Chapter 38

San Juan Capistrano – California 1871

They had only been in California for a few weeks. The land had a small weathered two-room cabin nestled in the flats near the rolling hills. Buck kept the farm foreman who had worked on the farm for the previous owner. He had planned to start a horse ranch here, but now seeing the land and the crops just beginning to ripen he was eager to learn the new way of life.

The sale of his ranch left him with enough wealth to purchase the land in California as well as build their new house and sustain them a minimum of two years, in the worst-case scenario, the farm lost money. Buck had left early in the morning to meet with a carpenter and survey the land where he planned to build their home.

The wooden floorboards creaked softly beneath her steps as Halona walked across the large room in the cabin. It was cramped quarters but they were safe, and happy. She chuckled to herself, the entire cabin would have fit in her walk-in closet. She and Buck claimed the one bedroom, and both children slept in the corner near the fireplace. Buck had shown them how he used to sleep on the prairie when he rode for the Pony Express and made them both bedrolls which even though they had been sleeping in the bed of a wagon for a month and a half, they seemed to accept their temporary lodgings.

She walked over to the porch and leaned against the railing and seeing Rosa, the foreman's wife walking down the dirt pathway she raised her hand in welcome.

"Buenas tardes, Rosa," Halona greeted her.

"Buenas tardes. Senora Cross."

"Por favor llámame Halona." She smiled and held out her hand welcoming her to have a seat. Just about every day Rosa walked the almost mile to the stables to meet her husband at the end of the day.

"¿Cuánto tiempo hace que usted y el Sr. Cross están casados?" Rosa asked as she sat on the bench next to Halona.

"¿Casada?" Halona tried her best to place the word. She was already grateful she took as much Spanish in school as she did. Though she was rusty, it was coming back quickly.

"Casada." Rosa tapped the wedding ring on her finger.

"Oh," Halona understood. "Cuatro meses. ¿Y tú?"

"Un año."

Though their conversation was limited by Halona's knowledge of Spanish the two women seemed unhindered. A few minutes later Halona saw the dust trail rising and cresting the ridge were Isaac and Megan.

"How was school, you two?" Halona asked as both children ran up to the porch.

"Mama!" Megan burst out before Isaac could get a word in. "Isaac has a girlfriend!"

Halona's brows rose in amusement. "Oh really? Do tell."

Isaac, cheeks flushed a fiery red, shoved his sister. "I do not!"

Halona knelt before him, her gaze firm yet gentle. "Don't push your sister, Isaac. Now, who is this young lady?"

A defeated sigh escaped his lips. "Pilar Sanchez. She follows me around everywhere."

"Well, well," Halona chuckled, a knowing look in her eyes. "It seems you're quite the charmer, young man. A burden you'll simply have to bear, I'm afraid."

Rosa, unable to contain her amusement, let out a soft giggle.

Halona straightened, her gaze shifting to Megan. "And you, young lady, no more teasing your brother."

A sheepish grin replaced Megan's mischievous glint. "Yes, mama."

"There's lunch in the kitchen," Halona announced, opening the door and ushering the children inside.

A sudden movement in the orchard caught Halona's eye. Buck! A wave of relief washed over her – a welcome sight after a day of managing the household. With a swish of her skirt, she hurried down the porch steps, her laughter echoing in the air as she greeted the few ranch hands and Miguel on her way to meet her husband.