AllFreeNovel
Share Us
20
You what?” Daniel asked again.
Aaron laughed as he helped the older man into the wheelchair. “I would like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“How did this happen? Does she want this too?”
“Yup.” Aaron secured a lap blanket across Daniel’s legs. “You told me to speed things up.”
“I did. Still, I didn’t expect this.”
Aaron sat on the chair Daniel had just vacated. “To be honest, neither did I. When I returned to the celebration and found her, Isabella was eager to discuss our feelings for one another.”
“I see.” Daniel sounded more than surprised. Still, there was joy in his face. “Tell me everything.”
“I suggested we talk about us, and she agreed. She mentioned right from the start that you believe we belong together. She asked me how I felt about that.”
“And what did you say?” Daniel asked, chuckling.
“I kissed her.”
Daniel slapped his leg. “A man after my own heart. Good for you. Did she approve?”
“Enthusiastically.”
“This is truly the happiest news I could have. I knew you two were meant for each other. God has kept that ever present in my mind.”
“Well, there was a lot of contempt on both our parts to overcome first. Hate seemed to blind us both.”
“Nonsense. It wasn’t hate. It was just passion. You are both passionate people—like Helena and I. You feel things deeply.” He looked at Aaron, suddenly growing serious. “You do love her, don’t you?”
“Yes, and I told her so.”
“And did she return your love?”
“She actually told me first.” Aaron smiled.
“She’s so like her mother. Brazen couple of gals. Always speaking their mind.” Daniel shook his head, still grinning. “Let’s get to this party so I can give my final speech and pray a blessing on you and Isabella.”
When they reached the fiesta, Helena was near the bandstand, talking to Aaron’s former Santa Fe supervisor. She was nodding and smiling, so the conversation must have been pleasant. Aaron wheeled Daniel up to join them, and Helena stopped chatting to greet him.
“My darling, it’s so good to have you back. Of course, you know Mr. Wright.”
“Good to see you again, Joseph,” Daniel said.
Aaron gave Wright a nod, and his former boss looked him up and down. “It would seem,” he declared, “that working for Mr. Garcia has been good for you.”
“Very much so.”
“It’s even gaining him a wife,” Daniel said, then lowered his voice. “But don’t tell anyone just yet. My daughter doesn’t know I’ve given my blessing.”
Helena looked surprised but pleased. Her eyes were wideas she turned to Aaron. “Is this true? You two have declared for one another?”
Aaron laughed. “Yes, it’s true. It happened rather quickly. She finally approved of my cologne and then me.”
They all laughed at this, but Daniel stretched to look beyond the group. “Where is she, by the way?”
“When I came to get you, she was headed to find Mrs. Garcia.”
