Chapter 15 [Next Afternoon]

With a start under First Light's gaze, wagons, men and animals crossed the desert. Their path offered a wide berth around the High Chaparral and toward the necessary sustenance in the hills nearby. The group encountered no animals which wasn't so strange given that they grazed on Rivertree's meadows. Still, to not have someone greet them as they passed close to the compound seemed odd in itself.

Puzzles, however, could be solved later once the new animals and ranch hands were in place….

[Rancho Rivertree]

Bart set the pail into the lake's edge. He'd enjoyed Bliss' and Tranquility's holds over the rancho for two of the three last three days at least. The weak breeze rustled his hair. He watched the water fill the bucket. Ms. Mercedes seems better. Can't believe Buck though. What got into him? He shook his head.

"We should dig a well. It would save hauling the water up the hill," Wind observed. He kneeled by the water's edge and put another bucket in.

"Yeah it sure would." Bart nodded. "Just need to ask Manolito where he wants it." He pulled his full bucket back from the water. "See you up there." He stood up slowly. "Anything on that trail?"

"I did not see anything. It is too quiet." Wind glanced up at him.

"Don't go wishing up trouble where there ain't none," Bart reminded him.

Annoyance arched Wind's brow. "I would rather not see any either. Do not ask a question that you do not want to hear the answer to, Bart." He raised his own bucket. "Let's get these to the house."

Bart shook his head. Where'd they find him? He's sure got an attitude! He frowned. Oh he knew Wind did his share of the work. He'd seen Wind serve Diligence's way with extra security rides around the ranch. Still he didn't understand why his fellow ranch hand had to be so difficult at times. He followed Wind up the incline and toward the new hacienda. Least ways, we got a nice place to work and live. Ain't as hot as down below.

Wind carried the pail into the house. His eyes wandered about the living and dining areas for a minute.

"Gracias, Wind. Would you like some water?" Mercedes scooped a glass of water from the bucket. She held it out to him.

"Thank you." The water broke Thirst's arid hold over his mouth and throat. "I just came back from my ride. Everything seems quiet, Ma 'am."

She nodded. Relief lightened Worry's load from her shoulders. She knew Penny checked on the apple saplings in the back. "And the horses?"

"Horses were grazing fifteen minutes ago." Wind turned to Bart. "I see he's here. I'd best get back to work." He finished his water and left the glass on the counter. "Thank you again."

"De nada." She watched Wind head out toward his tasks. "What do you think of him, Bart?"

"Him?" Bart shook his head. "Wind sure works hard. There's an awful big edge to him."

She nodded. "We all have our inner pain." Those words ushered in Memoria's recall of Buck's blow up from days before. Confusion over what exactly she'd said and done muddled her thinking. Is it wrong to want to be happy? He has Annie and Jennifer. I have Manolo. What is wrong with him?

"Yeah. I ain't never seen Buck act like that." He scratched his head. "It's not that far to the Chaparral from here."

"I told him I would never come between Manolito and him." She winced knowing how Manolito would react to Buck's accusations. I have to tell him. They have to work it out between each other. Papa will challenge Buck if he hears.

"It's going to be okay. Manolito knows Buck's a hothead. Sometimes he says things he don't mean," he tried to reassure her.

She dabbed her eyes. "Gracias, Bart. I know you are his friend. I remember that Penny needs help. Perdona mi." She bowed her head.

Regret stabbed him in the heart. "Yeah sure. I sure am sorry I upset you."

"No. You are a good friend." She managed a smile on his behalf. "Manolito and I will talk when he gets back."

Yeah. That'll be something else! Bart nodded. "Well I hope you're feeling better. Your Daddy, Blue and him should all be back today. Let me know if there's anything I can do." He tipped his hat and left.

She sighed. We have good amigos. That is a blessing. She crossed herself and glanced toward the ceiling.

"HEY! MS. MERCEDES!" Bart stuck his head back inside. "Sorry to disturb you! Riders are coming!"

"Riders? Manolo?" Worry, Relief and Joy all competed for her emotions. She rushed out of the hacienda. Her eyes scanned the road's visible stretch. She saw Manolito, Ricardo and the vaqueros. Two strangers rode along with them. Two new horses pulled a wagon.

Manolito waved to her. Joy danced in his eyes. A big grin spread across his face. He turned to Ricardo. "If you will excuse me?"

Ricardo motioned him onward. "Do not keep Mercedes waiting any longer. ¡Seguir!" He waved to her.

"Gracias." Manolito tipped his hat. He urged Makadoo forward. After three horse lengths, he pulled up on the reins again. He dismounted. "Mercedita!"

"Manolo!" Amor lessened Pain's hold over her. She grabbed onto his waist. Her face buried itself in his shirt. Tears dampened that cloth.

Manolito frowned. Confusion arched his eyebrow. "We were not gone that long. ¿Qué está mal?"

"I…I do not wish to spoil your homecoming." Mercedes trembled. Sorrow reddened her eyes.

"Hey! What is this?" Manolito narrowed his eyes. "Something has happened!"

"Manolito, you're all back! Where's Blue?" Penny rushed from the hacienda and down toward the newcomers' side.

"Right here." Blue embraced his wife. "You're sure a sight for sore eyes." He kissed her forehead.

