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  The padre opened his mouth to further defend Gaby but Rafael raised his hand. “A peon cannot be allowed to take a ranchero’s horse without permission and walk away unpunished. The laws are meant to be obeyed.”

  “Gaby is a good girl. She is a dutiful daughter of the church and as such obeys God’s laws.”

  “She didn’t steal God’s horse, padre. She stole mine. If she had broken one of God’s commandments she would be expected to answer to you. Well, she broke one of my laws, therefore, she will answer to me.”

  The padre nodded slowly. “I see your point, but perhaps we could find a just punishment, rather than a harsh one. She is nineteen and innocent. I wouldn’t want to see her suffer for a moment of foolishness.”

  Rafael glanced at the young girl they were discussing. She worked diligently scrubbing Bella’s rump. Her full, round hips swayed beneath the brightly colored skirt and her large breasts bounced lightly beneath the white peasant blouse. She repeatedly had to toss her long black braid back over her shoulder to prevent it from falling into the bucket when she leaned forward. She looked far from innocent to him. She looked more like a woman made for pleasure.

  “She’s a good girl, senor.”

  Rafael nodded, knowing the padre had detected his assumption and wished to make it clear that Gaby was not like some of the women of the town who were free with their favors.

  “Perhaps,” he said, voicing his thoughts out loud. “She would fit the position I have come to discuss with you.”

  “And what would that be?” the padre asked feeling hopeful.

  “My mother requires a companion, someone to see to her needs and keep her entertained. She still grieves for my father even after two years. I fear for her health and wish to see her accept this loss and begin to live again.”

  “Gaby would be perfect. She has a natural cheerfulness about her. She has lifted many a downtrodden spirit.”

  “Truly?” Rafael asked raising one brow. “And here I took her for a sharp-tongued young woman who doesn’t know her place, which makes me wonder. Can she take orders, Padre?”

  Padre Jose said a silent prayer and promised the heavens that immediately following this encounter he would seek out Padre Manuel to hear his confession. “Of course she can, my son. As I said she is a dutiful daughter of the church.”

  “Obeying the church laws is one thing, Padre. Obeying me is another. Will she obey me? Or will I find myself forever punishing her?”

  The padre knew he would spend the remainder of the day on his knees doing penance for deliberately breaking one of God’s commandments, but it was necessary. “Gabriella will obey you.”

  Rafael had his doubts, but he had handled difficult servants before. “She will receive no wages for a period of six months; a more than lenient punishment for her crime. Afterwards, if I choose for her to remain on, I shall offer her an adequate wage.”

  “It is more than fair. I will tell Gaby.”

  “I will inform her.”

  “No! No, senor. It is best I do it.”

  Rafael tugged the brim of his black hat lower, shading his molten blue eyes. “Make certain she understands this punishment is not negotiable. She obeys or else.”

  The padre nodded hastily, anxious to get the difficult task done as quickly and painlessly as possible.

  “I will return in twenty minutes. Have her ready to leave.” Rafael turned and walked toward the mission gates.

  The padre crossed himself, shook his head and walked toward Gaby. “This isn’t going to be easy,” he mumbled and crossed himself again, praying for assistance.

  ~~~

  “Six months,” Gaby cried out and threw the scrub brush into the bucket with such force that it sent water splashing over the sides and onto the hem of the padre’s robe.

  “Listen to me, child,” he said in the stern voice he used only in the confessional.

  Gaby was immediately repentant and gave him her full and silent attention.

  “I do not believe for one minute that you stole the senor’s horse. You were concerned about your brother and acted instinctively. Unfortunately, the rancheros take great pride in their possessions and their status in the community. And if they hadn’t created laws for the town, chaos would prevail. Senor Cabrillo is being extremely fair in his treatment of the situation.”

  “Fair?” Gaby asked incredulously.

  “Yes, fair,” he repeated. “You will live in a large hacienda with more than adequate food and shelter.”

  “I have adequate food and shelter now.”

  The padre shook his head. “Think, child. Your family barely has enough to feed all of you. Many times you, yourself, have gone without a meal so there would be more for the little ones. Five of you sleep in one bed. Don’t you think by becoming a companion to a wealthy woman that your family would benefit? Dona Maria is generous. She will give you clothing and food in abundance and coins on the holidays.”

  Gaby knew he was right. Her family would benefit from her punishment as crazy as it seemed. She had no choice. The decision wasn’t hers to make anyway.

  The padre gently placed his hand on Gaby’s arm. “One thing you must remember, my child. You must obey Senor Cabrillo. Never question his command.”

  Gaby placed her hands on her hips, tilted her head slightly to the side and smiled. A smile the padre was familiar with. It was the one she wore just before her determined nature was about to get her into trouble.

