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5
The smoky office was full of railroad men—most of whom were far more important than Aaron, and yet they were most insistent that he be there. Not only that, but they demanded his opinion. They knew just how close Mr. Garcia had become to their lease agent, and they wanted his opinion on all that related to Garcia’s business.
“Now that we’re to be a state,” one of the men declared, “there will be a boom of industry and newcomers. We have to do our part to encourage people to move to New Mexico. Hundreds of advertisements are being sent to newspapers even as we speak. Some offer information on available property that the railroad will sell or lease to those who wish to come west and settle in the new state. It’s important that we do what we can to appeal to folks in the East. The more people we get out here, the faster this state will be settled and fears of Mexican marauders will diminish.”
“Perhaps if the railroad were to build houses on some of the properties,” an older gentleman suggested. “I find people are far more likely to head into the unknown if there is something awaiting them. I have some figures on the cost of building small but sufficient family homes. They needn’tbe wired for electrical or plumbing. Simple yet efficient is my suggestion.”
“Ralph makes a good point,” yet another gray-haired gentleman jumped in. “Wherever we wish to see a town increase in size for the sake of the railroad, we could not only build houses but perhaps aid in bettering whatever town businesses are already in place. I’m sure the Santa Fe can afford to spare the money, especially when it will benefit them in the long run.”
“Mr. Garcia has that property near Mile Post 1044, the land close to Engle, where they’re building the dam. It would be the perfect location to put money into, with that huge reservoir they’re building. We can certainly explore the idea of building a town or expanding Engle. Let’s check into it,” the superintendent declared, looking closely at his map. “Mr. Bailey, we’ll meet after this and discuss the particulars. We’ll want you to share the news with Mr. Garcia and see if he’d be willing to put his own money behind it.”
“Yes, sir,” Aaron replied, dreading what he knew would follow.
“We’ll have you go down to see Garcia over the New Year holiday.”
Aaron said nothing but moaned inwardly. That was all he needed.
“I think they’re right,” Jim said as he and Aaron sat eating tamales at their favorite Mexican café. “Settling the state is what’s going to prosper it, and this place is just ripe for the pickin’.”
“There are plenty of other, more accommodating places to settle. It’s hard to live here, Jim. No one knows that betterthan you. It’s dry and difficult to grow crops or raise animals. Storms come along and kick up the sand and grit, and blizzards in the winter kill everything in their paths. There are floods to contend with along the Rio Grande and poisonous snakes and insects. It’s a hostile place. I can’t see the railroad selling anyone but the hardiest souls on coming to New Mexico.”
“Well, someone thinks it’s worth the effort; otherwise, why are we going to make it a state in a week?”
Aaron nodded and poured more sauce over his tamale. “They want me to leave tonight and head down to spend the New Year with the Garcias. I knew I shouldn’t have mentioned them asking me to stay on after Christmas. Now they’re insisting I go, and they want me to escort him to the statehood ceremony. Ultimately, I’m to convince Garcia to put his money behind the settlement near Engle. With the dam going in, they believe it will eventually draw in plenty of people, both for work and recreation.”
“They would know.”
“I should have asked for time off to go see my folks in Chicago. Then I wouldn’t be in the middle of all of this.”
Jim laughed. “Now, you know that’s not true. You would have been in the middle of it no matter what. I’m sure if you told them tomorrow that Daniel Garcia has asked you to take on management of his estate and dealings, they’d create a titled position for you to do just that. Aaron Bailey, superintendent in charge of Daniel Garcia.”
Aaron couldn’t help but smile. “I’m already that, I just don’t have the title.”
“Then you’d better find a way to enjoy it. Now, eat up. You haven’t even put a dent in those tamales, and I’m ready to ask for another plateful.”
“You work harder than me, so you need the extra fuel.”Aaron drew a forkful of tamale to his mouth and sighed. Just worrying about Garcia and the fact that he’d have to see Isabella again was robbing him of his peace.
Diego Morales awoke two days before his thirty-fifth birthday with a great sense of dread. He hadn’t accomplished what his father had demanded, although he had tried. He’d talked to his brother about the ranch, but nothing Miguel offered sounded even remotely of interest to Diego. He’d ventured so far as to check in town to see what might be available, but there was nothing there save manual labor or positions for which he had no training whatsoever.
As he dressed, his utmost desire was to avoid his father and slip out of the house to go speak with Josephina Garcia. He had a proposal for her that he felt convinced she might take him up on. He would offer to oversee her entire property and business affairs. After all, he was going to marry her niece. He would suggest that he move in and be available to her for whatever she needed.
He pulled on his finest suit coat and studied his reflection in the mirror. He didn’t want to appear shabby. Josephina Garcia appreciated the finer things in life, and Diego wanted to prove that he could be one of them. He wanted to assure her that he was capable of running a large estate—of being its master.
Luck was with him, as he managed to escape the house without his father knowing he was up and around. Surely that was a good sign. He saddled his own horse, then made his way to the Garcia holdings, which bordered his father’s ranch. He went over the words he’d say. He’d make sure Miss Garcia could see him as an asset. From what Isabellahad said in the past, her aunt would be more than grateful for his abilities. Diego would show up with the solution to her problem, and all would be well. He’d have his job and a home so that his father could no longer torment him. He’d also be set to propose to Isabella.
The housekeeper admitted him to the Garcia house and ushered him into the large front parlor. There was already a fire blazing in the hearth, and since the ride over had been unseasonably cold, Diego went to warm himself while he waited.
“Señorita Garcia will be here momentarily,” the housekeeper told him before closing the doors.
Diego glanced around the room. There was a lot of finery, beautiful things collected over the years and pieces of artwork that he had no doubt were very valuable. The Garcias did nothing by halves. Over the large stone fireplace was an oil painting of Isabella’s grandmother. It was uncanny how much Isabella favored her. Both were striking beauties with large dark eyes that seemed to look deep into the soul of a man.
The doors to the room opened, and an older woman stepped inside. “Diego, it’s quite early. I wasn’t expecting you today.”
Josephina Garcia had been a great beauty in her youth. Diego had seen the oil paintings made of her. Even now she was a handsome woman. He smiled in appreciation. “I apologize for the hour, but Isabella told me you are an early riser. I hoped to speak to you before I went to town.”
She gave him a once-over. “You look well put together.”
“And you look beautiful, Miss Garcia.”
