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“I didn’t kill her. Ididargue with her. I wanted desperately to get a job so my father wouldn’t turn his back on me. I went to her house that day to check on you but also to ask her to hire me on as her foreman. She told me the place was sold and that she didn’t need anyone. I argued with her, but I didn’t kill her. I reached out to stop her from leaving, and she jerked away from me and lost her balance. I was too stunned to move when she began to fall. It all happened so fast, and then suddenly she was there at the bottom of the stairs, bleeding.”
“And you didn’t even attempt to help her?”
“She was dead already. Don’t you see?”
“You didn’t know that, Diego. You ran off and left her there to die.”
“I’m telling you she was already dead. She wasn’t breathing. I couldn’t see her breathing at all.”
At least now she knew the truth of what had caused her aunt’s fall. “So if you weren’t guilty of pushing her, why didn’t you clear that up with the marshal? Why did you leave in the first place?”
“I needed to be with you. I knew losing your aunt was going to be devastating.”
“Yes, it was, but believing her to have possibly been murdered was even worse.”
“I’m sorry.” He ran his hands through his wavy black hair. “I know I made a mess of everything, but this will work out for the best. You and I can leave together and get married. We’ll be able to go anywhere. We could even live abroad.” He looked at her with such a hopeful expression that Isabella thought him mad.
“Diego, my father is dying. This might have even killed him. I won’t desert my mother in her hour of need—especially not for you. You mean nothing to me but heartache.”
“I never meant to hurt you. I made mistakes, it’s true. But never to purposefully hurt you. Please believe me.”
Isabella looked at him for a moment. “Oddly enough, I do believe you. I don’t think you ever gave me a single thought in all of this. You only thought of yourself and your own needs. Just as you’re doing now.”
“I’m thinking of us. Both of us. We belong together.”
“No. We don’t. We never did. I don’t know what I saw in you. I suppose it was a little girl’s infatuation with love, but you definitely didn’t deserve my affections.”
“Look, I demanded a ransom be left in place last night. My men will pick it up today, and then we can go.”
“Go where, Diego? Do you not realize that my father will have every man in Silver Veil looking for me? I’m surprised no one’s come here yet to check out the cabin. The whole town knows it’s here.”
“Yes, but who would think a kidnapper foolish enough to stay so close to the scene of the crime?” He smiled. “Hiding right under someone’s nose is often a benefit.”
Isabella sighed. “Diego, this will not work. I will not go with you nor marry you.”
Diego shrugged. “You’re overwrought right now, and I’m sorry for that. We’ll discuss it later when you’re feeling more yourself.”
Isabella fumed at his condescension but decided to play along. “Thank you. In the meantime, won’t you please untie me? I need to use the outhouse.”
“Of course.” Diego reached for her feet. “You must understand, though, that I will have to keep you under guard. I know you too well. You will try to escape.”
“And go where? I don’t know my way around here. I don’t think I’d even know how to get here. I haven’t been to this cabin in ten years—probably more than that. All I remember is that it is up in the mountains.”
Diego got up and grabbed her by the shoulders. He pulled her to her feet, and Isabella couldn’t help but moan in pain. Her ribs were so sore where she’d hit the saddle horn.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” he asked.
“It’s from the ride up here.” She didn’t want to say anything that would cause him to stop untying her. “I nearly fell off the saddle at one point, and one of your men managed to catch me and then slammed me back across the horse. I may have broken a rib.”
“The fool. I am sorry, Isabella. I meant no harm to come to you.”
“And yet it has. Diego, you can have all sorts of good intentions, but that doesn’t mean no one will be hurt.”
Her hands came free, and she drew her arms forward. There was a slight ache from having had them tied in that position, but as Isabella took account of her body, and despite the pain in her side, she was fairly certain she could run for it. If the right situation presented itself.
Aaron had never been so angry at himself or at Diego Morales. Perhaps it was wrong to assume Diego was involved, but who else would act in such a brazen manner? Who else had a desire for revenge against Daniel Garcia?
They had searched until midnight for Isabella, but there had been no sign of her anywhere. Aaron had no idea where they’d taken her. Finally, someone suggested they wait until morning so they could see tracks better. But with so many gathered for the fiesta, there were tracks everywhere.
