I knew I had to leave, because I could be highly contagious and might be doing more harm than good at the camp. So I got a lift back to the auto shop, picked up my SUV and decided to drive to a nearby medical clinic to get checked out. A shadow crossed his face. But a short time later I had to pull over because I was too weak to drive and a hazard to others. I sat on the side of the road praying for someone to come by...and the next thing I knew, I woke up in the ditch.
That must have been where they found your wallet.
I hadnt realized Id lost it. Id passed out. It was night and I crawled my way through a field for miles toward a faint light. A house, as it turned out. The Cruz family took me in and cared for me. He took a deep breath, then continued. Mr. Cruz took my keys and fetched my car after finding a doctor. I was barely conscious and they didnt have a phone, so I couldnt call home. I was too ill to write a letter. Those people saved my life.
Bless them, and were all grateful. Thankfulness filled her with such power it made her eyes burn. Thankfulness, for the kids sake. She tore her hand from his. Thank the Lord you were able to come back to be with your children.
She turned so he couldnt see her face. She didnt want him to guess how much this cost her. She wanted to be anywhere but with him. It hurt too much. She moved forward on the chair cushion, needing to get away.
Let me help you, Isabella. His chair scraped.
No, Im fine. She pushed out of the chair, her left side sluggish. Ive got this.
That doesnt mean you have to do it alone.
It does. Shed been on her own for decades. She couldnt start leaning on him now. The twins might be reunited, but that doesnt change anything between us.
I didnt expect it would. His dark chocolate eyes gleamed with regret.
Regret she shared. Regret she felt all the way to her soul. The chasm of twenty-five years stood between them, a distance too great to bridge. Their love, once broken, couldnt be repaired. It just couldnt. Seeing you again is harder than I predicted. It hurts.
Yes. He covered his heart with the flat of his palm. You would think all this time would have healed it.
Or maybe numbed it a little.
Exactly, he agreed. But it hurts the way it did when you asked for a divorce, while our children slept in the next room.
I remember. The night their marriage ended and theyd given up hope. She gripped the walker for support. Dismissing the doctors orders not to be up on her own, she made her way shakily toward the window, hating the impairment that slowed her. Tamping down memories of one of the worst nights in her life wasnt easy. We need to come to an agreement, Brian.
What kind of agreement?
About you and me. How we deal with each other.
He swallowed painfully. Right. Do you have any suggestions?
We do the only possible thing. Lets leave this in the past where it belongs and go on from here.
If thats what you want. Traces of pain hid in his voice. Weve both been hurt enough.
Yes. She clunked her walker forward and stepped purposefully. The arguments, the sleepless nights, the stress of being teenage parents with two sets of twins haunted her. Shed been shattered the night shed asked Brian to leave. No way would she let him see that, so her chin went up with stubborn determination to hide her vulnerabilities.
Glad we agree, he said gruffly.
We have to get along for the childrens sake.
The big question is how.
I have no idea. Her reflection in the dark window looked back at her. She saw a thin woman, hollow cheeked and fragile looking. Not the same vibrant Belle Colby whod fallen off her horse. The coma and injury had ravaged her, but she was determined to regain her strength...and reclaim her life. She caught sight of Brian struggling to his feet and realized that she wasnt the only one ailing here. We are quite a pair, arent we?
We always have been. He shuffled toward her, fighting to stay tall and strong, but she could read the strain on his face, the tension along his carved jaw, even in the windows reflection. Carter told me how this all came about, how Violet met Maddie. How the kids came together again. One thing has been eating away at me. I cant help wanting to protect my children. It cant be safe to reunite them, can it?
Ive been worried about that, too, she said softly.
What about?
David Johnson, the man I testified against? Yes, hes still in prison, at least as far as I know. I havent been well enough these past few days
You just woke from a coma.
Yes, but that doesnt mean I cant fear the worst. What if Johnson figures out where we are?
Exactly. He may be in jail, but he likely still has his contacts on the outside.
