Deputy Chris Dolan entered the room. He glanced from Chase to Isabella. “Apologies, Sheriff,” the deputy said. “I didn’t realise you had company.”
He turned to walk away, but the sheriff stopped him. “It’s fine, Deputy,” Chase said. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. Miss Isabella O’Reilly. Isabella, this is Deputy Chris Dolan. He’s been with the Sheriff’s Office for as long as I can remember.”
The shocked expression on the deputy’s face told Chase this was a good thing. Now he knew who he was investigating. Now it was personal.
Not that he thought the deputy wouldn’t get the job done. He would. Of course he would. He was the ultimate professional. But knowing Isabella, knowing the victim of the crime, always put another layer on it.
“Miss O’Reilly,” Deputy Chris said as he reached for her hand.
Isabella stood as he shook her hand, and Chase watched the shock on the deputy’s face as he saw how thin she was. The poor condition she was in.
And she was visibly shaking. All that would help spur the investigation along.
The deputy had seen photographs of the wedding. It was the talk of the town at the time. The deputy’s eyes flew to Chase. He would remember the beautiful woman who was Chase’s partner at the wedding.
“Isabella was at Rory and Missy’s wedding,” Chase offered, in case Chris still hadn’t put two and two together. “She’s Missy’s cousin.”
Deputy Dolan nodded as realization finally dawned.
“Very pleased to meet you, Ma’am,” he said, pushing his hat way back on his head, then suddenly pulling it off.
Chase grinned. That was so much Chris Dolan. Always the gentleman, but he’d apparently been so shocked by Isabella’s appearance, all etiquette went out the window.
“Sorry to have disturbed you, Sheriff. I have an update on a case, but it can wait.” He stared Chase squarely in the eye, then backed out of the room. “Pleased to have met you, Ma’am.”
And without another word he was gone.
“I, I have to go too,” Isabella said, suddenly.
Chase frowned at her. “Stay a little longer?” he asked quietly, but Isabella knew if she stayed any longer she’d want to wrap her arms around him again. She’d want him to hold her close once more.
She’d want to feel his lips on hers again, and this time she wouldn’t want him to let her go. No, better she break their ties right now.
She had no intention of putting Missy and the rest of the Callahan family in danger. Hell, even Grace could be in the firing line.
She’d known Missy all her life, and Grace for many years now, and the last thing she wanted to do was put the two of them in physical danger. The brothers could look after themselves and their partners, she was certain, but she still didn’t want to push the boundaries.
As she stood to leave, she resolved to tell Missy she was leaving as soon as her treatment was finished. That way she would be stronger, and would be able to take care of herself a little better. At least she hoped so.
Chase stepped toward her and pulled her close. “Chase,” she said softly. “I have to go.” She looked up into his big brown eyes. Eyes that always drew her in. His puppy eyes, she liked to call them.
She fought to hold back tears. She didn’t want to leave this wonderful man. She’d finally found the person she believed to be her soul-mate, and now she had to let him go.
For his sake.
Her heart was breaking into little pieces. Shattering her whole life.
“What is this?” he asked, as an errant tear rolled down her cheek.
Isabella brushed at her tears and ran out of the room, leaving Chase staring after her.
* * *
Missy sat patiently outside the Sheriff’s Office, waiting for Isabella to return.
She thought about Lizzie’s ploy to get them together. She hoped it worked. Chase needed someone to care about, and Isabella needed someone to look out for her, and to love her.
She already knew Chase was falling for Isabella. Correction: had fallen for her.
It didn’t take Einstein to work out the two had clicked at the wedding. It was just a shame Isabella had rushed off back to the rodeo.
A few weeks together was probably all it would have taken to get those two to realize they were made for each other.
Missy sighed.
It was very clear something was going on with Isabella, but no one had any idea what. She’d never been this secretive before. Growing up together they always shared secrets with each other. It had always been hard for them to hide anything from the other. They could read each other like a book.
