“So you think the rebellion will end that quickly?”

“I won’t know that until we arrive, but from what I know of Díaz, the man is an excellent military leader. I rode under his command for too long to think he will lose a military conflict to Lerdo. But politics is another arena, one not as natural to him as to Lerdo. The outcome is uncertain at this point.”

Ginny bit her lower lip, remembering too well the last revolution in which she’d been involved, and the horrors of it. Could she go back and take the risk of becoming caught up in it again?

As if guessing the direction of her thoughts, Steve leaned forward, and his tone was soft. “If you’re having doubts, green-eyes—”

“Maman!” The childish interruption dragged her attention from Steve to the impetuous Laura, who burst into the room with Franco at her heels, an indignant expression on her small face, while Franco’s eyes burned with frustration.

“Maman, Franco said you’re leaving us again, and I told him that was not true. Tell him, Maman, tell him that we are staying together!”

Dismay made Ginny’s hand shake as she set down her teacup and folded the little girl into a warm embrace. “Franco is right, my darling, but only for a little while. Oh, don’t cry, Laura, my sweet girl. Papa and I are just going to get our new home ready for you and Franco to join us.”

Her wailing cry brought tears to Ginny’s eyes, and she pulled Laura onto her lap, cuddling her close as her throat closed with emotion. Steve sat like a stone, his face closed and impassive. Franco was a smaller version of him, the round features of a child blurred with the effort to mimic his father’s stoicism.

Laura’s sobs slowed to an occasional sniffle as Ginny described some of her favorite places in Mexico, told the children how warm it was there, and how their great-grandfather would be so glad to see them again.

“He has missed you so, and writes long letters asking when we will bring you back to see him. You don’t remember Mexico, I know, but it’s your home. Our home. There is lots of sunshine, and wide-open spaces where you can ride your ponies and play with your dogs. Yes, my sweet, you can take Silky with you, of course! She will be happy there, too.”

“But why can’t we go with you now?” Franco asked suddenly, and in his green-flecked eyes, Ginny recognized the return of anxiety.

“We have to make arrangements, son,” Steve said when Ginny floundered. “There is a lot to do, and it’s best that you come later with Tante Celine.”