Chapter 3 [Dining Room]

The early morning light glinted through the glass windows. It gently played across the oak furnishings. Despite not being lit, the crystal chandelier sparkled. In front of each chair at the elegantly set table, a plate of ham, eggs and potatoes sat awaiting Sebastian and his guests.

Duena Lopez sat primly in her place. The visit had relaxed her a bit. She hadn't known what to expect since Ricardo and Lupe Vega de la Granada requested that she accompany their daughter. The close call with the Comancheros worried her. Hadn't she warned the young noblewoman enough? And then she wondered about their white knight.

Ah si…that one…Manolito Montoya, their host's son and said noblewoman's childhood playmate…now adult interest….

Lopez sipped from a goblet of water. She observed Manolito's inner rogue at times. She certainly remembered chasing him and the said woman in question down the trails and up to a cliff of all things. She wondered what else he was capable of. On the other hand, she saw him playing the gentleman with them. She sensed his interest in the younger woman as well.

From what she'd overheard at the terrace door on the previous evening, someone would have to speak with Señor Vega de la Granada shortly.

At least the young Montoya is of a noble house! She glanced toward the chamber's far window. There she saw the noblewoman in question glancing out through it. "Mercedes, please sit at the table. Our hosts will be back soon."

Mercedes' eyes sparkled at the reference to Manolito. Her fingertips whispered across the polished wooden window sills. "I'm sure Don Sebastian would pardon me if I appreciate his home's fine art."

Sternness glinted in Lopez's eyes. She motioned toward the chair.

Mercedes shrugged. She knew Whimsey wouldn't affect her chaperone. She couldn't sleep on the previous evening. Her mind flew somewhere between Heaven's seventh and eighth levels. She felt so light of mood. She found her caballero perfecto once more. Moreover, she was now his fiancée even if it was only known to the two of them. Keeping that to herself wore on her. Still Excitement buoyed her up. She returned to the table. She sat down with exaggerated primness.

Lopez didn't allow Mercedes any response. She simply sipped more ice water.

"Bueno." Mercedes sighed. She knew Sebastian would need to speak with her parents soon enough. Dread stabbed at her in that moment. They would want me with Diego Rodriguez. I hope they understand that this would be better. They have their noble marriage. I have the man I love. I pray Diego can find someone who can grant him what Manolito can give me.

"Now it is," Lopez interjected. She softened her expression almost in response to Mercedes' brewing nerves. Her eyes shifted back toward the door and the terrace beyond it. "I only seek to ease Don Sebastian's mind. That caballero…he is very suitable. I am just asking you to present yourself accordingly as well."

Mercedes stared. Surprise and Relief widened her eyes. "You think so? I hope Papa will work with Don Sebastian."

"The young man has some rough edges. Still he has means. El te ama. Your parents feared you'd fall into a bandito's clutches. Those men on the trail…." Lopez let the reply fall off. The thought of the Comancheros chilled her. She shuddered.

"Yet Manolito appeared in our moment of need. I recall how he would pop up when we were children. And he has done so again." Mercedes looked about once more. "And to be here! It is so grand!"

"Indeed it is, Señorita. ¡Buenos Dias!" Sebastian concurred. He led Manolito into the dining area. "Pardon our tardiness. I discovered our wayward saddle tramp lingering in the garden."

"Oh he was, was he?" Mercedes supposed. Mischief sparkled in her eyes. "And he was admiring the finery there?"

Manolito bowed to the ladies. Appreciation added a nod for his fiancée. "Pardon me, Ladies. It was such a fine morning. I was honoring my late mother. I had something to tell her." He looked at Mercedes once again. Warmth cascaded from his eyes toward her.

Sebastian shook his head. "You whisper things with her and not tell me? Why does that not surprise me?" He rolled his eyes. Still he noted the meeting of the younger eyes therein. "Perhaps you are speaking of your reason for staying on? John Cannon will require your presence in short order."

"Big John knows I am here and my purpose. I will return to the High Chaparral mañana. Unlike some, he understands the threat out there," Manolito rebutted his father evenly. Annoyance punctuated his tone. His mind, much as Mercedes' did, weighed how to navigate the Cannons' and Montoya's worlds not to mention Mercedes' family's world as well. "However, should we burden our guests with such matters? Aren't you always telling me to live in the here and now? Should we not see to their needs before our own as good hosts?"

