Chapter 3 [West Pasture, Rancho Rivertree]

Blue sat tall in Soapy's saddle. His eyes skimmed over the herd. The occasional stray would attract his attention. Within the next week, he, Manolito and the combined Rivertree/Chaparral hands would move these cattle down to the Chaparral's field for the winter. Breath turned invisible once again. Sketch floated in Imagination's eye.

Concern however tugged at him from the hacienda. He knew that Labor could happen at any point. His mind couldn't stop thinking about her or the twins. Will she be all right? What kind of Pa will I be? I sure know that I gave Pa a lot of trouble. Whistle escaped his lips. He pointed toward the right side of the herd.

Ira and Reno rode right over to that spot.

"Thanks!" Blue called to them. He bit his lip. He knew he needed to be right where he was. When Manolito and Mercedes went with the others to Hermosillo, he'd be in charge once again. Besides, with Penny unable to travel, they would have to remain there. I know Penny feels real bad. Victoria and Manolito understand. It still ain't right! We should be there.

"Hey, Compadre!" Manolito rode up to his side. "It will be all right. I just came from the hacienda. Mercedes and Penny…they are muy bien."

"Mano, once again we're sorry about your Pa. I know I should go." Blue bowed his head.

"If Penny was able to travel, absolutamente. My father would understand. Relax, Blue! Victoria would yell and nag at you both all of the way. ¡Ay Chihuahua!" Manolito pushed his hat back. He rubbed his forehead.

"I just feel like I'm letting you down! I should've been with you in Los Angeles. We should be with you at the funeral." Blue frowned.

"Letting me down? ¿Qué es ésto? How could you even think that?" Manolito frowned. "How long were we gone?"

"A week more or less." Buck raised an eyebrow.

"Sí. One week. I know I can leave here. Big John can leave. We know everything will be good when we return. The ranch hands trust you. Sam, Joe and you help each other. Trinidad and Martha work well together. You should worry about the gemalos." Manolito grinned. He swatted Blue's arm in a playful manner.

"And we will be asking for help with them diapers." Blue grinned.

"Do not push your luck." Manolito rolled his eyes. He'd endured Mercedes' and Victoria's harping about pitching in for "cloth duty". Even Buck teased him about it. "You ruin my good mood."

Blue smirked. "Your time's coming, Papa. We're both gonna be family men. I'll be helping when the primo or prima comes. We pitch in together."

Manolito sighed. He had to admit that Blue had a point.

"Maybe you can do us another favor?" Blue rubbed the saddle's horn.

"Another favor? You are using them up all at once." Annoyance leaked into Manolito's tone.

Blue shook his head. "It ain't like that! Penny and I'd like to go later. We can pay our respects to your Pa. Maybe we can leave the kids with Pa and Victoria? Let Uncle Buck have a turn with the diapers?"

Manolito nodded. Appreciation warmed his eyes. "Si. We will do that, Blue. Muchissimas gracias. I will speak to your father."

"I was thinking of training someone as a back up foreman. Reno and Ira have worked with us the longest. I see how Joe and Sam work together. It'd be great if we both have to leave. I was just thinking of keeping everything on the ranch. You know?" Blue proposed. Nerves ate at him over his question.

Manolito nodded. Admiration prompted a nod from him. "You see? You make my point for me. This is why Don Ricardo wanted you to be foreman. I have thought the same thing. I will speak to Ira. Perhaps he will agree? He likes you. He will follow your orders. Es muy importante, Amigo."

"Yeah it sure is." Blue looked over the herd again. "So how was everything in Los Angeles? Did you see the village again?"

Manolito shook his head. "The old pueblo is gone. It is a grass field now. There is a plaque there. The church is bigger. We ate the last meal in Victoria's old tavern." He coughed and shook his head. "Don Carlos and the others…they do not see." He tsked. "The Rancho Vega is still the same. Rancho Henche…mmm…the hacienda is gone. The city has promised to mark the place."

"And the tree?" Expectation raised an eyebrow and returned the smirk to his face.

"Yes. The tree was there." Manolito shook his head. "What happened to the tree at my father's rancho will not happen to Alejandro and Mercedes' tree. And…." He pointed back toward the trail.

"Now what?" Blue saw Dan Rondo pressing his own horse toward them. "DAN! WHAT'S GOING ON?"

Dan pulled up on the reins. "Mr. Montoya, Blue, it's time! Miss Penny's lying down. The babies are coming!"

"The babies…" Anxiety numbed Blue. He took a few deep breaths. "It's happening. It's really happening."

"Victoria and Mercedes are in town." Manolito ground his teeth. "Blue, go!" He motioned with his head toward the hacienda. "Dan, we need the doctor."

"Bart took right out of here up that back road by Don Ricardo's ranch. Martha sent me here after you, Blue." Dan pointed back toward the way he'd come."

"It is all right. I have this! ¡Vas!" Manolito pointed toward the hacienda.

"Thanks, Mano. Let's just hope everything's okay!" Blue urged Soapy onward into a rapid sprint in that direction.

Dan took off right after him.

Manolito sighed. Time had come.

So would Diapers….