  ~~~

  Gabriella hugged her mother one last time, holding back tears so she wouldn’t upset her. She kept reassuring her, explaining how this would be best for all of them. She promised to visit as often as she could since the Cabrillo hacienda wasn’t far from town.

  “Give father and my two brothers my love when they return from the orchard. Tell them I’ll see them soon.” She quickly hugged her sisters and was about to give Juan a big kiss when the little boy burst into tears and threw his arms around her.

  “It’s my fault that you’re being sent away.”

  Gaby couldn’t bear to see him blame himself. “No, Juan. It isn’t your fault. The senor was looking for someone to help his Madre and the padre thought of me.”

  “No! No!” he cried. “He’s taking you away because you stole his horse and he’s going to hang you.”

  Gaby hugged the trembling boy. “No, Juan, that’s not true. Senor Cabrillo isn’t going to hang me.”

  “Yes, he is,” Juan insisted. “Pablo says all horse thieves get hanged.”

  “I’m not a horse thief.”

  Juan pulled himself away from her. “But Senor Cabrillo thinks you are. He’ll take you to the big tree at the end of town and hang you there.”

  Gaby’s mother began to cry and her sisters soon followed. The young woman took Juan by the hand, grabbed the black shawl bundled with her few clothes and meager possessions and ordered the others to follow.

  Rafael was standing next to Bella speaking with Padre Jose when the Alvardo family with Gaby in the lead, emerged from around the corner of the church,

  “Ay de mi,” the padre said, crossing himself.

  Rafael smiled. “You appear to cross yourself whenever Gaby is near, Padre. Does she require that much help from above?”

  The padre raised his head toward heaven and nodded.

  Gaby stopped in front of Rafael. Even though she was just shy of six inches over five feet, she still had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. She paused a moment, realizing for the first time just how handsome the ranchero was. His complexion was touched with the deep richness of days spent in the sun, and his eyes... Gaby stared. The strange blue color scorched like a hot blue sun.

  “Did you want something, Gaby?”

  His voice was deep and smooth like a warm caress that lingers and leaves a tingle along the flesh. “Yes,” she said a bit more boldly then she intended.

  “What is it?’ he asked with a sternness that brooked no disrespect.

  She reined in her spirited nature, he
ld her head high and added a wide smile. “Do you intend to hang me?”

  Her outspoken words caused her mother and sisters to cry and Juan to cling tightly to her leg as though his little arms could save her.

  The padre paled and mumbled a quick Hail Mary.

  Rafael’s face lit in a slow, lazy smile. She was bold and foolhardy, but he had to admit he admired her effrontery. She intrigued him, challenged him, and he loved a challenge. “I gave the idea thought, but decided justice would be best served another way.”

  Merriment filled her eyes. “According to ranchero justice, horse thieves hang, and since I’m not a horse thief, you couldn’t possibly hang me. Could you, senor?”

  Rafael’s smile faded quickly and his jaw tightened in anger. He was about to lash out at her when her glance shifted rapidly from his face down to Juan who glared up at him with wide frightened eyes.

  Rafael understood immediately. “You’re right, Gaby. Horse thieves hang.”

  Gaby nodded with satisfaction, taking note of the fact that he hadn’t actually admitted she wasn’t a horse thief. Rancheros, she thought, were too prideful for their own good.

