Beyond the Desert Sands (Love on the Santa Fe)

Tracie Peterson

• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9780764237324
• eBook ISBN: 9781493437276

Can she reconcile who she's become with who she's meant to be?

Accustomed to an opulent life with her aunt, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to celebrate Christmas in her parents' small silver-mining desert town, leaving her handsome beau, Diego Morales, behind in California. Adding insult to injury, she must bear the company of Aaron Bailey, the disapproving Santa Fe Railroad businessman her father has sent to escort her home, who clearly finds her spoiled.

But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father's health has become. Then a surprise visitor shows up with news that entirely upends the comfortable life she's been leading.

Faced with all these changes, Isabella struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope she stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.

1

CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 1911

Isabella looked from her aunt Josephina to Diego Morales, the man she loved. “I don’t want to go. Surely now that I’m twenty-five, I can tell my father no.”

“I don’t think that would be wise, my dear. He still pays all of your bills and controls the inheritance your grandparents left you.” Aunt Josephina smiled in her motherly fashion. “It will all work out for the best, you’ll see. I promised your father I would come for a visit once I have concluded some business matters here. We’ll soon be together again.”

“It’s just not fair. I wanted to spend Christmas with Diego.” Isabella smiled at the dark-haired man. He was ten years her senior and so suave and sophisticated. Just one look from him gave her a shiver of delight.

She’d had a crush on him since childhood but had known it was true love for the last five years. She anxiously anticipated a proposal and had thought perhaps it would come on Christmas Eve. Now, however, standing at the depot, awaiting the train that would take her to Silver Veil for Christmas, she was more than a little frustrated. Gone were the dreams of a romantic evening by the fireplace with Diego on one knee, promising to love her forever. Her father certainly knew how to ruin her life and had been doing so since she was ten years old. Fifteen years later, Isabella had thought she’d found a way to control her own life and rid herself of her father’s interference, but it seemed it was not to be.

Her aunt stepped forward as the train whistle sounded. “You’ll be boarding soon. I just want to tell you how much I love you and shall miss you.” She embraced Isabella and held her close. “I know we shall be together again, but I want you to remember that God often takes our lives in directions we did not anticipate. No matter what happens, I want you to remember that such a thing doesn’t mean God no longer loves us or cares for us.”

“What are you saying, Aunt?” Isabella glanced from her aunt to the approaching train. Her father had arranged a private car at the end of the train for her comfort. At least that was something. She didn’t give Aunt Josephina a chance to reply. “Lupe, do you have our things?”

Her maid struggled forward, carrying several bags. “I do, miss. I have all but the trunks. The baggageman arranged for those. He said he would see them put on the private car.”

“He’d better.” Isabella left her aunt and went to Diego. “I wish you were going with me.”

He smiled. “That would be quite the grand adventure, eh?”

She wanted to melt into the wooden depot platform. “I will miss you so much. I can’t believe it will be six weeks before I see you again. That seems much too long.”

“The time will pass more quickly than you realize.” He touched his index finger to her chin. “Be brave, my dearest. I will be here waiting for you.”

It wasn’t a proposal, but it was something of a promise. Isabella smiled and touched her fingers to his cheek. “You had better be,” she teased.

“Isabella, there are people watching.” Aunt Josephina was a stickler for proper etiquette and allowed no public displays of affection.

Pulling away from Diego was hard, but Isabella stepped back, knowing it was for the best. “I will return as soon as possible. Father wants me there for the celebration of statehood. I cannot say why, but New Mexico becoming a state is important to him, and he demands it be important to me.”

Diego nodded but said nothing more. Isabella studied him for a long moment. He was tall and lean and wore a snug suit jacket that accented his broad shoulders and narrow hips. Most men wore boxier-cut coats, but Diego’s was especially tailored to fit him like a glove. Even the dusty-blue color was one that seemed designed for him alone. She’d never seen such a color on any other man.

The corner of his lip rose slightly as his gaze met hers. He no doubt knew that she was admiring him, and she knew he loved her attention. Isabella smiled and looked away. He was the handsomest man she had ever known, and she was delighted by the prospect of marrying him.

