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.
How was he going to be able to face her tomorrow? And the day after that? This matter of David Johnson was a big one. Belle had risked her life in order to put the drug-dealing criminal away.
Horns honked in friendly beeps, and he waved as the kids drove offMaddie and Violet together in Violets SUV, Jack and Grayson in separate vehicles. A sight hed never thought he would see in his lifethe kids reunited, laughing and gleeful, dreaming of a future filled with love and happiness.
Thats the way he wanted to keep it. Tomorrow, first thing, he and Belle had to figure out a way to keep their children safe.
Dad, are you okay? Carter settled behind the wheel, concern furrowing his forehead.
Just tired. Its been a long day. He relaxed against the headrest. Theres one more thing I need to do. Is there a church around?
Grasslands Community Church isnt far from here. Carter started the engine and buckled up. Do you want to stop by?
Yes.
Carter pulled out his cell phone. Let me just make a quick call to let Savannah know well be home a little late. He smiled indulgently. My lovely fiancée tends to worry, especially with all those pregnancy hormones running amok.
Brian beamed back at Carter. Hed heard how his youngest son had taken his fallen comrades pregnant wife under his wingand fallen in love in the process. He couldnt be prouder of his boy.
The ride was a short one. The church door stood open as a late Bible study was just disbanding, from what Brian could overhear in the parking lot. He left Carter in the truck and climbed the stairs. His movements rustled in the empty sanctuary, where the stained-glass windows gazed down at him darkly. Gods presence surrounded him, a calm that strengthened his weary body and refreshed his hurting soul.
Dear Heavenly Father, he began, kneeling, his voice echoing slightly in the shadows. As You know, Ive been absent from worship lately when I was ill and Ive missed it sorely. Thank You for sparing my life. I know it was a near thing, and Im more grateful than ever after tonight. Seeing the twins reunited and Belle
He stopped, struggling to clear the lump in his throat. Belle, more beautiful than ever. Just as stubborn and full of grit, her smile could light up a room the way it once had lit every chamber of his heart. You answered my only prayer. That somehow, someway, I could see my lost children again. That they could all find happiness together, reunited, the way it should have been. Thank You, Father, from the bottom of my heart. Please hold them safe in the palm of Your hand.
His amen echoed in the stillness and peace. As Brian climbed to his feet, he felt Gods touch like a ray of hope in the dark late November night.
Chapter Three
The first day of December shone bright and beautiful. Belle followed the path of sunshine tumbling into the corridor along Ranchland Manors tiled floors with maddeningly slow speed.
Up again? Helga, one of the nurses, looked up from her station. I thought the doctor wanted you to rest.
Think of this as an extra physical therapy session. Belle trudged by. The faster I recover, the sooner I can leave. No offense, Helga.
None taken.
But well miss you, dearie. Eunice Lundgrin looked up from her crocheting as Belle entered the large, bright common room. You liven things up around here.
Only since Ive been out of my coma, Belle quipped over the thunk of her walker. Dont tell me you ladies finished the jigsaw puzzle without me.
You didnt think wed wait for you, did you? Marjorie Collins looked up from her book. You left us to go see that handsome Kirk.
Hes a physical therapist and my sons age! Laughing, Belle eased into the overstuffed chair closest to the picture window, aching to be outside in wide-open spaces. It wasnt a date.
Pretty girl like you ought to have a fella. Eunice completed her double crochet with a flourish.
I tried that once and discovered it wasnt for me. Laughing was easier than the truth of how hard marriage had been as teenage parents. She shot the older ladies a smile. Men are just too much trouble.
I cant say they arent, Anna Chandro piped in as she reached the end of her knitted row, making lovely progress in spite of her stroke. My Roberto, God rest his soul, was more trouble than I knew what to do with. Most days he was like having another kid around.
Aint that the truth? Eunice agreed, giving her yarn ball a tug. I raised my Charlie right along with our four boys. He was always tracking mud in on his shoes, forgetting to pick up his towel, turning up the TV volume until a girl couldnt think.
