by Lara Lacombe
“This isn’t the trauma talking,” she assured him. “Though I won’t lie and say that has nothing to do with it.” She shrugged. “I realized what’s really important last night. And while the ranch is always going to be a part of my life, it shouldn’t become my whole life. I see now that I was putting my worries about the future of the ranch before everything else. But I need to make sure I have a future, too, and I want you to be in it.”
Wyatt nodded thoughtfully. “I’d like that,” he said quietly.
She released her breath in a shuddering sigh that made her lungs ache. “I don’t know why you put up with me,” she said, smiling in relief. “But I’m so glad you do.”
He got to his feet and leaned over the bed to kiss her softly. “We already lost ten years because of miscommunication,” he said. “I don’t want us to make that same mistake again.”
“Me, neither.” And yet they’d come close to doing just that, thanks to her earlier words.
“I know that look,” Wyatt said, caressing her cheek with his fingertips. “Don’t beat yourself up. We both made mistakes yesterday.”
“I don’t recall you trying to blow up our relationship,” she joked.
“No, but I understand why you did,” he said. “I haven’t supported you like I should. I told you I’d help you brainstorm strategies for the ranch, but I didn’t follow through. I knew you were already feeling isolated because Diego and your grandfather were pushing back against your suggestions. I should have tried to carry some of the load with you, but I didn’t.” He shook his head. “It’s no wonder you wanted some space, when I was just another source of stress for you.”
Isabel felt her jaw drop. The man was a mind reader; it was the only explanation for how he’d so perfectly articulated her thoughts.
He caught her expression and grinned. “I’ve had a lot of time to think,” he replied. “And I minored in psychology.”
“Amazing,” she murmured.
“If you say so.” He pulled the chair closer and sat, then reached for her hand. “I must say, though, I’m glad we talked about this. I would have left if you’d really wanted me to, but I wouldn’t have gone far. Not now that someone’s tried to kill you.”
She pushed up in the bed, tired of laying back. “What happened exactly?” she asked. “I started out helping Diego and Peter with some difficult deliveries, and the next thing I know, the barn’s on fire and the doors are stuck.”
“Not just stuck,” Wyatt said grimly. “Someone had wrapped a chain around them and locked it in place. There was no way you were getting out of there on your own.”
“No wonder Peter didn’t open the doors.” The poor kid hadn’t stood a chance. “I’m glad he ran for help.”
“I don’t think he did,” Wyatt said. He leaned forward, his expression troubled. “I found him on the ground a few feet away from the doors. He was pretty out of it, clutching his head. He said you and Diego pushed him through the window, but when he came around to let you out, someone hit him on the head from behind.”
“Oh my God.” Horror filled her as she imagined the scene. “Is he all right?” He seemed like a nice kid and she’d been proud of the way he’d pushed through his fear to help her deliver the calf. He had the makings of a good cowboy and she hoped he would come through this nightmare intact.
“He’ll be fine,” Wyatt said. “The medics checked him out. He’s got a nice knot on the back of his head, but that’s all. You and Diego got him out before the smoke could hurt him.”
She nodded, relieved at the news. But she couldn’t enjoy the sensation. Something tugged at the edges of her mind, vying for attention.
“Did anyone notice a stranger last night? Someone running away?”
Wyatt shook his head. “Not that I know. The sheriff’s deputies are at the ranch now, interviewing witnesses. I certainly didn’t see anything like that, but then again, I wasn’t looking, either.”
The bottom of her world gave way and Isabel leaned back against the mattress, feeling suddenly light-headed.
“What’s wrong?” Wyatt shot to his feet, alarmed at her sudden change.
She swallowed, squeezed his hand to show she was still okay. “If no one noticed a stranger last night, or saw anyone trying to run away, then that means...”
Understanding dawned in Wyatt’s eyes. “Yeah,” he confirmed, lowering himself back into the chair. “I was wondering how long it would take for you to piece it together.”
“You already knew?”
He shrugged. “Like I said earlier, I’ve had a lot of time to think.”
Tears filled her eyes and she blinked hard to dispel them. “I can’t believe someone we know would do this.” One by one, the faces of the people who worked at the ranch drifted through her mind. None of them seemed capable of locking her in a barn and setting it on fire, but that’s exactly what had happened.
“I know it’s a hard thing to come to grips with,” Wyatt said softly. “Try not to think about it now. Focus on getting better, and let the sheriff and his men do their job.”
Isabel knew he was right but her heart still ached. “How am I supposed to act now? I don’t know who I can trust.” Just the thought of returning to the house and having to be around the ranch hands was enough to make her palms sweat. How could she work with them knowing any one of them might have tried to kill her and Diego?
She’d come back to work on her family’s ranch because she’d wanted a sense of connection, of belonging. But now she felt alone and vulnerable, surrounded by nameless, faceless hostile forces that threatened to destroy her and the land she loved so much.
“You can trust me.” Wyatt’s calm, deep voice broke through her mounting despair. She focused on the sound, grabbing onto it like a lifeline that she used to pull herself free of her emotional storm.
