Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords series are copyright to Fireworks and Paramount. No infringement is intended nor revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, Maril.

VS Episode #219

Birthright
by Maril

Part Two of Three

Act One - Scene 3

Montoya's eyebrows lifted in surprise as he watched the horseman speed through the town gates and pull up abruptly at the fountain. Dismounting into an eddy of dust, he tossed the reins carelessly over the hitching post. From his place in the cantina, Montoya recognized the rider ...and the horse. He drew in a sharp breath at the condition of the palomino. It was Señorita Alvarado's favourite mount. The colonel had seen her riding it several times when he had called at the hacienda. He clenched his jaw as his horseman's eye inspected the sorry state of the animal. It was lathered and heaving, its pale coat dusty and darkened by sweat. The horse was nearly spent from the hard ride the señorita's cousin had given it. 'A fine piece of horseflesh,' he noted, 'not be driven like a dray horse and left in such a condition in this heat.'

Anger began to well up inside the colonel as Enrique noticed him and began to stroll in his languid way toward the cantina. 'Such a man should not be allowed to ride anything but a donkey!' Montoya thought in disgust. He was certain that Tessa would never have allowed Enrique the use of her horse. He must have taken it without her knowledge or permission.

Not waiting for Enrique to enter the cantina, Montoya stood up and met him near the steps. He walked past the young man and made his way to the palomino. With a curt signal to one of the passing soldiers, Montoya said, "Take this horse and cool it out. Then sponge it down and give it some water. Tether it in the shade near the Rose Courtyard."

He cast a reproachful look at Enrique. "How you deal with your family is your own business, Señor Alvarado, but I will not allow the mistreatment of a fine horse like that one," Montoya snarled, gesturing with his thumb at the exhausted palomino being led away by the soldier.

Moderating his tone, Montoya continued, "I take it that you and your cousin are at loggerheads once more. She is a spirited and headstrong young woman as I have come to know, Señor."

"It is not fair, Colonel," Enrique whined. "As the younger son, I get nothing, inherit nothing. I am supposed to make a career in politics or the military. Why should I? My family is rich. By rights, I should have inherited my uncle's estate. It should never have gone to a woman, especially not an unmarried one. I should be running the hacienda and Tessa should be having babies."

"You will never persuade her of that through violence or coercion. Like a fine horse, she must be led gently to do what you want her to do." Montoya thought back quickly over the year since Tessa had arrived in the pueblo and tried to recall any instance where she had given in to his own persuasions. His eyes narrowed when he bitterly recalled her rejection of his marriage proposal. "Then again, Don Enrique, perhaps she has had her own way too long, and like a wild horse, cannot be tamed." The colonel restrained his impulse to smile at the angry sneer that met those remarks.

"If she thinks she can boss *me* around, then she has another think coming. I don't take orders from women." Enrique swayed and stumbled then righted himself with an attempt at dignity.

It was obvious to Montoya that the young man was drunk, and in the middle of the day. The crimson spots on his white shirt bore testament to that as did the rank smell of wine on his breath. Enrique was obviously in no humour to hear anything good said about his cousin whom he seemed to hate with a passion. Montoya took hold of Enrique's arm, patting it companionably. Perhaps this was an opportunity too good to pass up.

"Let us go into the comfortable shade of the Rose Courtyard, away from the clamour of the street. We can talk in private there. I have an idea which may solve your problem."

'And mine,' he added silently with a pleased smile.

Act One - Scene 4

She saw him dismount wearily in the courtyard and rushed from the house. All the pent-up fury of the day threatened to burst into an angry tirade as she approached him. But she held back when he hung his head and humbly handed her the reins of her horse.

"I am truly sorry, Tessa," he said, in a near-whisper. "I was drunk, but that is no excuse. You are right about me. I never learn my lessons, and continue to hurt the people I love. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. I promise I will never touch your horse again, or interfere with your hacienda." When he finally looked up, there were tears in his eyes.

Tessa was taken aback, uncertain how to take this admission. Was he truly contrite? His tears melted her heart and with a wide smile, she embraced her cousin warmly. "I forgive you, Enrique. Let us hope that from now on, we can remain on friendly terms. Not like when we were children," she laughed. To her delight, Enrique returned her embrace and her laughter.