"And it's good to have you all home." Penny forced a smile onto her face. "Can't wait to see what you got."

"In a minute." Blue motioned toward Mercedes. "What's going on with Mercedes? She's really upset. You both all right?"

"I'm fine." Penny sighed. She rubbed the back of her neck. "I…."

"Penny, we can discuss it later. I do not…." Mercedes cut her off.

"Mercedes, we will discuss it now! Whatever has happened, we should talk about it," Manolito implored. He turned to the Rondos. "Johnny and Dan, get the animals in the corral."

Ricardo ran up to his daughter. He embraced her. "Was it Comancheros or Apaches?"

"Papa, you all have worked so hard. I will not…." Mercedes started to deflect.

"Mi Hijita, we will speak of it now." Ricardo set his jaw. Purpose narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

"Why didn't you go to Chaparral if there was a problem?" Blue wondered.

Penny shook her head. "The problem was…is there, Blue." She trembled. Her forehead sank into Blue's chest.

"What the? That don't mean no sense!" Blue protested. Shock and Bewilderment widened his eyes and slacked his own jaw.

Manolito grabbed onto Mercedes. "Who did this? Did any of them touch you? I will speak to Big John and get to the bottom of it!" Fury blazed in his eyes.

"No! No! Nobody touched me! This is why I did not want to tell you now. Papa and you worked hard, Manolo. We should enjoy. Buck was angry. We…." Mercedes bowed her head.

"Uncle Buck?" Blue stared at her. "He wouldn't insult you. I…."

"Except he did, Blue." Penny admitted. "I'm sorry, Tia. You didn't want me saying it. I have to." She sucked in a deep breath. "She and Buck were in your room, Manolito. He came downstairs all angry-like but quiet. We were asking him what was wrong. Victoria pushed him to tell us. He was all mad about how he got passed over for the foreman job. Don Ricardo, there's more…." She trembled.

"Penny, do not tell him!" Mercedes begged.

"Do not tell me what?" Ricardo walked over to Penny. "Do not be afraid, Penelope." He raised her face to meet his own. "I cannot imagine you doing anything. What is it? What did Buck say after that?"

"It's okay, Penny. We need to know." Blue rubbed her shoulder.

"Penny." Manolito glared at her.

"He was like Don Sebastian was the morning after the wedding. He said the same things. I…." Penny grabbed onto Blue again. She sobbed.

Blue held Penny close. "It's all right." He frowned. "I thought we settled this back in Sonora."

Ricardo turned to Mercedes. "Did he accuse me of controlling both of you? Mercedes?"

Mercedes frowned. She bowed her head. "Si, Papa. That is what he said. He raised his voice to us. I…I… I do not understand. All I did was talk about our apple trees. I said I would enjoy picking them as I did at Rancho Vega. He went silent. I knew something was wrong. I only wished to help him. He got so angry." She quaked.

Ricardo frowned. "You did nothing wrong. You only thought to help him, Mercedes. I will not allow anyone to speak to you like that!"

"We will deal with this right now." Manolito shook his head. "This has to stop! I cannot believe Victoria allowed it!"

"She sure didn't," Penny interjected. "After Mercedes threw him out, Victoria took Annie, him and Jenny back to the High Chaparral." She looked toward Mercedes. "For that, I'm proud of her. She didn't take him talking about you, Don Ricardo. No Sir!"

Manolito nodded. "Is that so?" He kissed her forehead. "I am proud of you, Mercedita."

"Soy la Doña de este rancho. What else could I do?" Mercedes gazed into his eyes. "I protect our home and dream, Manolo. I love you." She kissed his cheek.

Pride lessened Rage's hold on Ricardo. Once again, Lupe, I wish you could see our daughter now. "You did the right thing, Mercedes. Manolito, saddle fresh horses. We ride for the High Chaparral." He motioned to one of his vaqueros. "Saddle me another horse. You all! Guard the wagon! We will unload it when we return!"

Mercedes bit her lip. She did not wish for a confrontation. Still, she knew it would happen. "Manolo, I do not want him hurt."

Manolito shrugged. "That is up to him. Saddle Lucinda por favor."

Mercedes nodded. She motioned for Penny to follow her toward their horses.

"Mind a third? I ain't lettin' Penny go without me." Blue shook his head. "I want to hear this from Uncle Buck myself."

"I would expect you to ride with us, Compadre. Get a new horse." Manolito unsaddled and unbridled Makadoo. He led him toward the corral. "You have already ridden far today, Amigo. Rest now. I shall be back soon."

Makadoo snorted in protest.

"I know you can make the ride. I said rest." Manolito patted his horse's flank. Then he bridled a brown horse. "Come along now. I have need of you." He led him out of the corral. He saw Blue saddling a white pony. "Muy bien."

"Gracias. Manolito, I don't want anyone talking to them like that," Blue told him.

"There is no reason." Manolito looked toward his father-in-law. "My father nearly had a duel for such words. I fear Buck may have the same."

"We can talk. I do not want blood." Desperation implored the men toward Restraint's means.

"We shall see." Ricardo urged them onward and back down the path toward the High Chaparral.

Conflict brewed. Hope pined for Peace to prevail….