Chapter 16 [Just Outside of the High Chaparral Compound]
Victoria glanced up at Sunset's initial colors overhead. Admiration for the burnished-orange clouds filled her. The colors from God's skilled brush intrigued her. Streaks of crimson, orange and purple became more pronounced. Relief also filled her over that as well. Besides the journey's length, Concern dominated her thoughts. She worried about Buck and Blue. She hoped for good news.
Distraction would be welcome apart from Tragedy's handiwork….
She bowed her head. Her heart ached. Lament chilled her over Manolito's physical and emotional duress. Despite the whole ordeal being (at least in part), her father's fault, she wondered how he'd deal with Don Ricardo and Donna Lupe over their daughter's disappearance. And poor Mercedes…Trauma might leave her broken or worse…
She rubbed her forehead. She wanted to throw her hands up in the air. She wanted to scream. Anything frankly to deal with the moment. Still, as the wife of John Cannon and the daughter of Don Sebastian, she could not do so. Dignity demanded Restraint. What can we do? John cannot cover all of Arizona, New Mexico and Sonora. He will have enough to do with keeping Manolito from being rash. She frowned.
"You all right, Mrs. Cannon?" Sam had observed her brooding for most of the trip. Still Respect dictated that he'd leave her to her thoughts. For the most part, he remained alert. His eyes watched the trail and the expanses around their group. He spoke with the vaqueros about the road ahead.
"Yes…yes…" She sighed deeply. "I am sorry, Sam. I have much to consider."
He nodded. "Yeah I can imagine." He handed her the canteen. "Would you like some? It's been a while since you asked for this."
"Gracias." She put the canteen's opening to her mouth. The cool liquid broke Thirst's arid vice on her throat. She handed it back to him. "That is good."
"It is, Ma 'am." Sam put the canteen back under the seat. "We don't have much longer. I'd say a few more minutes." He pointed toward the sign in the distance. "There it is!"
The Chaparral's compound brought a smile to her face. Her eyes twinkled. Pleasure came from her visits to her father's rancho. Still, this was home. This was the home she and John built and maintained. Love reaped its daily harvest in their feelings for one another.
Now if the others could find such things.
Sam sped the horses up. As with her, he wanted a hot meal, to check with Buck and Blue about the supplies and maybe his bunk too. "I'll have you there as quick as I can. This sun's been brutal."
Off in the distance, several gunshots echoed through the desert air.
"They know we are coming," she realized.
He nodded. He kept the wagon on its path under the big wooden sign and into the fenced in yard. Then he pulled up on the reins. "Good to be back." He climbed down. Then he helped her down as well.
Pedro waved from his roof top sentry post. A big toothy grin dominated his face.
Blue and Penny rushed out of the house. He smiled. "Hey, Victoria! Trip go all right?"
"Si." She considered the woman beside him. "We have a guest?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. We have two of them. This here's Penny Fox. She's the one who helped us in Trail's End." Blue turned to Penny. "Penny, this is Victoria. She's Pa's wife."
"Gosh! Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Cannon!" Insecurity blossomed in crimson hues across her cheeks. "Hope you don't mind but we cleaned the house. We just wanted to stay busy," Penny explained.
"I'm sure it looks very nice, Penny. Welcome to High Chaparral. Blue, that was very nice to help out." Victoria nodded to him. Appreciation warmed her heart. Initiative provided a good first impression on the visitor's behalf.
"I did a little bit but…well I kept watch out here and did chores." Blue rubbed the back of his neck. He glanced toward Penny. "Penny had everything under control. She did have some help too."
Victoria's eyes sparkled at them. She remembered John telling her about the trip to Trail's End. She knew he'd edited out certain details about the hands' rambunctiousness and misadventures. Still, she recalled how John's eyes had a certain warmth when he spoke of Penny to her. "Your father will appreciate that, Blue. Gracias. I shall have to see this for myself," she assured him. "Sam, can you unhitch the horses and unload everything?"
"Right away, Mrs. Cannon." Sam whistled to Pedro. "Give me a hand!"
