BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

#11 CHALLENGE RESPONSE

Look hard, the items, bullet, handkerchief and cactus are in there. Kinda.

~~~~~

Before Tessa awoke that morning, Marta was already fast at work getting the surprise ready. The invitations to Tessa's birthday party had been sent out with Vera's name prominently displayed to all the Dons in the colony, with the strict instructions that it should be kept a secret from Senorita Alvarado. Marta had been furiously hoarding food for the guests, making decorations with the help of the household staff, and trying to think of the perfect gift for her Tessita for the last month.

Usually parties were a common occurrence in the Alvarado household but after the death of the Don and Dona, Tessa hadn't had the heart or stamina to throw not even one. Marta wanted to mark the occasion of Tessa's 24th birthday with a lavish party that even the hard to please Dona would have been proud of.

Lately, since arriving in Santa Helena, there hadn't been a lot to celebrate, starting with the mysterious death of the Don. It killed Tessa inside that she hadn't been able to prove that Montoya had ordered her father's death. Marta had taken on the task of getting that ball rolling by asking questions of people one wouldn't normally even associate with, let alone converse with: the town drunk who was always sleeping behind Dr. Helm's office, the madam at the brothel, the scum and villainy that congregated in Beggar's Canyon. Marta only spent a grand total of 10 minutes there before hot tailing it back to the safety of the hacienda after it looked like she would lose more than any reales she had if she had stayed any longer.

Luis Montoya had been acting very strange the last couple of weeks. He was always able to produce a smile and small talk with Tessa and Marta when they would visit the pueblo, but on the trips that Marta had taken alone as she had secretly ordered cloth, food and supplies for the party, he was being overly cordial. Marta at first wondered if he was buttering her up because he knew that she gave Tessa advice. If Marta could be won over, Tessa could be soon to follow. I wonder if he has his suspicions that we believe he killed Don Alvarado?

Every time Marta had been in Santa Helena, Montoya would seek Marta out to bid her a good day, even if he was in the midst of punishing a peasant. He had been commenting on her clothing, telling her that she was an excellent seamstress when Marta would tell him that she had of course made the outfit herself.

There has to be something up his sleeve! Marta couldn't help but think, Imagine, a colonel so blatantly talking to a servant... I just can not think of what could possibly be his motive to be nice to me. In an instant, she wondered if he was attracted to her, but immediately dismissed it. If one knew Montoya at all, you would know that if he were to marry or even get involved in a woman, that woman had better come with class and money.

Having a little more time before Tessa would awake, Marta took out the birthday banner to stitch the gold brocade around the edges. The red silk was to have been used for a new dress, but Marta really wanted to make the decorations as special as possible for the party. The workers from the Alvarados and Hidalgos had been working overtime, and covertly, to make the party a success. Marta sat on the settee and took out her sewing kit.

Alternating between stitching the banner and thinking about Montoya made the time pass quickly. Marta's mind was more on the Colonel than what she was going with her hands. He had looked handsome in his uniforms, his hair was impeccable when tied into a ponytail, his goatee was well groomed and the graceful bow of his head as he peered up at her made Marta come to believe that he couldn't be a complete monster. He certainly had his good points.

Night had quickly turned into daylight as Marta heard Tessa move about in her bedroom. She couldn't possibly see the banner, it would surely ruin the surprise.

"Dios mio," Marta intoned as she brought herself out of her reverie. She quickly folded the banner and the rest of the brocade and replaced it in the chest just before Tessa emerged from her bedroom wearing a robe.

Keeping herself in front of the chest so Tessa couldn't even see that, she asked, "What would you like for breakfast?"

"Eggs would be lovely," Tessa said with a bit of sunshine in her voice and attitude.

"Raphael will be bringing them in momentarily," Marta replied, following Tessa into the kitchen.

"Care to give me my present now?" Tessa beamed as she sat at the table and peeked up at Marta.

"How about a little patience?"

"I am an adult. I am my own woman. I want my present," Tessa said, then prodded Marta. "Come on. Did you sew me a new dress? Order a new pair of boots? I really can not remember how I slashed the Queen's boots and should really get a new pair. It would be just like you to get me something sensible for me birthday, so is that is? Is that what you got me?"

"Even adults must wait, Tessita," Marta said with a knowing grin. "All in due time. You will never in a million years guess what I have to give you on your birthday."

