Chapter 6
[A/N: I know Sebastian typically did not mix business with his leisure entertaining. Still, this is more of a familia meeting. Let's see what happens…]
Buck sat on the bottom stair. He tapped his gloved hands on the railing. His eyes wandered about the area. They're at it again! He leaned against the wall to his right. This could take a while. Wonder if we invite that Lupe lady into that? Yeah right! They might tear this place down around our ears!
"Buck, what's going on? John raised an eyebrow.
"Where is Manolito?" Victoria looked around the area. "I thought he was with you?"
"He went in there to talk with your Daddy." Buck motioned toward the parlor. "Would've expected them to be yelling at each other by now." He leaned back against the wall.
"Papa's had enough arguing with Doña Lupe." She shook her head. "He wants a part of the new rancho."
"That would figure." John narrowed his eyes. Experience had taught him to watch his father-in-law. Opportunity would prompt the Old Lion to take advantage even of his own children. That was true of cattle sales, allowing allies to go to jail or even faking his own death.
"That manure's smelling strong even from out here, Brother John," Buck declared.
"Manolito can hold his own with Papa." She edged past the two men and stepped down the remaining stairs. She saw Blue, Penny and the Vegas coming down right behind them. "We should join them."
"You may join us whenever you like, Hija Mia." Sebastian walked out into the hall. "Please! Please join us!" He looked at the group. "Surely you were not all waiting here?"
"Yeah we were, Don Sebastian. Manolito and you were talking. Figured it was important," Buck noted.
"Buck Cannon, I am shocked! You certainly could have joined us! I am certainly not that rude!" Dismay widened his eyes. "There are refreshments!"
"I could sure use something to drink," Penny muttered to herself. She wiped her mouth off.
"Then you shall have it! Come!" Sebastian led them into the parlor.
Manolito sipped on a coffee cup. "Pardon us. I wanted to speak to Papa by ourselves. It was a small matter to be understood." He fixed a cup and brought it over to Mercedes. "I recall you like your coffee in this way?"
Mercedes took a draught. "Si, Manolo. This is perfecto."
Blue poured Penny a glass of water. "There you are! I won't have you bein' parched."
Penny smiled. "That sure looks good." She took a gulp from her glass. "Thanks!" She glanced around the room. "Is everyone else okay? Doña Lupe, you all right?"
"Of course!" Lupe stared at Penny. "Why would I not be?"
"Mama, Penny was concerned about you," Miguel insisted. He sighed. "We did not know what happened to you."
"Gracias, Penny," Ricardo expressed. "I appreciate your courtesy and kindness. Can we please have something to drink? Then we can talk?"
"Of course! I would not deny my guests." Sebastian turned toward the door. "Pepe! We are ready!"
Pepe and two other servants hustled into the parlor. They served each person a pastry and drink of their choice. They helped the ladies to sit down in their chairs. Then, they stood off to the side and waited for the next instruction.
Sebastian paced about the area. He scratched at his beard. He looked over the group. His lips sipped from the coffee cup. "So, I am to understand that we have much to celebrate. Doña Lupe and Manolito have told me some details. Don Ricardo, we can speak later if you wish."
"I am fine. Everyone knows in this parlor, Don Sebastian." Ricardo sipped on his coffee. "We have a double wedding to hold. We wanted to do it in two days."
Sebastian sighed. "Two days? Is this for Manolito and your daughter? This is short notice. Perhaps you can regale me with a reason?"
"Certainly. I want to build the new hacienda. Manolito and Mercedes can move onto the rancho as soon as possible. There are assets of a time-sensitive nature on that land," Ricardo replied.
"Papa, it is a matter of practicality. With due respect to Doña Lupe, it is the same as John's and Victoria's marriage. The political alliance between our families will be secure. We can return to Arizona. The hacienda will be built," Manolito explained.
Sebastian nodded. "It is practical. You show good sense. Still, do you have any stock? You cannot simply wish them out of the air."
"We have wild horses. And how many cattle did Señor Patterson leave on the land?" Mercedes turned to Manolito.
"Roughly twenty head of cattle," Ricardo interjected. "It is a very small herd. The land and hacienda will be paid for."
"So it is cattle and men you are looking for then," Sebastian deduced. "Manolito, perhaps we should speak about these things? I cannot just *give* you prize cattle."
"Perhaps, Papa, as a wedding present?" Victoria folded her arms across her chest.
"Oh? I did not do that for you, Mia Hija. Why would I do that now?" Sebastian argued.
