by Linda Ford
He crested a hill and looked down on a sorry-looking bunch of cows. With a start, he realized they were what was left of his herd…his dreams. He studied them. Shouldn’t he feel more than this regret that so many had perished? And the survivors were thin? But they were on good grass now and would soon put on weight.
He reined away in a different direction. An hour later he considered his options. A line cabin lay to the north, a pretty valley to the west. After the briefest of pauses, he headed west and didn’t stop until he reached a grove of trees on the hillside overlooking the grassy basin.
He dismounted and removed his supplies and the saddle. He brushed Jumper and left him to enjoy the grazing. Dawson sat down on the hillside. He had only the birds and bugs for company. There on the grassy slope he laid his dreams and disappointments out before God. “Help me understand what it is I really want. And need.”
He looked at every aspect of his life, honestly seeking God’s guidance.
His cow herd was decimated and yet it mattered less to him than learning of Isabelle’s secret. Why should that be?
Because it felt too much like Violet, pretending one thing while living another. Committing to marriage, while yearning for activity and excitement. Was that all this trip to Bella Creek was for Isabelle—the thrill of something different?
Why had he been so attracted to Isabelle even though he knew from the first day what she was?
His brain churned with far more questions than answers.
That night he spread his bedroll on a sheet of canvas and slept under the stars. Or, more correctly, he lay awake watching the stars and searching for understanding.
The next morning he ate a hurried breakfast, but when he reached for the saddle, his eyes caught the pale purple of a patch of crocuses and his thoughts went back to the day Isabelle had gone to the river with Mattie and Annie. He dropped the saddle to the ground and stared at the wildflowers. Even back then he had fought his attraction to her, seeing her as an unsuitable girl.
An unsuitable girl who cared for his daughter.
An unsuitable girl who proved she could tackle anything from housework to nursing.
An unsuitable girl who didn’t want anyone to know she was an heiress.
Why? Why would she keep such a secret from him?
He returned to saddling Jumper, mounted and spent the next few hours riding around the ranch, hoping to find answers.
That night he again lay under the stars. He felt like the answer hovered just beyond his grasp and he determined he would not go home until he found it.
Dawn had only begun to lighten the sky when Dawson wakened, cows on his mind.
He’d lost his investment. Lost his dream of starting his own place. Strangely, it didn’t matter. As he’d ridden across the rolling hills, through the trees and along the river, one thing had become clear. This land, right here on the Marshall Five Ranch, was part of his heart and soul. Besides, he thought with a wry chuckle, how could they call it the Marshall Five if he left?
He didn’t want to leave.
Why had it seemed so important just a few days ago? What did he want?
It was somehow connected to Isabelle. Wasn’t it?
He jerked to a sitting position. No, not Isabelle. It was connected to Violet and her restless nature. Something she’d said had stuck in his craw and wormed into his mind to stay there all these years.
What would you know about adventure? You’re stuck here. You don’t even have anything of your own.
Even the house wasn’t enough for her. And thus the need to have his own place had been born. Except it wasn’t what he wanted. He liked it here. His roots went deep into the bedrock of the land. He wanted Mattie to enjoy the love and support of a large family.
There was only one thing he lacked. A wife and family of his own. The pain he’d felt at learning Isabelle’s secret stemmed from knowing she hadn’t been completely honest with him.
Why?
He banged his fist to his forehead. Because as soon as everyone knew who she was their opinion changed. Well, maybe not everyone. Not Grandfather, Annie or Mattie.
A troubling thought blasted through his mind. She’d come down the stairs as Logan and Conner were pointing out the benefits of knowing a woman with lots of money. Had she overheard them? Did she think he shared their opinion? It couldn’t be further from the truth. He didn’t care if she was an heiress or poor as a blackbird. They had shared something that went beyond belongings and possessions. As Grandfather said, what mattered was how a person lived.
A smile filled his heart. He liked the way Isabelle lived. She was gentle and understanding with Mattie, she did a good job of whatever she tried and she had kissed him.
What more did he need? He sprang from his bedroll and broke camp in record time. The sun was just peeking over the horizon as he made his way back to the ranch. He arrived in time for breakfast and a noisy welcome.
“As soon as we’ve eaten I am going to town to find Isabelle and tell her how I feel.”
Grandfather harrumphed. “And how is that?”
“First, I don’t care an ounce about her money. She can do whatever she wants with it. All I care about is her friendship.”
“Friendship?” Logan mocked.
Dawson gave a dismissive shrug. “I wouldn’t object if it went further.”
Mattie clapped. “Papa, you are doing the right thing. Can I go with you?”
He chuckled. “I’m glad to meet with your approval, but, no, this is something I can handle on my own.”
The meal over, he strode from the house and swung back into Jumper’s saddle. His ever-so-helpful family crowded around him, offering advice. He ignored them and repeated, “I can handle this on my own.”
His heart raced ahead of him into town. He rode to the back door of the doctor’s residence and dismounted. His lungs fought to find enough air as he stood before the door. He brushed the dust from his trousers, took his hat off, ran his fingers through his hair to make sure it was halfway neat and knocked.
