“My pie,” Tia said. She didn’t cook often, but her pies were a specialty, a rare and delicious treat. “At first I believed some wild animal must have stolen it, then I found these little round stones sitting up on the sill. I cannot think what they could be.”
Carly eyed the polished round stones thoughtfully. “I have no idea. Perhaps Ramon will know.” But already she was thinking that she knew where the pie must have gone. She just hoped Tia wouldn’t see the blackberry stains on Two Hawks’s slim brown hands.
***
Two days later, they set off on their journey to Monterey. Sitting astride his silver-trimmed saddle, Ramon ducked his head beneath an overhanging branch, a bronzed leaf fluttering down as he held it aside so Carly could ride underneath. The morninghad dawned clear and bright, a lemon yellow sun and a vibrant azure sky. He smiled to himself and thanked the Blessed Virgin for the gift of such a day for his bride.
They were traveling horseback. Ramon had suggested the carriage, but his wife had surprised him by refusing.
“I’m riding better with each of my lessons,” she said. “And it would be faster if we traveled cross-country. You said there was a shortcut through the hills—we could take it if we didn’t have to stay on the road.” She smiled at him prettily. “Besides, I need the practice.”
His hand came up to her cheek. “Aye,querida,when you smile that way, how could any man refuse?” It was only a two-day journey, and he was proud that she wanted her horsemanship skills to improve.
She had surprised him again when she joined him that morning perched atop his aunt’s heavy old sidesaddle. At least the skirt of the saddle was no longer stiff and curling. Someone had lovingly worked it over, softening the leather, rubbing it to a glossy sheen, and cleaning the silver fittings. He had a strong suspicion his wife was the one who had taken such care.
“You are sure about this, Cara?”
“I started using a woman’s saddle when I got back to del Robles. I wanted to learn to ride like a lady.”
“But the saddle is too big for you. You are sure you will be able to manage?”
“I can do it, Ramon. I learned on a saddle this size.”
He smiled. “All right then, the sun begins to climb. It is time we are off on our journey.”
She looked so lovely in her sapphire blue velvet riding habit, her fiery hair curled in ringlets that nestled against her shoulders. It made his blood begin to thicken, made him hungry to take her again, though they had just made love that morning.
Ramon bit back a silent groan of frustration. The woman set a torch to his blood every time he looked at her. He had hoped his need for her would lessen. Instead it seemed to strengthen with each passing day.Madre de Dios,it wasn’t like him. He wished he knew what to do.
“You are certain you have brought enough clothes?” Only one satchel was draped across the back of the mule they had packed with their bedrolls and supplies.
The journey was meant to be a pleasant one so Ramon had indulged himself. Their saddle bags held food for the trail: apples from the orchard,pinole, carne seca—dried beef jerky—tortillas, coffee, and Yerba Buena tea. The mule was packed with freshly roasted chicken for the evening meal, bean pies, cheese, and sweetbreads. The animal even carried a thin feather mattress for the nights they would spend sleeping on the ground.
“The satchel holds more than you think,” Carly told him, her eyes a light emerald green and sparkling with excitement. “You said to bring something pretty, so I did. The dresses will be fine once they’re aired out and pressed.”
He could only imagine the assortment of clothes Isabel Montoya would have had to bring along. It would have taken three mules just to carry them. Then again, there would have been no use for a mule. Isabel would have insisted on traveling in the carriage.
Both his mother and Tia Teresa came out to see them off. Two Hawks was working in the barn with Mariano, where he went every evening as soon as his tasks were done.
“Have a safe journey, my son,” his mother said. She turned to smile at Carly. “You, also… my daughter.”
A film of moisture darkened the green of his wife’s pretty eyes. She was smiling at his mother with such affection that something softened inside him. He had hoped his mother andaunt would accept her. He had never imagined they would come to love her as he did.
Ramon’s gloved hand went taut on the reins, making Rey del Sol start to prance and toss his head. He couldn’t have said that, not even in his mind. He couldn’t allow himself even to think it.
He knew the danger.Por Dios,he knew exactly the way it felt to have a woman trample on his heart.
“Vaya con Dios,”his aunt called after them. Go with God, she said. “Enjoy yourselves—and Ramon, be sure to give our best to your cousins.” A letter had come. Maria de la Guerra would be visiting Monterey with her daughter.
“I will convince them to come for a visit,” he said.
“Take care of yourselves,” Carly called out to them.
Ramon waved a final good-bye and lightly touched his spurs to his horse’s ribs. Carly rode up beside him, perched atop a well-schooled, little white mare.
“They’re very dear,” she said, glancing back toward the two figures fading into the distance, raising her hand to wave one last time. “I’ve come to care for them very much.”
Ramon said nothing. He was still grappling with the notion that he was falling in love with Caralee McConnell. He could stop it from happening, he assured himself. He could distance himself from her soft looks and gentle smiles, keep himself aloof from her laughter and the passion they shared in bed.
