Chapter 11 [Rancho Rivertree—2:30 PM]
Impatience cast a long look down the dirt road. Penny shook her head. "When are they coming? I thought Miguel's service was this morning?" She put her hands on her hips.
"A thousand things could've come up between town and here, Penny." Buck patted the hay bales in front of the back door. "Least we got time to move things around."
Annie smoothed the white tablecloth on the first table. She shook her head at the checkered one draped across the second table. "I wish they'd match." She grimaced.
"I ain't worried about it, Annie. You two sure set a great table. Manolito and Mercedes'll be glad to get a great meal after that long trip." Blue regarded the oil lamps and candles. "We just better be careful in here."
"You said a mouthful, Blue Boy. Sure don't want to have to explain to Don Ricardo why this here barn burned down." Buck motioned toward the hacienda. "Maybe one of us should get back to the house. Don't want any trouble up there."
"Golly! I don't want that cornbread burning!" Penny ran up the hill and into the house.
"I'm heading back with her. I'm sure they'll be here soon enough. Maybe you can keep an eye out, Buck?" Annie suggested.
"Yeah. Might as well." Buck walked out the door.
Jenny pointed down the road. "Buck, look! It's them!"
"About time." Buck patted Jenny on the shoulder. "You sure got good eyes. I like that!"
"You asked me to watch. So I watched out good, Buck!" Jenny cheered.
"And you sure did! You sure did!" Buck cheered. Once more seeing her at his side served as a reminder. The next circuit judge would have to finalize the adoption. "Let's see what Uncle John and Aunt Victoria and all of our friends got!" He led her hand out of the barn.
Manolito stopped his buckboard close to Buck. "Hola, Compadre. Everything looks all right."
"You bet it is! Hey! Everything go good at that new church?" Buck rushed over. He helped Mercedes down. "And there you go! Can't wait to talk with Miguel about that service."
"I am right here, Buck." Miguel coughed. "I heard about your trip to Tombstone two years ago. The good sister here was filling me on every detail."
Sister Ellie stood to stretch her legs. "So this is your rancho? It is a fine beginning, Brother Manolito." She saw Buck. A grin spread across her face. "Brother Buck! Well look at that! How are you?"
"Sister! Talk about coy-incidences! I was just wondering about you the other day. How are you? Long way from Tombstone. Ain't cha?" Buck released the tailgate and helped her down. Then he did the same for Brother Benjamin and Miguel.
"I am here to help Brother Benjamin get established here in Tucson. Everyone is fine at our Tombstone mission." Ellie shook Buck's hand. "I have had the chance to meet your family. They are wonderful people and good servants of the Lord." She noticed Jenny. "I thought you didn't have a child."
"Huh?" Buck looked down at Jenny. "Jenny's kind of my daughter. I'm married to her Mama. You know what you said about God wanting things to happen?"
"Indeed I did. So He brought a woman into your life after that? Praise be to Him for providing you with a wonderful partner and a pretty little girl as well." Ellie stooped down. "Hello. I'm Sister Ellie. And you are?"
"I'm Jennifer Simmons but you can call me Jenny. Pleased to meet you." Jenny shook Sister Ellie's hand.
"Ain't she somethin'?" Buck praised. "But it's good to see you again, Sister. Good to see you. Who's your friend?"
"I'm Brother Benjamin, Brother Buck. I've heard a lot about you. It's a pleasure." Brother Benjamin shook his hand firmly.
"Well that's good. You're going to be here permanent?" Buck looked them both over.
"They are looking for a mission here, Buck." Manolito shrugged. "They will need a sponsor. I do not know."
"They will find someone, Manolo." Mercedes squeezed her husband's hand. "I am going to the hacienda. Perhaps Penny and Annie need help?"
"That would be good. Gracias." Manolito smiled. "I do not know where we will fit everyone."
"I think we got that figured out, Manolito." Blue pointed into the barn. "We got those tables and chairs moved down from the house and in here. We got room for everyone."
"¡Bueno! I did not think it would be good to eat outside today. Muy bien, Compadre. We can enjoy our fiesta!" Manolito grinned. He waved to the approaching buckboard and accompanying riders. "¡HOLA! We are in here!"
