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18
Aaron returned that evening and was apprised of what had happened with the marshal’s visit. He promised he would keep a vigilant eye out for Diego. The servants were also advised that Diego was no longer welcome, and they promised to make certain he was not admitted to the house.
The marshal showed up two days later to see Isabella’s father before leaving town. After speaking privately with the lawman, Papi invited the rest of them into his room to hear the news. The marshal had spoken with Diego twice. Diego had vigorously denied being there when Aunt Josephina fell, just as he had from the beginning. The marshal said there was too little evidence to charge him with murder. They couldn’t determine if he’d caused her fall down the stairs. They couldn’t even establish that he was the one Antonio heard arguing with Josephina. Diego denied having been there, and when confronted with the information that the boy had overheard their argument, Diego suggested perhaps Josephina had argued with one of the servants. The marshal had to admit it was a possibility. There was nothing else he could do without evidence.
Marshal Bradley left, and Papi announced that he wasgoing to have Diego dismissed and given a train ticket home to California. Everyone, even Isabella, agreed it was for the best.
It was funny, Isabella thought. She’d fancied herself in love with Diego—had planned to spend the rest of her life with him—yet now that it had fallen apart, she wasn’t that upset. What did that mean? Was it never love?
It seemed the more she matured, the less attractive he grew. Then, when she considered his lack of responsibility toward money and people, Isabella found herself repelled more than ever. It was probably a good thing he was already married. That way he couldn’t come to her begging and pleading she be his wife as she had promised.
On the other hand, there was Aaron. He and Isabella’s father worked together every day. Papi was determined that Aaron know every intimate detail of his business dealings. Together they drafted letters to various business associates, then accompanied it with a letter from Aaron as well. One letter explained the transfer of power and Papi’s illness, while Aaron’s letter gave them an introduction to him and his vision for working together.
Papi got a little stronger, but it was clear he would never have the strength to do much but rest. Aaron had arranged for a wheelchair for him and could often be seen pushing Papi from his bedroom, which had been moved to the first floor, to the library and back.
Isabella didn’t like that they spent so many long hours going over her father’s investments and business dealings, but she knew it was necessary. Papi wouldn’t be with them much longer, but that was the very same reason she wanted him all to herself. As the days passed, Isabella found it impossible not to become teary when she considered that each one brought them closer to her father’s death. As much asIsabella wanted to honor him by not mourning the coming loss, it was hard to ignore.
Sometimes she had a good cry in her bath, and other times she would cry into her pillow at night long after everyone had gone to bed. She wasn’t even sure she was mourning her father or if it was more so the time she’d wasted. Now they faced a future without Papi, and Isabella wanted him to know how much she loved him and how sorry she was. But he always seemed busy with someone—usually Aaron.
Mama had overseen all the arrangements for Founder’s Day, sticking to Papi’s plans completely—with one exception. She allotted a time during the big picnic lunch for people to share stories about what Papi had done for them. She and Isabella agreed that while it might be embarrassing for Papi, he needed to hear the people, and the people needed to be able to say good-bye.
Isabella thought perhaps she would also use that time to tell her father how much he meant to her—how she regretted their time apart and wished she had understood the blessing of having him and her mother as parents.
The morning of the Founder’s Day celebration dawned without a cloud in the sky. Isabella dressed in something different from what she usually wore. Her mother thought it would be fun for them to dress as most of the other women did, in a simple skirt and a lightweight blouse. The skirts were made of a colorful print that matched the embroidered flowers on the white blouses. Isabella had decided to add a wide black belt to show off her tiny waist.
She hoped Aaron might notice. Lately she was rather happy for his company. She wouldn’t call it love, but then again, she knew everything had changed between them. She had feelings that she couldn’t deny. Feelings that were nothing like what she had felt for Diego.
Isabella considered all she’d gone through with Aaron and had to admit that he had always been honest and forthright with her. He hadn’t been afraid to deal with her emotions, and above all, he seemed constant. That was important to Isabella. She needed consistency now more than ever. Aaron represented that and so much more. He loved God and wasn’t ashamed to admit it. He really was quite a man. Isabella didn’t know why she hadn’t seen it sooner.
She made her way downstairs, knowing her mother was waiting for her. Isabella wondered if she should speak to her mother about Aaron and how she felt about him.
“There you are, and aren’t you pretty,” Mama said, looking just as lovely in her own colorful skirt.
“I can return the compliment.” Isabella kissed her mother’s cheek.
“Pablo brought the carriage around and will drive us down,” Mama said, heading to the door. “Papi and Aaron will come later.”
Isabella knew her father wasn’t coming to the celebration until lunchtime. He would stay for the picnic, and then Aaron would bring him home to rest so that he might return in the evening to speak one last time to the people of Silver Veil. With that in mind, Isabella and her mother climbed into the carriage together, with only Pablo for company.
It seemed strange not to have Lupe at her side, but the young woman had gone to town early to help set up with a group of friends from church. She was truly blossoming here in Silver Veil. And why not? Isabella had kept her so isolated in California. This was the first time Lupe had really had a chance to make friends her own age. Isabella felt guilty for that. When her father moved them to Silver Veil, Isabella had been determined not to make friends. It had hurt so much to leave her friends behind in California, andshe was determined never to feel that kind of pain again. Now, Isabella could see that she’d imposed her feelings on Lupe.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Mama said as the carriage started the short drive down the mountain road.
“I was just thinking of how I worked very hard not to have friends here in Silver Veil.”
Her mother gave her a sympathetic smile. “I always worried about you not allowing yourself friends.”
“I didn’t want to care about anyone ever again. It hurt so much to say good-bye.”
Mama shook her head and took Isabella’s hand. “I know it did. I suffered too. I never told your father because I didn’t want the move to hurt him more than it already did.”
“I never thought of Papi hurting.”
“He had to say good-bye to his mother and father, his friends, and his sister. I think he knew he would never see his parents again.”
“I honestly never considered how anyone else felt. I’m so sorry. And I fear I’ve imposed my fear of caring for anyone else onto Lupe.”
“I think she’s making up for it now,” Mama said, smiling. “She has a great many friends at church.”
