The Set Piece by Catherine Lane Page A

along with them. Someone thrust a frosty beer into her hand. Someone else handed her a plate and directed her to a table with so much food on it she was afraid the whole thing would collapse. Mounds of empanadas, tamales, meat still steaming from the grill, and a dozen other dishes she had never seen before took up every available space on the long table.
    “You like carne asada?” Isabella pointed to the table.
    “I don’t know. There aren’t a whole lot of good Mexican restaurants in rural Pennsylvania.” She thrust her plate out to her hostess. “But I’m game. Load me up.”
    Isabella did just that and handed her a fork. The spicy, complex flavors of south of the border cooking flooded her mouth.
    “It’s delicious.” It was the first truth she had uttered since she got there. As it turned out, it was that simple. A heartfelt compliment about the food, good childbearing hips, and several beers was all it took to bring Amy into Diego’s family. At one point, she practically forgot it was all a ruse. Happiness flooded her. Even when her parents were alive, she had never had anything like this. Her family circle was too small. She reveled in the easy comradery that an afternoon surrounded by a huge family brought her. She could get used to this, and she had to remind herself this wasn’t her real life. She was at work.
    As the afternoon came to a close, Amy jumped up with the other women to clear the dishes. The Torres kitchen was huge. Like every other room in the house, it was filled with the latest conveniences. Amy already knew that Diego bought this house for his family before he had bought his own. No wonder the weight of the world was on his shoulders. The American dream was a heavy load for anyone to carry, especially a gay, Mexican soccer star.
    Isabella took the dishes from Amy and directed her to a couch in a quiet corner. “He seems a lot happier, maybe calmer, since he’s been with you.” She sat beside her.
    Amy bit her lip. She didn’t want to lie to this woman who had welcomed her with open arms. She chose her words carefully so she wouldn’t have to. “It’s been really good for both of us.”
    Something dark flitted across Isabella’s face but was gone almost immediately. Amy steadied herself for the inevitable warning she was sure was coming. Do right by Diego or else! Of course, she didn’t want to hear it. Tammy had said the same thing enough times for everyone. Amy took a deep breath. Hearing Diego’s mother out was her penance for lying to such a wonderful family.
    “Be careful, mija.” A sad smile played at Isabella’s lips. “My boy’s a good man. But I’m afraid he may not know himself.”
    What did that mean? Amy searched Isabella’s face for an explanation. Did Isabella know about Diego? The dark eyes which were so similar to her son’s gave nothing more away.
    Diego appeared at her elbow and saved Amy from responding. “You two are thick as thieves.” He slid an arm around Amy’s waist and playfully scowled at his mother. “You’re not telling her all my secrets, are you?”
    Isabella chuckled and reached over to ruffle her son’s hair. “No, of course not.”
    It all seemed so very natural. Amy looked from mother to son. Apparently Diego wasn’t the only actor in the family.
    “Mama.” Diego produced the wrapped picture from behind his back. “This is for you.” He then slid a glance at Amy as if to say, See, I told you it would go well.
    Isabella laughed and opened up the wrapping paper. “I love presents.”
    “It’s only something small,” Diego said.
    Isabella slid the picture of the happy couple into the open. Head down, she examined it intently for a long moment. So long that Amy grew anxious. So long that Diego finally reached over and pointed to a kid in the background. “That’s Mario Duenas, Maria del Carmen’s grandson.”
    “Is it? My, he’s a big boy now.” Her gaze was still fixed on the photograph.
    “And a good player.” Now