Fathers and Sons Chapter Five: Toronado
Dawn had not broken when they convened in the dining hall the following morning. Roy still gawked at the splendor, but at least his mouth was now closed, Mano noticed. Progress. Buck heaped eggs, chorizo, and potatoes onto his plate from silver platters aligned along the grand Spanish oak sideboard. He stuck a large bolillo in his mouth so he could juggle plate, roll, and coffee while edging into a chair.
"Hombre, you could make two trips, you know?" Mano poured himself a cup of coffee, waving away Pepe's offer of assistance. "Está bueno, Pepe, gracias." Pepe smiled. He missed Don Manolo. And he worried about him.
"Buck, we need to get riding soon, compadre."
"I know, Mano, but I gotta eat, don't I?"
"Sí, but not everything. Leave something for Roy."
"Oh, I'm okay Mano. I took what I needed already. See?" Mano eyed large portions of eggs and bacon with soft flour tortillas. I suppose I have given him a taste for such food, Mano thought, a small smile playing over his lips.
"Ain't you eatin' nothin' Mano?"
"No, gracias, Roy, last night's dinner was too much for me. I'm still full."
"Yore daddy shore sets a fine table, Mano," Buck said, chewing, then swallowing a mouthful of coffee.
"Yes, he does Buck. He is a generous host." Mano's throat caught. He looked down. Buck did not notice, his attention focused on the sausage and eggs.
Once they had eaten, Mano thanked Pepe: "Muchísimas gracias, Pepe, y por favor dales gracias a los otros."
"Por supuesto, Don Manolo, por supuesto."
They strolled out into the crisp morning. Late fall was indeed here. Mano inhaled, filling his lungs with chill air as memories filled his mind. Ay yi yi the smells, the sounds, how I miss this place-and you Papá, even you!
At the stable block a familiar brown and wizened face turned toward them from the wooden bench by the wall.
"Hey, Ruiz! Hombre!"
"Manolito! Er, Don Manolo!"
Mano grabbed the old man by both shoulders, hauling him to his feet as they embraced. He felt the frailty of thin bones but the smile and warmth remained.
"Cómo estás?"
"Bien, bien, estoy muy bien!" The old man touched his fingers to Mano's face and gave a playful tap. "Ay, Manolito. It has been too long, muchacho."
"Much too long. Ruiz, please allow me to present my friends. This is Roy Lauder, and you might remember Buck Cannon."
"Gentlemen, welcome! Will you be riding about the rancho, Manolito? You and your friends?"
"Sí, Ruiz. We need good horses, por favor. We expect to be gone most of the day and our own horses must rest. We are here to purchase cattle for the Rancho Cannon and we must head back there as soon as we conclude business with Papá. Rodrigo is taking us to see the herds."
"Ah, then we shall find the best mounts for you. But first come inside and meet my new niño, eh?"
With halting steps, Ruiz led them into the stable block. In the first stall stood a magnificent stallion: jet black, with a tiny white snip on the end of his nose, and one small white sock on his rear off hind foot.
"Ruiz! This cannot be Diablo?"
"No, Manolo, it is his son. Toronado. Three years old and learning his business, just as his father did. Is he not magnífico? Mira those long legs, fine large eyes, small ears. He is a good one, eh?"
"Oh sí. A superb stallion. Will my father breed from him?"
"Oh yes, certainly, when I tell him the horse is ready for such duties, but not yet. Maybe spring next year. Late next spring."
"Chihuahua, to have the foals of such a creature!" Mano's eyes softened and a wistful smile spread over his face.
"Would he be able to cover our mares, Mano?"
Buck grimaced, rolled his eyes, and looked down; Mano's sharp glance told Roy he shouldn't have opened his mouth.
"You have mares of your own, Manolito?" Ruiz asked.
Although he had rather not have been required to explain, at least this was Ruiz and Ruiz could be trusted.
"Ah, in time. We have some fillies that Roy is working with. One day they will be mares and some will make excellent breeding stock. Buck and I had thought to turn our own little rancho into a horse breeding operation. But, Ruiz, it is all just an idea at the present. I would rather my father not learn of it at this time, entiendes? He does not even know that Buck and I own a small ranch."
"Sí, Don Manolo, no le digo nada de nada!" Ruiz winked and put a finger over his closed lips, but he patted Mano on the shoulder all the same.
At that moment, Rodrigo walked into the stable, clearing his throat so the men would be aware of his presence.
"Don Manolo, Señor Cannon, Señor Lauder."
"It's Manolito, Rodrigo, por favor! Ya te he dicho!" Mano urged.
"Perdón, Patrón."
Mano just shook his head. It would be easier to prevent the sun from rising than to change these habits. He would always be a don or a patrón. Ay yi yi!
A stable hand arrived with a string of four horses. Rodrigo took the reins of one, Buck another. Roy saw his chance and grabbed the reins of a nice sorrel, leaving Mano with a chestnut gelding. Large and cumbersome, but perhaps looks are deceiving thought Mano, without much hope.
The Rancho Montoya was vast, the herds scattered. Rodrigo knew every inch, as did Mano, but Buck and Roy marveled at the amount of land, graze, and stock.
"I had no eyedee yore daddy's place was so, so, well, so big!"
Mano just laughed. Buck was impressed and that was a first, but this was business and they must concentrate on that. Mano did not want to disappoint John as well as Papá.
They did not stop for lunch or a siesta, but rode from one feeding ground to the next. Once they had viewed all the stock, late afternoon shadows lengthened and the sight of the stables was welcome.
Ruiz arose from his bench, directing two stable hands to take the men's horses and walking to greet them. A large grin creasing his face, Ruiz paused by Manolito, whose face dimpled in return.
"Qué pasa, Ruiz?"
"Ven conmigo."
Mano followed as Ruiz led deeper into the stables, ostensibly to take the horse back into its stall or to the corral, leaving Buck and Roy behind. Young Paco awaited his abuelo and took the reins of Mano's horse from Ruiz without speaking, leading the gelding away. Ruiz faced Mano and grinned.
"What is it, Ruiz?"
"I have been thinking, Manolito. You will have to return with a crew soon to drive the herd up into Arizona no?"
"Seguro que sí. If we can agree on a price with Papá."
"And you could manage to return in the spring for a visit, eh?"
"Sí, you know this."
"Suppose, Mano, that you were to ride away with a nice young stallion who could cover some good mares for you? Would you like to do this?" Ruiz's eyes twinkled in his leathery face.
"Ruiz, this would be a fine idea, but our stock is too young. We could only breed them in three, maybe four years' time."
"Have you not ridden through Casa Cueva?"
"No, when we arrived in Sonora it was already late afternoon, and we came straight here."
"Well, then, tomorrow we will visit an old friend of mine, and possibly of yours, too, in Casa Cueva." Ruiz smiled, reached up and cuffed Mano's cheek.
"All right," Mano replied, puzzled. He smiled. "All right, Ruiz. We shall go."