Chapter 30

"So how do we do this, Jonathon? Do I wait until you've been buried a few days? Or maybe just as you take your last breath, the pastor could be here for Heath and me to recite our marriage vows?" Ella's voice was laced with bitterness and sarcasm. Jonathon knew it wasn't going to be easy, but he had to make her understand. They were alone, Jonathon having asked Heath to take Drew riding and not to return for several hours.

"I don't know, Ella," he said, feeling frustrated. Ella had been standing at the window with her back to him, much as Heath had done the day before. She turned around, her face a mask of hurt and anger.

"What do you mean you don't know? You obviously had enough forethought of asking Heath to come here. Haven't you got this all planned out?" Ella turned back around, taking deep breaths to calm herself down. She was livid with her husband for what he was asking her to do. The tears fell down her cheeks unbidden and she couldn't get them to stop.

"Ella, please."

Jonathon's tender voice got through to her. Ella's shoulders sagged, but she still didn't move. Not until he asked her to come sit next to him on the bed. Slowly, Ella walked over and sat down. She leaned into him, grateful that Jonathon put his arms around her.

"I don't want anyone but you," she choked out.

"I know. And if I weren't so afraid for you and Drew, I'd never ask you to do this."

Ella sat up and looked at her husband.

"Then why are you?"

She deserved the truth and even though it would hurt her, he wouldn't hold anything back. He would be willing to hurt her now, in order for her to have a happy life later. Jonathon knew she could eventually be happy with Heath.

"Charles has drawn up a contract that stipulates he will receive the ranch here and the one in Stockton once I die. He has a plan to get you to marry Hal."

Jonathon expected Ella to have some reaction to the news, but instead she just stared at him.

"Ella, did you hear me? Your own brother is going to force you to marry his business partner so that he can gain land!"

"How did you find out?" Ella whispered.

"Philip told me. He accidentally saw the contract while he was in Charles' office. Charles doesn't know that Philip saw it. He doesn't know I know."

Ella stood up and again walked toward the window, her hand on her mouth. She was pale and Jonathon wondered if she was going to faint. It was then he realized what she'd asked.

"You already knew, didn't you?" Jonathon asked. Ella didn't answer except for a small nod.

"When did you find out and why didn't you say anything?" Jonathon asked angrily.

"I found out about a month ago," Ella answered quietly, looking out the window. "Drew and I had gone into town and Charles asked me to come by his office. He wanted me to convince you to sell the ranch. I told him I wouldn't. Charles said he was going to get it one way or another. I don't think he meant for me to find out, but he was so angry. He said he would find a way to force me to marry someone he could control. That he was counting down the days until you died..."

Ella's voice faded and Jonathon knew she was fighting for control.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked again, this time in a softer tone.

Ella turned around and faced him, tears streaming down her face.

"I didn't want to worry you. I didn't want to think about you leaving me. Jonathon, I don't want to face it," she sobbed, burying her face in her hands.

"Come here, Ella," Jonathon ordered. Ella went to him without hesitation.

"I'm sorry you have to face this," he whispered, holding her close. "I'd give anything to be healthy. To be even ten years younger so that you wouldn't have to go through this alone. I'm so sorry I was selfish, Ella."

"You're not selfish! You never have been," Ella said sitting up. "You've always put my needs and Drew's above your own. Isn't there another way, Jonathon? I have nothing against Heath, but I can't imagine loving anyone the way I love you. I can't imagine being anyone else's wife."

Jonathon reached out and wiped Ella's tears away. He swallowed several times to get his emotions under control.

"Charles is a devious man, Ella. I trust him about as far as I can throw him. Legally, if Heath is your husband, Charles cannot bother you or Drew. If there is someone else you'd rather have..."

"Only you", was the whispered reply. There was no one else in the world she wanted to be with. It didn't matter that they couldn't share physical love as they had before. She had grown to love Jonathon in a new way the past ten years. Being his wife was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Silently, Ella cursed her brother. She wanted to rail against him, to make him see how he was hurting her, but Ella knew it would do no good. Charles was a man eaten up by jealousy and greed.

Ella sat up and squared her shoulders. She looked her husband in the eye and said, "I'll do what you think is best. I just feel sorry for Heath."

Jonathon smiled slightly, the ache in his throat causing his voice to sound choked.

"I don't. He's going to be married to the most wonderful woman I've ever met."

Ella threw her arms around Jonathon and cried. He held on tight, secure in the knowledge his wife and son would be safe.

When Heath and Drew returned, Ella was nowhere to be seen. Jonathon asked Drew to go to his room for a while, that his mother would come for him later. Drew obeyed without question, though Heath could tell the young boy was curious about what was going on.

"I talked to Ella," Jonathon said. Heath thought Jonathon looked older then when he and Drew had left that morning. He sagged against the pillows and his skin had taken on a gray pallor.

"How is she?" Heath asked. Jonathon thought it was interesting that Heath didn't ask what Ella's answer had been, but how she was doing.

"She's very upset. Turns out she already knew about Charles's plans. She was afraid to tell me because she didn't want me to worry."

Heath shook his head.

"Guess you were right. She was going to sacrifice herself to keep family harmony."

Jonathon nodded silently. He was exhausted. The last few months were taking their toll on his already weak body. He didn't want to say anything to Ella, but he'd been having chest pains for most of the day.

"Jonathon, I know you're tired, but I have to ask. What does your will say?" Heath asked. He was no legal expert, but he'd lived with a lawyer long enough to know many wills were contested once they were read.

"I'm leaving the ranch here to Jeffery. The ranch in Stockton will go to Ella and Drew. By law, her husband will own the land."

Heath nodded.

"I don't know a lot about the law, but I know someone who does. Would you mind if I asked Jarrod to come up? I think we need to make sure this thing is settled. I'd hate to put Ella and Drew through all of this just to have it all be for naught."

Jonathon considered Heath's words. He thought his will was sound enough, but Charles was an unscrupulous fellow and, Jonathon knew he'd find a way to contest the will.

"Ask him to hurry, Heath. It won't be much longer."