Sagebrush by William Wayne Dicksion

Author:William Wayne Dicksion [Dicksion, William Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Smashwords
Published: 2011-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The Señora Cordova Ranch

“Juanita, my desire to buy a ranch is sincere. I want to raise good saddle horses. Riding horses are always in demand, and I have the start of a good herd with this stallion and a mare. I’d like to see the ranch Carlos told me about, if it’s not too far, and perhaps you would like to show it to me.”

“I would be pleased to introduce you to the señora who owns the ranch. She or one of her vaqueros can show it to us. We can easily ride there and back before dark.” She led the way. The trail followed the Rio Grande to the neighbor’s hacienda. Señora Cordova greeted them warmly. Juanita explained the purpose of their visit.

“I’m glad to see you for many reasons,” the señora replied. “It has been too long since I last saw you. I’m eager to sell my ranch, so I can return to Mexico City to join my family. It has been difficult since my husband died. The vaqueros try, but they need guidance, and I’m unable to provide the guidance they need.”

“If I buy the ranch,” Sage said, “I’ll need help to work it, and I’d be pleased if your vaqueros would stay and work for me. I hope you and I can reach an agreement.”

Señora Cordova replied, “That would be wonderful. I was worried about what would happen to my vaqueros if I sell the ranch…” She called out, “Manuel! Bring two horses! We’ll be riding for a couple of hours showing the ranch to Señor McBain and Señorita Diego.” Then, looking back at Sage, she said, “Manuel is my foreman. This will give you a chance to get to know him and, if you buy the ranch, he would be a good man to have working for you. He has been a capable foreman for my husband and me.” Mounting her horse, she said, “Shall we go? You saw a portion of the land as you rode in. To see the rest, we’ll need to ride down the river for about an hour, and then take a ride through the foothills. That trail will bring us back to the hacienda.”

They rode through fertile river bottom land with grassy meadows, reminding Sage of the meadow across the creek from his cave. Manuel was a friendly Mexican man about thirty-five, with a wife and three children. Sage liked him, and Manuel seemed to like Sage. On their return, they rode through rolling hills with a few small streams. They passed trees that would provide material for corrals and other structures. The ranch consisted of about ten thousand acres. That was considered small at that time and in that location, but it was big enough for what he and Joe needed. He would show it to Joe and Bonnie tomorrow, and if they liked it, as well as he did, he would buy it.

Sage enjoyed the afternoon with Juanita. She was a good rider, at ease on the white Arabian mare.

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