Isabella: Book Four: The Cattleman's Daughters

by Danni Roan

  Taylor could hear the smile in her voice when she mentioned her little niece.

  “I take it you like children.” He said.

  “Oh yes, I do and Mary is so sweet,” she giggled softly. “I think Katie’s been very lucky with Mary, even Nona thinks she’s an exceptionally good baby.”

  “I haven’t been around many children, but they can be sweet. I think I’d like a half dozen or so.” His voice oozed mischief, but it still made Issy blush.

  “Bella,” he finally said as they walked along the fence line with no particular destination in mind, “I know we only just met but I have to say I like you.”

  The girl next to him gasped and he chuckled. “I know that’s rather shocking, but with all the traveling I’ve done lately, I just feel right at home with you. If it’s alright, I think I’d like to get to know you a whole lot more.”

  For a minute Issy wondered exactly what the young man meant, and goose flesh raced up her arms. She realized that she barely knew this man, and yet here she was walking alone in the dark with him, and letting him take the liberty of having his arm around her.

  “I surely don’t mean any disrespect by this,” Taylor hurried to make himself understood. “I just can’t see waiting around to let you know, or trying to make you guess how I feel.”

  Issy let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I think that would be nice,” she finally managed.

  The next two weeks were a whirlwind for Isabella. Each night she and Taylor would walk, and she could feel the bond growing between them. She felt as if she belonged with him, like somehow they fit together.

  During the day they would each see to the work of the ranch: Taylor in the fields with his brother, and Issy working with her sisters and grandmother around the house. Together the women began preparing items for Hank and Fiona’s new house, making curtains for the windows, hemming dish towels for the kitchen, and trimming and sewing in general. All this on top of the usual chores of washing and mending, which sometimes felt like a full time job. In Isabella’s mind, it was a boon that Chen Lou loved ironing and handled almost all of it.

  There was also the kitchen garden, a large endeavor with so many mouths to feed, to be tended, though recently Deeks' wife Ray had begun working the big garden as well as her much smaller one when the other women were in the house. She was a strange woman, never coming to the house or joining the family for meals. At least she'd started taking an interest in her surroundings and cooking for her husband, the ranch blacksmith. All of these chores kept Issy busy throughout the day, but her evenings were dedicated to Taylor.

  In the evenings, she and Taylor would walk arm-in-arm around the ranch or sit on the porch swing. When not under the watchful eyes of their family members, they seemed to always be touching in some little way. Taylor would casually drape an arm over her shoulders as he rocked the swing, or pull her close as they gazed out across the prairie at the cows and horses grazing there. He would even hold her hand as they walked along, discussing the work of the day.

  Although in reality Taylor was only marginally taller than she was, Issy saw him as somehow bigger, and she loved the feel of his hard muscles under her hand when she’d take his arm while walking. She even found herself reaching out to touch his shoulder or run her fingers down his back, delighting in the charge each touch or caress sent through her.

  Taylor’s teasing ways always seemed to have Issy laughing, and the bright glint he’d get in his eye delighted her when they talked.

  He was seldom serious, although sometimes thoughtful, and that appealed to her in some new and special way.

  As they stood by the rail fence of the barn corral one evening, bright stars twinkling overhead in a velvet sky, Taylor gently pulled her to him, his arm possessively around her middle. They’d been talking about farming and horses and various other homey things, when he leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth, pulling back to study her face after just a moment.

  “You do funny things to me Bella,” he growled, making her shiver. Looking him in the eye, she leaned toward him for another kiss that sent fire coursing through her veins.

  They were both breathless when they finally broke the embrace, and a wicked smile spread across Taylor’s handsome face.

  “Bella, I’m crazy about you,” he whispered, wrapping a strand of her dark hair around his work roughened hands. “Why don’t you marry me?”

  Isabella James blinked, not sure if she’d heard what she thought, then smiled back at the man she was sure she was falling in love with. “Why Mr. Ogden, I believe I will,” she replied with a grin.