"And yet we seem to be doing so." Lupe sighed.
Ricardo cleared his throat. "Mercedes' dowry paid for the ranch and the hacienda."
John looked to Sebastian. "Victoria and I talked it over. Manolito and Mercedes, we're going to give you some cattle. We can talk about water and grazing."
"We shall, John," Manolito agreed. He knew that their cattle and horses would need his range in the winter. "Gracias, Amigo. Si."
"What is this about water and grazing? Manolito, surely we should keep things separate?" Sebastian reminded him.
"Papa, it is fine. John needs grazing for his stock in the summer. I will need grazing for my stock in the winter. All of the stock is branded. It should not be a problem." Manolito sipped on his coffee once more.
Ricardo nodded. Approval prompted a small smile. "As you say, the stock shall be branded, Manolito."
"I don't anticipate a problem, Don Ricardo. Do you?" John asked; an edge cut into the question.
"No. Mere details," Ricardo assured him.
John nodded. He shot Victoria a quick glance. He understood Business honing the visiting Don's thinking on the matter. Still, he wasn't about to cheat Manolito or anyone else he entered into an agreement with. Patterson and MacLeish had been bad enough neighbors to deal with.
"Hey, Pa? You think there might be a chance Penny and me can go work up there? Might be good experience," Blue volunteered.
"I can help at both ranches," Penny added. "Victoria, Mercedes, I really like being around you both. It'd be really nice to help out."
"Now just a second, Blue Boy. Your Daddy needs you at the Chaparral," Buck disagreed. He glanced at Manolito. Since everything had been set straight, he hoped for an opportunity to work for his brother-in-law and best friend.
John stared at his son and then Manolito. Surprise stiffened him. His eyebrow arched. "That's up to Blue and Penny, Buck. Victoria and I want them around High Chaparral of course. I would like them to do what's best for them. Manolito? Mercedes? Is that what you want?"
Manolito studied his nephew's face. He noted Seriousness and Excitement both playing equal parts across the younger man's expression. "I do believe there is an opportunity. Blue, perhaps it is time for you to learn something new?"
"Something new?" Blue scratched his head. "Like what?"
"Oh…I do not know. You have worked on the High Chaparral for several years. We have both made mistakes. We have both grown. I would like for you to learn about being a foreman." Manolito rubbed his chin.
"Blue Boy? A foreman?" Buck laughed. "I'm real sorry but I sure don't see it."
"And why not, Buck?" Victoria ground her teeth. Her eyes narrowed and sparked. "Blue is not just a boy! He is a man! He has experience! High Chaparral is a family. This new rancho will be a family. Have faith in him!"
John considered Blue. "How does that sound to you, Boy? Is that something you want to take on? It's not easy work. You don't do it to be liked or popular. It's a lot of responsibility."
"Mano, maybe I can learn from someone? I don't want to make mistakes that'll hurt Rivertree. You know?" Blue requested. "Don Sebastian, Pa, you both remember that first cattle drive from here?"
"Blue, please do not bring that up, Compadre." Manolito rubbed his forehead.
"He brings up an excellent point, my Son," Sebastian reminded. He couldn't resist turning the knife at that point. "You were careless. It nearly cost you."
"Yes but they learned from it. As I remember, you arranged for the Comancheros to take the herd from them. That was an expensive lesson for you as well," John added.
"That is when we learned there has to be more than games, Papa," Manolito declared. He regarded Blue again. "We learn from our mistakes. We do not repeat them. Blue does not wish to be careless." He grinned. "That is why I believe in you, Amigo. You care. I know of experienced ranch hands to work with us."
"That means a lot, Mano. Thanks." Blue held out his hand. "Really appreciate it. I'll try not to let you down."
"Compadre, it will be all right." Manolito shook his hand. He winked at Victoria.
Victoria smiled. Satisfaction and Gratitude shone equally in her eyes. "It does seem like good fortune for all. Does it not, John?"
"Hmm?" John stirred from his thoughts. He pondered Blue's journey from heartbroken kid to a real ranch hand, man and soon to be husband. Adversity had toughened Blue. Akin to Turtle's shell, the younger Cannon stood stronger now. His mind didn't wander any more. He focused better on tasks. He now understood orders and the reasons behind them. "Sam and Joe Butler will go over some things with you, Blue. Meantime, Buck, I'll need you to take on more with them leaving."
