Chapter 17 [Dining Room—10 Minutes Earlier]

Miguel stepped into the room. Gratitude and Service had prompted early prayer and Hail Marys in the chapel. He expressed thanks for the Holy Spirit's presence at the previous day's ceremony. Not only did the vows exceed expectations, Fellowship struck up connections between the families—even where Lupe was concerned.

Wonders would never cease….

He crossed himself. He noted Sebastian's servants completing the table setting. He greeted each one in turn. Everything seemed pristine on the surface….

…to all but a practiced priest trained at discerning such things at confession…

Pepe kept looking into the passage toward the office and the door respectively. His instructions to the other servants held a sharper edge than usual.

What now? Miguel shook his head. Don Sebastian, por favor. Do not ruin this wonderful environment. For everyone's sake. Especially for your wife's sake, I hope you did not do or say anything. He sighed.

"Is something troubling you, Miguel?" Ricardo asked.

Miguel forced his best smile for his father's sake. "Buenos dias, Papa. No. I am well. Everyone seemed happy last night. I am glad Mama is enjoying herself. Manolito and Mercie are happy together at last." He sighed. "Gracias for your part in that, Papa."

"De nada, Miguel." Ricardo put his hand on the younger man's shoulders. "I do not believe that was your first wedding service." He shook his head. "Now I believe this is your calling. I still wish you had not left the rancho. You have helped to set another lineage with your sister and Manolito."

"I will be close by if they need guidance, Papa. Perhaps as brother, brother-in-law or priest. Whatever is required of me," Miguel vowed. "Where is Mama?"

Ricardo shrugged. "She is talking with Victoria and John. They will be here. Gracias for the good wishes toward your mother."

"We are to forgive and move forward. I counsel others to do so. I can do no less. All I can do is understand her. The rest is in God's hands," Miguel explained. "That may be my first mass subject for next weekend."

Ricardo studied his son once again. Discernment led him to see the layers in Miguel. "Next weekend? The church will not be finished for a while yet."

"The town donated the Fox Saloon for our masses. I will write to the Archbishop about a mission there. Tucson has many needy people, Papa. You know how Great Grandmother would have felt about that," Miguel assured.

"I have heard. She would provide food, shelter and work for those souls in her tavern." Ricardo sighed. "You were listening."

"I always listen, Papa. I meditated on those stories. In part, they push me to my service. Service calls us as freedom fighters, supporters, priests or wherever He decides to place us." He looked up and crossed himself. "Amen."

"Amen." Ricardo did the same. "I never thought. I considered it rebellion. I see I was wrong before."

"We both care about Rancho Vega, Papa. I have this life. I still care about family. I care about the people we protect and serve." Miguel smiled. "I know you care." He put his arms out. "I hope you can forgive my angry words."

Ricardo embraced his son. "I have. I would hope you will visit. Perhaps if there is opportunity?"

Miguel stepped back. Amazement stunned him. He cleared his throat. "I can visit?"

Ricardo nodded. "Si. You would honor us. Padre Antonio asks about you. Perhaps he would let you speak at our church?"

"I pray it will happen. I would like to see everyone again. Perhaps the Archbishop in Santa Fe can convince the Archbishop in Monterrey to allow it? It took special dispensation for the wedding," Miguel noted.

"¿Lo hizo?" Incredulity widened Ricardo's eyes. "Miguel, I…" Then he ground his teeth. "This is my fault…mine and your mother's." He rubbed his forehead. "She thought if you could not have your own church, you would return. I will speak to the Archbishop on your behalf. Perhaps on our return from your first mass? If there is room?"

Miguel nodded. "Papa, as a priest, I welcome any and all. As a humble son, I would like that very much. Gracias. Everyone should hear how Service motivates all. You are invited." He hugged his father again.

"Well now! That is a sight for sore eyes!" John declared. He walked in with Victoria and Lupe. Enthusiasm added further spring to his step.

Joy pushed Victoria to Ricardo and Miguel as fast as her skirt would let her. She seized onto them. "I am so happy for you! This is good news!" Her grin threatened to push her cheeks off of her face altogether.

"Papa wanted to attend next weekend's service. He inspired the subject." Miguel beamed at Ricardo.

"I am glad. I look forward to it." Ricardo turned to Victoria. "I will need to intrude again."

Victoria frowned. "You do not intrude. It will be fine."

"As it is, Don Ricardo, you're going to be busy around Tucson next week," John added. "We've got the church and the new hacienda to build. You know there's a room for you at High Chaparral."

