The Horseman That Fell from the Sky

By Fred Valdez

A fast moving novel of faith, love, war and romance that brings to
life young Francisco Cordova. A Texas born Mexican American,(Tejanos as
they were referred to) Francisco was born and raised on the large Trully
horse ranch and farm. As were his parents and grandparents before him,
working and training horses for the rodeo. Part of young Franciscos
job, other than to grow up learning to ride and train horses,was to
look after young Rose Trully, the only child of Judge John Trully, the
owner of the ranch and his familys employer. As teenagers, he and Rose
had to suppress their love for each other fearing there parents would
separate them. The outbreak of or war in 1941 changed everyones life.
Rose went off to Harvard to study law as her father had and Francisco
enlisted in the Army Air Corp serving as a tail gunner on a B-17 bomber.
His plane was seriously damaged in aerial combat over German occupied
France where he bailed out. Unconscious and wounded he was rescued by
a beautiful young woman in the French Resistance only to learn he had
lost his memory, thus beginning two and a half years of war,romance, and
adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483694504

Fred Valdez

This is fred's fi rst venture into writing and his very fi rst novel. He is not your typical young, aspiring writer, but is in fact a grandfather and great grandfather doing what many people may have felt inspired to do but never took the fi rst step. Fred is an avid reader of non-fi ction war stories and is a us army veteran whose duties included serving 16 months in korea after hostilities had ceased. Having never attended college, after his service in the army was completed he attended rankin trade school in st. Louis, missouri.(Now rankin college) he served 4 years as a journeyman machinist apprentice at mcdonnell douglas aircraft (now boeing, st. Louis) after 40 years as a journeyman machinist, fred retired and started a successful tax preparation business. Spending so much time at a desk in front of a computer, he began putting his spare time to use writing a war romance novel, incorporating into his characters his faith in god and christian experience

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

July 1928, Plainview, Texas, Mayfield County. Population: 3,240 Anglo-Americans, 2,010 Mexican Americans, 1,230 Texas born Mexicans, or as they called themselves, Tejanos.

Tejanos were looked upon by many of the Anglos as second-class citizens, even though many families were third and fourth generation Texans, some settling in Texas before it became a state, such as the Cordova and Garcia families.

Little Francisco John Cordova, not Juan, but John, for he was named after Judge John B. Trully stood in the hot, dry noonday Texas sun, looking toward his house, which was the converted carriage house on the Trully’s 1,100-acre horse ranch and farm.

Francisco’s padre, Enrique, and madre, Esperonsa, and his Tio Felix Garcia, were employed by the Trully Ranch, as were their families before them. John Trully, the present owner, was the grandson of the original owner and early Texas settler.

Mamasita, as Francisco referred to Esperonsa, looked after the Trully’s only child, three-year-old Rose, plus managed the Trully household.

Tio Felix raised and trained the ranch’s stock American quarter horses, known as the best in Texas. Not only were the quarter horses the best, but so were the wild mustangs. He was called a horse whisperer and was known to be one of the best. He could talk to the horses. It was a family trait passed down from generation to generation.

Enrique was foreman over the farmhands. He used to also help his brother-in-law Felix before his health failed.

Enrique Cordova lay on his sickbed dying. Mamasita said it was from injuries received in the Great War, the same battle that cost the Judge his left leg.

The door opened, the Judge beckoning Francisco to come. The little boy, with legs flying, ran to the house, and slipped in through the door. The Judge laid his hand on the boy’s shoulder, gently leading him over to the bed where his father lay.

Mamasita was kneeling at her husband’s side, holding his hand. Her Hermano, Felix, was kneeling beside her.

The doctor and minister were standing at the foot of the bed. Mamasita took Francisco’s hand and placed it in his padre’s hand. Enrique opened his eyes, smiled at his son, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. "Padre went to be with our Lord Jesus," Mamasita whispered, weeping softly.

The Judge took care of the funeral arrangements, having Enrique buried in his own family plot on the ranch. The Judge arranged for a detachment of soldiers from Fort Worth to perform a military funeral. Enrique was the only Tejano to receive a military funeral in Texas that anyone could remember.

