Chapter 9 [Rosie's—12:31 PM]
[A/N: One more chapter and we head back to Los Angeles. Wow! Miguel should teach his cousins about community involvement!]
Reverend Jackson checked his pocket watch. A glance around the dining area revealed nary a sign of Miguel. He drank his coffee. "You don't suppose there's a problem?"
Brother Benjamin shrugged. "Reverend, if I know Brother Miguel, he's run into someone along the way that needs help. He'll be here." He glanced at the menu. "Maybe we should order?"
"A few more minutes. I expect Sister Mercy to come any time." Jackson waved to her. "There! She's here."
She wove her way through the crowd. "I apologize, Brother Benjamin and Reverend. Sister Maria took ill at the mission. I cooked some chicken chili. Sister Pilar made cornbread. I ate at the mission. I wanted to save the money for the effort."
"A worthy choice. Thank you." Jackson patted her hand. "Still you should have something to drink or maybe a piece of pie."
She glanced at the pie display behind the counter. Temptation watered in her mouth. "That cherry pie looks good. Maybe with some coffee?"
"Consider it done. By the way, did you see Brother Miguel? He was supposed to meet us." Jackson checked the door again.
"Why yes! Brother Miguel was eating with a young man, Rafael, at the mission. Then a Mr. Caldwell from the telegraph office rushed in with a telegram for Brother Miguel. He read it. Then they rushed off together. Brother Miguel said it was most urgent. He wanted to thank us for my help," she explained.
Jackson nodded. "Perhaps an emergency far away? They should make sure the mission has people running it first." He rubbed his chin.
She wanted to say something but kept it to herself.
"Brother Miguel has a great many things to do, Reverend. With due respect, perhaps we should talk?" Brother Benjamin took a deep calming breath. "Anyhow I am ready to order." He saw Rosie coming toward them. "Hi, Rosie."
"Brother Benjamin, Sister Mercy and Reverend, how are you liking our town so far? I hope it has been going well." Rosie took her pad out. She waited for answers and their orders.
"I'll take the pork chop and roasted potatoes please." Jackson set the menu back.
"I'll do my usual please." Brother Benjamin saw Miguel and Price walk in. "I believe they are with us as well." He grabbed another chair from an empty table.
"I'll take a piece of that great looking cherry pie and a cup of coffee please!" Sister Mercy smiled at the thought of that desert. "What about you, Gentlemen?"
"Thank you, Sister Mercy. Me gustaria café por favor. Muchissimas gracias, Rosie. ¿Cómo está Ud.?" Miguel smiled.
"Muy bien, Padre. Trabajamos duro. Nos gusta." Rosie scribbled down his order. "And for you, Señor Price?"
Price opened his menu. "Ah! I do believe I will do a steak with the potatoes. Medium well on the steak. I'll do a cup of tea. Thank you." He set the menu back in the holder.
"I am sorry for being late. I had an urgent matter to resolve at the bank. It turned into several matters related to Tucson." Miguel glanced at the people around the table. "Señor Price helped me to start the process." He looked toward Price.
"Yes. I kept Father Miguel because I wanted to find you, Reverend Jackson. In the first case, it is very good to make your acquaintance and your wife's." Price shook both of their hands.
"As it is to make yours, Mr. Price. What might we do for you?" Jackson probed Price's eyes. He wanted to know the banker's business.
"I am a manager at the Wells Fargo Bank. A number of interested parties in our community are interested in a Protestant church. Sister Ellie tried to find sponsors but could not. It was a matter of timing. Now we have the sponsors. Are you interested, Reverend?" Price proposed.
"Yes I am interested in talking with the sponsors. Perhaps we might talk at your bank as to a time and place?" Suspicion bubbled up in his head over the offer.
"There's no need. They want to attend their own services. That is their only motivation. There are a few ranchers and the Vail Brothers. If you're interested in staying here, they are ready to purchase land and start building a church. We are already bringing in materials for the Catholic school. It is a small matter to handle both projects." Price noticed Rosie set down the coffee cups. She poured coffee for everyone else. "I will be back with your tea. Milk or lemon?"
"Milk please. I'll add my own sugar. Thank you, Rosie." Price agreed.
"And what is this emergency that Sister Mercy told us about? How is it tied into the community?" Jackson sipped on his coffee. Terseness bit into his tone.
Price stiffened. "That is between Padre Miguel and myself, Reverend."
"When we know, I will tell you, Reverend Jackson." Miguel struggled to hold onto Patience's balm. "I will offer a warning that I will offer my congregation on Sunday. There are two Mexican families who send banditos and comancheros across the border. I have known the de la Granadas all of my life. They do not care about laws or rules. They stole my father's rancho from him last summer. They have shot at my family and friends. You saw the service I gave in the new cemetery?"
"You know we did. That was from a raid?" Jackson frowned.
"My sister's father-in-law, Don Sebastian Montoya, and three of those invading brothers. My father seeks help. They have tried to kill John, Blue and Buck Cannon. They will keep coming until they are stopped, mi Amigo. That is what I do. My father and I work to help Tucson. I will protect my flock be they Catholic, Protestant or Eastern Orthodox as Our Lord God and Christ Himself would ask of me and you, Reverend Jackson. That is why I am most grateful to Sister Mercy for her help today. I did not ask. She was already there when I got there. I am thankful." Miguel curled his lip.
"We know that, Brother Miguel." Brother Benjamin met Jackson's expression with his own. Please! We don't need this. He had his reasons. He explained that. "Reverend Jackson does not know you."
"But a mission has to be open! Sister Ellie complained of that." Jackson took another gulp from his coffee.
The entire café stopped. The eyes turned toward him.
Rosie brought the meals out. One by one, she placed the dinners in front of those who ordered them. "Padre Miguel cannot have Christmas dinner? He gave five Masses. He made sure that there were places in the livery for travelers. He asked me to cook extra so I did. The mission was open. We talked as neighbors. We say we help. He says muchissimas gracias."
"He was so good with the boy, Rafael, this morning. You should have seen him." Sister Mercy sighed.
Miguel shrugged. "Rafael is a good chico. His mother has seven children. Sí. He worked hard. I gave him some of my cornbread to eat or take home." He drank from his mug. "I have not forgotten last Christmas. This year, we know better. But I plan. I work on it ahora. Si necesitamos algo, lo consigo con la ayuda de Dios. You needed a church, Reverend Jackson. Señor Price and I have worked to help Sister Ellie and you. Manolito Montoya and Buck Cannon helped her to buy your building in Tombstone." He drank from his coffee. "Gracias, Señor Price. Con su permiso, me necesitan en la misión. Hasta luego, mis Amigos." He stood up. "Thank you, Sister Mercy. Brother Benjamin."
"That is correct. Brothers Manolito and Buck did help us. I was glad to help this morning. You're welcome, Brother. Give my best to Sister Maria," Sister Mercy expressed. "We will pray for her."
"Muchissimas gracias." Miguel pulled his coat on. "I will be by your office. Adios."
"Padre, digale a Rafael que tengo trabajo para él." Rosie put her hand up. "I take care of your coffee."
"Gracias, Rosie." Miguel smiled and walked out of the café.
"There goes muchissimo hombre." Brother Benjamin bit into his omelet. "Esto es magnifico, Rosie."
"Si, Hermano. Gracias." Rosie stalked back toward the counter.
Jackson cut his steak. He knew he had his hands full with this group. He stuck the piece in his mouth.
Seemed that some had much to learn….