  Taylor let out a whoop and lifted the pretty girl who had just agreed to be his wife right off of her feet, causing the horses in the corral to jump and start, while he kissed her again.

  Straightening her rumpled clothing, Isabella pulled Taylor by the hand up the stairs into the house, and straight to her father.

  ******

  “Are you sure?” Lexi asked her sister as they were getting ready for bed that night. “I mean; you barely know each other.”

  “Oh Lexi, you just don’t understand, we’re in love and it’s wonderful.” Issy twirled around, making her soft muslin night dress spin, before flopping down on her bed, a dreamy expression on her face. “We’re going to be married on the Fourth of July. It will be perfect, you’ll see.”

  Lexi chewed her lower lip but said nothing. All the while she lay awake in bed that night, the old saying marry in haste, repent at leisure, echoed in her head.

  Chapter 7

  The day of the wedding was one of the most festive events the Broken J had ever seen. Not only were they celebrating the birth of their country, they were also rejoicing at the marriage of Isabella and Taylor, and that their beautiful Wyoming would officially become a state in just a few days. Nona had coopted everyone to decorate, hanging anything that could be considered red, white and blue from every railing or shelf she could find. The whole ranch was dazzling.

  Although Lexi was thrilled with her sister’s new found happiness, a part of her felt sad that the one person she’d been the closest to would be starting a new chapter in her life that she couldn’t share. They’d done everything together from the time they'd come into this world, and now for the first time, their lives would be separate.

  "Lexi, are you awake?" Issy's voice was barely a whisper.

  "Hm?" Lexi asked, rolling over and rubbing her eyes. A dim gray light filtered through the thin summer curtains and into their room.

  "Get up sleepy head, today's my wedding day." Issy giggled and plopped down on her sister’s bed with a thump.

  Lexi pushed herself up and smiled at her twin.

  "I want to go down to the bath house and have it all to ourselves before everyone gets up and going. Come on," Issy chided pulling the blankets back.

  Soon they had gathered their clothing and toiletries, then silently crept down the front stairs and out through the back door of the house, across the dew damp grass of the yard and into the dark bath house.

  "Chen Lou!" Lexi gasped as they stepped through the door only to discover that the man they called Yeye was already there, poking more wood into the stove to heat the three large buckets he'd set on the hob to heat.

  The wizened little Chinese man threw his long braid over his back and grinned at them. "I know you want bath first," he said, peering at them fondly. "You bride, you get first bath. It will be busy, busy all day after that." His bright smile twinkled from his deep set eyes.

  Together the girls swept toward him, kissing him soundly on his parchment cheeks.

  "What would we do without you?" Issy gushed.

  "You go crazy chasing Mae. That what you do without me." His cackles of mirth lingered in the room after he stepped back into the dawning day.

  As soon as the water had heated, the girls filled the big tubs and crawled into their luxurious depths.

  "Do you ever think we're a bit spoiled?" Lexi mused as she lathered a sp
onge with lilac soap.

  "Spoiled?" Issy started. "Have you seen the calluses on my hands from that garden? If it gets any bigger, we'll need to hire more people just to grow food."

  "Don't start thinking like that, it will do your head in," Lexi grouched. "More people, more food, bigger garden, more people..." She groaned and slid deeper into the tub.

  "We truly are fortunate though, aren't we?" Issy finally agreed. "We have a family who loves us, a strange one yes, but they do love us. We have the freedom to do what we like and can provide everything we truly need for ourselves. I'd say we're down right blessed."

  "Don't forget the means to buy pretty yellow fabric for a new dress," Lexi said, flicking her wet fingers at her sister. "Your wedding dress truly is beautiful."

  "I'm so happy that Aunt Cathleen came down to help with it. I've never seen a woman who could sew like that, and she loves it." Isabella’s voice showed true surprise at the notion.

  "I almost told Meg to just leave it be when she offered to help me with the sleeves," Lexi laughed. "Meg is many things but she is not a seamstress. I think it's her least favorite chore."