I would have taken a broom to him, Marjorie teased, marking her page and closing her inspirational romance novel. My John doesnt dare step one toe out of line.
Oh, yes, I saw it in his eyes when he visited yesterday. Belle couldnt help giving a little sigh. The dear ladys room was across the hall from hers, and shed spotted the wizened John arriving with a bouquet of flowers, a stack of new novels, and hed stayed to share supper with her in the dining room. A sweeter couple never lived. Lifelong love, that had once been her dream, too...and no, she wasnt going to let her heart flutter at the mention of his name.
Speaking of guests, I saw Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome leave Belles room quite late last night.
Is that right? Eunice gave her yarn another good yank. So, there seems to be a lot Belle isnt telling us. Look at her blush.
Im not blushing. Its the heat. Im sitting in the direct sun. Denial was always her first coping choice, along with a quick change of subject. My children visited again last night, thats all.
We noticed, Eunice said, crocheting with lightning speed. How could we not? Those two sets of twins?
Theyre adorable. Marjorie smiled, her hand resting on her book. The girls are both so lovely, such nice, well-behaved young ladies.
And those boys, strapping and handsome. Annas needles stilled. What I cant figure is how you managed with two sets of twins. One newborn is a handful. Up most of the night between feedings, diapers and colic. How did you handle twins? And twice?
It wasnt easy, especially since I was sixteen at the time. The confession came quietly, since she wasnt sure how the older women would take her news. Brian and I married and had the twin boys. The girls came two years later.
Double the blessings, double the hard work, Eunice sympathized.
And the stress. Child care is the most demanding work there is, Marjorie piped in gently. Four little ones all two years old or younger. I couldnt have survived it. Stress would have done me in. Just proves youre one special lady, Belle.
You are way too kind. Belles chest knotted up as it always did, thinking of those years. Failure haunted her. She hadnt been the wife and the mother shed meant to be.
Anyone can see you did a wonderful job, Anna added lovingly.
You three are the wonderful ones. No wonder weve become fast friends. Belle felt a change in the air and turned toward the doorway where Brian stood. How long hed been listening in was anyones guess.
Good afternoon, ladies. Brian tossed them a dazzling smile.
He looked better this morning. A good nights sleep had done him wonders. He had more color in his face, and the dark circles were gone. The wind had tousled his dark hair, giving him a slightly rakish look, a reminder of the young man shed fallen irrevocably in love with.
Not that she ever could again, she thought, wishing the other women in the room werent giving him a collective sigh of approval. Trying not to imagine what her new friends would be saying next, she spoke up before they could. I thought you were going to take some time for yourself. Rest up. Regain your strength.
Im tough. I dont need to rest. His easygoing humor rolled over her, just like in the old days.
But those days are long gone, she reminded herself stubbornly. Besides, as the kindly older ladies had reminded her, she wouldnt want to go back. Their marriage hadnt worked. End of story. She struggled to her feet. Im not sure what to do with you, Brian Wallace.
Its too late to pretend you dont know me.
Dont think it didnt cross my mind. Before she could stand fully, he was at her side, his hand cradling her elbow, keeping her steady as he dragged her walker closer for her.
Her independent streak flared. It would be prudent to let him know straight off she didnt need his help, now or ever. But that wasnt fair to him. He was only trying to be courteous. Brian was simply being Brian.
Thank you. The words felt strangled. His nearness washed over her like sunshinebright, refreshing and enlivening. Things she didnt want to feel again, not when it came to Brian. She grasped the walkers grips and shuffled forward, aware of him tall and straight at her side.
Her limitations frustrated her. As grateful as she was to have survived a head injury and resulting coma, she wanted to ride her horse, jog at her usual breakneck speed and keep up with things at the ranch. Worse, she hated being vulnerable around Brian when she needed to be strong.
Dont they make the cutest couple? Eunice cooed.
The cutest, Marjorie agreed, opening her book.
