Page 29 of Beyond the Desert Sands

“Perhaps that is why your father wanted you here.”

“No doubt it is, but what about what I want? No one ever seems to consider that. All of my life, people have been imposing their will on me. Did you know that your father bought the rancho in California?”

“He told me just before I left to come here. I’m sorry, my sweet. I know that must hurt you greatly.”

“It does. No one cared about what I wanted or needed. They simply decided for me. They’re always deciding what’s best for me and never consider what I desire.”

“I care about your desires, my dear. I know this is very hard for you, but I will do whatever I can to make it better, including work in the mine. I told your father I would work for him to prove I’ve changed.”

“It’s so unfair that you should have to do that.” She was impressed, however, that someone of Diego’s standing would agree to such a requirement. He was handsome and his family wealthy. He could surely have any woman he desired for a wife. Isabella was deeply touched that he wanted her.

“Diego, do you think you might write to your father and ask if we could live in the California house?”

“You wouldn’t want that once they finish with all their planned changes, I’m sure. It won’t be the same, Isabella. We must forge our own way and make a place of our own.Perhaps we will come to love Silver Veil after I serve my time in the mine.”

“I’ll talk to Papi. Now that his sister has passed and he’s soon to follow, perhaps I can get him to change his mind.”

“I don’t know how you would do that. My father has told him how foolish I’ve been. He knows all about my reckless youth.”

Isabella nodded. “You’re hardly a youth now. I’m sure he’s heard things, but it doesn’t matter. You’ve not done those things in a very long time. Look, I will remind him that I’d like him to be at my wedding to give me away. He knows he’s dying and hasn’t much time. Perhaps that will change his mind.”

“Perhaps.” Diego nodded. “I can start working for him, and maybe he will see my sincerity, and this, along with your comments, will make him see that it’s in your best interest to allow us to marry. We could even promise to remain here.”

“No. I won’t lie about it.”

Diego looked at her for a moment. “Even if it’s the only way to get him to approve of us marrying?”

Isabella shook her head. “I despise lying. I’m not going to lie. Papi knows how I feel about this place. If I were to promise to stay here, he’d know it was a lie.” She rose, and Diego did as well. “I’ll talk to him and plead with him as a daughter who longs for her father to give her away and be there on her wedding day. That will surely touch his heart.”

Aaron could hear the entire conversation between Isabella and Diego. Sitting on his balcony for his prayer time, he’d seen Isabella’s arrival in the courtyard. He’d assumed she would see him as well, but she never looked up. When shechose the bench closest his room, Aaron almost returned inside. When Diego showed up, he definitely intended to go, but something held him fast.

He wasn’t sure what to make of the things he’d heard. Diego had encouraged Isabella to lie, and Isabella had refused—she said she hated lying. But still, she proposed a lie of her own. She would appeal to her father on behalf of her desire to have him give her away, for him to be present at her wedding.

Aaron hated the thought of Isabella making a pretense of it mattering to her that her father be at her wedding. She’d made it very clear that her father didn’t matter. His ideals and desires for her were resented and dismissed. She didn’t care about him at all. Aaron was confident of this.

“So what do I do about what I’ve heard?” he quietly asked aloud.

Isabella and Diego had already made their way into the house. Aaron thought he should confront them, but he knew that would only cause more resentment on Isabella’s part. Maybe he’d have a chance to talk to her alone. The one thing he wasn’t going to do was stand by and let them hurt Daniel Garcia. Not if he had anything to say about it.

He thought about how Daniel had asked him to consider managing things for him in Silver Veil. That management included helping Mrs. Garcia once he was gone and looking out for Isabella. When he’d first proposed the idea, Aaron had quickly refused, reminding Daniel that his life was built around the railroad. The Santa Fe was his employer, and he planned to make his way up into a position of district superintendent. He could scarcely do that while giving Daniel Garcia and Silver Veil half his time.

Aaron glanced heavenward at the pale-blue sky. “What am I supposed to do, Lord?”

---