"We are all the family we have here, Tessa," he replied, wiping at his eyes with his gloved hand. "We should be more loving, and work together. I promise to be more of a help to you. It is your hacienda and you give the orders."

She took his hand and squeezed it fondly. "Are you hungry, Enrique? I am sure Marta can make you something nice for supper."

Drawn by their conversation, Carlos the groom stepped out of the stable. "Should I take care of Lindo for you, Señorita Alvarado?" With a quick look over the horse, the groom grinned. "Someone has already brushed her quite well. She just needs to be unsaddled and bedded down."

"When I got to town, I had the blacksmith take care of her. She was very sweaty and tired so I walked her all the way back to the hacienda." Enrique hung his head again, then peered up under his brows at Tessa.

"Lindo is my favourite mare, and I was worried about her. But I see you know how to treat a horse after all, Enrique." Taking his arm, she led him into the house. Passing Marta in the hall, she did not miss the unmistakable look on Marta's face — a mixture of surprise and suspicion.

Act Two - Scene 1

It was cool and quiet in the villa office. Tessa leaned over the desk, rested her chin on her hand and stared out the window at the white hot building across the courtyard. Its adobe walls were almost blindingly brilliant in the midday sun. Everything here was so different, so hard and primitive. She began thinking about Spain again. It was a place of refuge when her own problems became unbearable. Since Enrique had arrived over a month ago, she found herself longing for Spain more and more. 'I can always go back there,' she often reminded herself during these times. After the incident with Lindo, Enrique had been careful of his behaviour. He spent most of his time away from the hacienda, some nights not returning at all. Though he did little work, at least he did not try to interfere with the running of the rancho. Tessa had no idea what he was doing.

'Not exactly true,' she corrected herself. 'I know what he has been doing with some of his time.' The previous week, Señor Paredes, the cantina owner, had asked to see her privately when she entered his premises. He took aside and with a chagrined look, told her that her cousin could have no more credit in his cantina. He owed a large sum for food and wine.

"I am running a business, señorita," he had told her with an embarrassed expression. "I cannot afford to give away my food and wine." Tessa had asked what Enrique owed, then paid the sum.

And a few days ago, she had been in the pueblo arranging to transport a large shipment of her wine to one of the presidios to the north. As she left the wagoner's office, a man who had been lounging against the wall, moved off and began to follow her. He was scruffy and unshaven, his dun-coloured jacked stained and ragged at the sleeves. She was near the edge of the town where there was little traffic and had to go down an alley to reach the main street where Marta waited with the wagon.

Quickening her steps, she had tried to get through the alley but the stranger accosted her before she reached the end. He held her arm and grinned, showing a mouthful of rotting teeth.

"What do you want?" Tessa gasped.

"Money," he growled.

"You can have what is in my purse, but it is hardly a sum worth hanging for. Let me go and nothing will be said." Tessa had tried to pull away but the stranger tightened the grip of his grimy hand on her sleeve.

"Your cousin owes me for gambling debts. He said he had no money but that you have plenty, Señorita Alvarado. Enrique said you would make good his debt to me." The man's gravelly voice had grated on her nerves as had the hand that was detaining her. Rage began to build at the idea of Enrique gambling with money he did not have, money he expected her to pay.

With a hard shove, she pushed him away. "I will pay nothing," she snapped. "If my cousin owes a debt to you, he will have to find a means to pay it. And if you touch me again, I will scream very loudly and you will be arrested." She had showed him the grime on her sleeve. "There is the proof that you attacked me. You know what Montoya will do to you for that."

The man had backed away, a malevolent look in his eye. "I will get my money, one way or another." He turned and ran down the alley. Tessa had heaved a sigh of relief, glancing ruefully at the dirt on her blouse. 'I suppose I got off easily. It could have been much worse. I will have a few words to say to Enrique about gambling with my money.'

When she had confronted him later that day, he was unrepentant. Tessa had a solution for his lack of funds. He could work on the hacienda and earn some money. That suggestion was met with scorn at first, then Enrique had given in and agreed to work for a sizeable wage. Tessa sighed as she thought about the amount she was paying him — much more than she paid her foreman, Señor Casillas. But it was the only solution she could think of to keep her cousin out of trouble.

A quiet tap on the office door brought Tessa out of her reverie. Returning regretfully to the present, she sat up straight and called out, "Come in." Marta opened the door to admit Señor Marcos, one of her obreros.

