Untamed Fire Read Online Free Page A

mounted her. She
guided her mare just behind Bella and watched Rafael from the
corner of her eye as he approached. He didn’t look angry, but then
he wasn’t smiling either. He said nothing to her as he returned the
weapon to his saddlebag. He seemed to hesitate a minute, then he
bent down and picked something up off the ground, he turned and
walked toward her.
    His eyes were fixed on hers. His lips were
tightly set. And his hand reached up to her. She jumped slightly
thinking he was about to do her harm. Then she saw it. He held a
white flower. He said nothing, just held it out to her and her face
lit with a smile as she took it from him.
    “You dropped it,” he said and turned
away.
    Gaby’s smile quickly faded. She had thought
it a peace offering, a beginning of a friendship. She was wrong.
Senor Rafael still thought her a horse thief, and he was taking her
to serve her punishment. There would be no friendship between them
and the thought saddened her.
    ~~~
    Gaby’s eyes couldn’t take in everything fast
enough as they rode through the gates of the hacienda into the
courtyard. Her head turned frequently trying to take in the
wondrous sight. It seemed as though flowers bloomed everywhere from
the round beds dotting the courtyard, to the abundance of pots and
the gorgeous hanging baskets. An adobe fountain was built into a
portion of the adobe wall. Clear water sprouted from the large
spigot down into the generous fountain bed though didn’t
overflow.
    “Gaby!”
    She jumped at the sharp snap of her
name.
    “You may acquaint yourself with your
surroundings later. Right now, I want you to meet my mother,”
Rafael said and dismounted Bella. He walked into the house,
ordering the young boy sitting by the fountain to tend the
mare.
    Unfamiliar with her surroundings and not at
all worried about getting lost but most eager to explore, Gaby
thought it best to hurry after him before she found herself in more
trouble. Rafael was nowhere in sight when she entered the house.
Gaby walked slowly around the large foyer, fascinated by the
shining swords that decorated the whitewashed walls and the dark
wooden chests and chairs that occupied a space that was the size of
the house she shared with her family.
    “And who are you?” a friendly voice
inquired.
    Gaby whirled around and returned the wide,
welcoming grin. “I’m Gaby Alvardo, Dona Maria’s new companion.”
    The short, plump woman nodded. “Good. Good.
I can tell by your smile that you will be good for her. I’m Lupe,
not only the cook, but in charge of the house servants.”
    “Then I will be under your direction.”
    Lupe shook her head sharply. “No, child, you
will answer to Don Rafael and no one else. Anything concerning his
mother he handles personally. He takes his responsibilities very
seriously.”
    “I’ve noticed,” Gaby said, rolling her
eyes.
    Lupe laughed. “He’s not that bad. After all,
he’s a man and can’t help some of the things he does.”
    It was Gaby’s turn to laugh. She didn’t
think anyone criticized Rafael... and got away with it.
    “And does the same hold true for women?”
Rafael asked.
    Gaby caught the look of fright in Lupe’s
eyes. It was evident no one criticized the powerful ranchero, at
least not in front of him.
    “I’m sorry, Don Rafael. I meant no
disrespect,” Lupe apologized.
    Gaby turned just as Rafael nodded his
approval of her apology. The small display of power irritated her.
She couldn’t remain quiet. “You know, senor, God gave women the
difficult job of raising men. That says something for what he
thinks of us.”
    She heard Lupe gasp and wasn’t surprised by
the woman’s reaction. After all, one did not question a powerful
ranchero such as Rafael Cabrillo, but then her mouth had a habit of
speaking before her mind gave thought to her words.
    Rafael stared at her puzzled. He had never
met a woman who dared to voice her opinions in front of a man. A
woman simply obeyed. But Gaby certainly did not