Chapter 3 [Hacienda—Half an Hour Earlier]

Mercedes pushed a needle through fabric. Hesitation dulled her fingers' movements. Despite Violeta's thimble, she'd jabbed her hand several times already. She frowned. "How do you do this? ¡Ay!" She shook that hand.

"Gosh! You've never sewed before?" Penny put the needle through a hole in Blue's shirt. With that, she broke off the thread and knotted it to finish the repair. "Sorry. Don't mean to make fun, Tia. Just never heard of that is all."

"Neither she or I would have done so in our father's houses, Penny." Victoria poured coffee into three cups. "I do believe it is time for a break." She smiled. Her eyes sparkled Reassurance's grace at her companions.

"My fingers sting enough." Frustration stung at Mercedes. She yanked the thimble from her finger and set it beside the needle and thread on the end table. "It's not that I don't want to do it, Penny. Mama would disapprove. We had maids for such things. Here it muy diferente. I want to help Manolito in every way. I will learn." She sulked.

"Manolito knows you try for him. Mercedes. That is all he can ask. Perhaps you can practice for now. Allow Katrina to do that back at Rivertree? ¿Si? You do enough around that house. Now come. Enjoy your coffee." Victoria fixed her sister-in-law's cup. "I believe that should be to your liking."

"I would never doubt you, Victoria. Gracias." Mercedes sipped on the coffee. Her mood calmed. A smile broke through onto her face. "We want to be self-sufficient."

"We're getting there. Pa would say Rome wasn't built in a day. Nothin' worth anything is." Penny savored her own coffee. "It's even cold down here." She shook her head. "Don't recall nothing like this in Trails' End."

"It is colder this year. We shall have to see." Victoria joined the others at the table. "Soon it will be winter. We should be ready."

"We covered the ground around our trees with hay and wood chips. Mano spoke with Mr. Williams. He gave us a few trees last summer. I'll plant the seeds next spring. I know it will be some time before they have fruit," Mercedes reported.

"Blue was saying he might do some hunting up there." Penny took another draught from her cup.

"Hunting? What is up there that he could hunt?" Surprise stiffened Victoria for a heartbeat. To be honest, she couldn't imagine her sensitive stepson deliberately killing anything even for food.

"Blue saw a deer in the woods up there. He, Mano and the others are still looking around the rancho. Mr. Patterson didn't say that. Maybe there's a lot he didn't know," Penny clarified.

"Or didn't want Manolo and Papa knowing." Mercedes frowned. "He was nice enough. He did not trust us."

"He is gone now. The rancho is yours. Perhaps they will discover more? We have plenty of time to plan our Thanksgiving dinner!" Victoria grinned. "We can have it here."

"We should have Christmas at our place. We can all take turns. Right?" Penny volunteered.

"¡Bueno! You see? We agree on something else. We will have a grand feast!" Victoria clapped her hands. Excitement glittered in her eyes. "Perhaps Miguel will bring something from Tucson?"

Twin shots from the roof interrupted the conversation.

"WAGON COMING!" the sentry on the roof called out.

"Who'd that be? The others won't be for a while!" Penny got up. She looked out the door. She couldn't see any Apaches or other threats. "Gosh! Look!"

Annie stopped her wagon in front of the house. Miguel sat beside her. Jenny waved from the back of the wagon.

"Hello, Everyone!" Annie tied the reins to the brake. She climbed down from the wagon seat. "We got done early in town. Come on down, Jenny. We got to get everything unloaded. Besides Padre Miguel got some news!"

"Yes! It is the best kind! And I have a letter for John and Victoria as well!" He held the envelopes in his hand. "Perhaps we might all go inside? It is colder here than I remember in Sonora."

"We have fresh coffee. I will put on another pot," Victoria agreed. She saw Annie helping Jenny with the dried goods. "Perhaps you might join us and warm up?"

"It's okay. We've heard already! It's really great!" Jenny gushed. She strained to keep her promise not to say anything. Then she handed another small box to her mother who set it down on the ground.

"We'll be right in, Victoria. That coffee will sure be good!" Annie expressed. "We found that cloth you wanted too."

"Oh that is wonderful!" Victoria pumped her fists in the air. "John and Buck need warmer shirts for the winter."

"So will Blue and Manolito." Penny rubbed Mercedes' shoulder. "We can help each other."

"Si." Mercedes conceded. She shook her head. I still wish I could sew well! She spied an Afghan in the corner. An idea coaxed a smile onto her face. That is what I will do!

"I know that look, Mercie." He coughed.

"What look?" Mercedes narrowed her eyes.

"The look you have when you plan something." Miguel set a soft paper bundle in her arms. "For you."

"For…me?" Mercedes brought the bundle inside. She set it on the table. "What is it?"

He shrugged. "¿Quizás podrías abrirlo y descubrirlo?" Mischief glimmered in his eyes. In that heartbeat, he appeared more the little brother rather than the priest once again.

"¡Ay caramba! You never change." Mercedes ripped open the bundle. She stared at red and blue skeins of yarn. Two metal needles flanked them. "How did you know?"

"Papa said you left that behind." He considered her hands. "How did you cut your fingers?"

"She was sewing," Penny chimed in.

"Manolito needs his shirts repaired. I should learn." Mercedes shook her head at Penny. Then she turned back to him. "Gracias. I was just thinking about that. I cannot sew."

"You mean Mama never let you learn." He embraced his sister. "You help in so many ways. Let the others help you. And maybe you can help with this?" He grinned. "I could make a request."

"Oh? Such as?" Mercedes rolled her eyes.

"Perhaps you might make me something like this?" He touched the knitted blanket. "I would treasure it. I would provide the yarn."