Footsteps crossed the floor and he held his breath, quickly rehearsing the words he’d practiced on the way to town. Kate opened the door. Her mouth fell open.
“Howdy.” He glanced past her. “Is Isabelle in?”
“I’m afraid not. She’s gone.”
The words took several seconds to register. “Is she at the store?” He would go find her.
“She’s left town.”
He stared at Kate as the words sifted through his brain. “Left town. For where?”
“She said she had business to attend to. I’m sorry. I wish I had better news.”
Was it like Violet all over again? Running after something new? But this was not Violet. This was Isabelle and she was different in all the best ways possible. “Is she coming back?”
“I can’t say.”
What did that mean? That Kate knew but wouldn’t say or that she didn’t know. “Tell me where she went. I will go after her.”
Kate’s study of him caused him to squirm.
“I need to tell her something.”
“Like what?”
It wasn’t any of her business but he understood Kate wouldn’t release the information he needed unless she approved of his reasons. “I need to tell her I care about her and I want her to stay here. She’s more than a rich city woman. She’s a person who matters to us—me and Mattie.”
Kate nodded. “She’s in Great Falls.”
“Thanks.” He grabbed Jumper’s reins and led him to the Wells Fargo station where he could purchase a ticket to ride the stagecoach. If he wasn’t mistaken, the stagecoach from Great Falls would arrive this afternoon. It went as far as Wolf Hollow then turned around for the return trip to the city. He would be on the stagecoach. He would go to Great Falls and find her. And somehow he would convince her of his feelings.
Chapter Sixteen
Isabelle leaned out the window as the stage drove down the street in Bella Creek. This was where she wa
nted to belong if people would accept her for who she was. Mostly she hoped Dawson would see her as a person who belonged. The past two days had been very busy. She’d wired her lawyer and he’d agreed to let her sign papers with a lawyer in Great Falls. She’d come away from those intense meetings feeling free as never before.
A wagon rumbled by on one side. She caught only a glimpse but was almost certain she’d seen Mattie between Grandfather and Annie, and a smile caught her lips. Mattie had been the first person she saw when she arrived in town. And then Dawson. She sat back. Besides Mattie, he was the person she most wanted to see again.
The stagecoach pulled to a halt. She sat back, suddenly afraid, wondering if returning was the right thing to do. Of course it was. Hadn’t she prayed about it? And wasn’t that what all her planning led her to?
The door opened and the driver reached up to assist her down. As soon as her feet reached the ground, she looked up and right into the surprised blue eyes of the very man she missed so much her insides felt hollow. “Dawson, what are you doing here?” Now, if that wasn’t a stupid question. He had every right to be anywhere he wanted in town.
“I didn’t expect you.” He stood so close she could barely breathe. Did he have any idea of how his presence affected her? Of course he didn’t and she should be grateful. It saved her pride from another fall.
She managed to pull her gaze from him and look beyond. Mattie, Grandfather and Annie stood to the right. Mr. Marshall, Logan and Conner stood to the left. What was this? A Marshall reunion? Several other townspeople stood about. Time to get on with the business that had brought her here. “I’ve come to stay. I intend to help Dr. Baker and Kate in the clinic.”
Mattie clapped. “I can go to your place after school.” Her eager smile fled. “If Papa will let me.”
At his name, Isabelle brought her attention back to him.
“I was about to get on the stage,” he said.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She had been blocking the door and stepped to one side.
“I was coming to find you.”
“Oh.” She could think of nothing more to say. Then she recalled the words his brothers had spoken, how Dawson should take advantage of a rich woman’s funds. She stepped farther to the side, putting enough distance between herself and Dawson that she wasn’t overly distracted and speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. She wanted them all to be very clear as to her financial situation.
“My name is Isabelle Castellano Redfield. And, yes, I was sole heiress to the Castellano and Redfield fortunes.”
There was a surprised intake of breath from those standing nearby.
She could not look at Dawson, nor his brothers. Instead, she focused on Annie. Out of the corner of her eyes she noted Kate join the crowd and then Sadie slipped from the store to see what was going on. Feeling as if she were supported by her friends, she continued.
“However, I am no longer rich. I have turned all the money into foundations for the less fortunate.” She’d arranged for a board to supervise the operation of various charities—a hospital in the heart of St. Louis, an orphanage in Montana and an educational fund to provide teachers and books to areas that couldn’t afford to pay for them. The lawyer had insisted she continue to receive a modest allowance but she wasn’t about to admit that in public.
She finally brought her attention back to Dawson. “I have no money to buy cattle or ranch land.”
The look he gave her was direct and challenging. “I don’t care about your money. Give away every last cent if that’s what you want.”
“What about your dreams of your own ranch?”
“It wasn’t really my dream.”
She glanced around at the interested observers. Perhaps she’d get a chance at some point to ask him what his statement meant…a time and place with no one else to hear what he had to say.
He closed the distance between them and took her cold, trembling hands. “Isabelle, I don’t care about your money. All I want, all I need, is you and you alone.”