Enrique was buried in his army uniform with the Distinguished Service Cross lying on his breast.

Because of the prominence of the Judge and the fact that almost everyone in the community knew the Cordova and Garcia families, there was a large turnout of Plainview citizens, both Tejanos and Anglos.

The Judge stood up to speak.

Friends and neighbors, I am going to tell you a story very few people know. Enrique Cordova, his brother Roberto, and Felix Garcia, who later became Enrique’s brother-in-law, all worked for my father, helping him run and manage the horse ranch and farm. I considered them friends as well as hired hands, often working side by side with the three. I went away to law school. When I returned in 1916 after receiving my law degree, I opened my own law office here in Plainview. The war in Europe was raging. I knew it was just a matter of time before America was pulled into it. I petitioned the governor to form a militia unit. Utilizing the military training I received in college. It was granted.

Enrique, Roberto, and Felix were the first of 125 men to volunteer. We received no pay, had to supply our own uniforms and rifles to train with. In 1917 our militia unit was mobilized into the Texas National Guard. When the United States declared war on Germany, the Texas and Oklahoma National Guards were reorganized into the Thirty-sixth Infantry Division, the Lone Star Division. After months of training at Fort Worth, we were shipped to France in July 1918. The Thirty-sixth was assigned to the Blanc Mont sector to assist in the French campaign offensive.

The Germans held hill 291 in our sector, using it as an observation position to call down artillery every time we made a move. I was captain of C Company, First Battalion. The battalion commander ordered Company C to take that hill. I sent out a Recon Patrol. They reported two machine gun nests backing approximately a hundred Germans in forward trenches at the base of the hill, with thirty positions on the slopes and a few observers on top. With a surprise attack, I figured we could take that hill, under cover of darkness. I moved Company C within twenty-five yards of the first wire and sent a few men in to cut a path through the wire. Companies A and B were held in reserve. At first light I blew my whistle. We charged through the wire, fighting bitterly hand-to-hand, killing or driving the first line of defense out of their trenches. German artillery began hitting us with gas shells. The attack faltered as the men donned their gas masks. I blew my whistle to get the men moving out of the German trenches. As we started up the hill, the machine guns opened up—not two but four. Most of the front line of men was cut down. I was hit in the left leg. Almost tore my leg off. Enrique and Roberto, with Felix giving covering fire, dragged me into a shell hole.

Enrique made a tourniquet out of my belt, or I would have bled to death. I knew we couldn’t stay in the trenches. The Germans would start dropping high explosive shells on us. We couldn’t move up the hill or retreat until we knocked out those machines guns. I pulled out my notepad, scratched a note to the battalion commander to send the reserve companies ASAP to advance on either flank of the hill. I handed the note to Felix. Get this through to battalion. He took off crawling. I turned to Enrique and Roberto. We got to get those machine guns or we lose the whole company.

Enrique nodded to Roberto to go left. Enrique went to the right. Both crouched over running, then crawling. Roberto got close to one gun. He rose up with a hand grenade. The machine gun cut him in half. With his last dying strength, he threw the grenade, blowing the gun and three Germans out of the nest. At the same time, Enrique charged a machine gun with a rifle and bayonet, shot and slashed the three gunners to death, jumped behind the gun, turned it on the other two machine guns, chopping the Germans to pieces.

I crawled out of the shell hole and up the hill as fast as I could leaving what was left of my leg and boot behind. Pulled myself behind one of the machine guns Enrique had knocked out. With both of us firing, the Germans were pinned down. Enrique pulled off his gas mask, yelling at our men in the trenches both in Spanish and English, "Vamos, machos! Let’s go, boys, we got the Germans by the… Uh, I can’t mention that part of the anatomy in mixed company. It was incredible, Enrique yelling at the top of his lungs, both of us laying down fire on the Germans. Our men came out of the trenches with rifles and bayonets, charging up the hill, screaming like madmen. The Germans that weren’t killed raised their hands in surrender.