The kids dont know about the danger. They dont remember going into hiding. They dont know why we moved from Forth Worth all those years ago, and I refuse to talk about it. Thats what Jack and I argued about right before my accident. He wanted to know about you.
It must have been hard not to tell him. You had to want to.
I did. She appreciated that he understood. It was too dangerous.
When I remarried, Maddie and Grayson were young enough not to remember. That made the past disappear.
Disappear? She held herself steady, breathing as if in pain. A mother never wants to be forgotten by her children.
Neither does a father.
This pain they shared, a pain visible on his sculpted face. She couldnt believe her eyes. The honest display of his feelings surprised her. Theyd already been divorced when shed unknowingly stumbled into a dangerous situation. Their marriage had fallen apart because shed been convinced he hadnt cared about her, at least not the way a husband should. Brian could be so unemotional, closed off, clinical in his relationships. To see him overcome like this, with the manly intake of breath, the gathering of his control as he straightened up, made her realize how much had changed. Emotions skittered across his face, no longer hidden to her.
I never even considered we might be in this situation one day, with the twins reunited, he confessed. All this time not knowing if you were safe or if they would be all right. The horrific nightmares I had of David Johnson escaping prison and hunting down the kids and there being nothing I could do. No matter what, we have to keep them safe.
We will. That had never been in doubt. I need to get in touch with my handler, but Ive been stuck here with no one I can confide in.
You have me. A smile touched his lips, chiseled and lean. The years hadnt changed that smile, masculine and bracketed by dimples. That may not be any consolation, but Ill make sure our children are protected.
Well do it together. Gently, she reached out to brush a strand of hair from his eyes. An old habit, she realized too late. She respected her ex-husband and his love for their children, that was all. They were temporarily joining forces to safeguard their family, but when the dust settled, the old conflicts would still be between them.
Are you sure youre up to this? His emotions retreated, his eyes shuttered and he was closed off once again. His dark gaze gave nothing away. You may have to trust me to handle the situation.
Together, you and I made the decision to separate the twins in the first place. She winced, remembering the wrenching decision theyd been forced to make. Well make what decisions we have to together. Remember we are no longer married. You cant make decisions for me, Brian.
Not that I ever could. A muscle jumped along his square jaw.
No. Was he remembering their late-night arguments, too? Times best forgotten, she thought, straightening her spine. The doctors tell me Im frail, but I dont believe them. My memory is coming back, my speech is just fine, and before you know it, Ill be walking on my own steam out the front doors of Ranchland Manor.
I have no doubt when it comes to you, Isabella.
I go by Belle now. How was she going to deal with Brian on an extended basis? After all, they were bound to see a lot of each other since their children all wanted to reconnect as a family. I hear what sounds like a herd of elephants in the hallway. Must be our kids.
Must be. His gaze fastened on hers, betraying another hint of feeling. How had the years made him more handsome? His carved-granite face, high forehead, dark eyes and prominent cheekbones were flawless. He gave a half smile, as if he remembered their married years, raising two sets of twins together. Toddling boys playing in the small living room of the tiny house theyd rented. Childish voices rising in glee. No! No! Mine! Mine! Boom! as toys went flying and the boys laughter rang. The dear sounds of the baby girls awakening from their naps in the warm house decorated for Christmas.
Such good memories. Bright enough to outshine the bad.
Mom! Dad. All grown up, Violet bounded in, leading the group back from the cafeteria. You two look cozy. Dont you think? she asked her sister.
Absolutely. Maddies grin shone triumphantly. Looks like we came back too soon. Maybe we all should head to the cafeter
Dont you dare walk off. Belle used her Mom voice. Im still in charge around here.
So you think. Jack set a steaming cup of tea on the bedside table while everyone laughed.
Hello? Hello? A knock rapped on the open door and a nurse hustled in. So glad to see yall here, but visiting hours are over. Youll be back bright and early tomorrow, I suppose?
Count on it. Violet circled the end of the bed. Mom, what did the doctor say?
Hmm, let me think. I cant quite remember, she hedged.
Wasnt it something like stay in bed? You are still recovering, Mom. Maddie swooped in and caught Belles other elbow. Is she always this much trouble, Violet?