  “You have a minute to say your good-byes,” Rafael said and turned around, giving Bella his attention.

  There was a chorus of cries, hugs and kisses before the padre began to pry the Alvardos away from Gaby.

  Rafael growing impatient, walked over to Gaby, took her by the arm, walked her briskly to the small mare near Bella and ordered her to place her foot in the stirrup. Upon seeing her barefoot, he shook her head. “You will wear sandals from this day on.”

  Gaby hugged her bundle to her chest. “I have no sandals.”

  He focused on her warm brown eyes and placed his hands around her waist, hoisting her up into the saddle in one swift motion. His hands lingered for several moments at the curve of her slim waist before he released her. “You will have sandals to wear before the day ends.”

  “I don’t take charity.”

  Rafael mounted Bella swiftly. He tugged the brim of his hat lower over his face and removed a pair of black leather gloves from his saddlebag. He slipped them on and took hold of the reins.

  “I said, I don’t take —”

  “I heard you clearly. You don’t take charity, and I offer none. You will wear sandals because I order you to. You work for me now, Gaby, and as such follow my rules. Is that clear?”

  Gaby smiled and nodded.

  “Good. I’m glad you understand for I accept no opposition to my authority.”

  Gaby’s smile remained constant, though forced, as she waved one last time to her family and the padre as she trailed behind Rafael through the mission gates.

  The padre watched them disappear down the road that led from town. He shook his head, crossed himself three times and raised his eyes to the heavens. “Madre de Dios, Senor Cabrillo! Your troubles have just begun.”

  Chapter Two

  “No!” Rafael said sternly for the third time.

  “Why?” Gabriella demanded so contentiously that he reined his horse to a stop and she did the same.

  Rafael stared at her with a mixture of bewilderment and frustration. She was either stubborn or foolhardy—or stupid—which he didn’t think was the case. “I thought that you understood your position.”

  “I do, but don’t you think a bouquet of wild flowers would brighten your mother’s day and spirits?”

  Rafael was besieged by her determination. He had refused her three times and still she undauntedly pursued her request. “My decisions in matters are not negotiable.”

  A nervous quiver tickled Gaby’s stomach. His impervious attitude was difficult to deal with. He reminded her of a warrior who forever held his shield protectively in front of him, allowing no one to pierce the thick armor and wound him. She tilted her head slightly to avoid the glare of the sun and to be better able to look directly into his eyes when she spoke. “But you didn’t give my request thought.”

  “There was no reason to.”

  “Why?”

  Rafael shifted irritably in his saddle. “Tell me, Gaby, do you question God’s law?”

  Gaby recalled all the times she frustrated padre Jose with her questions. “Yes,” she answered with light laughter and added, “But God forgives. Don’t you, senor?”

  Rafael couldn’t help but smile. She did it to him again, put him on the spot with no place to turn. She was quick and intelligent... and he liked her smile. “Are the flowers that important to you?”

  “I thought it would be a nice gesture since I will be your mother’s companion. Flowers have a way of bringing people together, establishing friendships.”

  Rafael nodded. “Then I see your point. And I wish for you and my mother to get along well. We’ll stop so you can pick your flowers.”

  “Gracias,” Gaby said and turned the mare toward the patch of white daisies that sat back a few feet from the dirt path they traveled along.

  Rafael followed and by the time he had dismounted Gaby was already standing barefoot amongst the flowers. White petals tickled her toes as she bent to pick the vibrant blooms.

  “Be careful where you step,” he ordered concerned for her safety. “You should be wearing shoes.”

  Gaby didn’t raise her head or look his way. She simply dismissed his command with a wave of her hand as though it was unimportant.

  The dismissive gesture irritated him. He was about to descend on her when he noticed she had gone still, frozen where she stood. He did the same, fearing she had spotted a poisonous snake.

  Instinct took over. Rafael slipped a knife from the saddlebag and silently, with light steps surprising for such a large man, approached Gaby.