I instructed the men to move the machine guns to the top of the hill and prepare for the counterattack I knew would soon come. Felix arrived with the two reserve companies and dug in. We beat back the counterattack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The hill and the battle was ours.

Enrique’s lungs were seriously damaged by the gas. My leg could be replaced by wood; there is no replacement for lungs.

Company C killed or captured 150 Germans, taking the hill. The battalion killed or captured another 290, repulsing the counterattack. Company C’s total casualties were 65 killed and 40 wounded out of 200.

As I look out over the faces of those who have come to pay their respects, I see many who were there that day. Just to name a few, Charles Fischer Sr., Bud Lang, George Sanchez, and at least a dozen others.

Many went up that hill, came down, and returned alive to Plainview because of Enrique Cordova.

But there is more to the story. Enrique and I were both sent to a hospital in Paris. One afternoon, the battalion commander came to my room.

He said, Congratulations, Captain Trully, you and your men did a splendid job taking that hill. I put you in for the Distinguished Service Cross and Company C a unit citation.

But, sir, I said, I am not the one who should receive the medal. It was Corporal Enrique Cordova who single-handedly knocked out three enemy machine gun nests and roused the men to attack, and his brother Roberto was killed knocking out the fourth gun.

"Captain, you don’t seem to understand. The Lone Star Division is a Texan Division. It just wouldn’t look good if a Tex-Mex, or as you call them, Tejanos, received the Distinguished Service Cross."

But, Sir!

No buts about it, Captain. This is the way it is and this is the way it’s going to stand. There is nothing more to be said. Do you understand?

Yes Sir. He turned and stalked out of my room.

After a month in a hospital in England, Enrique and I both returned to the States, receiving medical discharge.

I married Margaret, the wonderful girl who awaited me, and Enrique married Esperonsa, Felix’s sister. I returned to my law practice. The horse ranch and farm became my responsibly. While I was in the hospital, my Mother and Father both passed away of the terrible worldwide flu epidemic of 1918, as did Esperonsa’s and Felix’s father and Enrique’s father. I know many of you lost family members also. My younger brother had been killed at Belleau Wood.

My wife, Felix, Enrique, and I took over the day-to-day operation of the horse ranch and farm. Margret took care of the books, Felix the horse ranch, Enrique the farm, and I made the business decisions as I pursued my law career.

You would think considering everything I had, I would be a happy, contented man. I was not. I began to drink heavy. The guilt I carried weighed heavy on my mind; Guilt because I wasn’t with Mom and Dad when they passed on; Guilt because I came home and my brother didn’t; Guilt for all those men under my command who never came home, men I grew up with, friends and neighbors. The heaviest guilt of all was because I received a medal and a hero’s welcome. A man who was my friend—a trusted, worthy friend—a man every bit my equal and more so, was denied the recognition due him because of his ancestry. Not once did he voice a complaint or withhold his friendship or loyalty from me.

I turned to the bottle. Enrique often drank with me. He alone understood my pain, and I, his pain. My law practice started going down. I was making bad decisions concerning the ranch and farm. My marriage was suffering. I was a miserable wretch.

One day, a lady evangelist came from California with a large tent, setting up here in town, holding Gospel meetings. At first I totally ignored it.

Enrique’s wife, Esperonsa, began to attend. Then she got Enrique to attend.

Several weeks later, Enrique stopped by my office. I was sitting at my desk, sipping from a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red, my daily routine.

Enrique pulled up a chair, sat down. He said, John, we grew up together. I worked for your father, I worked with you and for you, and we went to war together. The war hurt us—body, mind, and soul. We have drunk, laughed, and cried together. I count you as a dear friend, leader, and employer. I have to tell you, John, the guilt you carry and the bottle are destroying your business, your marriage, your life, and most of all your soul. Just a few weeks ago I was in the same place. At Esperonsa’s urging, I attended the tent meetings. I turned my life over to Jesus Christ. He changed me completely, brought peace to my mind, soul, and spirit. He set me free from sin and alcohol.

