Chapter 19

Manolito stared at the ceiling. Boredom jousted with Urgency, both driving at him to spring from that bed, get dressed and to scour the countryside. Despite the head wound, he needed to be out there searching….

What is Sanchez doing to her? Papa knows what a catastrophe this is! And he keeps me here? He smacked the bed in disgust. Desperation chilled his heart. Dios, por favor, protegerla. He sighed.

A knock came from the door.

"Manolito?" Victoria hustled into the chamber. "You are awake!"

"Yes, yes, my Sister." He embraced her. "What are you doing here?"

"Papa sent the vaqueros to let us know. John and I came right away." She looked over his bandaged scalp.

He shook his head. "Now he calls Big John back? We told him, Victoria!"

"I know, Manolo. I know." She softened her expression. "Papa told us about Mercedes. I am sorry she is missing."

"Gracias." He shook his head. "I can't believe this! Sanchez will pay!"

"Yes, and we will save her. Still you need time to heal," she assured him.

He rolled his eyes. "Victoria, I've spent enough time in this bed!"

She frowned at him. "And you will spend more if you know what is good for you!" She threw her hands in the air.

"If John needed you, you'd do the same!" he fired back.

"I'd get Buck, Blue or one of the hands to do it! And if I did what you're thinking, John would scold me as I am doing to you right now!" She added a few Spanish curse words for emphasis.

"No soy un nino, Victoria," he rebutted. Her nagging annoyed him.

"¡Dios Mio!" She looked at the ceiling. "Ayudarlo a entender por favor."

"Puedo oirte, Victoria," he reminded her; a sharpness creased his tone.

She wheeled around on him. Frustration blazed in her eyes. "¡Bueno! ¡ Luego descansar!" She sucked in a deep breath. "We can find her. Please."

He grunted and sunk back into the mattress. "Papa has servants at the door."

"He knows you will not listen. So do I," she told him. "John's speaking to him right now."

"Papa is finally ready to listen," he indicated. "Pity he wouldn't before."

"John will make sure he listens this time, Manolito." She frowned. "We care. If we scold, that is why."

"I know, my Sister. I just can't believe this!" He clenched his hands into fists.

She nodded. "I know. Have faith." Her expression softened once again. "We heard about your plans. Papa explained them to us. She is welcome of course."

"Gracias." He smiled. "I feel whole for the first time since we were children. Just being with Mercedes warms my heart and soul. I want more. I want to change for her. ¿Comprendes me?"

She smiled. "John and I change each day for each other. Do you not think we both want this for you? Of course!" She squeezed his hand. "Be happy. Makes Mercedes happy. Just don't try to pull her out of a tree." She added a smirk of her own.

He coughed. "I believe she and I are past that."

"I would hope so." Mirth shone in her eyes at that particular image.

"This may bring other changes as well, Victoria," he revealed.

She nodded. "Of course. We can talk about those later. Rest. After Mercedes is back with us, then we shall talk further." She placed her hand on his shoulder. "I will be back later."

"Si." He exhaled deeply.

She shook her head at him know how Impatience ate at him. She let her eyes show Reassurance's light instead while shutting the door behind herself.

He tapped his fingers on the bed. His eyes bore into the ceiling.

It would be a long night….