Golden Secrets

When would life ever return to normal times? Alicia realized that each day Mama and Papa were away brought new problems, new people, and new worries to Rancho Refugio. The trapper continued to make his case.

“I’m not stealing anything.” He continued in a calm tone and asked more questions about the ranch, the land, and shoreline, as if he was conducting his own inspection. Alicia wondered who he actually worked for. He was not Spanish or Mexican. Was he some kind of spy?

Clara had met her match. She kept protesting, trying to intimidate the trapper. He appeared amused that she was so agitated.

“Run down to the dock, Alicia. Fetch Captain Harris. He’ll march this fellow to the Presidio and get the truth.” Alicia couldn’t ignore her sister’s command. She realized there was something bigger that worried Clara, so she headed toward the dock to get Harris.

Even from afar she could observe the dock’s planks, the twisted ropes, hooks, and floats all lined up in order. Not like Papa kept them. A tattered Mexican flag hung from a pole Harris scrounged from the trash and timbers strewn on the beach. Harris was doing his best to make the harbor look presentable, probably for Tío Salvador’s inspection.

“Captain Harris, Clara wants to speak with you.” Alicia did not thank him for his work or show any sign of appreciation. “There’s a man. A mapmaker.” At this moment Alicia distrusted both Harris and the trapper.

“I could certainly use his help. Where’s the man from?” Harris squinted down the beach, his hand shading his eyes. He was in no hurry. “Can you help me with this?”

“No, I’m not your dockhand. I told you, Clara wants to see you right now.”

“I can see you are just as spoiled as your sisters.” Harris stood, legs astride, facing Alicia. “None of you understand how the rancho works or how to manage the land. You girls need a brother, a man to take care of business.”

“Will you explain it all to me, just like you explained it to my sisters?” Harris might fool Dolores and Clara, but Alicia would never lift a finger to help him steal Rancho Refugio away from the family. “I know Papa saved the sailors, and the government gave him this land.” Alicia folded her arms across her chest to emphasize her confidence. “They expect him to work the land and pay taxes each year.”

“And he’s barely done one of those things. He must produce those back taxes in full or lose the land.” Harris took a step toward her.

“Don’t be so certain of yourself. Papa has his ways.” Alicia hoped she was right.

“And I have mine. I know that the blood relative clearing the debt will own the grant. That will be Clara, and me, as her husband.” Harris jumped off the dock onto the sand, looking extremely proud of himself.

“Not if I can stop you. Not if someone pays the debt first.” Alicia needed to keep her own plan secret. “Your lies and false records will not save you, Captain Harris.”

“Calm down, Alicia, I’ve already lost one family, fighting over land.” He turned to look at her and tried another approach. “Let’s work together.” Tío Salvador’s arrival could be any day. Harris and Clara were ready to present their elaborate ledger books, every page a lie.

“Enough talk. Clara is waiting for you now.” As soon as Harris moved out of sight, Alicia inspected all he accomplished. He had actually made the dock presentable with the faded flag whipping in the ocean breeze. If only she could pay the taxes, they could host official ships. Maybe the family would gain respect, and the dock would not be a black market for pirates and thieves.

Those minutes walking along the dock alone gave Alicia a new idea. Maybe Tío Salvador’s visit could help them catch up with their taxes and save Rancho Refugio for the Ortega family.

Alicia paced out to the edge of the dock and back toward the beach. Beneath the dock boards a unique sound, a crunch, echoed with each step. She had never noticed it before. Looking under the pilings, she could see that her family had built the dock on a pile of shells. Was this one of the shell mounds Nina told her about? Nina’s ancestors’ burial place? A holy place? A chilling spirit fell over Alicia.