* * *
All of central California’s wealthiest families were present in the church, dressed in their finest. Padre Javier nervously began the mass.
Flushed with excitement, Juana and Isidora held fans before their faces and glanced around, catching the eyes of several handsome young men. Poked by the fan of her dueña she returned her attention to the padre and the mass, but her thoughts were of fiesta, fandango, and rodeo
Don Estoban closed his eyes in solemn prayer. At least he hoped he looked to be in solemn prayer as he dozed. His chin dipped to his chest, and he grunted as his señora elbowed his ribs soundly,
Juana giggled and received another poke from her dueña’s folded fan.