“Not as often as I would like. Oh, I love it here, you know I do, but there are times I want to see other places, go where I’ve never been before and see new things. I envy you your travels. You’ve been everywhere, and I’ve hardly left Texas or Mexico. Though Renaldo has promised me a trip to El Paso soon, as he has some business for his abuelo up there. Something to do with cattle.” She laughed. “I don’t pay much attention when they talk market prices, I’m afraid. I prefer to think of the hotels and shops and the theater. El Paso has a new theater and Renaldo has promised to take me. Why, they even have opera now, though not often.”

“Why El Paso and not San Antonio?” Ginny asked. “It seems much too far to go for cattle business, when you’re much closer to San Antonio from here, or even Brownsville, where you can ship beef from the port.”

Missie shrugged. “As I said, I don’t interfere in the business aspect. I just enjoy the few trips I get to make.”

When Ginny nodded with a faint smile, Missie said, “Did you bring the new styles with you from France? Or the Lady’s Book? I’d love to wear something no one has seen yet, and be in fashion.”

“Fashions don’t reach here for two years after they come out in France,” Ginny murmured, and her lovely green eyes were a little dark as she glanced across the room toward Steve. There was a pensive quality to her, though she attempted to hide it.

Missie wondered what could be bothering her, or if they had quarreled again. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time!

Ginny turned to her suddenly. “But I did bring some new gowns. Has our baggage not arrived yet? It should have been here long before now.”

Missie shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Unless, of course, it has come and no one thought to tell me. We can ask Señora Armijo tomorrow. She will certainly know. She knows everything.”

Ginny laughed. “I suppose she’s beside herself with the preparations for the fiesta.”

“Oh my…” Missie spread her arms out, shaking her head. “It has been impossible while we waited for word from you that you were on your way. Now that you are here, she had no doubt gone into a complete frenzy. But it will all be perfect, no doubt. Have you seen Don Francisco yet?”

“No, I imagine we will see him tomorrow. Is he well?”

“He’s quite well, and I credit his wife for that. Doña Teresa is very efficient, and the only one I know who can deal properly with Señora Armijo.”