  "I'm glad she and Clayton got back before the wedding," Issy sighed. “She seems to love traveling. I’m still shocked every time I think of the rough start those two had.”

  "It works out well that Clay and Meg are happy to travel on business for Pa. I know our daring sister always wanted to see more of the United States than the Broken J, or even just Wyoming."

  "I'm thrilled that everyone will be here for our wedding."

  "Did you see the wild hogs that Uncle Brion brought with him? They took four of them in a single hunting trip and one is already cooking on the spit for your wedding feast."

  "Weddings!" A soft voice grumbled into the dim, warm room, followed by Mae, who slipped through the door like a wraith. “Why everyone thinks weddings are so wonderful is beyond me.” It was obvious her quick temper wasn't soothed by an early morning wake up call. "What is all the fuss about anyway? I'd rather be riding than getting all fancied up just to stand around and watch people kiss. Eew!"

  Lexi and Issy threw back their heads and laughed, then laughed even harder at their little sister's bewildered scowl.

  "Mae you are priceless, and don't you ever forget it," Lexi said, splashing the raven-haired girl with a well-aimed foot. Mae dodged the splash nimbly and stuck her tongue out at her older siblings before preparing her own bath.

  The twins spent the rest of the day either in their room preparing for the wedding or moving Isabella's belongings into the spare room, where she would take up residence with her new husband that night.

  Nona insisted that it would be bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony, so she brought them a tray to share in their room instead of coming down for lunch. Even from upstairs they could hear the chaotic sounds of cooking in the kitchen, but for once enjoyed not being in the middle of things.

  As the sun began turning the sky rose and gold, Joshua came to the door with Isadoro at his side. Lexi kissed both men, then scurried down the stairs to take her place by the arbor that had been erected next to a large cottonwood tree.

  "Your grandpa and I wanted to ask if it would be alright for both of us to give you away today?" Joshua asked beaming at his little girl.

  "Oh, that would be perfect!" Issy gushed, her eyes filling with tears as she threw herself into their outstretched arms.

  "You're sure about this?" Isadoro asked, pushing her away and studying her glowing face.

  "Yes, I'm sure," Issy smiled. "I can't think of anything better than spending the rest of my life with Taylor. It's like I can see the whole future stretched out before us. Our happily ever after, just like in a fairytale."

  Joshua James extended his right elbow to his daughter while his father-in-law offered her his left, and together they walked down the stairs and into a new chapter at the Broken J.

  The waning sun allowed for a soft breeze to pick up, ruffling the deep grass of the prairie and causing it to sigh, as Isabella walked down the porch stairs and lifted her eyes toward the arbor where she expected to see Taylor waiting for her. The shock of him not being there made her knees wobble. Where could he be? Why wasn't he standing by the preacher waiting for her with a welcoming smile? Confusion threatened to overtake her. She'd imagined this moment so many times, he was supposed to be standing before her family, his eyes glued to her as she walked toward him down the aisle created by her loved ones.

  Nona came rushing across the yard, her best gray dress rustling in her haste. "Go back inside," she whispered loudly, shooing them with her hands. "He's not here yet. Go back, go back."

  Issy blinked, then looked at her father, who patted her hand. "I'm sure everything's alright. You go back inside with Isadoro, and I'll go see what's keeping him." His voice was gentle, but did nothing to still the sudden beating of her heart.

  Still stunned, she allowed her grandfather to turn her back toward the house. Surely he couldn't have changed his mind. Her heart squeezed in her chest.

  "Sit down and rest, Isabella," her grandfather said, his soft cinnamon colored eyes bright with understanding. "I'm sure he's just delayed." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. His subtle accent was soothing as he spoke to her. "Things like this happen every day." He smiled, but she knew he'd have a few words to say to her new husband about this tardiness.

  Twenty minutes later Eric came dashing up the back steps. "He's here!" The young boy called excitedly, "and Molly had her puppies!"

  Issy gasped, not sure which bit of news the boy was more excited about.

