Fathers and Sons Chapter Thirteen: Sonora
Pausing at the twin lions that marked his father's rancho, Mano reminded the Chaparral men in a low voice, "Amigos, remember not a word to my father or anyone else about Toronado, por favor. He does not know of our, cómo se dice, arrangement with his stable master."
"Quit worryin', Mano. They ain't gonna say nothin'," Buck said, shaking his head.
The boys grinned. They rode into the courtyard of Rancho Montoya just past noon three days before the wedding celebration of Roy and Teresa. Don Sebastian had agreed to host them since friends and relations of all kinds had been descending upon Casa Cueva for many days.
"Patrón, Don Manolo and his friends are at the gate," Pepe announced to Don Sebastian who sat behind his desk. The Don stood, straightening his black-trimmed gray jacket, accepting his cane from Pepe, and making his way to the doorway. His steps were measured and precise, his breathing labored. Pepe opened the heavily timbered doors for him and the patron of Rancho Montoya inhaled a deep breath and strode outside as his son dismounted.
"Hijo mío! How good to see you!" he called.
"Good to see you too, Papá," Mano smiled as he neared his father. Don Sebastian reached up to cuff his cheek. "Papá, I believe you know my friends from Rancho Cannon. Buck, of course."
"How do, Don Sebastian."
"Sam and Joe Butler." Mano continued the introductions.
"Mucho gusto, Señor Montoya," Sam said. Joe nodded his greeting.
"And of course, Pedro Carr."
"Buenos dias, Señor Montoya."
"Welcome, gentlemen." Don Sebastian inclined his head. "Manolito, you and Señor Cannon will find your usual rooms prepared for you inside. Gentlemen, I am afraid that my humble accommodations do not permit each of you to have a room in the hacienda, but the servants have made space in their quarters and you will all please to dine with us inside. I believe the afternoon meal will be ready at four, so you have time to refresh yourselves. Pepe, please see to these men."
"Sí, Patrón!"
Don Sebastian turned and in so doing, staggered a little. Mano reached for his arm but the old Lion refused it, insisting, "I am fine, hijo mío. I merely turned too quickly. I require no assistance." He raised his head and with stiff, dignified steps, made his way inside.
Servants scurried to take horses, unpack the mule, grab saddlebags, and escort the men to their quarters.
"I told you Don Sebastian was a good boss," Pedro exclaimed, eyeing the small yet clean and comfortable downstairs room which contained bed, fresh linens, washstand, and oil lamp. "If this is how his servants live, ay yi yi."
"Yep," Joe said from across the hall. "Big John oughta see this."
"He sure oughta," Sam added, nodding his head in agreement.
"Señores," a white clad servant appeared. "The bath house is at the end of the hall, should you so desire. And you may leave your clothes with us to be cleaned if you wish. Please let me know if you require assistance."
Pedro rolled his eyes, whistled, and shook his shaggy head.
Hot water and soap did the trick, as did clean clothes. The Chaparral men were shown into the hacienda's dining hall for the afternoon meal. A might late to eat, Joe thought, but the jerky they'd brought had tided them over.
A fine spread featuring platters of cold ham, beef, cheese, corn, rice, and tortillas awaited them on the old Spanish oak sideboard from which servants assisted them in filling their plates. Mano was pleased that his father had not insisted upon the usual four course meal and instead had considered the comfort of his guests who were used to simple fare. Once all were all seated with plates and glasses full, Don Sebastian rose. Buck noticed he used the chair arm to brace himself.
"Gentlemen, welcome to the Hacienda Montoya. I hope your rooms are comfortable and that you have everything you need to make your stay here pleasant. Mi casa es su casa!"
"Thank you, Papá. That is most generous."
"It sure is Don Sebastian," Sam's deep voice added. "And on behalf of me and the boys, we'd like to say thank you, too. We're much obliged."
Don Sebastian acknowledged Sam with a nod. The men dived into the food with the hearty appetites of those who worked hard. Only the Don ate little. His plate held one or two slices of cold meat and a little rice. He sipped his wine and ate only small bites of his food.
"Papá, you are not hungry?" Mano asked.
"Not really, my son."
Later in the study, Mano approached his father. The Lion of Sonora, perched behind his desk and surrounded by papers, seemed his old self. But it would not hurt to ask.
"Papá, you did not eat much. Are you well?"
