On that pleasant note, she picked her way through the thick crowds of people who had gathered in the square for the celebration. To Tessa's surprise, Colonel Montoya had acquiesced to the dons' insistence that a party be thrown in Captain Grisham's honor. The dubious fact that his capitan had saved not only the town but also the lives of several of its most prominent citizens seemed to make Montoya slightly wary, but a fiesta was a wonderful way to curry favor with the people of Santa Elena, and the Colonel had apparently grabbed at the chance.
Tessa always enjoyed a good fiesta. They reminded her of her childhood in Spain before her mother died—of the times she accompanied her parents into town for sweet bread and sugary candies and lively music. Tessa smiled and turned to the woman beside her.
"Isn't this lovely, Marta?" she asked her companion. "The decorations are so colorful, and just listen to the musicians! And what is that incredible smell?"
Marta chuckled softly at the sight of her young charge. She looked like the little girl she first met in Spain. Not for the first time, she thanked God that he had brought the two of them together. Marta knew that little Tessa had not been the only one in need of a friend.
"It is delightful," Marta said, "Although I do not think that Grisham would agree."
Both women looked up to see Montoya and Grisham standing on the balcony of Montoya's office. The captain was surrounded by dons patting him on the back and touting his bravery. Grisham indeed looked uncomfortable and very out of his element. Despite all his bravado with his soldiers it was obvious that Grisham wished to keep a low profile and the praise of the dons unsettled him.
"I still can't believe Colonel Montoya threw him this party," Tessa said.
"Yes, I wonder what he asked of Grisham in return?" Marta asked slyly.
"Maybe a promise to finally catch the Queen of Swords," Tessa suggested under her breath.
"Bite your tongue, Tessita," Marta replied.
Tessa grinned at Marta and the older woman announced, "I'm going to buy some spices. I am making paella tonight."
"Oh I love your paella, Marta!" Tessa enthused.
"I know," Marta said as she headed toward the market stalls.
With a small wicker basket over her arm, Tessa tightened her grip on the small leather pouch of coins she'd brought with her and set out to explore the many wares and crafts that had been set out for the fiesta. As she neared the center of the square the music coming from the Rose Courtyard intensified. A harmonious guitar melody mixing with the lively step of flamenco dancers with castanets wove its way around the tables and chairs that had been set up in the garden. The vibrant sounds made Tessa want to dance.
On either side of the main street were stalls and tables piled high with food and other goods. The smell of freshly baked bread led Tessa to one stall in particular. When she saw the jelly-filled pastries lined up like jewels she quickly purchased two. She placed one in her basket and bit into the other. `Delicioso!' she thought, licking the sugary glaze from her fingers.
As she walked on, she noticed some very interesting glass jars filled with sand. The sand had been dyed different colors and poured into the small jars creating beautiful patterns and designs. As she stopped to examine them she heard a familiar voice say, "The desert sands never looked more inviting."
Tessa looked up to find Robert Helm standing beside her, hands casually stuffed in his trouser pockets. She smiled as she silently admired the deep blue vest that fit snugly over his chest. The crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, showed off his nicely toned arms and if Tessa had been carrying her fan she would have had to use it.
"Good day, Dr. Helm," she said politely, trying not to appear too eager beneath the watchful gaze of the senora selling the glass jars of sand.
"Are you enjoying the fiesta, senorita?" he asked, returning her guarded response.
"Very much, and you?"
"It definitely has its good points," he replied. Cocking his head to one side, he seemed to be staring at her mouth.
"What are you looking at?" she asked nervously.
"You have, uhm," the doctor said, pointing to his own mouth, "it looks like…jam of some sort…"
"Jam?" she questioned as she daintily wiped at one side of her mouth with her finger.
"Yes, jelly," he clarified, shooting furtive glances at all the people milling about. "Other side."
She swiped at it again but missed it entirely.
`This tiptoeing around is ridiculous!' he thought to himself.
"Oh what the hell," he muttered and reached out to wipe the jelly from her mouth with his thumb.
Surprised at his bold public display, Tessa replied almost shyly, "Thank you doctor."
"Care to walk?" he asked motioning to the street. At her nod, he placed his hand at the small of her back, barely touching her as he led her away from the stall.
They walked in silence for a few moments, each taking in the sights and sounds of celebration in Santa Elena. Helm noticed that some of the dons were gathered at a table in the cantina playing cards. He smiled ruefully as he remembered the last time he had played poker with them. They hadn't been aware of his skill at the game. He decided that must be the reason why he was never invited back.