"¡Si! Pedro rushed toward the ladder.
"We do have another guest too, Victoria." Blue motioned toward the house. "Mercedes is resting in there."
Victoria dropped her jaw. "Mercedes? Mercedes Vega de la Granada? ¿Ella está aqui? ¿Es verdad?"
Penny winced. "Sorry, Mrs. Cannon. I don't…umm…speak Spanish. What was that?"
"She…asked if what you said was true." Mercedes emerged from the house. She wore one of Victoria's pink tops to replace her bloodied one to go with her own dark skirt. Her eyes twinkled for her old childhood friend. "Hola, Victoria."
"Mercedes! Oh! We were so worried!" Victoria rushed to embrace her friend. "We thought you were lost to us!"
"I escaped. Then I rode into a town. Lucinda, my horse, reached a stable. Penny and Blue helped me. Buck remembered me from your father's rancho." Mercedes trembled. "I have to ask. Manolo, how is he? I cannot stop worrying."
Victoria nodded. "Manolito recovers. He rested at Papa's hacienda. Now he searches for the missing cattle and you with my husband. He could not stop thinking of you, Mercedes. Miguel is with Papa now."
"Miguel? But the people in Monterrey need him!" Mercedes protested. She shook her head.
"Papa sent for him. He will be glad you recover. So will Manolito." Victoria hugged her tighter. "Felicidades, mi Hermana."
A tear streaked Mercedes' cheek. "Gracias, Victoria. Buck was so helpful. I wish to meet your husband. Everyone says a great deal about him."
"And you will." Victoria rubbed Mercedes' arm. "And I suppose Penny is here for the same reason, Blue?"
"Huh?" He looked at his stepmother. Confusion widened his eyes and sent his mind spinning.
Penny coughed. "I wanted to be here, Mrs. Cannon. It was really lonely after everyone left Trail's End." She shrugged. "Blue's like the best friend I've ever had. His Pa, Uncle Buck and Mr. Montoya really treated me great. My Pa's dead. The barber shop didn't need me." She squeezed his hand and looked at him. "When he rode back into town, I wasn't letting him ride away again." Her eyes twinkled into his.
Blue squeezed Penny's hand. "And I thought we could find something for her. Maybe here?"
Victoria nodded. Warmth shone in her eyes. She recognized the look in Blue's and Penny's eyes. "It seems we have many reasons to celebrate! Welcome, Penny. When Mr. Cannon returns, we shall speak then." She looked around. "Where is Buck?"
"He took Sanchez and the last Comanchero to Tucson. A bunch of them tried to ambush us on the way back here," he informed Victoria.
Mercedes shuddered. "I am grateful. I hope to repay their kindness."
Victoria exhaled. Relief lightened her heart. "I am glad you make Manolito happy. Perhaps now he will settle down?"
"I pray so. I just think of him in every sunset. I hear his voice on the wind. I long to see him come through the door." Mercedes bit her lip. "Is this how it is to love?"
"Si. I worry about John. I cannot wait for him to return. You feel the same for Manolito. We are parts of this familia, Mercedes." Victoria extended her hand toward Penny. "All of us."
"Gosh! I just hope I can do my part. I'll do my best, Mrs. Cannon. Just wait until you see what we did. I made some ham and beans. Maybe you'd like some supper?" Penny offered.
Victoria nodded. The smile on her face broadened. "Gracias, Penny. I am hungry from the trip. That will be fine." She walked into the house. Her eyes took in the swept floor, cleaned counters and the set table. "Yes. I do believe that will be fine. Let us taste your feast."
"You won't regret it," he insisted. He smirked toward Penny.
Mercedes sat down slowly. Perhaps the wound pulled at her side. Maybe Perlita's words still stung at her. Still she contented herself. She could've languished as Sanchez's whore. Gangrene or the bullet itself could've killed her. She could've watched as the banditos killed Manolito in front of her. Now she ate a feast with friends…no…familia… These people who welcomed her into their home and lives. These people who cared for her Manolo and now her.
Fortune indeed favored her….
