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She crossed the small footbridge over the San Antonio River on her way back into town, drawing her cloak close about her shoulders. Loud voices came from inside the small general store as the door opened and a man stumbled out, his arms around a full sack of flour. He dropped it into a wagon loaded high with bedding and pans and tools. A woman held the bridle of the burro hitched to the cart and frequently scanned the street urging her husband to hurry.
Entering Juan’s house, Victoria heard voices in the study. She stopped at the open door.
“Come. Victoria. You should hear this.” Juan motioned for her to enter. He removed his hat and poncho and tossed them on a nearby chair. Apparently he had just arrived at the house himself.
She turned to Diego. He’d grown since she’d seen him last. Now, at eighteen, he stood taller than she and had become wiry. He wore an old leather hunting shirt, most likely from his father. “Welcome, Diego. I’m glad to see you here. What news do you bring?”
He nodded, his face serious. “Santa Anna’s army is halfway between the Rio Grande and here. They’re moving this way.”
“How can that be when I left them at my father’s hacienda just nine days ago? The soldiers are on foot, not riding as I did. They could not travel so fast.”
“It is another section of the army, just as your father warned in his letter,” Juan said. “I’ve told Travis.”
“What is he going to do?” she asked.
“I don’t know. He questions whether to believe me—a Tejano. I can see it in his eyes. He has not been in command long enough to understand how things are here. And he and Bowie don’t agree on much.” Juan pressed his lips together as he took Victoria’s hands in his. “You came here for safety. I’m sorry.”
“No, Juan. I came to warn you. To give you time to protect Gertrudis and your children. To help you prepare.” Frustrated tears came to her eyes and she clenched her fist. “And now the soldiers linger and talk of parties instead of readying themselves.”
Juan would not meet her eyes. “Perhaps I should help you leave town. I can’t take you to my family as I wish to. They are already safely away. Perhaps the town of Mina…”
Trembling took hold of Victoria. She would not keep running. She had as much right to stay as they did. “I do not think there is a safe place left in Tejas. I will not go.”
Juan’s brow wrinkled in surprise. “No?”
“No. If you make me leave, I will slip away at the first chance and come back here. This is my fight, too.”
“Victoria.” He was frowning now. “I want to see you safe. Just as your father wanted. He gave you into my care. I do not take his wishes lightly.”
She pulled herself to her full height. “I understand that, but this is my land, too—as much as it is my father’s and mother’s and yours. It is mine. Our people have given their blood and sweat to this land. Can I do less? My family is here. My place is here.”
His gaze, although still worried for her, also held a measure of pride. He released her hands and nodded his agreement to let her stay. “So be it.”
Turning to Diego, he continued. “I will talk to Travis. Perhaps he will grant leave to the men who have families and farms in Santa Anna’s path.”
“But, Juan,” Diego said. “Your land is there, too. Will you go also?”
“No. I agree with our cousin. My place is here. I am captain. I must set an example.”
Impulsively Victoria threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Then she drew in Diego, too. “This will be where we stand.”
Chapter Three
Jake heard the music coming from inside the cantina fifty paces from its doors. Someone played a violin and another a bass fiddle. Light from the candelabras inside spilled out in rectangular slashes onto the dirt street. When he opened the doors, the strong odors of smoke and beer assailed him. He glanced about the room, half hoping that he’d see the woman from the hospital. A pipe dream. Why would a beautiful se?orita come to an American holiday celebration like Washington’s Birthday?
He was no stranger to women from Mexico with their thick dark hair and their chocolate eyes, but he’d been flummoxed with her. When he had glanced from the dog up into her face, he’d actually been tongue-tied like a dull-witted greenhorn. She was that entrancing, with her dark eyes widened in surprise and that slightly shocked look on her face because he had dared to touch her, even though it was obvious he was trying to help. He’d thought at first her hair was black, slicked back as it was into a fancy coil at her neck. Then as the dog had her moving this way and that he saw that no, it was the darkest, richest shade of brown he’d ever seen.
And then he’d gone and goaded her. Unfortunately, he understood why. Guess he was just foolish enough to want to make an impression on her—even a poor one, if that’s what it would take to get noticed. But damned if she hadn’t come right back tilting that soup on him. He grinned just thinking about it—had caught himself stifling that grin half the day whenever the memory popped into his head. As proper as she appeared on the surface, underneath she was a handful—a challenge he couldn’t ignore in spite of the fact he was only here one more day. She was an enticing splash of color in an otherwise drab and dusty town, and he wanted to see her again. He’d dressed as though she might show up, which meant he’d taken a bath, cut his hair and shaved. If she did appear, she probably wouldn’t recognize him anyway.
Jake walked to the bar and watched a group of volunteers raise their mugs as one, guzzle down their beer and then slam their mugs on the table.
“Have fun tonight because we’ll be out there again at daybreak if Bowie orders it,” one man said.
