Chapter 33

Drew sat on the bank of the small stream, a fishing pole in his hand. Heath watched him from afar, glad to have the chance to get to know the boy better. Nick and Mark were off gathering firewood while Heath set up the camp. He decided there wasn't much Drew could do, so he let the boy get a head start on catching their supper. Heath heard a loud cry and looked up to see Drew holding a rather large fish. That would go a long way in feeding them all later. Heath waved to Drew and shouted, "Good job!" He turned away for a second, but something caused him to look back. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Wilma, the Sommers' former housekeeper, holding Drew by the hair, a knife poised at his throat. Before Heath could draw his gun, Wilma ran the knife across the child's throat...

Ella awakened with a start. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to get her breathing under control. She looked out the window and noticed the sun was just coming up over the hills, its bright rays shining through the window.

"It was just a dream," she whispered to herself. "Wilma's dead. There's no doubt about that. Heath killed her. Drew is safe."

Ella kept whispering this to herself, over and over, until she was finally able to calm down. She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, so she threw back the covers and went to draw a bath. She lingered for a while. Ella imagined that the steam rising in the air was her nightmare and watched as it disappeared.

Heath and Drew would be back later that afternoon. Ella was eager to see her only son again, to hold him in her arms, making sure no harm had come to him. She dressed and then fixed herself a small breakfast, not really paying attention to what she was eating. After cleaning up the dishes, Ella decided she would go for a ride.

Going riding always did wonders for Ella's spirits, and she felt better when she returned. While she was away, Victoria had stopped by and left a note. Ella was sorry to miss the Barkley matriarch and looked forward to seeing her the next day at the family dinner.

Somehow, Ella managed to while away the hours. Her mind went back to the letter she'd received from her brother, Charles, the day before. He was extremely bitter, and the hateful words were burned into her mind. Ella shook her head, wishing she could reconcile with her oldest brother, but knew that would probably never happen.

The sound of horses riding into the yard caused Ella to rush toward the front door. She smiled and waved as Heath and Drew rode up to the house.

"Hello!" she called out to them. "How was the fishing trip?"

"Good," Drew answered as he dismounted. Chuck had heard them ride into the yard as well, and he was there to take the reins of Drew's horse. Drew thanked Heath for taking him fishing, gave his mother a quick hug, then ran inside. Ella shouted after him to wash up, since dinner would be ready soon. She then turned back to Heath.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?"

Heath almost said yes, but something held him back. He knew Ella was sincere in her request, but he also knew she was eager to spend time with Drew.

"Maybe next time. I should get home and make sure the ranch is still standing," Heath joked. Ella smiled, slightly relieved Heath had declined. They said their goodbyes, and Ella went inside. She put the finishing touches on dinner then called Drew to the table. Several minutes later, Ella was ready to call him again when Drew came into the kitchen. He had changed his clothes, and his face and hands were scrubbed clean. They sat down, and Ella asked Drew to say grace.

The meal was eaten mostly in silence. Ella asked Drew about the fishing trip, but most of his answers were short. Obviously, the child did not want to talk about his time with Heath. This bothered Ella quite a bit. Had Drew done something and gotten into trouble? Was Heath mean to her son? Ella couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but determined to talk with Heath about it the next day. Drew finished all that was on his plate, then asked to be excused, leaving Ella alone in the kitchen.

The next day at the Barkley mansion, the entire family was gathered. The table was crowded, but no one seemed to mind. There was plenty of laughter, and Ella couldn't help but feel right at home. She enjoyed her time with her new sisters-in-law, however, she was eager to speak with Heath alone. As she watched Drew, he seemed to be back to his old self. Heath's prediction of Drew and Mark getting along well had proven to be true. The boys had been inseparable since they had arrived a few hours before.

Finally, a few hours after the shared meal, Ella watched as Heath walked out to the barn. Everyone had scattered to do their own thing so Ella followed Heath out, calling out to him.

"I wanted to talk with you, if I may?" Ella asked.

"Of course."

"Were you upset with Drew yesterday? Did he do something wrong?"

Heath thought back on his time spent with Drew. Nothing came to mind, and Heath shook his head.

"He was very well behaved. He and Mark had a great time. Why do you ask?"

"He seemed so sullen during dinner last night. I could barely get a word out of him. He seems fine today. Maybe he was just tired?" Ella asked, but Heath knew she wasn't expecting an answer from him.

"I could talk to him if you want me to."

"No," Ella said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry I bothered you with it."

"No bother," Heath assured her.

"I'll let you get back to whatever you were going to do," Ella said, turning away from him.

"Ella, I was going to go for a ride. Would you like to come?" Heath asked. He wasn't sure who was more surprised that he had asked: himself or Ella.

"I'm not really dressed for riding," Ella answered, wondering at the fact she felt some disappointment in having to say no.

"Oh," Heath hadn't considered that. They stared at one another for a few seconds and Ella wondered why she had never noticed how blue Heath's eyes were. They were an unusual shade and she would wager that his eyes became darker if he were angry or if he were to desire... Ella dragged her eyes away from his.

"I'm going to go back inside now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned and walked quickly toward the house. Heath let out the breath he'd been holding, relieved to have her gone. He'd been working hard to keep his distance from Ella, and in just a few moments alone with her, he found his resolve weakening. Heath felt the need to hold Ella at arm's length, though he couldn't reason that fact out in his mind. The only thing he knew was that was what made him the most comfortable.

Neither one had seen Drew and Mark near the entrance of the barn. Mark turned to his new friend and asked, "Why don't your ma and pa live together like mine?"

"Heath ain't my pa," Drew answered, but it wasn't said angrily.

"They're married, ain't they?" Mark asked, confused.

"Yeah. But my pa died a few weeks ago, then Heath and my mama got married. Something to do with my Uncle Charles. Mama said she'd tell me about it when I'm older."

Mark rolled his eyes. His parents were always telling him the same thing. He decided to ask one more question.

"Wonder why her face was so red?"

Drew shrugged. His mother and Heath's marriage wasn't like the one his mother and father had. Ella had promised to explain everything one day, but asked for the time being to just let things be. The two boys decided to go watch the horses in the paddock, and Drew was glad for the distraction.

Ella walked into the kitchen, relieved to find it empty. She placed her hands on her face, knowing without looking in a mirror that she was blushing. What was her problem? She was acting like a school girl, not a grown woman! Being in the barn with Heath, the way his eyes held hers...Ella groaned.

"Get a hold of yourself!" she whispered.

"Are you alright?"

Ella jumped and looked up to see Abby standing in the doorway.

"Yes," Ella replied, smiling slightly. "I'm fine. It's just really warm out today. I think I'm going to go sit in the parlor for a while."

Abby moved aside so Ella could pass, but remained in the kitchen. She knew that Ella had followed Heath outside and she wondered what had happened. Nick found her still standing in the same spot a few minutes later.

"I thought you were getting some more lemonade?" he asked.

"Oh, I am. I got distracted, I guess," Abby said, going to the ice box.

"What distracted you?"

"Just thoughts of love, my dear," Abby answered as she began to pour the lemonade.

Nick smiled and walked over to his wife, taking the pitcher of tart liquid from her delicate hands and setting it down on the counter. He drew her to himself and pressed his lips to hers.

"Nick, someone might walk in," Abby half-heartedly complained when they broke apart.

"And what they'll see is a couple who is in love."

Abby smiled and allowed Nick to deepen the kiss. She sighed with contentment when they parted. Her thoughts returned to Ella. She hoped that one day, Heath and Ella would find it in their hearts to make room for each other.