Don Sebastian grunted. "Am I well? Oh ho! Now you are concerned about your inheritance and whether I will soon be leaving all this," he waved his arms, indicating the room,"to you?"
"Papá that is not why I am asking and you should know this by now. I do not want all this. I just want to know that you are well."
The old man sighed. "I am a little tired, Manolito, a little tired, nothing more. I have been advised to slow down by my doctor, who is a cautious man, and so I am taking his advice."
"Oh-ho! That is a first!" Mano sounded just like his father, even to his own ears.
Don Sebastian chuckled a little. "Yes, it is a good joke, is it not? That I, Don Sebastian de Montoya, should have to take the advice of a doctor! Bah!" And then he roared, "I have the strength of a bull."
"And a lion, eh?"
"What else?"
Days of preparation followed.
"Sam, Vaquero's workin' us harder than Big John," Joe complained as he strung white banners and lanterns from building to building along the tiled and wooden roofs of Casa Cueva.
"Don't I know it?" Sam called, hanging yellow, red, and blue paper flowers from the rustic log vigas supporting the roof of the cantina. A dozen piñatas-paper donkeys, pigs, birds vivid in primary colors-ready to be hung, lay at his feet. "Beats herding cattle though."
"Es cierto," Pedro, an apron round his middle and a broom in his hand, added from the porch of Vaquero's home.
The men toiled from sunup to sundown for two days, riding back to the Hacienda Montoya exhausted each night. Buck and Mano worked as well, and when the heat became too much, tequila and Chico, the stout sweaty bartender, welcomed them into the cantina where they ate tortillas, enchiladas and beans. Buck always found time to eat.
The women of Casa Cueva scurried about when they were not making tamales or baking sweets for the festivities in their brick ovens. The women issued instructions to their men and to the Chaparral men which Pedro translated for Sam and Joe. Don Sebastian had sent over two steers to be killed and prepared for the wedding feast. Each day the numbers swelled the tiny pueblo. The wedding of the only living relation of the alcalde was a major event, not to be missed.
Late in the afternoon of the day before the wedding, Vaquero instructed the men to prepare the church and Mano to talk to the groom, whose nerves had begun to fray.
"Mano when do I have to say them words you told me, you know, with all my worldly goods and all that?"
"The priest will tell you, Roy, do not worry. Just let him lead and you follow with whatever he asks you, sí?"
"I guess so."
His faltering voice made Mano smile. How would I have been before my own wedding? he mused. Mercedes...ay, Cedita, how I miss you. He shook his head to refocus on this friend who required him to be the best padrino he could be. He remembered he had not yet discussed the matter of the gold coins with Roy.
"Roy?"
"Yes, Mano."
"There is another very old tradition that the groom must take care of during the wedding ceremony, and that is the giving of thirteen gold coins to the bride."
Roy's face blanched, but Mano anticipated his question.
"Calma. Before you say anything, here are the coins you must give. It is part of my duty as padrino to provide them." Mano removed a pouch from his inside pocket, the contents jingling as he shook it.
Relief brought the blood rushing back into his face. Roy swayed a little, unsteady on his feet.
"Oh Mano, you are the best padrino anyone could have."
"Of course I am, amigo," Mano laughed. "Don't forget that I have the help of Buck as well."
"Oh Buck's the best friend in the world, too, and he's been mighty good to me, giving me advice an' all."
Curious, Mano asked, "Advice, muchacho?" He grinned. "What advice has Buck given you?"
"Oh you know, stuff about the wedding night an' such."
Mano's eyebrows shot up and his eyes grew round. "Oh really?"
"Shore, he's been great."
Mano's tongue circumnavigated his mouth while he pondered how to phrase the next question. "So he's been telling you how to behave in your bedchamber, has he?"
Roy blushed scarlet. "NO!"
"Ah. Well, what has he been saying?"
"Just that I should never forget that she's the girl of my dreams. That she's the most perfect at everything and that I love her with all my heart."
"I see." Mano stifled a laugh, but could do nothing about his smile.
"I do love her, Mano, I love her more'n anything."
"I know Roy, I know. Don't worry, you'll say all the right things, because – don't forget – she loves you, too."
"Gosh, I know that." Roy said looking at the floor and scuffing his toes. "Mano, I ain't never...well, I ain't…"
"You have never been with a woman, amigo?" Mano was not surprised.
"No."
"Well, Roy, love is something you will discover together, eh?"