. "Just go slow and tell him what you told me."

Alfonso nodded and drew in a deep breath. "The day you arrived, Gilberto took me to meet a group of others. He called them his friends." He rolled his eyes at the thought.

Ramon was now very interested in what the younger man had to say. He'd set his brandy aside and braced his hands on the edge of his desk as he leaned closer to listen better. "Go on."

"They didn't talk about their plans for that day, but they did talk about wanting California to prosper. But, to do that, then we should rise up against tyranny."

"So, I'm a tyrant now?"

"Oh I didn't mean-"

"Perhaps they meant it a different way," Diego suggested when it looked like poor Alfonso was seconds away from wetting himself.

"Perhaps," Ramon agreed. "What do you know of the others? Their names?

"No, I never heard any of their names, but I can give you a description."

Rising from his perch, Ramon quickly circled around the desk and began searching through his drawers. He produced a fresh sheet of parchment and reached for his quill pen. "Alright, then. Let's begin."