first came to Carmona, he worked for a man named Esteban Ruiz.”
“Our relative?”
“No.”
Derek frowned.
“Same last name?”
Dad nodded.
“It confused everyone. Eventually they called themselves cousins even though they weren’t.”
Dad explained that Esteban owned a small agricultural shed and several acres outside town. My grandfather occasionally stored lumber there.
Years later, Esteban died without children.
Dad believed the land had been sold.
Inez took a photograph of the map.
“I can check the property records.”
Veronica had remained unusually quiet.
Finally she spoke.
“Can we
