AllFreeNovel
Share Us
19
It wasn’t too late to make Diego’s plan work. In fact, Daniel Garcia had made it easier for him in some ways. Firing him from the mine weeks before and giving him money and a train ticket back to California had all worked to aid Diego in his plan to kidnap Isabella.
He had confided in Rudy and Jorge as to what had happened and pretended to take the train out of Silver Veil for home. When he reached San Marcial, however, he slipped off the train as a dozen or more Santa Fe officials boarded. They were boisterous and full of railroad talk, making it easy for Diego to leave unnoticed. Knowing Daniel Garcia and his relationship with the Santa Fe, Diego wouldn’t have put it past him to have someone watching him. But all seemed calm as he disappeared into the night.
Just as he’d arranged, the boys were there to meet him with a horse, and together they made their way back to the mountain cabin above Silver Veil. And that was where Diego had stayed, biding his time until today.
With the Founder’s Day celebration in full swing, he had finalized plans with Rudy and Jorge and sent them to Silver Veil. They would grab Isabella when an opportunitypresented itself and get her out of town. Since things had changed, the boys had agreed it would be simpler just to sneak her up to the cabin rather than try to take her out on the train. Diego had found out for himself that it wasn’t easy to get up to the cabin, and he figured no one would think of looking there. The boys were going to grab her and, if possible, try to leave one or two signs of her having been taken by train. Diego suggested that if she had a hat or a scarf, they could tie the ransom note to it and leave it at the train depot. Hopefully no one would notice it until the train had gone, but even if that weren’t the case, it would start the search in that direction.
Diego had to let go of his idea of being the hero since Mr. Garcia had banished him from town. Getting the money would have to be enough. He knew from overhearing conversations in the office when he was given his final pay and train ticket that payroll and bank money would be coming into town the day before Founder’s Day. This meant Garcia would have plenty of cash at his disposal, so asking for it in a ransom wouldn’t make for an impossible situation or force a delay. Garcia would leave the money along the tracks at a place Rudy and Jorge had chosen. It was an isolated place where an old rancher named Garrison had once lived, and where there was a rocky mesa where the money could be hidden.
Rudy and Jorge would get the money, and Diego could be gone before anyone found Isabella in the mountain cabin. And, just so she wouldn’t be stuck there alone, Diego had even decided he would stay with her until Rudy and Jorge brought the money. They would divide the ransom as he’d promised, and then he’d send Rudy and Jorge on their way so they wouldn’t be blamed. Then he would take his horse and leave. That way he would be long gone before Isabella couldmake her way down the mountain on her own. She would either tell everyone about him or keep his secret, but either way, it didn’t matter. He had plans to go to South America, where no one knew him.
If they were able to keep their identities hidden, Rudy and Jorge would go back to work at the mine on Monday as though nothing had ever happened, and Diego would ride out to a new life.
Isabella wasn’t surprised when Aaron joined her later that afternoon. She couldn’t deny that things had changed between them, and quite rapidly. Her father had apparently known what was good for both of them, even when they didn’t know it for themselves.
“How is Papi?” she asked as Aaron drew near.
“He was tired but seemed in good spirits. I think he’s looking forward to tonight. When I got back to town, your mother had some things for me to take care of, so I was delayed in finding you.”
“You were looking for me?”
He smiled, and Isabella felt her heart skip a beat. “I was. I promised your father I would look out for you and make sure you weren’t bored.”
She laughed to hide her disappointment that he hadn’t wanted to find her for himself. “I’m not sure a person could get bored on Founder’s Day. I remember all the games and vendors from when I was a girl and am glad to see it hasn’t changed.”
Aaron offered her his arm. “Shall we check out some of the vendors or games?”
Isabella slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. She wasso uncertain of her emotions. Diego had never made her feel this way. She had never anticipated having feelings for Aaron Bailey, yet here she was.
They strolled around the plaza park and hadn’t gone far when they ran into Pastor Tom and Millie. Isabella felt flushed at their greeting. Would they assume something was going on between her and Aaron?
“Are you enjoying the Founder’s Day celebration?” Pastor Tom asked.
“We are,” Aaron answered before Isabella could speak up. “How about you two?”
“This is the first time I’ve fully enjoyed Founder’s Day. Before now, Millie wasn’t here with me. I find everything has gotten a whole lot better with her by my side.”
Aaron nodded. “I’m glad you’re having fun. I’ve attended quite a few of these celebrations and have to admit that this one is my favorite as well.”
He glanced over at Isabella, who nodded. “Yes. It’s been a wonderful day, although bittersweet.”
They all sobered, and Pastor Tom spoke first. “Your father is a good man. Everyone here has much to be grateful for because of him.”
Isabella didn’t want the moment to become morose. “He would tell you they should be grateful to God rather than to him. He was just the servant doing his master’s bidding.”
“I haven’t known him long,” Millie added, “but he was so sweet when he welcomed me. He told me if we needed anything to come see him straightaway.”
“He’s been that for everyone,” Pastor Tom added. “Even when he called me to the house to talk about his funeral, he was more concerned about the church and whether or not we would have enough money for the new pews.”
“That sounds like my father.” Isabella wished they could change the subject.
“Well, if you’ll excuse us,” Aaron said, pulling Isabella just a little to the left, “we are off to look at the handweaving. I want to send a gift to my parents.”
“There were some beautiful mantel scarves,” Millie said as they started to walk away.
“We’ll be sure to check it out,” Aaron called over his shoulder.
