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8
On the fifth of January, Isabella and her parents boarded a train for Albuquerque and then changed to another train that would take them to Santa Fe for the statehood celebration. Aaron Bailey accompanied them, but Isabella’s father had refused to give Diego time away from his new job to join them. She thought him rather cruel, especially given that Papi had given his people the day off to enjoy the statehood celebration. Papi said giving Diego more time would only stir resentment amongst his fellow workers. She supposed she could understand that, but sooner or later they were bound to find out that Diego was a dear friend of the family.
In Santa Fe, they were staying with friends of her parents in a rather grand house not far from the Plaza. The Plaza was where all the celebrations would take place the next day. The sunbaked adobe house was a single-story structure that stretched out in an impressive horseshoe shape. The Garcias were put in the family’s east wing, while Aaron was given a room in the west wing, where guests usually stayed. Behind the house were tiny adobe cottages where the servants hadtheir quarters. A large landscaped garden lay between them and the main house.
Isabella thought it all very lovely, including her room. It held a large four-poster bed and a fireplace, as well as a reading area and a dressing salon. Isabella hardly remembered when her head hit the pillow. The bed was so comfortable that it seemed to wrap her in an embrace, and when she awoke the next day, she was hard-pressed to leave it.
For the celebration, Isabella chose a gown of straight lines with an empire waist. The material was layered white muslin and lace, with overlays of peach-colored silk. She had Lupe pin up her black hair and then wrap a peach-and-yellow scarf around it. It made for a very fashionable look. In case the day was too chilly, Isabella ordered Lupe to bring a long, tailored cotton coat.
She glanced at the clock and grimaced. “I’m already late. Come on, Lupe, help me finish doing up my boot buttons.”
The maid had them hooked in just a few minutes, and Isabella made her way to the dining room.
Everyone was already assembled when she made her entrance. The smile of her hostess, Anna Greer, assured Isabella she’d chosen well.
“My dear, you are stunning. You will be the envy of every woman there,” Mrs. Greer declared as the men rose in greeting.
“Indeed. It’s remarkable that you aren’t already wedded,” Mr. Greer added.
“I hope to be soon,” Isabella replied without thinking. She allowed Aaron to help her into her chair—the only one left. Pity it had to be beside him. She breathed in the aroma of his cologne. She supposed it wasn’t so bad. There was a definite scent of orange and sandalwood in the musk.
A footman brought her a glass of orange juice. Her arrival,it seemed, had signaled the table service, and soon there were servants offering platters of eggs, tortillas, grits, and much more.
Once everyone was served, Mr. Greer offered a prayer and blessed the food and the day. “We are so grateful for statehood, Lord. It will mean many blessings to this land, and we praise you for all you have done. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Amen,” everyone murmured.
Isabella remained quiet. She wasn’t sure where God was in all of this, but she couldn’t imagine that He concerned Himself overmuch with a territory becoming a state. What purpose could it possibly serve Him?
Aaron spoke to Mr. Greer as if they were old friends. The older man asked him something about the railroad, and Aaron told him all about it. Isabella nibbled at her eggs, not really having much of an appetite. Everyone else, however, seemed famished, and even Papi ate well. She tried to concentrate on what was being said, but her thoughts kept wandering. How would she ever convince her father to see Diego as a changed man?
Diego had spoken of the behavior of his youth, but he was thirty-five years old now. How could her father continue to hold the past against him? She breathed a heavy sigh, which drew Aaron’s immediate attention.
“Are you all right?” he asked in a whisper while the table conversation continued.
“I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“I’m glad to see you and Aaron talking, Isabella,” her father interjected. “I’ve asked him to act as your escort for the day. Your mother and I have duties to see to, and we’ll be tied up most of the morning with the governor.”
“I hardly need an escort, Papi. Besides, Lupe can go with me if need be.”
“Lupe can certainly accompany you, but I’d feel better if Aaron is also with you. These parties can bring some of the rowdies into town, and I’d hate for you to be accosted.”
Isabella could tell by the way he spoke that there would be no arguing with him. “Very well, Papi.”
“Aaron also knows his way around Santa Fe. He’s been here many times to work on projects with the railroad. Isn’t that right?”
Aaron smiled. “Indeed. I know all the finest cafés and where to get the best bargains on Indian jewelry.”
Mrs. Greer laughed. “He does. In fact, he helped me bargain for a beautiful necklace. I sent it back East to my sister, and now all of her friends want ones for themselves.”
“It was a magnificent necklace.” Aaron turned to Isabella. “A squash blossom in turquoise and silver. Have you seen them?”
“I’m not sure I have.”
“Then we’ll be sure to take a walk to the Plaza, where the Navajo vendors sell their wares.”
She smiled in spite of herself. Aaron was such a personable man when he wasn’t telling her what a horrible person she was.