She was very aware that Isabella was in some sort of trouble. Perhaps even in danger. When you do a job as long as her cousin had, you do not injure yourself at work. Not constantly like she’d supposedly been doing lately, anyway.
Missy knew that rodeo inside and out. She knew Isabella’s boss. If he thought she was being reckless, or something was causing her to be hurt, he’d fixed it immediately.
She shook her head. No, this was not work related, she was certain.
Isabella had been eerily silent after she’d gone home from the wedding. Missy had barely heard from her, which was strange. They usually kept in touch regularly, but her cousin hadn’t answered her letters or her phone calls.
Missy scratched her head. She hoped Chase could get to the bottom of it.
Isabella suddenly came running out of the building, and Missy stood, a little panicked. “Are you okay?” she asked. As Isabella got closer she saw the tears, noticed her red eyes.
“I have to leave,” she said.
Missy stood in shock. “What do you mean? What did Chase say to you?” she asked, suddenly annoyed at her brother-in-law.
“Chase did nothing,” Isabella said. “Except hold me in his arms, and kiss me. And make me feel loved.”
Missy grinned. Aunt Lizzie might be a schemer, but she knew her stuff.
Suddenly she was confused. “So, Lizzie’s ploy worked, but you’re upset about it?” She rubbed her hands across her swollen belly.
“No!” Isabella was adamant, then suddenly sat. “Yes and no,” she said. “I like Chase, I really do.”
“So what’s the problem?” Missy asked, even more confused.
“It’s complicated,” Isabella said, then hurried back toward Missy’s car. Clearly, she didn’t want to talk about it, so there was no point pursuing the subject. Missy didn’t want to upset her anymore than she already was.
* * *
Missy finished making popcorn, bucket loads of it, and set it on the table. She opened a bottle of wine for Grace and Isabella, and found some soda for herself.
She had a box of chocolates, and a handful of movies they could choose from.
Dinner was over, and she was pushing Rory out the door. “Go to Chase and Jordon,” she said. “And go over to that hermit of a brother of yours,” she told him.
Rory looked shocked. “Who, Kody? He won’t play ball,” Rory said, scratching his head.
“Yes, Kody. Now go,” she said, giving him one last shove.
Grace arrived as Missy put the last-minute touches to the sitting room. Isabella was in the bath, at Missy’s insistence. She needed some ‘me time’ and she got it. Grace was bringing the items for facials, and they were all going to be pampered before they began to watch a movie.
The soppier, the better.
Isabella appeared in the doorway, wrapped in a thick white towel, water dripping down her legs. Her hair fell limp, and she looked worse than she did bone dry.
“I thought I heard your voice,” she told Grace. She moved toward her friend and hugged her. “I’ve missed you,” she said, pulling her closer still.
“I missed you too,” Grace said pushing away from her. “Let me look at you.” She took a long look, and ran her eyes up and down Isabella’s length. “You look dreadful, hun. What have you done to yourself?”
Missy gasped. Grace didn’t mean to be harsh, she was just
being truthful. And perhaps that was what Isabella needed to hear.
“Go and dry yourself off, and come back prepared for fun,” Grace told her, smiling.
The smile disappeared the moment Isabella was out of the room. “What the hell happened to her,” Grace demanded when her friend was out of earshot.
“I have no idea,” Missy said. “She won’t say. But one thing is for sure,” she blinked, trying to stop her tears. “Chase will get to the bottom of it, and make sure she’s safe.”
“I sure hope so,” Grace said, hugging Missy close. “I sure hope so.”
By the time Isabella returned, the two women had the room set up for facials. They took turns at giving each other a facial, and they had manicures. Once that was all over, it was time to watch a movie.
The three decided on You’ve Got Mail. Once the movie was over, Isabella sighed. “It would be wonderful to have someone care for you like that,” she said.
Missy stared at her. “We care!” she said.
“Yeah, but you’re not a man,” she bit back.
