Author's Note: I have always especially enjoyed the character of Don Sebastian and Frank Silvera's portrayal. So, I thought it might be fun to have the Don play another visit to the High Chaparral. (Forgive me for the Big Lebowsky Pun. )
Chapter 4/The Don Abides.
Manolito was in an excellent mood as he rode toward Rancho Montoya. It was a perfect day, (which simply meant that the desert was less than its usual oven temperature), the small band of Apaches who had kept a silent, ominous eye on him as he rode had finally disappeared beyond the horizon, and his High Chaparral companions had turned back, now that he was on Montoya land, leaving him to enjoy the rest of his ride in a contented solitude. But mostly his mood was buoyed by the idea of being able to tell his father the happy news of Victoria's condition. His sister had wanted to travel herself to break the news, but it didn't take much persuading ...really, just a dubious look from John... that she shouldn't risk the journey. So he had been appointed messenger, and to be able to share something so wonderful with his father, simply and without either one of them playing any kind of game, gave him a somewhat surprising satisfaction.
The one concern buzzing in the back of his mind was the near surety that no sooner had his father found out about Victoria's happy news, then he would turn his considerable focus on his only son's deficits in providing grandchildren. This, in itself would not be so bad, but the conversation would inevitably turn to Mercedes and that loss still pained him deeply. He sighed aloud at the prospect. But, being Manolito, he pushed that tug of war aside and concentrated on the beautiful day and on doing what Victoria had instructed him; to watch their father's face "like a hawk watching a hare," so that he could report back every detail of expression. With that in mind, he touched McAdoo's flanks and soon was in sight of the ranchero gates.
As it turned out, he would be able to tell his sister that upon hearing the news, the Don's face had gone from surprise, tinged with just a bit of suspicion, ("No, Papa...it is really true this time. I swear".), to delight that then transformed into utter joy; a kind of joyousness that Mano could not recall ever having seen before.
"Oh Mano! We must celebrate." Don Sebastian said. "I don't think there is a wine or a brandy in the world worthy of this moment. But we must try, no?"
A quick order to one of the servants and a very old, very wonderful vintage was soon being shared by the two men. Mano was pressed to describe every detail of how his sister looked, ("Beautiful, excited, yet serene."), how the news was broken, ("Out of the blue….like a thunderbolt!"), how did John seem...this, somewhat warily, ("A little stunned...but happy, Papa, happy."), and every other detail that Mano could remember about life at High Chaparral since the news was announced. Over dinner Don Sebastian asked the same questions over and over again and seemed utterly delighted at getting the same answers. Mano hadn't seen his father laugh and smile so much in a very long time. Perhaps ever.
As they were finishing dinner Mano was surprised that his father had yet to bring up his own failings in supplying a future generation of Montoyas. The Don was contentedly sitting back with his cigar looking utterly at peace. Suddenly he leaned forward, "Mano!" ('Uh-oh here it comes,' thought Mano.) "I will go to High Chaparral. I MUST go! To see Victoria. I will leave as soon as possible!"
Alarmed, Mano leapt to his feet. He had come with strictest instructions from his brother in law, endorsed by his sister, that Don Sebastian should stay away until the baby was born. There were still many raw wounds from the Don's last visit, and although alike in some ways, (vision and the ambition and talent to bring vision to reality.), John and his father seemed destined to always rub each other the wrong way. "Papa, no you can't. John would shoot me! No, wait...that is wrong...first he would drag me behind a wagon and THEN he would shoot me."
But Don Sebastian was on his feet as well. "You cannot stop me! He cannot stop me from seeing my own daughter!"
"But Papa….remember last time, things did not go so well. For anyone."
This seemed to give The Don pause...but only for a moment. "That was just because we all had to share that tiny house. This time I will bring my hunting tent….yes!...and my own valet and my own cook, so Victoria has no extra work. Why my men can even help her!" But even the Don instantly realized the fool hardiness of that idea, and quickly waved it away, "Well, perhaps not. But it will be a wonderful visit. I must start to organize things right away."
"Papa...have mercy...it will be very….very upsetting to come to the High Chaparral now. And you don't want to upset Victoria during this delicate time do you?"
"Upset her? As if I would ever upset my daughter! I will be a soothing as mulled wine and I will only stay a week or so."
"A week!" Mano nearly collapsed back in his chair. "Dios en el cielo! Papa you cannot stay a week. You will kill John or he will kill you and that will not soothe Victoria at all."
"Oh, all right, I will only stay for … Five nights."
"Three."
"Three! Is is hardly worth going!"
"Good!"
"Four"
They went back and forth for a while and finally, (and he hardly knew how it happened), Mano found he had agreed to four nights...but the Don was to leave first thing in the morning of the fifth day.