He was a small middle-aged man, darkly tanned from his days under the relentless sun. Grizzled grey hair curled over his ears, frothing at his temples. He pulled at his white homespun blouse to straighten it and adjusted the rope belt that cinched it loosely around his ample waist. In his hands, he nervously threaded an old battered sombrero while looking down at the floor.

Tessa smiled warmly at him. He was one of her most reliable workers and had a smallholding of his own to farm. A poor man with eight children, Señor Marcos was a hard worker and an honest man. Watching him shift uneasily on her tiled floor in his worn huaraches, Tessa wondered what had brought him here. It was very unusual for her people to see her in the office. She usually met them in the fields or at their own huts.

"Buenos dias, Señor Marcos. Would you like to sit down?" Tessa began, hoping to put him at his ease.

"No, gracias, señorita. I would prefer to stand." He continued to stare at the floor, only glancing up when he spoke.

Tessa stood up and moved away from the desk, feeling that its large wooden mass put too much distance between them, made them seem more servant and mistress. With another smile, she asked gently, "What can I do for you? Is there a problem on your farm?"

He swallowed loudly and then cleared his throat. "Si, señorita. There is a problem but I don't know how to tell you. It concerns Señor Alvarado." Marcos looked up quickly then away.

Cold dread stole over her and she braced herself with a deep breath. "What has my cousin done, Señor Marcos? No harm will come to you if you tell me, I promise you." She moved closer to hear as his lips moved but no sound came out.

Marcos hung his head and a flush rose up his neck into his face. Barely audibly, he said, "He seduced my young daughter, Corinna. She is only sixteen."

Tessa reached back to grip the desk for support. "Madre de dios," she gasped. This was worse than anything he had done before. Her whole body seemed cold, her brain frozen, unable to form a coherent thought. Finally, after a long pause, she half-whispered, "Is your daughter...?"

Marcos shook his head sadly. "We don't know. Corinna was heart-broken when she told my wife. The señor had promised to marry her, Corinna said. Foolishly, she believed him. She loves him and gave herself to him. Now he laughs at her and says he will never marry her. She is just a peasant girl."

Some semblance of calm returned to Tessa as she struggled to figure out what to do. In a level voice, she said, "Señor Marcos, in these situations the man can be made to marry the woman he has wronged. But in this case, it would ruin your daughter's life to have Enrique for a husband. She is better off without him, believe me. But he should not get away with this," she added vehemently.

Tessa suddenly strode to the office door and opening it, called for Marta. When she appeared, Tessa said brusquely, "Bring Enrique to me. Don't take no for an answer."

Marta looked into Tessa's eyes then nodded understandingly. "I will bring him if I have to take him by the ear as I did when he was a child." A moment later she was gone.

Marcos glanced apprehensively at Tessa. "I am sorry for bringing this trouble into your house, Señorita Alvarado. I did not know what else to do. I am a poor man and another mouth to feed would be a great hardship. And who will marry Corinna now?"

"Don't worry, Señor Marcos," she said. "I will see that justice is done. Your family will not suffer because of my cousin."

Loud voices outside the door heralded the arrival of Marta and Enrique. He burst in, a sullen expression on his face. Seeing Señor Marcos, his step faltered and he glanced quickly from the obrero to Tessa. Guilt flashed across his face then fear, finally to be replaced by an insolent smirk. With a mock bow, he smiled then lounged against the closed door.

Without preamble, Tessa said, "I think you know what this is about, Enrique. You have harmed Señor Marcos' daughter and you must make restitution."

Enrique pushed away from the door and reached into his jacket, pulling out a leather purse. He tossed it to Marcos who caught it instinctively. "There's enough in that purse to keep Corinna for a long time. Money well spent, if you ask me. And if you ask her, she enjoyed it as much as I did," he added with a leer.

Marcos flushed deeply then with a howl of rage, threw the money back at Enrique, striking him on the chest. The purse clattered on the tile floor and some coins spilled out. "My daughter is no puta, to be paid for then tossed aside," he growled. "She was a good girl until you promised her marriage. You can keep your filthy money. If I ever see you near my daughter again, I will kill you!" He pushed past Enrique and pulled open the door then rushed through, his retreating steps echoing down the hall.

Tessa shook her head in disbelief. "How could you, Enrique? Ruin that innocent girl's life and promise to marry her?"

