Conclusion [Next Morning]
Sol broke over the eastern horizon. The first birds banked over the desert toward northern climes. Despite the time of year, Warmth crept into the air. A few horses stretched their legs in the corral. While most of the hands rode herd on the West Range, some kept the compound going.
Activity had already started in the area however….
[Rancho Rivertree]
Blue walked around the barn. Anxiousness bubbled up inside of himself. He shook his head. Memoria recalled the various times he'd been in charge back at the Chaparral. He'd gone into those tenures with a plan. He knew Routine's workings well enough….
…that is until Victoria, Buck, Manolito or someone else would override him…
…constantly….
This time, Manolito really put me in charge. Me! Blue stared down the road toward his father's ranch. Mano and Mercedes had departed an hour earlier. He assigned the work rotations. Despite everything marching to its usual drummer, he felt overwhelmed.
"Hey, Blue!"
"Huh?" Blue saw Ira leaning against the corral. "Hey!" He hustled over to the ranch hand. "Done already?" He inspected the fence section. "That's great! Thanks!" He frowned. "You already knew that."
"Yeah I did." Ira smirked. "Thanks for the compliment. I'd say the same thing of you."
"Thanks." Blue raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"The way you're handling things." Ira frowned. "Sorry if I sound like I'm…you know…"
"Nah. We've worked together long enough. I know you're a straight shooter, Ira. I really appreciate that about you." Blue chuckled. "Just wish you didn't knock my block off the first time we met."
Ira coughed. "You want the truth?"
"Uh…sure." Trepidation chilled Blue in that moment. Even as he agreed, he wasn't sure that he really wanted the answer.
"You just had to be that gal's knight in shining armor." Ira laughed. "You cost me that day, Blue. But you know what? I've watched you. We all have. You've grown up. You're not as sensitive. You're more responsible. We know why Manolito made you foreman." He turned serious. "Just don't let it get to you."
"Yeah. My Pa has a saying. The world champion potato peeler only peels one potato at a time." Blue nodded.
"That's a big part of it. You're also learning to listen and watch. Oh sure, we all like to go into a saloon and bust things up. Hey! All part of what we are. But there are also times where we listen and watch. You use your brains instead of your mouth. That's what I saw yesterday out there. You helped Manolito to do something. Maybe it'll fall apart or maybe it'll be something really great. But you held the line with us while Manolito talked with that chief." Ira held his hand out. "Just relax and give us one job at a time. We'll get through it this week."
'I will. Thanks, Ira. Wind and Chad were great too. We're a team." Blue shook his hand.
"Now see? You're making my point for me. What's next?" Ira looked around.
"Those stalls need raking out and fresh hay. After that, we'll see. Thanks." Blue nodded. He headed for the hacienda. There he found Penny waiting with two steaming cups of coffee. "You read my mind."
"I know you, Blue Cannon. Get that fretting out of your system?" She rubbed his arm.
"Ira was telling me pretty much the same thing. That I've grown into the man for the job." Blue shrugged.
"Well now! Seems he sees what I see. Those people who call you a kid don't know beans." She grinned. "I see a man. My man."
"And you're the woman I need, Mrs. Cannon." He kissed her forehead.
"Mmm…I like that! Now let's have our coffee, Hombre. Then I'll send you back to work." She shrugged. "I promised I'd keep an eye on you too."
He rolled his eyes. "You are something else! You know that?"
"We aim to please, Mr. Cannon." She grinned at him. Her lips took a saucy sip from her cup.
And so started the week in charge….
[High Chaparral]
Two ranch hands slid the Victoria's trunk into the back of John's buckboard. Provisions were set for a potential overnight stay between there and Rancho Montoya.
John stalked out of the hacienda. His eyes narrowed. He still fumed over Manolito's agreement with Tularosa. For years, he'd honed out a line between Business and Help. He worried that said "treaty" would blow all of that effort up like a barrel of lit gunpowder.
"John! Stop!" Victoria stalked out. She wore her ruffled white blouse with her best cameo and dark dress. Her hair was pulled back in a French knot.
"Aw, Victoria!" He scowled. "I just can't believe he just agreed to that!"
She shrugged. "From what Manolito said, I think it was a good deal in that situation. He did what he could. He reached suitable compromise. Nobody was shot or scalped. He said he could not speak for you."
"Oh? And I suppose you like it?" He shook his head.
"Si. I like it very much! Manolito thinks like a Padron, John! He is trying! Maybe we agree or maybe we do not. We should support each other. Now let us not make a scene in front of Jennifer. It is her first trip to see my father. Let Annie and her enjoy their trip. ¿Por favor?" Victoria saw Buck helping his ladies into the back of their buckboard.
"He will think on it, Victoria. He should." Manolito interjected from his driver's seat.
"Manolo, that is their discussion not ours," Mercedes chided.
"I know. I just wish to say that he has to do what is best for the High Chaparral. We have to do what is best for Rancho Rivertree. What he does is his affair. We can offer to help but it is still his decision. ¿Si?"
"Thanks." John slowly raised his eyes toward his brother-in-law. Then he looked at Buck and Victoria. "Glad someone understands that!" He helped Victoria up to her place on the front seat. Then he got up in the driver's seat. "All right! We ready!"
"We sure are, Uncle John! I can't wait!" Jenny cheered.
"Now, Jenny." Annie shook her head.
"Ah, let her be all excited, Annie. It's okay! We're on another adventure!" Buck hugged Jenny. "Ain't that right, Punkin?"
"Sure is!" Jenny hugged him.
"I believe that is how we should start our journey, John?" Manolito smirked. He held his hand out toward the gate entrance. "The way is yours."
John shook his head.
Victoria grinned at him. Affection sparkled therein. She squeezed his arm. "My father will not get any younger, my Husband."
"No he won't." He started the wagon toward the Nogales Road.
"And let us hope your father is in a better mood this time, Manolo." Mercedes bowed her head.
"With Papa, it is hard to know. I would hope he might respect us this time. Perhaps he will. Perhaps he may not. It is difficult to tell." Manolito followed the other wagon's path.
As they headed toward Rancho Montoya, they had no idea what would be waiting for them there. But that is the story within the next installment. Let us allow them to enjoy their journey. Shall we?
THE END (for now)
[Author's Note—And wait until they find out who's waiting at Rancho Montoya. This could get really interesting! Another guest star from Season 2 returns. We meet another of Victoria's and Manolito's relatives. Stay tuned for "Fate"!]