The next day, with his father shouting orders at his staff to finish preparing for the trip, Mano debated whether he should leave right now and ride back to the High Chaparral to give at least a little warning to John and Victoria about the Don's impending arrival. Or would it be better to arrive along with is father ….to absorb and perhaps dilute what was sure to be Victoria's anxiety and John's outrage. In the end he decided on the latter. And so, with what seemed astonishing speed, he found himself on the road with Don Sebastian, his valet and cook, and tents and baggage, and several outriders from the Rancho. For a man who could dawdle and delay over even the smallest items, his father's aclarity in this venture was more of a surprise to his son than perhaps it should have been.
Later, as the party arrived at the High Chaparral ranch yard, Mano breathed a large sigh of relief. He could tell that most of the hands, and most critically, John, were not there; had John been there, his horse would have been tied up outside or loose in a holding corral. No sign of the big bay meant no John.
His father scrambled down from his horse almost before he had come to a full stop. Leaving ceremony...and even basic courtesy... behind, he threw open the ranch house door, calling loudly for Victoria, Mano trailing helplessly in his wake. All the uproar succeeded in startling the cat, who raced to the kitchen, stunning Luna, who was working on her letters at the table, and caused Julia to drop a large bowl of corn meal. It also brought Victoria from the storage/guest room upstairs which she had been trying in her mind's eye to see as a nursery.
"Papa! What are you doing here!?"
"Oh my beautiful daughter...my beautiful child. When Mano told me the news, where else would I ...could I be!?" He raced over to embrace Victoria repeatedly, murmuring paternal endearments.
"Papa...but I am not ready...the guest room is not..."
"Do not worry...I have brought my hunting tent! And a valet and my cook. I will sleep there and join you only for the occasional meal. You...and John," he added pointedly, "will hardly know I am here."
He smiled beneficently at his daughter, who was flustered and, in a rarity for her, totally at a loss for words.
"Ah," he said turning to where Luna was shyly trying to hide behind Mano, "and this must be Luna. I have heard many wonderful things about you my dear. I am your grandfather."
Victoria's heart skipped a beat hearing this and Mano eyes widened in surprise.
With grave formality he took the little girl's tiny hand in his, bent very low, and kissed it. "I am very pleased to meet you my child."
Luna gazed up at him in wonder, which slowly transformed into a smile. And then turned her attention to Don Sebastian's sombrero, which he still held.
"Ah, I see you like this. It is very beautiful, is it not? It is called a sombrero. I don't think it will fit you, but you may look at it if you like."
Luna looked to Victoria, who nodded and smiled at her, and very carefully took the large hat over to the table for closer examination.
"Luna, be careful and make sure Ari stays away from"… she hesitated only for a moment..."your grandfather's hat."
"And who might Ari be?" Don Sebastian inquired.
"Ari is the cat."
"I did not know you numbered a cat in your household. You see my dear, we have much to catch up on."
As if on cue, Ari reappeared from the kitchen and leapt up on the back of sofa, studying Don Sebastian with the same kind of grave formality that the Don had shown Luna.
"Ah splendid," the Don said stroking the cat, "he looks an excellent mouser."
Victoria laughed. "Not really. He catches them but then seems more interested in conversing with them rather than killing them."
"He must be a philosopher. Cats often are you know."
"Papa, you must be tired from your trip. Come have something to eat...or at least cold to drink and then you can rest in Mano's room."
Don Sebastian put up a hand. "No, no my dear. I will go outside and see to putting up my tent and rest there for just a little while. Then, I will come back in and you and I can visit a little more."
Gently extricating his sombrero, (with many apologies), from Luna's intense interest, he swept outside, calling for his men as he did.
"Mano! " Victoria whirled on her brother. "You weren't supposed to bring him back here!"
"Si, si… but...there was truly no stopping him. You know how he can be."
Victoria nodded and sighed, "John has gone to Aquila Canyon, but he will be back this evening...maybe even sooner. You have to go warn him."
Mano groaned, "Chica, no...he will be...not happy. Very not happy."
"And you think he will be happy if he rides back here and finds this particular surprise waiting for him?"
Mano nodded with resignation. "I need to get a fresh horse, and something to eat, then I will go."
"Julia will give you something you can eat as you ride; just get the horse and go!"
She nearly pushed her still protesting brother, ("But I am hungry!"), out the door and as he made his way, muttering, to the corral, she slipped to the other side of the house. Good to his word, her father was supervising his men in erecting his very large hunting tent. The had found a place a little distant from the house. There was a small copse of trees, (which one day would evolve into an even smaller, but precious orchard,), and the tent was already nearly up. Furnishings were being off loaded from the wagon and the cook was returning from the kitchen with water for tea and the precious hot chocolate.
"All right." she told herself, "He is here. And John will just have to deal with it." She wished she felt as confident as her inner voice sounded.
Mano encountered John and the rest of the men about an hour out from High Chaparral. When he, gingerly, informed John of Don Sebastian's arrival, John had said not one word, but the tightened jaw and narrowed eyes conveyed as much, if not more, than words. If ever an expression could truly be said to resemble a thunder cloud, this was it. The men, who were very good at reading their boss, gave him a wide birth...all the riders hanging back slightly. Even the horses looked wary.
