Chapter 13

Heath was riding back from town, having just eaten dinner with Ellen. He smiled as he thought of her. She was a beautiful, intelligent woman. She asked questions that let Heath know she was interested in him as a person, making him feel special. Her deep blue eyes were easy to get lost in, and Heath found he couldn't tear his eyes away from hers. He wanted so badly to kiss her goodnight, but didn't feel he should. Not yet. He had asked her to the engagement party and she'd gladly accepted.

Rain was just starting to fall and Heath sighed. He was hoping to get home before the skies opened up, but it didn't look like he'd be that fortunate. Heath turned his thoughts back to Ellen. She'd said something that had him curious about her past. She'd been a school teacher in Nevada for a few years, but decided she wanted to see more of the country. Although teaching was her first love, she enjoyed her work at the post office.

Something caught Heath's eye, and he slowed Charger down. Someone was walking in the middle of the road. It was a woman, soaked to the skin. Lightening flashed, and Heath recognized who it was immediately.

"Ella?" he called out.

Ella turned around and dissolved into tears. Heath quickly dismounted and ran to her.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"No," she said, between sobs.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in San Francisco?"

"I came back early."

Heath knew now wasn't the time for questions. He put his arm around her shoulders and guided her to Charger.

"Let's get you home," he said.

"No!" Ella responded and pulled away from him.

"Ella, Jonathon's probably worried about you."

"I don't care. I don't want to go home. Could you just take me into town? Please, Heath?"

Heath shook his head. There was no way he was going to take her to town.

"I've got a better idea. Let me take you back to our ranch. Mother will get you into dry clothes and you can rest. You look exhausted."

Ella nodded, knowing she wouldn't be able to make it much farther on her own. She was desperately tired and her heart was aching. Her life had just fallen apart. Unwittingly, her thoughts went back to a few hours earlier...

Jarrod returned a short while later and was happy to see Ella had calmed down considerably. She was waiting in the parlor with Audra, their bags by the door.

"Ready to go?" Jarrod asked. After he'd dropped Melissa off at home, he'd gone to check the train schedule. Since it was still early in the evening, they had plenty of time before the last train left for Stockton.

"Yes, thank you," Ella said, rising from her seat. Jarrod gathered the valises and followed the women out the door.

"Audra, you don't have to go back with me. You were looking forward to shopping with Melissa tomorrow."

"I know, Ella. But I'd rather make sure you get home alright. I can come back any time to shop."

Ella nodded, feeling a headache coming on. She didn't speak until they reached the train station and Jarrod helped her from the hack.

"Thank you, Jarrod. For everything. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"Not at all, Ella. I just wish I could help in some way."

Ella smiled, her emotions too close to the surface to say anything more. Jarrod led the ladies to a bench then went to purchase their tickets. Audra watched Ella's profile, hating to see her so miserable. She hoped Jonathon was back from his trip with Heath.

Later that evening...

Jonathon sat in the chair at his desk, dozing. He missed Ella terribly and dreaded the thought of going to bed without her. They'd slept apart before, when Jonathon had been on cattle drives or needed to be out on the range. This was the first time Ella had been the one away from home though. Jonathon sighed, hoping she'd get some answers from the doctor. He was slipping into a deep slumber when he felt hands massaging his shoulders.

"Mmmmm," he said. He loved it when Ella touched him. He smiled, glad she was home. He opened his eyes and turned slightly, then jumped up out of his chair as though he were on fire.

"Wilma! What are you doing?" he asked shocked.

"It's okay, Jonathon. We don't have to pretend. It's just the two of us. You're so tense. Let me help you relax," she said, walking toward him. Jonathon backed away.

"Wilma, what has gotten into you. Have you forgotten I'm married? Have you forgotten Ella?"

Wilma's smile disappeared for a moment.

"Of course, I've not forgotten her. The question is, has she forgotten you? I've seen the way she's looked at that cowboy. She's wishing she could be with him. You should have seen the two of them when he was here, supposedly 'working'. The way they would carry on and laugh. You don't deserve that, Jonathon! You don't deserve a child who can't keep her focus on you, but lets it slide to whoever else is there. I would be faithful to you. I have been faithful to you, Jonathon. Ever since that night."

Jonathon's eyes widened at Wilma's speech. He refused to believe a word she'd said about Ella and Heath. He knew his wife would never be unfaithful to him.

"Wilma, I told you, that night was a mistake. I'm sorry that it happened and that you think there is anything between us. There has never been anything between us, not when it happened fifteen years ago and not now. I love my wife. I love Ella. Not you."

"You don't mean that. I remember every moment of that night, Jonathon. You wanted me. You reached for me. You weren't thinking of any other woman but me," Wilma said, as she took a step closer.

"Wilma, listen to me," Jonathon said firmly. "You need to leave."

"You don't mean that," Wilma replied, her voice taking on a sultry tone.

"Yes, he does. You need to leave, now."

Jonathon looked above Wilma's head to see his wife, standing in the doorway. Wilma's face reddened with anger as she turned around.

"You can't possibly think you can satisfy a man. You're just a mere girl. A child!," she spat.

Ella walked toward Wilma and slapped her hard across the face.

"Get out of my house, and don't you ever return. I know the truth about the herbs and that they won't help us conceive!"

Wilma laughed haughtily.

"So the little twit finally caught on. I can see I didn't give you enough credit."

Wilma turned to Jonathon.

"Such a pity. We could have been so good together."

Wilma walked from the room, leaving Jonathon and Ella facing one another.

"Ella, the herbs?" Jonathon asked.

"I don't want to talk about it. Not now," Ella's eyes filled with tears. Her anger was dissipating and she was about to fall apart. She needed to get away, to think.

"How could you not tell me, Jonathon?"

"It happened a long time ago, Ella-"

"I don't care when it happened!" she screamed. Then softly said, "You never told me about it. And you kept her on even after..."

Jonathon moved forward and Ella backed away.

"Don't touch me," she said angrily. Jonathon stopped where he was, never having seen Ella so upset.

Ella ran up the stairs and slammed the door to their bedroom. Jonathon heard the lock click. He sat down heavily on the sofa and put his head in his hands. His anger began to boil over, and he went out to the bunk house to get one of the men to take Wilma into town. He wanted her off his property and out of their lives for good. Once Wilma was gone, Jonathon went to the bedroom. He'd heard thunder in the distance, but didn't pay much attention to it since his main concern was speaking with his wife. The door was closed so Jonathon knocked.

"Ella? Ella, please let me in. I need to talk to you. Try to explain."

There was no answer. Jonathon tested the lock and was surprised when the door opened. The room was empty. Maybe she was downstairs? Jonathon ran down the stairs, calling his wife's name as he went. He searched the entire house, but there was no sign of Ella. He went back to the bedroom, panicking that he couldn't find her. The rain was coming down heavily now.

"Oh, Ella. Where are you?" he asked.