The car pulled into the large circular driveway and came to a stop. The driver came around and opened the door for me as my eyes took in the mansion, for lack of a better word, revealed to me.

The large pillars on the porch drew my eyes from the huge expanse of the exterior to the exquisite carvings on the doorknocker, the detail with which the lions head had been carved was impressive even to my wary eyes.

The large doors opened to reveal a well decorated hall which I made a mental note to explore later. Right after I’d slept for a good 20 hours. The well dressed man, which I assumed to be the butler, led me down the expanse of a hallway, lined with mirrors and marble pillars, to another large door. This door leads to a massive, well lived in library, with a man sitting at the desk in the far corner where the light from one of the large windows could shine in and illuminate what he was reading without him needing to use the kerosene lamp carefully placed on the desk.

“Christopher, I presume.” The man stated as he placed the book on the desk. “It’s good to finally meet you. I’ve heard nothing but good things about your work.”

“Well, sir. It’s good to meet you too.” I stammered. “Although, I have to say…”

“That you were expecting someone a bit older?” The man smirked as he approached.

“Well…Yes…actually. When the…your company approached me for this project I assumed the house had been under construction for a ‘while’.”

“Actually. It has. My father started working on the house about 5 years ago. We’ve come close to finishing it many times only to discover that the ground hasn’t been prepared properly and the foundation begins to sink. Come, I’ll show you the section of the house that you’ll be working with.”

I was lead down a corridor that was as long as most houses I’ve been in and then we turned into another corridor, also extremely long and lined on either side with doors.

My host stopped outside a door and turned to me, “This is the section of the house that will need your expertise Mr. Kirkpatrick.” He opens the door to reveal an open expanse of nothing. “You see my father had a vision for this room and until it is completed, the house is not complete.”

“Um…Ok, well…what exactly did your father have planned for this room?” I asked, a bit confused.

My host looked at me, really looked at me, “Oh, my…where are my manners. Please forgive my rudeness. Perhaps you’d like to clean up and have a bit of a siesta before we get down to business?”

I looked up into the blue eyes of my host and saw the concern written clearly in their depths, “That would be wonderful actually.”

The man raised his hand, snapped his fingers and suddenly, out of nowhere, a tall man appeared, “Yes sir?”

“Please take Mr. Kirkpatrick up to his rooms and have a bath drawn for him. Make sure that Theresa prepares enough to include him for the evening meal. I’ll be a bit late though because of the new arrival.”

“Yes sir. Come Mr. Kirkpatrick, this way please. Your bags have already been brought to your rooms.”

I was lead up a set of stairs that I hadn’t noticed previously and down another corridor, “Um…”

“Alex or Alexander.”

“Alex? What did he mean when he said rooms?”

“I take it you’ve not been to Spain before senor?”

“No, never really had the cause to come around the world in my line of work.”

“Well, sir. You must be very good at your line of work. Mr. Chasez only hires the best and by rooms he meant your rooms that you will be staying in.” With this Alex opens the doors he’d stopped in front of to reveal an opulently decorated sitting room. “You see, Mr. Chasez believes all his guests should be as comfortable as physically possible while they visit. You have complete run of the house and grounds. He only asks that you not go to the stables alone.”

I entered my new home for the next God knew how long and made straight for the nearest horizontal surface I could find and lay down upon it.

Alex cleared his throat and with a slight snicker stated, “Theresa will have a hot bath ready shortly. I would suggest you enjoy the bath before you siesta, Mr. Chasez does not enjoy fowl guests in his home.”

“Hey Alex?” I question before the man can leave. “What exactly does Mr. Chasez do here?”

“He is the master of the house senor. He oversees everything. I’ll return in two hours time to collect you for the evening meal sir.” That being said Alex disappears into the house.

“K…That did not answer my question.”

“I’m sorry sir?” A feminine voice questioned from somewhere within my suite of rooms.

I jumped up from the place I’d lain upon and made my way towards the voice, “Who’s there?”

“It’s just me sir. Mr. Chasez said to draw you a bath.” The young woman stated. “I’m sorry, I thought you were speaking to me.”

“No. I wasn’t really speaking to anyone. What’s your name?” I asked, approaching the young woman.

“Me? I’m…well my name is Theresa.” She stated with her eyes on the floor.

“Theresa? Why are you so shy Theresa.”

“Because I am a senorita, senor. It is not proper for me to look upon your face.”

