Red leaned against him. “Josiah said Mr. Corrigan’s wife wanted a tree-lined drive and a flower garden. He loved her very much and did as she requested.”
Red gasped when the house came into view. “That’s a beautiful hacienda. What a wonderful place for Josiah and Yolanda to live and raise a family.”
They pulled up to the walled courtyard.
Red looked at the wide gate. “Sofia and her friends left their buggy blocking the gate and drive.”
Peyton set the wagon’s brake and wrapped the reins around it. “Doesn’t matter. Navigating this rig in that space would be difficult. Let’s go look inside. Jeff and I saw it in the dark so we can’t tell you any features.”
Peyton helped Red down while Jeff helped Mama from the other wagon.
He watched the other couple’s approach. “I hope there’s a buggy at the Lawson ranch.”
Red grasped his arm. “No, it’s the Knight ranch. You must call it that or give it another name. There is no longer a Lawson.”
“You’re right, Red. It’s the Knight ranch and where we’ll raise our children.”
He laid his hand over hers and stared into her loving eyes. “My love, could be we started our family last night.”
Her face turned a lovely pink. “Could be, husband.”
Mama fell into step with Jeff walking behind them. “Having cousins nearby will be nice for our family. I have dreamed of seeing my two babies married with their own families.”
Red glanced at the woman who had acted as her mother. “You just want to be a grandmother.”
“More than that, I want both of you settled and happy.” She cast a sidelong glance at her escort. “I want to be settled, too.”
Peyton sent a smile to Red. “We’re working on making your dreams come true, Mama. Give us time.”
They strolled across the courtyard.
Sarge peered around. “Sure looks grand in the daylight, don’t it? I could tell it was big when we came for Josiah, but couldn’t tell anything else.”
Ozzie stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I like my casita even if it is lots smaller than this place. It’s just right for me. Imagine us having our own houses and cooks, Sarge. I can’t get over how nice things have worked out for us.”
Sarge chuckled. “Beats prospecting out in the weather, that’s for dang sure. Never thought I’d have a chance like we have now.”
Jeff checked the fountain. “Not sure if this is broken or turned off.”
Carlos came out to greet them. “I only stayed after the ladies arrived because I told you I would, Peyton. Since you’re here, shall I go? My friend Pedro went to tell the cowboys you’d be there today.”
Peyton clapped Carlos on the shoulder. “Sure appreciate all you’ve done. Let me tell you all that’s happened.” He related the events.
Carlos sat down on the decorative sides surrounding the fountain. “Wow, that’s a lot to take in. I can’t tell you how relieved I am that everything is settling down for our area. If he’ll hire me then I would like to work for Mac.”
Peyton looked at the cowboy. “How could he not want you? You’re the one who saved his life.”
Red took Carlos’ hand in both of hers. “I owe you so much, Carlos. I can never repay you for what you’ve done. I can share with you that my brother wants you to be his foreman if you want the job. He would have told you but he isn’t well enough to come with us today. He wanted to be certain you would know of his offer before you went elsewhere.”
Carlos beamed. “I’m happy to know he will hire me here. He is one strong man and I admire him.”
They toured the two-story hacienda and then left for the now Knight ranch. Peyton swelled with pride that he had realized his dream.
Beautiful and loving wife.
Beautiful ranch.
Wonderful life.
***
Judith was so excited she had trouble being still long enough to sit on the wagon bench seat. Under other circumstances she would have enjoyed staying longer at Josiah’s hacienda. Instead, she could hardly wait until she could see her own home.
Nothing she’d heard prepared her for what she saw as they crested a hill. “Can that be ours?”
Peyton cleared his throat but his voice choked. “It… It has to be. I had no idea it was so large. Red, do you realize Sheriff Lopez practically gifted it to us? Lawson owed five years back taxes. I told you how much we paid. Honey, we now own paradise.”
She threw her arms around him. “You deserve it for what you accomplished. You saved Josiah. You planned so carefully.”
“Let’s go see our new home.” He clicked the reins and the team headed for the ranch headquarters.
They pulled up in front of the ranch house. Looking illogical in the setting, it was a plantation-style house and not what she’d expected to see in this locale. The home reminded her of drawings she’d seen of George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon.
Why would a rancher need such a huge home? At least there would be plenty of room for Peyton and her as well as for Mama. She suspected Jeff would join them.
Numerous other buildings left her wondering what each could be. She recognized the barn, of course, but there were so many other buildings. They’d soon find out what each was.
When they pulled up, dozens of people came to stand in front of the house.
She clasped his arm. “Peyton, are we in trouble?”
“No, they look as if they’re ready for inspection or maybe I’m supposed to speak to them. I’m as new to this as you are, Red. I’m glad we dressed up.”
She’d worn her peach silk dress and, at Peyton’s request, left her hair down. She brought
