He took her hand. The warmth from his palm comforted her. “Let’s get through this night, and you can go to him.”
Carolina looked up at this thoughtful man. This couldn’t all be an act for the farm, could it?
“Thanks. You’re right. On with the show.” She shook her head to compose herself, and her veil fell to the ground.
“Here, let me help you.”
He picked it up and turned to fasten the veil on top of her head. As he stood in front of her, the heat of his breath warmed her neck. Shivers ran down her spine. Their lips were so close they almost touched.
Baby ran over to them, and Enrique stepped back. Carolina smiled through her pain when she saw her. When Sofía was born, Carolina felt a special bond toward her—the eldest and the youngest. Carolina had helped so much to raise her, it was as if she was almost her own child. At only five, Baby was so sweet and innocent. Her long black hair was braided into two long plaits.
Carolina knelt down and hugged Baby. “You are the prettiest angel I have ever seen.”
Her brown eyes lit up. “Thank you. Why did Mamá have to leave? Where is Papá?”
Carolina swallowed the lump in her throat. “They had something very important to do, but I’m going to send them pictures and a video.”
Baby nodded vigorously. Carolina clutched her hand and stood up to face Enrique. “I’m ready.”
He linked his arm with hers and walked her over to the priest.
Father Juan was dressed for the occasion in an old-school Franciscan habit.
“Padre Juan, my father is in the hospital. Will you pray for him?”
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Of course, mija.”
“Thank you, Padre. But could you not use his name in prayer? I don’t want the community to know about this until we find out what is wrong with him.” She pointed to Baby now skipping happily toward the front of the group and laughing with their sister Victoria. “And some of my sisters don’t know what’s happening.”
“I understand. I will not say his name.”
“I appreciate that.”
Father Juan led Carolina, Enrique, and Baby to the church steps. A parishioner brought the donkey from the back of the church and handed him to Enrique, who grabbed the reins. Ramón, Julieta, Linda, Jaime, Rosa, Tiburón, and Blanca followed behind them. Outside, a crowd of at least a hundred people had already gathered for the journey. They were carrying candles, which illuminated the night.
Christmas trees were in the shopwindows and bright red bows were wrapped on every streetlight. It was all so beautiful and glorious. She just wished her father were there to see.
Father Juan addressed his congregation. “Before we walk tonight, I would like us to join in prayer for everyone’s journey tonight. We also have a sick member of our congregation who needs our prayers. Let us pray.”
Carolina nodded and Enrique followed suit. Their hands brushedas she moved to pray, and he gently laced their fingers together. He squeezed hers.
Her heart raced.
Father Juan spoke. “Beloved St. Padre Pio, who shared in Christ’s suffering in a special way through the stigmata, you especially loved the sick and infirm. Through your intercession before the throne of God, may we be healed in body and soul, particularly in regard to our dear loved one.”
“Amen,” the crowd responded in unison.
Warmth filled Carolina’s chest. Padre Pio was her favorite saint and was known for healing the sick. He could heal Papá. Carolina was grateful that Father Juan had chosen him to pray to.
“Tonight, we will start our pilgrimage for shelter. Representing the Virgin Mary is our own Carolina Flores.”
People began to clap, but Carolina was in no mood for applause.
“And we have a guest to play Joseph. Please welcome Enrique Montez. And he’s even brought along some Wise Men to help with our journey.”
Enrique waved, a suave look on his face. “Hi, everyone. I’m honored to be here. I’ll be honest, it’s my first Las Posadas. But I’m excited to participate in your tradition. Thanks for welcoming me.”
Carolina watched the eyes of the crowd, which consisted of almost every prominent family in Santa Maria, rake over Enrique. Carolina was locally famous in her hometown, and everything she did was scrutinized. A girl she’d gone to high school with whispered to another former classmate, then looked at her phone. Their mouths both dropped in unison, and then they both pointed at Carolina.
