Chapter 7 [Tucson—An Hour and a Half Later]

Miguel closed the church's doors. As with most mornings, he strolled down Stone toward the town's main drag. He waved to his neighbors. Occasionally he stopped to speak with a fellow passerby. He'd turn a child's frown upside down. He arranged to meet a parishioner for confession.

Brother Benjamin, Sister Mercy and Reverend Jackson had wanted to meet for coffee at Rosie's.

Miguel waved to another parishioner. Then he clomped up the stairs and into the Catholic mission. He looked around at the scene therein. Sister Pilar stirred potatoes and checked warming meat at the counter. A lanky Latino teenager swept the floor.

"Rafael! ¡Buenos Dias, Amigo! Gracias por su buen trabajo." Warmth and Gratitude exuded from Miguel's eyes and smile.

Rafael stopped the sweeping. "Gracias, Padre Miguel. Mama dice hola."

"Bueno. Espero a ver todos el domingo." Miguel looked him over. Observation discerned slowing motion of Broom's sweeps when he came in. Now he saw the boy barely standing up. "¿Has comido hoy?"

"I…I want finish." Rafael attempted to answer in English.

Surprise widened Miguel's eyes. A gentle smile returned to his face quickly enough however. "Very good, Amigo! I think you have earned a meal. Vamanos." He led Rafael up to the counter. "Buenos Dias, Sister Pilar."

"Padre Miguel, I see you have met our latest worker. Rafael will not stop. He has swept the balcony and the main floor. He wiped all of the tables. I have tried to get him to have this chili. It is a new thing. It is not your family's." Sister Pilar ladled a bowl and a piece of cornbread. "Now, Rafael, eat this por favor."

"Gracias, Sister Pilar." Rafael bowed his head. He accepted the bowl, a spoon and his cornbread.

"Is he finally going to eat? My word!" Sister Mercy stepped out of the back. A white rag obscured her blonde hair. Her apron had a few brown stains across it. "Good morning, Brother Miguel! I hope you don't mind. Sister Maria was feeling poorly. I was in here looking at everything. I just wanted to help out."

"Muchissimas gracias. And why would I mind a fellow servant pitching in?" Miguel shook his head. "Might I try some?"

"Of course." Sister Pilar served up a bowl. "I had some earlier."

"I have never known you to pass up chili, Sister, be it at La Universidad or here." Teasing danced in Miguel's eyes. "Now let us see what we have." He sampled the beans and chicken. "Mmm! Chicken chili. It has been years. Muy delicioso. Gracias, Sister Mercy. Will Brother Benjamin and Reverend Jackson still be at Rosie's?"

"They shall be there at 12:30, Padre. Thank you for liking that. Would it be all right if I take a break and join you at Rosie's later. I will make sure there is plenty of chili before I go. Sister Pilar, we need some more cornbread. Can you mix up another bowl please? I sure can't make it like you can." Sister Mercy requested. Insight about Miguel and Sister Pilar's shared past with Manolito sparked her interest.

"Of course!" Sister Pilar nodded to Miguel. She walked into the kitchen and set to work on the cornbread batter.

"I'll make that next batch of chili. Call me if anyone needs a bowl of chili." Sister Mercy ducked back into the kitchen.

Miguel nodded. Reverend Jackson and she are a Godsend! I hope they get their own church soon. He knew that Horace Stewart hosted services in the livery stable on Sundays. Remember it's the deed not the building. He sighed.

Rafael bit into the cornbread. "The chili…it is good! Se lo cuento a Mama."

"I think you should do that, Amigo. ¡Muy delicioso!" Miguel brought his own bowl over to the boy's table. "Chicken chili is a treat." He ate another spoonful. "Here." He broke his cornbread in two. "Eat or take it home."

"Gracias, Padre." Rafael accepted the treat.

Caldwell rushed into the mission. Exhaustion huffed and puffed the air from his lungs. He held his hand to his chest.

"Mr. Caldwell? What is the matter?" Miguel pulled a chair out. "I will get you some water." He could see Urgency in the other's eyes.

"I'm sure grateful I found you, Padre." Caldwell took some shallow breaths to gather himself.

"You walk slower. I do not want you sick for me." Miguel poured a glass of water. He brought it back over to his friend. "Now drink this."

"Thanks." Caldwell gulped down a few mouthfuls. Water broke Thirst's arid grip over his mouth and throat. "Got a telegram for you. It's real urgent." Caldwell dug the folded paper from his pocket. "Got it to you as fast as my legs could get me here."

"Gracias, Amigo." Miguel unfolded the message. He read:

"FATHER MIGUEL, TUCSON STOP

WE ARRIVED IN LOS ANGELES THIS MORNING. MET WITH FAMILY. STOP

FOUND RANCHO HENCHE AND SECOND TREESTOP

WILL MEET WITH CONSUL TONIGHT AT RANCHO VEGA STOP

START LOOKING FOR LAND BY NEW RAILROAD DEPOT. STOP

NEEDED FOR NEW TAVERN VICTORIA AND CAFÉ THERESTOP

PRIMA ANGELINA WILL BE RETURNING WITH US. SHE IS MUCH LIKE YOUSTOP

WE HAVE MONEY FOR DOWN PAYMENT. STOP

HAVE PRICE TELEGRAPH LOS ANGELES BANK OFFICESTOP

WILL SEND ANOTHER TELEGRAM TOMORROW. STOP

DON RICARDO DE LA VEGA"

Miguel sighed. He folded the paper back up and stuck it in his pocket.

Caldwell finished his water. "That sure hit the spot, Padre. Thank you!"

"And thank you for this." Miguel patted his coat pocket. "I will walk back with you. I have business at the bank." He stood. "Just a moment." He walked over to the counter. "Sisters?"

Sister Mercy rushed out. "Yes, Brother Miguel?"

"I may be late for our lunch. I had something come up with Manolito and my family. Can you let Reverend Jackson and Brother Benjamin know please?" Miguel cleared his throat.

"Is anything wrong?" Alarm pulled Sister Pilar's head away from the cornbread. She looked at him through the open doorway.

"Absolutely!" Sister Mercy agreed. "I hope everything's all right."

"I hope so as well." Miguel waved to Rafael. "Adios, Amigo." He smiled and led Caldwell out of the mission.

Purpose had him going in another direction….