Isabel woke up and smiled. She lay in bed for a few minutes, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace. She and Timmy had managed to sleep through the entire night, getting some much-needed rest. This small victory was enough to make her happy for the moment.
Even though the ranch was still in danger and they were far from solving all of their problems, she felt hopeful. Theodore had changed so much. He had opened up to her. He finally seemed to trust her when she said that she wasn’t going to leave him just because times were hard.
He had also seemed to open up to Mick, as well. Theodore wasn’t offended or upset at Mick’s offer to help. He actually seemed to understand that the offer to help was genuine and came from a place of caring and friendship.
She stretched, enjoying the contentment in her soul.
For the first time, it feels like we’re moving forward together and not fighting separate battles.
Isabel climbed out of bed, dressed, and brushed and braided her hair before twisting it into a bun. She peeked at Timmy, who was still sound asleep, which was a blessing. It made it easier for her to get breakfast started.
She stoked the fire in the stove, humming softly to herself. Isabel moved quickly through the kitchen, making the biscuits and sliding them into the oven, and then started frying bacon. Making the simple meal made her happy. It was part of the life she wanted to build here with Timmy and Theodore.
Her thoughts wandered as she flipped the bacon. She and Theodore hadn’t exactly started their marriage in a traditional way. For the longest time, she had resigned herself to living with a man who could barely stand her presence. Now, they were building something more. He had almost kissed her three times and hugged her a couple of times. They had touched and even held hands. Isabel thought that maybe, just maybe, he was starting to love her, too.
Maybe there’s hope for a real marriage. Who knows? Maybe there’s even hope that someday we can give Timmy some brothers and sisters.
She blushed at the thought.
Isabel cracked the eggs into the skillet, her thoughts full of the future once they got over this hurdle and figured out a way to save the ranch.
The front door creaked open, and Isabel looked up in surprise. Theodore wasn’t usually up before her, especially since they had started spending the nights guarding the range cattle.
She wiped her hands on her apron and turned to look at him. Isabel smiled at him, but the smile quickly faded when she saw the grim look on his pale face. His jaw was clenched tight, and there was a violent storm in his eyes.
All the warmth and happiness she had felt a few seconds before drained out of her, leaving her with an overwhelming sense of dread and terror. Her heart thundered in her chest, and she couldn’t breathe.
“What happened? What’s wrong? Did we lose more cattle?” she asked frantically.
He didn’t say a word to her. Instead, he stepped toward her and handed her a note.
“What’s this?” she asked, dreading the answer as she took the paper from him.
Her eyes quickly scanned the crudely written words: “Sell up or else.”
A wave of nausea hit her. Her mind reeled with shock. Just seconds ago, she had felt so optimistic about their relationship and situation—and now this.
“We had another visitor last night. Someone lit a fire near the barn where I keep my supplies. The guys put it out quickly. I wanted to check on the cows in the barn and found that tacked to the door,” Theodore explained, his voice cold and hard.
Her hands trembled as she folded the note back up. She automatically pulled the biscuits out of the oven and took the eggs off the stove as she tried to process the fact that somehow, no matter how watchful everyone had been, someone still managed to get onto the ranch.
Isabel set the food on the table and sat heavily in a chair, considering the threat that hung over their heads. She felt like she had been punched in the gut. Whoever was behind this, likely Jenkins, wasn’t satisfied with destroying the land anymore. They were deadly serious. The idea of what “or else” meant terrified her.
“We’ll figure it out. We won’t let them scare us,” Isabel said, hating the shaking in her voice.
Theodore shook his head. “No, we won’t. You and Timmy need to leave.”
Isabel blinked, stunned at the suggestion. “What? No, we’re not leaving you.”
“Listen to me.” His voice was sharp, almost desperate, and it silenced her. “I can’t protect you. I can’t protect him. And I can’t even keep a roof over your heads right now.” He gestured around the house, his frustration boiling over. “It’s not safe for you here. I need you to go stay with Abigail until I can sort this out.”
Isabel’s heart thundered in her chest. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not leaving you. I’ve told you time and again that I’m not going to leave you just because things get difficult.”
“Isabel, you need to listen to me. There’s nothing more to be said on the matter. You and Timmy need to leave. It’s for the best.”
Her throat tightened, and she felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Her heart broke when she saw how desperate Theodore looked and the fear in his eyes. She was afraid for herself and Timmy, but she was also afraid for Theodore and what would happen if she left.
She walked over to him and grabbed his hand.
“I can’t leave you,” she whispered. “I won’t.”
He pulled his hand away and shook his head. “You don’t understand. This isn’t just about the ranch, and I’m not pushing you away. Whoever left that note isn’t going to stop no matter what, and I can’t risk you and Timmy getting hurt.”
“I can’t go,” she choked out, searching for the words to convince him. Before she could process what she was saying, she exclaimed, “I love you. I can’t leave you.”
She wasn’t sure what to expect from him. Maybe a part of her hoped that he would say it back, he would tell her that she could stay, and they would work everything out together.
He looked at her for a minute, as though he wasn’t sure he really heard what she said. His mouth moved, but no words came out.
Finally, he said quietly, “Isabel, I love you, too, for what it’s worth.”
Her heart exploded. Those were the words that she had hoped he would say for a long time. Her stomach twisted, though, because it seemed as though the words were some kind of burden that he had to get rid of.
“But love isn’t enough. It never has been and never will be.”
Without another word, he left the house.
Isabel collapsed on the chair, sobbing, tears blurring her eyes. Her body trembled, and her heart and soul shattered into a million pieces.
“I’ve lost everything,” she cried. “I’ve lost my home. The man I have fallen in love with is in danger, and I could lose him, too.”
Isabel knew that Theodore wouldn’t give up the ranch without a fight. He would die before he walked away.
The thought of anything happening to Theodore was overwhelming.
“If he dies trying to protect this ranch, it’ll kill a piece of me. I can’t take it.”
Losing her mother had hurt, and it had taken Isabel a long time before she felt like she could ever smile again. The love she felt for Theodore was different. There would be no way that she could ever find peace again.
The sounds of her sobs were broken by Timmy crying out from his crib. She slowly pulled herself out of the chair and made her way into the bedroom to take care of the other person who owned a part of her heart.