Enrique and I talked for two hours. In my heart I knew everything he was telling me was true. I agreed to attend service with him and Esperonsa. That night, I walked into that tent with my bottle in my pocket. They began to sing Amazing Grace. Something began to stir in my heart. As they sang The Old Rugged Cross, it was as if someone whispered in my ear, Come to me, John, I will set you free. I ran to the altar with tears flowing from my eyes, dropped to my knees, accepted Jesus into my heart.

Folks, I don’t need to tell you. Most of you know I was a different man from that night on. I gave up drinking, my marriage improved, the ranch and farm flourished, within two years I was elected to the bench. Thank God Enrique spoke to me before it was too late.

On his breast, Enrique is wearing the medal I received but he earned. I can tell you this, on this day Enrique will receive a greater reward. Jesus will place the Crown of Life on his head and say, Well done, my good and faithful servant.

With that, the Judge sat down.

To little Francisco, the rest of the ceremony was only a blur. He could only think about his padre and the story he had just heard.

CHAPTER 2

September rolled around, and this would be Francisco’s first day in the first grade. Ordinarily the first five grades of public schools were segregated. However, the Judge persuaded the school board to allow any child living in the Plainview school district to attend the school closest to their home. There were about a dozen Tejano families and half that many mixed marriages living on the Anglo side of Plainview, most working for Anglo households. This included the Cordova family.

On the first day, Felix walked Francisco the three-quarter mile to school so he would be familiar with the road. Mamasita had packed his lunch in a store-bought lunch pail the Judge had given him as a send-off present to school. The first and second grades shared the same room, sitting four students to a table.

An attractive young lady introduced herself as Ms. Anderson, their teacher. Children, I have to step out to get some papers. Feel free to introduce yourselves to one another.

A boy from another table walked over and took Francisco’s new pencil. He didn’t know what to do. The biggest boy at the next table walked over to the bully, put a squeeze hold on his neck, and marched him over to Francisco. Lay the pencil down and go sit down. The boy did and quickly ran back to his table.

The big boy said to Francisco, Como te llamas, Amigo?

"Me llaman Francisco Cordova but my mother said I’m not to speak Spanish in school."

The big boy chuckled. My mother said I’m not to speak Spanish in our house. It’s funny how mothers are sometimes. My name is Charles Fischer Jr., but everybody calls me Charlie. Where do you live, Francisco?

My family works for Judge Trully. We live on his place.

"Wow! The Judge has the largest spread in the county. We have a farm on the other side of town. The Tejanos working for us are teaching me to speak Spanish. Call me Charlie, Francisco. You and I will be amigos," and they were.

Francisco was a happy little boy as he walked home. School was a learning adventure. He loved to learn new things. His little mind was sharp, always grasping to learn. Not only did he have a keen mind but he was an extremely handsome boy. His mother, a very beautiful woman, and his late father, a very good-looking man, passed all their good looks to him. He had the ancestral look of his Spanish blood.

Arriving home from school, he sought out his tio. He knew Mamasita would be busy in the ranch house working with Margaret, the Judge’s wife, learning the books for the horse ranch and farm. Everyone called her Marg. She had worked closely with Felix and Enrique ever since Enrique became infirm. Then when Enrique passed away, she was not only doing books but was also helping Felix manage the ranch and farm. It wasn’t that the Judge couldn’t hire someone else, but for the last ninety-one years, it had always been the three families that managed the ranch and farm. The Judge couldn’t bring himself to hire a stranger to take Enrique’s place.

It was Marg who came up with a solution. Esperonsa was very intelligent. Marg would teach her to do the books. She and Esperonsa would do the books, and both would help Felix run the ranch and farm. All the farmhands respected Esperonsa. Marg hired another woman, Lupe Lopez, for domestic work and to cook for the ranch, which included the six wranglers that resided in the bunkhouse. Marg would allow no one to look after Rose but Esperonsa, and Esperonsa would have it no other way. Only two people besides Esperonsa could look after Rose—little Francisco and Felix.

