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is Anita. And this lady is Liz. In Mexico, they call her Elizabeth. Welcome her home to our ranch tonight.”
    The roar went up! Millie got her on the left side, and his sister, Susie, got her on the right. When he stopped on the porch to hug Hampt and Reg, they swept her away.
    â€œWhere is Lucy?”
    â€œShe’s here.”
    Lucy soon rushed in and hugged him. He kissed her on the forehead. Then he did the same to May, who was close to tears. “Oh, Chet, she is so pretty. I see why you found her.”
    â€œI think she found me.”
    May nodded her head real fast. “I saw the smile on her face. She’s very happy with you.”
    â€œSo am I, with her.”
    Susie was at his side. “She’s gorgeous. Where did you find her?”
    â€œSouthern Arizona. She stopped to talk to me about the Barbarossa horses.”
    â€œReally?”
    He bent over and whispered in her ear. “She is much prettier inside than she is outside.”
    â€œI want that story.”
    â€œShe owns a large hacienda in Mexico, and has been a widow over three years. She came to buy a horse and stole my heart. I never thought she would cross the border and leave her place for me. She said she would even be my common-law wife.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œThey may not marry us in her church.”
    â€œYou’re certain? Reg was married in one.”
    He shook his head. “We will be here, regardless.”
    Susie hugged him and sounded impressed. “To me, she is the prettiest woman in the world.”
    He went and found a cup of coffee. His first thought was that he really wanted some whiskey, but he rarely drank it anymore. He needed to greet the rest of the family.
    They finally all sat down in every chair and couch in the house.
    â€œI’m so glad you all came to welcome us home. This lady’s name is Elizabeth Delarosa Carmel. She has a great ranch in Mexico, and lost her husband three years ago. She can’t wait to see the Barbarossa stallion. Two days ago, she got off the stage in Nogales and didn’t have her earrings on and I blinked twice. I’d never seen her without them. I am honored she came up here to meet all of you.”
    He smiled when Rhea came in the room. She brought over the baby wrapped in a blanket and handed him to Chet.
    â€œThanks.” His son in his arms, he walked over to Liz. “Here is the hell raiser.”
    â€œThis is Adam?” Liz scooped him up. “He is so precious.”
    When she held him high, he yawned at her and everyone laughed. She found a chair and had her own conversation with the little one. Then she looked at Rhea. “I am so glad to meet you. I can see how much attention and care you have given him. I hope we can share him. I have never had a child of my own, and he is very precious. But I bet sleep is better for him than all these people who want to hold him.”
    Rhea nodded. She took him back and slipped away through the crowded room.
    Liz caught Chet’s look and nodded at him. “Those two are special.”
    â€œCome, you haven’t met the one who runs this house.” He pulled her out of the chair and led her into the kitchen. “Monica, this is Liz.”
    â€œI am so glad at last to meet you. I have not come to invade your house, but want to share my life with you. I will count on you to show me how to live in this far north and their ways.”
    Monica nodded, still looking steel-eyed at Chet. “When he sent me that letter, saying he was bringing another woman home, I packed my bags. Then I thought, he is bringing home a poor woman who does not know, and needs to know, what she is getting herself in for.” Monica hugged Liz. “Welcome to our house.”
    â€œUncle Chet.” His ten-year-old nephew, Ray, took him aside and asked, “Does she like to fish?”
    â€œI bet she’d fish with you.”
    â€œTell her we really catch