Conclusion [Two Days Later]

[High Chaparral]

Manolito rode into the High Chaparral. Consideration had offered a great deal. He'd join Blue out on the South Range soon enough. For now, he had to make a delivery and relay news. He balanced a wrapped bundle in his arms as he walked across the dirt area. The compound seemed strangely empty. He waved to Joe up on the roof.

"Surprised you aren't already out there, Manolito." John watched him from the doorway.

"Mmm…I will be. Is Buck in there?" Manolito motioned toward the door.

"Yeah. We're about to start lunch. Why? What have you got there?" John looked the bundle over. His nose detected Spice coming through the blanket.

"Something that Buck will know inmediatamente." Manolito smirked. "It is quite good."

"Oh really? Well now! We'll all have to try it then! Something from Tombstone?" John raised his eyebrow.

"Something we discovered on the road west of here." Manolito slipped by his brother-in-law and into the house. There he found Buck at the table. Victoria drank a cup of coffee. "¡Hola!"

"Hey, Mano! We're about to eat! You're just in time!" Buck announced.

"Si. Gracias. I have brought you something, Buck." Mano smiled. "Close your eyes."

"Wait! WHAT?" Buck swallowed his coffee down hard.

"It is a surprise. Close your eyes. You will understand after you have closed your eyes." Manolito's smirk widened more and more by the minute.

"Manolito, what is in that bundle?" Curiosity demanded she get to the bottom of the surprise.

"Buck, will you just do it? I need you back out there!" John pressed.

"Awright! Mano, this better not take long. I'm powerful hungry." Buck shut his eyes.

"Trust me, Amigo. It will not!" Manolito unwrapped the bundle. Inside a small pot rested in his arms. He crept up to his best friend. He took the lid off of the pot.

"Ooh! That sure smells good! Wait a minute! It can't be!" Buck started to realize what was going on.

"Not yet!" Manolito grinned. He winked at Victoria and John. "Let me finish." He stuck a spoon into the pot and brought it up again. "Abre tu boca."

"Wha? Manolito, I…." Buck took the spoon right into his mouth. His taste buds stood on end. "WAIT! That can't be!" He opened his eyes and looked straight down into the chili pot. "That's like that stuff we had at the tavern!"

"Why yes! I believe it is. You know Don Ricardo's crate. We opened it last night after everyone left. There were a few things in there." Manolito turned to Victoria. "Some soup bowls would be good."

"Si. Gracias." She brought four bowls to the table. "You seem better. I am glad."

"Si, my Sister. I am in a better mood. My prayer, it seemed, was answered. That was in the crate as well." Manolito served out the bowls. "Mercedes just made this. She hopes it is like the original."

"The original? Does this have to do with everything that's been going on?" John pressed.

"Let's see." Buck savored a spoonful. He grinned. "Yeah! That's sure Victoria's recipe all right! You know Pedro's gonna be real mad he missed this!"

Victoria sampled the chili. She nodded. "It is very good, Buck. This, however, is not my recipe."

John ate a few bites. "I'll say it's good! But you said Victoria's recipe. She said it is not hers."

Manolito shrugged at Buck. "Go ahead. Everything's at the rancho if they wish to see."

"This stuff is a Victoria's but not your'n, Victoria. We had quite the trip. I still don't really believe it. We was there though." Buck shook his head.

You were where, Buck? Enough riddles," John insisted.

"You remember Miguel's first Mass? He was talking about his great-grandmother at the tavern." Manolito raised his spoon. "Apparently this is her chili."

"It sure is! Can't mistake this!" Buck winced. "Sorry, Victoria."

"And this tavern. Where is it? Maybe we should all go? Is it between Yuma and here?" She ate more. "I will need to get this recipe from Mercedes and Penny."

"Uh not exactly. It's further." Buck stuffed another spoonful into his mouth.

"Further? Buck, that's California! You never left that room upstairs!" John pointed up the stairs.

Buck walked into the hacienda with Pedro. "Give me a minute and we'll head right out."

"Just a minute, You Two. I need some answers." John shut the door behind them.

"Jefe, I did nothing! What can I do?" Pedro quaked.

"What's wrong, Pa? You look like something got you chasing your own tail." Blue assessed his father's face. He smelled. "Is that it, Manolito?"

