Chapter 18 [Next Morning—River Station, Los Angeles]

Fog rolled in off of Pacific's waters. Overcast obscured Sol's light. Rain spat down on passengers and others in the waiting area.

Angelina gazed at the waiting locomotive through the glass. Disbelief numbed her senses. Ticket sat in her hand. Bags and Crated Desk sat in another car attached to the locomotive's string. She glanced around the area. She did not see Carlos or her siblings. They'd muttered only a few brief farewells to her before their departure for the office or activities. They do not agree with me. Could they not see me off? Are they that angry?

"It will be all right." Mercedes rubbed her cousin's shoulder. "I wish Don Carlos and the others had come. Papa and I wanted to talk with them. It is their choice. Miguel and I left home. We did not agree with Mama and Papa. I refused the Granadas' proposed marriage. Miguel wanted to be a priest."

Confusion lifted Angelina's eyebrow. "Your parents do not favor your plans? Manolito and you seem perfect together. I cannot wait to meet Miguel."

"We have a wonderful family. John and Victoria support us. Papa and Maria are very close. There are many friends in Tucson. Manolito and I cannot wait for our new nieces or nephews. I will have a baby in a few months." Mercedes sighed. "Our ranch hands are so nice! Penny and you will be friends."

"Penny? She is the cook?" Angelina remembered.

"Sí. I think some times that Penny is La Doña de Rivertree." Irony rolled Mercedes' eyes. "Martha helps her. You will like her." She smirked. "And I am there."

"I am glad to hear that. We will attend Mass together." Angelina drew closer.

"Manolo and I make most of them. Our rancho is forty miles away from Tucson. We stay with Papa and Maria. Then we ride the wagon into town," Mercedes clarified.

"There is a splendid room for you, Angelina, at Rancho Vega." Maria walked up to them. "May I join you?"

"I would like that. Gracias, Doña Maria. Quiero ser aceptado." Angelina smiled for her soon-to-be hostess.

"When we are speaking like this, please call me Maria. We are family. There is no need for titles between us, Angelina. Is that not right, Mercedes?" Maria requested.

Mercedes shrugged the point off. "I have tried, Maria."

"I do not know you but for a few days! I am Angie to my customers. I wish to respect you." A heavy sigh escaped Angelina's lips. "No sería tan grosero. Ahora que todos lo han pedido, lo hare. Gracias, Mercedes y Maria."

"Mucho mejor, Angie." Mercedes embraced Angelina. "You are not being rude. We are family."

"Gracias, Mercedes." Angelina returned the hug. "I hope for the best!"

"You see? Do not bother yourself over such silly matters! There are much better days ahead," Maria assured her. "Just relax. We will have a simply splendid time! We will have to travel to Hermosillo for Don Sebastian's funeral and that business. We shall have to see."

"Don Ricardo told me what happened. Mercedes, I am so sorry! I cannot believe the Granadas can be so cruel! You are their family! What does it matter?" Lament weighed down on Angelina's features. Her shoulders sagged. "I had enough in the cave."

"That is how they are, Angie. No matter. Sí. They are Mama's family. Soy de la Vega y Montoya ahora. Tengo mi Manolo." Mercedes allowed herself a smile. Her eyes and heart danced to their own tune. "You will live your life. You will find a man who will respect you. They will deal with your rifle if they do not."

"Es verdad." Angelina coughed. Chuckle escaped from her lips. She noticed Ricardo and Manolito coming toward them. "Is it time?"

Maria glanced at her pocket watch. "My goodness! I do believe it is! We have been chatting more than a group of magpies I fear!" She stood and smoothed her dress.

"It is not such a bad thing." Manolito raised an eyebrow. "We should know more of our new comadre. ¿Sí? How are you, Chica? Are you feeling better?"

"Estoy nervosa, Manolito." Angelina shook her head. "It is a new world."

Manolito smirked in devil may care fashion. "Es verdad. We walk it together. Do you know that I entered my new world on a stolen horse? Oh yes!" He rolled his eyes. "I saved John from an Apache ambush. Then I took his horse. But do you know that horse helped both him and me into our new worlds? I gave that horse to Victoria as a present. The horse offered John a very unique opportunity. He impressed Victoria by allowing her to keep it. As she said, it was very gallant. And in those ways, he and I took our steps into a much bigger world."

"Not like pulling my daughter out of a tree." Ricardo frowned.

"Papa!" Mercedes took Manolito's arm. "He rescued me from those comancheros. Mi caballero." She rested her forehead against his arm.

Manolito rubbed her shoulder. "You made me realize an even greater world, Mercedita."

"ATTENTION, TRAVELERS! TRAIN 3 TO SAN DIEGO WILL BE DEPARTING IN TEN MINUTES FROM THE PLATFORM! PLEASE START TOWARD THE TRAIN! HAVE YOUR TICKETS READY FOR THE CONDUCTOR! THANK YOU!" an announcer called out in the Waiting Area's center.

"We can continue these conversations in our seats. Vamanos. We do not wish to miss our train." Ricardo held his hand out to Maria.

Maria shook her head but said nothing to Ricardo. Rather she urged, "We shall indeed! Come!" She led them toward where Victoria and John were waiting.

"I trust you were all having a pleasant talk?" Victoria supposed.

"Manolito was telling us about the stolen horse and his present." Ricardo shrugged.

"Oh that." John raised an eyebrow. "Or as Don Sebastian would say that one."

"John! íAmigo, por favor!" Manolito bit his lip. "I told them how it gave you the opportunity to show my sister your gallantry."

"It did that, my Husband. I believe it was that moment that I knew you were for me." Victoria's eye sparkled at John. She still did not approve of Manolito's previous lifestyle. Still she knew that he was changing for Mercedes' sake and everyone else's as well for that matter.

Angelina sighed. Perhaps the business of getting the tavern on its feet awaited her. Adjustment would be a daunting challenge. Still she was in good hands….