Mercedes couldn't help but giggle at her caballero's turning of the situation back on the elder.

Lopez shook her head at her young charge.

"These two." Sebastian allowed himself a smile. "Touche, my Son. We shouldn't be so rude. I see we have a wonderful breakfast and such gracious companions." He sat down and motioned for Manolito to do the same.

Manolito only betrayed the slightest smile. Satisfaction warmed him over the latest bit of one-upmanship in the ever-continuing duel with his father. Besides there were bigger concerns at the moment. "Gracias, Papa. Pepe outdoes himself again. Does he not?"

Sebastian nodded. "Shall we then see?"

Mercedes sampled the ham. "Mmm! I agree, Don Sebastian! This is delightful. Manolito?"

"Yes, Mercedes?" Manolito turned to her.

"I wish you could stay here. Why do you return to this High Chaparral? Is that where you do your day's work and then the next as you put it?" Mercedes inquired.

"It is where he plays at ranch hand," Sebastian scoffed.

Manolito pointedly ignored his father's comment. "Si. I work there and am part of something bigger there. You remember my sister Victoria?"

"Of course! She is there!" Mercedes realized.

"She is La Dama del Eso Rancho. Manolito drank from his coffee cup. "She married John Cannon, an American. The rancho is outside of Tucson in the Arizona Territory. The man in black who rode in here with me was my brother-in-law, Buck Cannon. We do have our political alliances. Victoria has hers and love as well with John."

"I had wondered about her. Perhaps I might visit there next? I remember Victoria as a nice friend. I would like to speak with her again," Mercedes suggested. "Señor Buck seemed very gallant as well."

Manolito nodded. "He is a worthy friend to Victoria and me. You should visit. Big John and Victoria would welcome you."

"And you, Señor?" Lopez interjected.

"What of me, Señora?" Manolito asked of the chaperone.

Sebastian considered the last query at hand. Then he offered, "I believe she's asking you if you'd like Señorita Vega de la Granada to cut short her visit here to follow you up there?" He smirked. Almost like a cat batting a toy with its paw, he savored that bit of gamesmanship.

Manolito flushed. "I would never presume to do so, Papa. I simply said that Victoria would like to see her. Mercedes knows I would welcome her to Rancho Cannon…with Señora Lopez's companionship of course." He saluted the two ladies with his cup and then took another sip.

Lopez had to smile at the younger man. She knew he'd wanted to be alone with Mercedes on the previous day. Still her scolding at the cliff seemed to make an impression on him. "Don Sebastian, there is no need to be rude to anyone. We will enjoy your hospitality. Then we shall visit your daughter, her husband and America. I trust that Señor Montoya will have much to show us there."

"Si. That is what I am afraid of," Sebastian lamented half-seriously. He could almost see Manolito leading the younger woman through every bar and gambling hall in the territory.

"And in the meantime, when we are prepared, perhaps you can offer us an escort?" Lopez added.

"This again?" Sebastian sighed.

Si!" Manolito shook his head. "Sanchez and his men are still out there, Papa. Surely you know the risks! He wants to abduct Mercedes. He has threatened as much."

Mercedes shuddered at that thought.

"Rest assured, Chica. That won't happen." Manolito raised her hand. His lips whispered Amor's reassurances across her knuckles.

Mercedes' eyes lingered into his. She relaxed; her smile returning and widening. "I would feel better as well. Forgive me for disagreeing with you, Don Sebastian."

Sebastian nodded. "There is nothing to forgive. I will send my vaqueros with you both for the journey. So, what do you two have planned for today?"

"Manolito and I were going to take a ride. Your land has so much to see. I'd like to take it all in," Mercedes informed him.

"Señora Lopez, we can use a third as well," Manolito offered. Although he'd prefer to be alone, the stakes demanded Courtesy's deft touch in the matter.

"Gracias. Where she goes, I will follow," Lopez accepted.

As I know all too well. Manolito drank another gulp of coffee.

"It will make a suitable day. I would not want Manolito to get lost. Now would I?" Sebastian insinuated.

"No, Papa. We wouldn't want that." Manolito speared a forkful of egg and put it in his mouth.

Several games, it seemed, were afoot…..