Untamed Fire Read online

  He gave her a quick kiss and reluctantly left the room.

  ~~~

  Rafael had been talking with Felipe for the last hour. It was late in the afternoon, the hacienda quiet and at rest. Felipe found himself too excited to relax and had asked Rafael if they could speak.

  Instinct, sharpened by years of experience, told Rafael the man was prepared to talk marriage. Now was his chance to learn answers to questions that had haunted him for many years.

  “This is a good time to talk,” Felipe said, leaning back in the thick wooden chair, a glass of red wine in one hand, a cigar in the other.

  Rafael rested casually against the edge of his desk, his arms crossed over his chest and his feet crossed at the ankles. He appeared totally relaxed and approachable; beneath he was wired like a stalking animal on the heavily scented trail of its prey.

  “Yes, I’ve been looking forward to this conversation,” Rafael said with a feigned air of patience.

  “This talk is needed. I must secure my daughter’s future as was planned.”

  Rafael gave a short agreeable nod.

  “Did you by any chance discover if Gaby is Annabelle?”

  “No, I haven’t been able to broach the delicate subject and felt it was better to wait a bit longer.”

  “Yes, so much for the girl to handle all at once. Don’t want to confuse her even more. But you, of course, realize you are obligated to marry Annabelle, whoever she may be?’

  “I realize my duties, Felipe, and have all intention of carrying out my responsibility,” he said, which was no lie. He was obligated to marry Gaby, not because she carried his child, but because he loved her.

  “Good, good. I knew you would take the proper action.” Felipe puffed contentedly on the cigar, feeling all was well with the world. Then Rafael started with his questions.

  “Tell me, Felipe, is Annabelle’s dowry still the same?”

  Felipe choked on the mouthful of wine he had just swallowed. “Why, of course. I have no intentions of cheating you.”

  “I never thought you would. I was just wondering if the years had... well, diminished your wealth or if you had prospered?”

  “No need to worry, my son, my wealth has grown substantially. Actually, I was just remarking to Isabel about how the dowry should be fattened. After all, whichever girl you married will need to be trained to be a dutiful wife, since she has been raised in such an uncivilized land.”

  Rafael felt the first sting of annoyance. “I’m not interested in fattening my future wife’s dowry. I am interested in some information concerning her past.”

  “And what is that?”

  Rafael stood away from the desk, straight and tall. His large size overpowered and intimidated, and Felipe shrunk back in the chair away from him.

  “At the time of the twins’ kidnapping, had both their futures been decided and money set aside for each?”

  “Of course, I took care of that immediately. Both girls would marry into well-established families and a substantial dowry would be fixed on each.”

  “And if something happened to the girls, the money set aside would revert back to your funds?”

  “Of course, who else would it possibly go to?”

  “Isabel?”

  Felipe laughed. “Don’t be foolish. She’s a woman and women don’t know how to handle such things.”

  “What if something happens to you?”

  “I’ve arranged for a business associate to look after my estate and take care of Isabel.”

  “Can she remarry?”

  “Yes, but she’d relinquish part of my estate since it must stay in the family. Actually, I’ve just had papers drawn up to have Ignacio made the controlling heir to my wealth. She, eventually, in the case of my death, will be answerable to him, unless of course she remarries.”

  “Then Isabel would be looked after no matter what?”

  “Yes,” Felipe laughed once again. “She’d have to do something horrible for me to cut her off entirely.”

  “Something you would find unacceptable?”

  “Extremely unacceptable, of which Isabel isn’t capable. She’s too much the lady. What are you implying?”

  “Nothing, Felipe, I was just trying to piece the puzzle together, learn more facts, perhaps discover something I had overlooked.”

  “And did you find it?”

  “No, not yet, but I will,” Rafael assured him and wondered if Isabel was really the lady her husband thought her to be.

  A knock on the study door interrupted them.

  Carlos stood with his hat in his hand as he delivered a message to Raphael. “The wagons have been sighted. They should be here in about twenty minutes.”

