The Reformation
Chapter Seven
Since the
disappearance of the escaped prisoner two weeks had passed without
incident. Sergeant Garcia, true to his word, had posted sentries at
the front gate of the de la Vega hacienda and sent soldiers to patrol
the surrounding area but there had been no sighting of Don Miguel.
Monastario slowly recovered from his wounds yet continued to show no
interest in the issues concerning the pueblo. When the soldiers sent to
San Pedro returned they reported immediately to Sergeant Garcia at the
cuartel. The soldiers had made many inquires and discovered that two
men had hurriedly boarded a ship in San Pedro bound for South America,
one of the strangers bore a strong resemblance to the escaped prisoner.
With this new information Garcia resolved that Don Miguel and his
accomplice had successfully escaped. Soon the sentries outside the
rancho and the extra patrols were returned to their normal routine at
the garrison. The people in and around Los Angeles remained cautious
but soon came to accept the actions taken by Garcia. Surely Don Miguel
would not stay in Los Angeles where he could be recaptured and made to
stand trial. Death by hanging would be the only result of his heinous
crimes. Life in the quiet pueblo continued on as usual yet Diego and
Alejandro were still worried.
"Father, I believe Sergeant
Garcia has done all that was expected of him but I still find myself
unable to put aside this business with Don Miguel," said Diego pacing
in his father's study.
"I agree that I am still concerned but it
does seem unlikely that Don Miguel and whoever helped him would remain
in the vicinity," stated Alejandro. "If it will make you feel better,
my son, I will have some vaqueros keep a close eye on the hacienda."
"Gracias.
That would help. There is no way Zorro can be everywhere," he grinned.
"With your permission, Father, Anna Maria is waiting with Leonar and
Padre Felipe in the sala," said Diego.
Don Alejandro followed his
son into the sala where they found Anna Maria and Padre Felipe trying
to console a very disturbed Leonar. No longer did the commandante have
the same fire and independence as before the accident. It was evident
to all that his attitude was disintegrating. Physically he was no
longer in danger of losing his life but mentally he slipped deeper with
himself. The members of the de la Vega household were concerned by
Monastario's odd behavior.
"Buenas dias Padre Felipe," said
Alejandro as the padre stood to greet him. "It is good to see you. Are
things well at the mission?"
"Si, all is well," he said
clasping his hands together. "This morning I visited with the
commandante. I must say I was surprised to find him so withdrawn."
'The three of us were just discussing what may be done to help him over this obstacle to his recovery," said the padre.
"Enrique
has given up hope of walking and returning to his command," explained
Leonar wiping away tears. "He wishes I return to Monterey and begin a
life without him. He told me of his plans to return to Spain."
"Perhaps
that would be for the best," said Alejandro glancing toward his son.
Diego understood how his father felt but the look on Leonar's face tore
at his heart.
"No it cannot be," her eyes pleaded. "If Enrique returns to Spain...I shall never see him again. Please help, I am at a loss."
"Diego, there must be something we can do," pleaded Anna Maria.
"Leonar,
you must convince the commandante that this would be the wrong decision
for you both," the young don said. "It is up to you."
"Si," she said standing, "I wish I knew the right words."
"Father,
please show Leonar and the good padre out to the garden," said Diego.
"I will have Bernardo bring some refreshments and join you with Anna
Maria."
Taking Leonar by the hand Don Alejandro added, "We will sit and find a solution, I promise."
Diego took Anna Maria by the arm and they walked in the direction of the kitchen.
"I hope for Leonar's sake we can help," said Anna Maria suddenly stopping to clutch her stomach.
"Mi amor, are you all right?"
Taking
Diego's hand she placed it on her stomach and smiled. His face lit up
as he felt the movement of his child for the first time. Touched by
this gift their love created Diego nearly gave way to tears. Together
they stood entwined in each other's arms.
Thundering
toward the small pueblo of Los Angeles the coach from Monterey rolled
across the rough highway. The two passengers looked forward to shaking
off the dirt which covered their clothes not to mention a refreshing
bottle of wine to remove the dust from their throat. The sun was
already beginning to set when the coach finally arrived in the pueblo.
As the coach came to a halt Corporal Reyes realized that someone
important must be on board to be escorted by soldiers. Quickly the
corporal shook the sleeping soldier on the bench besides him.
"Sergeant Garcia, wake up. The coach is here and there are many lancers accompanying it," yelled Reyes.
"What did you say?" yawned Garcia.
"The coach is here and there are many lancers with it," repeated Reyes.
