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CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER1911
Isabella looked from her aunt Josephina to Diego Morales, the man she loved. “I don’t want to go. Surely now that I’m twenty-five, I can tell my father no.”
“I don’t think that would be wise, my dear. He still pays all of your bills and controls the inheritance your grandparents left you.” Aunt Josephina smiled in her motherly fashion. “It will all work out for the best, you’ll see. I promised your father I would come for a visit once I have concluded some business matters here. We’ll soon be together again.”
“It’s just not fair. I wanted to spend Christmas with Diego.” Isabella smiled at the dark-haired man. He was ten years her senior and so suave and sophisticated. Just one look from him gave her a shiver of delight.
She’d had a crush on him since childhood but had known it was true love for the last five years. She anxiously anticipated a proposal and had thought perhaps it would come on Christmas Eve. Now, however, standing at the depot, awaiting the train that would take her to Silver Veil for Christmas, she was more than a little frustrated. Gone were thedreams of a romantic evening by the fireplace with Diego on one knee, promising to love her forever. Her father certainly knew how to ruin her life and had been doing so since she was ten years old. Fifteen years later, Isabella had thought she’d found a way to control her own life and rid herself of her father’s interference, but it seemed it was not to be.
Her aunt stepped forward as the train whistle sounded. “You’ll be boarding soon. I just want to tell you how much I love you and shall miss you.” She embraced Isabella and held her close. “I know we shall be together again, but I want you to remember that God often takes our lives in directions we did not anticipate. No matter what happens, I want you to remember that such a thing doesn’t mean God no longer loves us or cares for us.”
“What are you saying, Aunt?” Isabella glanced from her aunt to the approaching train. Her father had arranged a private car at the end of the train for her comfort. At least that was something. She didn’t give Aunt Josephina a chance to reply. “Lupe, do you have our things?”
Her maid struggled forward, carrying several bags. “I do, miss. I have all but the trunks. The baggageman arranged for those. He said he would see them put on the private car.”
“He’d better.” Isabella left her aunt and went to Diego. “I wish you were going with me.”
He smiled. “That would be quite the grand adventure, eh?”
She wanted to melt into the wooden depot platform. “I will miss you so much. I can’t believe it will be six weeks before I see you again. That seems much too long.”
“The time will pass more quickly than you realize.” He touched his index finger to her chin. “Be brave, my dearest. I will be here waiting for you.”
It wasn’t a proposal, but it was something of a promise.Isabella smiled and touched her fingers to his cheek. “You had better be,” she teased.
“Isabella, there are people watching.” Aunt Josephina was a stickler for proper etiquette and allowed no public displays of affection.
Pulling away from Diego was hard, but Isabella stepped back, knowing it was for the best. “I will return as soon as possible. Father wants me there for the celebration of statehood. I cannot say why, but New Mexico becoming a state is important to him, and he demands it be important to me.”
Diego nodded but said nothing more. Isabella studied him for a long moment. He was tall and lean and wore a snug suit jacket that accented his broad shoulders and narrow hips. Most men wore boxier-cut coats, but Diego’s was especially tailored to fit him like a glove. Even the dusty-blue color was one that seemed designed for him alone. She’d never seen such a color on any other man.
The corner of his lip rose slightly as his gaze met hers. He no doubt knew that she was admiring him, and she knew he loved her attention. Isabella smiled and looked away. He was the handsomest man she had ever known, and she was delighted by the prospect of marrying him.
The steam train rolled past them, coming to a stop with the passenger cars lined up against the platform. The private car, however, was at the tail end, requiring Isabella and Lupe to descend the platform and walk to the back of the train.
“They could at least pull up far enough for our car to be at the platform,” Isabella said in disgust. She hated that she would have to risk her new wheat-colored silk traveling suit by walking along the tracks. She certainly didn’t want soot stains on the delicate, expensive material. She kissed her aunt. “I’ll return as soon as possible.”
Her aunt nodded but seemed to lack her usual enthusiasm.“Remember, I shall come to be with you. I’m excited to see your father again. Your mother too.”
Isabella nodded.
The conductor approached. “Are you Miss Garcia?”
“I am.” She looked at the older man with a raised brow, questioning his interruption.
“I will escort you to your private car. Everything is in order and awaits you. I believe you will find yourself quite comfortable.”
“That remains to be seen, of course.” She looked at Diego. “I will eagerly count the days until we are together.”
“As will I,mi amor.”
She smiled and gave a slight nod, then looked at the conductor. “Please lead the way.”
He offered her his arm as they headed down the platform stairs toward the tracks. “The ground is a bit uneven.”