He was right, of course. She knew on a bone-deep level he’d never deliberately hurt her. Just as she knew her brother and Abuelo and Maria would always be there for her. Breath by breath, she began to rebuild her defenses until she no longer felt so exposed.
“I’ve never doubted that,” she said.
“And you’ll never have to.” He leaned over and kissed her softly, gently. It was a simple kiss, hardly more than a whisper of his lips against hers. But there was such tenderness in the gesture, such love, that Isabel felt her heart completely melt.
“I love you,” she said, reaching up to cup his cheek with her palm. She knew she’d already told him that, both when they were in the throes of their love-making and after he’d rescued her from the fire. But she wanted him to hear her say it when their emotions weren’t running so high, so he would know she truly meant it. She never wanted to give him a reason to doubt the sincerity of her words again.
He smiled, his blue eyes practically glowing with emotion as he stared down at her. “I love you, too.”
“Always have,” she said.
“Always will,” he finished.
* * *
“Finally!” Diego climbed out of the truck and turned his face to the sun. “I thought we were never going to get out of there.”
“It was one night,” Isabel grumbled. She took Wyatt’s hand, allowing him to help her down. “But it is good to be home. It’s hard to sleep in a hospital.”
They both still sounded hoarse and Wyatt privately thought it wouldn’t have been a bad thing to keep the siblings under watch for another day. But Isabel and Diego had been agitating to go home from the moment they’d been admitted, so it was no wonder the medical staff had finally relented.
They weren’t the only ones who were happy to be home. Wyatt stretched, working out some of the kinks in his back and shoulders. The nurses had been kind enough to roll in a cot for his use last night and, while he’d slept, it hadn’t been comfortable. He was looking forward to spending the night in a real bed, with Isabel tucked safely in
his arms.
He glanced at the blackened remains of the barn, a shiver running through him at the visceral reminder of just how close he’d come to losing her. The smell of fire was still in the air. An acrid tang that would likely persist for a while, at least until they could get the mess cleaned up. The sheriff had told Jose to leave everything in place until they could establish exactly how the fire had been started. Apparently they were bringing in an arson investigator from El Paso to evaluate the wreckage and reconstruct the point of ignition. What might have been considered an unfortunate accident had been elevated to an attempted murder case, thanks to the chains that had held the doors shut.
“Damn.” Diego shook his head as he stared at the site. “It’s a total loss.”
Isabel walked to her brother and placed her hand on his arm. “We’ll rebuild.”
He snorted. “At least we have insurance for the buildings.” He glanced down at her. “I wish I could say the same for myself.”
Wyatt’s heart twisted in sympathy. His position as a park ranger provided medical benefits, but the same could not be said for self-employed ranchers. Diego had told him yesterday that he’d stopped buying health insurance for himself in a bid to cut costs.
Isabel’s face crumpled in dismay. “Oh, Diego,” she said. She snaked her arm around his waist in a supportive hug. “We’ll figure it out.”
He looked down at her, his expression apologetic. “Guess we should accept that offer, after all.”
“No.” Isabel shook her head. “We’ll find another way.” She slid a glance in Wyatt’s direction and he nodded. They’d spent part of last night brainstorming strategies to deal with the ranch’s financial difficulties, and they’d come up with the makings of what he thought was a solid plan.
“Let’s go inside,” Wyatt suggested. “I’m sure Jose is dying to see you both.”
Isabel released her brother and slipped her hand in his as they started up the porch steps. It was a familiar gesture, the kind of thing he’d taken for granted before. But now that he’d been reminded of how fragile life really was, Wyatt knew he’d never overlook the simple connection again.
Diego entered the house first, triggering exclamations of happy surprise from Maria. She gave him a huge hug, grousing about his appearance and scolding him for scaring her so. Then she turned her attention to Isabel, who bore it all with a patient smile.
When she was done fussing over her wayward chicks, she turned to Wyatt. He was surprised when she threw her arms around his waist and squeezed him tightly. “Thank you for bringing them back to me, mijo,” she said. For a quick second, her façade slipped and he saw just how terrified she’d been.
Wyatt hugged her back. “They’re fine, Tía. Everyone’s okay.”
Maria drew in a shaky breath and nodded. “¡Gracias a Dios!” She stepped back and crossed herself, then blinked, her mask in place once more. “Your abuelo is in his study. Go on.”
Wyatt hung back as Diego and Isabel stepped forward. He didn’t want to intrude on a personal family moment between the three of them. But Isabel turned and held out her hand.
“Come on,” she said.
“Are you sure?”
She smiled, and his heart lightened. “Like it or not, you’re part of this family.”
He glanced at Diego, who nodded. “She’s right. He’s going to want to see you, too.”
“All right, then.” He followed them down the hall and filed into the small room behind them.
Jose looked up from his desk, his eyes filling with tears when he saw his grandchildren. “Mis bebés,” he murmured. He pushed out of his chair, arms extended. Isabel and Diego rushed forward and the three of them embraced, holding each other tightly. A lump formed in Wyatt’s throat at the touching scene, and he felt honored to have been included in this moment.