They look like they belong together, Anna sighed as her knitting needles began clacking again.
She lumbered across the room as fast as possible. Was Brian upset also by that last comment? The two of them used to belong together.
Used to. Not anymore. That was something that would never change.
I spent most of the morning on the phone. He pitched his voice low, so it wouldnt carry in the busy hallway. The marshal who handled you
Tommy Hatfield. Fondness swept through her. Tommy had been good to her and her children, a rock when shed feared for their lives. How is he?
Retired. When I couldnt reach him at his office, I tried his home phone.
They gave you that information?
No, I already had it. Did you think I would let you go without a single worry? Without making sure I knew the man who was taking you and the kids into protective custody? A muscle jumped along his jaw, betraying his quiet words.
I never gave it any thought.
You had a lot on your mind at the time. His tone was kind as he matched his gait to her halting one. Kind was one adjective that had always described Brian. Committed was another. Before he took you, I grilled that man. I had to make sure hed done every possible thing to keep the three of you out of harms way. I couldnt rest until I was certain of it.
I didnt know.
You werent supposed to.
It shamed her. At the time shed been convinced Brian had fallen out of love with her so thoroughly, he didnt care one iota for her. She should have considered his feelings more, the ones that may have lurked out of sight behind his unemotional exterior.
Maybe, she admitted, she should have voiced her concern and her caring for him more during their troubled marriage. It was too late to fix it, so she swallowed, concentrating on trudging forward, blind to where they were going.
Tommys wife gave me his cell number, and I caught him out fishing. Brian stopped to pull out a chair for her. He sounded pretty surprised to hear from me. He didnt know anything new about your case, so he has to get back to me.
So, more waiting. She plunked into the offered chair, hardly noticing the dining room echoing around her. The vacant tables, the sounds of the staff hard at work in the kitchen, the rustle of Brians clothes as he drew out a chair and sat beside her, facing her, so close she could see the threads of bronze in the melted-chocolate color of his irises.
That kindness she read there hadnt changed. He was still such a good man. Caring and compassionate. She hoped hed found happiness in his life. Their failed marriage had been only half his fault.
What do we tell the kids? He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.
All of it. If my argument with Jack taught me anything, its that lies can destroy a family.
Thats right...youd mentioned that youd gotten into an intense confrontation with Jack before you fell off your horse.
He wanted to know who his father was, once and for all, and he was furious when I refused to tell him. She couldnt remember the argument or even hitting the ground. The details of that day were fuzzy to nonexistent, but it hadnt been the first argument theyd had on the subject. She leaned back in the chair. Dont think Id forgotten you or forgot the father Jack and Violet should have had.
He swallowed hard, nodded once, obviously unable to answer. Guilt and sadness moved across his face.
Interesting. Yet again she was reminded that the Brian Wallace shed once known hadnt been one to show feelings at all, even in the heat of an argument. But now... She could detect a flicker of raw emotion in his eyes.
There has always been a huge gaping hole in my life. In our lives. His confusion sounded gruff, a father whod been forced to walk away from two of his children. It tore me apart.
Me, too. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. Brian spotted them and leaned in to lay his hand against her cheek. One tear rolled across her skin and into the cup of his palm. The pain she felt, the wrenching agony of the hole in her life where he, Maddie and Grayson should have been, eased. I never stopped missing them.
Me, either. I can get to know Violet and Jack, although I keep wanting to call them by their original names, before the marshal changed them. Its going to take some getting used to.
It took me a long time to get used to it, too, she admitted softly. As important as it was at the time, I kept slipping up. Violet was just a baby, so she adjusted to her name easier, but Jack kept stubbornly insisting he was Tanner. We had to make a game of it.
I can picture it. Grayson cried and cried for you. Night after night, day after day. Being alone when hed been with his twin every hour of the day and night didnt help. He cried for TannerI mean, Jacktoo.
I wondered. She gazed upon his face, the one she knew so well. The memory of him had stayed with her more than shed realized. I ached for them every night and day. They were my children.