Chapter 3 [Rancho Montoya—An Hour and a Half Later]

Sebastian reviewed his ledgers. Fortune kept his herds' numbers steady. The market's prices were due to go up in the near future. He rubbed his chin. I can make up for those losses at Hermosillo. I just hope my agent gets a good price. He turned and looked over his wall map. Perhaps John Cannon can get a better price north of the border? He frowned.

Favors Asked meant Favors Owed…

What about Manolito? He weighed Lupe's earlier words. He has not spoken more of the wedding to me. Don Ricardo has spent a great deal of time up there. What are they up to? Suspicion ate at his mind. Friend or not, he wouldn't care to see Ricardo investing overly much around Tucson. If anyone would help Manolito gain landed and social standing, it should be him not Ricardo.

Two things though, Ricardo cared about his children. Ambition pushed him toward Investment.

He went behind his wife's back. Sebastian rolled his eyes. He didn't want an argument between them in his hacienda. Let her get over her issues. It is better for everyone if Mercedes and Manolito get married. She can keep him in check. He can keep her from wandering somewhere far away. Victoria can keep her grounded.

Pepe knocked at the door. "Perdona mi, Padron."

"Si, Pepe." Sebastian turned to face his head lackey.

Pepe bowed to his master. "Rafael has returned. He has brought our other guests. They have an urgent matter for you."

"Is that so?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes. Now I know something is going on. He cleared his throat. "Please prepare refreshments for our guests, Pepe. Have the others take their luggage inside."

"Si, Padron." Pepe bowed again. He turned and hustled away.

"Let us see what has happened. Shall we?" Sebastian straightened his blazer. Then he marched into the passage and toward the front entrance. He considered the grand staircase.

Lupe had spent much of the day in her chamber. Other than a very brief and curt lunch, she'd remained aloof.

¡Ay! May we avoid interesting times! He rolled his eyes. His feet picked up their pace once more.

[Ten Minutes Earlier]

Rafael led the convoy through the iron gates. Hooves and wheels clopped over the stones. He raised his hand to stop the group's progress. He glanced about the courtyard. Not seeing the servants, he turned to the other vaqueros. "Lleve sus maletas a las habitaciones. Felipe, los caballos." He motioned toward the stables.

The others dismounted. A slender fair skinned man with a thin mustache took two bridles in hand. He led the first two horses away. The rest collected the passengers' goods.

"Golly! I'm sorry but…." Penny reached for her dress. "Victoria, do they speak English?"

"Señorita, por favor…" one of the vaqueros requested.

Victoria shook her head. "Carlos, llevaremos estas cajas mismos nosotros."

Carlos bowed his head. "Si, Doña Victoria. ¿Solo esos tres?"

"You can take the rest. Thank you, Carlos," Victoria assured him.

Pepe rushed out. Surprise peaked his face. "You are early?"

Rafael nodded. "Tell el Padron. The others will bring their bags to the guest chambers."

Ricardo cleared his throat. "Pepe, please tell Don Sebastian that we have important matters to discuss.

"Si. At once." Pepe rushed back into the hacienda.

"We have a short wait. I am sorry," Rafael apologized.

"Hey maybe we can get the ladies and Don Ricardo out of the lady, Amigo?" Buck suggested.

"That would be the polite to do, Rafael," Manolito agreed. He dismounted from Makadoo. "It is too hot to be out here without water. Papa will understand. I would not have my fiancée, her father or friends out here like this. I am sure you will agree?"

"Si, Manolito." Rafael concurred. He motioned them toward the hacienda. "Perdona mi."

Manolito nodded. He opened the tailgate. "Don Ricardo, por favor." He helped the older man from the wagon. He did the same for Mercedes.

"Gracias, Manolo," Mercedes accepted. "I could have climbed down myself."

"Mercedes! I could not let you do that! Not after a long hot ride! And well…." Manolito motioned toward her father. "Miguel?"

"I am fine. Thank you, Mano." Miguel climbed down from the buckboard by himself. "Let him help you, Hermana. He looks for Papa's approval." For a few heartbeats, his smirk and Mischief's gleam seemed to match Manolito's own.

"So you have not forgotten everything, Padre?" Manolito chuckled. Snarkiness danced in his eyes and grin. His finger went back and forth in front of his friend albeit half-seriously. "That is not very nice."

Mercedes sighed. She rolled her eyes. Still, she couldn't help but laugh at them.

"You two!" Ricardo shook his head. A smile broke through Discipline's iron. "And you encourage them, Mercedes?"

"Papa, it is just in fun. Manolito cannot help himself." Mercedes took her fiance's arm. "Can you?"

"Yeah, Romeo. She's got you all figured out. Now don't she?" Buck sassed.

Manolito let a sharp breath out. In the midst of Fun's frivolity, Irritation narrowed Manolito's eyes. "You do not help with such things."

"While you're all laughing, perhaps we might actually…oh I don't know…maybe get out of the blasted heat already?" John shook his head. Exasperation flared in his eyes. "Come on, Victoria. Let's go. Blue and Buck, maybe you can get those boxes if you done jawing already?" He marched her toward her father's front door.

Sebastian stepped through it. "Ah, John Cannon! Victoria! You are here! It is good to see you all once again." He embraced his daughter and shook John's hand. "Don Ricardo, I trust you are well?"

"I am. Gracias, Amigo. Forgive me. How is Doña Lupe? Rafael told us she was here." Ricardo maintained Serenity's way across his face. Emotion held nary a wrinkle or a gleam in its grasp where he was concerned.

"She arrived this morning." Sebastian frowned. Discomfort twisted his face into a deep frown. "She is in a most disagreeable mood." A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "I could not bear to sit with her through an entire breakfast or lunch. I am sorry."

"Papa, she has carried on since she and Don Ricardo arrived at the High Chaparral," Victoria assured him.

"But Mama is all right, Don Sebastian?" Miguel asked.

"Si, Miguel. She is fine. She wishes to be alone. She is in her room." Sebastian shrugged. "She will not accept the matter. I have tried to assure her of your practicality, my Friend. You do not do things without a good reason. I know that much." He glanced up toward Sol. "But first, I would see you out of this heat." He signaled to the vaqueros. "Take care of their horses. Ahora. Vamanos." He saw Buck and Blue carrying the dress boxes in hand. "Why do you carry those? They can."

"Not those. I will explain inside. It concerns one of those practicalities you mentioned before," Ricardo explained.

Sebastian considered Ricardo again. "Oh? And what has my Son done now?"

"Papa, I have done nothing! I would not touch Mercedes in such a way!" Insinuation burned at Manolito. "Come along, Mercedes." He took her hand and led her into the hacienda.

"Papa, Manolito has done nothing like that. We shall speak inside," Victoria defended him.

Sebastian shook his head. Consternation's Quicksand sucked him down into Agendas' quagmire. He followed his guests into the hacienda. His head ached.

He couldn't wait to hear about Ricardo's practicalities on this occasion….