“Yes,” she said. “Thank you. I’d like that.”
“Wonderful.” Ma clapped her hands together. “I’ll make the calls tonight. Noon tomorrow. The men can entertain themselves.”
I hadn’t yet figured out how I’d be able to sneak away to meet with Los Caballeros, and this would give me the perfect opportunity. I excused myself a few minutes later and stepped out onto the back porch with my phone. Snapper picked up on the second ring.
“I heard you’re headed home,” he said.
“Actually, we’re already here. Listen, Ma just invited Isabel to lunch tomorrow at the Stonehouse. All the women.”
“Good timing. We should schedule the meeting then. Same time, different location.”
“That’s what I was thinking.”
“I’ll let everyone know. How is she?”
I looked through the window at Isabel and my mother, still talking at the table. Isabel was smiling at something Ma had said—a real smile. Seeing herhere now made me realize how significant her transformation was. Her hair hung in loose curls that, until a few weeks ago, I didn’t know she had. She wore no makeup except for a little lip gloss, and instead of the fancy clothes she’d always been decked out in, she had on jeans and a sweater.
“I’m telling you, you won’t recognize her.”
“What’s that mean?”
“I’ll let you see for yourself. Anyway, she’s good. Nervous, but good.”
“She’ll be fine. Ma’s inviting Saffron, right?” he asked.
“Definitely.”
“I’ll let her know, and she’ll stick by Isabel’s side. Ease her into the group.”
“Thanks, Snap.”
“I’m glad you’re home. I’ve been missing my little bro.”
“Little? I’ve got at least two inches on you,bro.”
“Yeah, whatever. See ya tomorrow.”
I ended the call and went back inside. It was good to be home. I hoped Isabel ended up feeling that way too. Not that this trip would be easy on her. I just prayedthat the rest of the women in the family were as kind to her as Ma was.
She wasquiet on the drive to my place after dinner. Her head was turned toward the window, watching the familiar streets pass by.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Your mother is…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “She just accepted me. No questions, no judgment. She hugged me like I was already family.”
“That’s who she is.”
“It’s not who anyone else has ever been. Not with me.”
I parked in the driveway and cut the engine, taking in the house I loved but so rarely spent time at. Up until I went to Whitmore, it had been the rodeo that kept me away. I couldn’t even imagine returning to that life now.
“There’s something I wanted to ask you,” I said, shifting to face her. “While we’re here, do you want to tell people about the baby?”
She was quiet for a moment. “She already knows, doesn’t she?”
“Probably. She’s kind of that way.” I smiled. “But she won’t say anything until we give her the okay. Thatisn’ther way.”
“You can tell people if you want to.”
