Renegade Love (Rancheros) by Donna Fletcher Read Free Book Online Page A

acceptance of his orders irritated him. No fire fueled her blood, her nature much too passive. She would obey all his commands without question as a good wife should. Why did that irritate him? She would do as she was told, which meant she would leave him alone if he so ordered.
    He released her chin with a gentle shove and, without a word, turned his horse and rode out of the village, leaving Rosa standing in the road alone.
    Marinda went to hurry to her side, but stopped when she saw Padre Marten approach.
    “Come with me, my child,” Padre Marten said, holding his hand out to Rosa. “It is time we talked.”
    Rosa walked in silence beside the padre. The early afternoon found the adobe church empty and the echo from their sandals slapping the stone floor as they entered appeared an intrusion upon the holy silence.
    With a hand to her elbow, Padre Marten directed her into a pew near the front, close to the altar.
    Rosa crossed herself and slipped into the pew. Her nervousness increased when the padre sat beside her. Padre Marten was strict and stern in his religious beliefs. The parishioners followed the law of God and the church, and one did not falter from that law. If he did, he must seek forgiveness in confession and perform penance. This was expected from all, with no exceptions.
    “You will marry Esteban Cesare Saturday,” Padre Marten said, as if it were already done. “Are you prepared to accept him as your husband?”
    Accept him as her husband. She was just beginning to realize the depths of what that meant and the fact that nothing would change it. She would marry Esteban Cesare whether she wanted to or not. She nodded and felt as if she finally acquiesced to her fate.
    “Good, child, good,” the padre praised. “And as his wife it will be your duty to see that he attends church services.”
    Rosa held her tongue, though her eyes turned wide.
    “It is your duty as a daughter of God,” the padre warned sternly.
    “Rosa will serve only one master, Padre... me!”
    Padre Marten stumbled to his feet. He grabbed the back of the pew, steadying himself as he turned to face Esteban. Rosa remained frozen in her seat.
    “Your presence on holy ground offends,” Padre Marten said, “unless you are here to take confession.”
    “I am here to collect my intended.” Esteban extended his hand to Rosa in a silent command.
    The padre moved to block his path. “I am speaking with her.”
    “No, Padre, you are finished speaking to Rosa.”
    The padre’s face contorted in anger. “You deny this young woman access to her church and priest?”
    Esteban took a quick step forward as his hand shot out, causing the padre to step aside in alarm. Esteban grabbed Rosa by the arm and yanked her right passed the startled padre. He positioned her in front of him, her back braced against his chest while his hands took firm hold of her shoulders. “Rosa will attend church only when I give her permission to do so.”
    The padre opened his mouth to protest.
    Esteban didn’t give him a chance. “As my wife, her obedience is to me.”
    “You are riddled with sin and will pull this innocent girl into the depths of your hell to suffer your wickedness. Repent your sins. Save your soul and hers as well before it is too late,” the padre warned.
    Rosa watched as the padre’s face suddenly drained of all color and his eyes widened until she thought they would pop from his head. She could not imagine the threatening expression that Esteban had fixed on him to cause such a fearful reaction. And she did not want to, especially when the padre hastily blessed himself and mumbled a quick prayer.
    “I see no words are necessary, Padre,” Esteban said releasing Rosa only to grab her hand tightly in his.
    The padre shook his head, not in defeat but sorrow. “One day you will call upon God for help, Esteban, I only hope it won’t be too late for him to hear you.”
    Silence hung so heavy in the church that for a moment Rosa actually