Chapter 18 [Two Days Later—Rancho Rivertree]

Monsoon swept over the hills and down into the desert below. Downpour refilled the lake and fed the pastures. It dampened parched Sonora offering vital drinks to the plants therein. Doubt and Discord washed away in that cleansing shower.

A new beginning of sorts was underway.

Activity bustled in front of the hacienda. While Reno, Ira and Wind watched the remaining horses and livestock in the Western Meadow, the remaining ranch hands loaded and secured Ricardo's bags onto the back of his carriage. They had double checked the wheels and axles to make sure that carriage and the accompanying wagon would not have any issues on the road. The precious silver lay under a tied down tarp so as not to attract attention from Comancheros or banditos between Tubac and there.

Ricardo yanked on the cover's ropes. He saw that the bonds pulled tightly enough. He stationed three vaqueros to ride alongside the wagon's right side and two more on the left. Javier and Bart would accompany them as far as the mill. A solid beginning. He patted the wagon's side.

"It is all there, Don Ricardo."

Ricardo nodded. He turned to find Manolito, Mercedes, Miguel, Blue and Penny watching him in turn. Optimism and Pride warmed his heart. "You have come a long way since my arrival." He looked around at the growing rancho. "I will come back and see much more. I am sure."

"Si, Papa." Mercedes stepped forward. She took her father's hand. "God willing, we will have our barn and animals. Our garden and trees will fill our cellar. This will be our paradise."

"It is now." Manolito kissed the top of his wife's head. "Nuestro sueño."

"With His blessing, Mano." Miguel embraced Ricardo. "Gracias, Papa. The townspeople like the new church. I hope you will come back. Please give my regards to the Bishop and Mama."

"De nada, Miguel. I am proud of your service. Be strong in His Service, my Son." Ricardo returned the hug with one of his own. "Look in on our family."

"Si, Papa." Miguel nodded before letting his father go. He stepped back and collected himself.

Ricardo shook hands with Blue. "Gracias, Blue. Once again, thank you for standing with Manolito and Mercedes. May Penelope and you be blessed."

"Thank you, Sir." Blue pumped the Don's hand. "I just hope we can make the best of everything up here."

"With hard work, sweat and dedication, I believe you will." Ricardo hugged Penny. "Gracias. Be well."

"Thank you, Don Ricardo. We'll do our best," Penny vowed.

Ricardo nodded. He stopped in front of Manolito. "Ah! Manolito! It is time. This rancho is Mercedes' and yours now. You are Padron."

"Si. I am." Manolito shrugged. He offered his father-in-law a warm grin. "I will take on one priority at a time." He glanced at Blue. "Just like peeling potatoes. ¿Si?"

"Right." Blue smirked. He hugged Penny's shoulders.

"Bueno. I expect word of success and grandchildren. That may soothe your father's pride," Ricardo advised.

Manolito sighed. "As if anything can do that? As Penny said, we will do our best." He extended his hand. "Buen viaje."

"Gracias." Ricardo shook Manolito's hand. Then he pulled the younger man into a tight embrace. "Take care of our legacy, Manolo. I know you will make me proud. Your love will inspire." In fact, I have something for you." Satisfaction beamed across his face.

"What could you have for us, Papa?" Mercedes interjected. Surprise and Impatience pulled her into the conversation.

"Before we left Rancho Montoya, I took a ride along the river. I beheld your oak, mi niños." Ricardo walked to the carriage. From the seat, he brought out a small paper bag. "I have carried these from there."

Mercedes stared at the bag. "Papa, what is it? What do you have?"

"Perhaps we might open the bag and find out?" Manolito supposed. Irreverence twitched at his brow and smirk.

Mercedes rolled her eyes at him. She accepted the bag from Ricardo. She opened it. Her eyes went wide. "¡Manolo! ¡Podemos tener nuestro arbol aqui! ¡Mira!" Joy danced in her eyes. She trembled.

"As you both say, Mercita, it is your dream." Ricardo tipped the bag allowing four acorns to fall into Mercedes' hands. "I wish one acorn to go next to Doña Esperanza's roses in the courtyard."

"And so it shall. Gracias, Don Ricardo." Manolito wanted to say more. Still Gratitude and Surprise overwhelmed him.

"You have. Both of you." Ricardo hugged them both. "There is something else. Javier?"

"Si, Don Ricardo." Javier motioned for another ranch hand. Together they hauled a slender crate into view.

"What is this, Papa?" Mercedes looked over the crate.

"It is a holiday gift. It is for Miguel and you both to open together."

"We will. Gracias, Don Ricardo." Manolito glanced at Mercedes. "What is it? Do you know, Mercedita?"

"I do not, Manolo." Mercedes shook her head. "We shall have to wait and see. Gracias, Papa."

"It is my pleasure. I believe you will like this present." Ricardo turned to Mercedes. "You see? Your faith is rewarded, Mercedes. I was angry you rejected the arrangements. God it seemed had much bigger plans for you. Make a paradise from this garden, mi Hijita. Your heart warms this land. Manolo and you have your family."

"Our family, Papa. All of us. Please remind Mama. You are both welcome." She grabbed onto him. "Gracias, Papa, for accepting us."

"De nada. You proved the worth and value. As Manolito said, this is your idea. I helped in small ways. It is for you now. You are Doña. Make me proud." Ricardo kissed his daughter's forehead. "Be well and blessed. I will wait for word of grandchildren."

"We will do our best, Papa." Mercedes smiled. "I miss you."

"And I miss you." Ricardo hugged her even tighter. Then he stepped back and regarded her. "Buena suerte." He smiled as he backed toward his carriage. He climbed onto the seat. He signaled to the vaqueros. "¡Vamanos! ¡Andale!" He turned back toward the assembled family members. ¡ADIOS! ¡MUCHISSIMAS GRACIAS!" He waved to them.

"¡ADIOS! ¡BUEN VIAJE!" The quartet called to him. They waved to him as well.

The carriage's wheels and then those of the wagon started turning. They guided the convoy down the road. Slowly the group disappeared over the hill and down the other side toward the desert.

Mercedes sighed. "And there he goes, Manolo." She glanced back at the hacienda. "It seems so much larger now."

"It is ours now, Doña Mercedes. It is our paradise and responsibility," Manolito affirmed. "As I said at Rancho Montoya, I did not want this. Then I met you. Everything changed." He kissed her forehead. "You opened my world."

"As you did my world, Manolo." Mercedes took his hand. Her eyes glittered into his. "Miguel, will you stay? We shall have roast chicken with rosemary potatoes."

Manolito snorted. "You ensnare him, Mercedita. I shall have to watch you."

"I had a good teacher. Did I not?" Mischief danced in her eyes.

Miguel's mouth watered. "The mission is all right until tomorrow. Father Guillermo rode up from the chapel to help me. For tonight, we shall eat as a family."

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Blue cheered. "YAHOO!" He pumped his fists in the air.

"Blue…" Penny blushed.

"Oh let him have his moment, Penny. He has earned it, I think." Manolito nodded to Blue. Then he stole another kiss off of Mercedes' cheek before leading them all back into the hacienda.

Amor, it seemed, had won the day….