"Interesting place for a feast." John looked over the seating arrangements. "I think this will do nicely. Buck and Blue Boy, well done."
"Thanks, Pa. Penny and Annie figured a lot of how to fit the tables in here." Blue saw Father Guillermo helping the sisters down. "Look who's here! Just a minute! Let me help you!" He helped Sisters Maria, Pillar, Angelica and Luke down. "You all look great! How was the trip?"
"It was long but we persevered, Blue. Are you still with your father or are you here?" Father Guillermo shook hands with Blue.
"Manolito offered me the foreman job when he started this rancho. Penny and I came up here. It's real close to the High Chaparral. We see a lot of each other. We're family. Right?" Blue replied.
"That is a most admirable attitude, Blue. I can see where the positive attitude comes from. I believe the church and our chapel will work well." Father Guillermo turned to Buck. "Buck Cannon! How are you?"
"Can't be better! Just got married. Annie's in the house right now. This here is Jenny. Jenny, this is Father Guillermo." Buck pointed him out to Jenny.
"Hello, Sir. Are you going to be in Tucson?" Jenny asked.
"From time to time. I will be at the chapel south of town." Father Guillermo smiled. Warmth shone through his eyes. "Merry Christmas to you!"
"Merry Christmas to you, Father." Jenny smiled. "And your friends? Buck, are the ladies the Sisters Aunt Victoria talked about?"
"Yeah they are! We've got Sister Luke and Sister Angelica. The others are Sister Maria and Sister Pilar. They're real nice folks. They helped Manolito with a snake bite in the desert. See we all help each other. That's why we're celebrating! We've got friends and good luck! We be truly blessed!" Buck cheered.
"We sure are!" Jenny grabbed onto Buck.
Buck rubbed her arm. He glanced at Father Guillermo and the four nuns. Seeing smiles from them, Relief relaxed him.
"She is good for you, Seúor." Sister Luke's mouth teased a smile. Her eye sparkled for a heartbeat before Severity reclaimed its territory once more.
"She is a wonderful little girl. Mercedes said you had married. Was that her mother?" Sister Pilar squatted down. "Gracias, Jenny. We are happy to meet you too. A new friend is the best present."
Jenny nodded. "Yes, Sister! I can't wait to talk with all of you! Maybe we can get warm? You all have been in that wagon."
"Why thank you! That would be very nice." Sister Pilar nodded to Buck. Approval lit up her eyes. She took in the entire barn. "This is different, Manolo."
"We do what we must. I will make sure everyone is warm. Por favor. Sientate." Manolito motioned toward the seats and benches.
They saw Victoria, Mercedes, Annie, Trinidad and Sister Ellie setting the food on the tables. Blue, Pedro and Joe helped to put the plates down in their places. Each table had a platter of ham, a serving bowl of beans and a tray of enchiladas apiece.
Manolito watched everyone take their seats. He tapped Mercedes on the arm. "You see? I told you everything would be fine."
"Manolo. I want everything to be perfecto." Mercedes nodded. "They are our guests and family."
"I do believe they are. You are right of course. But there is one thing I know. Doña Mercedes, you make everything perfecto." Manolito rubbed her arm. "All right. Let us join our compadres. Miguel, can you give the blessing?"
"I can indeed, Manolito. Gracias, Hermano. Can we please bow our heads?" Miguel waited for them to do so. Then he started in, "Father, we thank you for bringing us together on this day. We celebrate Jesus' birth in Nazareth and Your gift to us in His Presence on Earth. Thank You for Your bounty. Thank You for our wonderful new companions: Sister Ellie and Brother Benjamin. Of course we have Father Guillermo, Sisters Pilar, Maria, Angelica and Luke who have rejoined us from San Francisco. Trinidad and Pilar Butler have found Sam once again. For these things and more, Lord, we thank You. May we continue in our service to You and to follow in Your Ways. In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!" Miguel stated.
"AMEN!" everyone chorused. They started into the meal. Their mouths and hearts savored Companionship's treat.
But such are Holidays' wonders. Are they not?