  She still hadn’t moved. Her long, slender legs were as immobile as a stone statue. Her long dark braid lay along her back to her slim waist.

  He positioned the knife in his right hand, ready to throw. His left reached out slowly, so slowly that he felt the sultry air caress his flesh. Her blouse had slipped off her shoulder and her smooth sun-drenched skin impeded his view preventing him from seeing what threatened her. He had to take a chance, a risk that he was faster than whatever had caused her to freeze in fright.

  Rafael’s hand inched forward toward her waist. Ready to protect her, he reached out swiftly wrapping his arm firmly around her and yanking her back against him while his weapon was poised to throw.

  Gaby grabbed his wrist and turned her head. Her face rested flush against his, her lips skimming his cheek. “No, Senor Rafael,” she gasped with a whisper. “It is only a butterfly.”

  Rafael saw it then, a beautiful brightly colored insect that spread its wings in a slow yawn and flew away. But it was the caress of Gaby’s warm skin next to his and the way his name spilled with sensual breathlessness from her lips that forced him still.

  Neither of them moved.

  Gaby’s long fingers remained locked around his wrist, his coiled muscles taut and ready for action. She breathed in his rich intoxicating scent that she could not quite define, though she greatly favored. And she thought for certain that she heard the hard and steady pounding of his heart.

  They were much too close; it was not right and so she released his wrist and he quickly lowered his hand. She turned her face away from his and added a light pressure to his arm that remained at her waist, silently requesting her release His arm remained firm.

  “Are you finished picking flowers?”

  “Si.”

  He removed his arm slowly, almost reluctantly. Gaby quickly ran to her horse and mounted her. She guided her mare just behind Bella and watched Rafael from the corner of her eye as he approached. He didn’t look angry, but then he wasn’t smiling either. He said nothing to her as he returned the weapon to his saddlebag. He seemed to hesitate a minute, then he bent down and picked something up off the ground, he turned and walked toward her.

  His eyes were fixed on hers. His lips were tightly set. And his hand reached up to her. She jumped slightly thinking h
e was about to do her harm. Then she saw it. He held a white flower. He said nothing, just held it out to her and her face lit with a smile as she took it from him.

  “You dropped it,” he said and turned away.

  Gaby’s smile quickly faded. She had thought it a peace offering, a beginning of a friendship. She was wrong. Senor Rafael still thought her a horse thief, and he was taking her to serve her punishment. There would be no friendship between them and the thought saddened her.

  ~~~

  Gaby’s eyes couldn’t take in everything fast enough as they rode through the gates of the hacienda into the courtyard. Her head turned frequently trying to take in the wondrous sight. It seemed as though flowers bloomed everywhere from the round beds dotting the courtyard, to the abundance of pots and the gorgeous hanging baskets. An adobe fountain was built into a portion of the adobe wall. Clear water sprouted from the large spigot down into the generous fountain bed though didn’t overflow.

  “Gaby!”

  She jumped at the sharp snap of her name.

  “You may acquaint yourself with your surroundings later. Right now, I want you to meet my mother,” Rafael said and dismounted Bella. He walked into the house, ordering the young boy sitting by the fountain to tend the mare.

  Unfamiliar with her surroundings and not at all worried about getting lost but most eager to explore, Gaby thought it best to hurry after him before she found herself in more trouble. Rafael was nowhere in sight when she entered the house. Gaby walked slowly around the large foyer, fascinated by the shining swords that decorated the whitewashed walls and the dark wooden chests and chairs that occupied a space that was the size of the house she shared with her family.

  “And who are you?” a friendly voice inquired.

  Gaby whirled around and returned the wide, welcoming grin. “I’m Gaby Alvardo, Dona Maria’s new companion.”

  The short, plump woman nodded. “Good. Good. I can tell by your smile that you will be good for her. I’m Lupe, not only the cook, but in charge of the house servants.”

  “Then I will be under your direction.”

  Lupe shook her head sharply. “No, child, you will answer to Don Rafael and no one else. Anything concerning his mother he handles personally. He takes his responsibilities very seriously.”