Owen made great stomping strides as the boys squealed in delight. “On my right leg is Emilio, and on my left is John. That exhausted man behind me is their father, LeRoy Branson. LeRoy and boys, this is Mrs. Jenkins.”
“How nice to meet you all,” Susanna said, laughing. What a difference this company made. They instantly cheered her. “I’ve come to see Lia. Mother wants to hire her to do some cooking and cleaning.”
LeRoy came to greet her. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jenkins.”
“Oh, please, everyone calls me Susanna.” She shook LeRoy’s hand. It was a firm, calloused handshake that reminded her of his job. “You work with Owen at the railroad, right?”
“I don’t work alongside him, but I am at the shops. We’re the two who keep the Santa Fe actually running.”
Owen laughed. “Sometimes it definitely feels that way.” The boys peeled off his legs and went running.
“Come on inside,” LeRoy said, heading for the house. “Lia is there.”
Owen and Susanna walked toward the house in unison step. He offered her a smile. “How’s the hotel business?”
“So far, so good. I have pleasant accommodations to myself, so that is very nice.”
“And the guests have been polite? No one getting out of hand with you?” Owen looked at her as if to assure himself of the truth.
“No. Things have been quite pleasant. But we’re just getting started.”
Inside the little house, Susanna marveled at the homey feel. There were beautiful multi-colored curtains at the windows and tile on the floor that was equally colorful.
“Your house is so charming,” Susanna said when Lia came to greet her. “I love these tiles.”
“Thank you. They are special to me. My uncle made them.”
“He is a very talented man. An artist.”
“Sí, he is,” Lia agreed. “Would you like something to drink?”
Susanna shook her head. “I just came from supper with my family. I thought I’d best try to arrange for your help before I let another day pass.”
“Come and sit, and we’ll talk about what you need.”
“I don’t suppose you need us, so we’ll just go back outside and enjoy the evening,” LeRoy said. He bent and gave Lia a quick kiss.
Susanna waited until the men had gone before explainingwhat she had in mind. “I want to tell you about our situation,” she began. She had already decided to be completely honest with Lia. Susanna explained her mother’s elevated opinion of herself and her father’s delusional ideas about finance. She tried her best to be kind and even show respect—after all, they were her parents—but she knew Lia would learn the truth soon enough. “My brother is spoiled and has no idea how to conduct himself. I fear for him and am more than grateful that Owen has taken an interest in him. However, Gary is naïve and is certain to get himself into trouble.”
“It’s easy enough to do around here. Not all the men are good,” Lia admitted. “There are some very rough characters in San Marcial.”
“And no doubt they will see my brother coming from a long way off and take advantage of him.”
“Then we must pray for him.”
Susanna was embarrassed to admit she hadn’t considered that. Her religious training was mostly superficial, although she and Mark had prayed and read the Bible together. “I suppose I’ve been so caught up in the changes that I hadn’t thought about the need for prayer. But you’re right.”
“I will pray for him faithfully, just as I do my boys.”
“Thank you, Lia. I am grateful.”
“We will be good friends, you and me. I already know it.”
Susanna hadn’t had a good friend since Mark had passed away. She had closed herself off from everyone. Perhaps a good friend was exactly what she needed. She smiled.
“I can do a few hours now while the boys are out of school,” Lia began. “My sister María can watch them. They love to play with their cousins. Once they are all back at school, I can work most of the day if needed.”
“I think a few hours in the morning and a few in the afternoon would work well for now. Mother will need help cleaning and with laundry. She will also need help with cooking.”