"An Alvarado marry a peasant? Don't make me laugh, Tessa. If she is such a fool, she deserves whatever happens to her. Women are all alike. They want it the same as a man. You just have to use the right inducement."

Without thinking, Tessa struck him across the jaw. He stumbled and fell. A moment later he was on his feet, rubbing his chin, a surprised look on his face. She had not meant to close her fist when she hit him, but in her rage she could not hold back. Her knuckles stung from the blow but she would not let him see it.

Tessa picked up the purse and placed it on the desk. "This will do for a start, Enrique. I will use the money to buy Corinna some land near her father's. With land, she will be more marriageable. If she is expecting your child, you will continue to pay for its support. I plan to write to Uncle Alejandro to tell him of this in case you think you will get out of it by returning to Spain." Tessa was surprised at the icy calm that had descended on her, a feeling similar to when she held a sword and faced an opponent. Her eyes bored into her cousin, almost daring him to challenge her.

"Whatever you say, cousin," Enrique said with a malicious laugh and a shrug. "You are the boss." With an exaggerated bow, he left the room, massaging his jaw where she had struck him.

Act Two - Scene 2

Pulling the wagon to a halt, Tessa smiled and waved cheerily as she caught sight of Vera leaving the small dry goods shop. With an unmistakably chilly look, Vera turned away as if she had not seen the greeting. Tessa glanced at Marta in confusion. Marta shrugged, looking just as bewildered by Vera's rebuff.

"I had better see what is bothering her," Tessa said as she climbed off the wagon bench. "After you have had the horses shod at the blacksmith's, we can meet at the cantina for lunch."

With hurried steps, Tessa caught up to Vera and took hold of her arm. Vera turned with an angry pout on her pretty face. "I thought you were my best friend, Tessa," she whined as she shook off Tessa's hand.

"I am, Vera. What is the matter?"

"I would have thought you would tell me first. Instead I had to hear it second-hand." Vera began to walk away but Tessa once again restrained her.

"What is this about, Vera? What should I have told you?"

"The whole town is talking about your engagement to Fernando Santos. I was so embarrassed when Señor Paredes at the cantina asked me about it. I pretended to know but of course I didn't. Why didn't you tell me, Tessa?" Tears welled into Vera's eyes and she looked away quickly.

Sudden cold seemed to envelop Tessa at Vera's disclosure. Her scalp prickled and she shook her head trying to clear it. Engaged to Fernando Santos! How could that be? Who had started such a rumour?

Taking Vera's hand, Tessa said, "This is just gossip. There is no truth to it. I am not engaged to Fernando Santos or anyone. If I was seeing someone, I would certainly confide it to you, Vera. You are my best friend." Tessa added a warm squeeze and a bright smile, but inside she was fuming.

This rumour must have been started by Enrique as some plot to force her to marry. 'But Fernando Santos,' she thought in dismay. 'That boy! I am at least five years older. Why would Enrique choose him of all the men in the area?' She had her answer immediately. 'Of course, he would find the most undesirable man for me. A subtle revenge for making him pay for his villainy toward Corinna Marcos. I should have known he was up to something; he has been too quiet this last week.' Although Enrique had not done any work around the hacienda, neither had he interfered with its management. He spent most of his time away from the hacienda for which she was grateful. Now she knew what he had been up to.

Vera's expression showed she was not satisfied with Tessa's explanation. She knew Vera must be told the whole truth. "Can you keep what I tell you to yourself?"

"How can you ask me after that night we spent together marooned after the flood?" Vera asked in a slightly aggrieved tone. Then she smiled mischievously and laughed. "Remember how we tackled Doctor Helm and how he..." Vera halted as Tessa held her hand up quickly to stop her finishing that sentence. She barely controlled her own laughter.

Tessa drew in a steadying breath and told Vera everything that had happened since Enrique had arrived.

"He should be horsewhipped," Vera said passionately. "Send him back to Spain in a cattle boat. That is better than he deserves for how he has treated you." Her eyes flashed with anger.

Tessa smiled at her friend's heated defence and felt warmed by her fervour. It made the situation a little more bearable but she still had this rumour to cope with. How to stop it or to bring out the truth without hurting Fernando or his family. They would all look like fools in the community when the lie was uncovered.

"I must go home now, Tessa. When I tell Gaspar about this, he will be furious. He will probably demand satisfaction from Enrique for this damage to your honour." Vera's chin lifted and her eyes blazed with indignation.

