Chapter 6 [A Half Hour Later]

Blue sat on the hacienda's front stairs. The breeze raised his cheeks' dimples. He glanced back toward the house. I just hope this works. He rolled his eyes. I hope Pa doesn't raise a ruckus.

"You know what this is about, Blue?" Reno glanced around at the others.

"Bet it's about our running into those Apaches." Ira frowned. "Manolito did some real fancy talking with that chief of theirs. We got out of there without firing a single shot."

"You're kidding!" Bart whistled. "Blue?"

"That's right, Bart. We were lucky. I ain't ever seen nothing like that before." Blue frowned. Seeing the door open, he jumped to his feet.

Manolito stepped out of the hacienda. Behind him, Mercedes and Penny flanked the door. He walked down the stairs. "¡Hola, Compadres! I will be brief. Mercedes and I have to see my father. While we are gone, Blue will be in charge. Those who ride herd will do so. Those who are on watch will do so. Blue will make sure the shifts go smoothly." He took a breath. "By now I am sure you heard about our meeting with the Apaches in the West Pasture. Si. Chief Tularosa and I spoke plain talk. He does not trust us. He needs to feed his village. I have promised to let his cattle graze on our pasture. We will try to work together. Do not attack them. We do not want war or an uprising. ¿Entiendes me?"

"So we just let them do what they want?" Reno scratched his head.

"If we don't do nothing, they won't do nothing." Chad shrugged.

"Exactamente, Chad," Manolito complimented. "You have your tasks. We will see you when we return. Hasta luego." He watched the group walk away toward the barn.

"They will learn to deal with that, Señor Montoya." Wind smiled. Then he walked after the others.

"Just hope they can deal with that, Mano." Blue rubbed his forehead.

Manolito shrugged. "If they wish to work on this rancho, they had better, Blue. That is what we will do." He looked to Mercedes. Then he led her back into the hacienda.

"You'll see, Blue. We'll make it work." Penny rubbed his shoulder.

I sure hope so! Blue shook his head.

Foreboding told of a different matter….