Chapter Forty-One
Dawn was breaking when Sergeant Garcia arrived. The fire had been fully extinguished and now all that was left was smoke and ash.
Don Alejandro looked on at his home with sadness in his heart. Everything his family had achieved and had worked so hard for had been taken away in an instant. The library had held a lot of memories for him. As a child, it was where his father had worked hard to build up a life that his son could be proud of. As an adult, it was where he had done much the same. He had continued on the legacy that his father had begun so that one day, Alejandro might pass it on to his own son.
Now it was all gone.
But, at least the memories could remain.
While those who had assisted in putting out the fire rested, he and Diego had begun to examine the damage and tried to determine what they could salvage. Diego had only broken away when the soldiers began to arrive.
The library was destroyed. Though—thankfully—it hadn't held any of the important household records for some time. As soon as Diego had revealed the secret passages to him, they had decided the secret room was the best place to keep such things. There, they would be protected from such incidences like this or from prying eyes in instances like when the Eagle had claimed the house as his own.
The secret passage had been untouched by the flames, thank goodness. The walls inside merely held smoke residue which could be taken away with a good scrub and a fresh coat of paint. He slid the bookcase closed before he allowed any of the servants inside to clear away whatever else was ruined. Sadly, there was a lot more than he would have liked.
Most of the books were gone. As was a great deal of the furniture. The collapsed wall that used to connect to the sala had prevented the blaze from spreading to any of the other lower rooms. The room above—his bedroom—was mostly still intact, though the floor would have to be completely replaced once new support beams were put in down below. He would have to sleep elsewhere until the repairs were finished.
It was a small thing in the grand scheme of things. In the matter of one evening, he could have lost his own life, the life of his son, and the home he had known for so many years. But, he hadn't. He was still alive. Diego was injured, but still breathing. The house could only be improved on.
"Don Alejandro," a soft voice called his name. He turned to find Olivia standing behind him. She had changed out of the bloody clothes she had been wearing and had washed the soot from her skin. Physically, she looked much better than she had when she'd been pulled from the house.
However, she looked guilty as she began to approach him. Seeing as though she had broken the cane she had borrowed from him, she moved slowly as she limped toward him. With the single gesture of him lifting one hand to make her pause, he walked towards her.
She did as he requested and continued to stand there, wringing her hands nervously together as she anticipated his approach. It suddenly struck him how young she truly was. She was nearly the same age as Diego. While some could see that as being fully grown, she still had so much more of her life ahead of her to have had it filled with so much turmoil.
He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder. "My dear, you should be resting." With her injury and the entire ordeal she had been in, she shouldn't be on her feet.
She shook her head and fought against a shiver that began to race through her entire body. "I can't. Every time I try to relax, I keep seeing his face in my mind." He gave her a squeeze that he hoped offered her just a little bit more comfort. He wanted to do more, though he wasn't certain that she would accept it. It was probably best to give her some space.
"I wanted to apologize to you."
He quickly shook his head at her apology. There was no reason for it. "You have nothing to apologize for. You didn't do this. He did."
"But, if it hadn't been for me, he never would have come here. And your home would..." she trailed off as she became overwhelmed with guilt. "I just wouldn't blame you for being angry at me."
Oh, he was angry. But not for the reason she believed. The poor girl had been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders ever since her arrival. She'd believed that she had to be the only one to carry the burden to protect everyone else. But, while she had been focusing on everyone else, there was one person she had neglected to account for. Herself. That was unforgivable in his eyes.
"Listen here," he now spoke firmly to her so she would stop all of the nonsense she was saying. Diego had informed him that she had been blaming herself for everything that had happened. He hadn't truly expected that it was to such an extreme extent. He just couldn't allow that. "I don't blame you for any of this. All of this," he motioned around them, "they are just things, Olivia. They can be replaced. You cannot."
During their time together, he had become quite attached to her. She was witty and intelligent. And she was kind and considerate. But, she was also stubborn and obstinate. With her bravery on top of it all, she was an amazing woman in his eyes.
