Until the Day Breaks (California Rising Book 1) by Paula Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

the Americans if the United States declared war on California.
    “Micheltorena’s troops are nothing but convicts from Mexico.” Tio Pedro spat in disgust. “I consider the cholos a bitter insult. That Mexico would send us such worthless men to defend California is despicable. The cholos are the only outlaws Alta California knows except for the bears and horse-thieving Indians. Not only do the cholos molest women, they steal everything from clothing to chickens. Because of this, Micheltorena is no longer popular here . ”
    “California should be a free province governed by the gente de razón ,” Roman said. “Is it true Micheltorena has aligned himself with the Americans in the north?”
    “Micheltorena granted huge tracts of land in the Sacramento Valley to a number of foreigners to secure their loyalty. John Sutter has now built a fort on the Sacramento River. The Swiss bows to no authority but his own and is training the Indians to be his soldiers, and Micheltorena has been run out of California,” Tio Pedro said dismally.
    Roman swore under his breath and pounded his saddle. “Why did you not tell me this a month ago? Who has become our governor? With the United States declaring their doctrine of Manifest Destiny, we must be united now more than ever!” Oro laid his ears back at Roman’s outburst, but didn’t move a muscle.
    “You were sick a month ago, mi hijo . You needed rest. I’m sorry, but Josefa forbade me to speak of this matter with you until you were strong enough to return to the saddle.”
    “Since when do you take commands from your wife?”
    “Since I realized she has better sense than I do.” Tio Pedro smiled and then grew serious once more. “Pio Pico is governor now. General Castro has been made military commander. You know there is bad blood between the two. Castro has settled in San Juan Bautista and Monterey, shuttling back and forth between the villages. Pico remains rooted in the south. He has made Our Lady of the Angels the province’s capital. Already Pico and Castro’s petty squabbles are splitting the province. Pico wants California to become a British protectorate. Castro seeks a semi-independent status for Alta California. General Vallejo says we should submit ourselves to the United States. He sees this as the best path for California.”
    “Vallejo wants the United States to rule us?” Roman’s anger grew.
    “You’ve been gone a long time. Much has changed since you left, mi hijo . The Americanos arrive by land now as well as by sea. The Sacramento Valley is teeming with settlers. The Yankees come in wagons over the mountains with their women and children. Mexico cannot hold on to California much longer.”
    “We don’t need Mexico. We will govern ourselves.” Roman leaned back in his saddle, rubbing his leg. Hours on horseback left his thigh stiff and sore. “The gente de razón can rule California better than Mexico. A mule could rule California better than Mexico!” Roman did not bother to control his temper. “I will ride to Monterey or San Juan Bautista, wherever the general is residing at the moment, and offer my services as soon as possible. Certainly, Castro will ride north to confront the Americanos—”
    Tio Pedro interrupted, “This is a war we cannot win, mi hijo . Not by the lance. Nor the riflero. The United States has grown too strong. I have arranged a marriage for you. A good match. A union that will safeguard Rancho de los Robles from the Americanos when they overtake us . ”
    Alarm of a different kind swept through Roman. Tio had allowed him to choose Sarita for his wife before he left for Texas. She’d pushed hard for the marriage, but he was not ready to wed then with his heart set on war, not marriage. Certainly, Tio would let him choose another fiancée when he decided to marry. Perhaps when he got over the sting of losing Sarita, he would find another Californiana wife. Or maybe sail for Spain to acquire a bride to bear his