Chapter 3 [Two Hours Later—Sebastian's Former Oficina]
Manolito surveyed the area. Once again, Bookcases sat empty. Doña Esperanza's portrait waited in its protective crate. Sol sparkled off of polished desk and chair. His fingertips slid across Oak's smooth surface.
Transition burdened his heart.
"Ah, Papa! You built a grand rancho!" Manolito shook his head. Ambition had proven a difficult master for Sebastian. The elder Montoya never stopped building. He pushed the limits. Sometimes he antagonized neighbors and family alike…even if one such rift eventually cost him.
"Sí. He did indeed!" Alfonso watched from the passage. "I can come back, Manolito, if you'd like some time?"
"Gracias, Tio. That will not be necessary. I am just taking this all in one last time." Manolito regarded his father's old chair. "I know Tia and you will care well for Rancho Montoya and its people."
"¡Por supuesto! Doña Teresa has always wanted to be here. You know how much I admired Don Sebastian." Alfonso ran his own fingers across the desk. "He would want the Montoya name to continue. We will do that." He nodded.
"All of us together. I believe you are right, Tio. John, Don Ricardo and we shall work together." Manolito released a deep breath.
"Ah! Don Ricardo. Don Alejandro has spoken of your work to build that alliance." Alfonso nodded. Respect lit up in his eyes. "I cannot wait to meet Don Ricardo and Doña Mercedes. Blue told us about them. And your baby? It comes soon?"
"By Christmas I am told." Manolito shrugged. "I cannot wait for that one. Imagine Papa if he could see that grandchild." He sighed. A broad smile spread across his face. "Perhaps he would lighten up a little?"
Alfonso shook his head. "Manolito, I believe you know better than that. He would keep the same appearance on the outside. Inside though, he would be watching that child like a hawk. He would be very proud of you. I am sure of it. Gracias. We have a rancho at last. We have family again. "He nodded to the younger man. "Sí. We will have that alliance between our ranchos." He extended his hand.
"¡Bueno!" Manolito clasped Alfonso's hand. "And so we shall!" He leaned close to the other. "And what of Tio Domingo?"
Alfonso shrugged. "I took him to see the land. He wanted to ride around by himself. I left him with three vaqueros and returned. I do not know what he will do." He looked out the window toward the land in question. "We hope he will accept the land and build a rancho of his own. Perhaps he will start fresh? One never knows."
"From how Papa talked of him, I doubt it. He will seek to sell it." Manolito shrugged. "That is his decision not ours. Right now, we can only look forward."
A knock came from the door.
Manolito and Alfonso turned to find Rafael waiting in the passage for them.
"Ah! ¡Rafael, entra!" Manolito waved his mayoral in. "Rafael, I wanted to tell you myself. You will have a new Padrón. He will be here full time and give Rancho Montoya the attention it truly needs and deserves." He pointed to Alfonso. "This is Don Alfonso, your new Padrón. Muchissimas gracias."
"Entiendo, Padrón." Rafael bowed to Manolito. Then he turned to Alfonso. "Bienvenidos, Padrón." He bowed to his new master.
"Gracias, Rafael. I have heard many good things about you. I believe we shall work well together. Stay please. We should talk." Alfonso cleared his throat. "¿Si nos disculpa, Don Manolito?"
"But of course! I will see you at dinner perhaps?" Manolito offered the nod of the head.
"We shall indeed. Please let John know we shall speak of our own understanding soon. Muchas gracias." Alfonso nodded to Manolito as well.
Manolito slipped out and shut the door behind himself. "As the door closes so will another open." He took a deep breath and pressed on down the passage toward the courtyard.
Transition passed the baton from one Padrón to the next….
