Untamed Fire Read Free

walked over to the fountain, expecting the padre to follow,
which he did.
    “She must be punished for the damage she has
done.”
    The padre felt droplets of sweat trickle
down his neck from the morning heat and the weight of his robe. He
smiled uneasily and reminded once again. “Senor, no harm has been
done. Gabrielle will see that Bella is cleaned.”
    “It isn’t enough.”
    The padre opened his mouth to further defend
Gaby but Rafael raised his hand. “A peon cannot be allowed to take
a ranchero’s horse without permission and walk away unpunished. The
laws are meant to be obeyed.”
    “Gaby is a good girl. She is a dutiful
daughter of the church and as such obeys God’s laws.”
    “She didn’t steal God’s horse, padre. She
stole mine . If she had broken one of God’s commandments she
would be expected to answer to you. Well, she broke one of my laws,
therefore, she will answer to me .”
    The padre nodded slowly. “I see your point,
but perhaps we could find a just punishment, rather than a harsh
one. She is nineteen and innocent. I wouldn’t want to see her
suffer for a moment of foolishness.”
    Rafael glanced at the young girl they were
discussing. She worked diligently scrubbing Bella’s rump. Her full,
round hips swayed beneath the brightly colored skirt and her large
breasts bounced lightly beneath the white peasant blouse. She
repeatedly had to toss her long black braid back over her shoulder
to prevent it from falling into the bucket when she leaned forward.
She looked far from innocent to him. She looked more like a woman
made for pleasure.
    “She’s a good girl, senor.”
    Rafael nodded, knowing the padre had
detected his assumption and wished to make it clear that Gaby was
not like some of the women of the town who were free with their
favors.
    “Perhaps,” he said, voicing his thoughts out
loud. “She would fit the position I have come to discuss with
you.”
    “And what would that be?” the padre asked
feeling hopeful.
    “My mother requires a companion, someone to
see to her needs and keep her entertained. She still grieves for my
father even after two years. I fear for her health and wish to see
her accept this loss and begin to live again.”
    “Gaby would be perfect. She has a natural
cheerfulness about her. She has lifted many a downtrodden
spirit.”
    “Truly?” Rafael asked raising one brow. “And
here I took her for a sharp-tongued young woman who doesn’t know
her place, which makes me wonder. Can she take orders, Padre?”
    Padre Jose said a silent prayer and promised
the heavens that immediately following this encounter he would seek
out Padre Manuel to hear his confession. “Of course she can, my
son. As I said she is a dutiful daughter of the church.”
    “Obeying the church laws is one thing,
Padre. Obeying me is another. Will she obey me? Or will I find
myself forever punishing her?”
    The padre knew he would spend the remainder
of the day on his knees doing penance for deliberately breaking one
of God’s commandments, but it was necessary. “Gabriella will obey
you.”
    Rafael had his doubts, but he had handled
difficult servants before. “She will receive no wages for a period
of six months; a more than lenient punishment for her crime.
Afterwards, if I choose for her to remain on, I shall offer her an
adequate wage.”
    “It is more than fair. I will tell
Gaby.”
    “I will inform her.”
    “No! No, senor. It is best I do it.”
    Rafael tugged the brim of his black hat
lower, shading his molten blue eyes. “Make certain she understands
this punishment is not negotiable. She obeys or else.”
    The padre nodded hastily, anxious to get the
difficult task done as quickly and painlessly as possible.
    “I will return in twenty minutes. Have her
ready to leave.” Rafael turned and walked toward the mission
gates.
    The padre crossed himself, shook his head
and walked toward Gaby. “This isn’t going to be easy,” he mumbled
and crossed himself again,