  Rafael nodded. “Good, send extra men out to meet them and prepare for their arrival.”

  “Si, Don Rafael,” he said with a respectable nod of his head before leaving.

  “Your other daughter is about to arrive,” Rafael announced to Felipe.

  He jumped out of the chair. “I must inform Isabel. She will want to prepare herself properly. And, of course, Gaby must be told.”

  “I will see to that.”

  “Good, I will return shortly,” Felipe said and hurried from the room.

  Rafael didn’t like being dishonest with Gaby. She wouldn’t expect that from him and he didn’t want to disappoint her. But at the moment he had no choice. He didn’t honestly think anyone would believe she wasn’t one of the twins and therein laid the danger.

  Gaby was rushing around the room while Lupe cautioned her to take her time and calm down.

  “You’re still recovering from that fall. You should be careful,” Lupe scolded.

  “I feel fine,” Gaby insisted. “See, my arm doesn’t even hurt anymore.” She swung it back and forth to prove her point, but her grimace of pain, though slight, was not lost on Lupe.

  “I should tell Don Rafael. He would make you slow down.”

  Gaby stopped in mid-flight as she raced to the chest that held her best clothes. “You wouldn’t.”

  “If you don’t slow down, I will.”

  “How can I slow down when I’m about to meet my other half?”

  “You have another half inside you,” Lupe warned. “Remember what I told you. You rest, he rests; you rush, he rushes.”

  Gaby patted her stomach. “I guess he’s pretty upset with me about now.”

  “I’d say so. Your sister will wait. She’s not going anywhere, and I imagine she’s just as anxious to meet you.”

  Gaby walked slowly over to Lupe and hugged her. “What would I do without you?”

  “Get into too much trouble.”

  Gaby laughed. “You’re right. Now, if you will please help me change into my best clothes, at a nice, normal, unrushed pace, I’m sure my baby would be grateful.”

  “Grateful? Why, I bet that child sparkles with as much life and energy as his mother.”

  “In that case, he wouldn’t mind rushing.”

  “Sit,” Lupe ordered and shook her head while Gaby laughed.

  “Hurry, Lupe, hurry,” Gaby said as the older woman wove the last of the white ribbon through the girl’s long braid. “I heard the wagons arrive. She must be waiting.”

  “And she will wait. Give her time to have a cold drink after such a journey.”

  “I’ll have one with her,” Gaby insisted, moving closer to the door as Lupe attempted to tie the end of the ribbon around the end of the braid.

  Gaby flew down the hall, Lupe’s warning to take it easy instantly forgotten. She slowed her pace as she approached the parlor where numerous voices were raised in excitement. Her feet seemed reluctant to proceed, and she stood still, unable to move only a few feet from the room where her sister waited.

  She was filled with a feeling of dread. Would she discover her other self, or wouldn’t she? Was the girl in that room really her twin? Or were the instincts that continued to haunt her correct? She never felt she was one of the Galvez twins. It was hard to explain to everyon
e. She had felt too accustomed to her surroundings, to her people, to her way of life. It was as though it were part of her and her family before her.

  But the real question that haunted her was... who was she if she wasn’t one of the Galvez twins?

  She listened for a moment. The strange voice, the one Gaby had never heard before, was soft, refined, mannered in her responses... nothing like Gaby.

  She sounded sweet and obedient. Could this person truly be connected with her, and yet be so opposite?

  Gaby smoothed the cotton material of her simple white skirt and blouse and took a cautious step.

  “Oh, Felipe, she is charming,” Isabel cried.

  Gaby stopped. She could tell from the sound of Dona Isabel’s voice that she was impressed by the girl.

  “Like her sister,” Rafael added in his strong commanding tone.

  Gaby smiled. Rafael spoke in her defense and right there and then his act of gallantry made her realize how much he loved her and that was all that mattered. He waited to help her, protect her, and comfort her, no matter the consequences.

