Chapter 12 [Courtyard—Five Minutes to Noon]

Sebastian took in the entire area. Satisfaction warmed his heart. His eyes twinkled. Truly God has worked a miracle! Manolito will get married! He will settle down as a respectable caballero! He looked up to the sky.

"It is a wonderful day. Is it not, Don Sebastian?" Miguel walked over. He studied the scene. Flowers adorned each pillar. Petals lay up the cobblestone road from the gate to their feet. Servants, vaqueros, Sam, Joe, Pedro and Reno stood about twenty feet away from them. "It warms my heart."

"Si." Sebastian smiled. "Everything it seems is working out. And how are you? Are you ready?"

Miguel smiled. "Gracias. I'm ready to do my service. I prepare to bring about my sister's lifelong desire. And perhaps some healing in other regards." He gripped his Bible.

"That is all well and good. I want grandchildren. Your parents will want the same. No?" Sebastian rebutted. "Miguel, I am impressed. You could shut them out. You have not."

"I have a larger calling. Mama has her own issues. Papa does not agree. He understands the greater good." Miguel considered the rose arbor. "Past gets it due. Present we move through. Hope drives toward Future's rewards."

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "When did you become so wise?"

"Perhaps because of your library? You played your part. Gracias." Miguel waved as Buck and Victoria approached them. "¡Hola, Amigos! It is a fine day. Are you ready?"

"Yeah. We sure are," Buck exhaled sharply. "Sure can't believe it's happening. Never thought I'd see Manolito getting married. And my Blue Boy too? Man! Time does fly!"

"Fate and God work in strange ways, Buck," she reminded him. She embraced Sebastian. "Are you all right, Papa?"

"Of course! This is a day to celebrate, Hija Mia. And is all ready? I am sure you were involved in it all," Sebastian presumed. A smirk spread across his face.

"Si." Satisfaction spread across her face with a smirk. "I believe you will be most pleased, Papa. Doña Lupe was most moved."

"Truly this is a day of miracles. May Mama's heart warm," Miguel wished.

"One day, Miguel, she will understand," she assured him. "For the ceremony, you are Padre Miguel. Afterwards, you will be their son and my brother-in-law once again. Besides, we look forward to your masses in Tucson."

"That will be my next task." Miguel sucked in a deep breath. "I believe it is noon." He glanced around.

"Your parents, sister and Señorita Fox wait just inside the main door," Sebastian reported.

"John's with Blue and Manolito in the stables." Buck shook his head. "Gotta hand it you, Victoria. You sure pulled off your surprise." He waved to John. "Hey, Brother John!"

"Surprise? You mean the clothes?" Sebastian supposed. "John Cannon, what is going on now?"

John smiled. His eyes twinkled. "Never thought I'd see something like this. Don Sebastian, thank you for helping Blue out with the suit. I really appreciate it." He held his hand out.

"But of course! When Victoria and Manolito told me, I would not leave Blue out of our preparations." Sebastian shook John's hand. "What else has my daughter been up to?"

"Which one? Been lots of things." Buck rolled his eyes.

"Oh you know Victoria." John studied his wife. "I believe you'll be pleased." He rubbed her shoulder. "Thanks, Buck, for standing up for them."

"What? You joshing?" Buck coughed. "Course! Manolito's my best friend! And it's Blue Boy! Who's with Mercedes and Penny?"

"They asked me to stand with them, Buck," she replied. "I will take my place now." Her eyes twinkled. She kissed Sebastian's cheek. "We're happy at last." She walked away briskly. Joy practically lifted her from the stones underfoot. She made her way toward the door.

John and Sebastian stepped back.

"We are the fathers of the grooms. Did you ever think we'd see a double ceremony like this, John Cannon?" Sebastian pondered.

John shrugged. "We're all practical people. This is practical for all parties. They will be happy. Now if we can keep Manolito and this new rancho straight, that will be a good thing."

"Si. I know." Sebastian rubbed his chin. "We live in unique times."

"That we do. That we do." John presumed. "It's time."

"Si." Wonder would stun the Old Lion. He motioned to the musicians.

Guitar strummed. Invitation wafting from its strings and toward the couples.

What would Pageantry render up as her next surprise, pray tell?