Golden Secrets

When Salvador’s relatives at Rancho Refugio reached out to him in a panic about Dolores’s pregnancy, he was more than happy to tell them about the Laredo School for Young Ladies. He convinced the governor to cosign a letter of introduction and recommendation for their eldest daughter.

“Children bring tears, then make more children.” Masagawa read his mind. It was a crime that Harris had pushed his way into the Ortega family. When Salvador arrived at the rancho he found that Harris had set his intentions on yet another Ortega sister. He pretended he didn’t recognize the cad on that first night. Harris had established a career of breaking as many hearts as possible.

The next morning Alicia was glad to see Nina in the hacienda kitchen. Tío Salvador talked in the garden with the trapper.

“They have a lot to talk about,” Alicia said. She leaned toward the window to overhear a bit of their conversation.

“He visit Masagawa,” Nina said.

“What! Tío Salvador was in the village?” Alicia said.

“He visit; they talk.”

“About what? Did you take him there? Why?”

“They talk brothers, Monterey, and Harris.” Nina’s report was accurate, but too brief for Alicia.

“Tío Salvador will make important decisions about our land. We must be careful.”

“I know these things,” Nina said.

“Today Clara and I will see Padre Romo. Did you know that?” Alicia said. “We’ve got to straighten up our affairs before Captain Harris talks to Tío Salvador again.”

“He gone,” Nina said.

“He’s right there in the garden. What are you talking about?” Alicia was so frustrated with Nina.

“Harris gone. Tío make him go. He tell Masagawa.” Alicia looked from Nina to Tío Salvador in the garden. When did all this happen? Did Clara know?

“Is there coffee?” Clara, who had risen late, came to the sala. She was dressed for the trek to the Mission. She wore a long muslin skirt, a chamois vest, and a matching bag slung over her shoulder. “Why aren’t you ready to go, Alicia? It’s going to be a slow walk carrying those… Oh, Nina! I didn’t know you were here.” She stopped short of mentioning of the buckets.

“Nina made coffee. Here,” Alicia extended a mug to her sister. “But she’s not staying long.” She did not want Nina to share her news about Harris being gone.

“Well, that’s just fine. We’ll be at the Mission today. Leave some fruit and cheese out for Tío Salvador and Captain Harris, will you?” Clara ignored the fact that Nina was no longer working for the Ortegas. She was the trapper’s woman now. “The men get hungry in the afternoon.”

Alicia and Nina just stood and watched Clara drink her coffee and fuss with her hair. Tío Salvador had helped resolve the threat that Captain Harris would steal the land grant, but Alicia worried about how Clara would react when she learned he was gone. She focused on her own little world that would soon be turned upside down.