And she had managed to capture Diego's heart as well. That alone put her on the top of his list of favorite people in the world.
"I just meant..."
He stopped her protest by wrapping her up in a warm, reassuring embrace. She seemed surprised at first, but then she softened in his arms. It was like a switch had been flipped in her mind. Suddenly, her arms flung around him as she buried her face in his chest and began to cry the most heart-wrenching sobs he had ever heard.
He just stood there and allowed it to happen. She had been hurting for so long and had probably forgotten what the feeling of unconditional love had felt like. She had lost her parents far too young and he could only imagine that she missed that comfort greatly. He hoped that she would be willing to turn to him if the need ever arose.
"You know," he began as her sobs started to turn to hiccups. He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and tenderly wiped at her tears. She seemed surprised by the caring action and almost teared up again. "I was never lucky enough to have a daughter, but I would be honored if you would consider me as a father to you."
Those words made her cry again. "I would like that," she sniffled and hugged him tighter than she had the first time. The gesture made him chuckle with fatherly affection. She may not have been his daughter by birth, but he would also consider her as his daughter by right.
"Come now, mija. Let's sit you down so you can rest that leg." Patting her gently on the back, he waited for her to ease away from his chest. He allowed her to lean into him as he led her out of the ruined library.
Sergeant Garcia looked grim as he led a small band of men to the hacienda. Corporal Reyes rode beside him and two of William's men followed behind them with a wagon. All four men were sporting injuries from the night before and looked worn to the bone.
"Buenos días, gentlemen," Diego greeted them solemnly once they had all unloaded to meet with him. Diego had recently changed out of his nightclothes and into his comfortable brown suit, sans the jacket and neck scarf he usually wore. He had rolled the sleeves up to his elbows while he had been assisting his father in the ruined library, but the front of his white shirt hadn't been able to avoid being smeared with dark patches of soot.
"Buenos días, Don Diego," Garcia spoke solemnly to his friend as he removed his sombrero and held it in his hands. "Your man, Armand told me that it was urgent that we come. That someone has died?"
"Sí. Follow me." Diego led them to where the body still lay. "What else did he tell you?"
"He mentioned a fire and he said something about Señorita Olivia, but he wasn't too clear on her involvement."
"I see." It was better that way, Diego figured. They all approached the figure covered in the white sheet.
It was the Sergeant who stepped up to take a look at the man lying underneath it. He gasped in utter shock when he saw who it was. "Lieutenant Allende?"
"No," said one of the Marshals as he knelt beside the body and took a look at that milky white eye of his. "The Chameleon." He then looked up at Diego in question. "You did this, señor?"
Diego shook his head. "No." He couldn't tell this man the truth. He didn't need to know all of the gory details about how The Chameleon had come to his house in the middle of the night intending to kill the entire household, only to be stopped by a woman. It was best to keep things as vague as possible. "We believe he intended to start a fire in the library, but ended up getting caught in his own trap. The ceiling ended up collapsing and he hadn't been able to get out in time."
It was enough of the truth, but not enough to tell them what had actually happened. It was better this way.
"And everyone managed to get to safety?" Garcia questioned, fearfully.
Diego nodded. "Yes. With minor injuries as well, I assure you."
The larger man blew out a sigh of relief and instantly relaxed. "That is good."
"Sergeant, we had better get back to the cuartel. Señor Walker will be waiting for us," Reyes spoke up.
"Oh, yes. That is right."
"I'm surprised he didn't come with you." Diego had been anticipating his frantic arrival to check on his sister. It seemed odd that he hadn't been the one leading the pack.
"He unfortunately was unable to come. Certain matters forced him to remain back in the cuartel."
"Not more bad news, I hope?" What else had happened last night?
"Let's just say that our night was just as sleepless as yours, Don Diego," was all Garcia would supply him with. It wasn't like him to be so tight-lipped. For him to be unwilling to speak about it must mean that it was very bad.
