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She paused when she came to the bottom of the stairs opposite the front entry. “That’s hardly important. The deal is done. Now, I must bid you good day. Please see yourself out.”
She started up the stairs, and Diego watched her go. There had to be something he could do. Some way he could best his father and prove himself worthy of Isabella’s hand.
He raced up the steps after Josephina. “Wait! Wait! You can hardly live here without help. Let me hire on. I can take care of your needs—act as your driver and care for your horses.”
She stopped at the top of the stairs as he came up beside her. “I will not abide this nonsense. Go now, before I call one of my servants.”
Desperate, he took hold of her arm. “Please just hear me out.”
She looked startled for a moment at his audacity, then jerked her arm away from his grip. Unfortunately, that caused her to lose her balance and fall backwards.
Diego was so shocked that he didn’t even try to catch her. By the time his senses returned, the small woman had landed with a soft thud at the bottom of the steps. Almost immediately, a pool of blood formed around her head.
For several long moments, Diego couldn’t move. All he could do was relive the last few seconds, seeing Señorita Garcia fall over and over again. What was he to do? It was clear she was dead. No doubt they would blame him if he called for help.
Diego didn’t even stop to see if she was still alive. He hurried to the door, careful to avoid the blood on the floor, and quietly slipped out. He mounted his horse and blazed down the drive as fast as the animal could go, determined to distance himself from the Garcia rancho. The last thing he needed was Josephina Garcia’s blood on his hands.
“It seems the only time we ever get together is to eat.” Jim chuckled and took a seat at the table opposite Aaron. “I guess it’s what we do best. Are you headed out on the train for Silver Veil?”
“I am. I have no idea how long I’ll be gone.”
“It would seem the world is conspiring to put you and Garcia together.”
“You don’t know the half of it. Every time I go to see Daniel, I can’t help but wonder what new plan he’ll have for me. Like I told you before, I know he has it in mind for me to take over his affairs and see that things run smoothly after he’s gone, but lately he’s said things that make me certain he intends me to marry his daughter. The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that’s why he sent me to bring her home. He probably hoped we’d fall madly in love on the trip back.”
The waitress came with coffee, and Jim quickly gave her his breakfast order. Once she was gone, he turned back to Aaron. “Let’s face it, you’re a good and honorable man. Those aren’t always easy to find.”
“Yes, but his daughter despises me, and I’m not very fond of her. It’s a wonder we didn’t kill each other on that trip. She’s spoiled and difficult. She cares for no one but herself.”
“So you’ve told me. Several times. Look, maybe you could change her.”
“My mother always warned me to find a woman I already considered perfect. She told me far too many people go into marriage thinking they can change the other person. Believe me, I don’t even want to attempt such a thing. It would take a miracle to transform that woman.”
“I can see you’ve given this a great deal of thought.” Jim grinned. “Maybe too much.”
Aaron shook his head. “You don’t know what it’s like with Garcia. He’s a good man, but he’s dying, and he’s desperate to arrange everything properly for his wife and daughter. He wants me to handle his affairs and take care of them.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to marry either one,” Jim said, leaning back as the waitress placed eggs and sausages in front of him. She left a container of tortillas as well, then disappeared. Jim dug right in.
Aaron looked at his own breakfast but didn’t feel hungry. He’d tossed and turned all night, wondering why he ever agreed to go.
Because you’d lose your job with the Santa Fe if you did otherwise.
He took a long draw on his coffee. He’d always enjoyed his work with Daniel Garcia, but now that Isabella was there, he felt more than a little apprehension. Part of that was due to her obvious hatred of him, but an equal portion wasbecause of the strange attraction he felt for her. He wasn’t about to admit it to Jim, but the beautiful woman consumed his thoughts.
“So, do you think Garcia will want to move forward with building the new town?” Jim asked.
“It’s hard to say. He’s completely devoted to Silver Veil. He never does anything halfheartedly. If he builds a town, he sees to its every need. With his health failing, I’m not sure he’ll want to risk another project. He’d know it would be impossible for him to see it through. He was even commenting on not living to see the dam completed—something he at one time looked forward to experiencing.”
Jim nodded. He’d wolfed down his breakfast and was eyeing Aaron’s. “You gonna eat that?”
Aaron’s stomach tightened. He pushed the plate forward. “No, take it.”
Jim didn’t have to be coaxed. He started in on the plate of biscuits and gravy. “All you can do is lay out the benefits and let Garcia decide. The Santa Fe can hardly blame you if he doesn’t want to go for it.”
“Oh, but they will. They seem to think I have some power over him.”
“Well, you have to admit you’ve become Daniel Garcia’s right-hand man, despite the fact that you don’t work for him.”
