Chapter 16 [Courtyard]
[A/N: Nuestro Sueño is my original work.]
Mercedes leaned back in her chair. The coffee perked her up. She inhaled Rose's scent. A dreamy smile spread across her face. Her prized treasure sparkled at her catching perhaps Sol's beams or something else in that garden. ¡Doña Esperanza, muchas gracias! You believed in my love when others did not. I shall keep your dreams for the House of Montoya going. She scribbled a few more lines on another piece of paper. I cannot wait to see what Blue and Penny think of their surprise! Perhaps Manolo will like this one?
Mischief sparked in her eyes. Satisfaction twisted her mouth into a most exquisite smile.
She set her pen down. Her eyes reviewed her work. "It will do." She folded the paper up and slipped it into her skirt's pocket. She savored another draught. "I could stay here. We can come often. Our children should know this."
Then Memoria prompted the words from the first afternoon reunited. "We will bring our children to play by the riverbank. Of course, we will watch them closely."
She grinned. Our children. Our dreams. She knew Work would drive all of those things. Still, Anticipation prompted Recollection's imagery. If only Papa will allow us time. A rancho cannot come together all at once. He knows that. She scratched her chin. And why is Don Sebastian so resistant? Papa wants him to have a role in our rancho. It is for all.
A door slammed.
Now what? Mercedes stood. She watched Manolito shaking his head. He gulped from a cup. His boots clopped heavily against the cobblestones. ¡Dios Mio! ¡Por favor no! Happiness shattered like a dropped plate. "¿Manolo?"
He stopped several steps short of her. A deep breath and another coffee draught composed his mood. "It is nothing. I am sorry I disturbed you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Your concerns do not disturb me. Keeping secrets concerns me. What troubles you? Is it your father?"
He set the coffee cup and saucer down. He rubbed his forehead. "Si. The Old Lion…he does not think I am serious!" He sighed from his heart.
"Not serious?" She stiffened. Bewilderment widened her eyes. "Not serious? Manolito, I do not understand. You change for our family and for me. Papa and you have your understanding. John shows you the records. It will take time. Papa knows that." She rubbed his shoulders. "You know Don Sebastian. He is not pleased easily."
He nodded. He gulped from his coffee. "There is more."
"More?" She blinked at him.
He sighed yet again. "Apparently my father believes your father ensnares me. He thinks our dreams blind us to reality. He does not think we can succeed. I told him he could learn from Don Ricardo. Mercedes, I find your father's honesty and straight forward manner most refreshing. I tire of games." He shook his head. "He is my father. I wish I could understand."
"Don Sebastian wants us back here, Manolito." Defeat wore on her shoulders. "This is a splendid place. I do wish your father and you could stand each other. I know you cannot. I would not ask you to live where you are not happy, mi Amor." She touched the rose arbor. "This is portable. Your mother will understand."
He nodded. His eyes sparkled at the very special woman in front of himself. "How did you get so wise?"
"Must be from watching. I admit it was more fun than the sewing." She rolled her eyes. "That and watching a certain little boy sitting in the corner."
He chuckled. "I did not like those times. I could not see you. Now I know why I could endure that." He raised her hand and kissed it. "Whatever awaits us, your love will sustain me." He considered the roses. "My mother was a saint." He shook his head.
"She was." She rubbed his arm. "I loved my visits with her."
"Si." He nodded. "Mercedes, I believe in you. I believe in what we will build. We will do that with our sweat and tears. I do not care what Papa says. He can make fun of our tree. He can joke about our dreams. I do not care!"
She rubbed her forehead. "He approves of our marriage. How can he say that? No wonder he acted as he did yesterday. I cannot believe how he acted toward Mama and Papa. And to disregard Blue as he did?"
"The whole picture between Cannons and Montoyas…it is not so easy," he clarified.
"Not easy?" Anger curled her lip. It raised eyebrows. "It is not hard! Victoria is our sister. She married John. Since Blue is his son that makes him her son. Did you not see how Victoria cried when he accepted her yesterday? He is our nephew. Penny is our niece. Buck and John are our brothers-in-law…brothers. Papa considers you like a son. You saw Miguel yesterday. He loves you like a brother. I look to Don Sebastian like a second father." She sobbed. "¿Por qué todos hacen esto tan dificil? !Somos una familia! ¡Por matrimonio o sangre, no hay importa!" She squeezed back her tears.
