Untamed Fire Read online

  Rosalita smiled, eager to hear the story.

  “It all began when I stole his horse.”

  The next few hours flew by. The women talked and talked. They discussed their childhood, their likes and dislikes. They planned on a course of action, intent on settling this matter within the next few days. And if it were proven they weren’t the Galvez twins, they would remain lifelong friends, always there to help each other when necessary. They formed a special bond, since fate had decided to throw them together, and together they would help protect each other.

  ~~~

  Supper proved a trying time. Both women felt uncomfortable at the table, especially Gaby, since she was being served by women that were her friends, her equals.

  It was also apparent that Rosalita wasn’t accustomed to being served. Every chance she got she reached out to help Elena as she attempted to serve her.

  “It will be interesting to see the twins’ reaction to Spain after living here all their lives.” Ignacio said with a sly smile.

  “They will do well,” Felipe said, “especially after Isabel instructs them.”

  “Poor Isabel,” Ignacio remarked and stood. “You must excuse me. I cannot stay for dessert. Louisa Ortega is expecting me.”

  “Is she still upset over Rafael’s impending marriage?” Dona Maria asked.

  “No, she is busy planning a trip to Spain with my help,” he answered. “She is anxious to see all the places I have detailed for her. Her father is making arrangements for her to leave within the next few days.”

  “Why so quickly?” Dona Isabel asked.

  Ignacio shrugged. “He feels it will do her good to get away and heal her broken heart, although, I think her heart healed remarkably fast.”

  “I’m happy to hear that,” Dona Maria said and ordered dessert brought out as Ignacio left.

  Gaby sat squirming uncomfortably in her seat as everyone enjoyed the wild berry pie. Rafael had been frowning at her when she had taken her seat. She didn’t understand why at first, but watching his eyes, she concluded he wasn’t happy with her dress.

  She wore her plain white cotton skirt, but the blouse she wore was new, finished just that afternoon. It was white, but the low, round neck had been trimmed with lace, adding a delicate beauty to it and displaying the tops of Gaby’s heavy, full breasts as they swayed back and forth with each movement.

  “Rafael,” Gaby said, hoping to take his eyes off her breasts.

  “What?” His reply was sharp and stern, and all heads at the table instantly turned to him.

  Gaby rarely felt embarrassed, but this was one of those rare moments. “I was wondering if Rosalita and I could go into Los Angeles tomorrow. I’d like her to meet Padre Jose, and see the mission and the town.”

  His stare shifted to her face. “I will make the arrangements for you to go.”

  “Thank you,” she said with a smile, but his frown remained, and it was fixed hard upon her.

  “I thought we’d spend some time together tomorrow, just the three of us,” Isabel said disappointedly.

  “We can spend time with you in the afternoon,” Rosalita suggested then quickly added, “if it is all right for us to go to town in the morning, Don Rafael?”

  Rafael looked across to his right at the girl and produced a disarming smile. “Please, call me Rafael. The morning will be fine.” His frown immediately returned when he turned his attention to Gaby.

  “Let’s see, what shall we do together—I know, lets’ go riding,’ Isabel said joyously.

  Both girls nodded their consent.

  “Good, now that that is all arranged, can we please speak about our return to Spain?” Felipe said.

  “Felipe, dear,” Isabel cooed. “Rosalita looks so tired, and it has been a long day. Perhaps tomorrow would prove more beneficial for all concerned.

  “I see your point,” Felipe conceded, “but can we at least determine which twin is which and begin calling them by their given names?”

  “The girls are accustomed to the names they have used all these years. I think it will be difficult for them—”

  “I don’t care how difficult it is, “Felipe yelled, cutting off his wife’s logical suggestion and pounding the table with his fist. “I will hear them called by the names we gave them.”

  Isabel bowed her head and stared at the table, but Gaby caught the blaze of anger in her eyes.

  “Then let me introduce each twin,” Rafael said, standing. “Don Felipe, your daughter and my future wife, Annabelle.” He waved his hand in front of Gaby and a chill ran up her spine.

  Felipe smiled and nodded, assuming Rafael had discovered the little secret that would determine the difference between the girls.

  “And your other daughter, Calida,” he added with a wave of his other hand.

  “Annabelle. Calida.” Felipe said politely. “It is a pleasure to meet both of you after these many years.”

  Both women appeased the man with smiles.

  “Now if you all will excuse me. I find myself exhausted after my journey,” Rosalita explained and stood.

  “Of course, my dear,” Dona Maria sympathized. “Let me show you to your room and make certain all is ready for you.”

  Isabel followed with a complaint of a horrible headache after such a strenuous day.

  Gaby was about to make her own excuse when Felipe insisted that this would be the perfect opportunity for Rafael and him to discuss the wedding arrangements.

  Gaby was relieved she would be able to retire to her room since she felt the weariness of the day descend upon her. But her relief was short-lived when Rafael stood and walked behind her chair to assist her up.

  “My room at midnight,” he ordered sternly as she stood next to him.

  Gaby stiffened, but retained her smile as she walked from the room.

