"I never leave Ana anywhere alone but the neighbor's and the orphanage, and even then, I'm always close by."

"You left her with me yesterday."

She had, hadn't she? "Well, that was different. There are too many people around here. I'm just being paranoid, I know, but we're going to follow them."

"Let's go."

* * *

THE SHOPPING PLAZA had filled with tourists while they'd been at dinner. Now, with the evening coming, tiny lights lit up the trees and bushes that dotted the outdoor market. American music Marisa didn't recognize was piped through hidden speakers, just loud enough to make the atmosphere festive. Laughter filtered from the many restaurants they passed, as did the scent of every kind of food imaginable. Marisa was full, but if she spotted an ice cream place, she might have to force down a scoop. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had ice cream.

Marisa and Nate followed Leslie and Ana, who held hands and window-shopped. After about ten minutes, they ducked into the toy store. Marisa leaned against a large planter a couple of stores down to wait.

Nate perched beside her. "If your sister knew you were following her, would she be annoyed?"

Marisa shrugged. "She wouldn't understand. If she were annoyed, I'd probably deserve it. Leslie was a good big sister. I'm sure she'll be a fine aunt."

"But you're worried."

"Not about Leslie's ability to watch her. It's just... There are people who want me dead. That's not a fear you get over."

Nate stared toward the store's front door and nodded. "I know what you mean."

Seemed he did, too. Interesting.

"It's been a while," Marisa said. "Maybe we should go in and check on them."

Nate checked his watch. "It's been three minutes."

"Oh." She tapped her foot. "It feels longer."

Nate nodded. "So tell me what your life is like."

"We get up, dress, and walk to the orphanage for breakfast. We stay there until late afternoon, after siesta. Most everybody rests."

"Not you?"

"I never got into the habit. I read or prepare lesson plans. It's a quiet time in our village. My least favorite time of the day. My thoughts sometimes drift to New York and what the streets would look like. To how many people would be out at that time." She forced a smile. "But there's no place I'd rather be than with Ana."

"You really miss New York."

"Yes. And no. I miss America. I miss warm showers and soft sheets and all the luxuries that seem like necessities. I miss tall trees and snow and warm boots and..." She watched the store front. Even this place seemed a million miles from her little village. "I'm not sure I could go back to the city now that I've become accustomed to rural life. Even here in Acapulco, all the noises and all the people—strange faces I don't recognize. It makes me nervous."

"You could probably get used to it again."