Francisco wanted to find Tio before Rose saw him; otherwise he would have to entertain Rose.

Mamasita had already laid down the law to him. As soon as he came home from school, he was to look after Rose.

"But Mamasita, what about my chores?"

You do your chores and look after Rose at the same time.

Francisco found Tio Felix in the stables grooming horses. The Garcia and Cordova families had worked on the Trully family ranch from the beginning of its existence. Felix was now the head horse trainer, as was his father and grandfather before him.

Felix’s father began teaching him to ride and work with horses at age five. He was a natural-born horseman. However, as a teenager, Felix wanted to become a professional boxer. Somehow he became impressed after hearing about a young prizefighter named Jack Dempsey and decided that boxing was the career he wanted to follow. At sixteen, much to the consternation of his father and John Trully Sr., Felix left home for the big city of Dallas to train and box. After two years, Felix became a first-rate boxer, made a little money, but never became a top-rate contender. With young John Trully in law school, there was no doubt Felix was needed at the ranch—at least that was the excuse his father and John Sr. used to get Felix back home. They promised he could set up a boxing workout gym in one end of the barn for him and his friends, after working with the horses of course. His plan was still to be a pro boxer. He just needed a little more time to train. But then the unexpected happened; he fell in love with one of the Fischer girls. Connie Fischer was his friend Charles’s sister. At first her parents objected vehemently that their daughter was in love with a Tejano.

Mother, Father, I love Felix with every breath of life in my body. You can either accept him or reject me as your daughter.

They accepted Felix.

The war changed everything. The same epidemic that claimed John’s parents took the lives of Felix’s and Enrique’s fathers and also the life of Felix’s beloved Connie.

Felix knew that due to the loss of his leg in the war, John needed him more than ever on the ranch. His sister married Enrique, and he knew his friend with gas-damaged lungs would not have too many years. He wanted to be close for his sister when that time came. He also wanted to be near his widowed mother. He hung up his boxing gloves and devoted his life to training horses, never allowing the memory of Connie to leave his heart.

CHAPTER 3

Felix, with a big smile, said, "Hey, Sobrino, how was the first day of school?"

"I loved it, Tio. My teacher es muy bonita, and I have a new best friend, Charlie Fischer."

He related to his tio the pencil incident.

Felix frowned and thought for a moment. After you do your chores and eat supper, how would you like for me to teach you to box?

Oh, I would like that, but would you also teach me to play the guitar like you do?

You bet I will.

Suddenly a little pair of arms wrapped around Francisco’s waist.

"Ay chihuahua!" he exclaimed, an expression he heard his padre use when shocked or surprised.

Fanziszco, you’re home, I mid you.

Felix roared with laughter. Someday you will delight to have those arms around you.

Your chore today is sweep the tack room. After supper we will do what we talked about.

Felix’s plan was to give his nephew chores that pertained to horsemanship. The blood of the Garcia’s and Cordova’s flowed in Francisco’s veins. The legacy of the horseman and horse whisperer would be his under the guidance and training of his uncle.

As he swept the tack room, little Rose would follow him about, carrying a dustpan. Because of the busy schedule Mamasita kept, Mamasita, Francisco, and Felix all took their meals in the ranch house with John, Marg, Rose, the six wranglers, and of course, as the Judge insisted, Lupe and her family. This was the way the Judge wanted it, the ranch being one big family. With the farm, it was a different story. With one hundred field hands, some being whole families, all Tejanos, most lived on the Mexican side of town.

Marg and John were elated when they learned Marg was pregnant. By December, her third month, her health began to fail. As the weeks progressed, she became weaker. The doctor said she was to stay off her feet as much as possible if she were to carry the baby to full term. By the sixth month, she was confined to bed. Esperonsa spent as much time at her bedside as possible, plus doing books and looking after Rose. Fortunately there was not a whole lot of farm work this time of year. She was so thankful when Francisco came home from school. Rose was drawn to him like a magnet. She was his shadow up to her bedtime. She would kiss her mother good night. Mamasita and Rose always knelt and prayed, and then Mamasita would tuck her in.

