Search (A Time to Love 2)
DJ Dubois
February 2020
Notes Part 1: This story takes place immediately after "Rescue." It is the second installment in the "A Time to Love" series.
Notes Part 2: The High Chaparral and its characters belong to NBC.
Prologue [Arizona Territory, 1870s]
Donna Victoria Montoya Cannon writes…
Papa's games continue to cause us grief. Sanchez and his Comancheros steal more animals from us. John, Sam and some of the ranch hands search alongside the Vaqueros for them and Mercedes. We have no idea where she or those banditos are. Meantime Pedro, Joe and another ranch hand watch the High Chaparral. Buck and Blue would hopefully buy the ammunition in Trail's End and return quickly.
Still, given the history with Trail's End, I worry. The last thing we need is for that Johnny Keough to find Blue again. Nor do we need Buck gambling our money away in the saloon.
Pobre Manolito. He glares out the window, over Papa's walls and into the desert beyond. He paces like a caged animal. If Papa hadn't put a guard on the door, he would've gone looking for Mercedes. He will not admit it but his ribs and head wound are best served with rest. Still, trying telling him that. I remember how I was when John and Blue needed help. I defied Vaquero, Mano and the others to assist in the search for them. Can I really fault Mano for wanting to do the same now?
And then, there is Papa himself. I am glad he might *finally* understand the pain his schemes cause everyone. He worries about Mercedes of course. Still, I have to wonder how much of that is for her herself? How much of it is for the other Dons' response to his lack of oversight? How will Don Ricardo react to his daughter's abduction? Still, Papa cannot help himself. Now we can hope this situation will all work out for the best.
¡Ay! What a mess!