Chapter 2 [Hacienda—Fifteen Minutes Later]
The new hacienda rose from its perch atop the hill. The two-story wooden structure held plenty of bedrooms, a full-sized kitchen, a pantry, a root cellar and an office. Medium sized windows allowed for views overlooking the approaching roads or the surrounding tree lines. On either side of those windows, heavy oak shutters with slits in their middle could close at a moment's notice. A post fence would keep out uninvited "guests". Although not lined with brick or stone, Elegance, albeit on a rustic level, held some sway. Under the hacienda's overhang, a small table allowed for snacks, reading, writing or perhaps light conversation. Doña Esperanza's memorial arbor barely touched the wooden arbor's bottom at that point.
Dream took on its shape….
Manolito perused his ledger. Plans formed in his mind. Priorities aligned themselves. He tapped a pencil on the desk. He awaited Blue's report on the mustangs and cattle in the West Range. He knew Don Ricardo oversaw his vaqueros' efforts to mine the first wagonload of silver from Horsehead Canyon. Food sat ready in the pantry and in the cellar. Carmen and Penny had scrubbed the floors and put a blinding shine on the furniture. Still other tasks remained. Mercedes and Penny packed up the last of their things at the High Chaparral. Some mustangs would be driven into Tucson for cash, credit or perhaps trade for livestock. A new barn was still needed before winter. Mercedes wanted seeds for the garden. ¡Ay Chihuahua! No wonder John and Papa are the way they are! He sighed. "There is much to do. We can only do what we can." He closed the book and put it in his top drawer. Then he walked out the front door and out to the fence's gate.
He looked down at the growing complex below. Patterson's former shack now served as a bunkhouse. The old barn still sat across the rebuilt corral from it. A few livestock roamed about in that corral. A breeze rustled the trees' leaves and rippled the water's surface. Empty space around the shoreline would be taken up shortly. Besides the aforementioned new barn, Penny had asked for a blacksmith's space to repair tools, make horseshoes and other necessary functions.
One thing at a time! He rubbed his chin. The next day, he'd go into Tucson on a lumber run. He would see if any other potential ranch hands wanted a job. Mercedes and Penny wanted to visit Miguel. He sighed. Perhaps he'd have time for a drink at the saloon. Perhaps not. Now I know why I hesitated to be Padron. He saw Blue riding into view along with Wind. Now what? Consternation ate at him.
Blue signaled for Wind to wait by the bunkhouse. He pressed Soapy toward the hacienda. His eyes narrowed. Frustration twisted his mouth into a tight frown.
This is not good! Manolito imagined rustlers or worse assaulting the grazing herd. He could see fights amongst their ranch hands. While Blue had exceeded his expectations, he knew that Experience had yet to make its full mark on the younger man. He stepped through the gate. "¡Hola, Compadre! ¿Que pasa? You have that heaviness on your face. What is wrong?"
"Hey, Manolito." Blue dismounted. He tied Soapy's reins to the fence. He ground his teeth.
"Are the cattle safe?" Manolito asked.
"Yeah they're okay. Everyone's watching them." Blue collected himself. He took his hat off. His handkerchief wiped away Sweat's beads from his brow.
Manolito studied Blue. "So everything is fine you say. So what is with the long face, Amigo? Hmm?"
Blue shook his head. He wanted to throw his hat or kick at the dirt. Still, he remembered John's, Sam's and Joe's advice on maintaining calm in Adversity's wake. "It's that new ranch hand. He questioned me in front of the other hands again."
Manolito nodded. Wind had been at Rivertree for a week. Twice already, he'd watched the new man bristle at orders. "And how did you respond, Amigo?"
"I told him to come back here. We'd find him something else to do. I was going to talk with him. Maybe there's something we can help him with?" Blue proposed.
Manolito shrugged. "Perhaps." He watched Wind who watched them in turn. "It is a good thing you do not kick up dirt or do something foolish." He motioned down the hill. "He is our first test I think."
"Test?" Confusion scrunched up Blue's brow.
"Si, Amigo. Most of the ranch hands know and respect you, Blue. They have seen you on cattle drives and in a mess or two. But not everyone has. You cannot expect someone to simply give you respect. You must earn it. It is for you to get to the bottom of it. I am Padron. Still what would it say if I did that? He would not respect you. The others would lose respect." He patted Blue on the shoulder. "What would you have him do?"
Blue shrugged. "I figured he could ride with us into Tucson. We could use a hand with driving the mustangs and loading lumber. After we get back, I was going to have Chad and him help me get started on the new barn. I'll ride out and check on the herds."