Francisco, I know you are only five, but Marg is having a hard time carrying her baby and I really need your help with Rose.

"You can count on me, Mamasita."

Oftentimes life will hand us a bitter cup to drink. All who loved Marg drank of that cup on a beautiful sunny day just weeks before spring.

Marg gave birth to a baby boy, and both died in childbirth.

The funeral was held at the Four Square Pentecost Church, home church of many of the families of Plainview, which started after the tent revival conducted by the lady evangelist. The crowd was so large that the service had to be held outside.

Judge Trully was a man of faith. He looked to the Word of God, finding comfort in Romans 8:28: All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

The Judge took a more active role in life on the ranch, spending more time with Rose, taking a greater interest in Francisco.

CHAPTER 4

When Rose turned five, it was Francisco who walked her to and from school.

Francisco, Rose is your responsibility. Look after her as if she was your very life.

"Yes, Mamasita, I will."

The Judge would often go over Francisco’s schoolwork with him, making sure he earned good grades. Every Saturday morning, the Judge would take him hunting or target shooting, teaching him to shoot quail, grouse, rabbit, and of course deer, but never for the sake of killing. All the game was given as food to the families that worked on the farm. Occasionally Lupe would serve up some for dinner.

Francisco’s hands and eyes moved so fast, he could knock off a rabbit on the run with a .22-caliber rifle. By the time he was ten, a covey of quail did not stand a chance with him and a 20-gauge shotgun. The Judge taught him to be proficient with a pistol, a rifle, and a shotgun. Every evening, Felix was teaching him to box and play the guitar, and all these were besides the horseman skills he was learning.

It was obvious that the Judge and Felix were teamed up to teach the young boy all the skills, knowledge, and character that they themselves possessed. There were two things that made up Francisco’s life besides learning everything he was taught—horses and looking after Rose.

As soon as Francisco learned to handle a horse, Rose would ride with him, sitting on the saddle in front, of course under the watchful eye of Tio Felix. It wasn’t too long before she could ride by herself as long she stayed in the corral.

Rose would sit and watch as Felix taught Francisco trick riding, roping, and rodeo events. She would clap and laugh with glee as he mastered each event. In the beginning, when he would hit the ground, as he often did, it was Rose who would run to him.

Mamasita made it clear to Felix and Francisco that Rose could learn to ride and handle a horse efficiently but all the tricks and rodeo stuff were out. Rose was going to grow up to be a refined and educated young woman, not a cowgirl.

CHAPTER 5

It was now 1931. The Great Depression was now in full swing as a result of the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Almost everyone was affected, but not the Judge. He would say his investment was not in paper stock but stock with four feet so when the bank failed, he wasn’t hurt. As always, he kept his money in hand so that he and Felix could wheel and deal, buying horses as opportunities arose, and the farm was doing quite well as city folks still had to eat. He wasn’t selling as many horses as before, but he was able to make some good buys.

The school had to let the janitor go, so each boy took turns one week at a time to stay after school helping the teacher clean up, usually sweeping the floor. This week it was Francisco’s turn.

Rose, you walk real slowly, and I’ll do my work real fast and catch up with you.

OK, Francisco.

After school, he did his share of the work double-quick. It was his responsibility to look after Rose. He ran down the road, to catch up. A boy one grade ahead of Francisco known as a bully was blocking her way, taunting her. When he saw Francisco come running, he took off. Francisco skidded to a stop alongside Rose.

You OK, Rose?

Oh sure, he was just trying to scare me.

Next day after school, once again he hurried his cleanup and took off running to catch Rose.

Uh-oh, there’ll be trouble this time. The same boy was back with two of his friends, standing in a line with hands on hips, blocking her way.

This wasn’t about Rose; it was about him.

He slowed his pace. Rose turned around, tears in her eyes, fear on her cute little face. He walked up real slow, easy hands at his sides.