"No, Vera. Don't tell anyone yet. Let me work this out myself. I'm sure it can be settled quietly without anyone being harmed." Knowing Vera's penchant for spreading gossip, Tessa hoped that Vera would keep this to herself, in particular to withhold it from Grisham. He was the last person who should know and yet Tessa was unable to caution Vera against sharing this with her lover. 'I am not supposed to know of the affair which makes it very awkward sometimes,' she thought. With a forced parting smile, Tessa allowed her friend to move on down the street to her black buggy.

Suddenly, Tessa felt as if every eye in the pueblo was on her, wondering about this abrupt engagement. She turned back toward the blacksmith's shop only to meet Colonel Montoya bearing down on her. Bracing herself, she slowed her steps and pasted another false smile on her face.

The colonel's grey eyes twinkled and he smiled broadly as he took her hand and kissed it. "I hear you are to be congratulated, Señorita Alvarado. A fine match, you and Fernando Santos. An excellent family connection. I must admit to being as surprised as everyone else by this news." He patted her hand familiarly. "You two have been very sly, keeping this courtship from us all. I would never have guessed. In fact, I thought you had your heart set on someone else."

Tessa detected something in his eyes that belied his words, a little shift that pointed to some hidden knowledge. She suspected that he knew about Enrique's scheme. Perhaps Montoya was behind it as a subtle revenge for refusing his marriage proposal. Enrique was impulsive and rash; it was not like him to develop a plan and execute it. Those actions would take too long for him.

Under the colonel's keen gaze, Tessa felt the colour rising in her cheeks — not maidenly blushes but sheer fury that she had been caught in a trap likely engineered by Montoya. He could not catch the Queen of Swords, but he seemed to have Maria Teresa at bay for now. It took all her willpower to keep the inner turmoil from showing on her face.

"You are too kind, Colonel. If you will excuse me, I must return home." Tessa pulled her hand away and tried to step past him. He blocked her path.

"But you have just arrived," Montoya said, then gestured toward the cantina. "And there is your fiancé with a group of his friends at a table. Surely you will want to greet him publicly now that your secret is out." The smile turned to a smirk as he watched Tessa squirm, trying to extricate herself from this awkward situation. How Montoya seemed to be gloating over her predicament! Like a cat watching its prey, his pale eyes never left her face.

"I have forgotten something and must return." She moved quickly past him, hurrying to the blacksmith's shop. Reaching her wagon with a sigh of relief, she found Marta still sitting on the seat waiting for her. As she was about to climb aboard, a voice from behind startled her.

"Señorita Alvarado, you are full of surprises."

Tessa turned to meet the green-gold gaze of Doctor Helm. The small smile left his lips as he searched her face, seemingly looking for something and not finding it. 'What was he expecting?' Tessa wondered angrily. 'Radiant happiness?'

"What do you mean, Doctor?" Tessa asked, keeping her voice carefully neutral.

"Your engagement to young Santos. I could hardly believe it. At Montoya's parties, you've scarcely ever given him a second glance. And now you're engaged. It must have been a whirlwind courtship." The doctor seemed to be trying to force a smile onto his lips and only succeeded in a sort of grimace.

Tessa cast a quick look at Marta, who nodded slightly. She must have heard the news too. Tessa sighed heavily. "There is no truth to that rumour, Dr. Helm. I am not engaged to Fernando. I hardly even know him."

Helm shook his head; his heavy brows drew down in confusion. "How the devil did such a rumour get started? Santos seems to believe it. He's been celebrating all morning at the cantina."

"I think my cousin Enrique arranged the betrothal with the Santos family. It was done without my knowledge or consent."

"That swine!" Helm snapped, striking the wagon side and making Marta jump. "That sneaking, snivelling swine!" Immediately, he recovered though his gaunt cheeks coloured hotly and his eyes blazed. "I'm sorry, señorita. I realize he is your cousin and your family. I meant no offense."

"You are right, Doctor. He is a swine and much more." Tessa pressed her lips tightly, striving for composure against the fury that threatened to slip from her control. Only the doctor's presence held her in check.

Swallowing hard, she asked the question that had been on her mind since she had first heard the disastrous news. "Doctor Helm, can a woman be forced to marry against her will? I mean, is there some law that could compel me to marry Fernando because his family has agreed to it?" Tessa tensed, watching the doctor's eyes narrow as he considered her question. Tendrils of panic seemed to be coiling in her stomach as she waited for his answer.

