Chapter 7 [South Range]

Chinook warmed the air. Grasses rustled. Sol ascended to its noontime high. The steers munched on grass and meandered toward water. Both ranches' cowboys watched them with discerning eye.

Let the cows be happy before the march north….

Blue sat on Soapy's back. He'd steered four strays back toward the main group. Details spun his mind like an overactive top. He'd sat along with Manolito at the latter's meeting with Chiefs Two Pony, Tularosa and some other guy named Red Eagle from the mountains northeast of Tucson. The run in with the Granadas at Tubac still troubled him. He wondered how Manolito and Ricardo's fishing expedition for potential ranchos progressed. And then there was the baby….

The baby….

I'm going to be that kid's Pa. Wow! Blue took off his hat. His handkerchief cleared Sweat's beads with a single swipe. Anxiety unsettled his stomach. Doubt unsettled his mind. How'm I good enough? I'm still just a kid!

"Now that's a look I haven't seen in a while. You've got the weight of the world on your shoulders, Boy?" John rode up to him. "How're they looking?"

"Not bad, Pa. Just guided a Ma cow and her calves back toward the herd. Grass is still looking real good. I figure another few weeks. Then we'll drive them back up to the west range?" Blue considered his father. Even if Age had creased the elder's face with a few more wrinkles, he remained Big John Cannon through and through.

John pursed his lips as if considering the thought. He nodded. "Makes sense. So you haven't answered my question, Blue. What's eating at you?"

Blue chuckled. "You can always read me, Pa."

"Your Ma was better at that when you were growing up. I know when there's a lot on your mind." John looked Blue over. "Everything all right with Penny?"

"Oh yeah! Couldn't be better! She sure is something else! Four months pregnant and still a whirlwind around the house. Sure glad Martha's helping up there now." Blue coughed. "Pa, can I be honest? I mean you ain't going to get on me?"

"Get on you? About what?" John raised an eyebrow.

"About being soft. I want to show you that I'm a man." Blue frowned.

John tilted his hat back. He nodded. "Blue, I'm sure Penny brings up that day with Johnny Keough enough to you. Do you remember what you said in the hotel before that? Your Uncle Buck told me that you stated that he and I are respected by people. We earned that respect by our deeds and actions."

"Dang! He told you that?" Blue rolled his eyes. "Dumb kid thing."

"Facing Keough was dumb. I'll agree with you on that. But what you said sure made a big impression on a lot of folks that day. Then you backed up your talk. Look at you now. You're a foreman at a mighty big spread. You're a husband. You're going to be a father. You're out here on the range doing your share and a day's work. No, Blue. You're being a man." John's mouth cracked a slight smile.

"Never thought I'd hear that." Blue shook his head.

"You earned it. So what's on your mind?" John leaned over his saddle.

"So much change. I know it's a part of life. Yeah I get that. Penny and me…we're real happy at Rivertree. We all get along great, you know? Guess it helps when you've worked with most of 'em for stretches here, right? Can't believe Manolito's talking with the Apaches instead of shooting across the fence. It sure gets me nervous. Glad he can though. Makes me want to learn Apache. Then there's Don Ricardo and the Countess. I can't believe those folks from Mexico took his ranch and want us all dead. He's looking for his own ranch. Wish he'd stick around because he's sure good for advice…not that you ain't, Pa. I'm still putting everything together from that other thing too." Blue shook his head. "You know Don Sebastian sent Mano and Mercedes that crate."

"Sure. Buck delivered it up there. You all have been so busy. We never heard what was in there." John noticed Somberness in his son's face. "Blue?"

"He sent that painting of Los Angeles along with something else." Blue frowned. "I know Don Sebastian can be a real pain at times. Sorry, Pa. There was something else in there too. I feel so bad for Mano and Mercedes." He bowed his head. His eyes narrowed.

"If it wasn't for Victoria, I'd have gone down there already. Why? What did he do?" John put his hand on Blue's forearm. "He didn't threaten you. Did he, Boy?"

"Not me. You remember how Manolito was in Tubac?" Blue shuddered. "The guy with the axe."

"Sure. He shot the axe and hit that Don Eduardo in the hand." John remembered Mano's words and demeanor well….

"Hey, Tio! You should have been more careful. That bullet…well it was rubbed in the Tree's sawdust. The splinters are sharp. Talk more and you may find another bullet where it might not be so pleasant. ¿Entiendes me?"

"Oh." John sucked in a deep breath.

