As the Eagle Flies. J. D. Oliver

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      I came around and lined myself up, the wheels were down and locked. There was a fence that I would have to clear at the start of the runway. I came in low and as soon as I was just by the fence; I set her down with full flaps and brakes locked. The wheels were throwing sod every which way.

      The man had chased the last of the stock out of our way. I got her stopped just before I ran into the fence at the end of the runway, or I guess I could say pasture. I sure put some grooves the full length of it. I suppose I would have to pay for that.

      I turned around and tapped Jake on the shoulder, “We’ve landed, you’re safe now.” He looked up, his face pale as a ghost. He looked around and didn’t say a word. For a man who could ride a two thousand pound bull, he sure let a little emergency landing spook him.

      As we were getting out, the man who shooed the stock away was walking toward us. He was an older Mexican fellow, with a big smile. “That was a good landing Senor, the Gods must of have been with you. Welcome to the Ranchos de Chama. My name is Miguel.” He said, holding his hand out to shake.

      I took his hand and pumped it, “Thank you for clearing the runway, I’m Clay, this is my brother Jake and this is my father, Karl Bronson. You sure saved our lives.”

      “You’re welcome Senor. Do you want me to get the tractor and put your plane in the hanger?” He said pointing to a large hanger setting on the East side of the runway. I hadn’t even noticed it.

      “Yeah, I guess, sure. That right motor has some problems, do you know of a good aircraft mechanic?” I said.

      “I used to work on the Patron’s airplane, perhaps you would like me to look at it?” he said with a smile.

      I looked at him, closer. He had a twinkle in his eye. Now I knew better than to judge people by first sight; this was a case in point. He was more than met the eye. “Yes, of course I would,” I said.

      He went to get the tractor, it was equipped with an aircraft hitch. He pulled it over and backed it in the hanger. He said, “Perhaps you would like to get your overnight bags, I will take you to the main house and introduce you to the Senora. She will be glad to have you stay with them.”

      “Are you sure, we could just bunk here in the hanger?” Dad said.

      “That would hurt her feelings, you must come to the main house,” he said.

      “Okay, sure, we’ll come, we’re sorry for suggesting otherwise.” Dad said. We retrieved our bags. Jake still hadn’t said a word. There was an old 47 Chevy pickup parked beside the hanger, Dad and Miguel got in the cab, Jake and I, jumped in the back. Jake mumbled, “I guess we’re going to miss that Rodeo in Santa Fe.”

      “I do believe you’re right. But I guess we need the rest anyway.” I said. The main house was a mile up a tree lined lane. This sure was a fancy place. I could see Dad and Miguel laughing and talking in the cab. They seemed to hit it off pretty good.

      The main house was a classic Mexican Villa, in the Santa Fe style. We pulled up and as we were getting out, the main door opened; a women stood there smiling. Miguel said, “This is my wife, Ester. She’s the Home Manager for the Senora. I run the Ranchos.” Turning to his wife, he said, “Ester is the Senora ready to receive visitors?”

      “Of course, she heard their plane land; she is expecting them. Come in please, Juan will take your bags to your rooms.” A young boy appeared and took our bags and hurried off down a cool hallway. The walls in the house must have been three foot thick.

      She showed us into a parlor where a woman was bending over a fancy antique crib. She stood up and turned to face us. She was in her middle forties or so, she said, “Welcome to our home. My name is Felicia Cortez,” she held her hand out, Dad took it and bowed low over it. I couldn’t believe it; I had never seen him do something like that. He kissed the back of her hand, she did a little curtsy. What was more, he had taken his hat off at the first sight of her. Jake and I grabbed our hats off and mumbled a greeting of some kind.

      Dad said, “My name is Karl Bronson, these are my son’s Clay and Jake. She turned to us and smiled. She was beautiful, not that Jake and I were interested, but Dad sure was.

      She said, “My Hacienda is yours as long as you need it, I heard your plane coming from a long ways off and knew you would land here. We’ve already had our noon repast; can I have the cook bring a snack before supper?”

      “Uh, no we’re alright, perhaps just something to drink?” Dad said. She clapped her hands, a young girl scurried in. “Juanita, some ice tea please?” The girl turned and scooted off. Miguel and Ester had disappeared. Felicia showed us to some overstuffed cowhide leather chairs. She settled into her chair like a queen setting down. Which I guess she was; queen of this place anyway.

      The girl came back with a pitcher of ice tea and glasses along with some scones or something. She poured our glasses full. When she passed the bread, both Jake and I took a handful. Dad didn’t.

      There came a whimper from the crib. Felicia said, “Oh, my Grand Daughter is waking up. She wants fed.” Felicia looked directly at me. She said, “Clay, if you would be so kind, please take the baby to my Daughter-in-law, she will nurse her. It’s down the hallway the second door on the left, just knock lightly and go right in.”

      I was stunned, too stunned to protest. I went over and picked up a four or five months old baby girl, she had dark brown hair, she gurgled at me and smiled. It was strange; I picked her up, just like I had been doing it from her birth. Dad and Jake were staring at me, that’s okay, I was staring at myself.

      I knocked, turning the knob, I went in. There was a young women sleeping in a big old style bed. She had blond hair. I went over and stood beside her, I cleared my throat. “Uh, Miss, your Mother sent me in with the baby, she’s awake.”

      She opened her eyes; they were blue, she looked at me, her eyes focusing. Suddenly she was wide awake. She sat up, “What time is it?”

      “Uh, I believe its somewhere around three in the afternoon.” I said, as she sat up in bed. She had on a light night gown, open at the throat. “Shit, she let me sleep too long again. Alita was colicky all night; I guess I was just tired out. Here, give her to me.” She said as she opened her night gown. It fell off of her shoulders, exposing both breasts! She didn’t even blink. Alita locked on to her left breast, sucking mightily. “My name is Faith, what’s yours?

      “It’s Clay, look I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be in here, but your Mother sent me in. I guess I was just too surprised to protest. Besides, when I picked the Baby up, it, it just seemed like she was mine, weird huh?”

      “My Mother-in-law, not my Mother. Her son, my husband was killed along with her husband in a plane crash about a year ago.” She was looking at me with a small smile on her face; as her eyes twinkled at my discomfort.

      She glanced down at the baby and then her other breast. “Nice huh?” she said, indicating her right breast. “They sure are bigger with all of this milk.”

      “Uh, yes, I should be embarrassed and you know what? I am. But anyway; may I set down beside you?”

      “Yes, sure. I’m not this way with everybody. But it seems like, I don’t know, I have been expecting you. I know I’ve seen you in my dreams.”

      I sat down, she reached СКАЧАТЬ