Chapter 5 [Early the Next Morning]

Manolito stared at the ceiling. Issues pushed Sleep aside. He pondered the upcoming horse drive to Tucson. Worry chilled him over potential threats to Mercedes and Penny while he, Blue and the others were gone. Budget also pressed itself as a priority. Would there be enough money to buy a wagon? While he appreciated Ricardo's help, he wanted to earn something in his own right. Would there be enough grass for both his stock and Big John's?

"Manolo? What is it?" Mercedes turned over. She blinked back the sleepers.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to wake you, Mercedita. My mind is heavy. I have much to think about." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "You should go back to sleep."

She narrowed her eyes. "Manolito, por favor. Do not be like Papa."

"What?" Question raised his eyebrow. "I do not understand."

"Papa keeps every matter from Mama. She does not want to know what is going on. I do not want to be like that. I wish to help you. I want to be like Victoria." She looked deeply into his eyes.

He sighed. "I know. It would be too easy for me to try that." He looked at her as well. "You amaze me. You know that? When we were reunited, I thought you would be just a girl of noble birth." He grinned at her. "You have more layers than I might have guessed at." He kissed her forehead. "I have to allow you to grow. I have to allow Blue to grow as well. It is not easy."

"Si. And Papa has to allow both of us to grow." She sat up. "Breakfast will not make itself, I fear. And you, mi Manolo, need something in your stomach."

"You think so?" Teasing jabbed through his tone.

"I do not want your stomach growling down the trail." She got up and pulled her robe on. She sniffed the air. "That smells like eggs and meat."

He sat up on the edge of the bed. "It seems you have been beaten to the kitchen, mi Amor." He laughed akin to bells ringing in her ears. He pulled on his pants and socks. Then he did the same for his shirt.

"You should have a fresh shirt, Manolito." She pulled the screen open. Then she stepped behind it to put her dress and blouse on from the previous evening. She hung her robe back on its hook. "Now shall we see what Penny cooks?"

"We should. Gracias." He tied his handkerchief around his neck. Then he took her hand and led her down the stairs. "Our first morning in the new hacienda. Our new home!" He raised their hands into the air.

Elation pumped her fist. "Nuestro sueño. Our dream." She turned to him. "Nuestro amor." She lowered his hand to her face's level. Her lips whispered happy notes across his knuckles. "Gracias, mi Manolo."

"De nada por siempre." He bowed to her. "Shall we greet the others?" He walked her down the stairs toward the dining room.

Blue and Ricardo sat at the table. Penny worked with skillets of scrambled eggs and ham.

"Ah! Everyone is here already. I wish someone had knocked," Manolito half-groused/half greeted. He pulled Mercedes' chair out for her. "Buenos Dias."

"Buenos Dias, Manolito y Mercedes." Ricardo greeted. "Blue and I were discussing our route to Tucson from here. It is a good day. We should make excellent time."

"Yeah. We're going to get extra vaqueros to help with the horses. Manolito, I was thinking. Maybe we can have Ira, Bart and Wind here to watch things? You know…just in case Comancheros or Indians decide to make trouble?" Blue suggested.

"We would have eight men for thirty horses. That should be more than enough, Manolito," Ricardo declared.

Manolito nodded. "Just tell me, who suggested this plan?"

"I did, Mano." Blue cleared his throat. "I don't want to leave the place unguarded. I also don't want to move these horses across open desert without enough weapons either. Protecting our investment."

Manolito grinned. "¡Bueno, Amigo! We shall sell the horses. Then we can get a buckboard and supplies."

"Not before everyone eats their fill." Penny served up the bacon and eggs plate by plate. She set one down in front of each person at the table. Then she took the last for herself. "Eat up and enjoy."

"I will serve coffee." Mercedes got up. She ignored Disapproval's glint in her father's eye to grab the coffee pot's handle with a towel to insulate her hand. She filled every porcelain cup. "There!" She brought a tiny milk pitcher and a bowl of sugar over to the table. "Everyone can have their coffee as they like it."

"Gracias, Mercedes." Ricardo sipped his coffee. "I am glad we will have this day together, Manolito. I will have a chance to speak with Miguel as well." He sighed. "I believe you and he are ready to stand on your own. I will leave for Rancho Vega mañana. Doña Lupe will need me back there. Javier has asked to remain here and serve as your vaquero."

The two couples looked at each other and then at him. They all knew that Ricardo would depart at some point. Still, they all had accustomed themselves to his companionship and friendship. They'd learned a great deal about compromise and respect.

"Muchissimas gracias, Papa," Mercedes expressed. She cleared her throat. "Seré fuerte. Soy una doña."

"De hecho, mi Hija." Pride warmed his heart. Approval shone in his eyes. He focused not on her somber work clothes. Rather he noted Character and Demeanor in her. "I wish your mother could see you right now." He turned and embraced Mercedes. "You are ready. I believe you all are. This will not be my last visit. I have to make sure our family's rancho is all right."

"We won't let you down, Sir," Blue vowed.

"From what I am seeing, Blue, I know that. Manolito, I believe in you," Ricardo affirmed to them both.

"I need one promise, Don Ricardo." Manolito cleared his throat. "Please do not stop at my father's rancho. We do not need a further argument."

"It was most unfortunate. I do not wish further injury. He will not change his mind. For that, I am sorry." Ricardo exhaled sharply. "You are right. Of course, once you have an heir, the matter is resolved."

"If he does not disown us first." Manolito sighed.

"Manolito! He would not!" Mercedes gasped.

Ricardo shook his head. "And yet you were not disinherited, Manolito. You are still a Montoya. Perhaps your child will be both Americano and Mexicano but that one will be of both our lines. You are of my blood and his." He looked to Penny and Blue. "You are mi sobrina y sobrino."

"What? That mean we're like adopted?" Penny looked to Manolito and Mercedes.

"Si. He considers you his niece and nephew. You have been adopted into the family," Manolito explained. "Don Ricardo, this will make my sister very happy."

"I wish for us to be one family not just business partners. I hope John understands me." Ricardo sampled the plate. "Mmm! ¡Delicioso, Penelope! ¡Gracias!"

"You're welcome." Penny joined the others at the table.

Even with Departure's emptiness, Celebration's joy ensued.