The boys clenched their fists, glaring at him. Without saying a word, his left fist shot out, landing on the first boy’s nose. Quick as a blink, his right fist connected with the other boy’s nose. Blood, snot, and tears were flowing. The third boy took off running, fell down, and got up screaming and crying. The other two were crying, running past him, holding their noses.

Rose stood looking, eyes big as saucers.

Wow, golly, Francisco, pow, pow, you sure fixed them bullies.

"Let’s not say anything to Mamasita or the Judge—I mean your father, about this. This is just between you, me, and the bullies."

Arriving at the ranch, Francisco went out to the stables to do his chores, washed up, and found his place at the table with the rest.

After we eat and the table is cleared, would you and Rose remain? I would like to talk to you about school.

Both assumed as did the others that it was about schoolwork.

How is school going, Francisco, any problems with your studies?

No, sir, everything is just fine. I am making good grades.

How about on your way home from school? Any trouble?

Rose shifted in her chair, a little uncomfortable.

No big trouble, sir.

Rose, did you have any trouble?

No big trouble, Daddy.

Looking at the boy, the Judge then said, I had a phone call from three parents. They accuse you of bullying and beating up their children. Francisco, I know you are no bully.

And you know I am no fool, sir. I would not start a fight with three boys older than I with only little Rose backing me up.

The Judge slapped his good leg, laughing. That is the most commonsense thing I have heard all day. Rose, do you want to tell me what happened?

Rose dramatically told the story, left fist flying, right fist followed. While holding her nose she ran around in circles and pretended to be crying.

OK, OK, I get the picture, Rose, but I wish the two of you would have come and informed me of this incident yourself. However, case dismissed.

The next day at school, Rose told everyone about the fight and her dad siding with Francisco. Even the teachers heard but said nothing to Francisco. No one wanted to be in disagreement with Judge Trully.

Charlie slapped his friend on the back. Well done, amigo. Anytime you need help you can call on me, but it looks like you can take care of yourself.

Several days later, as he and Rose were walking home from school, Rose asked, Francisco, am I your girl?

Well, you are my responsibility. I guess that makes you my girl. Why?

The other girls are teasing me, saying, ‘Here comes Francisco’s little girlfriend.’

When they start that, just smile and say, ‘When you dream at night you wish you were Francisco’s girl.’

Do you think the other girls are jealous of me?

You bet, but don’t tell them they are. Let them figure it out for themselves. You just keep smiling. Don’t let them get to you. Soon they will quit teasing.

During the summer, every Saturday night on the Tejano side of town would be Festividad, two cultures coming together—Mexican cuisine, music and dance, Texas country and western music, and plenty of Texas-style BBQ. Most Saturday nights would find Felix there playing his guitar and singing. When he wasn’t playing his guitar, he would be dancing with the señoritas. Felix was an aficionado of the Grand Ole Opry, often playing and singing top hits of the day to the delight of everyone. Francisco turned fourteen with his tio as role model. He too could sing and play the guitar quite well. Because Francisco gave so much of his time to the ranch and all his training, Mamasita relented when Felix asked if he could take him to the fiestas. Felix promised to keep an eye on him. They both would play and sing together. It would also give Francisco opportunity to visit with his two abuelas. Grandmother Garcia and Grandmother Cordova both ran a Mexican restaurant on the Tejano side of town and would sell their cuisine at the fiesta.

As much as Felix was a hit with the older señoritas, Francisco was a sure hit with the younger girls.

Rose was not permitted to attend the fiestas. The Judge would say she was too young and besides, he really did not believe dancing was necessary, much to the gratitude of Francisco.

At fifteen, Francisco was a good ranch hand, horse trainer, rodeo rider, musician, boxer, and crack shot with any firearm, but more important than that, the Judge, his mother, and Felix instilled in him honesty, integrity, and a strong faith in God. To put it mildly, the boy was growing into a very capable young man.