  She took a step, then another and another. Her smile widened with each one, and she entered the room as Padre Pablo always said she did... like a curious angel descending from the heavens.

  All conversation ceased as Gaby came face-to-face with her sister. Her heart pounded, her eyes widened, and she couldn’t believe what she saw.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  They didn’t look anything alike. The girl standing before Gaby was petite in form and a good three inches shorter than her. Her facial features were delicate, as though painted by a master artist, each stroke having been delivered with care. Her hair was not quite as dark as Gaby’s, and it was wavy not straight. The only thing they shared was the color of their eyes. Both were dark brown.

  “Hola.”

  Her voice was rich in flavor like a sweet melody.

  “Hola.” Gaby returned her greeting, not realizing her voice held its own rich distinction.

  Rafael stepped beside Gaby and took her hand in his, squeezing it and offering reassurance. “Gaby, may I present your sister Rosalita.”

  The almost unnoticeable frown that swept across Rafael’s face was not lost to Gaby. Something was wrong. And now that she saw her sister, she had the awful feeling that her instincts had been right.

  “I’m happy to finally meet you,” she said, offering her hand.

  Rosalita accepted it with a smile. “As am I.”

  Gaby’s inquisitive nature immediately picked up on the slimness of the girl’s fingers, and although delicate to look at, there were blisters on her palm that were just healing.

  “Perhaps we could talk,” Gaby suggested, wanting to learn more about her and in turn herself.

  “Of course, of course, we all can,” Felipe said, stepping between the girls and hugging each one. “There is much to discuss and decide.”

  “I meant Rosalita and I could talk alone,” Gaby corrected him.

  Don Felipe didn’t like the dismissive tone Gaby used, but he controlled his annoyance with her before he spoke. “I understand how you both must feel—”

  “I don’t think anyone can understand that except Rosalita and me,” Gaby interrupted.

  “Perhaps,” Don Felipe snapped, “but your mother and I wish to talk with the two of you and discuss your future plans.”

  Gaby took Rosalita by the arm without any protest from her. “That will have to wait. Rosalita and I must talk first, and then we will discuss with you our decision.”

  Don Felipe had had quite enough. “I’ve been as patient as I intend to be with you, young lady. I am your father and you will follow my orders.”

  “I think Gaby’s suggestion is the wisest.”

  All eyes turned to Dona Maria. Even Rafael was surprised by the sternness of his mother’s voice. He had remembered hearing that tone on the many occasions he had misbehaved.

  “Now, Maria—”

  “Don’t speak to me as if I were a child, Felipe, “Dona Maria said.

  “Ay de mi, what has this country done to women?” Felipe said, throwing his hands up to the heavens in protest.

  “It has made us strong and proud of whom we are,” Dona Maria answered. “Gaby is a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman, and her request should be honored.”

  Rafael never felt as proud of his mother as he did at that moment. And he knew she never would have had the courage to speak as such if it weren’t for Gaby. The girl had a distinct way of forcing her opinions upon you until you finally saw the wisdom of her ways. She was special, very special, and he was glad she was in his life.

  “Perhaps Maria is right,” Isabel joined in.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Felipe yelled. “We need to speak to them, make arrangements for their return to Spain, and, of course, there are their marriages to consider.”

  “I agree with my sister,” Rosalita said, her voice a bit stronger. “There are things I wish to discuss with her first... privately.”

  “This is too much,” Felipe said, joining his wife in the chair beside her.

  Isabel gently placed her hand on her husband’s arm. “Perhaps some time alone would be good for them. Then tonight after supper we can all talk.”

  “I’ll have Lupe prepare a special meal,” Dona Maria said and walked to the door, stopping a moment to give Gaby a motherly hug.

  “We may go then?” Rosalita asked politely.

  “Well, at least you are familiar with some proper manners,” Felipe said and waved his hand dismissing them. “Remember, tonight after supper we talk.”

  The girls left the room, their arms hooked together. They headed down the hall toward Gaby’s room.

  “So the twins are finally united,” Ignacio said with a strange smile.

