Chapter 5 [A Few Hours Later—Road to Former Rancho Henche]

Sol climbed higher in the sky. The air warmed to a pleasant temperature. Clouds chased each other across poignant blue. Breeze blew across the trees.

Ricardo and Manolito took their traveling companions on a horseback ride up the dirt trail from Rancho Vega. Their horses' hooves kicked up dirt under them. Miles melted away beneath them. Familiarity guided the two leaders toward their destination.

As they reached the top of a hill, John saw Angelina riding a horse behind them. "MANO! RICARDO! WE'VE GOT COMPANY! IT'S ANGELINA!"

"Angelina? What about the tavern?" Victoria arched an eyebrow at that news.

"Abuela closed the tavern at times for her own reasons!" WHOA!" Ricardo slowed his own horse. "We wait here!"

Angelina slowed her horse to meet them. "Muchissimas gracias. I feared I would not catch up with you."

"Is everything all right at the tavern?" John looked her over.

"Papa closed it for the day. Felipe and he talk." Angelina frowned.

"I do not understand. That tavern would profit by the railroad station. Why can your father and brother not see that?"

"That, Papa, is very clear. They do not want to work with their hands." Mercedes rode back to meet Angelina. "I agree. It is a profitable business."

"Tucson's depot needs a hotel." Manolito looked to Ricardo.

"¿Es verdad?" Angelina rubbed her chin. "And there is a church?"

"If you don't mind Miguel preaching and hearing your confession. He is our priest." Victoria grinned. "And you would not be alone! We would be there to help you!"

"Victoria." John could almost see the wheels turning in his wife's head.

"John! I cannot believe you! You saw her in there before! She is not wanted here! They want to close the tavern down. I say let them do it! Angelina can come back with us. There is a need!" Victoria pouted.

Manolito shook his head. "John, you cannot win, Amigo."

"Maria, you've been quiet." John turned to her. "Tell them."

Maria stiffened. "I've listened to this discussion. It is quite fascinating. It is also excruciating. Victoria, Ricardo, Manolito and Mercedes have just said it. The matter concerns keeping the tavern running. Does it matter where it runs? I say we discuss the matter with Don Carlos. Surely he would see the merits of such a proposition."

"He wants me to marry some…whatever." Angelina made a face. "He will not agree. I know this is your day. I am sorry."

"Why? You are family. Follow us. You're about to see history." Ricardo started his horse back up the road's last stretch. He only stopped about ten feet from the barbed wire fence,

"Wait a minute!" John dismounted. "The road ends here! Even if the…" He stopped short. "Ricardo! Look at this!"

"Si, John. I believe you have found it." Manolito put his hand on the foundation. "According to Felipe, this would be the spot."

"I can tell Papa!" Excitement elicited a squeal from Angelina. She jumped into the air. "I'm sorry. Everyone thinks I am foolish. Now I know I am right!"

"We are not finished. Vamanos." Manolito got on his horse again. He led the group down the hill and into the still-forested land on that side of the fence. When he reached the stream, he pulled up on the reins. "Mercedita! Is this not what I said?"

Mercedes stopped. "Oh, Mano! It's the tree! It's just like ours was!" She dismounted. She stepped from stone to stone across the now-blocked stream. "Can you see, Victoria?"

"Oh, John! Can you believe it?" Victoria leaned up against John.

"Don't question it, Dear. Just let them have their time." John took her hand and led her across the stream as well. He stared up at the gigantic oak tree. "This one's bigger than the one at Rancho Montoya."

"It is a family tree for our love, John." Mercedes rubbed the tree's bark. "Can you believe this? Miguel will be so disappointed. He did not see this for himself."

"I wish Blue was here." Manolito sighed. "He would draw it for us."

"I can tell Papa. The city will want to preserve this tree and the hacienda site!" Angelina paced off the area. "This would be un parque bonito." Wonder left her amazed. "I'd like to preserve this."

Mischief glinted in Victoria's eyes. She gathered several acorns. She stuffed her pockets.

Mercedes and Angelina followed her lead.

"I should be glad we're in the desert. Otherwise we'd see these oak trees all over our range!" John huffed albeit only half-seriously.

"John, just let them. It is easier." Manolito shrugged off Opposition's futile measure against the moment.

"Besides, John, I want the trees." Maria patted his shoulder.

"¿Entiendes me?" Manolito shook the point off. He waited for the women to finish their gathering operation. He drank from his canteen. He savored Ambiance's effect. He watched Mercedes laugh. Joy bubbled in her heart. A big smile creased her face. Her eyes sparkled. "A great start for the child. Eh, John?"

"I couldn't have said better, Mano." John observed Victoria. "Maybe there are some places in the mountains around the South Range."

"Maybe. You can try." Manolito pondered the watering holes around the area. A few had enough water close by to sustain trees. He knew Tularosa, Two Pony and Red Eagle would appreciate more trees on Rivertree's lands. "John?" He drew his pistol.

"Yeah I heard it too." John had his pistol in hand. "Ricardo! Get ready!"

Carlos emerged from the overgrown path. "You found it!"

"Si. We did, Primo." Manolito tried to keep Disdain from his face. "Just where Felipe said it would be. And up on the road. The hacienda was outside the fence! It is still on open range."

"Well, Carlos?" Expectation raised Ricardo's eyebrow.

Contrition bore down on Carlos' face. "It will give me two sites for preservation."

"Two sites?" Ricardo frowned.

"We've decided to close the tavern. The city agreed to buy the building and make it a historic site. Angelina, it is your money. Perhaps a dowry?" Carlos suggested.

"Perhaps a down payment on another tavern? I have heard of such a place in Tucson." Angelina frowned. "I'd hoped to stay here. I see I will need to travel to find opportunity. We have family there. There is a need for a tavern and a restaurant at the train station. It would be an investment and a service point."

"It would be. But do you have to go? There is so much you can do! You have the world! You could travel!" Carlos prodded.

Angelina shook her head. "I am content with my tavern. The world's travelers tell me their tales. I travel with them, Papa. It will give you a place to stay when you are there."

"Es verdad." Carlos nodded. "Ricardo, will you look in on her?"

"I will. Miguel will be seeing her twice a week. If it is all right, I'd like to send a telegraph back there. I can have him look for something. He will want to hear you are coming, Angelina."

"When we are done, we shall go." Carlos leaned forward in his saddle. He still did not appreciate Attitude's chip on his guests' collective shoulders from that morning. Still, he had to grant Manolito his discoveries in that regard. And that Investment's potential lay open before Angelina was another bonus.

Ways could be had no matter how people looked…..