~~~~~

From the moment Marta had left his office the afternoon before, Helm had been fit to be tied, yet bursting with excitement, and was ready to ride out to the Alvarado hacienda to have his way with her. He had been in the dark for too long; Marta's visit had been too short. He couldn't believe how that meeting happened in the first place, how short it lasted, and how he had actually promised Marta that he wouldn't do anything until the next day.

Concentrating on tying his tie was a difficult prospect as he was too excited about the evening ahead of him. Marta's words flowed through his head non-stop. He stepped back to look himself over in the small mirror and decided that he looked presentable, if not down right handsome. "Tonight is the night!"

~~~~~

As Montoya climbed into his carriage to go to the Alvarados, he didn't need to remind himself to take special care to inventory everything he could see. The extent of the fields, the number of workers, the furnishings in the casa. One day, they would all be his. Marta is indeed the perfect one to have on my side. No longer does she scowl whenever I approach her, even though she probably had no idea that it was what she had been doing. In fact, yesterday, it seemed as if she was happy that I made my way over to her and made a little small talk. For the first time, she smiled as I took my leave and she did not know that I was still examining her reaction. She had to have told Maria Teresa that I am a good man, and since this is the Senorita's 24th birthday, it was certainly time that she should marry before people started to talk.

Colonel Montoya made sure that Tessa's present, a sapphire necklace, was carefully laid on the seat beside him in such a way that if they hit some potholes, it wouldn't be mussed by falling to the floor. In his breast pocket, on the other hand, was the diamond ring that he had commissioned to put on her finger just as he was proposing marriage to Tessa at the party.

"To the Alvarado's," Montoya commanded his driver. The carriage moved forward as he sat back comfortably on the seat. He hoped that Marta had indeed told Tessa about him to smooth the way. That the proposal would happen in public, she would not automatically say no. In fact, she might even be persuaded to say yes.

~~~~~

Unless Vera hadn't been able to keep Tessa talking at her place, Tessa wouldn't be arriving back home for another hour. Vera was to make her lunch, have them try on dresses that Vera had purchased from Madrid and had just arrived, and just keep her busy. Ever since Marta had shooed Tessa out of the house after breakfast, the entire hacienda had been alive with activity.

Several of the field workers were moving the furniture and setting up banquet tables, hanging decorations and cooking a feast. Vera had sent out invitations to all the Dons in the colony, also Montoya because it was expected, and also Dr. Helm. When Marta thought of the doctor again, she couldn't help but smile and be warmed. She had finally confided her secret to him. He was shocked, but soon came around. By the time she left his office, he was actually beaming.

~~~~~

Because Marta had given Vera a new dress for Tessa to wear that evening, and was one that they would try on, she was chagrined when Tessa had donned the baby blue gown that Vera was going to wear. There was so much to do, so much responsibility, it was so hard to lie to Tessa. Vera needed to get her out of that dress, into the correct one, then get Gaspar and Tessa into the carriage to go to the Alvarados, but not before any of the other guests so it would all be a wonderful surprise. Tessa was really loving the blue gown and looked herself over in the mirror. When Tessa got to the point of asking Vera how much it was so she could buy it from her, Vera was ready to just tell her that Tessa was to wear the white and that the dress she wore was hers. Tessa asked how she looked.

"Ugly," Vera said. "Blue is not a good color for you. Here, try this one on." She held up the white dress.

Looking off to her left, she saw Gaspar poke his head around the door. Vera motioned for him to go away, knew they were running late. It was also a good thing that Tessa hadn't noticed him or he her, as she had just let the blue dress slip down to the floor. Vera held out the white dress and helped Tessa get into it.

Lifting the dress up over Tessa's shoulders, Vera realized that she had spent a wonderful afternoon with her only real friend she had. Tessa looked hurt by her abrupt criticism of the dress and was sorry she had said it, but they both had to dress and get a move on. They couldn't be fashionably late at the party by two hours.

~~~~~

Everything was ready at the Alvarados and most of the guests had arrived. Marta had tried to steer clear of Montoya since he had made his appearance, but she couldn't be rude. She offered him a glass of wine and he hovered around her until she got it for him.

Thinking that the Colonel did indeed have intentions toward her, Marta grew more and more uncomfortable. She finally looked at him to see him scanning the house. She told herself that she was just being silly when Montoya asked, "Where is the senorita?"

