Francisco, a little frustrated, went to find Catalina. These last few days had been full of ups and downs, more complicated than he had ever imagined.
When he entered the living room, he found her sprawled on the sofa like a rag doll stuffed with sand. Francisco sat beside her and rested his head on her stomach.
Catalina stroked his forehead. "I never expected dealing with people to be so tiring."
"I know. That's exactly why I don't want to waste my time with that nonsense," Francisco said with a grin.
"Oh, so you just leave everything to me?" Catalina shot back, her voice full of mock indignation.
"That's right," he said lightly. "But we also need to prepare for the upcoming negotiations, and then we can rest a little. We might also have to plan for a cement factory here in Bogotá. If we do, we can bring in some master builders for the new site."
"Aren't you afraid they'll learn the recipe?" Catalina asked.
"We've already bought up the mines where most of the volcanic ash is extracted, at least here in New Granada. Father only needs to secure Venezuela and Quito, and we'll have a monopoly on the most important material. Anyone trying to enter the industry will depend on us. And besides, this industry is too expensive for newcomers. Roman cement will stay costly for at least two more years, especially since our dear viceroy loves public works. If the aqueduct in Bogotá goes well, he'll likely invest in other projects."
"That's good. With that money, I'll be more relaxed about your impulsive spending habits," Catalina teased.
While they talked, a small figure suddenly leapt from behind the couch and landed on Francisco.
"Ouch!" Francisco groaned, clutching his stomach.
Isabella laughed and sprawled across his chest. "What are you doing?"
"We're talking business, little pirate," Francisco answered, ruffling her hair.
"Stop! My hair!" Isabella shrieked, then looked at him with puppy-dog eyes. "Are we going to do something fun while we're in Bogotá?"
"So, what do you want to do?" Francisco asked.
"I don't know…" she pouted.
"What about a walk through the savanna? We can take some food, some horses, and have a picnic."
At the time, Bogotá was still small, surrounded by wide stretches of open savanna. People often traveled there for leisure.
"Yay! Can we play there?" Isabella clapped her hands.
"Of course. What do you say, Catalina?"
"Why not? It'll be a good chance to relax while we wait," Catalina replied, her eyes lighting up at the thought.
Francisco asked the servants to prepare food and ready the horses. For safety, he brought along a few men—travel in the savanna wasn't without risk. By the afternoon, everything was set, and they headed out.
As they rode, Isabella's eyes sparkled. She had never been beyond the estate grounds, not even during her years in Bogotá. Francisco, meanwhile, had spent most of his time with Catalina or working with Carlos, leaving her few chances for outings like this.
"Look, brother! So many herbs! How far do they stretch?" she asked, wide-eyed.
"I'm not exactly sure," Francisco said, scanning the endless plain of grass dotted with a few scattered trees. "But I think it's pretty vast."
"Look at the birds! That one's blue—do you know its name?"
"That's the tingua azul, a bird that's everywhere around here. Let's ride to that hill. There's a tree there, and I think it overlooks a lake."
They climbed the hill, where the servants set up camp. From the top, they had a perfect view of the shimmering lake.
"It's beautiful," Isabella whispered, awe written all over her face.
"That's right," Francisco said softly. He exchanged a glance with Catalina, then leaned close to whisper something in her ear. Her eyes lit up, and before Isabella knew what was happening, Francisco tapped her head and shouted:
"You're it!"
Then he bolted.
Isabella stood frozen, betrayed. One second they were admiring a lake, the next he had turned her into the chaser.
"My brother's a cheater!" she cried, running after him. Catalina laughed and joined the game—only to betray Francisco by holding him still so Isabella could tag him.
"You betrayed me, Catalina!" Francisco declared dramatically as the girls laughed.
The three of them played until they were breathless. As they caught their breath, a loud chorus of squawks rose from the north.
"What's that?" Isabella asked.
Francisco looked up. "It seems God is happy. He's sending ducks from the north."
"A gift from God?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Some say that when He's pleased, He sends flocks of ducks in August and October to sustain the people," Francisco explained. Deep down, though, he wondered where the birds really came from. His visions of the future world told him it was less divine providence than nature's cycles.
Still, Isabella beamed as she watched the sky darken with wings. They settled by the lake, and Francisco made a fire for coffee and warm milk. The servants passed out arepas. A few ducks landed near them, eyeing the food curiously.
Francisco crumbled a piece of arepa and tossed it. The ducks eagerly gobbled it up.
"Brother, help me! I want to feed them too!" Isabella jumped, holding out her tiny hands expectantly.
Francisco shook his head with a smile but handed her some crumbs. She scattered them, laughing as the ducks waddled closer.
They spent the afternoon that way—Isabella chasing ducks, while Francisco sat with Catalina in his arms, watching her play.
"I wish afternoons like this could last forever," Catalina whispered.
"Me too. It's peaceful," Francisco murmured.
But their peace shattered with a deep roar. The ducks exploded into the sky, and Francisco shot to his feet, musket in hand.
"Isabella! Come here!" he shouted.
She hurried to his side, trembling. "What was that?"
"A bear," Francisco said.
Sure enough, a massive bear lumbered down to the lake, two cubs trailing behind her. The servants raised their guns nervously.
"Shh. Don't alarm her. She's only here for water," Francisco ordered, lowering his own weapon.
They watched in silence until the bear finished drinking and disappeared back into the forest with her cubs.
Francisco exhaled. "I think it's better if we head home. I don't want to meet a puma next."
"Do pumas come this close to town?" Catalina asked.
"I don't know. But I'd rather not take the risk."
They mounted their horses and rode back to the estate. Isabella burst into her father's office, eager to tell him everything. Francisco and Catalina, meanwhile, settled once more by the fire in the living room, enjoying the calm after their wild afternoon.