Chapter 10 [Three Hours Later]

John turned the buckboard hard onto the Rivertree Road. His heart threatened to beat out of his chest. Pulse raced. Urge jabbed at him to beat the horses into a dead run. Restraint would not allow him to risk Victoria if not himself. He glanced over at her.

Victoria, for her part, prayed for Penny's health and the babies' safe delivery. She trusted Trinidad as a midwife. She knew Vaquero and Martha would keep matters under control. Anticipation and Nerves played out across her mind. Dread reminded her of Pregnancy's risks. Fondest Wish brought her greatest desire as well….

…to hold a Cannon baby…and share that one with John…

Granted she'd do that as Abuela and not Mama. She would love those kids. She would spoil them. God willing, she'd spoil their niece or nephew in a few more months' time too.

Another prayer on that front flew skyward.

He glanced over his shoulder. He saw Rafael turn the carriage around the bend. "They're good."

"John, I wish I knew what to think. I want to get there. I don't want an accident." She turned in the seat. She could see the carriage for herself.

"I won't let anything happen to you, Victoria." Purpose set his jaw. Tone set itself in granite. "We're a family. Blue needs us."

"Yes…us…All of us." Victoria settled into the seat again. She saw the hacienda.

Johnny fired the shots from the watch tower. "WAGONS COMING IN FAST!"

John slowed the horses for the final turn to the compound. He finally pulled up on the reins and set the brake. "Let me help you down." He rushed around the wagon to her side.

"Gracias." Victoria accepted the help down. "Come on!" She hustled inside.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cannon! I'm sure glad to see you!" Martha set more rags into the bowl. "Jenny, can you take those to Triny please?"

"Sure thing!" Jenny accepted it. "Hi, Uncle John and Tia! Blue's upstairs with Penny and Ms. Trinidad. Excuse me." She rushed up the stairs.

"Hey, Brother John! We're just waitin'!" Buck sprang to his feet. "Everything okay in Tucson?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. We'll be talking soon enough about that." John glanced up the stairs. "Any word on Penny?"

"Nope. Hey! Way I look at it, no news is good news! No sense in wishin' for anything different." Buck shrugged. "I sent Sam back to Chaparral to keep things going there. Mano's with his boys on the West Pasture until we hear something. I was sticking here for Blue Boy's sake. Boy's a pile of nerves right now."

"And why should he not be?" Victoria shook her head. "I expect that he thinks of his wife and children right now. Excuse me. I'm going up to see for myself." She went up the stairs and disappeared from view.

"What'd I say?" Misunderstanding widened Buck's eyes. "All I said was that Blue's nervous."

"It's all right, Buck. We're all really on edge." John raised an eyebrow to his little brother. "I remember being like that when Annalee gave birth to Blue. I'm sure Ricardo knows all too well."

"Yeah I'm sure you do. Maybe some day Annie and me can have one. Maybe…" Buck sucked in a deep breath.

"That's between her and you, Buck. I can't answer that question. I can tell you that baby would be a welcome part of Chaparral." John rubbed Buck's shoulder. "I'm going up too. Might as well sit down. This is going to be a while." He pushed the hat up on his head.

"Sure thing, Gramps." Buck sassed. Teasing twinkled in his eyes.

"Yeah…that." John shook his head. He wanted to be a Grandpa. He wasn't sure about the title though. His boots clomped up the stairs and round the bend into the hall. He saw the open door. "How's everything?"

"Hey, Pa!" Relief brightened Blue's face. He stuck his head out. "I'm just sitting with Penny. Sure glad you and Victoria are here. Don Ricardo and the others here too?"

"They're right downstairs. Today, we're all here for Penny and you, Son. Big day." John pulled Blue into a tight hug. "I'm proud of you both."

"That sure means a lot." Blue bowed his head. "Guess I knew that day in Trails' End how special Penny is."

"When she came to me about you leaving without a word to her, I knew as well. The others might've said something about her age. I only saw a young woman who'd grown up fast and could hold her own with anyone. What she did with Keough only solidified that. And then, there's how she jumped right in with everything. She never hesitated. She only wanted to help us and be part of our family. You know how I feel about that." Earnestness sparked in John's eyes.

"Yes, Sir. I sure do! I know she appreciates that too." Blue led John into the room. He saw Trinidad and Victoria looking Penny over. Annie had sat down to take a break. Penny grimaced from another spasm.

"Thanks, Sir! I sure appreciate what you just said. You all are the best too!" Penny called to John. "It sure means a lot you all are here for us!"

"De nada, Penny." Victoria smiled. "I could not ask for a better daughter never mind daughter-in-law. We are here for you. I am not going anywhere until they are born." She removed her coat and hat. "Mercedes is downstairs. She wanted you to know that."

"Can't…believe…this fuss! Honestly! I'll be fine! Them kids'll be fine." Embarrassment reddened Penny's face.

"They're our family. Kind of their job to fuss over stuff like this." Blue smirked. "Lie there and take the help, Penny. You've earned it." He kissed her forehead again.

"I know. Means a lot. I appreciate you being here too." Penny told him.

"Ain't nowhere else I'd be. I keep telling you that." Blue squeezed her hand yet again. Then he settled back into his chair. "I'll be here. I'm just stayin' out of the way is all."

"You are fine, Blue. Do not worry." Victoria saw Jenny squeeze past John with the bowl. "Jenny?"

"Hi, Tia. Martha wanted me to bring these for Penny." Jenny handed her the rag bowl. "What else can I do?"

"I believe that is fine. Gracias, Jenny." Victoria accepted the bowl. "Can I ask if we need anything?"

"Sure!" Jenny looked to Penny. "You hang in there. Okay? I want to meet 'em."

"Thanks, Jenny. I can't wait either." Penny smiled at Jenny's enthusiasm. "We'll let you know. Okay?"

"Can't wait!" Jenny smirked at Blue. Then she walked out of the room.

"She's sure something else. Ain't she?" Blue shook his head. "Uncle Buck sure's got his hands full."

"We'll take that kind of handful any day, Blue Boy." Affection shone in John's eyes. "Victoria, I'm going back downstairs. If you need anything, you let us know."

"I will not hesitate, John. Do not worry. We will not let anything happen." Victoria looked to Father and Son. Vow blazed in her eyes. She'd lost a father. God willing, she would not lose these grandchildren.

John nodded. "I'll leave you to it. You good, Blue?"

"Yeah, Pa. I'll yell if we need something. Thanks." Blue leaned back in his seat. He relaxed. Victoria's presence reassured him….

…Irony tapped him on the shoulder given how things had gone between them at first….

"Fine. I'll be down there then." John nodded and walked out.

Waiting picked up at that point….