“Oh, Steve, I know that. It just…surprised me that she is here, that’s all.” Ginny smiled but she sounded uncertain as she moved to the window of their hotel room. Across the street, the marquee of the Majestic Theater advertised the world-famous opera singer, Princess Francesca di Paoli, in San Antonio to celebrate the grand arrival of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway.

It didn’t make things any better that Shanghai Pierce was in town as well. The man was unscrupulous. A perfect match for Brandon, but even the senator had enough scruples not to get too involved with him.

Ginny turned away from the window. With the light behind her forming a hazy halo, she looked to Steve like a seductive angel.

“You needn’t look so wary, Steve,” she said. “I don’t intend to make any kind of a scene.”

“I’m relieved to hear it.”

She smiled slightly, and moved to the wardrobe where her new clothes had been delivered earlier. “These will do,” she said now as if there were nothing more important, “until I can have some made. I suppose I should be accustomed to having garments strewn all over Mexico, but somehow, I never quite adapt to misplacing my beautiful gowns. Such a waste, when all of them were sewn especially for me.”

She turned suddenly, eyes wide and innocent. “But then, you probably left them in New Orleans anyway when you packed contraband instead.”

Amused, he said as he buckled on his gun belt, “You have no faith in me, Ginny love. I sent them to my grandfather’s, but maybe not as we had planned.”

“So I found out. Honestly, Steve, I constantly surprise myself with how much of your plans I can guess. You forget, I’ve worked for Bishop, too, and can always discern his fine hand mixed up in your plans.” Her loose hair brushed against her waist, and she pulled it over one shoulder, combing her fingers through it. “Should I ask where you’re going?”

“You can if you like. Paco is waiting on me. You’re getting skinny, my love. You need some meat on your bones. Have a good meal tonight, and don’t wait up for me.”

Before she could do more than splutter a protest, he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her, his mouth effectively cutting off any more questions.

“Behave yourself,” he said when he lifted his head, “or you’ll upset Missie.”

Some of the anger leached from her stormy face. “Missie and Renaldo are here?”

“In the restaurant we passed—and so was your father. It looks like a reunion in town. Just what I need. Since I’ll be busy for a while, do you think you can stay out of trouble?”