“I’m too tired to heft my fork,” complained another.
“That’s not because you’re tired, Ward. You’re jest drunk.”
“Maybe we should have thrown in with Travis instead.” Ward continued to complain. “Digging a well isn’t my idea of soldiering. Besides, there’s no way we can defend this place.”
Suddenly, a tall commanding figure in buckskin loomed over them. He slammed his fist on the table making the mugs jump an inch high off the table. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that the cockroaches in Mexico have ears?”
“This is Texas, Davey, uh, I mean Mr. Crockett.” A young soldier reddened instantly.
“Not yet it ain’t, but it will be.” Crockett grinned at him, and then spoke in a quieter voice. “North side first. The rest of the walls will hold. And,” he continued, his eyes narrowing on Ward, “Bowie might be ailing, but he ain’t stupid. He’s got his reasons for his orders.” He straightened and headed for a table closer to the music—a table where Travis now sat.
Travis caught Jake’s gaze and motioned for him to join them also.
Jake bought a shot of whiskey and then sat down with the lieutenant colonel.
“Glad you made it, Dumont. May I introduce David Crockett?”
Jake nodded to the man. He’d heard of him. “Enjoy your stint in congress?”
“Not enough to go back.” Crockett took a swig from his mug of beer. “Lot of talk that didn’t amount to anything.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Same as everyone else. Looking for a piece of heaven to stake a claim. Somewhere with good hunting and with bluebonnets that have an ear for good fiddlin’,” he added with a wide grin. “And you?”
“Just passing through,” Jake said noncommittally, glad when Crockett let the subject drop. He leaned back in his chair and relaxed. He was among his own element here and appreciated it. His recent visit home, if he had such a place anymore, had opened his eyes. Ten years was a long time to be gone from Charleston. He no longer fit in there—but then he never really had.
A boy stood on a nearby table and finished lighting the last of the candelabras overhead when a gust of cold air had the newly lit candles flickering wildly. Jake looked up to see what had caused the breeze. The view was like a gut punch. His se?orita.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she slipped the heavy blue cloak off her head and let it settle on her shoulders. A high silver comb held in place a black lace scarf over her hair knot, and small silver earrings shimmered daintily from each lobe. She wore a maroon silk dress trimmed with black bows that offered enough of a view of creamy skin at her throat to be enticing but not risquе. The material rustled in a very feminine way as she followed the man she came with, maneuvering gracefully between the tables and chairs. Another Tejano protected her from the back. Jake recognized the two as those he’d seen in Travis’s office yesterday.
“Well, would you feast on that,” Crockett said, letting a low whistle slip through his teeth.
“I am.” Amusement laced Travis’ voice. “And it looks like every other young buck in this cantina is, too. Even Dumont here.”
Crockett met Jake’s gaze. “I didn’t think Segu?n would bring that cousin of his in here.”
Jake’s ears caught on the word cousin with a mixture of relief. Not her husband, then, or fiancе. “Why not?” he asked.
“You might use your eyes, Mr. Dumont,” Travis said. “Look at her. Fine bones. She’s not a mixture at all, she’s a lady. Spanish aristocrat. Segu?n’s lineage goes way back. Someone like that usually is kept away from the commoners.” He leaned forward as if to tell a great secret. “That would be us. This old cantina could get a bit rowdy for her.”
“I get the feeling she can take care of herself,” Jake said, thinking of his earlier encounter with her. At least she didn’t have hot soup with her now.
Spying them, Juan made his way first to Travis’s table and removed his hat. He was dressed well for such a dusty spot on the map, Jake thought as he glanced over the silver buttons on his shirt collar and the wide satin sash around his waist that matched the se?orita’s dress.
“Any more news?” Juan asked in a low voice.
Travis shook his head.
Jake kept his gaze trained on the woman, wondering if she recognized him. If she did, she didn’t acknowledge it.
Juan murmured something in Spanish to the young man with him and they headed to a table across the room.
As the others talked, Jake settled back in his chair and watched the woman. She radiated confidence and something else that tugged at him. The two men who sat with her laughed at something she said and he felt a stab of envy that they enjoyed her wit when he couldn’t. She had charmed them to the point of being lapdogs—something he’d never let a woman do to him. He’d learned his lesson well. He raised his glass to an unseen past and caught the flash of her eyes as they met his. Quickly she looked away, raising her fan to her cover her face.
Crockett let out a laugh and slammed down his beer mug, spraying the table. “Dumont, you’ve got more guts than I took you for. She’s way out of your league. She’ll cut you down to size with that sharp hair comb of hers.”
Jake motioned to a woman serving drinks at the next table.
“You’re out of your mind, Dumont,” Travis said. “Juan will never let you near her.”
“All the better,” he mumbled, wondering what the hell he was doing. “I’m up for a dare. Besides, I don’t know that he’ll have the final say.”
