Chapter 3 [An Hour and a Half Later—High Chaparral]
Activity buzzed about the ranch. Buck and Sam branded the new heifers. Joe, Pedro and the newer hands checked the fence around the compound. Victoria and Annie chopped vegetables in the kitchen. They watched the oven and the roast cooking therein. John sat at the kitchen table looking over the latest figures in his own ledger. He had two new ranch hands, Henderson and Mathers, to fill Manolito's and Blue's vacancies. He frowned and tapped his fingers. Wonder how they're doing up at the new ranch?
Victoria fixed a cup of coffee and walked it over to him. "Are you all right?"
"Hmm?" He glanced at her. Expectation raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. I'm fine. What's going on, Victoria?"
"You are worried about Blue and Manolito. I understand." She set the cup on the saucer to his left. "We will have to move on without them here. They are still ten miles away. Not so far." She tried to play Anxiety off with a shrug.
"I know you better than that, Victoria. You're every bit as anxious as I am." He tipped his cup to her. "Thank you." He glanced over his shoulder toward the staircase. "Penny and Mercedes are still packing?"
"They take their time. Annie is up there with them." She sighed. "I am glad Annie and Jennifer are here. They are so helpful. I do wish Jennifer was in school."
"It's kind of far for her to go." He took a draught from his cup. "The only way would be if Miguel was willing to put Jenny up in town. I can't see Annie and Buck being willing to do that. I don't want to take advantage of Miguel that way."
"You have seen how eager Jennifer is to help. I believe she would want to help Miguel around the mission. We could always ask Buck and Annie to see what they think." She frowned. "I do not wish to send Jennifer away. She is a joy to be around. I just think an education is important."
He recalled the whole situation with Carlos Ruiz well enough. "You would help the world if you could."
"Si." She smiled. Her eyes sparkled into his. "We should try to make the world a better place. Should we not? I believe you have done the same for our friends and neighbors, John?"
"You got me there." He rolled his eyes albeit with a smile. "You know Jenny's already asking to learn about the chores outside?" Admiration lit up in his eyes.
"Oh she has?" She arched an eyebrow. "I hope she will not try to do anything too dangerous!"
He raised his hands. "Calm down. I've already talked with Buck. He's going to watch her. I don't want her getting hurt either. That's up to Annie and him. I can sure take the help though."
She nodded. Jennifer should still be going to school. I wish there was one closer to us! She turned and walked back toward the kitchen.
He sighed. I can't see Buck and Annie sending her to Tucson like that. He shook his head. His eye returned to his paperwork.
[Blue and Penny's Room]
Care guided Penny to pack Blue's and her clothes into the sack. She'd folded every shirt and pair of pants. She checked their socks to make sure none needed darning. Three towels and two sheets, a gift from Victoria, sat on top of the bundle. The pillows and her blanket lay bundled in another sack over in the corner. She tied that last bag closed and set it in the corner. "Sure can't believe we're ready to go." She shook her head.
A knock came from the door.
"Penny, need some help in here?" Annie stepped in. She inspected the room. The stripped bed and empty dresser drawers sat ready for the next person's use. She did not see as much as a spec of dirt on the floor. Sol reflected off of the furnishings. "Can't say I've seen a place this clean in a while."
"My Pa always said to leave a place the way you found it. Victoria's got enough to do. I figure I can do my share even when I moving out," Penny supposed.
"We all know that. Wish everyone I know was that helpful." Annie smiled. "Lord knows we're going to miss Mercedes and you around here."
"We're only a short spell up the road you know. I'm sure Victoria will be visiting. You should too. Try keeping Blue from talking with his Pa about things. Besides I know Buck will be up there enough to see Manolito and Blue too." Penny ran her fingertips across the wall. "This here's been a great place. You know? I'm glad you're here to help Victoria. She's amazing. Gosh!"
"It's the least Jenny and I can do. Let's see if Mercedes needs a hand." Annie led her niece-in-law down two doors and knocked. "Mercedes?"
"Si. Un minuto por favor." Mercedes opened the door. She brushed a wisp of hair away from her eyes. Sweat beaded on her face. Dust and Dirt lingered on her beige blouse. "Come in! Is Papa out there?"
"We ain't seen Don Ricardo for a couple days. It's all right." Penny glanced around.
"Why do you care if your Daddy sees you?" Annie pushed Penny into the room and closed the door behind them. "So you do an honest day's work? That's a good thing."
"He would not to see me dirty. I am supposed to be a Doña not a working woman. He is not as bad as Mama. She would be screaming at me." Mercedes sighed. "¡Ay caramba! Don Sebastian feels the same about Manolo and Victoria."
"All of this noble stuff sure does give me a headache. We're in America. They can deal with it!" Annie huffed. "I know Buck gets aggravated by it." She motioned toward Mercedes' hands. "That's honest dirt from honest work!"
"I know. I love Manolo and nuestra familia. So I am content to help. We will have a servant up at the rancho. Penny and I will do everything else." Mercedes set the last clothes in her trunk and shut the lid. Satisfaction prompted a grin. "¡Ahi! ¡Todos terminado!" She looked the room over one more time. "I do believe that is everything." She checked the dresser drawers. "I have purchased new sheets and pillows for our new bedroom." She looked at the trunk again. "The men can help bring that downstairs."
"I was going to help downstairs. Come on." Penny rushed from the room.
Annie chuckled. "She is something. Isn't she?"
Mercedes nodded. "I am looking forward to working with her in our new kitchen." She smiled. "Vamanos." She led Annie toward the door.
Transitions harkened a change in venue. Assistance would still be welcome….