Unfortunately, bad news seemed to spread about the district a great deal faster than good news. He would find out in due time. Perhaps by then, it wouldn't seem so bad, even.
"I see. Well, I shouldn't keep you much longer. I'll help you get him loaded up."
"Gracias, Don Diego," the Sergeant nodded before placing his sombrero back on his head.
One of the Marshals brought the wagon closer and the five of them all worked together to get the body onto it. Diego couldn't help but notice that all eyes were on them until the moment the wagon was back in motion. He hadn't realized at first how quiet it had suddenly become. No one spoke. No one moved. All around them, everyone simply watched until the body disappeared from view.
The Marshals didn't want to linger, so Corporal Reyes led the way back to the pueblo.
Diego didn't protest. The longer the body of that murderer remained on the premises, the darker the shroud it placed over his home. He was glad to be rid of it.
The Sergeant remained behind, though. Which pleased Diego. He had questions and he only hoped that his friend could answer him.
"There's one thing that confuses me, Sergeant."
"What is that, Don Diego?"
"How did The Chameleon escape your custody? My father said that he had been isolated and chained up before he left."
"I am sorry, Don Diego," the Sergeant was genuinely apologizing to him like it was all his fault. "We were caught unaware and we paid dearly for it."
Diego frowned at that half-attempted explanation. "I don't understand."
Garcia looked like he desperately wanted to tell Diego everything, but he had either been told not to say anything or just couldn't find the words. Sometimes, it was difficult to tell the difference. "I hope the señorita is not hurt too badly?" he asked instead.
Resigning to the fact that he was not going to glean any information this morning, Diego nodded his head in her direction. His father was helping her to get settle down on a picnic blanket underneath a nearby tree. "She will be fine."
Once it had been safe to return to what normal operations they could, the kitchen staff had gotten to work on preparing a hearty meal for those involved in the cleanup. Their cook had enjoyed the fact that Olivia was not one to shy away from food and had cooked up a few of her favorites for her as well.
It was to help her recover, she had informed Diego when he questioned the amount they were making for her. From what he had seen, the servants were looking to feed her for an entire month, if not more.
Glancing over his shoulder, he watched the way his father continued to interact with her. Practically an hour ago, she had been terrified to speak to him. She had been fearing that he would end up blaming her for everything that had happened. Thankfully, it seemed like something had passed between them and now they were sitting together under that tree. He said something to make her smile. It was genuine and heartrendingly beautiful.
It did Diego's heart good to see it after the intensity of their previous conversation.
The Sergeant followed his gaze, after which a smile bloomed to life on his features. He had relaxed again. "That is good. She is very lucky to have..." he trailed off as he instantly regretted what he was about to say.
Diego knew what he was about to say, though. And he couldn't agree more. "It's alright, Sergeant. You can say it. She is very lucky to be alive." He could say it because it was the truth. She was very lucky. "I'm certain Deputy Walker will be happy to know that she is alright."
"Which reminds me. Deputy Walker asked me to deliver word about Señorita Olivia, but I was hoping that it could be from you, Don Diego. I feel that he might not worry as much that way."
It was a good idea. But Diego had another idea. "I can do you one better. I'm sure he would be even more relieved if it were from Olivia, herself. Yes?"
"Sí! Yes! That sounds perfect, Don Diego." The Sergeant became momentarily distracted by a large pot of stew passing by them. The aroma was absolutely heavenly.
"Please, enjoy as much as you would like, my friend. I shall return in a few moments."
The Sergeant didn't have to be told twice and had immediately jumped in at the end of the line that had begun to form.
Diego chuckled to himself as he returned to the house. It was an odd feeling to do so after the night that he had just had. It almost felt wrong to do so. Usually, he had been able to quickly bounce back from such an ordeal, but this time he had been shaken to his very core. He knew it would take some time before he realized that it would be okay to go back to living his life and just enjoy the little things.