  ~~~

  Rafael saw her as soon as he entered the room. He hadn’t expected her to be there. And he had never expected her to be sitting in the middle of his bed naked. The blanket covered her to her waist and her long dark hair veiled her full breasts.

  He stood staring at her. Then he began to undress. He did so slowly, and she never took her eyes off him. He walked to the bed and reached out, touching her face lightly.

  “You’re angry with me,” she whispered.

  “I’m going to rip that damn blouse to pieces.”

  “You didn’t like it?” she asked with pretend innocence.

  He grinned and slipped his hand to the back of her head grabbing a handful of her hair. “You little devil, you know I didn’t like it and you know why.”

  “It caused you discomfort?” she asked sweetly.

  He pulled her head back slowly, exposing her slim neck to his hungry mouth. “It caused me too much discomfort.”

  “Such a pity, since it is my favorite blouse and I know I will wear it often.”

  He lowered his mouth to her neck. “Are you prepared to suffer the consequences each and every time that you do?” The tip of his tongue touched her neck before his lips did. He savored the taste of her marking his path, then followed back up with playful nips.

  She shivered.

  He traveled to her mouth, claiming it with a staunch demand. His kiss was full of strength and raw power. He urged her mouth to press harder against him, to taste more of him.

  He pulled away with a sudden jerk. “I can’t get enough of you,” he protested with an animal-like growl.

  “Then taste more of me,” she urged.

  He shook his head angrily. “You don’t understand. I want you badly.”

  “Then take me,” she said, pulling her head free of his grasp, lying back upon the bed and tossing the covers off herself in a wanton invitation.

  Rafael stared at her naked body spread before him. “You don’t know what you ask; my need for you is so great. I may hurt you—and the baby.”

  “You could never hurt me, Rafael,” she whispered and held her arms out to him.

  He went to her, grasping her
wrists in each hand and pushing them above her head as his mouth found and feasted upon each hard nipple. The solid orb tasted good against his tongue, and he played with it until Gaby squirmed unmercifully beneath him.

  He moved both wrists to his one hand so the other would be free.

  “I want to touch you, Rafael,” she pleaded.

  His fingers ran teasingly along her side, down her thigh, to between her legs. “No, tonight you are my prisoner.”

  Gaby moaned as his fingers inched their way inside her.

  “I told you I wanted you badly,” he warned, stroking her with a master’s touch.

  “Then take me,” she urged.

  “No, I want you hot, wet... and panting.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  Rafael smiled and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Tonight, querida, I’m not going to play fair.”

  Gaby was soon lost. His touch and mouth consumed her. His words titillated her.

  Rafael was well past his control when he entered her. He was deep inside her and yet he wanted to go deeper, so much deeper.

  She held on to him, tightened herself around him, and together they exploded in a blinding release.

  Their control took time to return. Each clung to one another, unwilling to separate and break the intimate bond that molded them together as one.

  It was Rafael who spoke first, his breathing heavily labored. “Did I hurt you?”

  Gaby squeezed him between his legs before she responded. “No, you made me feel good, very good.”

  Rafael lowered his brow to hers. “Then you’re saying that I am a good lover?”

  She kissed him quickly. “You have the prowess of a stallion.”

  He raised his head and looked at her, bewildered.

  “I’ve seen a stallion mount a mare. He is beautiful and full of power when he does.”

  Rafael smiled and kissed her. “I love you. Never change.”

  He slipped off her and cradled her beside him.

  They were silent for a while, each lost in their own thoughts and dreams.

  “Rafael,” Gaby murmured.

  “Mmmm,” he answered, stroking her buttocks.

  “You don’t want me to learn to be more like your mother or Dona Isabel?”

  “Good heavens no!”

  “But they are well-mannered and dress properly. You are a rich ranchero who—”

  “Should have a beautiful wife by his side, which I will have,” he finished.

  “You really love me the way I am?”

  “Every part, every opinion, every strange idea, every disobedient act—you make life worth living, querida.”

  “I’m glad you love me so much, for I love you even more,” she said, snuggling against him.

  Rafael nibbled at her ear. “If you don’t stop that, I’m going to demonstrate first-hand how a stallion mounts a mare,” he warned.

  Gaby remained still for a moment, then wiggled harder against him.

  Rafael laughed, kissed her soundly, and then flipped her over.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  The sun was hot and the people friendly. Rosalita was accepted with open arms into the Alvardo household. Gaby’s brothers and sisters fussed over her and made her feel like one of the family.

  The women walked through town talking with friends of Gaby’s. The information they learned came in dribs and drabs; a word here, a short conversation there.

  Walking to the mission to visit Padre Jose, the women combined the information they had learned.

  “Let’s see,” Rosalita said, trying to fit the pieces together. “Los Angeles was a poor village around the time we supposedly were left at the mission. Then suddenly things began improving. The padres were able to help the people, more crops were planted, vineyards begun, material became plentiful.”

  “Which means someone was supporting the mission with heavy contributions,” Gaby added.

  “But why?”

  Gaby stopped. “In return for the twins’ protection.”

  Rosalita stared at her. “Protection not harm.”

  “Then the kidnapping was to protect the babies, not harm them as Rafael had mentioned. The twins were left with orders that they were to be looked after, and it appears the padres were paid handsomely to do just that.”

