Chapter 2 [Hacienda, Rancho Montoya]
Far to the south, Luna wrestled with Day for the skies as well. Alas. The colors and light brightened all to more overhead.
Manolito studied the colors and hues from his father's terrace. His eyes brought out each star's twinkle. His ears harkened to each lark's and nightingale's respective calls. His hair billowed in the breeze. On such nights, he'd surrender to the trail. His need for a night's companionship without ties, a card game, the bottle or even Mischief's distraction in one form or another. Perhaps even a ride with Makadoo through Sonora's backdrop might be enough.
Anything to numb the reminders. Anything to spite his father. Anything to avoid the Rancho Montoya's responsibilities. Those reasons might've worked in the past.
Still Memoria brought a girl from the past to the here and now. He closed his eyes to see her again in his daydream. Once more, he could see her gentle eyes and fair skin sparkling in the now-fading moonlight. Her light chocolate brown hair flowing like silk down her back. Her fingers dancing across Piano's ivory keys calling him to Amor's duty.
Her fingers' dance stood out from the little girl's grips in the tree down by the riverbank. That music overruled previous hesitation. His heart beat faster. Her pleasant music tugged him away from previous romantic shortcomings.
Amor had limed the two former children now grown to adults. After their walk and lingering on that very spot, she'd linked the couple. A question asked. For once, a positive response. He was now her Manolo. She was now his Mercedes.
Surprise and Joy had nearly bowled him over in the process. Acceptance compelled her toward Engagement's bliss.
Mama, you did like Mercedes. He glanced toward the now daylit sky. "I hope you approve. She is of a good familia." He sniffed at his mother's rose arbor. Despite the years since her death, that spot had flourished and grown on its trellis. Red and white blooms poked through their emerald backdrop. "Let there be no tragedy this time."He sniffed deeply of Red's passion. His heart skipped another beat.
"Tragedy? What talk at this hour!" an unwelcome voice butted in.
Manolito rolled his eyes. He turned to find Don Sebastian watching him in turn. "It must be the hospitality." His mouth twisted into a wide grin.
Sebastian considered his son. From the latter's youngest days, Manolito had rarely lingered at the rose arbor. He knew well how his wife's death had scarred his son. "It is a joke? ¡Ay caramba! I have come to bring you to breakfast. Pepe could not find you."
Manolito shrugged. "I was thinking, Papa. It has been some week. No? Sanchez and his men steal on both sides of the border. John and Victoria still need our help. Mercedes and Señora Lopez were nearly abducted. I'd say the quid pro quo has been ignored. And you've done nada!" He narrowed his eyes.
"¡Si! ¡Si!" Sebastian sighed. He would've preferred to enjoy the visit without any drama or further arguments. "Sanchez will take a few cows. Then he'll be gone again. John Cannon should learn to deal with such things!"
Manolito slapped a beam with his palm. Frustration stewed at him. "No, Papa! You should deal with reality! I know Sanchez. He swore vengeance after I stopped the abduction. He thinks if you allow him to steal cows, you will allow him to take a woman as well! ¡Papa, por favor!"
Sebastian shook his head. "I can't believe Sanchez would say something so foolish. Manolito, do not let such fictions blind you to real concerns. You're hungry. That plays tricks on your mind. We need to eat. Our guests wait for us. You don't want to disappoint them. Do you? Unless there's something else?"
"No, Papa." Manolito shook his head. He stalked into the house. "I would not keep them. Perhaps at some other time then?"
Sebastian frowned. Instinct nagged at him. He knew well when Manolito withheld something from him. "¡Ay! ¿Que pasa ahora, Manolito?" With that, he followed his son toward the dining room.
Hopefully any tension would fade amidst the food and conversation….