New Start (A Time to Love 15)
DJ Dubois
January 2021
Notes: The High Chaparral belongs to NBC and its copyright holders. Please send comments to dante0220 .
Introduction [High Chaparral—Arizona Territory—Late 1870s]
Doña Victoria Montoya de Cannon writes….
This Christmas season gives us much to think about. I pray every morning and night on recent events. We have seen miracles. Trinidad and Pilar have so much to offer us. Manolito's agreement with Chief Tularosa could represent hope for us all. I know John wants much the same thing for the High Chaparral. And we find out just how special our family truly is.
We had hoped for a reconciliation with Papa as part of that. Buck wanted a nice time for Annie and Jennifer so badly. Mercedes wished to speak further with Papa about her parents. Manolito wanted to seek advice concerning Rancho Rivertree. John wanted to speak about matters on both sides of the border.
Our visit to Rancho Montoya proved a disappointment. Papa proved as difficult as ever. He will not change his views. He and Manolito insulted each other. He insulted the Countess Maria, Tia Carlotta and me. Don Ricardo tried to reach out to Papa with little success. The old hate followed us to the Rancho. Mercedes' fears about her mother's family came true. Papa denounced Don Ricardo's past and family. He ridiculed Manolito and Buck without truly knowing their roles as subjects within his newest painting. And Don Ricardo himself suffers from Doña Lupe's passing and the Granadas' spitefulness.
And yet even within that darkness, we discover more good. Tio Santiago and Tia Carlotta came north with Don Ricardo. Don Ricardo and Doña Maria have found each other. They care for one another and wish to be together. Manolito and Mercedes' marriage represents a new beginning between the de la Vega and De Soto families. Now that I have heard the whole story, I am so proud of Manolo, Blue, Buck, Sam and Pedro. What they did brought peace and happiness.
We can move forward. The marriage is planned. We will have dinner here or in Tucson. I hope Miguel can accept Doña Maria and perform the ceremony.
On these things, I pray….