Missy shook her head. “But Chase is, and he cares,” she said. “A lot.”
“Does he,” Isabella asked. “Really?”
“He sure does. More than you realize.”
Missy got up and removed the DVD, ready for the next one.
* * *
Missy stood with three dressmaker’s pins sticking out of her mouth. “Stand still,” she mumbled as she tried to pin them in the right place.
“Let’s face it,” Isabella protested. “This dress is way past its best-by date. Chase is not going to be impressed with it, even with your alterations.” She looked down at Missy, her eyes filling with tears.
“Right. That’s it then.” Missy snatched the pins out of her mouth, and helped Isabella off the chair. “We’re going into town.”
“But....”
“No buts. There’s a great boutique in town, and we’re going to shop for a new dress. My treat.”
Isabella bit back her tears. It had been a long time since anyone, apart from Missy and her extended family, had been kind to her. Life had been difficult since Missy’s wedding. And frankly, she realized she should never have left.
Her heart was with Chase. Even though they barely knew each other, she was more and more aware as the days passed, that he was the man for her.
She’d fallen in love with him quickly. Quicker than she’d ever expected.
How can love suddenly appear like that? You know someone only a week or so, and you’ve fallen hard?
But she knew it could happen. Just look at Missy and Rory. It didn’t take long for them to know they’d found their soul-mate.
And that’s how it was for Isabella and Chase. At least she hoped it was for Chase. He seemed to be as enamoured with her, as she was with him.
Missy held her hand as she stepped down off the chair. She wiped at her eyes and sighed. Missy always could read her. She always knew what was best for her.
Because they’d grown up together, they could read each other like a well-worn book. She smiled and held Missy’s hands. “Thank you. A new dress will be just the ticket.”
She hugged her cousin tight, despite the bulging belly between them. As they separated, Isabella rubbed her hands across Missy’s belly. “I can’t wait for this little fellow to arrive,” she said.
Missy stared into her eyes. “Who says it’s a fella,” she asked. “We have no idea what we’re having.”
Isabella straightened her shoulders. “Oh, it’s a boy alright. I can feel it. A miniature Rory.” She smiled and hugged Missy once more.
Chapter Four
Isabella flicked through the dress racks.
As someone who worked in the rodeo, she didn’t get to wear dresses often, as she didn’t have much time for socializing.
Going on a date was a real treat. Going on a date with Chase was beyond special. It would be the highlight of her year.
Isabella took off her cowgirl hat and ran her hands through her hair. She was so used to wearing a hat, that she couldn’t bring herself to take it off.
Even when she wasn’t working.
“Over here.” Missy called across the shop. Isabella sure hoped she’d found something suitable, because Isabella was having no luck.
“Take a look at this beauty,” she said, holding the dress in the air for her cousin to see. “Look at that gorgeous Queen Anne neckline, and the way the skirt flares out. It’s really beautiful.”
Isabella reached out and touched the pale pink dress. “It’s so soft!” She held the dress to her cheek. “Oh my gosh, I think this is it,” she said quietly, as she jumped up and down.
Missy grinned at her. “I do too. Now go and try it on.”
Isabella headed for the changing rooms while Missy waited outside for her. “How does it look,” she heard Missy ask.
Isabella was too busy preening herself in the mirror. “I, I.... this is the one,” Isabella whispered. She threw the curtains back and presented herself to her loving cousin.
Missy stared open mouthed, then put her hands to her mouth. “Oh my,” she said between her fingers. “If this doesn’t knock his socks off, nothing will.”
“We’ll take it,” she said before Isabella could say no. Much to Isabella’s dismay, Missy continued looking for more dresses as Isabella returned to the changing rooms.
“Missy, no,” she said, taking another dress from Missy’s hands and returning it to the rack where it belonged.
“I told you,” Missy said. “My treat. Not only do I want you as a friend and cousin, I would love to have you as my sister-in-law too.”
Isabella hugged her cousin. “How wonderful would that be?”