Usually more.
Hey! Belle argued good-naturedly as she let them help her to her feet. Im not an invalid. I can manage on my own.
This sounds very familiar. Brians baritone lifted above the other conversations as Grayson pulled aside the bedcovers and Jack plumped her pillows. I see some things havent changed.
Brian is talking about my stubbornness, in case you kids couldnt guess. She eased onto the mattress. I dont think Im stubborn.
Sure, of course youre not, Violet teased. Not one of us has ever thought that.
The entire room laughed. Even Belle.
Sleep well, Mom. Maddie kissed her forehead.
Sweet dreams. Violet kissed her cheek and stepped back.
Well see you in the morning, Mom. Grayson squeezed her hand.
We love you. Jack drew up her covers.
I love you all. That means you, too, Carter.
Back at ya, Belle. Carter smiled at her before stepping away and offering his arm to his father. Ill bring Dad tomorrow to visit.
Excellent. She hated how exhausted Brian looked. Hed been without family, fighting a dangerous illness. What if hed passed away? He never would have known each twin hed given up was now safe.
Have a good night, IsabellaBelle, he corrected, standing on his own, refusing his sons aid. He looked even paler, if that were possible.
You, too, Brian. Well talk again tomorrow.
Count on it. He hesitated, as if about to say something, but stayed silent. He raised a hand in a show of farewell.
She raised hers. Tomorrow, shed have to face him again.
Just lie back, Mom. Violet fussed over her, blowing on her tea and moving her Bible within easy reach on the nightstand.
Is there anything else you need? Maddie asked.
Such good girls. Seeing those identical faces brought tears to her eyes. Behind them, at the doorway, the boys lingered, checking in on her one last time before waving and stepping out of sight.
Just take good care of Brian. She sank into the pillows, grateful to relax. She could pretend all she wanted that she was just fine, but that wasnt entirely true. The coma and head injury had taken a lot out of her, and it would be a while before she was back to her old, feisty self.
Well look after Dad, I promise. Maddie stepped away first, the vow shining in her eyes.
When the girls left, they seemed to take the light with them. Still, she smiled to herself as she heard Violet and Maddie lingering outside the door, gushing about how this was going to be the best Christmas ever. Not only did they have Landon and Tytheir doting fiancésin their lives, but now their entire family was finally all together.
Belle heard their footsteps retreat down the hall and silence settled inthe way it had on the night shed ordered Brian out of their little house and, later, on the first night shed been in protective custody, listening to the children sleep and wondering about the other half of the twins in Brians care.
Brian. The kids had thought it was a great surprise for her to see him tonight, but they didnt know the agony it brought.
Give me strength, Lord. She tugged her Bible into her arms and hugged it to her heart. Most of all, please keep our children safe.
* * *
You look happier, Dad. Carter helped him into the passenger side of the truck. Seeing Belle was good for you.
I dont know about that. He cleared his throat, collapsed into the seat and did his best to cover up how hard seeing Belle had beenand would continue to be. You kids sure surprised her, too. Im not certain that was a fair thing to do to a woman who spent five months in a coma.
During which she murmured your name. I heard it. Carter drew himself up, hardly more than a shadow in the night. I hadnt felt a connection to her until then and I realized she loves you. Thats all I needed to know.
Belle doesnt love me. At least she hasnt for a long, long time. That was his fault, failings that tore him up.
You never know what God has in store. Carter stepped back, hand on the door, preparing to swing it shut. Theres still something between you two, I think.
Yes, there wasanimosity, bitterness and remorse. The door closed with a click, leaving Brian alone in the cab. Grateful for that, he tried to gather his strength, watching Carter cross the pavement to exchange words with Grayson. The kids were climbing into their vehicles, waving goodbye, calling out plans for tomorrow, leaving him time alone to think.
IsabellaBellelooked more beautiful than ever. No surprise shed done so well without him. Shed always been strong and independent-minded. Shed rebuilt her life, raised two of their children and run a successful ranch. Turned out shed never needed him the way hed needed her.