Read Online Across the Border by Arleta Richardson - Free Book Online Page B

Gripping her basket, she moved as close as she could to the building.
    A bandit! Polly knew a bandit when she saw one. The man was dressed in a black shirt and black pants and had black hair and a mustache. Even the eyes peering down at her were like pieces of coal in his tanned face. Mutely, Polly held out the bag that contained her remaining centavos.
    â€œOh no, Señora. I do not want your money. I stopped to see if you are lost.”
    Polly slumped down with relief. “Oh, mercy. You scared me. You speak English, so I guess you ain’t a bandit after all.”
    The man threw his head back and laughed. “I would not say that, Señora , but I will do you no harm. May I help you find your way home?”
    Polly nodded. “Yes, if you would please, Mr. …?”
    â€œVilla, Señora ,” he replied. “Pancho Villa.”

    A shadow passed over the cloth on which Manda was sewing. She peered up at the window to see that clouds were gathering in the sky, then glanced at the clock.
    â€œGoodness! It’s getting late! Where in the world is Polly?” She spoke to Frances, who was dusting the cupboard.
    â€œShe’s probably arguing with Señora Raza over two centavos. You know how she loves to get the best of those ladies.”
    â€œBut it’s past noon. She left right after breakfast. Where is Ethan?”
    â€œOut in back chopping wood.”
    Ethan was summoned.
    â€œI think you’d better start toward the market and see if you can find Polly. Just say that you came to help her with her basket. She won’t like it if we tell her we thought she was lost. I tried to get her to take Frances with her, but she insisted that she could handle it alone. I’m afraid she’s gotten turned around somehow, and saying cuánto to everyone she sees isn’t going to get her very far.”
    Frances laughed. “Yes, and when they don’t understand what she says, Polly just says it louder. But she is trying to learn. She’s probably on the road toward home right now.”
    â€œI’d still feel better if Ethan walked with her,” Manda insisted.

    Ethan started at once for the village square. The road ahead was empty, but he wasn’t surprised. Very soon after their arrival in Galeana, the family discovered that the hours following the noon meal were a time for siesta. Life seemed to stop during the hottest part of the day. The market stalls closed down as their owners shut their doors and rested in the nearest shade.
    Surely Polly wouldn’t be shopping now , Ethan thought. He hurried a little faster, not sure where he would look if she weren’t on the road.
    He had almost reached the square when Polly appeared. She wasn’t alone. Ethan slowed down and studied the big man beside her. Polly didn’t appear to be alarmed, even though she was so small that her head didn’t even come to the man’s shoulder. Ethan could see that the man was listening attentively as Polly talked. He was dressed in black, and his hair and mustache gave him the appearance of one who had lived a rough life. The fact that he carried Polly’s basket on his arm relieved Ethan’s fears a bit, but he continued to walk slowly until the three of them met.
    â€œMa sent me to carry your basket, Polly,” Ethan said.
    â€œNow, she didn’t need to do that. This here gentleman offered to help me. His name’s Señor Villa.”
    Polly smiled up at the man, and he extended his hand to Ethan.
    â€œ Buenos días, amigo. You must be Ethan.”
    Ethan stared at him. “Yes, sir. How did you know?”
    â€œYour good Señora Polly told me about you and your sister and brothers. We have much in common, you and I. I, too, was an orphan. It is a hard life, yes?”
    Ethan nodded. “But I have a home. I’ve learned a lot. And I take care of my sister and brothers just like I promised Ma I would.”
    â€œYou are a brave