"I can't say for sure. In England, marriages have been arranged between noble families for social gain and to cement alliances. Young women have been bartered away like commodities, marrying old men and worse, whatever their own wishes might have been. It was considered their duty. Love did not enter into the bargain." His eyes softened sympathetically as Tessa sagged against the wagon for support. He rushed on. "But in this case, I don't think these situations apply. You are an independent woman with your own property." Taking her hand, he pressed it gently. "You should ask Padre Quintera. I only know about English society and law. He should have a better idea of your position in this."

Tessa glanced at Marta again, receiving a non-committal shrug in response "I will take your advice, Dr. Helm and see the padre at once." She turned to Marta. 'I won't be long.'"

Leaving Marta and the doctor, Tessa hurried toward the small adobe church. As she pulled open the door, the coolness of the interior felt soothing after the torrid heat outside. The comforting scent of burning candles and incense, and the resinous smell of wood combined to further calm her troubled spirit. At the front of the church, several women knelt in prayer, their shawls pulled over their heads. Tessa pulled her own shawl up as she walked down the centre aisle.

Leaning down to one of the women, she asked, "Do you know where the padre is?"

The woman, whose lips were moving fervently in prayer, gestured silently at the confessional. Tessa nodded her thanks and stepped over to the curtained enclosure and went inside. She knelt and waited for the padre to acknowledge her presence. Soon a panel slid across and she could dimly see Padre Quintera's profile through a mesh screen.

"Padre," Tessa began, dropping her voice to a near whisper. She sounded breathless. Indeed, her heart was racing. "I am not here for confession. I have a question to ask you." She paused to collect her thoughts and continued. "Can a woman be made to marry against her will?"

"Tessa?" the padre asked. "I have heard about your engagement. Are you saying you now do not wish to marry Fernando Santos? It is a grave thing to make such a commitment, then to withdraw from it."

"I did not make the commitment, padre. My cousin Enrique spoke to Señor Santos without my knowledge. I would not have chosen Fernando as a husband." Tessa swallowed then plunged on. "But I must know if I can be compelled to honour this commitment even though I don't want it."

The priest was silent for several minutes. Tessa forced herself to breathe normally, to unclench her jaw and try to relax.

In a gentle voice, the padre said, "Tessa, you are a woman, alone in the world except for your male relatives. It is the nature of women to be emotional, passionate, and sometimes rash and impulsive, following their own desires, much to the peril of their souls. Nature has made men stronger, to protect women. You must allow yourself to be guided by your uncle and your cousin. The man he has chosen for you is a good man; he will treat you well and hopefully you will bear him many children. Though you cannot be forced to accept this marriage, I believe it is in your best interests to go through with it. Your cousin is only concerned for your future happiness."

Forcing her voice to a normal level, Tessa said, "Thank you, padre, for your advice. I will consider it." Rigid with anger, she stood and left the confessional. Striding quickly to the door, she tore off the shawl and went outside. The brilliant sunlight hurt her eyes after the dimness of the church. 'He is a priest,' Tessa thought furiously. 'What does he know about love or passion? Or what women think or feel?' Somewhere, guilt niggled at her for these rebellious thoughts but she brushed it aside. 'Guided by my cousin? I'll be damned if I'll let him guide me in anything!'

Returning to the wagon, she climbed up beside Marta. As if sensing her mood, Marta simply picked up the reins and wordlessly started the team toward the town gates.

After a few miles, Tessa finally broke the gloomy silence. "The padre says I should marry Fernando, that Enrique is only doing what is best for me." She leaned back against the wagon seat, staring emptily ahead. "What am I going to do, Marta? The problems the Queen solves seem simple compared to this."

"You are not going to marry Fernando, for one thing, Tessa. That much I know. I will not allow you to throw your life away to save your family honour or some equally crazy idea." Marta reached across and pulled Tessa into a quick warm embrace. "You will think of something, querida. You always do." Marta flashed her a reassuring smile.

Tessa leaned against Marta's comforting strength for a few seconds, then said, "At the crossroads, turn the wagon toward the Santos hacienda, Marta. I think it's time I spoke with my future in-laws."

This Episode Concluded in Part Three of Three