Manolito nodded. "That is a good plan. Still, are you going to speak with Wind? He has to understand who is in charge."
"I'm aiming to do that right now. Just wanted to let you know what was going on." Blue put his hat on. "I'll be ready in twenty minutes to ride to Chaparral."
"Muy bien. I will be ready." Manolito watched as Blue headed down the hill toward Wind. How you handle him will go a long way with the others. You have to build respect. He thought on his own father, John and Don Ricardo. Even as we all have to do so.
Wind fumed by the corral. He took the saddle from the horse's back. His eyes narrowed. He saw Blue run up to Manolito and spill the events. He's twisting everything. He makes us waste time in that meadow. We don't need so many people watching a few cattle! He had thought that things would be different at this new rancho. Pain ground at him. Intolerance hardened his heart.
Just where would he fit in anyway?
He tied the horse's bridle to the fence. He patted the other's flank. Then he turned and leaned against the face. Rebellion chiseled the frown onto his face.
Blue slowed his gait down. "I'm filling my canteen. I can get yours."
Wind nodded. He took his canteen from the saddle. He handed it to Blue. "Thank you."
"Yeah. Don't mention it." Blue saw Resistance glower in Wind's eyes. What's got him so riled up? Wow! He headed for the lake. There he filled the two canteens and capped them. He walked back with them. "There we are! And yours, Wind."
Wind nodded. Appreciation flickered for a couple of heartbeats before Suspicion's overcast swept back over it once again. "You're going to want to talk. Aren't you?"
"Yeah. You're right that I want to talk." Blue sighed. "Wind, you've been here a week. I can see you're a good worker. I know I can count on you to be ready on time. It's just…I can't have you questioning me out there. I'm the foreman. I make the decisions. I give the orders."
"And what about him?" Wind motioned up the hill toward the hacienda. "Bet you ranted about me."
Blue rolled his eyes. He exhaled a calming breath. "Yeah a little. I wanted to have this talk between us. He's got this rancho to run, Wind. I have to keep everyone working and getting stuff done around here. He's not going to coddle me. My Pa didn't coddle me at High Chaparral. You can ask Ira and Reno. We rode together there. You see that I'm out there with you. I won't ask you or anyone else to do something I won't do myself. Just between us, I don't have a problem working with Indians. You're no different than anyone else."
Wind scoffed. "You say that but…"
"But what?" Blue stiffened. Indignation burned in his eyes. "Before I met my wife, there was another woman a long time ago. Her name was Moon Fire and she was an Apache. We were supposed to be married before an arrow killed her. I have also seen what being a half-white, half-Indian does to someone. I would never look down on anyone like that. So don't assume you know my feelings! You want respect? Fine by me. You earn it just like the rest of us. Even Señor Montoya is earning respect with our family and friends as a new rancher."
Surprise widened Wind's eyes. He'd heard the story of the white boy who defeated an Apache brave and won Moon Fire. "That was you?"
"Yeah. That was me. People didn't accept what we had. Too bad for them. My point is that I care about your work, how you follow orders and how you get along with everyone. You got a question, ask. Just respect me and I'll respect you." Blue took a gulp from his canteen. "Deal?"
Wind nodded. He put his hand out in guarded fashion. "All right."
Blue shook his hand. "Well all right then. You'll see. It'll be hard work but it'll be good. You got another hour and a half or so of daylight. Maybe you can water these cattle and check their feed? The others should be coming back pretty soon. I'm going to need you ready early to drive some horses to Tucson."
Wind nodded. "I'll be there. Just need to put my saddle away."
"Sounds great. Thanks." Blue watched Wind head for the old barn. Hope he gets it. I really want to get along with him. We just need to respect each other. He walked back toward his horse. "Ready for the ride down?"
"I was about to ask you the same question." Manolito rode Makadoo and led Soapy into view. He had a big smile on his face.
"I suppose you heard that?" Blue supposed.
"Some. Of greater importance, Blue, I watched you. I wanted to see how you would handle that problem. Muy bien. Now, they will be waiting for us at Chaparral. I do not want to keep them waiting." He tossed Soapy's reins to Blue.
"Yeah. I sure don't want that." Blue grinned. He climbed up into the saddle.
Manolito smirked. "Vamanos." He urged Makadoo into a gallop down the south road.
Nope. Penny's waiting. Let's hope things are easier from here on! Blue directed Soapy down that same path and toward the waiting reunion.
Never keep the wives or family waiting. That was for sure….