  Gaby felt Rosalita grip her arm. She was frightened; Gaby could feel it.

  “This is my sister Rosalita,” she said. “And this,” she added, acknowledging Ignacio with a tilt of her head, “is our cousin Ignacio.”

  He smiled and executed a dramatic bow.

  “How is it that you are related?” Gaby asked, finding herself suddenly curious.

  Ignacio appeared flustered by her question. “Distant cousin, some uncle or such, removed every now and then, a boring story. And where are you girls off to?”

  Gaby held firmly to Rosalita’s hand and made certain that she was the one passing closest to him as they walked by. “Off to discuss boring matters... nothing that would interest you.”

  Ignacio obviously was irritated by her curt dismissal. He stood staring at them as they proceeded down the hall.

  “Do you always say such outrageous things?” Rosalita asked, joining Gaby to sit on the edge of the bed in her room.

  “I don’t say outrageous things. I simply speak my mind.” Gaby smiled and Rosalita couldn’t help but do the same.

  “You have the most beautiful and contagious smile I have ever seen.”

  “Thank you. Our smiles are somewhat different.” Gaby said, hoping to introduce the fact that they didn’t look anything alike.

  “You don’t think we’re sisters, do you?”

  “How did you know that?”

  Rosalita placed her hand on Gaby’s arm. I could see it in your face when you first saw me. But you needn’t worry. I have no desire to be a Galvez and certainly no desire to leave California.”

  “I don’t wish to be a Galvez either.”

  Both girls looked at each other wide-eyed and burst out laughing.

  Gaby wiped a joyful tear from her eye. “Do you think there’s any chance that neither of us is one of the twins?”

  Rosalita frowned. “I don’t know. This is all so strange to me. I knew nothing until the message arrived that I was to come here and the reason for the summons.”

  “Your adopted family didn’t mind?”

  “No,” she said with a sad shake of her head.

  “They did not treat you well.” It was a statement not a question. Gab
y could read the sorrow in the girl’s dark eyes.

  “No.”

  “Then why do you wish to stay here? Perhaps this is a chance for a better life for you.”

  Rosalita squeezed Gaby’s arm lightly. “I have obligations here that must be met; other people are depending on me. I cannot let them down.”

  “Perhaps I could help,” Gaby offered, feeling the weight of her sister’s burden, though she didn’t know the cause of it.

  “Perhaps, when all this is cleared up, we will have a chance to talk of other things,” Rosalita suggested.

  Gaby nodded, understanding she wasn’t ready to speak of her troubles yet.

  “Do you know of anyone that could tell us of the day we were supposedly left at the mission?” Rosalita asked anxiously.

  “Padre Pablo, a delightful priest, will tell me anything,” Gaby said with a grin.

  “A priest who speaks openly is rare.”

  “No, it’s just that I usually hound him unmercifully until he answers all my questions.”

  Rosalita laughed. “You must have had an interesting childhood.”

  “Actually, the padres found my childhood interesting,” Gaby giggled. “They insisted it took nightly prayers to all the saints to keep them sane as I was growing up.”

  Rosalita continued to laugh. “Oh, how I wish I could have grown up with you!”

  Again Gaby saw the veil of sorrow that slipped over the woman’s eyes. “Well, we’re together now and sisters or not, I feel a special bond with you.”

  “I am glad, for I also feel it. Now where do we start? With the padre?”

  “No, I think it would be best to go to town tomorrow and talk with some of the older people who were around at the time. We need to know what was going on in the community then.”

  “Will we have trouble getting permission to go to town?”

  Gaby smiled that devilish grin of hers. “I will speak with Rafael.”

  “It is obvious he loves you very much.”

  “It is?” Gaby asked stunned that a stranger could see it so clearly.

  Rosalita was surprised by her response. “Of course, can’t the others see it? You need only see the way he looks at you to know.”

  Gaby was pleased that Rafael’s love for her was visible. “Let me tell you how we met.”