Authors: P. R. Garlick
"I promise." She watched as the man below disappeared back
into the house.
Turning and going back into the room, she saw her reflection
in the mirror. She was shocked to see she was wearing a long silk
nightgown. She had similar ones in her apartment in New York, but
nothing like this with her on her trip as Mary Catherine. She
wondered if it could belong to her host's wife.
Hearing the faint knock she quickly got beneath the covers.
"Come in."
A young, dark-skinned girl came into the room. "Senor
Valenquez has asked me to check how you are feeling, Miss."
"I'm fine now." She smiled to the girl. "I just spoke to him
from the balcony and he's on his way upstairs now, to keep me
company for awhile."
"That is nice, Miss." The girl smiled. "Mr. Valenquez is a
kind man." The girl started to leave the room.
"One moment, Martina. Isn't that what Mr. Valenquez said
your name is?"
"Yes, Miss. Can I get you something?"
"No, I was just wondering if Mr. Valenquez's wife might be
joining him. I didn't see her on the patio."
"Wife?" The girl looked puzzled. "He is not married."
"I thought maybe he was, since this gown isn't mine. I didn't
have any of my belongings." Liane looked at the dark-skinned girl
more closely. "And you are a smaller size than I am. It must belong
to someone else who works here."
"No." The girl giggled. "There is only three of us, and just as
I am small, the others are large. I do not think they would have a
gown like this one. I believe maybe Bonita left it from one of her
visits. She is Senor Valenquez's sister."
"Oh, I see," Liane smiled back at the girl. "That explains it."
"Is there anything else?" The girl asked before stepping aside
as the Master of the House came into the room.
"If there is, I will call you," the man said, dismissing the girl.
"I couldn't help overhearing your curiosity over the gown. We
couldn't have you sleeping in those things you were wearing when
they brought you here." He made no attempt to hide his distaste.
Liane made a face. "Thank goodness I didn't have to remain in
them another day." She didn't want to explain where they had come
from.
"Your things weren't here at the time."
"At the time? I assume that means they are now."
Daniel nodded. "Yes, the boy who brought the message to Mr.
Marshal had your bag with him. It is downstairs. If you'd like, I can
send for it."
"No . . .not just yet. Though I will need . . ." She wondered if
the man knew anything about her. "You see, as grateful as I am to be
out of those other things, and to have this gown to wear, I'm afraid I
will have to return to my attire as soon as I'm out of bed."
"I can assure you my sister will not mind you borrowing her
night dress. She rarely visits here since her marriage."
"You see, as grateful as I am," she again tried to explain.
"This is hardly fitting apparel for a nun. I see my companion
neglected to mention that I am
Sister
Mary Catherine."
The man's near-ebony eyes grew wide in amazement. "Ah,
then may I ask what you were doing with a man like Mr. Marshal? I
mean no offense, but he was obviously . . .not the type of person I
would expect a sister of the church to be found associating."
"Isn't it his sort who needs guidance the most?" she countered,
not wanting to admit the truth, involving yet another person in the
situation.
"You are right," he replied with a smile. "And I will not ask
you any more questions."
"Thank you," she replied, then looking around the room again
she changed the subject. "Please, I would much prefer we spend our
time talking about you."
She learned that Daniel Valenquez was an American citizen by
birth, but preferred living in his father's native country. The ranch had
belonged to his grandfather and Daniel had taken over several years
ago when the man had died.
Liane listened with interest as Daniel told her that his mother
and sister still lived in America. And that his father had been killed in
an accident while he and Daniel had been on a trip to Peru visiting his
grandfather.
After that, Daniel had stayed with the grandfather and the man
had taught him everything about running the ranch.
His mother, an American, only came to the ranch occasionally
to visit her son. It was his younger sister, Bonita, who would come
and stay for months at a time. However, eventually after she married
and began raising a family, even her trips stopped.
"You must miss them very much," Liane said sympathetically,
thinking of the man living all alone. "They're so far away."
"I have my home here. The people working for me are my
family. Everything I have been destined for is here." He laughed
showing even white teeth.