The steam train rolled past them, coming to a stop with the passenger cars lined up against the platform. The private car, however, was at the tail end, requiring Isabella and Lupe to descend the platform and walk to the back of the train.

“They could at least pull up far enough for our car to be at the platform,” Isabella said in disgust. She hated that she would have to risk her new wheat-colored silk traveling suit by walking along the tracks. She certainly didn’t want soot stains on the delicate, expensive material. She kissed her aunt. “I’ll return as soon as possible.”

Her aunt nodded but seemed to lack her usual enthusiasm. “Remember, I shall come to be with you. I’m excited to see your father again. Your mother too.”

Isabella nodded.

The conductor approached. “Are you Miss Garcia?”

“I am.” She looked at the older man with a raised brow, questioning his interruption.

“I will escort you to your private car. Everything is in order and awaits you. I believe you will find yourself quite comfortable.”

“That remains to be seen, of course.” She looked at Diego. “I will eagerly count the days until we are together.”

“As will I, mi amor.”

She smiled and gave a slight nod, then looked at the conductor. “Please lead the way.”

He offered her his arm as they headed down the platform stairs toward the tracks. “The ground is a bit uneven.”

She took hold of him, carefully lifting her skirts to keep them from the ground. They reached the car, where a porter already waited with a small step to aid Isabella and Lupe in climbing onto the stairs of the train car. It was awkward, but there seemed to be no other choice.

Isabella mounted the stairs and made her way inside the private car. It was impressive, to say the least. Highly polished paneled wood lined the narrow corridor from the entrance into the grand salon, where expensive mahogany furnishings reflected the glow of lamplight. The shades and velvet draperies had been pulled to allow for absolute privacy—something Isabella appreciated greatly.

“There’s a pitcher of iced lemonade on the table,” the conductor declared. “A porter will look after you. He’ll check in with you every hour on the hour.”

“It’s all very lovely. I believe we shall be quite comfortable.”

The door behind her opened, but Isabella ignored it. No doubt it was the porter, just as the conductor had said.

But in a moment, everything changed. A scent filled the air. She knew that scent. Musky and sweet. It seemed to come with less-than-happy memories, but she couldn’t place it. At least not until the man behind her spoke.

“Miss Garcia, it has been a long time.”

She turned to find Aaron Bailey smiling at her. He was much handsomer than she remembered from their first encounter. His brown hair was parted on the side and slicked back. Had he always worn it thus? She tried to remember that day in the library. He’d seemed like such a boy then.

“Mr. Bailey, I believe.”

“You believe correctly. I am your father’s choice of escort for you.” He gave her a crooked smile as if amused.

She refused to react. “I’m not sure why he felt the need to send you, Mr. Bailey, but since you are here, you might help Lupe with the bags.” She nodded toward her maid.

Aaron didn’t hesitate. “Here, let me take those, Lupe. They’re much too heavy for one so small.” He gave her a broad smile, which irritated Isabella. “Let me show you the bedrooms.” He took the bags and moved across the room to a polished wooden door and opened it. “This is the larger of the two rooms, so I presume it will be taken by your mistress.”

“Sí.” Lupe nodded.

“The other room,” he said, moving to the opposite end of the car, “will be yours. It’s small but very cozy.”

Lupe looked inside and smiled. “It is very nice.”

“Which of the bags belongs to you?” he asked.

She pointed, and he placed the bag inside her room. Without further ado, he walked to the larger bedroom and deposited the other things. He approached Isabella just as the conductor announced they were departing the station.

“I will share your company here during the day and evening hours, but I have a berth in the next car for sleeping. It’s the last berth and gives me the ability to keep others from pestering you.”

“Yes, but who will keep you from pestering me, Mr. Bailey?” Isabella’s tone was sarcastic, but she didn’t care. Aaron Bailey was the last man in the world she wanted hanging around.

Outside, she could hear the conductor calling “all aboard,” and she went to take a seat on the plush throne chair by the window. She felt like a queen taking her place at court as Aaron gazed down at her. She pushed back the draperies and raised the shade.

“Comfortable?” he asked.

“Very.” She pulled off her gloves as the train gave a little jerk and began to move slowly away from the station. She waved to her aunt and Diego as her car passed the platform. If only Diego were the one accompanying her. If only it could be anyone but Aaron Bailey.

