Isabel's Texas Two-Step Read Online Free

because my mom sometimes uses a wheelchair when we go out. I waved to Mom as she went through the line to show everyone that having a mom in a wheelchair was no big deal. She gave me a weak wave back. I was a little worried. She must be tired from all the activity, I thought. I just hoped not too tired. I really wanted my mom to be able to enjoy all the festivities at the ranch.
    I tried to stand near them but Aunt Lourdes directed me to fall in line between the three girls and Andrew and Scott. My sister was chatting so fast with Jill and Lauren that I couldn’t even tell what they were saying. “Aren’t you excited, Elena?” I grabbed her arm.
    She said, “Yeah, I am,” and turned back to her friends.
    Was she ignoring me? We were usually so close. I couldn’t believe she didn’t want to talk to me. But her friends were huddled in a pack as the line moved on. Elena had her audience enrapt, telling them what to expect oncewe got to the ranch. I hoped my sister wouldn’t ignore me when we got to Texas. I mean, who would I hang around with if not my sister? I didn’t know anyone in Texas.
    â€œMy cousins took me range riding once. Scott, Andy, maybe Uncle Hector will take us all out to the back pasture and we can practice roping cattle. It’s fun! You’ll love it,” she promised.
    â€œYee-haw!” Andy shouted in a horrendously bad cowboy accent. “Well now, I reckon that I ain’t never been on a horse, and I don’t know if my pal, General Scott One-Foot here, can make the trip.” Jill smacked him on the arm, and of course they all started laughing hysterically…again.
    â€œMove it along, you kids,” a man shouted.
    It was a good thing that Mom and Aunt Lourdes were already seated. They, especially Aunt Lourdes, would have been annoyed at my sister’s friends’ antics.
    Elena shushed her friends so the man would leave us alone. At least she had some sense left. Now was the perfect opportunity to ask if I could use her cell phone. “I want to call Charlotte and tell her that I’m almost on the plane,” I explained. “She likes to hear from people at airports. She says that it makes her feel like she’s going somewhere, too.”
    â€œWhere is your phone?”
    â€œI forgot it at home.”
    â€œWell, mine is barely charged, so I don’t want to use it until we get to Texas.”
    She and her friends exchanged more giggles about cute cowboys. But my sister must have felt bad becauseshe turned around and added, “You can call the BSG when you get to the ranch.”
    Urggghhh! How could I explain to Elena Maria with her friends standing there that airports were special to Charlotte. She’d been in so many of them. I promised myself that I would e-mail Charlotte the minute I arrived. When we got on the plane, Elena and her quince posse walked straight to the back.
    â€œCome, Isabel.” Aunt Lourdes grabbed my arm as I walked by. “Stop here and say hi to your mother. She is snug as a rug in a bug.” Aunt Lourdes smiled and I laughed. That was a little joke in our family. Our grandmother got English phrases like that mixed up all the time, but she had a great sense of humor and could always laugh at herself. I couldn’t wait to see her at the quince !
    I plopped down in the empty seat beside both of them. “Ah, Isabel.” Mom grabbed my hand. She had her knitting out and looked happy and relaxed.
    â€œAre you excited, Mami?” I asked.
    â€œOh, yes. Pretty soon we will be in Texas, my little girl.” She reached over and gave my cheek a little pinch. “And eating chiles rellenos that will make your tongue tingle.” I was so relieved that she seemed well and bright, I leaned over and laid my head on her shoulder.
    All of a sudden I sensed a large person towering over me. “You’re in my seat,” a man said.
    My aunt immediately intervened.