Isabel's Texas Two-Step Read Online Free Page B

more second of quinceañera talk would make me cuckoo. And anyway, I really wanted to let the BSG know that I was in Texas! “Elena, can I please use your cell phone now to text my friends?” I asked.
    â€œOkay.”
    I was about to take the phone, but all of a sudden we heard a loud whoop. It was my cousin Anthony, the oldest of my Uncle Hector and Aunt Inez’s three boys.
    â€œIf it ain’t the Bostonians! Welcome to Texas, y’all!” His voice boomed throughout the terminal.
    â€œTony! It’s been so long!” Elena ran up to him. The two hugged like they were old friends. This was news to me, but then, she had been to Texas more times than I had.
    He was tall. Dark. And from the goo-goo eyes Jill and Lauren were making at him, I could tell they thought hewas way handsome. This wasn’t the Anthony I remembered. Back then, he was goofy-looking.
    When he saw my mother and aunt, he cut through Elena Maria’s friends, leaving Jill and Lauren with stars in their eyes and Scott and Andrew looking a little intimidated by this handsome Texas cowboy.
    â€œTía Lourdes! Tía Esperanza! You ladies look hot!” He gave them big bear hugs. Tony was taller than everybody. His energy seemed to put more color in my mother’s cheeks. Then he turned to me.
    â€œIs this la chiquita ? My little prima Isabel? Give your cousin Tony a big abrazo , little girl!” And before I knew it, he scooped me up. Whoa! Nobody had actually picked me up in years! These Texas boys were enthusiastic. I grinned from ear to ear.
    After all the introductions, Tony said his mom had a big dinner waiting for us at the ranch. Since my stomach was growling, that was welcome news to me. I wondered how we were all going to fit in one vehicle, but when we got outside he pointed to a big, shiny, black Suburban SUV, the kind with three rows of seats and little TVs hanging from the ceiling. All the girls hurried to get a seat. “You’re not going to believe the inside,” Jill shouted to the boys, who were struggling to get all the luggage into the back of the car or lashed onto the roof.
    â€œMy mother is so excited about your quinceañera , Elena,” Tony explained after we got on the road. “She and Dad are thrilled you’re letting them do this for you. You know, my mother, she’s always wanted a girl of her own.Guess me and Fonzie and Rico weren’t cute enough.” He laughed.
    Elena Maria was silent. There was something about his words “letting them do this for you” that made her clam up. The awkward silence was broken by Lauren.
    â€œFonzie? Rico? Who’re they?”
    â€œDidn’t Elena Maria tell you? Those are nicknames for my younger brothers, Alfonso and Ricardo. Don’t tell them I told you, though.”
    Jill and Lauren exchanged sly looks. “We won’t.” They giggled in unison. I got the feeling that my cousins might be in for some girl trouble.
    Sandwiched between Scott and Andrew in the far back row, I couldn’t really see out the windows, but the scenery must have been interesting because both boys had their faces pressed against the glass. Meanwhile, Tony continued to act like our tour guide.
    â€œWe’re heading due west of San Antonio. I think you Boston folks will find Rancho Los Mitotes very comfortable, with everything you need. Mama’s set it up so that the guys’ll stay with us in the north wing, and the girls and the two tías in the south.”
    Jill and Lauren grinned and looked at each other. I knew exactly what they were thinking. “Wings” equaled mansion! Mansion equaled swimming pools and princess-style bedrooms. I had to admit, I was excited too.
    â€œTell my friends more about your place, Tony,” Elena Maria said, practically glowing.
    â€œOh, Elly-belle. That can wait. Believe me, you’re allgoing to hear a lot more about our place than you’ll ever want to