Free Golden Paradise (Vincente 1) by Constance O'Banyon Page A

move. After catching her breath, she decided the greatest injury seemed to be to her left leg. Laying her head back against Santiago's poncho, she wondered if she would ever be able to dance again. Hysterical laughter bubbled from between her lips, and she shook her head to clear it.
    "Foolish Valentina," she whispered. "You don't even know if you will ever walk again and you are worried about dancing. You may die here, deserted and alone, Valentina Barrett." The sound of her own voice did nothing to alleviate the aloneness that weighed heavily on her.
    Time meant nothing. It seemed that Santiago had been gone for hours. The sun had come out and burned off the last remaining patches of fog. The heat was now so oppressive that it beat down on her like the inside of an oven. Valentina could feel her face burning, but there did not seem to be anything she could do to protect her tender skin. Santiago had placed the canteen within her reach so she picked it up, splashing water on her face, but that did not ease the burning sensation for very long. Her throat became parched, and she took a deep swallow from the canteen.
    Valentina tried to shade her eyes against the sun's harsh glare. Glancing about her, she began to panic. Suppose Santiago was so badly injured he couldn't find help? What would happen if no one came to her aid? Would she die here pinned beneath the buggy?
    Valentina realized she could not lose control or she would be lost. She had to keep a clear head and push back the panic that was sweeping into her thoughts. Think of something pleasant, she told herself. Closing her eyes, Valentina forced herself to imagine that she was dancing. She went through the motions in her mind, first taking herself through a Gypsy dance and finally to the dance steps of a graceful ballet. Before she knew what was happening, she felt herself nodding off. Soon she was lost in a world of dreams where she danced across a hot bed of flaming coals.
     
    Santiago fell facedown into the dusty road, his leg throbbing in pain, his energy spent. Struggling to his knees, he tried to rise, knowing he was the only hope Senorita Barrett had. If he lost consciousness, she might die before anyone could find her. His head was swimming, and he felt himself falling forward just as he heard the thundering horses' hooves coming from over the hill in front of him. His ears were ringing, and he fought to remain conscious.
    Marquis Domingo Vincente was the first to see Santiago's body stretched across the road. Holding up his hand, he called for his vaqueros to halt. He jumped from his horse amid the jingling of silver spurs and the creaking of saddle leather. Going down on his knees, he lifted the wounded man's head and stared into his face.
    "Santiago Garza, what has happened to you?" Marquis asked as the little man slowly opened his eyes. Marquis took the canteen that one of his vaqueros offered and held it to Santiago's lips, allowing him to satisfy his thirst before answering.
    "Do not be concerned about me," Santiago said, licking his chapped lips. "There was a rock slide and my passenger was swept off the road and down into the gully. Please go to her at once. She is pinned beneath the buggy, several miles back down the road."
    Marquis was a man of action and quick decision. Standing up, he ordered two of his men to take the wounded Santiago to the ranch house, while he and the others mounted their horses and rode off in a cloud of dust.
     
    Valentina groaned as she reached for the canteen. With trembling hands, she raised it to her lips and discovered it was empty. Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes. What would happen to her mother and Salamar if she died? she wondered. Hearing the whinny of horses and the sound of men talking, she turned her head toward the roadway. A shower of pebbles sprayed into her face as a man made his way down to her.
    Wiping a grimy hand across her face, she felt her fears fade. The man bent over her and she gazed into