Breakfast

If she'd thought she would be lonely and sad without her grandfather during the holidays, Regina was very mistaken. The Reynaldo household was bustling. Aunts and uncles (tías and tíos as they were called) had come for Christmas and brought their children, their animals, their parents. Regina and Elena were pressed into service watching the children each morning while the women cooked and chattered away. The smells wafting from the kitchen made them all hungry - it was tough to keep the little ones out of the hacienda's kitchen until desayuno or breakfast.

When they finally sat down to eat, Regina's stomach was grumbling loudly. "Mmm, this looks delicious, Elena," she whispered. "Thanks again for bringing me to your home. There's nothing they serve as Miss Porter's that tastes this delicious."

"Thanks, but make sure you tell madre that, Regina." Elena replied, shooting a glance down the length of the table toward her mother. "She worried that you wouldn't like the food."

"But 'Lena," Regina protested. "I've stayed with you before and I love your mother's cooking. She knows that doesn't she?"

"Yes, but you've never stayed so long and she's not just cooking for us this time. She's got a whole houseful of relatives who expect the usual holiday fare. Plus, she likes you. She wants you to be happy." Elena shrugged and forked another bite of chorizo and eggs into her mouth.

"I'll be sure to tell her then," Regina said and fell silent as both girls ate their fill.