The day when it no longer felt strange to be happy would be the sweetest day.
He would be able to find a pen and paper in one of the downstairs spare rooms. They kept a small supply in each guest room in case their visitors needed them. The closest room hadn't had many guests in it for quite some time, but he knew that it would find some there.
What he hadn't expected to find when he approached was a figure sitting down on the floor in the middle of the hallway, his hat pulled down over his face. His chest rose and fell in an even rhythm while he softly snored.
Diego had wondered where Bernardo had gotten to. His manservant had been crucial in getting the servants out of the house. His father had told him that Bernardo had gotten half of the staff out by the time he had been able to reach them. Add that on top of holding his own against an army in a battle that none of them had had any right to survive and Diego could feel nothing else but admiration for his friend.
Los Angeles owed him a great deal of gratitude and her people would never even know it.
Making certain not to disturb him, Diego stepped over him to get to the guest room. He opened the door as gently as he could and ducked inside. He crept over to the bedside table and pulled out a stack of paper, a quill, and an inkwell. Tucking them safely in the crook of his arm, he shut the door and crept back out into the hallway.
Bernardo only stirred momentarily, but he settled back to sleep a few beats later.
"Sleep well, amigo," Diego whispered to him as he left him there to rest his weary bones.
Olivia and his father were still under the same tree he had seen them under earlier. A tray had been brought over to them that held two very large bowls of stew.
"Oh, Diego, come join us!" she instructed him with a wave of her hand. "This stew is divine and you must be famished." She only stopped speaking so that she could spoon a bit more into her mouth.
He laughed in response. It still felt odd, but not so much as it had earlier. "That sounds lovely, but the Sergeant has given me a task I must complete before I do so." He held out the parchment and inkwell to her.
"Oh?" She dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a linen napkin as she looked up at him with curiosity. "He informed me that your brother couldn't come to see to this himself due to unforeseen circumstances. He asked that the Sergeant return with word about you. I thought it might be best if you wrote to him yourself."
"Good thinking." She ate a bit more stew before she set her bowl aside and took the parchment and ink from him. "But, what unforeseen circumstances?"
"He, unfortunately, wouldn't tell me any details. I was hoping to soften him up with something to eat, but I have the feeling that your brother has instructed him not to talk."
"What do you suppose happened?" his father asked.
Diego could only shrug. "I can't even imagine. But, I'm certain we will find out in due time."
"Will was never very good at keeping secrets from me. I'm sure I can get it out of him the next time I see him." She had already completed her letter to her brother and was blowing on the ink to get it to dry faster. She then folded it into thirds. "I just need to seal it."
"I'll take care of it," Diego informed her.
She didn't hesitate to pass it over to him. "Thank you," she told him with a smile.
It was more progress, he realized when she didn't even think twice about giving him the letter. She didn't even think about needing to hide its contents from him. She knew that he would never read what she had written. "Save me some stew?"
She picked up her bowl again and ate a bit more. "Only if you hurry," she playfully winked at him.
It definitely didn't feel as strange to laugh this time. Now it brought a comforting warmth with it. It was at that moment that he knew everything was going to be okay.
Sealing her letter, he passed it off to the Sergeant before he returned to the blanket under the tree. Diego noted how father squeezed in closer to Olivia, but didn't say a word about it as he settled down beside him.
A bowl was placed into his awaiting hands and he ate greedily from it. He hadn't realized how hungry he had become. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten a full meal. It seemed like days ago at this point. The food warmed his belly and made him feel comforted.
Quickly draining it, he set the bowl off to the side and set his gaze on the ruins of what had been the library. "What do we do now, father?" he softly asked.
Don Alejandro sighed as he looked at his son. "What we have always done in the face of adversity, my son." His back was ramrod straight as he sat beside Diego. His voice was full of confidence and conviction, though Diego was certain that he was grieving for all that had been lost. "We stay strong and we rebuild."