Lupe hung back. She fumed at that sentiment. Now Ricardo supports him? How can that be? She narrowed her eyes but withheld any comment. Argument seemed counter-productive.

"There are many things. Gracias, John y Victoria." Ricardo shook hands with John.

"Hey! What'd I miss now? Tell me there's more good news!" Buck interjected from the door. He brushed by Lupe without a second look or word. "So what's goin' on? No arguing yet. Just tell me we ain't arguing. I'm enjoying myself way too much!"

"We'll second that, Uncle Buck. Last night was nice. I'd like a nice breakfast with everyone. Good news is great," Blue added.

"Are Manolito and Mercedes here?" Penny looked around.

"Tomas? Can you bring them?" Victoria requested.

"Si. I shall, Doña Victoria." Tomas bowed. He rushed out of the room.

"We shall tell everyone together," Ricardo insisted.

Manolito led Mercedes into the room. He raised an eyebrow. "He said breakfast was ready. So where is Papa?"

"Oh, Mano! Mercedes! There is wonderful news!" Victoria declared.

"¿Es verdad? What is that?" Mercedes asked. "We could use some right now." She noticed her father and brother in good spirits. "Papa, Miguel, what is going on?"

"I have opened our doors to Miguel once more, Mercedes." Ricardo informed her. "Your mother and I will be around for another week. I hope you do not mind."

"HEY! That's wonderful!" Manolito pounced on Miguel with a bear hug. "That situation…it was loco. I am glad you were able to fix it. Now we are truly a family! ¿Si?"

"Yes, Hermano. We are a family," Miguel agreed. He returned the embrace. "I wanted you to know, Mano. Mercie, you as well."

Elation lifted Mercedes' heart. Tears streaked her cheeks. "Oh, Miguel!" She grabbed onto him as well. "I am happy for you!" She did the same for Ricardo. "¡Gracias, Papa!"

"De nada. Manolito is right. Now we are a family." Ricardo hugged Mercedes back. "It is time to heal for us." He put his hand out. "We can look ahead."

"Si. We will move ahead." Manolito shook the extended hand. "And it seems we'll have plenty of help." He motioned toward the assembled family and friends.

"I agree." Ricardo noticed the servants bringing breakfast into the room. "It seems we are about to eat. Shall we?"

"That sure smells good!" Buck declared.

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "Where is Papa? Pepe?"

Pepe stiffened. Anxiety shifted his eyes toward the passage. "Don Sebastian will be here soon, Señora. He wants you to begin."

Manolito exhaled sharply. He exchanged looks with Mercedes and Ricardo. He ground his teeth and shook his head. He rubbed his temples. Frustration pounded at that point.

"Manolo, it is not your fault," Mercedes assured him. "Do not blame yourself."

"What happened?" John pressed. "Manolito, this isn't like Don Sebastian."

Manolito bowed his head. "It should not be said here, John." He squeezed Mercedes' hand. "I will not say. I have heard enough already for one morning."

"Mano, what did Don Sebastian say?" Miguel placed his hand on Manolito's shoulder.

Victoria frowned. She hadn't seen Depression take sway over Manolito in several years. She noted his slumped shoulders. While he'd let no tear fall, she knew they welled up behind his eyes. "Manolo. What happened? What was said?"

"Victoria, I will not repeat it. It is just Papa being himself." Manolito deflected.

"Victoria, Manolito told me. I…" Mercedes started. She hugged Manolito. "You said we are all family. They should know. I will tell Papa if you do not."

"¿Que pasa?" Ricardo looked to the newlyweds. "Manolito, what did your father say?"

"Manolito, look, this ain't like you. Whatever it is, don't worry about Penny or me. We're here for you. You said we're family. Family sticks together!" Blue admonished.

"Like your poem said, we're in this together." Penny reminded Mercedes.

Mercedes nodded. "Gracias." She sucked in a deep breath. "Manolito should tell you."

"Manolito, it is all right. I would not be surprised by anything," Victoria insisted.

"I believe you will be this time, my Sister." Manolito shrugged. "All right. You all had best sit down."

"¡Si! Why are we not eating?" Sebastian walked into the room. He stopped in front of his chair at the table's head. ¡Por favor! I would not want your breakfast getting cold. If you will pardon me, I had something disagree with me."

Tension electrified the room. Everyone turned to Sebastian.

"What? We are here to eat! Are we not?" Sebastian protested.

Matters were about to come to a head….