"Do not look so sad, Mary Catherine. It will not always be
this way. I have some business to tend to. Then I am planning
another trip to America to visit my family. At that time we will begin
planning their next visit here to my home."
"So you do stay in touch with them?"
"Yes, quite often. I also have some business ventures in the
United States which they look after for me."
"Then it must come in handy having them there," Liane said,
thinking how rich this man must be to have, what she assumed was a
very large ranch, as well as other businesses in the United States. "Do
you have businesses in other countries, too?"
"I have talked too long, and have completely forgotten how ill
you have been." He got up from the chair by the bed. "I think it is
best that I leave you now. Tomorrow, if you feel up to it, I will show
you some more of my house. And when you are fully recovered, we
can expand the tour to the outside grounds."
"That sounds wonderful." Liane smiled warmly as she
watched her host leave the room. She had been so engrossed in their
conversation she hadn't noticed how tired she had grown. Now she rolled over, knowing sleep was the best medicine to help her regain
her strength. She would need it to continue her search for her brother.
I
"Your home is lovely, Senor Valenquez," Liane said as her
host guided her through the rooms of his huge home. She had noted
the strong Spanish influence in the low, rambling structure. She
noticed the same thing about the dark man, and wondered about his
American mother. There was very little about Daniel that would belie
his mixed heritage.
They entered his huge library last, and Liane found herself
fascinated by all the books and statues lining its walls. "Have you
read all these?" she asked as she glanced at a few of the books unable
to read the Spanish titles.
"Many of them," he replied simply. "On that wall you will
find some written in English, if you would like to do some reading
while you are here."
She walked to the wall and noted such names as Hemingway,
Mitchner, and Faulkner. "I would love to, except I'm afraid I won't
have much time. Now that I'm feeling better, I'll have to be on my
way."
Daniel looked surprised. "Certainly not already." He shook his
head as he came to stand beside her. "You will have to rest a while
longer before you chance the trip."
"No, really I must. I don't want to sound ungrateful for all
you've done. But you see, I came to Peru for a reason. I must get on
with my plans."
"I had wondered about your reason, but did not want to pry."
"I'm searching for my brother. It's a very long story, but I must
get on with my search before . . .before it's too late."
"You speak as though you fear some harm may come to him."
"Possibly. If it hasn't already."
"And the pilot who was with you when you were brought
here? How does he fit into this?"
"He's my brother's partner. They have an import export
business," she quickly added. She knew that, in essence, it was the
truth.
"I see." Daniel frowned. "Yet, I still do not think you are well
enough to travel."
"I'm much stronger than you may think." She stood straighter
as though to prove the truth of her words. "In fact, I'd feel up to leaving right now, if . . ." She looked down at the burgundy robe she
now wore. "I were dressed. You did say you have my bag?"
"Yes." He nodded. "However, I would feel terribly if I
allowed you to leave and harm should come to you."
"Please don't. I've been lucky up until now." She thought of
Todd's jacket, and remembered the good luck he said it held for him.
A frown creased her brow as she wondered what she would now do
without him.
"Luck may have nothing to do with it. Do you think it may be
wiser to bring in the authorities?"
"No! Please." The tone of her voice matched the desperation
in her emerald eyes. "You wouldn't call them, would you? If I
thought you would, I'd never have confided in you. I probably
shouldn't have anyway. It's just . . .I needed someone to talk to."
"I would not betray your trust in me. Though I am surprised
that you . . .a Sister of the Church, would get mixed up in this so
deeply."
"I never took a vow to stop loving my brother. But I do like to
think I'd go out on a limb for any human in need. Is it possible that
you picture a nun as only being able to pray for God's help?"
She forced a smile, hoping she sounded convincing. "I believe
God has given us all certain strengths and abilities for a reason. I pray
that God helps me use mine to do what is right. And I feel he is doing
that now."
Daniel smiled down at her. "Sister Mary Catherine, you are
quite a different person than anyone I have ever encountered. I would
not want to be the one to stand in your way. You do have a powerful
force on your side."
"Thank you. I hope that means you will help me go back to
the city."
"Yes, but it will be against my better judgement." He gave in
with a frown.