"¡Es la chile de Victoria! ¿Puedo tomar algunas por favor?" Pedro's mouth watered. His eyes went wide.

"Of course." Manolito ladled another part-bowlful.

Pedro ate some. The smile spread across his face. "Gracias. This is like we had in that pueblo! Victoria she was real nice. And Diego, he talked too fast for me. He was nice too, Señor. Really smart."

"Lucky you. Some of us had sentry duty." Blue looked toward Manolito.

"Wait! You too? Blue, stop! You did not leave that rancho! I don't know what happened! But you sure as heck didn't go anywhere near California!" John set the bowl down.

"What if I got proof?" Blue reached into his vest. "Manolito, Mercedes sent this with me. She figured people needed to see this." He took the older envelope out.

"Si. Go ahead. This is a secret." Manolito took the letter out. "Be careful. It is very old."

"Allow me. I'll…." She read over the letter. Shock and Surprise widened her eyes. "John, Manolito is serious."

"Course he is, Victoria. That's what we've been tryin' to tell you." Buck shook his head. "It sure warn't no vay-cation!"

"WHAT?" John lumbered over to her side. He read it over her shoulder. His eyebrow raised at Manolito, Blue and Buck. "I just don't believe it."

She looked at her husband. "This is Mercedes' family seal. The writing is browning slightly. And you found this in the crate?"

"Blue discovered it. That was secured to the back of his portrait. I told you I'd have your answer, Victoria. That is it. I prayed for them in the church."

"Really?" She folded it back up. She handed it to Manolito. "Take care with that. I mean it. Madre de Dios por favor ayudarme a entender." She looked toward the ceiling and crossed herself. "First Trinidad and now this? I…" She rolled her eyes. "¡Ay! No puedo creerlo!"

"Will someone please explain this? I'm about at the end of my patience!" John threw his hat on the table.

"You should've been there, Pa. That's all I'm sayin'." Blue stuffed more chili into his mouth. "Mmm-MMM! Sure glad Penny's got that cornbread baking! Sorry, Victoria. Go ahead."

Sarcasm shot through her eyes. "When Mama told us about that hero Zorro, Papa lost his temper. He yelled at her that she should tell us about real heroes. He told us about the Battle of Los Angeles. There were five mysterious strangers. They used special rifles and pistols that never ran out of bullets. Their leader was a man named Manolito. Papa named Manolito after that man." She rubbed her head.

Buck broke out laughing. "GIT OUT!" He slapped the table. "Now that's FUNNY!"

Blue snorted. "Wait until Mercedes, Penny and Miguel hear that. Guess there really are miracles?"

"Hrumph! I'm going to the South Range! Buck, when you're ready to see sense, you can ride yourself out there too! Come on, Pedro!" John planted his hat on his head. He pulled his coat on and stormed out the door.

Manolito motioned to the door. "Gracias, Pedro. Remember…" He put his fingers to his lips. After Pedro had left, he let out a big sigh. "This has been a most curious week."

"Yeah well least we got a place to come back to. I'm sure grateful for that." Buck squeezed Victoria's hand. "Glad to see you too."

She smiled. "Gracias, Buck. We should be grateful for such favors. I cannot imagine what that must have been like."

"It was an experience. Blue has drawings and pine cones from the area. Don Ricardo gave him an easel and paints. We discovered he is an artist."

"Really?" She jumped up. "You will have to let me see!"

"When I get done painting 'em, Victoria. I'll be practicin' with the paints. As for the pine trees, we've got a strip by the West Pasture. They'll be perfect there!" Blue finished the chili bowl. "Thanks, Mano. I'll get to the South Range after Pa. Uncle Buck, you coming?"

"Fella's got to work sometime, Blue Boy. Hey, Manolito, you coming?" Buck put his hat on.

"I have something else to speak with Victoria about. I'll be there soon. Hasta luego, Compadres." Manolito waved to them as they walked out. He leaned back.

"Mano?" She frowned. "Is it about this business?"

"No, Victoria, although it weighs heavily on me as well." Manolito stuffed another spoonful into his mouth. "That woman has been such a pain to all of us. I still would not wish this on her."

"Wish what on who? Manolito, who is this?" She saw Lament sag on his brow. She placed her hand on his.