“Never do that to me again,” Jose scolded. “I already lost your father. I cannot lose my grandchildren, as well.”
Diego chuckled. “Yes, sir.”
“Sit, all of you. You must still be tired.”
Wyatt settled onto the ancient love seat and draped his arm around Isabel when she sat next to him. A sense of peace stole over him as the family began to talk. There was something soothing about having everyone in this room, Isabel tucked against his side. It would be easy to pretend they were the only ones around, but he knew it was dangerous to indulge in that line of thought. Someone who worked for the ranch was behind the attacks, and if the barn fire was any indication, it was only a matter of time before one of the people in this room died.
“Did you speak to the sheriff?” Jose asked.
Both Diego and Isabel nodded. “One of the deputies came to my hospital room,” she said.
“Same for me,” Diego added.
Jose nodded. “Then you know they suspect one of our employees.” He sounded tired, and Wyatt felt sorry for the older man. Not only was he dealing with the stress of almost losing his family, he was having to process the realization that one of the people they trusted was behind the attacks. It was a bitter pill to swallow and he knew Isabel and Diego were struggling with it, as well.
“I think we can safely rule out Peter,” Isabel said. “He was with us at the time, and whoever chained the doors shut attacked him, too.”
“That only leaves ten other people,” Diego said with a frown. “Not exactly a short list.”
“And not your job, either,” Wyatt reminded them. “I know you want to figure out who’s behind this, but the sheriff’s department is working on it. They’re not going to forget about a case of arson and attempted murder.”
Diego opened his mouth to protest but Isabel cut him off.
“He’s right,” she said. “We can talk about this until we’re blue in the face, but it’s not going to solve anything. Besides—” she glanced at Wyatt “—there’s something else I want to discuss with you both.”
“What’s that?” Jose asked.
She took a deep breath and Wyatt gave her a reassuring squeeze.
“I’ve been thinking about our financial situation,” Isabel said. “And Wyatt and I may have come up with a solution. We’ve been so focused on keeping things the way they are, but what if we tried something completely different? We could become a dude ranch for special-needs children.”
“A dude ranch?” Jose sounded the words out as if they were foreign. “What does that mean?”
“It means we bring families in to experience life on a working ranch.” She leaned forward, her excitement building as she spoke. “A lot of people are curious as to what life is like as a cowboy. And based on the research Wyatt and I have done, children with special needs can really benefit from contact with animals. Plus, it would be a nice break for their families—a vacation from the stresses of their daily lives. We could offer them an authentic experience—horseback riding, checking fences, helping herd the animals. Even branding, after calving season ends. And we could have things like cookouts and hayrides, maybe even a petting zoo.”
Diego’s expression was unreadable but Wyatt could tell he was listening.
Isabel forged ahead. “We could offer different packages. We’d start out small—just daytime tours and activities. Then, as the business grew, we could build some small cabins and designate some pastures as campsites so families could stay overnight if they wanted. We could even offer retreats in conjunction with the children’s hospital in Alpine.”
“And how are we going to pay for all this?” Diego asked softly. “We’d need extra horses for the families, extra hands to help with the people. And do you expect Maria to do all of the cooking for these guests? Not to mention, how are we going to pay for the food?”
She met her brother’s gaze. “We’ll have to sell off part of the herd. It would represent a real shift in our focus. Basically, we’d have to pivot from being a cattle ranch to a nonprofit organizati
on. We’d keep a small group of animals, of course. But instead of relying on the cattle trade for our living, we’d focus on bringing an authentic experience to the families who come here.”
“You really think there’s a market for this?” Diego shook his head. “Hardly anyone comes out here.”
“I’m not saying it will be easy,” Isabel replied. “But I think if we play up the history of our land and our ranch, the people will come. We can offer deals to the families coming to Big Bend.” She glanced at Wyatt. He nodded, pride welling in his chest as he watched her describe her vision. “We’re so close, we could advertise it as a day trip for park visitors with special-needs children.”
“It would be a huge change.” Diego leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in front of his chest.
“But perhaps a good one?” Jose remarked.
“Sounds like a lot of investment up front,” her brother said. “Which brings us back to our current situation. We don’t have piles of money lying around.”
“I’m not saying we have to go all-in immediately,” she said. “We could transition over time, keep the costs low until things start to really get going. And since we’d be functioning as a nonprofit, we’d be eligible to apply for grant funding from different organizations.”
Wyatt reached for her hand, gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s an excellent idea,” he said quietly. “And I’m not just saying that because I’m biased.”
She smiled at him, clearly grateful for his support.
“What made you change your mind?” Diego asked. “Before the fire, you still thought we should sell the mineral rights and be done with it. Why don’t you want us to do that anymore?”
Isabel lifted her chin and Wyatt saw a glint of anger in her eyes. “Someone came onto our land and tried to destroy our livelihood. They undermined our business and sought to break us. I realized the energy company would be the same, in a way. If we sold them the mineral rights, our land would no longer truly be our own. I’m not willing to voluntarily hand over control like that. Not after coming so close to losing it at the hands of a traitor.”