“You’re a cocky son of a gun,” Crockett said. “It’ll be entertaining to watch you get your balls mashed.”
“Thanks for your overwhelming support.”
The serving woman placed a glass of red wine in front of Se?orita Torrez. She raised it to Juan, ready to thank him, only to see him scowl and shake his head. Searching the candlelit room, her gaze finally collided with Jake’s and held. She recognized him all right. Awareness pulsed between them. He gave her his best lady-killer smile and rose from his seat, ready to join her. “Gentlemen?” he said by way of goodbye to his table partners. “It’s been an education…”
She frowned and put the glass down. Then she pushed it to the farthest corner of the table.
Jake sat back down with a thump.
“You gonna let that stop you?” Crockett said, barely keeping the smirk from his face.
“Just a setback. She’s playing hard to get.”
Travis leaned forward. “What you don’t seem to get, is that she’s way out of your class.”
“Nothing with skirts is out of my class. But I am choosy.” He’d give her a few minutes, lull her back into thinking she’d get her way and that he’d given up.
“Thought you were heading out in the morning. Why are you interested in dallying with that filly when you’re leaving for San Patricio?” Crockett asked.
Damned if he knew. Just something about her he couldn’t let go. She lowered her fan slightly and he noticed a flush to her cheeks as another glance darted in his direction. Maybe she wasn’t as immune to him as he’d thought. “My horse could use one more day to rest.”
“You try the turpentine like Doc Pollard said?”
He nodded, turning his attention back to Travis. “Too early to tell if it’s helping. Well, gentlemen, I’d like to stay and discuss things, but a challenge waits.”
He raised his glass of whiskey. “To Washington—his great deeds, those remembered and those that aren’t.” He tossed the drink to the back of his throat, his courage bolstered by the liquid fire.
Half the room must have heard him. They all joined in with a hail of some kind. Then another man called out, “To freedom for Texas!” Tejanos and Texians alike raised their mugs. The band began a lively tune in the middle of the ruckus.
“Now you’ve started it,” Crockett said with a grin.
The sound was deafening. Jake rose, dropped a couple coins on the table to pay for his drinks and headed over to the se?orita’s table.
As he approached, annoyance flitted across her face, quickly covered by a polite facade. Most women welcomed his interruption. This was a new experience—a diverting one, if nothing should come of it. When he stopped in front of her, she seemed reluctant to make the introductions to her cousin and the other man, Diego. However, they both stood and shook hands with him, remembering him from Travis’s office.
“You know my cousin, Se?or Dumont?” Juan asked.
“We met yesterday. I spoke with her outside the hospital.”
Juan turned to the woman for an explanation. “You did not mention this.”
“There was no need. It was nothing.”
Jake raised his brows. “Nothing isn’t exactly how I’d put it, Se?orita Torrez. You nearly scalded me!” He caught Juan’s eye. “And I won’t be explaining where!”
Juan frowned and turned to her. “Victoria? Explain yourself.”
Jake hid a quick smile. At least he’d learned her first name now, even though it had earned him a killer glare.
“Se?or Dumont was kind enough to help shoo away a mongrel intent on the soup I carried to the hospital. I thanked him at the time. I did not expect to see him again.”
“Soup?”
“For the injured men. Your cook asked me to take it. She could then get an earlier start to her home.”
“It seems I owe you thanks,” Juan said with all the finesse of a gentleman.
He did not invite Jake sit down with them. That being the situation, Jake charged ahead. “Instead of your gratitude, I’d rather have your permission to dance with the lady.”
Juan raised his brows, and Jake could see him preparing a refusal.
“You don’t need to worry about my intentions, Captain Segu?n. I have none. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow as soon as my horse heals up. Just one dance—in honor of the occasion.”
Her lips twitched at his last comment.
Encouraged by the reaction, he said again, “One dance. After all, it is a party.”
“I am not swayed by this Washington celebration,” she said. “I think you Anglos use it as an excuse to drink. However, if my cousin will allow it, I will consent to one dance.”
More surprised by her acquiescence than he’d admit, Jake waited for Segu?n’s response. Finally the man nodded.
Diego frowned, rising to his feet. “You do not need to do this, Victoria.”
“It is only one dance,” she said as she stood. “And he was kind to help me yesterday. I probably would have dropped the soup and burnt myself if not for his quick action.”
Jake shot a triumphant smile at her two body-guards and then followed her to the small open area used for dancing, his gaze on the seductive swaying of her gown. When she turned to face him, he looked into eyes the color of dark mahogany, fringed with long coal-black lashes and wondered at his good fortune—or perhaps her lack thereof. He raised his hand for her to take. “Bad pennies or pezos in this case.”
With an elegant movement, she drew up the side of her skirt and then slowly placed her other hand in his. “No entiendo. I do not understand.”
Despite her cool, smooth touch, he felt warmth rush up his arm. “They do turn up.”