Jumping
to his feet, Garcia straightened his uniform and ran to open the door
and pull down thew steip to allow the passengers to climb down.
Corporal Reyes stepped to Garcia's side to allow the passengers to
disembark.
"Your Excellency, we were not notified that you
were coming or I would have made proper arrangements," Garcia saluted
the governor stiffly.
"Sergeant, that will not be necessary. Don
Alejandro has extended an invitation to join him at the hacienda. I
look forward to seeing my daughter. If you would be so kind as to
arrange for a carriage for us and our baggage."
"Of course.
Corporal Reyes will see to the carriage and the baggage," Garcia said.
Startled by the words spoken by the governor, Garcia repeated "Us...our
baggage?"
The second passenger poked his head through the open
door and stepped down. He was a tall, well-dressed gray haired
gentleman. Somberly he looked about the pueblo disappointed by its size
and simple condition.
"Pardon senor but I am Sergeant Demetrio Lopez Garcia, acting commandante," he said proudly.
"I am Carlos Ramirez from Spain. I am here to join my son and visit with my old friend, Don Alejandro de la Vega."
"Sergeant,
Don Carlos will be joining me in the ride to the hacienda," said the
governor smiling. "Make sure the carriage is large enough."
Garcia
was stunned by the appearance of Senor Ramirez but gathered his
thoughts and replied, "Si, may I suggest the tavern for some supper
while you wait? Once the carriage is ready we can load the baggage then
if you are ready we can leave."
"A wonderful idea Sergeant.
Please see that my guards are attended to properly." Garcia guided the
two men to the tavern and sent the corporal to see to the soldiers.
Before leaving the tavern Don Carlos turned to Garcia and asked, "Will you ask the innkeeper if my son is registered?"
"Uh...uh...Don
Carlos I believe Don Alejandro would be able to answer the question
regarding the whereabouts of your son," Garcia said nervously.
"Of
course, Alejandro would have him stay at the hacienda," he said as the
governor nodded in agreement. Walking away Garcia took a deep breath
and hoped that the subject of Don Miguel would remain closed until
Alejandro could explain.
In the small garden adjoining the main
house of the hacienda, the commandante sat alone with only a glass of
wine for company. Sadly he reflected on the hopes and dreams he
had...all crushed. Twice his life had been ruined thanks to that
contemptuous, Miguel Ramirez. Looking up at the stars twinkling above
Monastario wondered if the paralysis he suffered was punishment for the
dishonesty and unjust treatment he forced on the people. Placing the
wineglass to his lips he emptied the contents and leaned over to pour
himself another glass. Covered by the dark shadows of the house a slim
feminine figure silently waited and watched the commandante.
Courageously she stepped out into the light her heart racing as she
moved closer. Monastario's eyes opened wide as he caught sight of
Leonar coming toward him.
"I did not mean to disturb you," she said wistfully. "If you wish I will go."
"No...please
stay," he said placing his glass on the table as Leonar sat down next
to him. "When I look into your beautiful face I see the hurt I put
there. I am sorry."
"What you see is sadness," she replied, "because you have pushed me away."
"I am no longer the man you fell in love with...I am a cripple without a future," he said turning away.
"That
is not so. I did not fall in love with your position or things you can
give me but with Enrique Sanchez Monastario," she said softly. "It was
right here in the garden at Diego's wedding when I first saw you. Do
you remember?"
Si," his voice trailed off. "Even then I was not
worthy of you. Everything you were told about me was true. Can you not
see how lucky you are to be rid of me?"
"Every man makes mistakes, some more then others," she said turning his face to hers. "The man you speak of no longer exists."
"Perhaps," he said, "but my legs are still paralyzed."
"I love you. Nothing will change that."
"You must realize I cannot be a proper husband to you. How can we have a future together?"
"Without
you, mi amor, I have no future," her voice quivered. "My heart is yours
now and forever. I have nothing unless we are together."
Hesitantly
he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. For a brief moment it was
though nothing had changed as they clung to one another. The sound of
horses on the path outside the wall startled the couple back to
reality. Looking in the direction of the large wooden door Leonar and
the commandante were surprised to see Garcia followed by two men and a
group of soldiers. The commotion brought Alejandro, Diego, and Anna
Maria from their rooms.
"What is the meaning of this
disruption?" yelled Don Alejandro, as he swiftly made his way down the
staircase to the patio with Diego by his side. "Sergeant, please
explain."
Stepping forward Don Carlos said, "Alejandro, my dear friend. Is this any way to greet an old friend?"
~*~