Chapter 23 [Livery Quarters]

Mercedes slowly sat up in bed. Her shoulder felt better. Rest and Care had bolstered her strength. She moved her arms with only a slight bit of tightness. Still Worry's winds howled through her psyche with hurricane force. She knew Don Sebastian would have to tell her parents about the abduction. Fear reminded her of the Comancheros' continued threat. And then, Manolito was still out there. Her heart lurched as she could still see him falling from Makadoo's back toward the unforgiving ground below.

Manolo….

She frowned. "Why hasn't there been word? I…" She shook her head. "He isn't dead. He can't be!"

"Who can't be dead, Ma 'am?"

She stopped short. Her eyes slowly peered toward Buck standing in the doorway. "Señor Cannon, pardon me. I startled you. Estoy siendo tonta."

"Sorry. My Spanish ain't that good. What's that?" he scratched his head.

She shrugged. "I'm being a fool. I know Manolito's not dead. I…."

"Nothing foolish about that. I'm worried about him too. Mano's like a brother to me. We have each other's back every day out there. Yeah we have to worry about those banditos out there. As soon as we get back to Chaparral, you can bet I'll want to know a lot more. It's okay. And call me Buck. All right?"

"If you'll call me Mercedes. Gracias, Buck." She glanced out the window. "Sanchez and those men are out there."

"Yeah they are." He tilted his hat back. His handkerchief swiped away the perspiration. "I won't lie to you, Mercedes. We'll have to take it easy because of your arm. Least Penny's mattress'll help soften the trip a bit. Still we'll be a potential target. I'll feel better when we're back at the High Chaparral."

She nodded. "Tengo hambre…I'm hungry. Are those frijoles?"

"Oh yeah! Penny had some cooking for dinner. I'll fetch you a plate if you'd like," he offered.

She shook her head. She willed herself to her feet. Strain creased her face. She pulled on the robe Penny had left for her. "No gracias. I eat at the table."

"Uh okay. Just take it easy." He walked beside her toward the waiting table. He pulled the seat out and waited for her to sit down. "Sure glad to see you like this and with an appetite."

"Si. Can I get a glass of water por favor?" she requested.

"Comin' right up." He took the lid off and gave the beans a quick stir. Then he spooned a bowlful for her and filled a glass of water. "All right! Let's see how this is!"

Aroma stirred Appetite within her. "I'm sure it is very good. I am not very good company. Perdona mi." She sampled a spoonful. Contentment spread a wide smile across her face. "¡Muy bien! Papa would hire her to cook at his rancho if he knew."

"Yeah. That's why I don't think Miss Penny's going to have trouble fitting in. Say the same to you as well. You're more like Manolito than you know. And that's a fact," he complimented.

"You think so?" She chewed on that notion along with another spoon of beans. "I want him to be happy. I want to be happy with him."

"I saw that look he gave you at Don Sebastian's rancho. I'd say he is, Mercedes. Don't you go selling yourself short." He poured himself a cup of coffee. "Sides how many other women could do what you did? You escaped those banditos by yourself. And I saw the hitching posts knocked down. I wonder how that happened?"

She winced. "Lucinda kicked the post over. I…told them to vamanos." She frowned. "There was an explosion."

"Yeah there was. I saw the camp. Your accident wiped out their supplies and weapons. You did good. That's why they haven't been around here. Still I'd feel better about moving on," he told her.

"Miss Mercedes? You're up!" Penny realized as she and Blue came in.

"Si. I was hungry. This is very good. Gracias." Mercedes ate another spoonful.

"See? That's why I think you'll have a place with us," Blue insisted. He squeezed Penny's hand.

"I hope so. Everything's got to turn out all right. Now let's eat up. I've got to get packed and clean the kitchen. Mr. Danielsen just wanted the floor swept and the stove top clean." Penny took three more plates out. One by one, she served them.

Buck nodded. Somehow he knew everything would be all right…..