Chapter 15 [Sebastian's Office]

Sebastian shooed a vaquero out. The latest cattle counts had rebounded. Satisfaction dissipated like so much fog before Sol's rays. He shook his head. "Those banditos will be back." He sipped on his coffee. He gulped hard. "PEPE!"

"¿Si, Padron?" Pepe rushed in. His right hand held a steaming pitcher. "You wished not to be disturbed."

"My coffee is cold! Warm it." Sebastian's lip curled in most sour fashion. He shoved the cup toward his servant.

Pepe filled the cup. He poured milk. The two required sugar cubes plunked one after the others into their hot bath. A quick stir later, he handed the mug to his master.

"Papa! Por favor. It is a morning to celebrate. No?" Manolito chided. He ground his job. "I have waited with the door closed too." He shrugged. "Gracias, Pepe." He motioned for the servant to leave.

Pepe bowed to them. Then he walked briskly from the area closing the door behind himself.

"Already giving orders in my office. Are we? Ambition truly knows no bounds!" Sebastian complained. "And here I was about to see if my new daughter-in-law and son wanted breakfast."

Manolito sighed. "Papa, did I order you? No. It was a reminder. Pepe stood outside that door with the pitcher. I sat in the chair beside him. He warmed your cup. Ya se terminó." He nodded. "Have you seen outside? The ambiance is to die for!" He exhaled deeply.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "The affair ended last night. I am back at work on my rancho's affairs. That is something you might consider as well, my Son."

"That will come soon enough. Mercedes deserves one day to savor. Does she not?" Manolito rubbed his chin. "Perhaps though, there is one thing."

"One thing? Manolito! I thought you were on holiday?" Sebastian asked. Sarcasm heavily spiced his tone.

"You brought it up." Manolito shrugged with Demonstrative flare. "I came to thank you." He took another deep breath. "Mercedes loves Mama's ring. It was an exquisite touch. I think."

Sebastian took a long draught. He considered Doña Esperanza's portrait gazing back at him. "She had a feeling about you two. I believe she would want Mercedes to have it." His expression softened. "I am surprised you are not still up there with her. Leaving your wife that soon? Very bad form." He tsked noticeably.

Manolito rubbed his forehead. "She works on something. I do not know what. She says I will find out soon. I trust I will like it." He grinned. "Maybe little games. Not the elaborate webs others weave."

Sebastian allowed the barb to slide off his shoulders. "You have something else to discuss?"

Manolito rubbed his chin again. "Did I? Did I? Now what could that be?" He paced about the area. "Ah! Perhaps a wedding present?"

"Wedding present?" Sebastian groaned. "¡Ay! Did you not enjoy yesterday? Do you know what that cost me? You are most ungrateful!" He shook his head. "Perhaps Don Ricardo might give you another present? He seems to have you in his thrall."

"His…what?" Manolito raised an eyebrow. "Papa, is that jealousy?" He studied the other's face. "No. I do not believe it is. You are threatened. Imagine someone who does business in a straight forward manner. He lays the conditions on the table. The rancho is not a gift. It is his investment! Mercedes' dowry paid for the land. We have an arrangement for the hacienda. We will still need to profit there! We will need to work. I know that!"

Sebastian laughed. "You talk so grandly, my Son. Let us see what happens when the first problems come up." He shook his head.

"Now you want me to fail?" Manolito spat. Frustration flared in his face.

"Want you to fail?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "No, Manolito. Of course not! I want you to flourish. Yet I know you too well. You will try to be one of the vaqueros. You want simplicity." He shook his head. "No mas. Eres el Padron de eso rancho."

Manolito got right in Sebastian's face. "I know that, Papa. I have to learn. I will. It is a shame you would not teach me."

"Would not…?" Sebastian coughed. Indignity reddened his face. "How dare you? You did not want my teaching! You turned your back on this rancho! You rode off to drink, lie with lewd women and gamble!" Disgust sniffed from his nose. "I do not believe you can stay away from that."

Manolito bowed his head. "I do not believe you. I wanted to ask for a few head of cattle for our herd. That is all. No. I think you are right. Papa, Mercedes deserves my time. Excuse me." He slipped out of the office and toward the door.

Sebastian smacked the desk with his palm. "Still he will not understand! This is business!' He gulped from his cup. Then he set it down on its saucer. "He thinks the dream from that tree will keep it going?" He shook his head.

Seemed the rift was as wide as ever….