Chapter 6 [Original Rancho Vega—An Hour Later]

Angelina led Victoria and Mercedes back toward the rancho's stables. The ride had refreshed her. Disappointment still sagged down upon her shoulders. Still, Opportunity raised her spirits. She wanted to know more about Tucson and the other ranchos. She tied her horse by the stall. "Gracias, Chico. It was a good ride." She patted his flank.

Chico whinnied at her.

"It is so beautiful here!" Victoria dismounted from her own horse. "After being in the desert, the trees and grass are so nice to see!"

"Maybe we can ride on the shore?" Mercedes recalled such experiences on her previous visit.

Angelina sighed. "It is all private property now. I hope to see it on the train. Lo siento." She led them back toward the hacienda.

"What a shame! That beach seemed so beautiful from our windows." Maria shook her head. "Perhaps we might see the gardens?"

"Of course! Vamanos." Angelina saw the front door open. She put her hand up. "¿Manuel?"

Manuel rushed out. "¡Doña Angelina! ¡Doña Angelina! ¡Es terrible!" Panic paled his face.

"¿Qué pasa, Manuel?" Angelina frowned. She'd never seen him act in this manner.

He bowed to them. He sucked in a few composing breaths. "Es Guillermo, Doña Angelina. Él está muy enfermo. No puede cocinar el banquete de esta noche. El Cónsul Ortiz estará aquí pronto. No temenos cocinero. ¿Puede Ud. hacerlo?"

Angelina froze. Hesitation locked her in place. Doubt did not even enter into the equation. Instinct guided Skill. Rather her father's disapproval held her back. Implications and Diplomacy would weigh on her efforts.

"Angelina, this is your chance!" Mercedes placed her hand on the hostess' arm. "You can do this for us."

"You cook all day. I do not see the difference." Maria folded her arms across her chest. "If he was here, Don Ricardo would say the same thing. So would Manolito and John."

"Yes! Yes they would!" Affirmation set Victoria's purpose as well. "You respect Don Carlos. We know that. The servants respect him. They respect you tambien. Manolito and John would agree with us. We all know you can do it."

"¡Padróna, por favor!" Manuel kneeled before her.

Angelina steeled herself. "Por mi deber." She raised him back to his feet. "I will do it. I will need help. Mercedes?"

Mercedes bit her lip. "Ojalá Penny estuviera aquí." She turned to Maria. "Please talk to Papa. I do not want him angry. We have enough to worry about."

"I will speak with your father." Maria patted Mercedes' hand.

"You can do this." A grin spread across Victoria's face. "Vamanos."

Manuel led them back into the hacienda. "Gracias. Lo siento." He turned the corner into the dining room. Then he led them into the kitchen. He clapped his hands.

The servants stopped. As one, they bowed to their Doña and the other ladies. Relief lightened their hearts and minds.

Angelina surveyed the kitchen. She'd crept through there several times despite her father's wishes to the contrary. Fireplace awaited wood and fire. Wood Stoves already glowed with heat. She could see chopped potatoes. Vegetables sat ready on the far counter. "¡Podemos hacer esto!" She tied her apron on. "¿Estas listo?"

Mercedes pumped water onto her own hands to clean them. She removed her blazer and hat. "Estoy listo." She tied her own apron on.

"Start chopping vegetables please. I will prepare the steaks." Angelina went to the ice box. She took out the main course. She lugged the heaping steak platter to the counter. "I know." Her knife scored the steaks' surfaces. She chopped her seasonings. "We will make this dinner as I would at the tavern."

"If you will excuse us?" Victoria collected Mercedes' coat and hat. "If there is anything you need from us, you will let us know." She led Maria out of the kitchen.

Mercedes cut away at the squash, peppers and carrots. "How is that?" She stepped aside to allow the senior chef a discerning look.

Angelina examined Mercedes' handiwork. "¡Muy bien! ¡Exactamente!" She brought a plate over. "We will keep them on this plate. I will finish the steaks." She put the herbs on the meat. "Now that is done."

"Will we need dessert?" Mercedes wiped Sweat's beads from her forehead.

"Sí." Angelina paced about the area for a dozen heartbeats. Inspiration lit her eyes up. ¡Ahora recuerdo! El Cónsul le gustaron las sopapillas." She took another mixing bowl out and set to making ingredients.

Awe transfixed Mercedes Disbelief at Culinary Tour de Force's effort left her aghast albeit in a good way. She watched her cousin form the desserts and set them on yet another platter. "¿Necessitas mi ayuda?"

"No gracias. Termine." Angelina set the plate of sopapillas aside. She turned to Manuel. "No one is to touch these plates. ¿Entiendes me?"

"¡Sí, Padróna! Muchissimas gracias." Relief calmed Manuel's manner back to normal.

"El placer es nuestro." Alejandra smiled. "We will return to cook the food before the Consul's arrival. You can set the table please."

"Muy bien, Doña Angelina." Manuel bowed one last time. Then he hustled from the kitchen.

Angelina wiped her face off with her hand. "Now the others are waiting for the garden? I need a break. Vamanos." She led Mercedes from the kitchen.

Crisis averted….