She gaped at him. “Why?”
His grin tilted to one side. “Isn’t it obvious? I love you.”
She swallowed noisily. “Love me?” The words echoed in her head. Could it be possible her most precious dream could be coming true?
“I love you in every way a man can love.”
She digested the information, and as the words became clear in her brain, her heart did a happy dance. “You do?”
“With my whole heart.”
The sheriff had joined Dawson’s brothers and called out, “Miss Isabelle, put the poor man out of his misery.”
“Yes, please do,” Dawson begged. “Tell me you forgive me for being such a dunce and you’ll give me a chance to prove how much I love you.”
She closed the final few inches between them and wrapped her arms about his neck. “I do believe I’d enjoy that. You could start by kissing me.”
“Here?” His eyes widened.
“It’s a good place to start.” Before the friends and family she hoped would be her friends and family as well as his.
He caught her lips in a gentle, sweet kiss that filled her with such joy she laughed.
The crowd clapped and cheered. Mattie ran to Dawson and Isabelle and wrapped her arms about their waists. Dawson lifted her and they hugged her between them.
Annie, Sadie and Kate all pressed close, happy for the promise of their love.
The sheriff and Dawson’s brothers slapped him on his back.
The preacher strode to the crowd and chuckled. “Looks like I’ll soon be conducting my first wedding in this town.”
*
Dawson gladly, joyfully accepted everyone’s good wishes. But there was one problem. Despite Preacher Hugh’s assumption, Dawson had not asked Isabelle to marry him. Not yet. And for one reason only. She had not said she loved him.
Was it an oversight on her part? Or was he jumping ahead of himself? He had to find out but it took him most of an hour to pull her away from the others. By then he felt ready to explode.
“Let’s go for a walk.” He would sooner take her for a drive out of town where he could be certain they’d be alone, but it would take too long to arrange a buggy. He simply couldn’t wait any longer. He sent Mattie to stay with Kate and pulled Isabelle’s hand into the crook of his elbow, wanting to keep her as close to his side as possible.
He led her south past the trees and houses to Mineral Creek, which flowed by town. The trees had not yet leafed out. The creek ran high as the snowmelt filled it. The sound of the rushing water had a pleasing sound he’d never before noticed. Likely because of the anxious hope in his heart.
There was no place to sit. Later he’d see that a few benches were placed along the shore for future use. He led her to a cluster of trees where they were mostly out of sight and turned her to face him.
“I’m glad you came back,” he said.
“What did you mean that having your own ranch wasn’t really your dream?”
He told her how he’d discovered he had mistaken what Violet thought he should want for what he really wanted.
“What do you really want?”
“A home and family of my own. The place isn’t important, though I like to think of being surrounded by family and friends.”
“I like that, too. That’s why I came back.”
His heart thudded sluggishly. “Is that the only reason? Do I figure into your plans at all?”
Her laughter trilled through the air. “It was the main reason.” Her eyes shone. “And you made my dreams come true by meeting me at the stagecoach and declaring your love.” She trailed a gentle finger across his cheek. “Thank you.”
He caught her hands and held them between them. “There’s only one thing missing.” He could hardly squeeze the words out.
“Really? I can’t think of anything.” She looked puzzled.
“Isabelle.” His voice was suddenly hoarse. “Put me out of my misery as Jesse said. Tell me how you feel ab
out me.”
Her eyes widened. Her mouth formed an O. “I guess I thought I had.” Her expression softened. She slipped her hands from his and cupped them to his face. “Dawson Marshall, I love you in every way possible. With my whole heart.”
He pulled her closer and claimed her mouth as his heart overflowed with love and gratitude. He lifted his head, ending the kiss. “There is one more thing.”
Her eyes were soft as kitten fur. “Really?”
“Isabelle Castellano Redfield, will you marry me and make me the happiest man on earth?”
“Yes, I will, and I will be the happiest woman.”
They sealed their promise with a kiss.
Epilogue
Isabelle waited in Annie’s bedroom at the ranch house. A view from the window allowed her to watch wagons, buggies and horseback riders arrive. She smiled. Dawson was right. She closed her eyes as she recalled the conversation.
“I don’t want a big wedding,” she’d said. “If I sent invitations to all the people I should invite, word would surely get out. The last thing I want is for reporters to show up for the marriage of the mysterious missing heiress.” The papers had continued with speculation as to her whereabouts along with reports of a new hospital and orphanage funded by an anonymous donor. So far, no one suggested the two events were connected and she hoped they never would.
Dawson had kissed her gently. “I want all my friends and family to attend and witness my joy at finding the most beautiful, most suitable, most amazing woman in the world.”
She laughed and tried to look both surprised and hurt. “I might like to meet this paragon of a woman. Though I warn you I can be very jealous.”
“You know I mean you.” He had smiled so adoringly it had brought tears to her eyes. “Trust me, the sort of big wedding I have in mind is nothing like the high-society event you mean.”
So she had agreed to follow his plans. But it was only fair, seeing as he’d given in to her desire to change the date of their wedding.