"Don Ricardo left a sealed letter with Miguel. We were not to open it until last night. We did." He shook his head. "He said he was proud of us. I exceed his expectations, Victoria. He praised Blue."

"Those are good things. I know you wish to please him for Mercedes' sake." She took a mouthful of coffee.

"Si." He finished his chili. "I am. I believe that most of our issues with him are from Doña Lupe." He rubbed his forehead. "He said in the letter that she has a bad disease. She is dying."

"Oh, Mano! I am sorry. Will Mercedes and you travel there? Miguel cannot leave because of the church." She frowned. She bowed her head.

"I think not. Mercedes and I cannot leave either. Don Ricardo though will be alone at the rancho after her death. He is not Papa. No I do not think he should be alone. Mercedes and Miguel agree." He shrugged. "I was just finding my way, Victoria. Blue is a really good foreman. I want that to continue. Don Ricardo needs us as well."

She nodded. She could well imagine having this discussion with John over their father. "Manolo, Mercedes and you will do what you think is best. Whatever you need, John and I are here. We have our family. We support each other. No olivides eso."

"Gracias. I will not." Manolito stood. "The stock…they will not herd themselves. I should get there. Enjoy the rest of the chili, Victoria."

"Take care, Mano." She hugged him. "Remember you are not alone."

"I know. Gracias." He tipped his hat to her. Then he headed out toward Makadoo.

She watched him ride out of the compound. Metamorphosis had hit her brother like a ton of bricks. She now grasped why he and the others had brooded and acted as they had. We could have lost everything and never had any idea? She frowned. "I hope Don Ricardo allows Mano to run the rancho." She brooded over her own marriage and transition in that regard. Just be patient with yourself, Mano!

She headed back into the hacienda and closed the door.

[That Evening—Rancho Rivertree]

Mercedes looked out the window. Worry and Concern ate at her. The table had been set for hours. I thought Manolito was coming right back. She shook her head.

"I'm sure it's okay." Penny put a fresh pot of coffee on the stove. "The hands probably needed help with the herd. John and Uncle Buck are with them."

"Si." Mercedes sat down in her chair again. "I worry."

"I worry about Blue too. It's going to be all right, Tia." Penny saw movement in the darkness. "Think I see someone." She looked out the window. "Hey! It's Blue and Tio!" She opened the door. "Hi!"

"Hey, Penny. Sure glad to see you. Sorry. Just had issues with the herd." Blue covered a yawn with his hand. "That chili was sure good, Mercedes. Thanks!"

"De nada. I am glad you liked it. Did the others like it?" Mercedes looked at Manolito. Anxiety induced trembles throughout her arms and legs.

"They enjoyed it." Manolito smiled. "Buck and Pedro said it was just like your great grandmother's. You were perfecto, Chica." He kissed the top of her head. "I am hungry. Another bowl would be good." He held up the envelope. "I brought it back safe and sound."

"I made sure of it!" Blue smirked. "Someone's got to make sure of things. Right?"

"Hey! You are not helping, Amigo." Manolito arched an eyebrow. Still a nod reassured the younger man. "Gracias for sending Blue. I needed it."

"Do they believe it? I see the letters and pictures. It is a miracle, Manolo." Mercedes sucked in a deep breath.

"Uncle Buck and Pedro said what they could. Pa can't understand it. Can't say I blame him and I was there." Blue accepted a cup of coffee from Penny. "Thanks. I sure needed this."

"I'm glad it was ready. I'm just happy you two are back here and you're all right." Penny kissed Blue on the cheek. "So what did Victoria say?"

Manolito grinned. "She and John will be there for us. That is a good thing. Yes?"

Mercedes embraced Manolito. "I knew they would be. Manolo, it will be all right. I know it will be." She pushed up on his chin and picked his head up. Her eyes met his. "You know why?"

"Si. ¿Por que?" Manolito looked deeply into her eyes.

"I know you are here for us, Manolo. Your love sustains us. Our family will be there for us." Mercedes held up the letter. "Our family respects you. We love you." She pushed her lips onto his. "We believe in you, mi Caballero."

"That goes for you too, Blue." Penny embraced him from behind. She rested her head on his left shoulder.

Manolito nodded. Belief lightened Responsibility's load. Celebration showed the new rancho's festive side. Family reached from past and present to give him a well-deserved pat on the back.

And that would be a great place to start…

THE END (for now)