Chapter 4 [Catholic Mission]

Activity buzzed throughout the mission. Two families sat at the tables along the west wall. The warm beef stew in front of them quelled Hunger's burning in their stomachs. Milk and coffee quenched Thirst's burning in their throats. The parents planned their journey's next leg. The children ate with few questions. Jenny whistled a tune upstairs. Her broom's bristles kissed the floorboards. Dust collected into piles for the dustpan. Sisters Pilar and Maria checked on everyone to make sure their needs were taken care of.

Such as it was….

Annie drank from her coffee. Guilt ate at her for dragging the hands away from the Chaparral. She'd wanted Jenny to start in school sooner rather than later. The school's foundations encouraged her. So did the planned beginning of a term…

…just not the following September….

Jenny will be out of school over a year! She sulked and shook her head.

"I am sorry, Annie. I wish I could hurry matters along. The building will not be ready until April. I do not want to have the children in there for the summer. Many will be needed until after harvest." Miguel shook his head. "Victoria has taught school. Perhaps she might help?"

"Really?" Annie perked right up. "I wonder why she didn't say nothing about that?" She rubbed her chin.

"Perhaps she did not think of it." Miguel shrugged. "I agree with you. I want the children to be in school. Their education is mas importante."

"You're getting a school together. That's a really big deal. I'm sure folks appreciate it." Annie rubbed his forearm. "I just want Jenny to have an education. Heck. Mr. Binns lent her a reader so she could catch back up that way."

"He is a good friend. If we did not need the mission for travelers, I would have the sisters teach in here." Miguel took a mouthful of water. "Brother Benjamin can teach mathematics and reading. The sisters wait to do their share. The wood will be here any day now."

"I know." She turned to see Manolito, Ricardo and Lopez walk in. "Ain't that funny? Wonder what Manolito and Don Ricardo are doing here?"

"We shall see." Miguel walked over to the newcomers. "Buenos Dias, mis Amigos y Papa. It is a good day. Is it not?"

"Si. It is an excellent day, Padre." Lopez agreed. "That beef stew smells good."

"Lucinda and your children were here an hour ago. They enjoyed it. Perhaps you should have some as well?" Miguel invited.

"We are eating at the café before we take a ride." Manolito smiled. "Perhaps you might come with us?"

"A ride?" Miguel narrowed his eyes. "A ride to where?"

"My rancho, Padre. Don Ricardo wishes to see it." Lopez motioned toward Ricardo and Manolito. "I hope he will buy it."

Miguel nodded. "¿Es verdad, Papa?"

"Si. You have visited his rancho?" Ricardo watched his son's face for the latter's reaction.

"I have several times. It is the same size as Rancho Rivertree. Señor Lopez has a small house and a large barn. He has horses and pigs. There is a good grazing land up there. It would be good for Doña Maria's trees. The sale would help you, Marco." Miguel sipped from his coffee.

"I'll get Jenny." Annie hustled toward the stairs.

"You see? Miguel agrees." Manolito smiled. He knew Mercedes would be pleased that her father would be close by after all.

And if she was happy, it would make everything better at Rivertree.