"The towel's happy, too," Bruno answers. "This is Mirabel," he adds, indicating the girl. She bobs a small, quick curtsey, smiling.

"I'm happy to meet you, too, Senor Avery. We don't get a lot of strangers here, so... people are gonna be interested, I'm afraid."

"Oh, I'm sure word's all over town by now," Bruno adds. "But maybe I'll have some time to make some tea before everyone else comes piling in to have a look. It's pretty much all I can do in the kitchen."

Mirabel giggles. "I'll run Abuela interference and give our guest a minute to breathe, huh?"

"Probably a good idea."

"I'll be back soon!" She waves and hurries out the door. Bruno watches her leave with slight, fond smile. Then he sighs. "Tea?"