  “It does appear that way. But who would want to harm them?”

  Rosalita grabbed Gaby’s arm. “And does that person still mean them harm?”

  “That is one question I think we need to find the answer to pronto.”

  “Padre Pablo.” Both women echoed in unison.

  They entered the mission intent on hurrying their visit along with Padre Jose so they could return to the ranch and talk with Padre Pablo.

  Padre Jose was pleased to see them and talked about how wonderful it was they were finally reunited.

  “Padre, do you know anything of that day we were left here at the mission?” Gaby asked.

  Padre Jose didn’t care for that determined glint in her eyes. “Only the few things the padres had told me.”

  “Which were?” Rosalita urged.

  “That two baby girls were found cuddled together in a large basket.”

  “Nothing more?” Gaby questioned.

  “No, nothing,” the padre insisted.

  “And afterwards how did the babies fare?” Rosalita asked.

  “Well, the one took ill and...” The padre allowed his words to trail off as though he shouldn’t have spoken thusly.

  “And what?” Gaby asked.

  “I-I-I— You’ll have to talk with Padre Pablo about that,” he said, fearing he had already said too much.

  “An excellent suggestion, Padre,” Rosalita said with a smile.

  “Thank you, you’ve been most helpful,” Gaby said and bid the nervous priest a quick good-bye.

  The return ride seemed endless, although the women used the time to discuss what they had learned. What puzzled them the most was who would want the babies dead; someone who would benefit from their death or someone who hated them? And why would someone hate month-old babies enough to kill them?

  The women found the padre sitting alone in the small chapel Don Rafael had erected for his wife many years ago. It sat not far from the main house, yet its setting was one of peace and solitude. A gentle place where one could reflect and pray without disturbance.

  It was plain inside as well as out. A small altar with a heavy wooden cross hung over it while a white linen cloth graced the top where several candles flickered in their glass holders.

  Several wooden pews formed two rows down the sides, leaving an aisle wide enough for only one to walk up. The padre sat in the first pew on the left.

  They entered in respectful silence, not wishing to disturb his prayers, and walked to the front, Gaby in the lead. He finally raised his head and when his eyes caught those of Gaby’s, he smiled.

  “You both have grown into beautiful young ladies,” he said, motioning for them to come forward.

  “It is good to see you again, Padre Pablo,” Gaby said sincerely.

  “I have missed you, my child. You have a way of brightening one’s day,” he said with a cheery smile.

  “And you, Rosalita? All goes well with you and—”

  “All goes well, Padre,” she answered without allowing him to finish.

  “I am glad you two are finally together,” he said.

  “Yes, Padre,” Gaby agreed. “And now is the time to tell us which one of us is the Galvez twin that survived.” She prayed her instincts were right and that finally she and Rosalita would learn the truth.

  Padre Pablo grew as red as the thin hot peppers that grew on the bushy plants. His breathing grew labored as though he had taken a bite from the hardy vegetable that often brought tears to a man’s eyes after just one taste.

  The old priest hung his head in defeat. “I suppose it is finally time for the truth.”

  “I think it only fair to us,” Rosalita said with understanding.

&
nbsp; “You’re right, my child,” the padre nodded. “And I fear for both your safety.”

  The women listened, their hands grasped tightly to each other for support. The priest told them the whole story finishing with the fact that Gaby was not one of the twins.

  Both women experienced a sense of loss, as though in finding themselves they had lost each other. They squeezed each other’s hands in reassurance that the bond they had formed could not be broken. They wouldn’t allow it to be.

  “You have no clue as to whom the person was that paid you all these years?” Gaby asked.

  “He still does pay the mission. He’s never stopped,” the padre responded.

  “How is the money delivered?” Rosalita asked.

  “It is left every Sunday in the poor box.”

  “And what of the person in Spain who wished the twins harm?” Gaby questioned, still trying to place the remaining pieces.

  “Greed mixed with fear was the only thing we were told at the time,” the padre explained. “You must be careful,” he continued. “Let Rafael handle this. Do not concern yourself with it.”

  Both nodded, silently praying and asking for forgiveness for the lie they had just told.

  “Padre, has Rafael spoken to you about our impending marriage?” Gaby asked, anxious to have the old priest marry them.

  “Yes, my child. The very first day of my arrival he asked me to unite you and him in marriage. I will be happy to officiate before I return to my mission.”

  Gaby hastily figured the time in her head. He had asked the padre before he had told her he loved her. He had all intentions of marrying her. He had known she wasn’t one of the twins, but it hadn’t matter, and he hadn’t told anyone of it to protect her. He loved her, honestly and truly loved her, Gaby Alvardo.

  Gaby let out a yelp of joy and threw her arms around the old priest, hugging him. “Oh, Padre, thank you. You don’t know how happy you’ve made me.”

  “I’m glad you are so pleased with my marrying you,” the padre said.

  Gaby smiled, pulled Rosalita along, and bid a quick good-bye to the padre.

  “I’m so happy for you,” Rosalita said, hugging Gaby as they stepped outside the chapel. “It must be wonderful to marry someone who loves you so much.”