Helm walked into the Alvarado hacienda at that moment and was making small talk with the couple by the door, but his focus was on Marta across the room. Marta hurriedly told Montoya, "She will be here in due time, Colonel." She handed him his glass and grabbed another and walked toward Helm.

As soon as she handed him his glass and motioned for him to follow her, politely smiling at the couple she had interrupted, they walked to a quiet corner of the drawing room. Marta warned, "Stop. Do not say one word until the time is right."

"Not a word comes from my mouth," Helm promised. "I just want to make sure. That wasn't a dream, was it?"

"Dios mio," Marta sighed and shook her head. "I told you about 100 times in your office that it was true. Do I have to say it again here in front of everyone? I would prefer that you do it in private."

~~~~~

Keeping her emotions in check was a difficult thing to do as the Hidalgo carriage made it's way into the Alvarado yard that was filled with carriages. Music and laughter emanated from the house. Tessa knew there was a party in full swing and it had to be for her birthday. She looked at Vera next to her in the carriage with a surprised gape.

Even Gaspar couldn't control his delight at the surprise any longer and said, "Heppy birthday, Tessa. I hope we were able to give you the party of a lifetime."

Raphael, Tessa's stableman, held out his hand and made a slight bow of his head as he helped Tessa from the carriage. When she stepped out and looked at the windows, Tessa caught a glimpse of the red banner that wished her a happy birthday. Vera started to smooth down Tessa's gown, as well as her own. "A surprise birthday party?"

"Certainly," Vera said, then placed her hand upon Gaspar's arm and walked toward the door. Then she realized that Tessa stood rooted in her spot. "Come on, Tessa. You should walk in before we do."

"How long has she been planning this?"

Instead of answering, Vera smiled and pulled her toward the door. Tessa radiated joy and wonder at how a fiesta could have been organized under her nose. "Marta! The party is my gift. This dress is mine, isn't it? It is not yours." When Vera nodded, Tessa continued, "All in due time she told me this morning. Marta never ceases to amaze me."

Everyone turned toward the door when it was announced that the Hidalgos along with the guest of honor had arrived. "Surprise! Happy Birthday!" People crowded Tessa as she walked in the door. It was wonderful to see some of them, some she hadn't seen since she was a child, or who had once been children that she played with but were now men and women. The first one Tessa went to was Marta and gave her a big hug and whispered, "Thank you. I never expected this."

From the doorway of the living room, Helm hung back from the rest, the greeting of the birthday girl, all the commotion. Marta nodded to him and he disappeared toward the kitchen. Tessa thanked them all for coming individually as Marta slowly led her toward the kitchen.

"Come with me," Marta told her once all the greetings had been completed. "Your birthday gift from me is still waiting for you."

As Tessa was lead to the kitchen, she asked, "What more could you have possibly given me? This is going to be a wonderful party."

Chefs were still at work in the kitchen and Tessa dipped her hand into a bowl of pudding and about melted at the taste of it. "It is magnifico," she told him, and he nodded his thanks.

"This cannot wait," Marta said, pushing her toward the door. "I feel that your present is going to explode soon if you do not go out to the veranda."

Unexpectantly, Tessa was out the door and it shut behind her. She turned and tried to open the door again, confused, thinking she was alone, but it was locked. Then she realized that she wasn't alone. Even though it was dark--only the lights from the house lit the veranda--she could feel a presence there with her. She turned to see Robert Helm. Tessa smiled, then asked, "What is going on?"

Slowly, Helm walked toward her. "I know," he said as he stopped when he was inches from her. "Marta told me yesterday, something that I should have known all along." He raised his hand so she could see what it contained, the Queen's lace mask.

Before Tessa could even react, Helm raised his other hand and tenderly touched her cheek. "I am sorry, Tessa. I should have seen the truth. I should not have said all those things I have said to you, about her." He indicated the mask and lightly laughed. "Comparing you to her. You are her, the most interesting, marvelous, courageous woman I have ever met. I am sorry I never gave you a chance, to be herself, your true self, a queen." He wrapped his arms around Tessa's waist and pulled her closer to him. Nuzzling her head in the crook of his neck, Tessa wondered if she was going to faint. She held onto him for support. When she finally got her breathing under control and the lightheadedness passed, she looked up at him. Then she slowly, properly, did what she had only once had done in a rush. Tessa was finally able to kiss Robert Helm as herself.

END

*Didn't find the trio? Look at the first letter of each paragraph. :-)

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