Keeping his gaze ahead of them, Helm ventured, "I've missed you."
Tessa turned to look at him profiled against the bright sky. It had been two days since she had left his office after finally revealing herself to him. She'd come to town as the Queen twice since then, but recalling his warnings about Montoya she had forgone any nighttime visits.
"Have you missed me or the Queen?" she asked impudently as she tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
"One and the same," he grinned, meeting her eyes.
"Not to Montoya," she replied softly.
"Thank goodness," he agreed, sidestepping one of the many laughing children who seemed to be everywhere enjoying the fiesta.
"Tessa!"
Tessa looked up at the sound of her name and saw Marta leaning against a stall beneath the shade of an umbrella. When she caught the younger woman's eye she motioned her over.
"Excuse me, doctor," Tessa said brightly and turned to go to her friend.
"Now that's a very pretty sight, isn't doc?"
Helm turned to find Captain Marcus Grisham standing at his side, arms crossed over his chest as he watched Tessa's form glide away from them.
"If it isn't the guest of honor," Helm replied tightly. He was still smarting from the fight they'd engaged in a few days before. Grisham wasn't exactly someone he wanted to see that day—or any day for that matter. "The dons get tired of coddling you?"
Grisham laughed quietly. "Well, at least they know who the real men are in this town."
Helm's mouth drew into a thin line but he kept his tongue.
"Too bad you were out of town when Krane was here," Grisham went on with a smirk. "I'd have enjoyed seeing you behind bars with the others. Then again, I doubt he would have bothered with you, doc. It's not like you have anything to take."
"And I guess you were just lucky the piece of scum knew you personally," Helm replied casually, refusing to rise to the bait. "I wonder what else is going to come crawling out of your illustrious past."
"I could say the same about you," Grisham said smiling. "Latham really livened up this place for awhile."
From across the square Tessa could see that Helm was glaring daggers at Grisham. Marta had called her over ostensibly to ask her opinion on some spices for the paella, but she had quickly asked how it was going with Helm. She had assured her things were going very smoothly, but now she worried what would come of the confrontation between the two men.
Hoping to diffuse the situation she made her way back to them and beamed, "Captain Grisham! Congratulations on such a selfless and brave act! Thank goodness you were here to save the dons. I'm sure that Colonel Montoya is very proud of your actions."
Unlike the dons' gratitude, Grisham soaked up her praise like a sponge. He made a slight bow and replied, "I was only doing my job, Senorita Alvarado. Now if I may be so bold, could I interest you in a dance in the Rose Courtyard?"
Tessa cut her eyes to Helm who looked a bit shocked by Grisham's invitation. Shaking her head she began, "Captain, I—."
"I only want to see you enjoying this fine celebration," he continued. Then with a look in Helm's direction he confided, "and frankly I just don't see that happening right now."
"Actually, Senorita Alvarado has already accepted *my* offer of a dance in the Rose Courtyard," Helm informed the captain. Turning a gaze to Tessa that said, `I hope,' he gallantly presented his arm.
The gesture brought a smile unbidden to her face and as she placed her hand on his arm she replied, "How kind of you doctor."
Grisham rolled his eyes as he stood there with his hands on his hips, watching the two of them walk away together.
"What just happened here?" he asked himself out loud. "I don't understand."
"What is the matter, capitan?" Colonel Montoya asked as he came up behind Grisham. "Are you, how do they say, losing your touch?"
Not bothering to hide a grimace, Grisham replied, "I thought Helm didn't even like her. He's certainly brushed her off enough. Now suddenly they're all warm and cozy? How did I miss this?"
"Do you find it so difficult to believe that the doctor has simply succumbed to Senorita Alvarado's not insignificant charms?" Montoya nearly purred. He was not unwilling to admit that he enjoyed his capitan's distress. Especially after he had been planning to blow up his coach.
"That was some quick turnaround," Grisham persisted. "Wonder what his Queen would say if she saw him getting so friendly with another woman?"
"Perhaps you should tell her the next time you see her," Montoya mocked. "Maybe she will be so bereft she will simply surrender herself to you."
Grisham opened his mouth to reply but Montoya silenced him with a look. "You have more important things to do than pick fights with the town doctor. Let him have his fun with Maria Theresa. Sooner or later he will be in contact with the Queen. And when he does I will be there."
Montoya started to walk off, then stopped. Without turning around he added, "Besides, next time you start a fight with him, I may not be there to rescue you, capitan."
As Montoya strode away, Grisham could hear him laughing.
