Chapter 14 [High Chaparral—Dawn]
Dawn colored the eastern skies from the Rincons on that morning. A few coyotes bayed at Luna before her rest. A few birds flew high overhead.
Despite the relative quiet, the peace was about to be shattered….
Pedro wiped his brow off. He kept his eyes peeled across the entire area. For most of the previous evening, he'd remained alert for the Comancheros' possible ambush or an Apache raid. Even though nothing had come, he knew better than to let his guard down. He kept his rifle at the ready.
Just as Sol peeked over the Rincons, he saw four riders galloping into view on the southern road. He fired four shots in the air. "RIDERS APPROACHING, AMIGOS!
Within three heartbeats, the Chaparral stirred to life. Sam and Joe rushed out of the bunkhouse. John hustled from the house with his own rifle ready. Victoria stood at her husband's side.
"Perhaps it's Manolito with some help from Don Sebastian?" Sam hoped.
"That'd be a good thing, Sam. We can only hope Mano did bring it," John replied evenly.
"My father finally saw some sense. Even though he can be difficult, even he has to see the danger to all of us," Victoria chimed in.
Even if he had his own opinions on the matter, John stifled those assessments. "Let's just see what they have to say for themselves. Sam, Joe, just be ready but let's hear what they have to say."
"Yes Sir," Sam concurred.
Just then, she recognized the quartet of riders. "Look, John! They're my father's vaqueros!" She stepped forward.
"So they are." John lowered his rifle. He watched as the foursome stopped in front of them. "¡Buenos Dias! Where's Manolito?"
"Señor Cannon y Senora Cannon, bienvenidos from Don Sebastian Montoya," Ricardo greeted. "No Manolito is not with us." He bowed his head.
"¿Que es? ¿Donde está él?" Victoria demanded. Panic usurped Concern's place in her thoughts. Her eyes flared into her father's men. "He is supposed to be here with you!"
"Victoria…" John placed his hand on her shoulder. "Let's allow them to explain."
"We apologize, Señora," Jose declared. "Your father sent us with all due speed. Manolito is back at your father's rancho. He was hurt."
"The Comancheros attacked him and Señorita Vega de la Granada. They abducted her and left him on the trail unconscious. We brought him back to the rancho. Your father watches him," Benito continued.
"Manolito's hurt? How could Papa have let them go riding without an escort? And now she's in their hands as well? ¡Ay!" She threw her hands up in the air.
"Now your father understands that the threat is real. Pity that it took this." John considered the three riders. "You three should eat something. We'll be setting out as soon as you're ready."
"Gracias pero no gracias. Don Sebastian wanted you there as soon as possible," Jose declined.
Victoria sniffed. "You will eat something, Jose. I insist. And we will refill your canteens for the trip back. I have breakfast ready. You will most certainly share it with us."
"In that case, Señora, we are hungry. Gracias," Ricardo accepted.
"Let's eat quickly then," John hedged. He ushered her and their guests into the house. "Sam, have the boys ready to go in twenty minutes! We've got a long ride ahead!" He looked up toward the roof. "Pedro, you too! Get something to eat and be ready to go!"
"¡Si! I'm coming!" Pedro hustled toward the ladder.
"We'll be ready," Sam vowed. He headed toward the bunkhouse to stir the rest of the gang.
"I'll get the horses saddled now," Joe indicated. He rushed toward the corral to do just that.
John stormed into the house. Anger flared in his craw. Impatience burned in his brain over his father-in-law's games and stubborn refusal to see facts. Despite everything, Sebastian allowed Sanchez and his vultures free access to his lands. Now stock and horses had disappeared. Manolito and a young woman were hurt; the latter missing.
A big piece of his mind would be coming Don Sebastian's way. You could be sure Big John would deliver that in spades…..