“Maybe we can borrow them from time to time,” Owen said, grinning.
Susanna laughed. “Maybe. I just can’t get over how wonderful their life on the ranch is and how happy they all seemed.”
“They still have their issues and problems, I’m sure. We saw what they wanted us to see.”
“Yes, but there was such a sincerity about them that I truly think we saw it all. Yes, they have troubles,” she admitted, “but they deal with them openly and without malice and bitterness. My family only seems to know how to act in meanness and contempt. Even Uncle Harrison’s actions are out of selfish frustration to teach my father a lesson.”
“Well, the Mendozas do love the Lord. That makes a difference. We might not all attend the same church, but I know Mr. Mendoza believes quite faithfully in salvation through Jesus Christ. His kindness and good works flow naturally out of his love for God. I think the rest of the family feels the same way.”
“I hope we’ll always put Jesus first.” Susanna met Owen’s gaze. “My family never did. We had our church pew bought and paid for and our faithful attendance record, but God’s true presence has never graced our home.”
“It will ours. You need to stop fretting.” Owen smiled and put his arm around Susanna. “Oh look, it stopped raining. That doesn’t mean there can’t still be a flash flood, though. A lot of times the river will get a deluge up north, and it will come racing down here and overflow its banks. When the season is particularly rainy, you need to be prepared, because when a flash flood comes, there’s no time to arrange for anything.”
“It seems so frightening the way you describe it.”
“It can be,” Owen replied. “It’s dangerous, to be sure. We had a bad one a few years back that left two feet of water allover town. Of course, it receded fairly quickly. Desert land has a way of absorbing the slightest bit of moisture. Just make sure that if we have more than a couple of days of steady rain, you get all the important stuff up to the second floor and then keep watch. That’s pretty much all you can do.”
“What do you do at the shops?” The train moved over a rough spot and threw Susanna sideways. Owen held on to her, however, making her feel safe and protected.
“There isn’t always much we can do. If we have warning, we load up as much of the expensive equipment as we can and get the trains out of there. We definitely move out all of the engines that can run. If something happens, likely it will be fast, and there will be no time to let each other know that we’re all right. Usually they’ll telegraph from up north if the water breaks and heads this way, so sometimes we can get the women and children to safety up on the hill past Old Town, up by San Geronimo.”
Susanna leaned her head against him, not caring that this public display was probably completely uncalled for. “You should talk to my father about it. I know I’ll be the one to do the work, but he should at least have an idea of how to protect Uncle Harrison’s hotel.”
“And your house.”
“I’m praying that maybe it could beourhouse.” She sat up. “Uncle Harrison still wants Mother and Father to live at the hotel. If he insists and manages to get them to move, the house could be ours ... at least until we can buy a hacienda.” She grinned.
Owen chuckled. “It’s good to know you’ve got this all planned out.”
“Well, not all ... but I’ve thought about it a lot in the last few hours.”
He laughed all the louder, causing Lia and LeRoy to stir.
LeRoy looked over at Owen and Susanna. “Are we there?”
“Just about. Close enough to start gathering our things,” Owen said, moving away from Susanna.
Lia stretched and yawned as John opened his eyes and scooted closer to the window. LeRoy gave Emilio a shake. “Time to wake up, son. We’re almost home.”
Emilio grunted and tried to curl up closer to his father.
LeRoy laughed and pulled Emilio onto his lap. “We’re gonna be there in a minute, and I won’t be able to take you to the Harvey House if you’re not awake.”
“You’ll miss out on your favorite pancakes with berries and whipped cream,” Lia added.
This perked up the boy considerably. He slid off his father’s lap and joined his brother at the window. “We’re almost there,” he declared, glancing back at his parents.
Susanna laughed. “That got him awake.”
“Works like magic,” Lia said.
“Are you gonna join them at the Harvey House?” Owen asked.
“No. I need to check in with my father and make sure the hotel is still standing. Besides, the breakfast Lia’s mother and grandmother fed us wouldn’t allow for another bite.”
“Best cooking in the territory.” Owen leaned closer. “I hope you were taking notes.”
“I did and then some.” Susanna shook her head. “I could cook a few things prior to this, but not much. I’ve never been properly trained until these last four days. Goodness, I learned so much. I think I could even kill and dress my own chicken.”