CHAPTER 6

During the summer, with school out, it was Rose’s habit to take an early-morning ride in the open country. It wasn’t that Francisco had free time to go riding, but Mamasita’s rule was that Rose was never to ride on the open range by herself. Francisco would saddle two horses, and they would spend several hours riding, which was OK with him. He loved to ride, and he loved to be with Rose. After all, he had been looking after her since she was three. Felix called her his shadow.

Riding just a little farther along the river than usual, they came to an oxbow in the river and decided to cross the river and explore the spit of ground that used to be on this side of the river. The river was only about two feet deep at this point. The spit of ground was grown up with willows. Winding their way through the willows, they came up on an old adobe hut. Dismounting, they could see the door and window were nothing more than tattered cowhide. Looking inside it, they could see it hadn’t been used in many years—an old bunk that had collapsed into a pile of boards, a rickety old table, and a mud brick fireplace.

This must have been an old line shack, Rose.

What is a line shack?

Well, back in the days when they grazed cows on the open range, the cowboys would build line shacks to stay in when they were too far to get back to the ranch bunkhouse, taking turns being outriders. No one has grazed cattle in this region since it turned agricultural at least fifty years ago. The Trully Ranch has always been in horses and later adding farming, only running a small cattle herd. This shack predates the Trully Ranch and before the river changed course.

Francisco, isn’t this exciting? We may be the first people to see this shack in a hundred years. Let’s not tell anyone and keep it our secret.

OK Rose, it will be our secret.

Later that summer as Francisco and Felix were working the horses, Felix said, Francisco, John wants me to deliver two horses to a rodeo in Dallas. How would you like to ride along in the truck with me and drive some yourself?

"Wow, Tio, you bet I would but it would be up to Mamasita."

I already asked, she said you could. We will leave before sunup, deliver the horses to the rodeo arena, have a late lunch in Dallas, then head back. I will let you drive the truck and trailer. It will be good experience for you. We should be back by nightfall.

Dallas was the first big city Francisco had ever visited. He was delighted beyond words. At the arena, his tio introduced him to some of the riders. Felix himself used to ride rodeo and still did if it was local to the ranch. He was just too busy at the ranch training horses to hit the rodeo circuit. He and his tio even went to lunch with some of the riders at a very fancy restaurant. They even had pretty girls take your order and bring your food to your table. The only restaurant Francisco had ever eaten in was the one owned by his two grandmothers on the Tejano side of Plainview, and they served the food themselves.

The riders were impressed as Felix told them how he had been training his nephew since he was five-years-old and that at fifteen Francisco was already as good as he was. They said they were looking forward to the day he was old enough to ride the circuit.

Felix let him drive the truck and trailer home.

"Wow, Tio, this is neat to drive the open highway. The only driving I’ve ever done was around the ranch and maybe a few streets in Plainview. I can hardly believe that I’ve got to see a big city, meet rodeo riders, eat in a real Anglo restaurant, and drive a truck on the highway."

"You’re doing good, sobrino, just keep your eyes on the road and watch your speed. As good a driver as you are, you could probably drive to New York and back."

Ten miles from the ranch, they ran into the worst rainstorm Francisco had ever seen.

"Better let me take the wheel, sobrino."

With the dark clouds overhead and the rain coming down in sheets, night had settled in. As they pulled into the drive, Mamasita ran out waving her arms frantically. Felix rolled down the window. She was almost hysterical.

Rose is lost out there somewhere. She rode out this afternoon and hasn’t come back. John and six other riders are out looking for her. You two know the range better than anybody, please go find her.

Francisco, park the truck! I’ll meet you in the stable. Felix hopped out and ran for the stable. Francisco parked in the machine shed and ran for the stable. Felix had his horse saddled and had on a rain poncho and a rifle in his scabbard.

Bring your pistol with you. If you find her, fire two shots. I’ll answer with one and vice-versa. He was off at a gallop.

Francisco saddled his horse and grabbed a rain poncho, but he had to ride to the house to get his pistol. Running into his room, he strapped on his pistol under his poncho, picked up a blanket and flashlight, and shoved the blanket into his saddlebag. Rose may need this. If I know Rose, she took the river