Amelia shifted her position: a bit to the left, higher, lower, more to the right as she snapped the shutter again and again. The girl piled the drums and sent them careening beyond the triangle formed by her chubby legs.

The moment she finished, Amelia approached the older woman, offered her card, and apologized for shooting before introducing herself. The child’s name was Antonia, and her grandmother was gracious. Amelia thanked them and asked for their address so that she could send copies of the photographs.

A male voice startled her. “That was great, thanks.”

Amelia stared at Ben. “Thanks for what?”

“I hope you don’t mind. I took a picture of you shooting that little girl.”

She moved away from him.

Ben fell into step with her. “Please,” he said, “You’re annoyed with me. I apologize. I ought not to have done that without asking permission. It’s just that I followed your lead and photographed the child, but then I couldn’t resist. You’re my candid shot. I’d very much like to make amends. Someone mentioned a nice little bistro near the hotel. May I take you and Miriam there for an early dinner?”

“My granddaughter, Sadie, is back at the hotel. She’s seven. We’d have to bring her along.” That ought to put an end to that.

“That would be great,” he said. “I’d love for her to come along as well.”

Amelia studied his face. She noted an old scar on the side of his chin. His hair was of no particular color, yet his brown eyes were kind, and his smile turned an ordinary face into mildly good-looking. She sensed that he was interested in Miriam. “If it’s okay with Miriam, it’s fine with me,” she said and moved away.

“I’ll check with her.” Ben walked over to where Miriam squatted, shooting photos of art objects.

The group moved on and turned the corner, disappearing down a side street. Amelia hurried to catch up and did so just as Martha said, “Be alert to the special quality of light in Santa Fe. This time of day the Sangre de Cristo Mountains turn blood red, a spectacular sight.”

They rounded another corner and the scarlet mountains came into full view. Everyone grabbed cameras and the shooting continued until scarlet faded to purple and then to gray. Miriam stood beside Amelia and put her arm about her shoulders.

“Look at that crescent moon. It’s larger and brighter than any crescent moon I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much for bringing us along, for giving me this opportunity to see Santa Fe and to be with you. It’s very special.”

How lovely she is, and how much I love her. “The pleasure is all mine,” Amelia said. They turned then, and arm in arm strolled back to the hotel.