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parents. Grange and Peg saw them often when they visited Texas.
They have grown even since the last picture, Machado said, smiling at the images of one girl
with dark hair like Rick and one with blond hair like Gwen. A beautiful family. He glanced up. You
mentioned that Gracie Pendleton s little boy has a flair for piano.
Indeed he does, Grange replied. They say he s a child prodigy. If they ever have time to come
over here, you should teach him to play the guitar.
Machado chuckled. That would be a pleasure. I have too little time to practice these days. My life is
rich and full.
Papa!
A little boy, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, came flying into the room with his arms outstretched.
Machado caught him in midleap and hugged him, whirling him around. Mi hijo. He laughed. And
how are you today?
I m learning Portuguese, he announced. I can say obrigado! It means thank-you!
Very nice. You should talk with John to practice it, Machado said, putting the child down. He
speaks many languages, just like his father.
Well, mostly just Spanish and Portuguese, John said modestly. I m trying to learn Farsi, but it s
real hard.
All the more reason to apply yourself to your books, Grange teased.
I have a book in Portuguese! Can you read it to me? Please? the boy asked John.
Go ahead, Grange said, waving his hand. We ll be right here.
Okay, Dad. John went into the other room with the smaller child.
Maddie would have been here to greet you, but an important member of the Egyptian antiquities
division has come to visit. He wanted to see the newest finds. We are building a museum to house
them, he reminded his friend.
A grand museum, Peg said. It will bring tourists from all over the world.
We have come far, from a ragtag army trying to overthrow a tyrant, Machado said. God has
blessed us all.
Yes. Grange sat down across from Machado in the sitting room. Which brings to mind a subject
I ve been reluctant to pursue.
Machado cocked his head and smiled. I can read minds, he teased. I have some idea where your
thoughts have taken you.
Grange nodded. He glanced at Peg. She won t say a word, he continued. She goes where I go
and never complains. But her father is getting older. My ranch is growing bigger and requires more
oversight than I can give it. He hesitated. General Lopez has worked wonders with modernizing
your armed forces, and he s been my right arm since I took over leadership here. But he s more than
earned the right to be your military commander. And I really want to go home.
Winslow! Peg exclaimed. You never said a word!
He smiled gently. I ve had this on my mind for a long time, he replied. I love Barrera, he told
Machado. But my heart is still in Texas. Peg and I are getting older now, too, and we re both
homesick. I want to go back home. If you think you can spare me. I can stay on reserve status, if that
suits you, and I d certainly come back if you ever needed me.
Machado sat back in his chair, his dark eyes smiling. I know that. General Lopez will be the
happiest man on earth if I give him your position. But you must allow me to make you an allowance. I
think you Americans call it retirement.
That s not necessary& Grange began.
It is, Machado said firmly. Without your assistance, I would never have been able to recover my
position here. We both know that.
Yes, well, it was your canny knowledge of tunnels and our ability to use surprise that did that, not
any real military strategy of mine, Grange insisted.
Still, I could not have done it alone. You must humor me. He leaned forward. If you feel
obligated to me, you might send me a shipment of prime beef once in a while, he added with a big
grin.
Done, Grange assured him, smiling back.
You mean it? Peg asked her husband, her heart racing. We re really going home?
We re really going. We ll come back and visit from time to time, though. I promise, he told the
general. And we do have Skype on all our computers, he added. We can talk over that connection,
complete with video, and we can watch your son grow up.
As I can watch yours grow up. Machado stood up and embraced Grange. It has been an honor to
have you in my government. I will truly miss you. All of you, he added with a nod at Peg.
He kissed her hand and she smiled. I ll miss Barrera, she said softly. But I have to admit, I ll be
very happy to go home. No place, no matter how wonderful, is ever the same. I ve made many friends
here. I ve learned a lot about South America and its culture, and about the world. I wouldn t take
anything for the experiences I ve had here.
I am glad that your experience of Barrera is something you wish to recall, Machado said with a
big smile. So I wish you bon voyage and I hope to hear from you soon, when you are settled again in
Texas.
You can count on it, Grange assured him.
* * *
Back in their hotel room, Peg kissed him and kissed him and kissed him. What a wonderful
surprise! she exclaimed, and kissed him again.
Grange chuckled as he hugged her and returned the kisses. You d never have complained, but I
know you miss your dad and your friends, and having your own space around you.
She nodded. It s been great living here. John s learned more than I have, she added. He ll miss
his school friends. But he ll make new ones in Comanche Wells.
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