Chapter 9 [Mercedes' Room—7:45 AM]

Mercedes stared out the bedroom window and toward the northeast. Lament still filled her over not being able to go to the tree. She sighed heavily. Why would Manolo agree to being married in the courtyard? She shook her head.

Victoria's account of her own wedding raised Disappointment's surge ever higher.

We might as well get married in the parlor. I did not want the big church wedding. She shook her head.

"Gosh! What's wrong?" Penny rubbed her arm. "You okay?"

"I should not be so. We are about to have our dreams." Mercedes shook her head.

"Si. You are." Victoria watched her soon-to-be sister-in-law. Experience reminded of her own struggle on the wedding day. She'd dreamt of a big church wedding and being walked down the aisle. Circumstance had steered them into a hurried ceremony downstairs. "The ceremony and vows are important. The location is not. John and I made our vows. It matters not if it was in a church or not. Padre Guillermo blessed us. God was with us." She crossed herself and glanced toward the ceiling.

"Miguel will take care of everything, Mercedes. It'll be okay," Penny assured her.

Mercedes nodded. "I know." She managed a smile for the others. "I cannot believe this! It is happening. This is a dream."

"You are awake, Mercedes. You and my brother will make each other happy." Victoria raised a water glass to them. "I shall have a sister and daughter in three hours." She grinned at them. "To our happiness."

"Wow. Never thought about it like that." Penny sighed. "It's been so long since my Ma died. I know she's and Pa are with us. You've been so nice, Victoria."

"It is my pleasure, Penny." Victoria expressed. "You work hard and are so pleasant."

Mercedes embraced Penny. "You cared for me. Gracias."

"Golly! I didn't do anything real special. Blue and me…we just did what we do. He's the special guy." Penny rubbed the back of her neck.

Victoria shrugged. "I remember how he was after the first trip to Trails' End, Penny. He could not stop thinking of you. John was very impressed with you."

"Wow. I just wish Blue didn't have to get into that mess with Johnny Keough. I thought I was gonna have a stroke watching that." Penny bowed her head.

Mercedes cleared her throat. "Manolito has told me. You were brave, Chica."

A knock from the door intruded on Reassurance's presence there.

Victoria opened the door. Suspicion noted that Manolito or Blue might try to break Tradition's progress in that regard. She peered through a crack in the door. "Oh, Carmen!" She opened the door. "I am sorry."

"Doña Victoria." Carmen bowed to her Padron's daughter. "It is time. They should have baths. The hair should be done."

"Si. Gracias." Victoria turned to the two brides. "It is time. ¡Serás muy hermosa!"

"Huh?" Penny looked at Mercedes.

"We will be most beautiful," Mercedes translated for her. "Vamanos." She pushed Penny toward the door. Mischief sparkled in her eyes.

Victoria laughed. She watched her companions follow the servants toward their waiting tubs. Then she looked toward Blue's room. Impishness and Anticipation recalled past Christmas surprises. A smile spread across her face.

"And what are you up to?"

She coughed. She looked at John. "I have no idea of what you are talking about, my Husband."

He folded his arms across his chest. He raised an eyebrow at her. "I know you better than that, Victoria. You've planned something."

"Manolo and I have a surprise for Blue. Papa even paid for it." She embraced him.

"Oh?" Worry conjured up all sorts of hidden strings and conditions from such a favor. "Am I going to regret this? I can see your father trying to get terms."

"John! It is nothing like that!" She shook her head. "You know I would never let Papa play his games today. I have had enough of Doña Lupe. What of the saddle?"

"Buck and the boys are putting it on Soapy. I told them to guard it with their lives." He considered her question. "It's got something to do with that?"

"It could. You will just have to wait and see, John. Gracias for seeing to the saddle." She kissed him on the cheek. Then she walked down the hall toward the bath chamber.

He frowned. Now what have they got up their sleeves? Sometimes I'd rather deal with Cochise! He shook his head.

Sometimes Patience could be difficult to say the least…