'Were it not for your reserve I would think that you were exaggerating,' Anana told her, taking her hand. 'It is good that you are here where he can't reach you.'
'He is coming here to get me,' Kara muttered bleakly. 'Señora Castellan and Roman have forbid me to leave their Casa, and my resources are all used up. There is no more running away for Kara Savalas, I'm afraid.'
'Haven't you told them about your father?' Anana demanded.
Kara shrugged. 'Of course. But they have told me that I must face him. Nothing I say seems to convince them what sort of man he is.'
Anana gave her a worried little smile of assurance and squeezed her hand.
It was evening when the others returned and Roman came in his trap and got her. She had expected Guiseppe and was surprised when she heard Roman's voice at the door, asking for her.
'It has been a good day,' Anana said, giving her a quick embrace and a peck on the cheek. 'We will have to do this again, and soon.'
'I'm glad I came,' Kara said, happy for having a new friend and confidante. 'And thank you for having me. The children were wonderful! Tiring, but wonderful.'
'I thought the two of you might get along,' Roman said as he hoisted her by the waist and set her standing on the trap. Before allowing her to sit, he opened the padded leather seat and removed a heavy blanket, allowed her to sit then, and draped the blanket around her shivering shoulders. 'Better?' He then lighted the gymbaled oil lanterns mounted on the front of the trap. Then, he lighted one of his cheroots and leapt lightly into his seat. 'I was hoping Anana would take to you. She hasn't any friends her own age. And-' he chuckled and said wryly, 'she can't abide Camilla.'
Kara didn't comment, but said, 'Anana says that she shot a cigar right out of her husband's lips. Do you suppose it's true?'
Roman burst out laughing. 'Anana is the best shot on Isla Fiero- one of the best I've ever seen, man or woman. And Santiago had that little reminder coming to him! I have to admit, he was remarkably calm about the whole thing, even as he took the stub of the cigar stub out of his mouth and examined it, one eyebrow raised in annoyance, and said as calmly as you please, 'At sixteen pesos a cigar, I hope you're not going to make this a habit.'