Nathaniel noticed.
“Too far?”
“I haven't decided.”
“Good.”
Elias jumped from the wagon before it stopped.
He went immediately toward the barn.
Ruth carried supplies.
Clara watched.
Too much responsibility.
Just as Nathaniel said.
Samuel ran toward the porch.
Then stopped coughing.
Good.
Nathaniel unloaded Clara’s trunk.
The front door opened.
An elderly Apache woman stepped outside.
Clara froze.
The woman stared.
Then said something in Apache.
Ruth answered.
Nathaniel looked toward Clara.
“This is Elena’s mother.”
Clara’s heart tightened.
The woman descended the steps.
Slowly.
Studied Clara.
Then her expression changed.
Recognition.
She said:
“Reyes.”
Clara blinked.
“You know my family?”
The woman touched Clara’s pendant.
Then looked into her face.
She spoke softly.
Aunt Isabel answered before Nathaniel could translate.
“She says she knew your mother.”
Clara stared.
The woman nodded.
Then said another sentence.
Isabel’s face changed.
“What?”
Clara asked.
Her aunt looked toward Nathaniel.
Then back at Clara.
“She says Elena knew who you were too.”
Clara frowned.
“I told Nathaniel I met her.”
The older woman shook her head.
Spoke faster.