"Just me? John, I'll have to scare up some hands in Tucson. There's always someone looking for a job. We'll take care of it. Don't you be worrying about that." Buck looked to Manolito and Blue. "You boys just do what you have to. We'll keep on going."
"Buck, we will be working together from time to time. You will see." Manolito wanted to let his friend down easy. Disappointment practically oozed from Buck's eyes.
"Yeah I see." Buck stewed.
"Buck, do not blame Manolito. I believe you will be a big help to John. ¿Si? It is not such a long way." Ricardo cut in.
Lupe rubbed her forehead. "We do not want you being a bad influence on him! That is what you wish to say, my Husband. Es la verdad."
"Now you just wait a minute!" Buck jumped out of his seat.
John shook his head at his brother. Then he turned to Lupe. "Doña Lupe, you may have reservations about Buck. Still, he's ridden a great many miles in that saddle. I trust him to ride lead on cattle drives and around the ranch. Men will let off steam. It happens."
"Besides, Buck, we respect you. It will be difficult for Manolito and Blue without distractions. We will see them."
"Yeah I know, Victoria. I just am going to miss riding with them. I can't believe my Blue Boy's growing up and leaving. Just a lot to take in. And Manolito too?" Buck shook the notion off. "Yeah we've got changes all right." He shrugged. "And we'll deal with them just fine. Just like we always do."
"Uncle Buck, this ain't good bye. Don't you be saying that! I'll be 'round to bug you. Someone's got to bat that hat off of your head once in a while. Right?" Blue affirmed. He rubbed his uncle's arm.
"You'd best be around, Blue Boy. I expect that." Buck looked him in the eye. "Just keep your eyes open like I taught you. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
"That works. Manolito, that goes for you too." Buck added.
"I know, Amigo. Gracias." Manolito squeezed Mercedes' hand. "We will be careful."
"All of us. I cannot wait to work with Penny in our new kitchen," Mercedes agreed.
"Mercedes." Lupe cleared her throat.
"Mama…" Mercedes took a deep breath. "I know you do not want me to cook. I want to be involved. I want mi Manolo to have the best meal. I put my love into it. I know he will work hard for us. Why can I not work hard for him? We need money for vaqueros and animals. Penny and I will be fine with one helper in the kitchen."
"It will be her kitchen, Doña Lupe. The High Chaparral's kitchen is mine. I cook alongside the other women. Why can Mercedes and Penny not do the same? Mercedes is still the Doña of that rancho. She does her part!" Victoria protested.
"Victoria, I do not wish for Mercedes to be a chambermaid or servant." Ricardo looked to his daughter. "If you wish to cook because you enjoy it, then do so. I would get you some assistance for the other tasks."
"Papa, I can do my share," Mercedes countered.
"I know that. Please let me help you as well." Ricardo looked to Manolito once again to fix that point in the latter's head.
Manolito gulped from his coffee. He stifled Sarcasm's chief response from his mind to his mouth.
"I see. So when will this ceremony take place? I can have my servants prepare an excellent meal for us," Sebastian offered.
"We were thinking day after tomorrow, Sir," Blue replied. "Appreciate the use of your garden or the stream."
"Stream? What?" Sebastian arched an eyebrow.
"Papa, we talked of getting married by the river. You know where that tree is?" Manolito told him.
"Manolito, I will not have you getting married in a meadow! If we will not do it in a church then you shall do it in the courtyard. Miguel can marry you four here in the parlor as well. Dignity must be served!" Sebastian stated.
"I could not have said better myself," Lupe concurred. "Gracias, Don Sebastian."
Mercedes sulked. "But…."
"It will be all right, Mercedita. We shall have time to ride down there. You will see," Manolito consoled. He looked at her mother and his father. "We shall get married by my mother's roses. That is a special place for us. No?"
"It is. I wish we did not have to wait two more days, Manolito. I would marry you now," Mercedes insisted.
"Mmm…well…not tonight. We could do it tomorrow. Miguel?" Manolito proposed.
"Whenever you are ready, I will be as well. Blue, Penny? I can still marry you in two days," Miguel agreed.
Penny shook her head. "Tomorrow's great! I can't wait!"
"Told you I'd make you an honest woman," Blue insisted.
"And I told you that I trust you, Blue." Penny kissed his cheek. Suggestion sparkled in her eyes.
"It seems we're settled then!" John clapped his hands together. "And a fine day tomorrow will be!"
For all of Discord's attempts to knock plans off track, Fortune kept things going….