Three more dresses were tried and bought before the two women left the store.
* * *
Isabella couldn’t contain her excitement.
Chase was taking her on a date. A real date. Where it was just the two of them.
She punched the air and did a little dance in her room. She couldn’t wait.
She put on the pale pink dress Missy had bought for her. It was so beautiful, and because it was the right size, it didn’t make her look so pale and ill.
She pulled her blonde hair up into a soft bun, and looked at herself in the mirror. A touch of eyeshadow and a lick of lipstick, and she was done.
Missy had taken her to have her hair cut, had bought new clothes for her, as well as their sumptuous girls night in.
She was beginning to feel normal again.
There was a tap at the door. “He’s here,” Missy said quietly.
Isabella opened the door. “Ta da!” She did a little twirl to show Missy her handiwork. She hadn’t felt this happy in ages.
“You look amazing,” she said as she hugged her cousin tight. “Chase will be very impressed.”
Her heart beat rapidly as they walked into the sitting room where Chase was waiting. She heard his intake of breath, and prayed it was because he liked what he saw, and not the opposite.
He walked toward her, arms outstretched. “You look amazing,” he said, wrapping his arms around her, then leaned in to kiss her on lightly on the cheek.
Isabella was disappointed. They’d shared a real kiss before. Why not now?
Perhaps he was shy in front of Rory and Missy? Or maybe he thought he’d embarrass her. That would be just like Chase. Always thinking of others.
“We’ll catch you later folks,” Chase called over his shoulder as they left.
As they settled into Chase’s truck, he told Isabella his plans for the evening. “First a movie, then dinner,” he said. “If that’s okay with you.”
Isabella nodded. “Sounds perfectly fine.”
“We don’t have a movie theatre in River Valley, so we’ll have to go to Boulton, about half an hour away.”
“Still sounds good.”
He looked across at her as he started the truck. He couldn’t resist, and leaned in toward her.
Isabella s
tartled. Edged away from him.
“Oh my God, Isabella, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said quietly. “Are you alright?” The expression in her eyes told him she wasn’t. She was like a deer in headlights. And she was ready to bolt.
He watched her closely, her hand on the door, ready to jump out if necessary. It was all starting to make sense now.
Deputy Chris had uncovered some important information, but Chase didn’t want to think about that now. He just wanted to give Isabella a night to remember. And that’s exactly what he intended to do.
He reached over and touched her hand gently. “Still want to go,” he asked. “Because I really want to spend some time with you.” He looked deep into her eyes. “Just you and me. Getting to know each other.”
She nodded but didn’t say a word.
“At the wedding,” he said in a whisper. “We didn’t have time to learn about each other, but we clicked. At least I thought we did.”
He leaned back and let her take it all in. She still didn’t say a word. “You are a very special woman, Isabella,” he said. “Let me prove it to you.”
She took a deep breath. Then another, and another. She spoke so quietly he almost didn’t hear her. “And you are very special to me too,” she said. She lifted her hand and put it on his. “I dearly want to get to know you. And your family.”
She smiled a very tentative smile and he knew she was trying hard. He also knew this was probably one of the hardest things she’d done in a long time.
He had to earn her trust. And earn her trust he would.
“I really like you, Isabella. Perhaps one day we can be more than friends.” He took a deep breath. He was torn. Torn between still loving his dead wife Jenny, and wanting to live the rest of his life, perhaps with Isabella.
“This is hard for me,” he said. “Did Missy tell you about....”
Isabella looked him right in the eyes. He could see the compassion. She knew.
“About Jenny? Your wife?” She licked her lips. “It must be extremely difficult for you. I’m so sorry.”
She said it with passion. He really believed she was sorry. He was sorry. Relived that day over and over. Couldn’t get it out of his head.
He wasn’t there for her when she needed him. And he couldn’t console himself. Couldn’t forgive himself, despite being told hundreds of times it wasn’t his fault.
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