Chapter 2 [High Chaparral—Next Night]
Victoria set a roast onto her table's midsection. Even with the last minute request, her heart warmed from this prospect. With everything going on, she had not seen Manolito, Blue or their wives since Christmas. We are ten miles apart and yet it seems like a hundred! ¡Ay! She shook her head.
"What is the matter?" Mercedes set a bowl of mashed potatoes down. "I hope my new recipe does not upset you."
Victoria smiled. "Of course not. It will add a new twist to our meal."
"Wait'll you see this cornbread!" Penny laughed.
"Pilar and I tried the honey and cream with it. Sure hope everyone likes it." Jenny carted a large pan with two towels to insulate her hands.
"Did you now? I am sure it will be very nice!" Victoria nodded. She had come to depend on Buck's 'little ball of energy' as he called his stepdaughter. She looked around. "¿Pilar?"
"¿Si, Señora Cannon?" Pilar stood at the kitchen door several steps behind Jenny. She bowed.
"Esto es muy bueno. Gracias por tu ayuda," Victoria expressed.
"De nada, Señora Cannon." Pilar smiled. Then she walked back into the kitchen to see what needed to be done.
"She was a big help, Auntie." Jenny grinned. "Mama! Is there anything else I can help with?"
"We're all right for now, Jenny!" Annie called back out. "Visit with your Aunt Mercedes! You've been wanting to for a dog's age."
"Sure thing, Mama!" Jenny shrugged. "I want to do both."
"And we like that." Mercedes rubbed the younger girl's shoulder. "You should see Penny cook. She should be in a fine restaurant."
"She is very good.' Victoria heard riders outside. She peered out the window to find Blue, John, Manolito and Buck at the corral. "They are here!"
"Land sakes!" Annie shook her head. "Penny, we have that pie ready?"
"It's okay, Auntie. Honest!" Penny replied. "We got this!" She came out of the kitchen. Flour paled her face. Her hair was mussed. "What?"
Mercedes giggled. "You are a sight! You should wash up."
Penny shrugged. "Fine. Jenny, want to take turns? Bet you can do better than me!"
Jenny rolled her eyes. "Okay. I'll get between my fingers too!" She followed the elder woman toward the sink.
The men came through the door at that moment. Exhaustion wore on their faces. Some dirt remained although much remained outside. They talked amongst themselves. Buck and Mano laughed at a shared joke. John rubbed Blue's shoulder and nodded.
"Hello, Dear." John hung his hat and coat by the door. "Sorry we're late."
"You are right on time, John." Victoria kissed him on the cheek. "We just put the roast on the table. I believe we have a nice shared effort here." Pride shone in her eyes.
"Well if that be all!" Buck brightened right up. He sniffed the air. "And I know that cornbread!"
"She and Pilar worked real hard on that, Buck." Annie hugged him. "Hope you had a good day."
"Hey. When I've got you two to come home to, I've got nothin' to complain about, Annie." Buck held her close to himself. "You too, Victoria."
"Well I would hope so!" Mirth raised Victoria's eyebrow. "I know what you meant."
"She is still La Doña of High Chaparral, Buck. Ignore my sister at your peril." Manolito grinned at his brother-in-law.
"And you had best not forget that, Manolo." Victoria's eyes narrowed. She turned on her heel.
"Well shall we sit down?" John frowned and raised his eyebrows at Manolito. He really did not wish to get Victoria's dander riled up at that point. "This is certainly a welcome surprise. Everything all right at Rivertree?"
"Yeah, Pa. We're good." Blue motioned to Mano.
"We have completed a new forge. Penny has a barber chair. She can give haircuts and shaves if our ranch hands desire that. Our tools are now in the barn where we had our Christmas feast. We are certainly enjoying the new recipes that came in Don Ricardo's crate. Mercedes and Penny do very well with them." Manolito sipped on his milk.
"You got more from that tavern? Dang! You need to share! You Ladies would love that cooking. Not that yourn ain't great, it is…It's just…." Buck let the response trail off. He frowned. "Sorry, Annie. Didn't mean."
"I know. We do need to try that cooking some time." Annie rubbed Buck on the shoulder. "Thanks though for not assuming that."
John cleared his throat. While Evidence seemed to support the notion of such a trip, Incredulity would not allow him to acknowledge it. "Yes well…so, Mano, Blue said you all had a question about our West Range?"
Manolito nodded. "Si. I want to survey our West and North Pastures. Blue and our ranch hands have found strange hoofprints. We have seen Apache. Have there been any sightings here?"
"The Apache are in their winter stronghold, Manolito. Sure those ain't your own horses?" Buck raised his fork before diving back in again.
"Nope, Uncle Buck. I know those prints. These are different," Blue disagreed.
"Actually, Sam and the boys have reported strange riders watching our herds." John nodded. "I'm glad you mentioned this. Now we'll have to double our eyes for comancheros."
"The two herds together would be a mighty tempting target." Penny glanced at Blue She bit her lip.
"We shall be prepared." Manolito smiled. Reassurance came through his eyes and smile. "I do wish to see for myself. Perhaps…" He sighed. "Perhaps it is time for one of us to see our father as well."
John narrowed his eyes. "I think Don Sebastian has made his views of us quite clear on our last visit. Besides he will play his games. He wants to get his hands into your rancho."
"Perhaps. I know he will try. Don Ricardo and I can make sure he does not succeed." Manolito pointed at his own head. "Outthink the Old Lion. ¿Si? He even plays jokes on himself and is not aware."
Buck coughed.
Blue put his napkin over his mouth.
"I'd be careful of saying such things around him." John frowned. He really didn't want to get in the middle of another Montoya vs. Montoya or worse Montoya vs. Cannon squabble.
"Indeed, John. I have not seen Papa in some time. Perhaps it is time. If we leave at First Light, we can be there by sundown." Victoria bit into the cornbread. Victoria nodded. "Jenny, this is excellent! We shall Pilar together."
"Si, Auntie. I'd like that!' Jenny hopped up and down in her seat.
"That'd be great, Punkin." Buck rubbed Jenny's arm.
"Then we shall do that." Victoria wiped her mouth with the napkin. "Manolito, you might want to wait. I will need an escort? I would rather John and you come as well."
Manolito frowned. Bile burned in his stomach. "Victoria…."
"Manolo, we need your father's eyes. Do we not? Surely he can help us?" Mercedes reminded him.
"I wish it was that simple, Mercedita. This is my father. He will seek some price for any assistance…and that is if he offers it." Manolito shook his head. "Very well. We four shall go. Day after tomorrow?"
"We can keep things going at Rivertree while you're gone. Maybe we can check on security and herding rotations before you go?" Blue squeezed Penny's hand.
"That place'll be so clean, you'll swear you never left!" Penny assured them.
Manolito nodded. Papa, por favor, no games!
He knew there would be some in spite of such wishes….
