Twins Under the Christmas Tree. Marin Thomas

walk to her car, he worried that their relationship would never be the same as it was before he’d offered to watch her sons. Once she drove off, he said, “Are you guys going to be grouchy all day?”

      “We don’t want Maria,” Miguel said.

      “I bet she can cook.” His comment drew no response.

      After the short amount of time he’d spent with the twins, it was nice to know they’d miss him. “You gotta give Maria a chance. I can’t watch you guys forever.”

      “Why not?” Javier asked.

      “The pecan harvest starts next month in November. There’s a lot I need to do on the farm to get ready for it.”

      “We could help.” Miguel tugged his brother by the shirtsleeve and dragged him across the room until they stood in front of Conway. “We can pick nuts.”

      “I appreciate the offer, but you guys have to stay in school.”

      “How come?” Javier asked.

      “Because that’s what kids do. They go to school to get smart and then they go to college like you’re mom is doing.”

      “Did you go to college?” Miguel asked.

      “Nope.”

      “How come?”

      “Do you always ask a lot of questions?”

      Both boys bobbed their heads.

      “I didn’t go to college because I didn’t have anyone telling me I should. Then I got older and figured out that what I wanted to do with my life didn’t require a college degree.”

      “What did you want to do?” Miguel asked.

      “I wanted to be a pecan farmer.”

      Javier’s nose wrinkled. “I thought you were a cowboy.”

      “I’m a cowboy when I rodeo on the weekends.”

      “Can we rodeo?” Miguel asked.

      Conway wasn’t about to let the munchkins change the subject. “I bet Maria’s a nice lady.”

      “What if she’s mean?” Javier’s brown eyes pleaded with Conway.

      “Then we’ll tell your mom.” And let Isi deal with the situation. From now on he’d keep his advice to himself.

      The sound of a vehicle pulling up to the trailer drifted through the screen door. “That’s Maria. You guys be on your best behavior.” Conway stepped onto the porch.

      Holy moly. The woman was as old and gnarled as the root of an ancient oak tree. She had more wrinkles than a ten-year-old road map. Polyester slacks, a silk-printed long-sleeve blouse with a navy blazer and low-heeled shoes was hardly proper attire for chasing after boys. Then again, this woman was so old, if she chased anything, she’d drop dead of a heart attack.

      “Hola, Maria.” Hola and sí were about the only words Conway knew in Spanish.

      She smiled, the gesture generating more facial wrinkles. He motioned for her to follow him inside. “Miguel, ask Maria what she’d like you to call her?”

      Miguel translated Conway’s words then Maria spoke.

      “What did she say?” Conway asked.

      “She said we can call her La Anciana.”

      Javier giggled.

      “Okay.” Conway pointed at Maria and smiled. “La Anciana.” Then he indicated himself and said, “Conway” before moving his finger to the kitchen wall clock. “Miguel, tell La Anciana that it’s time to leave for school and she should follow us in her car.”

      After Miguel spoke, Conway waited for the boys to get their backpacks then he held the door open for everyone. When Maria walked by him, her mouth curled in a snarl and he couldn’t figure out what the heck he’d done to tick her off.

      When they arrived at the school, Rose wasn’t working. Conway turned over Maria’s information to the lady at the counter and explained that the boys’ new sitter didn’t speak English and that she’d be dropping the boys off and picking them up after school.

      While the employee filled out Maria’s paperwork, Conway spoke to the boys. “Miguel, play with your brother at recess.” This was Javier’s first day back after his suspension. “And no fighting, Javi.” Conway hoped Miguel would stick by his brother’s side and ward off any threats by the bullies.

      “Are you gonna pick us up?” Miguel asked.

      “Yes. Tell Maria that she’s to meet me back here at three-thirty.” He wanted to make sure she didn’t forget to return for the boys.

      Miguel translated and Maria responded.

      “What did she say?” Conway asked.

      “She wants to know if she’s supposed to wash our clothes.”

      Conway was certain Isi would appreciate help with the housework. “Sure. Tell her she can wash clothes if she wants.”

      Miguel translated then said, “She wants to know what you’re going to do.”

      “I’ll be at the farm.”

      After Miguel conveyed the information, Conway said, “Have fun.” He tipped his hat to Maria then left the building.

      Anxiety gnawed at his gut as he drove away from the school. Isi was desperate to find a sitter for the boys, but Maria wasn’t the right fit. The twins needed a young energetic person who would play outside with them. By the time he reached the edge of town, he’d broken out in a cold sweat. Instead of heading to the farm, he made a U-turn. He’d feel better if he stayed close by in case Javier got into trouble again at school.

      * * *

      A SIXTH SENSE told Isi she needed to go home after her classes and see how Maria and the boys were getting along, so she’d called in sick to work. She hoped the day had gone well and her sons had been on their best behavior, but she couldn’t ignore a nagging suspicion that not all was right. When she’d interviewed Maria over the phone, the woman hadn’t sounded very peppy but after raising five children of her own, she was certainly experienced enough to handle the twins. Even so, Isi worried the boys would be too taxing on the seventy-year-old woman.

      She turned into the mobile home park and saw Conway’s truck next to the trailer. Uh-oh. She parked beneath the carport and got out of the car. Conway was throwing the football with Miguel and Javier played with a Slinky on the porch steps.

      “Watch this, Mom.” Miguel tossed the ball to Conway.

      “Where’s Maria?” she asked.

      “She left,” Conway said.

      “She was supposed to stay with the boys until Mrs. Sneed came over at eight o’clock.”