Midnight Rider Read Free Page B

had a formidable temper, she discovered, and he usually sent her away.
    By the beginning of the third week, he was once more the man he had been. They talked during supper, though never about El Dragón. Instead Uncle Fletcher explained with pride his accomplishments on the ranch, the increases he had made in cattle and horses, and the plans he had for the future.
    â€œPolitics—that’s where my destiny lies. This state needs men to look out for its best interest. Men who can see justice done. I intend to be one of those men, Caralee.”
    â€œI’m sure you’d make some fine contributions, Uncle Fletcher.”
    They were seated at the long oak table in the dining room, enjoying a supper of roasted meats; fresh baked tortillas; pastel de toma, a pie of onion, garlic, chicken, corn, tomatoes, and peppers in a corn flour crust; and mostaza, the Spanish name for mustard greens cooked in oil and garlic. The unusual food was delicious, as Carly had already discovered, though it had taken a while for her stomach to accept the hot, spicy flavors.
    Uncle Fletcher spooned up a second serving, sending a spiral of steam up from his plate. “Perhaps an appointment to the Land’s Commission would be the place to start,” he said. “Bannister has influence there. Perhaps—” He broke off with that and smiled. Beneath the flickering candles in the wrought-iron chandelier, red highlights glinted in his thick, graying hair. “Young Vincent would make quite a catch. And he certainly seems taken with you.”
    Carly focused her thoughts on the young man she had danced with, but his image changed to one of the dark-eyed don. “Vincent … yes, he seems a nice enough man.”
    â€œI’m glad you like him, my dear. As a matter of fact, you’ll be seeing him again quite soon.”
    She arched a brow. It was a two-day ride from San Francisco to Rancho del Robles. She hadn’t expected the man would return so quickly. “Really? Why is that?”
    â€œWilliam and I are staging a horse race. Bannister’s invited half the city. It’ll be quite an affair, as you might imagine.”
    Carly leaned forward, feeling a burst of excitement. “A horse race? Here on the ranch?”
    â€œExactly. William has purchased an extremely splendid animal. A Thoroughbred stallion named Raja, just arrived from Australia. He’ll be running against de la Guerra’s Andalusian.”
    â€œYou don’t mean Don Ramon’s palomino?” She had seen the magnificent animal that night outside the barn.
    â€œThat is indeed the one. So far the horse is unbeaten. William tried to buy him, but de la Guerra refused every offer. Bannister wouldn’t give up. He challenged the don to a horse race, then searched to hell and gone till he found an animal he believes can win.”
    â€œBut you said the don has very little money. Surely they must be wagering something.”
    He nodded. “Bannister’s put up two thousand dollars against the don’s Andalusian.”
    Carly mulled that over. If money was a problem, Don Ramon could probably use the winnings, and the thought of his losing such a beautiful horse seemed utterly unbearable. She found herself hoping he would win.
    She hadn’t seen the don since the night of the fiesta, though his tall, darkly handsome image had surfaced occasionally in her mind. She thought of him now and tried to tell herself the excitement coursing through her blood had only to do with the festivities ahead.
    She tried—but something told her it wasn’t the truth.

C HAPTER T WO
    Ramon de la Guerra led his palomino Andalusian stallion, Rey del Sol—King of the Sun—across the dry grass toward the group of people gathered to watch the race: William Bannister’s wealthy friends from San Francisco accompanied by a small number of women, Austin’s Anglo neighbors, and Californio rancheros from nearby