Conclusion [Next Day—Rancho Rivertree]

Mercedes set her broom aside. Concern kept her eyes riveted toward the dirt road outside. She huffed a deep breath. Her hand rested on her stomach. It will be all right. Papa will be back. We should be patient. She eased her way onto the porch and her rocking chair. Her eyes surveyed the compound.

Activity buzzed about her. Dan's eyes remained fixed on the road from atop the security tower. Blue worked with two of the newer ranch hands at the corral. Penny hammered away at the forge. The motions progressed at their own pace.

All seemed as it should be….

We need to stay here. This is where we belong. Mercedes leaned back in her chair. She bit her lip. Manolito should not have to give up our home! She frowned.

Dan fired two shots in the air. "INCOMING RIDERS!"

Mercedes rose to her feet. Her eyes went down the road. She met Blue's line of sight. She put her hand over her eyes.

Manolito and two others rode into view. They pressed Makadoo and the other horses into view. They waved in greeting.

"MANOLO!" Joy and Relief lightened Mercedes' mood. She rushed down the hill and toward the road. She couldn't wait to see him.

"Hey! ¡Hola!" Manolito dismounted. He grabbed onto her. "I cannot tell you how long I have waited for this moment." His lips pressed Amor's imprint onto her forehead. "It is done."

"¿Es verdad? ¿Y su Tio Domingo?" She searched his eyes.

Manolito shrugged. "Tio Alfonso took care of everything. We are muy bien!" He put his arm around her shoulders. "Rivertree is our home."

¡Sí! It is our home! Oh, Mano! I know how you feel about Rancho Montoya. This is our special place." She snuggled up against his chest.

Manolito nodded. He waved Blue and Penny over to their side. "I want them to hear."

Penny's hand swiped Sweat's beads from her forehead. "Manolito! Did it work?"

Blue grinned. "Give him a chance. Don Domingo was being a real pain. Sure hope Don Alfonso could take care of him."

"Tio Domingo wanted his share as a member of the Montoya family. Tio Alfonso gave him land. He'll sell it." Manolito smirked. "Hey. He wanted something from us for the sale. He will give money back. Don Alfonso and Doña Teresa have Rancho Montoya. We will talk." He shrugged the point off. "Let us enjoy. Where are los gemalos?"

"Martha is watching them. I needed to do some blacksmithin'. Some horses needed shoeing." Penny pointed toward the barn.

"Muy bien. Gracias." Appreciation coaxed a nod from Manolito. "We have our familia. This is our home."

Blue smiled. "Yeah along with the High Chaparral and Rancho Vega. Kind of like what Don Diego said."

Manolito grinned. He rubbed Blue's shoulder. "¡Bueno! Es verdad, Blue. Do not forget Rancho Montoya and Rancho Mendoza. They are family. We will work together."

"Papa and Maria will be pleased. I am pleased." Mercedes' eyes lit up. "Will Don Alfonso and the others come?"

"Mmmm…yes. They will come soon. We will talk. Don Alfonso wants to talk with your father. Vamanos. I am hungry. It was a long ride." Manolito took her hand.

Together the quartet headed for the hacienda. Rancho Montoya now rested in Don Alfonso's hands. Concerns remained on both sides of the border. Issues would be raised and discussed.

But Life now moved forward. And that was all they could ask for….

THE END (for now)