Chapter 6 [An Hour Later]

The dust settled. Sister Ellie boarded the stage and departed for Tombstone with twenty minutes to spare. The group agreed to take her horse to Rivertree for safe keeping in the meantime.

Having settled that, they returned to their own matters….

[Catholic Mission]

[A/N: While I'm trying to drop the Countess title for Maria at most points, when she's with Sister Maria, I keep both titles.]

Miguel brought coffees out for Mercedes, Ricardo and Countess Maria. Concern nagged at him. He discerned everyone's subdued moods. Dread was palpable to him. "Muchissimas gracias, Papa for your help. I did not know what we were going to do."

Ricardo fixed his coffee. "De nada, Miguel. You want to help her. She needs your plan. She needs a sponsor."

"Miguel has tried, Papa." Mercedes shrugged. "He went to the bank. He spoke to Señor Binns at the newspaper. He has allowed Brother Benjamin and her to speak at Mass. He has let her and Brother Benjamin stay here. ¿Qué más puede hacer?"

"I cannot do anything, Mercie. Sister Ellie has faith. Still, I cannot give her the Diocese's funds. We need them for the new school. I want her to find that support." Miguel kept Ellie's remark about Ricardo's support to himself. "Contessa, bienvenidos a Tucson. It is good to meet you."

"And it is most charming to meet you at last! I am hoping we will get along very well," Countess Maria exchanged looks with Ricardo.

"Of course. You seem nice enough. I cannot see why we would not." Miguel took a draught from his own cup. "I am sorry I do not have lunch prepared. Why did Manolito leave with the others?"

"He wished for us to speak with you, Miguel." Ricardo sighed. "I have bad news to tell you. Then I will have good news." He bowed his head. "First, your mother passed away last week. Lo siento. I was not allowed to be at her funeral."

"Not allowed? The Granadas?" Miguel muttered a silent prayer. "I wish they would find peace."

"You have not heard everything." Mercedes shook her head.

"What now?" Miguel nearly choked on his coffee. "Not the estate!"

"Si. They took Rancho Vega from me. They cut down my trees. We saved three saplings. They are at Rivertree. Your mother and Doña Carlotta De Soto de Santa Cruz saved the de la Vega family fortune. I have some money. Everything else is gone. I came north. Doña Maria had similar misfortune at her own family's hands. We were both coming here for our own reasons." Ricardo cleared his throat.

"Bueno. Perhaps then you can come to Mass every week. I would welcome you," Miguel invited.

"We would like that so very much." Countess Maria cleared her throat. "There is one more thing."

"Oh? Whatever I can do to help, I will." Miguel straightened up. "Is it good news?"

"It is, Miguel. Brace yourself, Hermano." Mercedes forced a smile onto her face. "Papa?"

"Maria and I want to get married. Miguel, we want you to perform the ceremony." Ricardo squeezed Maria's hand in his.

Miguel swallowed hard. "Perdóname, Papa. How can you marry her?"

"Miguel, por favor." Ricardo rubbed his forehead. "There are circumstances. I have not forgotten your mother. Our feelings soured over time. She looked down on our family name. We were apart more than being together the last few years. To be honest, I tired of the games and arguments. She went back to Mexico City last summer to help her family take the rancho. The Granadas plotted against you both until Don Carlotta put a stop to it. She is Mercedes' family now."

"She is Manolito's Tia," Mercedes clarified. "Miguel, Mama said we were cursed to be de la Vegas on her deathbed." She dabbed her eyes with a kerchief. "I cannot believe it. She and Papa heard it."

"I knew Mama was disappointed that we did not walk the path she wanted for us. But that? ¡Ay! And we cannot go and visit her grave? I will write to the Bishop. Surely, he will at least allow us that!" Miguel pointed out.

"Tu tia y tus tios no se preocupan por ninguno de los dos. Ellos controlan al Obispo." Ricardo sipped on his coffee. "I will never be able to remarry a woman of our station. I have means but no rancho. I will not be allowed to purchase one there. I do not wish to be alone."

"And you, Countess? Perdóname. What are your feelings? I am asking as priest and concerned son." Miguel considered the Countess.

"I have searched the world for a good man. There are not many I am afraid. Much like your father, I have lost the family estate. Without the land, I have some money and an empty title. I will not be able to marry again. Your father helps me in all of those ways, Miguel. He is a kind and good man. He cares about my feelings. He and I can help each other. We can build a new rancho here in Arizona together. It will not be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is." Countess Maria took Ricardo's hands in hers. "But when you have see someone like your father, you do not hesitate." Warmth shone in her eyes for him. "We are friends. We have mutual interests."

Miguel nodded. "So this is a political alliance?" Objection raised its point over the timing. Still, he knew his parents had drifted apart. He'd watched his mother sour on life. "You understand I ask about the commitment not to judge you."

"We are committed, Miguel." Ricardo looked his son firmly in the eye.

"I am as well." Countess Maria vowed.

"Then that is what I needed." Miguel nodded. "I can marry you at the church or at the rancho."

"The church, Ricardo, please." Countess Maria squeezed his hands a bit harder.

"I believe we will need the church." Ricardo nodded to his son.

"Then the church it shall be. I believe Señor Binns would appreciate an announcement in the newspaper. Afterwards, we will need to plan a feast." Miguel smiled toward the prospective bride. "Bienvenidos."

"Thank you." Countess Maria rubbed Miguel's arm. "As I told Mercedes, I do not wish to take your mother's place. I just wish to be your friend and to be good to your father."

"Gracias, Contessa. That is what I want as well." Miguel leaned over and embraced the older woman.

"Hey! Now that is a good thing to see!" Manolito led Victoria, Brother Benjamin and the two nuns into the mission. "We have reached an understanding?"

"Si, Manolo. Papa and Doña Maria will be married in the church. Miguel will preside over the ceremony." Mercedes grinned. "We can all be happy!"

"How wonderful! I am glad I bought those supplies." Victoria turned to Manolito. "Now you understand." Satisfaction gleamed in her eyes.

Manolito shrugged the point off. "Si, my Sister. It will be a great feast. Perhaps we might wish to eat something at Rosie's? We can talk. Perhaps even make a plan for the celebration. Eh?"

"I would like the enchiladas." Miguel nodded.

"Then we will have to try them for ourselves." Ricardo stood and helped the Countess to her feet. "Shall we then?"

And with issues settled, they went to ease Hunger's issues….