Chapter 11 [Twenty Minutes After That]

[Richardson's Horse Traders]

Blue watched Richardson during the inspection process. His eyes never left the horse trader. He witnessed the other man looking over, under and behind every horse. Disbelief caused him to blink as Richardson walked away from the herd at the appointed time.

"That's it?" Chad scratched his head. He'd seen his father deal with buffalo in quick order. Still it was never that fast.

"Apparently." Blue pushed his hat back from his forehead. He took a gulp from his coffee. "Stay here." He walked over to Richardson. "How'd they look?"

Satisfaction beamed across Richardson's face. "Oh splendid! They're a great lot indeed! I am sure Manolito and I will have a splendid negotiation as well."

Meaning he likes the horses but wants to nickel and dime us. Blue kept as straight of a face as possible. "Yeah I'm sure you will." He recalled some of John's 'negotiations' with Richardson in that regard. He hoped Ricardo's presence would soften this particular blow. He saw Manolito and Ricardo leading the vaqueros and two cowboys he didn't know toward them. "Speaking of Manolito, here he comes now."

"Ah! Very good!" Richardson smoothed the front of his shirt. Then he hustled over to Manolito. "Did you see the mission? Father Miguel has done well with it."

"Si. He has." Manolito studied Richardson. While he recognized Friendliness' overtones guiding the conversation, he knew the tactic was meant to relax his guard for the negotiations at hand. "It is a work in progress. We have other stops to make. "Have you finished with the horses?"

"Yes of course." Richardson huffed. He forced the mental transition over to business. "They are in excellent condition overall. I was thinking fifty dollars a head and eighty for the white one."

"$50?" Manolito sniffed. He turned to Ricardo. "Can you believe him?"

"It is an opening bid, Manolito. Treat it as such." Ricardo motioned toward Richardson. He wanted to see how Manolito would handle the business at hand.

"That's a fair price!" Richardson maintained.

"I can buy a broken-down pony for $50!" Manolito countered. He raised an eyebrow. "These are great horses. Whoever gets one will have a brand new animal! You said before you have buyers. Do you not?"

"Yeah. So?" Richardson supposed.

"Si." Manolito rubbed his chin. "And you will sell these animals at a worthy price. What will you charge? $80? $90?" He shook his head. "Blue, let's get them out of here. We can take them to Tubac." He kept his face tight and firm. "Johnny, Dan, give them a hand with the horses."

"You got it." Johnny dismounted. "Come on, Son." He led Dan toward the corral.

Blue stared. Dang! He let Disbelief show clearly on his face. "Chad, let's get 'em ready."

Richardson looked at his figures and notes. He knew the horses in question would match Manolito's estimate. The Army's agent would want immediate delivery. Others would be coming through town looking for quality. Besides he did not want to cost himself a customer. "Fine. $70 a head and $90 for the white one."

Manolito nodded. He saw Ricardo do the same. "Muy bien, Señor. We have a deal." He shook hands with the trader.

"Yes we do." Richardson smiled in an attempt to soothe the situation. "Can we go to the bank? I don't have that kind of money here."

"Of course! Seor Price will transfer the money to my account. ¡Vamanos!." Manolito accepted. He held his hand out. "Shall we ride over there?"

Richardson nodded. "Absolutely! Hey did I hear Blue and you both got married? Congratulations!"

"Gracias, Amigo." Manolito nodded. Appreciation shone through his eyes. "Si. Don Ricardo is my father-in-law. He wishes that my wife and I are happy. We enjoy Blue and Penny's company."

Richardson considered Ricardo. Realization granted him insight into the situation. "Ah! And that is why you looked to him when you made the deal?"

"I can negotiate for myself." Manolito frowned. "I wanted to make sure everyone was in agreement. It is a good thing." He brushed off the annoyance. A forced grin smoothed things over. "Shall we head to the bank?"

Richardson got on his horse. "Let us see Mr. Price." He rode toward the bank.

"Well you heard the man." Blue got up onto Soapy and headed after their business collaborator.

It is never easy. Manolito shook his money. Yes he had his money. Still, the perception of needing Ricardo there to get it stabbed at his gut.

Sometimes it was tough to be married and be your man at the same time….