“We just sent the lambs to market,” Lia’s father explained. “Next week we have a herd of horses headed to California.Real beauties. I think the new owners are going to be very pleased.”
Lia nodded. “People come from all over the country to buy Papa’s horses.”
Mr. Mendoza brought the wagon to a halt and rattled off orders in Spanish. He helped Susanna down from the wagon and then Lia. He held his daughter in his arms for a couple of extra moments, laughing and saying something to her that sounded endearing. Susanna found herself jealous. What must it be like to have such a father?
Before she could take a step, the hacienda doors opened, and a flood of people rushed out to greet them. Susanna knew she’d never remember all their names, so she tried to focus on just a few.
“This is myabuela—my grandmother,” Lia introduced. The old woman grinned up at Susanna. She was so petite, and her weathered, wrinkled face bore a hint of Lia’s youthful looks.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. ... ah...” Susanna looked to Lia, wondering what to call the old woman.
Before Lia could speak, however, the old woman spoke in English. “You call me Abuelita, just as Lia does. I will be your grandmother too.”
Susanna smiled. “Thank you, Abuelita. That makes me very happy. I have no grandmother yet living.” She felt so much a part of the family with that simple gesture of love.
“This is my mother,” Lia said, drawing a beautiful black-haired woman close. She was surprisingly youthful. “Mama, this is Susanna. She is my dear friend.”
The woman embraced Susanna. “I’m so glad you are my Lia’s friend. You are very welcome here. You must make yourself at home.”
“What should I call you?” Susanna asked as she stepped back from the hug.
“Call me Anna,” the woman said, smiling. Lia’s fatherhad already instructed Susanna to call him Emilio, so it only seemed right that she would call Lia’s mother by her first name as well.
They moved inside the house, with everyone talking at once. Susanna heard a mix of English and Spanish and had to laugh to herself. If she were to remain in San Marcial, it would serve her well to increase her Spanish lessons with Lia.
That evening, Owen and LeRoy walked to the company housing area. One of the small employee houses had been readied for them, and they were both ready to drop. Lucky for them, the house had an outbuilding with indoor plumbing as well as showers. They both took advantage of the facilities, then fell into their beds without even the slightest interest in doing anything else.
“I’m glad Susanna went with Lia. I couldn’t any more walk around town with her right now than run a race. I’m so tired.”
“Well, we worked ten hours straight. We didn’t even stop for lunch—wouldn’t even have had lunch if the boss hadn’t taken pity on us and brought us those tamales.”
“True.” Owen yawned and rolled over. “Did you set the alarm?”
“Yeah,” LeRoy murmured.
“What time are we getting up?”
“Too early. That’s what time.”
Owen smiled and let his mind drift. He imagined himself with Susanna at the Mendoza ranch. Maybe he’d propose to her there. He waited for that thought to shock him, but when it didn’t, he smiled. He was in love with Widow Jenkins. Who would have thought? He’d known her only a few months, yet he was ready to spend the rest of his life with her.
I love her, he mused. I really and truly love her.
“Did you say something?” LeRoy murmured.
Owen grinned. “Nothing. I was just thinking.”
“Well, don’t think so loud. I was nearly asleep.”
Owen smiled all the more. Just wait until he told LeRoy what was really on his mind.
17
Susanna didn’t know when she’d enjoyed life more. Even her days with Mark, although a blessing of love, were never as full of life and festivity. Lia’s family seemed to make every day a day of celebration. If ever a family loved one another, it was this collection of people, and Susanna found herself wishing she were a real part of it.
Sitting in the shade of the courtyard, Susanna marveled at the variety of potted plants and enjoyed the coolness of the morning. The house spilled out into this oasis from every angle through large doors that folded back. It was an amazing way to bring the outside in or take their indoor areas out. Upstairs, her bedroom had beautiful double doors that opened onto a large porch that wrapped all the way around the second floor and looked down on the beautiful courtyard. It was an incredible place, and Susanna couldn’t help falling in love with it and the family who lived there.
Lia appeared to disrupt her reflection. “Susanna, come now. Abuelita is going to teach you to make tortillas. She is the best of all of us. Of course, she’s been making them for eighty years.”