He held her closely to himself. "It is the way it has always been. I want it to be like that, Mercedes."
"Then why can it not be? Penny wants to call us Tia y Tio. She wants to call Victoria 'Ma'. I can respect culture, Manolito. We have each other." She coughed. "Mama and your father are the only ones who do not. Papa tolerates a great deal. Even if he does not agree, he will help. When the church is in Tucson, you will see that."
"I already see it." He nodded. His heart tired of the 'Cannon vs. Montoya' divide at the High Chaparral and Rancho Montoya. "It is time to talk. We can all try. It is time for that." He smiled. "For you, I will try."
She smiled. "Gracias, Manolo." She kissed his cheek. "And I have something for you."
"Oh? And what is that?" His eyebrow raised.
"Your mother's roses offer much inspiration." She took out the folded paper. "I write poems. This is for you."
"For me?" He accepted the paper. "Whatever have you done, Mercedita? Let us see." He unfolded it. He smiled. "Can I read this?"
"Of course! Por favor," she agreed.
He smiled and started in. As he progressed, his voice wavered. Emotion caught him from time to time. Still Heart coaxed him on…
"Nuestro Sueño
Su Mercedita
Long we know
Special bond
From heart flow
To another fond
Nuestro amor es bueno
Creemos en nuestro sueño
You'd slip away
Bid me follow
On horse we stray
Toward special hollow
Play we by the river
Laugh and run
Affection us did quiver
Amidst fairies and sun
Nuestro amor es bueno
Creemos en nuestro sueño
Our special tree
Serves us well
It us freed
To hear Love's Bell.
Belief we had
Deep we felt
Chica and Lad
Our bond felt
Nuestro amor es bueno
Creemos en nuestro sueñ
Years passed
A void chilled
Neglect me harass'd
Love was still'd
Parents pushed
Ambitions keen
Into marriages us rushed
When Opportunity seen
Reject traps
Go our own way
For good or mishaps
From Love never stray
Nuestro amor es bueno
Creemos en nuestro sueño
Fortune together
Did us bring
Happier and better
Our hearts did sing
Strife it seems
Familiar to us
Trying to crush dreams
With foolish fuss!
Overcome it we have
Unite all we shall
Opportunity we'll give
In new hall
Nuestro amor es bueno
Creemos en nuestro sueño
We are one
You and I
Together we are
Shining like Sun
High in its sky
Each the other's guiding star
Nuestro amor es bueno
Creemos en nuestro sueño
Te amo, mi Manolo. Ahora y para siempre
Su Mercedita"
He considered her words for a dozen heartbeats. Emotion and Surprise overwhelmed him. Amor soothed his heart. He wiped a tear from his eye. "I did not know you were an artist, Mercedita." His eyes sparkled into hers. "La poesia es incredible."
She put her hands to her mouth. Relief lightened her mind. "I…I did not know what you would think."
His brow furrowed. "Mercedita, how can you say that? How can you even think that?" Consideration bade him to look at the paper again. "I am the most fortunate hombre in Sonora and Arizona." He raised her hand. "I am married to a beautiful lady. I have her heart. That is most precious." His lips brushed across her knuckles. "Your timing is fantastico." He chuckled.
"I love you. Perhaps your father should read it?" she suggested.
"He would appreciate the meter and art. He will not care about its meaning." He clapped his hand on the table. "No! I will not let him ruin this moment! Mama smiles in Heaven. We shall be satisfied with her pleasure." He grinned. "I will save this treasure."
She blushed. "You are the first person to like my poems."
"Miguel does not like this? What?" Incredulity widened his eyes and dropped his jaw. "Have you shown him? I cannot believe that."
"I…" She bowed her head again. "I started after he left home."
"He should see this, Mercedita. I am overwhelmed. I could not want for better presents than this poem and your love." He kissed her forehead. "I will not forget this. In my worst moment, you rescued me from my despair."
"That is what we do, Manolo. I am glad." She grinned.
One of the servants hustled over. "Breakfast is ready. Please join us."
"Si. Gracias." Manolito squeezed her hand. "I have my appetite back. Shall we?"
She nodded. "I shall have some fruit and your company, mi Manolo."
They strolled into the hacienda eager to speak with everyone.
The Pen is mightier than the Lion's Roar even in Sonora…..