"Sebastian traded that tree and gave us up to them bullies, Pa. He sent one of the branches in that crate with the painting!" Blue shook his head. "Manolito and Victoria are his kids! His flesh and blood!" He slapped at the air with his hat. "Look, Pa. I know we have words. We sure get heated. But you wouldn't sell me out. I sure wouldn't you."

"I know that, Blue. Thank you." John sucked in a deep breath of his own. "Don Sebastian is Victoria's and Manolito's family. He should be yours. Victoria, Mercedes and Don Ricardo have adopted you. You are Billy Blue Cannon. You're my son first and foremost. You have earned a place in the Montoya, de la Vega and now I guess the De Soto families." He shrugged. "You impressed Don Santiago and Doña Carlotta. Don Sebastian is being unreasonable. That is his problem. I will speak to Manolito. If what you are saying is true, I will have to respond to him. He broke our arrangement."

"If it wasn't for that, I'd say let him fry ice." Blue scowled. "How can people be so mean?"

"I think you know that better than I do, Blue. Apparently you saw the answer to that." John shook his head. "Seems the years haven't healed certain wounds down there. Doña Lupe let it ruin her marriage and her relationship with Miguel. There's nothing worth that. Guess those nobles should 've treated people right all along."

"Pa, I'm not backing down. I'm with Manolito and Mercedes. Penny's committed too. I just don't want to pull you into it. You didn't ask for it." Blue looked around. "You've worked, sweated, cried and bled over this ranch. Well…I won't go on about the crying part."

John coughed. "You'd better not." His mouth softened into a smirk. "Blue, you're part of that family. As far as getting pulled in, I don't remember there being a choice in the matter. Look. You all may be on a separate ranch and all. You're still my son. Do you really think your Uncle Buck, the men or me are going to stand by and let Mano and you get shot at?" He let the point hang in there. Purpose arched an eyebrow. "They attack Rivertree, they attack the High Chaparral."

"Thanks, Pa. That means a lot." Blue expressed.

"Never doubt that. Besides there's my grandchild to think about as well." John exhaled sharply. He took his pistol out. He checked the chamber. Then he put it back in the holster. "About what you said earlier. I think it's a good thing if you learn some Apache. Even after the Army subdues them, we have to live together. We can respect each other." He looked about. "I'm going to talk to Manolito. Your idea about moving the herds to Rivertree's meadows is a good one. I want a few more miles between the herds and the border." He glanced back toward the south.

"Yeah. Best be careful and…." Blue saw a glint in the brush behind John. "PA! BEHIND YOU!" He drew his pistol. "HEY! YOU IN THE BRUSH! GET OUT HERE!"

John turned his horse just in time.

A bullet creased the space between father and son.

Blue fired twice. He kept his pistol raised. He looked all around.

Another shot rang out from the left. That bullet streaked into the brush.

A wiry Mexican staggered into the open. He held his right bicep. Hate seethed in his eyes.

"Figured you both would like some help." Buck frowned. "Good eye, Blue Boy. Keep your gun on that one." He kept his pistol aimed ahead. About three feet into the brush, he found the other assassin's corpse. "Guess we know them boys sure mean business."

"Yeah." Blue raised an eyebrow. "We were just talking about you."

"I heard you, Gringo." The man spat on the ground. "You are all dead!"

John frowned. Fire blazed in his eyes. "I've got a good mind to hang you. Then I'd send you back to Mexico City in a box. Fortunately we're civilized. Blue shot him fair and square. Nobody's going to question that. Buck, get his friend. Blue, I've got him covered."

"Yeah." Blue dismounted. He tied the assailant's hands together. "I've got a good mind to run my horse and drag you back home. I'm better than that."

"Puerco." The Mexican spat in Blue's face.

"Do that again and you take one in the other arm." John aimed his pistol at the man's left arm. "Blue, tie that rope to your saddle. We'll ride with him in the middle."

Buck slung the other's corpse over Rebel's back. "Hey, John! We got to get them into Tucson."

"Guess we all need to have that talk with Don Sebastian, Pa?" Blue shook his head. Regret weighed on his heart.

The Mexican sniggered. "Don Eduardo and Don Pedro deal with that one. Don Sebastian will not stop us. We will keep coming for you until you are dead!"

"Maybe ol' Don Sebastian might've told you. We don't kill easy." Buck aimed his pistol. "You know, John. Maybe we oughta let Manolito have this fella? He sure seems like he wants it."

"I want him alive, Buck." John started up the trail. "Keep him between us."

"You heard him! GIT MOVIN'!" Buck got up on his horse. "Blue Boy, lead our amigo here. I'll ride behind just in case he gets any ideas."

Blue started Soapy back up the trail after John.

Trouble had come sooner than they might've reckoned….