Sands of Time

Rubio was holding her and saying over and over, "Lucia. My Lucia."

And the shining in his eyes told her everything he felt. He’s so dear, she thought. And then: What is the matter with me? Why am I even thinking about him like this? I’m running away from the police and – She suddenly remembered the gold cross and gasped. Oh, my God! How could I have forgotten it even for a moment?

She sat up quickly. "Rubio, I left a – a package on the bank of the river back there. Would you bring it to me, please? And my clothes?"

"Of course. I’ll be right back."

Lucia sat there waiting, frantic that something might have happened to the cross. What if it was gone? What if someone had come along and picked it up?

It was with an enormous feeling of relief that Lucia watched Rubio return with the wrapped cross under his arm. I mustn’t let it out of my sight again, she thought. "Thank you," she said to Rubio.

Rubio handed Lucia her clothes. She looked up at him and said softly, "I won’t need these right away."

The sun on her naked skin made Lucia feel lazy and warm, and being in Rubio’s arms was a wonderful comfort. It was as though they had found a peaceful oasis. The dangers they had been running away from seemed light-years away.

"Tell me about your farm," Lucia said idly.

His face lit up, and there was pride in his voice. "It was a small farm outside a little village near Bilbao. It was in my family for generations."

"What happened to it?"

His expression darkened. "Because I am Basque, the government in Madrid punished me with extra taxes. When I refused to pay, they confiscated the farm. That was when I met Jaime Miro. I joined him to fight against the government for what is right. I have a mother and two sisters, and one day we will have our farm back, and I will run it again."

Lucia thought of her father and two brothers locked away in a prison forever. "Are you close to your family?"

Rubio smiled warmly. "Of course. Families are our first love, are they not?"

Yes, Lucia thought. But I will never see mine again.

"Tell me about your family, Lucia," he said. "Before you joined the convent, were you close to them?"

The conversation was taking a dangerous turn. What can I tell hhm? My father is a Mafioso. He and my two brothers are in prison for murder. "Yes – we are very close."

"What does your father do?"

"He – he’s a businessman."

"Do you have brothers and sisters?"

"I have two brothers. They work for him."

"Lucia, why did you enter the convent?"

Because the police are looking for me for murdering two men. I’ve got to stop this conversation, Lucia thought. Aloud she said, "I needed to get away." That’s close enough to the truth.

"You felt the world was – was too much for you?"

"Something like that."

"I have no right to say this, Lucia, but I am in love with you."

"Rubio – "

"I want to marry you. In all my life, I have never said that to another woman."

There was something so touching and earnest about him. He doesn’t know how to play games, she thought. I must be careful not to hurt him. But the idea of Angelo Carmine’s daughter being a farmer’s wife! Lucia almost laughed aloud.

Rubio misunderstood the smile on her face. "I will not live in hiding forever. The government will have to make peace with us. Then I will return to my farm. Querida – I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. We will have many children and the girls will all look like you…"

I can’t let him go on like this, Lucia decided. I should stop him now. But somehow she could not bring herself to do it. She listened to Rubio paint romantic pictures of their life together, and she found herself almost wishing it could happen. She was so tired of running away. It would be wonderful to find a haven where she could be safe, taken care of by someone who loved her. I must be losing my mind.

"Let’s not talk about it now," Lucia said. "We should be moving on."

They traveled northeast, following the winding banks of the Duero River, with its hilly countryside and lush green trees. They stopped at the picturesque village of Villalba de Duero to buy bread, cheese, and wine, and had an idyllic picnic in a grassy meadow.

Lucia felt content at Rubio’s side. There was a quiet strength about him that seemed to give her strength. He’s not for me, but he’s going to make some lucky woman very happy, she thought.

When they had finished eating, Rubio said, "The next town is Aranda de Duero. It’s a fairly large city. It would be best if we skirted around it to avoid the GOE and the soldiers."

It was the moment of truth, time to leave him. She had been waiting for them to reach a large city. Rubio Arzano and his farm were a dream; escaping to Switzerland was the reality. Lucia knew how much she was going to hurt him, and she could not bear to look into his eyes when she said, "Rubio – I’d like us to go into town."

He frowned. "That could be dangerous, querida. The soldiers – "

"They won’t be looking for us there." She thought quickly. "Besides, I – I need a change of clothes. I can’t keep going on in this."

The idea of entering the city disturbed Rubio, but all he said was, "If that is what you wish."

In the distance, the walls and buildings of Aranda de Duero loomed before them like a manmade mountain hewn out of the earth.

Rubio tried one more time. "Lucia – you’re sure you must go into the city?"

"Yes. I’m sure."

The two of them crossed the long bridge that led to the main street, Avenida Castilla, and headed for the center of town. They passed a sugar factory and churches and poultry shops, and the air was thick with a variety of smells. Shops and apartment buildings lined the avenue. They walked slowly, careful not to draw attention to themselves. Finally, to her relief, Lucia saw what she had been looking for – a sign that read CASA DE EMPEnOS – a pawnshop. She said nothing.