Chapter 20 [Five Minutes Earlier]

Mercedes rushed up the stairs. Emotion blinded her to everything around herself. She cut the corner too sharply and ran into the staircase's bannister. Her hand caught the wall across from the top of the stairs. She ran down the passage toward the bedroom.

Manolito needed her….

Tears burned at her eyes. Her vision blurred. Dismay and Indignation stabbed at her heart. How can Don Sebastian say those things? How can he hurt Manolito and Victoria? How can he say that about Papa? She reached the door in question.

It was ajar. Behind it, Resentment's mutterings cut into her ears.

Trepidation guided her knuckles to a soft rapping against the wood.

"I do not need another lecture! It had better be important!" Manolito snapped.

She quaked. His tone cut her to the core. "¿Manolo? Es Mercedes. ¿Puedo pasar?" She breathed to calm herself. "Can I come in?"

His footsteps approached her. He swung the door open. "Si. Vamanos." His breaths rasped in bursts from his lungs. Bloodshot streaked his eyes. "I am sorry. I did not mean to leave you down there." He shook his head. "If I did not leave, I do not know what I would have done."

She embraced him. "It is fine, Manolito. Papa had to leave as well." Her eyes went wide. "I cannot believe Papa almost challenged your father!"

Manolito shook his head. "My father does such things quite often, Mercedes. You think he would have learned to think things through. Sadly, he does not." He sighed. "I am glad you are all right."

"No I am not." She surveyed the grand bedchamber. "I cannot stay here another night." She shook her head. "Perhaps Miguel and you can help find us a place to sleep in Casa Cueva?"

Manolito shook his head. "Not for all of us. Vaquero will be disappointed. He had hoped for a grand festival."

"But, Manolito! We promised a visit! Those people prepared!" she protested.

"Si." Manolito rubbed her hands in his. "But after what happened with the Comancheros before, I will not risk anything else." He pointed to her trunk. "Perhaps you should pack? As with you, I have had my fill of the Rancho."

A knock came from the door.

"I will get that. You should pack, Chica." He forced a smile onto his face for her benefit. "Who is there?"

"Manolito, it is Don Ricardo."

Manolito nodded. "It is your father, Mercedes." He opened the door. "Hola. Please come in." He motioned for his father-in-law to enter the room. "Are you all right?"

"I am furious!" Ricardo stalked into the room. "I cannot believe your father would say such things! You know I am honest with you."

"Si." Manolito nodded. "I have told my father as much. I said your manner is quite refreshing. Gracias. I am sorry. I started this trouble."

"Manolito, you did no such thing!" she argued. "You made a request. He insulted us!" She turned to Ricardo. "I am glad you were the bigger man, Papa."

"I will not ruin your day, Mercedes." Ricardo embraced her. "I am proud of you both. You stood up to him."

"I left the room after you, Don Ricardo. I could not listen to him," Manolito disagreed.

Ricardo sighed. "Then you do as we did. There is no other choice. Are you finished with your packing?"

"I will be soon. Why, Papa?" she wondered.

Ricardo motioned toward the door. "Your mother will return to Rancho Vega. I am sending five vaqueros with her. John Cannon agrees with me. He has sent two ranch hands to Casa Cueva. It is too bad. I looked forward to the fiesta."

"And so did we." Lament pushed Manolito's mouth into a frown. "Perhaps we can have one at Rancho Rivertree when it is ready? Miguel and we should celebrate."

Ricardo nodded. "I would like that. You should say adios to her. She leaves soon."

She looked to Manolito. "She will be happier at the Rancho, Papa. Vamanos. We shall give her our regards."

She just does not want to be at the High Chaparral again! Do not look a gift horse in the mouth, Amigo! Manolito stifled any response. Instead, he guided father and daughter out the door and shut it behind them.

Plans were so easily derailed after all…..