I sighed and turned away, “That’s strange. How would you know if you liked a man or not if you couldn’t look into his eyes.”

“Tis not proper senor, it is our custom. Your bath is ready. If you’ll leave your clothes on the table there I will collect them later and have them cleaned for you.” She quietly left the room.

“What a strange bunch, these people he has working for him. Course then again, he seems a bit strange himself.” I slip off my clothes and into the hot water. “Hmmmm, now that feels good.”

I relax in the water for a while and then climb out. I wrap the soft cloth Theresa had left around my waste and placed my clothes on the table she had pointed out. As I wandered into the ‘bedroom’ I didn’t see any of cases I’d brought with me.

“Now I know that Alex fella said my stuff had already been brought up, so where are they?”

“Perhaps you should try in the armoire sir.” A new female voice stated.

After jumping again, I turn to see an elderly woman standing with a gentle smile playing on her face. “And you would be?”

“I am Louisa, senor. I am sorry if I startled you.” Her smile indicated otherwise, “I’m here to assist you in dressing for dinner senor.”

“Assist me? I think I’m perfectly capable of getting dressed all on my own senora.”

The woman smiled indulgently but didn’t move an inch. “Senor Chasez will be displeased if you are not there on time senor. This would not be good.”

“Huh? Why wouldn’t it be? He said he was gonna be late anyway.” I stammered, confused once again.

“Si, senor, but you cannot be late for your first meal in the Chasez Hacienda, it would be…how do you say? Im…impolite?”

“Yes…I suppose it would be…impolite. But if he’s not gonna be ontime…”

“Senor,” Louisa huffed, “More dressing, less talk. Hmmm?”

“Fine. I’ll get dressed but I thought he said dinner wasn’t gonna be served for a couple hours and it hasn’t been that long has it? I didn’t think I’d been in there,” I wave towards the now missing tub. “Was I?”

“No senor, but today is a special day. We have a new arrival and we have been instructed that all members of the house shall be about when he arrives. We must hurry, he should be here any time now.”

“Alright fine. I’ll hurry.” I slip into a pair of trousers, shirt and my boots only to be practically drug from my rooms, down the stairs and onto the grounds just as a large carriage approached the house.

“Yes, he’s finally here.” My host states, eyes glued to the large carrier. “Now Alex, Joseph, make sure no one gets too close. Don’t need a repeat of last time.”

“Si senor.” The two men state in unison.

A large man emerges from the front of the carriage, “Senor Chasez?” He asks as he approached the lean man.

“Si, Lonnie I presume?”

“Si. Hope you’ve plenty a room for him. He’s been upset for the last three hours, no room in there for him to move.” The big man stated as he dropped the rear door. “He’s a beaut though, I’ll give you that.”

“I’ll back him out, if you don’t mind.” My host stated as he entered the carriage. Shortly thereafter the rear end of a magnificent horse appeared.

As the horse was completely backed out of the carriage and set it’s feet on solid ground it reared up on it’s powerful hindquarters and shook it’s head, attempting to dislodge the clothe wrapped around it’s eyes.

Senor Chasez reached up to the animal’s neck and began to speak to it in a gentle, firm tone. Soon the horse had calmed enough that he could reach up and remove the cloth, which he did slowly and calmly. He led the horse around the grounds for a few minutes before leading it into a large coral that I hadn’t even noticed til the horse was running in circles, kicking up dust and enjoying the freedom it had been given.

I slowly made my way over to the rail and watched in awe as the horse made his way around the coral, rearing every so often, then taking off in the opposite direction. As I made it to the fence a voice permeated through the awe I was feeling.

“Magnificent. Isn’t he?”

I turn in the direction of the voice to meet the steal blue eyes of my host, “Extremely.”

“They are my second weakness, second only to the music. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time for either anymore.” He states with a slight sadness in his tone. “But mother says if I work hard enough perhaps someday I may be able to do both.”

I look up, puzzled, “Both?”

“The horses and the plantation. The music will have to be just a hobby, always.” He gets a far away look and then smiles, “But the horses…yeah, they could bring money to the Hacienda that the coffee can’t.”

“You really enjoy them?” I asked.

He finally took his eyes off the animal long enough to focus on me, “Oh, Mr. Kirkpatrick? Yes, I love being around them. They are my secret passion.”

“So what do you plan on doing with him? If I may ask?”

“I plan on using him as stud with my finest mare. Would you care to see her?”