  This time her exit from the house was more determined. She grasped her grandfather's arm, and together they stepped out into the bright red sunset. Pausing long enough to take her father's arm at the head of the aisle made by her family standing in the cool grass, she boldly walked up to her intended, squinting slightly to let him know she was not pleased with the interruption, only to have her annoyance swept away by his bright smile and warm hand as he took hers.

  He was so handsome, she guessed she could forgive him for caring about his old dog. It wasn’t Molly’s fault that the puppies had decided to come when they did.

  The ceremony was simple and direct. Everyone laughed when the preacher, having asked Taylor to repeat after him in agreeing to marry Isabella, was shocked when Taylor clearly said, "I Taylor, take you Bella, to be my wedded wife."

  Once the preacher recovered, Taylor slipped a small silver band over her finger and they were pronounced man and wife. The preacher hadn't even finished saying, "You may now kiss..." when Taylor leaned, in placing his lips over hers with a sweet warm kiss, full of promise.

  From that moment on everything was a blur. Lanterns were lit, food was eaten, music played, and everyone danced. Isabella, no, Bella, spun and twirled in Taylor's arms like a princess in a fairy tale, but even through the cloud-like haze of happiness, she noticed her sister Lexi dancing with Reg, and even Mae could be seen dancing with her cousin Sean.

  As the full darkness of night descended, Walt and Steph set off two perfect night flower fireworks that they’d purchased when retrieving the preacher, to the wonder of the assembled well-wishers, making the celebrations of the night seem even more wondrous with the bright red and gold lights sparkling in the night sky.

  As the cowboys played their instruments and the family danced and laughed, it seemed like nothing could ever go wrong at the Broken J, as if some special dispensation had been granted to the happy family who had welcomed one more to their number.

  The music grew less lively as the night wore on, and couples swayed to a rhythm soft and sweet, while crickets could be heard chirping into the night. Taylor used the soft music and deepening night to steal his bride away to their newly prepared room, and a quietness settled over the revelers as the soft summer night closed in.

  Once he'd seen that Issy and Taylor had slipped away, Joshua James stood from one of the tables that had been moved t
o the yard and tapped his glass with a fork, getting everyone’s attention.

  "I have one more bit of good news," he called, causing all eyes to turn toward him. "I know it will come as a surprise to many of you, but we've decided that with all the blessings we've been given, we'd like to bestow one more on our family. I'd like to announce that this fall we'll be sending Mae Lynn to Boston to attend school and get the education she deserves."

  Silence fell over the floor as the younger ones gazed at each other in surprise, while the older members of the ranch smiled reassuringly. Mae on the other hand blinked, stuttered, then turned and ran toward the barn.

  Joshua looked toward Chen Lou who shook his head, making his braid sway. "I go," he stated softly, then turning, stumped his way into the night.

  Hours later Joshua assembled the wisdom of the Broken J at one of the tables, along with Clayton and his daughter, Muiread.

  "I know it's a bit of shock," he said evenly. "I wanted it to come out that way so that Mae couldn't argue. Maybe it’s not fair, but we agreed something had to be done. She can't keep on the way she's going." He turned his arctic stare toward his second child and her husband. "I'll need you to take her to my sister in Boston." He said flatly, and it was obvious that the decision had not be reached easily.

  Meg rose from her bench and walked toward her father, her willowy form subtler than ever before, and wrapped her arms around her father's shoulders. "We understand, Pa," she stated, brushing a lock of her dark coppery hair away from her face and kissing him on the cheek. "We all know how hard this if for you, but don't worry, Mae will forgive you." She grinned and winked at the handsome black hair cowboy still sitting on the bench. "After all, I did."

  The others at the table chuckled and Joshua patted his daughter's hand. "Why don't you two go and get some sleep, and we'll see you in the morning to work out the details."

  After the couple had gone, Joshua pulled a letter out of his pocket, and pulled a lantern close so he could read it. "I guess this is a bit late considering one of the boys has just married my little girl, but I thought we'd go over the letter from Jed again."