Chapter 9 [High Chaparral—9:15 AM]

Penny pulled the rake across the stalls' floorboards. With the boys out on the cattle drive, Chores still awaited on the ranch. She collected the dirty hay off to the side. With each cleaned out area, she dragged a fresh hay bale over for the animals. The new hay looked and smelled fresh to the senses.

Now to figure out what to do with the old pile….

I should have asked. She leaned the rake against the stable's wall. She scratched her head. Maybe behind the barn? She frowned. I really should have asked Victoria first. That's what I get for trying to surprise everyone and help out.

"You do the cleaning and the men's work out here? I am very impressed."

She stiffened. She looked to find Victoria watching her. "Victoria? I…"

Victoria smiled. Approval widened the smile across her face. "Is there something the matter, Penny?"

"No. I just figured Mercedes and you could clean in the house. I can help out here. I used to help my Pa out in the livery back in Trails' End," Penny explained.

"I appreciate it." Victoria had seen her daughter-in-law cut the ranch hands' hair, work the forge, mind the horses and now clean stalls out. "We have coffee brewing in the house. Would you like some?"

"Sure!" Thirst burned at Penny's throat. "Maybe I can get one of the guys to show me where to dump this old hay?"

Victoria nodded. She motioned to Pedro. "Pedro? Ven aqui por favor."

He hustled over. "Si, Señora Cannon."

"¿Puedes llevarte este heno sucio por favor?" Victoria requested.

"¡Si!" He took the rake and scooped up some of the hay. "Right away!" He carried it away.

"Now I believe we have some coffee." Victoria led Penny toward the house.

"Hope there wasn't too much to do in there," Penny worried.

"That is fine." Victoria stopped. She heard a faint sound coming from the desert.

Reno fired two shots in the air. "Mrs. Cannon! It's the cattle!"

"Gosh! They're back!" Penny grinned. She pointed toward the southeast.

"Set the table. We will need more coffee." Anticipation riveted Victoria's attention in that direction. Her eyes saw the dust fly up from the desert floor. Her ears heard the cattle's sounds. "JOE!"

"On it, Mrs. Cannon!" Joe ran for the corral. He swung the gate open just in time.

The Chaparral crew kept careful watch over the cattle. John and Manolito flanked the herd upon entering the compound. They directed and steered the two dozen animals toward their pen. Behind them, Blue, Sam and Bart pressed the cattle onward and insured no strays broke off from the group. Cooperation quickly saw the herd into the corral and secured.

Manolito grinned. "Now I feel much better!" He sucked in a deep lungful of air. "Well done, Makadoo!" He dismounted. Success warmed his heart.

"We still have to drive them up to Rivertree, Manolito," Bart reminded him.

"Si. I know." Manolito rolled his eyes. "Can I not enjoy this success? It is a good day, no?" He walked over to the corral fence. His eyes counted the stock therein. "Now we just have to build a suitable corral at the ranch for you." He noted Victoria rushing toward them. "Hola, my Sister! Do you see what we have brought from Tucson?"

"You have them!" Excitement goaded her to jump up and down. Memoria reminded her of when the cattle came back from her father's rancho years before. Despite Tragedy's and Tricks' attempts to derail the cattle coming to the High Chaparral, John, Blue and Manolito drove the herd into the same pen. "These are the first part of the new herd. Good for you! Mercedes will be pleased!"

"And we all should be." John embraced her. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Victoria crushed her lips over his. She squeezed him as tightly as a snake. When she released him, she noticed Buck helping Annie and Jenny down from their wagon. "John, are they not Annie and Jennifer Simmons?"

John nodded. "Yes they indeed are. And there's something else you need to know. I'll let Buck tell you." He guided her toward the trio by the wagon.

"Hey, Victoria! How are you doing?" Buck called. "Great morning, ain't it?"

"It most certainly is, Buck." Relief warmed Victoria's heart over his improved mood. "Annie? Jennifer? Where is your husband? I thought you were going back to Missouri?"

Jenny sighed. "Hello, Mrs. Cannon! Good to see you again!" She put on her best smile for the hostess even if her heart lagged over her father's death.

"Jenny, why don't you go in the house? I'm sure somebody can get you a drink of water," Annie requested.

"Why don't you come with me?" John invited. He took the little girl by the hand and walked her toward the house.

Annie smiled. "Sorry. She's still dealing with things." She ran her hand over the back of her neck. "Frankly we all are. We never made it back to Missouri. The farm was sold and we got some money for it. Jack died in a mining accident in New Mexico Territory. I brought Jenny back here because this seemed like the best place for a new start." She squeezed Buck's hand. Warmth glittered in her eyes.

"And I'm giving her that start, Victoria. I know it seems awful quick but we're getting married," Buck chimed in.

Victoria studied the couple. She remembered their reactions to each other from Annie's previous stay at the High Chaparral. Love definitely pulled them together. Even as Jack drove away with the ladies, it took everything for Buck not to follow them. She knew he loved Annie without a question. "You both love each other. You have for many years. I do not think it is too fast at all."

"I agree," Miguel declared. "I can marry you whenever you are ready, mis Amigos."

"I'd appreciate that, Miguel. Gracias." Buck shook Miguel's hand. "We'll be doing that real soon."

"I don't see why we can't do a small wedding here," John offered. "What do you think, Victoria?"

"Si." Victoria hugged Annie. "Welcome. This is another reason for us to celebrate." She saw Mercedes and Penny watching from the door. "Come and see! Come and see!"

"MANOLO! PAPA! MIGUEL!" Mercedes ran from the house. Amor barely allowed her feet to touch the ground. One by one, she embraced her brother, father and then her beloved in turn. "You were busy."

"Si." Manolito grinned. "I am always busy." He kissed Mercedes' forehead. "Look. We have our first cattle for the rancho!"

"Those are ours?" Mercedes gasped. Awe and Wonder slackened her jaw and widened her eyes. "Our cattle! Oh, Manolo!" She kissed his cheek.

"Manolito drove a hard bargain with John's and my help," Ricardo chimed in.

"Well I am glad you all paid a fair price for the livestock. We shall have to make a brand for our rancho?" Mercedes supposed.

"That is a good idea! ¡Muy bien, Mercedita!" Manolito looked to Ricardo. "I will work on that."

"The cattle are safe there, Manolito. We will drive them to the rancho later. I wish to eat right now," Ricardo pointed out. "Blue? Penelope? Will you join us?"

"As long as Uncle Buck brings his fiancé with him," Blue agreed. Teasing seasoned his tone.

"Real smart, ain't ya?" Buck shook his head at his nephew. "Let's go, Blue Boy." He gave Blue a good-natured push toward the house.

"I'm going! I'm going!" Blue smirked. "Come on, Penny. We'd best not keep him waiting for breakfast."

"I'll show you waiting! Now git!" Buck lectured half-seriously.

Seems that Emotion was in no way in short supply at the High Chaparral on that day….