The excitement in his eyes told me I should definitely not say no, “I’d be honored senor.”

If possible the smile on his face became even larger than it had been, “Follow me.”

He lead the way into an extremely large stable, filled with horses, and out the other end to another set of corals. He stopped in front of one that contained an almost snow white Andalucian mare. She stood proud in the middle of the coral, tossing her head until she spotted us standing at the fence.

She trotted over and nuzzled my host and then threw her head over his shoulder, “Hey Angel, your stud’s finally here. You oughta see him. I think even you’ll be impressed girl.”

As if in answer the mare lifts her head of his shoulder, takes a step back and shakes her head in a no motion.

“Yeah, yeah, girl. You say no now, but you haven’t seen him yet. He’s your perfect opposite. You’re gonna love him, I promise.”

The mare moved back over and snaked her head through the fence and my hosts front pocket.

“Hey there now, watch what you’re biting at girl.” He playfully shoves her head away and reaches into his pocket, “This what you’re looking for girl?” He holds his palm out to the mare, producing several cubes of sugar. “Sweets for the sweet Mr. Kirkpatrick. She’s a beauty isn’t she?”

“Yes, yes she is.”

“They’re very smart too, this breed. Almost as smart as the Arabian. Fiesty but smart.”

“She seems to be senor.” I smile as the mare tilts her head as if she knows we’re talking about her.

“Well,” he begins as he turns to me. “I should go clean up so that we can eat some time tonight. Come talk with me while I prepare for supper?”

I shrug, “Not like I got anything else to do.”

He smiles slightly as we turn to make our way back to the house. He stops again at the stallion’s pen. “Hey Devil, how you like your new home?”

The horse snorts and turns his rear to my host.

“Hmmm. That may be how you feel now but I got a fine girl for you back there and you don’t get to meet her til you stop being such a spoiled man.”

At this the stallion’s ears perk up and turn in our direction but it is the only reaction the stallion makes.

“Suit yourself old man. She won’t have nothing to do with you, you wanna act like that.” We turn and make our way towards the house.

“You really think he listens to what you say, and cares?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Why not. You saw how she acted, why would I expect less from him?”

“Point taken.” I smile, “So. I feel a bit odd here.”

“Why’s that Mr. Kirkpatrick?”

“Please, call me Chris and that’s why. You see…you seem to have me at a disadvantage.”

“How’s that?” He arches an eyebrow.

“Well…You seem to know my name but…Well…I’m going on a hunch here that you’re Senor Chasez?”

His amused smile turns into a full-blown laugh, “Well…I…I am sorry about that Chris…and yes…I am Joshua Scott Chasez and this…this is my legacy….Hacienda Chasez. My father’s father came here from France and started this plantation. We Chasez’ have been here ever since. Only I fear that I will not be able to pass it on to a son or even a daughter.” He blushes and heads through a door, “Please let Nickolas know that I’ll be down directly. Oh and Christopher?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for coming all the way over here from America. You’ll have a few days to get acclimated before you will need to begin.” He shut the door and effectively ended our conversation.

“Well, that was definitely an intriguing conversation. Wonder why he won’t be able to pass this down to his children?”

“Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t have any.” Yet another strange female voice states.

After taking a deep breath and calming my heart back down I state, “What is with the women in this country? You all have an amazing knack for sneaking up on people.”

“Only those who are not paying attention to their surroundings.” She smiled. “I’m Senora Chasez and that sad young man is my son.”

The two of us make our way back down the hallway and into the dining room. As we enter the staff promptly snaps to attention and awaits instruction.

“Senor Chasez will be down shortly. Please prepare the meal for serving.” Senora Chasez states.

She pauses next to a chair and three of the servants hurry to pull the chair out for her, “Here…allow me.” I smile, pulling the chair out for her and then gently pushing the chair in once she’s seated.

“Gracias senor. Please, you must sit here, on my right.”

I look around the room at the servants who seemed to be the only other people joining the dinner party and sit next to her, assuming senor Chasez would sit in the high backed chair to her left at the head of the table.

Senor Chasez entered the room in full dress for a formal dinner and took the seat at the far end, away from us. As he met my puzzled gaze he smiled, “That was my father’s chair. I have not earned the honor to sit in that chair.”

He didn’t seem to be embarrassed as he stated this, just sure that someday he would earn that honor and was content, if just for the moment, to sit where he was.