Chapter 3 [Next Morning-Tucson]

Manolito drove the buckboard down the main thoroughfare. The lack of wagon traffic around him seemed odd. He noticed a few wagons parked in front of the mercantile. A few others galloped past on horseback toward the pueblo's fringes.

"Does no one have business this morning?" Ricardo frowned.

"It seems they were all out late last night." Manolito kept his eyes open. If they'd been in a smaller town like Trails' End or Nogales, he'd suspect an ambush or worse. He glanced at the second story windows around them. "Be watchful. This is too quiet." He pulled up to the bank. "Vamanos."

They walked into the building. The bank itself had expanded slightly. The counter and cage could now wait on three people at once rather than just two. Three men in white shirts, dark ties and matching suits awaited a customer.

Mr. Price read a document over at his desk. He glanced up to see Manolito and Ricardo looking around. "Ah! Don Ricardo and Señor Montoya! What can I do for you this morning?"

"Buenos Dias, Señor Price. Might we sit down?" Ricardo motioned toward the empty chair.

"Of course! This is a welcome surprise, Gentlemen! If I might ask, how is Martha Simmons? I heard she was working at Rancho Rivertree?" Price pushed a chair from another desk over toward the first one.

"Martha is doing muy bien. She is a hard worker and very pleasant. I believe she was in here a month ago. She paid for a new area of the house. It has three bedrooms. We will need another servant soon I think." Manolito shrugged.

"Oh? Is everyone all right?" Price raised an eyebrow.

"There will be a new baby by summer in our hacienda. You should have seen the looks at the High Chaparral!" Pride lit up Manolito's face. "My sister cannot wait to be the abuela." He shook his head.

"We can hope the same for Mercedes and you, Manolito." Ricardo cleared his throat.

"Si. I pray for a child, Don Ricardo." Manolito sighed. While he might have said that years earlier to put his father off, now he meant it. That little one would tie so many things together. He or she would bring happiness.

Responsibility beckoned….

"Well is your wife all right?" Price sat down in his chair. He extended his hand in invitation to them.

"Mercedes is fine. Gracias. We wondered if you knew of any land available east of Tucson?" Ricardo changed the subject. Seriousness evened his tone. His posture and demeanor shifted to Business' tone.

Price furrowed his brow. "That depends. I know the railroad is grading a strip right through there toward the mountains. They're planning a new town out there. Of course, there are Apaches to think about. I know the army's establishing a presence close by. But close to the railroad, the Vail Brothers already have ranches up there. You know there is the new land office on Stone just down the street from Father Miguel's church. Perhaps they might know of something north or west of town." He saw a Latino male walk into the bank. "Would you mind if I invited someone else into our discussion, Señores? There might be an opportunity for you."

Manolito looked over his shoulder. He saw the aforementioned person waiting for Price. "What do you think, Don Ricardo?"

"Nunca està de más escuchar." Ricardo got up out of his chair. "Perhaps he might know of something? Remember Señor Patterson."

"Si." Manolito stood as well. He noticed Price's demeanor ease around the man in question. Several times, he noticed the other man glancing toward them. "Here they come."

"Ah! Don Ricardo and Señor Montoya! Gracias. This is Francisco Lopez. Señor Lopez, this is Don Ricardo de la Vega and his son-in-law, Manolito Montoya." Price looked to Lopez. "These are the gentlemen I spoke of."

"I see. You are interested in a rancho?" Interest piqued in Lopez's eyes.

"We could be, Señor Lopez. My wife and I want a rancho near to here," Ricardo replied. "We want our family around us."

"Family is very important, Señor." Lopez turned to Manolito. "Are you not John Cannon's brother-in-law?"

"Si. I am." Manolito raised an eyebrow. Suspicion darkened his mood. He didn't want some anti-Chaparral sentiment to scuttle the deal. "He is married to my sister, Victoria."

"Muy bien." Lopez grinned. "I thought so! Hey! You do not remember my rancho? Señor Cannon brought you and another man in black to help with my fence. Do you not remember?"

Manolito nodded. "You are that Señor Lopez? Big John was glad to help. My sister enjoyed the pork roast. Those short ribs…¡Magnífico!"

"Gracias. Mi familia…they want to be here more than there. I get up there every few months. I cannot be there enough." Lament dragged on Lopez's face. "I do wish to find a good family to buy it. If Señor Cannon supports you, that is muy bien."

Manolito coughed. "Have you met our new priest, Padre Miguel?"

"¿Padre Miguel? Of course! He is wonderful! Are you his friend?" Lopez motioned to the seats. "Is it all right, Señor Price?"

"But of course!" Price listened carefully. Hope for a potential transaction brewed in his head.

"He is my son. Manolito is married to my daughter, Mercedes." Ricardo considered Lopez's temperament and mood.

"¿Es verdad? ¡Ay Chihuahua! Our family enjoys the Masses. That is where I have seen you! You were at the first Mass in the mission!" Lopez pointed at Ricardo. "And you donated for our new church!"

"Si. It was a small thing for Tucson. Señor Price helped with the business. Manolito, you have seen his rancho?" Ricardo asked. Everything seemed to make sense. Even if it was not close to Maria's desired foliage and snow, they could get there within a day's drive. "¿Qué tan lejos está?"

"Quince miles allí." Lopez pointed to the north. "It is closer than the High Chaparral. Eh?"

"Si. It is good land, Don Ricardo. Hey, Señor Lopez, can we ride up there? I would like to see it again for myself." Manolito liked the assessment. Don Ricardo could have an already functioning rancho and compound. He and Maria would be close enough to the mountains and cooler weather to grow trees and the flowers. He recalled the grazing meadow.

"How much do you want for it, Señor Lopez?" Ricardo interjected.

"$15,000. You could try and buy Patterson's old rancho. I hear he got rid of that last year. It is not so big but you have the hacienda and my barn too." Lopez shrugged.

"Manolito bought that rancho. It was a worthy suggestion. I wish to see the land. When would you like to drive up there?" Ricardo clarified.

"If we use your wagon, I can go today. It will not be so long. Hey! Maybe Padre Miguel can come with us? You see I am honest," Lopez agreed.

"No tengo duda, Señor Lopez." Ricardo extended his hand. "If I like it, I will buy it."

"I will have the papers waiting here just in case, Gentlemen. I am here until 6 tonight." Price shook their hands.

"Shall we go to the mission? If Father Miguel is not there, they will know where he is." Manolito led the group out the door.

Bigger things were afoot….