As they continued back to the ranch, Mano whispered to Sam, "Where are Buck and Blue?" He hoped that having others in the house would act as distractions for John. He doubted it, but he hoped. But Sam quickly dashed those hopes. "Gone to deliver a few head to the army at Fort Orion," he whispered back.
It is not physically possible for 10 horses ridden by 10 cowhands to actually tiptoe for an hour's worth of riding, but that is in fact pretty much what it felt like as they made their way back to the ranch.
John swung down from his horse and walked to his front door. Before he could open it, Victoria emerged looking a little flushed and anxious.
"Victoria." his voice was flat.
"John, before you say anything…."
But before she could say anything, Luna appeared from out behind her and ran to her father, full of news.
"Papa! I have a grandfather and he has a hat this big! and he took my hand…." Luna's words ran together in her excitement.
"Luna, why don't you go ask Joe if you can help with the horses?" Victoria gently shooed her daughter.
Since horses trumped almost everything thing in Luna's estimation, she instantly and happily took off toward the corral where the men were unsaddling their horses.
"Grandfather!?" John stared at Victoria.
"Well, si...come with me, you have to see something."
Victoria guided John to near where the Don's encampment was nearly complete.
"You see. He is going to stay there. And only for a few days and he will only join us for a meal, or maybe two. He is resting in the big tent now." She scanned her husband's face for any softening.
John shook his head as if he couldn't quite believe what he saw. But when he turned to Victoria he simply repeated, "Grandfather?!"
Victoria had to laugh a little. "Well, yes. I had written him about Luna and that is how he introduced himself to her."
John shook his head again and sighed.
Victoria placed her hands on his arm. "John.. I really think..."
But he interrupted her. "Are you glad he is here?"
She paused for moment. "I never would have invited him, but seeing him, yes, I am glad he is here. Very glad."
John nodded, and almost smiled. "Then I am glad he is here." In truth he was no such thing, but seeing Victoria's hopeful face, he pushed any doubts aside. "It will be fine."
Victoria hugged him in relief.
And in truth the visit WAS fine. More than fine. Don Sebastian was good as his word. He would wait until John had left for the day, or was in his office working, and then come over to share a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with his daughter. They actually did have much to catch up on; she told him about Mathew Kendel's advice and how it had seemed to work for her, ("Ah, something ELSE to be grateful to that doctor for." the Don smiled.) and to reminisce; about Victoria's childhood and adventures with Manolito; about their mother. He took an interest in Luna's schooling, especially her Spanish vocabulary, told her stories, (some of them true.), of Mexican and Spanish history; the glory of Mexico City; the wonders of the Alhambra palace in Granada, and it's magnificent gardens. And when he came to the Andalusian horses, she was so entranced he promised faithfully that he would send her a picture very soon.
When Buck and Blue returned, he charmed them as well; talking of pictures with Blue and hunting with Buck.
Some days he would go for a ride and one day he actually went hunting, bringing back a brace of fat rabbits...which his chef gallantly shared with the Canon household. In fact on his last night at the ranch, when he had come to a dinner, it all went so smoothly that he and John played a post prandial game of chess, which thankfully ended in a draw.
Later that night, in their bed, John suddenly said to Victoria, "I don't hate him you know. I would never want you to think that."
"Oh, I know, but I also know how difficult Papa can be...to everyone!"
He drew her closer to him.
"True, but after all he is partly responsible for you and for that alone I will always be grateful."
She smiled up at him, sliding her hand down his chest. "Then we both have much to be grateful for."
Early the next morning, right after breakfast, as promised, Don Sebastian's men were packed and waiting to depart. Luna was very sad to say good bye to her grandfather. At breakfast that morning she had said to him, "Abuelo, there are seven, (and here she carefully held up seven fingers) conchos on your sombrero. I counted." The Don affected great surprise at this information. "I can count all the way to ten." she added proudly. "Ah nieta, that is so impressive. I am very proud of you."
Now, after bidding his daughter and son-in law and the rest of the family good by, he stood with Mano in the ranch yard holding his horse's reins.
He glanced over his shoulder to where Victoria and John sat at the outdoor table; she sitting on the arm of his chair, resting her hand on his shoulder, he with his arm around her waist; each smiling at the other.
Turning back to his son he suddenly said, "Victoria tells me he loved his first wife very much."
Caught off guard, Mano could only reply, "Si...it is true, I think."
"And yet look at them now...sharing such devotion."
The two looked at John and Victoria for a moment and then started to walk to the gate. "Mano, listen to me. I know you still mourn Mercedes. You probably always will. But you must understand that to have loved and lost someone does not mean that love itself is gone. Victoria and John are proof. Your heart has been wounded… closed... but it is still there. Waiting to be opened; opened to love and passion and your own family. Do not keep it closed. I do not know if the fates will be generous enough to give you another love...they weren't to me. But if they are, then you owe it to yourself to welcome it."
He gave his son's face a fond slap, mounted and gazed back down at his son. "Don't be alone Mano. I don't recommend it." He swung his horse around and cantered toward home.