Aaron took a seat opposite Isabella while Lupe occupied herself with unpacking. The train picked up speed, and they soon left any hint of the city behind as the train moved out across vast open land of farms, ranches, and empty fields.

The job of escorting Isabella to Silver Veil wasn’t a task he had wanted. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, after all, not Daniel Garcia. But when her father asked him to do it, he’d been with the railroad superintendent, who had replied on Aaron’s behalf that he’d be happy to do the job and the Santa Fe would be happy to give him the loan of a spacious private car in which to afford Isabella the finest of comforts.

Daniel Garcia was important to the railroad. Not only for all the business he gave the railroad in Silver Veil and a dozen other locations, but also for the stock he held in the railroad. Garcia had made a name for himself and was highly esteemed by the men who controlled the Santa Fe. He was esteemed by others as well. Even the soon-to-be governor of the state and other politicians knew Garcia and respected his opinions and generosity to their projects.

Ever since meeting Daniel years ago, Aaron had admired and liked him as well. Daniel Garcia was smart and industrious, but it was more than that. He was a godly man who lived his faith. When someone was down on their luck, Garcia offered them help and employment. Aaron had seen him put former convicts to work and help them turn their lives around until they became respected members of the community. He was willing to take chances on people, even when everyone else had given up. Aaron had never known anyone with such a sense of kindness and encouragement. Many times he’d advised Aaron and helped see him through a difficult decision. It gave Aaron the utmost respect for him.

It seemed a pity his selfish, self-seeking daughter had to return at this time. For the last few years, she’d lived with her aunt, and although Aaron knew Garcia missed his child, at least there had been peace in the household. Now, Aaron could only imagine there would be change.

“I presume you work closely with my father,” she said, breaking the silence, “or he’d never have sent you to protect me on this trip.”

Aaron glanced up to find Isabella watching him intently. “I do. I work for the Santa Fe Railroad on the spur leases, and your father, as you probably know, has several. We’ve become good friends over the years.”

“How nice for you both.” She turned to look out the window. “But I hardly need an escort. I’m an adult who is fully capable of seeing to my own safety. I even carry a gun.” She looked back at him with a slight smile. “Does that shock you?”

“Not in the least.”

She seemed to consider this, but he couldn’t tell if she was annoyed or content with his answer. “Well, just so you know.”

He chuckled without meaning to. “Is that some sort of warning?”

Her dark eyes narrowed. “Call it what you will.”

Aaron nodded and stretched out his legs to cross them at the ankles. He had been about to make a snide comment, then decided against it. He hadn’t come here to make war. It was only fair that he give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, seven and a half years was a long time—more than enough time to change from being selfish and mean-spirited to a woman of kindness and grace.

“Have you enjoyed your time in California? I recall that it was home to you at one point.”

She looked wary but nodded. “I grew up there on my great-grandfather’s estate. It has always been home to me, even after Father insisted on dragging us all to Silver Veil.”

“Silver Veil has become quite the town. You haven’t been home in nearly five years, as I understand it. A lot has changed there. Your father has been quite industrious.”

“I’m sure he has. It has always been his goal to see the town flourish. Silver Veil, along with other small mining towns, is all he cares about.”

So much for her having changed.

“Hardly.” Aaron couldn’t let her get away with that. “He cares deeply about you and your mother.”

“What would you know about that?”

Aaron straightened in his chair. “Your father and I have become quite close. Why do you suppose he would send me to bring you back? He trusts me and knows my heart in matters of importance. He’s been a good and godly mentor to me.”

“Have you no father of your own?”

“I do, but my parents are in Chicago, and your father is close at hand. I believe God knew I would need a friend and mentor and supplied one in your father.”

“And my father’s wealth isn’t a motivating aspect of the friendship?” Her tone was snide and dripped with unspoken accusation as she fixed him with...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Books by Tracie Peterson
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Prologue
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 14
• Chapter 15
• Chapter 16
• Chapter 17
• Chapter 18
• Chapter 19
• Chapter 20
• Chapter 21
• Chapter 22
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 24
• Chapter 25
• About the Author
• Back Ads
• Cover Flaps
• Back Cover