Chapter 1 [May 1, 1880—Rancho Rivertree]

The warm breezes warmed the air. New green shoots shot up through the old yellowed grass swaying back and forth in the breezes.

Construction buzzed about the hacienda. The new servants' wing extended off the back of the house. A sturdier fence extended around much of that hilltop. A flat stoned patio area extended a couple of yards beyond the hacienda's back wall. Bare grassy patches awaited the plow. A brand new arbor frame awaited Doña Esperanza's roses.

Positive moves bubbled under the surface. Creativity would see its result….

Ricardo walked about the compound. As had been the case since his return, Admiration warmed his heart. Investment's rewards seemed to sprout up all around him. He noticed horses standing in the corral. He heard the hammer's tink against metal in the forge. Sentries watched the road and surrounding area.

Everything hummed like a well-oiled machine on the rancho.

Memoria recalled his first visit to this stretch. Patterson's rough and rustic shack, the rickety corral and lean to beside it had given him pause at first glance. Doubt had questioned the rancho's prospects. Faith and Belief however prompted investment in his son-in-law's vision. Even as he'd hauled the first silver wagonload toward Tubac, such thoughts still persisted.

Optimism blew aside such fears. Manolito's vision pressed onward. The barn and hacienda presided over the compound. Blue grew into an outstanding foreman. The ranch hands knew each other and how to work together. Penny and Martha handled everything in the hacienda. Mercedes had mastered the family recipes and innovated new ones. And there was the baby.

So much good going on. Few would've given Manolito any chance at success. Don Sebastian, the Granadas and even the Cannons themselves would've thought it possible.

Good he felt that would work better with Maria and him away from there. Not too far away mind you. He thought of being close enough to get back to the Chapparal or there. Still, he knew she wanted mountains and seasons. She craved foliage and snow. He glanced toward the east.

"Ricardo, was ist das?" Maria put her hand on his shoulder.

He shook his head. "Mir geht es gut. I was thinking again."

She nodded. "Patience is a gift. Perhaps we take our time. We shall find our place here. We cannot go back to Mexico. We have our family. Is that such a bad thing?"

"I am enjoying our time here. Manolito and Mercie include us in everything. I do not want to overstay that time." He looked about at their surroundings.

"Papa? Maria?"

The couple turned to see Mercedes walking toward them.

"I have coffee and tea inside. Vamanos." Mercedes smiled. She motioned them toward the hacienda.

Maria's eyes lit up. "That sounds delightful! My throat is positively parched. Come along, Ricardo." She led them back toward the hacienda.

Manolito studied the borrowed surveyor maps in front of himself. While Patterson hadn't left much other than rough drawings, Rand MacNally and the US Geological Survey had detailed things slightly better. He noted where the Apaches' lands bordered his own. Rumor spoke of the railroad finally grading the route through Tucson and laying the route's tracks.

"Ready for your coffee, Mr. Montoya?" Martha lifted the tea kettle from the wood stove. She poured Mercedes' tea and let it steep in its cup. She set up three other cups.

"Ah! You read my mind, Martha. ¡Bueno!" He grinned. Thirst burned at his mouth and throat. "So much to think about."

"Hopefully it's good news." She fixed his coffee and walked it over to him. "I think I've finally got it figured out." She set it down in front of him.

"Gracias." He sampled a mouthful. "¡Excellente!" He set the cup on its saucer. "You are very efficient and hard working. I do not understand why you doubt yourself." He saw Mercedes, Ricardo and Maria come through the door. "Hey! I am glad Mercedes found you! Siéntase."

"Listen to what he says, Papa." Mercedes settled into her seat. Reluctance weighed on her mood. She and Manolito enjoyed Ricardo and Maria's presence. She also knew her father itched for his own rancho once again.

"Manolito, what is it? You have looked at maps and reports for the past week. Surely there is nothing wrong?" Maria sipped on her tea.

"No. There is nothing wrong." Manolito rubbed his chin. "I have looked into possible land for your rancho." He sighed. "You know that you are both welcome for as long as you desire to stay."

Ricardo looked to Maria. He patted her hand and nodded. "Si, Manolito. Gracias. We like being here. Still we would like to have our own hacienda…our own rancho…not too far."

"Papa, this is your home. Victoria enjoys your visits too. Blue and Penny want you to stay." Mercedes frowned.

"And you will have a home wherever we are." Maria smiled at her. "You all will be family."

"We are family, Maria. You too. Eh?" Manolito cleared his throat.

"Yes…we are family." Maria raised her cup. "Gracias."

"De nada." Manolito slid the big map over to them. "I have ideas. ¿Si?" He put his finger on Tucson's dot. "That is Tucson. The railroad…it comes finalmente. The tracks are here." He moved his finger to Ajo to the west. "Las pistas pasarán por Tucson en uno o dos meses. Después de eso, el ferrocarril continuará hacia el este."

"¿El este? Manolo, esa es tierra indefensa. ¿Qué pasa con el Apache?" Mercedes threw her hands in the air.

Manolito raised an eyebrow. "¿Crees que los enviaría allí sin protección? ¡Por supuesto no!" He shrugged. "Miguel has sent a telegram to the Railroad. He wished to know the way they will go. Blue, he and Penny went to the High Chaparral. Did they not?"

Embarrassment flushed across Mercedes' face. "Lo siento, Manolo. I should know better."

"Safety is importante. We should check everything." Manolito kissed her forehead. "Muchissimas gracias for that. I rely on you, Mercedita."

"De nada." Mercedes held him tightly against herself. Her heart beat in sync with his.

Faith was restored as Plans were formed….