"I know you would. Si, I shall." Mercedes giggled.

"If I brighten your day, why not?" He smiled. "Where are John, Buck, Blue and Manolito? I wanted to tell them as well."

"They're out with the cattle. Miguel, you said there was news?" Victoria handed him a cup.

"Gracias." He nodded. "There is indeed!" He handed Victoria an envelope. "That is for John and you. I received a letter from the Bishop in San Francisco! My request has been granted. He sends a priest and four nuns to serve with me." He bounced in his chair almost like a school boy. "We'll have teachers for the school now!"

"That's sure great. I know Annie wants to send Jenny there." Penny took another mouthful of coffee. "What does your letter say?"

"Let us see." Victoria slit the envelope open with a knife. Then she read the letter inside. "It is very good news! Listen!" She skimmed the letter again and then started:

"Dear Friends,

Greetings! I hope that this letter finds you well. May your ranch be enjoying health and prosperity. It seems that the Lord wishes another move for His Service. My fellow priest, Father Miguel, has requested aid for his church and mission in Tucson. He also wants to start a school. Truly we are blessed to have such a brother helping in your town. Do you know him? If not, please stop by his mission and introduce yourselves. Give him my best regards.

I will be at the mission chapel south of Tucson. It is still my wish to start a convent there. I will also assist in Tucson as Father Miguel needs me to. The Bishop shares this goal as well. Sister Luke will accompany me there.

For the town church, Sisters Angelica and Maria will assist Father Miguel, There is another sister, Sister Pilar Castaneda. She sends her prayers and best wishes. We all received such wonderous hospitality at the High Chaparral. Now we will serve Our Lord and friends.

Being with you all again will be a wonderous Christmas gift. We travel by ship to San Diego. Then we shall go overland to Tucson by stage. Already our hearts are with you.

Blessings,

Father Guillermo"

"That sounds as if you know each other," Penny presumed.

"Father Guillermo, Sister Luke and Sister Angelica were here two years ago. I am guessing that Sister Maria is the same young woman who decided to join their order while they were here." Victoria sighed. "It was very tragic. They came here from Sonora. Their convent had burned there. A jealous man, Ramon, chased them. He very nearly killed Manolito before being stabbed with his own knife. Sister Pilar is a dear family friend. Her visit was most unfortunate." Victoria frowned. "I would not go any farther."

"They sound like good people in need of a fresh start. Well Penny, Mercedes, Annie and I do well. I am sure they will as well." Miguel drank from his coffee. "Castaneda. Wait."

"Is she from Mexico City? I think I remember her from La Universidad." Mercedes smiled. "If she is the same Pilar, she is very nice. I will need to speak with Manolito."

"The tragedy with her brother, Santos, came between them. Pilar is a num now. Besides Manolito loves you. I would not worry," Victoria assured her.

Blue rushed into the house. "Victoria! Penny! Everything all right?" He glanced at the table.

"Of course. Miguel was here with good news. I have fresh coffee if you would like some." Victoria poured him a cup. "How is everything on the range?"

"Just great as always. MMM! I could sure use something warm!" Blue kissed Penny on the cheek. "You all right?"

"Sure enough. Glad that our herds are getting along." She motioned toward the coffee. "Warm yourself up. I won't have you catching cold on me."

Blue grinned. "Yes 'm." He raised the cup toward Victoria. "Thank you. Sorry I…."

"Sorry for what? I saw what I needed to see. Besides you remember to greet your wife." Victoria chuckled. "Your consideration goes a long way, Blue. Sientate." She motioned toward the chair.

"You bet." Blue sipped on his coffee. "Oh that's good!" He slid in beside Penny. So what's this good news, Miguel?"

"We have help for the mission and school in Tucson. The chapel south of town will have a priest as well. They are your friends, Father Guillermo and Sisters Luke, Angelica, Maria and Pilar," Miguel informed him.

"So Pilar took them vows too?" Blue shook his head. "That deal with her brother must've hit her real hard. That was sure bad all around." He exhaled a deep breath. "She's real nice though. Can't wait to see Sister Luke with Manolito again." He chuckled.

"He liked her as well?" Mercedes raised an eyebrow at him.

"Umm she was real strict. She kept a close eye on Mano. And Mano being Mano…well he just kept getting looks from her. He just loved that." Sauciness flavored Blue's tone.

"I am sure he did." Miguel smirked.

"Miguel, you are being terrible!" Mercedes chided. "You should conduct yourself properly,"

"What do I do wrong, Hermana? I just wish to bring a good example around my brother? Can that be such a bad thing?" Miguel offered a playful shrug.

"Even if he took our Papas' lectures for you more than once?" Victoria reminded him. "I believe Mercedes can handle that. Perhaps being here will help Sister Luke to relax a little. She is very conservative. That is not a bad thing. I would wish her to enjoy music and good times within proper restraint of course."

"I hope God will coax her in that direction. We should speak about their welcome. I will fax Papa with the news. He will be happy." Miguel finished his coffee. "Gracias, Victoria. That warms the heart after a long ride."

"I'll say it does!" Blue chimed in.

"De nada. Miguel, you are staying for dinner. I insist." Victoria raised her finger.

"Pedro, Reno and I can ride with you in there after," Blue told him.

"All right. I cannot refuse such a fine offer! It has been too long," Miguel stood. "Perhaps, Blue, we help Annie and Jennifer?"

"Sure! Dang it! I plumb forgot about them!" Blue set his cup down. He rushed out the door.

"Gosh! I can't believe him." Penny wiped the coffee spills on the table with a towel.

"His heart is in the right place. We shall be right back." Miguel walked outside as well.

Good Tidings warmed the hearth further….