Conclusion [Next Day—First Light]

[Rancho Montoya]

Lopez packed her bag. She frowned. Disappointment and Concern dampened her feelings. She'd wanted to hear good news surrounding Mercedes and her return to the rancho. She knew that her parents would want the same answers as John and Victoria had demanded from Don Sebastian. What was Don Sebastian thinking? Didn't his son tell him? It's too bad. Manolito and she are in love. Her father will be hard pressed to allow it now.

"¿Señora?"

She turned to see Manolito leaning up against the doorframe. "¡Señor Montoya! What are you doing out of bed?"

"I had to see you before you left." He handed her a scroll wrapped in a blue ribbon. "For Don Ricardo. I am sorry."

"Sorry? I do not understand." She considered the rolled up parchment paper.

"That is an apology to her parents for my failure. I could not protect Mercedes or you. My father can say what he wishes. I want Don Ricardo to understand. He…thinks me the Rooster of Sonora. I don't know why. I feel different."

She smiled. "I know. There are things about you I do not approve of. Still I have seen changes within you the past few days. Besides I can speak of how you rescued us from those banditos once and tried to do so again. You warned your father about their threat. You did not fail her. In anything, your father did that." She held the scroll up. "This will help your cause. Gracias."

"De nada. Safe journey back to Rancho Vega de la Granada," he wished her.

"And may you heal well. We must pray that she is unharmed out there. Hasta luego," she replied. With that, she put the scroll in her bag. She descended the stairs toward the main courtyard.

Who would've thought the old chaperone would bear my hopes? What a twist! I just hope Don Ricardo understands. I would do anything. He sucked in a ragged breath. Pain cut through his side.

Despite what everyone thought, if he didn't hear anything soon, he'd go out on his own…..

[Courtyard]

Lopez emerged from the hacienda and into the courtyard. She noted the bustling activity occurring around her. She saw five vaqueros flanking the carriage. Her drivers sat in their places waiting for the cue to start.

As soon as they saw her, the servants hustled toward her. They took her bag and put it in the carriage.

Sebastian walked over. Conscience continued to nag at him. He'd heard his fill from John and Victoria over the matter. For the first time, he saw fire in Manolito's eyes. "Señora Lopez, I wanted to wish you a pleasant journey. My vaqueros have food for the journey. They will escort you back to the rancho. Thank you for the visit."

"Thank you, Don Sebastian." She bowed to him. Due to his superior station, she stifled her criticisms. "I wish Senorita Vega de la Granada were returning with me."

"Si. We all wish that. Please assure Don Ricardo that we shall find her," Sebastian vowed.

"I will. Gracias, Don Sebastian," she expressed. Then she turned to find John and Victoria waiting by her carriage. "¿Donna Victoria, Señor Cannon, what may I do for you?"

John and Victoria exchanged looks. Then he started, "I wanted to pass along a message to the young lady's parents. Let them know the High Chaparral's putting all of our resources into finding her as well."

"We will do anything for Mercedes and my brother. We want to set this right and do so with honor," Victoria added.

"They will appreciate that. Your brother, Donna Victoria, said that as well. Gracias." She bowed her head. "It will be difficult."

"Please tell him that Manolito did not want this," Victoria implored.

"I know that. I see the good as well." She bowed to them. "Please extend my regards to Señor Buck as well."

"We will. Thank you," John accepted. "If her parents wish to speak with us, they just have to send word."

"Muy bien. Gracias y adios," Lopez concluded. She turned toward the carriage. After getting in, she glanced toward the hacienda again.

Much like a caged tiger, Manolito paced to and fro in his room. He tapped on the window. His eyes bored down into hers. Purpose and Proposal shot forth between them.

I know your mind. She glanced down at the bag and the scroll inside as the wheels began turning. She felt the carriage lurch and then start toward the iron gates.

"I hope she can appreciate how difficult this search is," John declared.

"She knows, John. Mercedes' parents seemed understanding. Still an abduction is not something to simply overlook. This is a point of honor. It will weigh heavily on everyone," Victoria advised. "I hope for all of our sakes that she is returned safely."

"Those Comancheros aren't just going to do that, Victoria," he doubted.

"Pray for a miracle then, John. Her father will send his vaqueros to assist in the search. He will want answers from Papa. Mano didn't want this. I just hope her father understands that," she lamented. "We should get back inside. I'm sure Papa will want to speak with you again."

"Yes, we should get searching." John looked toward the sky. "Day's not getting any longer. Come on." He led her back toward the hacienda.

[Road Between Trail's End and Tucson]

Buck pulled up on the reins. He stared up into the cloudless sky. "How's everyone?" He squinted back over his shoulder toward the two young riders in back of the wagon.

"We're good, Mr. Cannon," Penny replied from her place on Lucinda's back.

"Seems all clear so far, Uncle Buck. Not a sign of the Comancheros," Blue reported.

Buck looked pointedly at his nephew. "Blue Boy, haven't I taught you to watch every…I mean every…sign out there? They could sweep down on us faster than a pack of locusts on a wheat field." He shook his head. "We still have a good six hours ahead of us at this rate."

"I'm slowing us down," Mercedes lamented from her place in the back. "Buck, por favor…"

Buck shook his head. "Look…I ain't going to see you get more hurt because I'm rushing us down the trail. I'm not about to deal with Manolito, his Daddy or your Daddy about bein' dumb. You just take it easy back there. All right?"

"Si. I understand." Mercedes had to smile at the older ranch hand.

"Well good. Tonight, you'll be seeing Victoria and my brother, John. She'll have a first-class dinner waiting for us at the Chaparral!" Buck cheered.

"For both Penny and you, I'd say Victoria will have a great welcome feast. Her cooking is great!" Blue pumped his fists. "YEE HAW!"

"Blue Boy, are you done? I like Victoria's cooking too. Still I don't want to invite every Apache and Comachero to chase us," Blue interjected half-seriously.

"Sorry, Uncle Buck. I just want everything to work out. We can all be happy. You know?" Blue explained.

"Yeah I got it. I like it just keep it a little quieter. Let's keep pressing on," Buck urged the horses a little faster down the path. His eye tracked Sol across the sky. He really wanted to be at the ranch by sunset.

Security would be paramount…..

[Ledge Above Current Position—A Quarter Mile Away]

High above the road, Javier lay on his belly. His eyes peered through Sanchez's binoculars. He'd seen Blue and the girl at Trail's End Cemetery only a few hours earlier. He'd watched as the couple rode back into town but didn't want to risk going into town.

Now he was glad he stuck around….

He couldn't make out what was in the wagon. Still he recognized Buck and Blue from their previous faceoffs on both sides of the border. He knew that the road would lead back toward Tucson and the Cannons' rancho.

Sanchez will want to know they'll be out in the desert. Maybe we can make up for what we lost? He might even like the girl. He slithered backward so as not to be seen by the travelers below. When he was out of sight, he rushed to his horse. Jumping on, he rode away toward the southwest.

Trouble, it seemed, never lay too far behind…..

THE END (for now)