Chapter 3
The sun was bright, streaming through the lace curtains of Mary Travis' guest bedroom. She'd shut and locked the door immediately after Ezra helped her place her sister on the bed; it was a good thing to because Billy raced in the door ten minutes later, wanting to know who the lady that had been screaming was.
And now, at nine o'clock in the morning, with Billy safely outside with friends, Mary felt compelled to check on her little sister. She shook her head in disappointment as she glanced down at the pale face on the pillow. Her hair was still tussled from the previous day's ride and her clothes were still quite dirty. Isabelle had always been rebellious and carefree, but a liar she was not, so when she came home and admitted to having two double shots of whiskey, Mary was very hurt.
Mary turned at the sound of a knock at the door. Nathan's head peered around the corner at her, a small worried smile on his face.
"Morning, ma'am." He nodded to her and glanced quickly to the bed. "Is she awake yet?"
Mary shook her head. "I didn't want Billy to see her like this. He's never really met her, so seeing her with a headache was not the first impression I had imagined her making."
Nathan's smile widened. "I have just the thing for her headache too. We just need to get her awake. Once she's up, I have a remedy that will fix her up in no time."
Nathan walked toward the bed, a small medicine bag in his hand. He sat it on the bedside table and looked to Mary for the first move. She sighed heavily and sunk onto the quilt.
"Belle. Honey, it's nine o'clock." Mary placed a gentle hand on her sister's forehead, softly saying the words, hoping for a peaceful awakening. Instead, her sister jolted awake and sat up quickly.
"Ow…" Isabelle placed a hand to her forehead, her bright eyes hazy and unfocused, squinted in pain. She lowered herself slowly to the pillow. "I feel like a train wreck."
Nathan laughed deep in his throat. "In your defense, you did do four single shots."
Isabelle opened one eye and glanced at the dark man. "Who are you and how do you know that?" her voice was groggy and croaked loudly.
"I'm Nathan Jackson and I'm a healer." He handed Isabelle a concoction he'd been mixing on the bedside table. "Drink this and in about a half an hour, you'll feel much better."
Isabelle shot the liquid down. She clenched her teeth and looked through half-opened eyes at her sister. Mary's face had the best look of mock-concern Isabelle had seen. Isabelle sighed and handed the empty glass back to the healer. She sat up as best as she could and looked her big sister straight in the eyes. "I know you're disappointed in me, Mary. I know that the condition I came home in last night was not the best condition for Billy to see me in, and it puts you in a bad position because I'm your little sister. All I can say is, I'm sorry. And I know it probably won't mean much, but I promise to stay away from alcohol." She winced at a sudden movement. "For a long, long time."
Mary's concern became genuine and a smile lit up her face. "I know you're sorry. You just upset me so much." Mary's smile disappeared. "And your language embarrassed me to no end."
Isabelle's mouth gaped open. "I thought I dreamt that. Oh, no." Isabelle's hands covered her mouth in horror. "Oh, no."
Mary stood up, Nathan behind her and heading for the door. "I'll leave you to those thoughts." She followed Nathan out, heading with him to the front door.
Isabelle, who was feeling better by the minute, thought back over the minutes of last night. She couldn't believe how she had behaved toward Vin; while she doubted Terrence Connelly would do anything criminal, obviously Vin Tanner thought otherwise and she had completely disrespected his opinion. She knew what she had to do.
Climbing out of bed as carefully as she could, Isabelle pulled out a new dress, specifically to wear her first official day in Clarion. It was a pretty, pale pink; in other words very feminine. She'd look like a younger version of her sister. With expert fingers, Isabelle unfastened her undergarments, changed into the matching ones for the dress and slid the fabric over her head. It fit like a glove, but it wasn't Isabelle,
She frowned at her reflection. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the ideal outfit. Smiling, she threw on her old riding outfit; it was a loose calico skirt and mid arm length blouse. It was worn from years of use, but with her hair pulled half up into a high bun and the rest falling onto her shoulders, she looked like a younger version of herself.
Isabelle bit her lip as she looked toward the door to the hallway. Mary would never let her leave the house. Then she noticed the window. It went right into the back alleyway. She could get to the street from there. Isabelle made the sign of the Cross and asked the Lord to give Mary some more patience before she threw up the window and climbed into the outside air.
It was a pretty spring day, the perfect temperature with the sun half hidden behind a cloud. Isabelle smiled up to the puffy whiteness and pale blue of above. A perfect day for a clean start. She reached Main Street and walked toward the jail. Seeing as the Seven were the law, this was the logical place to start.
Entering the small room with the three cells, Isabelle had a hard time adjusting to the dark. A man was sitting at the desk, hat over his eyes, boots on the desk. Isabelle cleared her throat.
"Excuse me, could you tell me where to find Mr. Tanner?" Isabelle approached the desk slowly.
"Who wants to know?"
Isabelle's voice caught in her throat. "I just want to say I'm sorry."
Vin stood up and walked around the desk. "No need, Miss Manning. Alcohol can make us say things we don't mean."
Isabelle's face flushed. "Vin," her voice lowered. She took a step towards him. "I'm not sorry for what I said about Connelly. I'm sorry about the incomprehensible garbage I was spewing before I was escorted home."
Vin smiled and crossed his arms. "What was that about, anyway?"
The flush returned to Isabelle's face. "Never you mind. I just wanted to tell you that and to let you know I'm returning Mr. Connelly's horse today." She turned toward the door.
"No need." Vin followed after her and leaned against the railing outside. "Terrence came early this morning to take back his horse." Vin's piercing blue eyes peered into Isabelle's. "He was looking for you. Said you owed him something."
Isabelle shifted uncomfortably. "I have no idea to what he was referring."
Vin chuckled softly. "Well, I do. He said something about collecting your bags. Moving you to the Connelly ranch. Just what did you promise him in return for his horse, Isabelle?"
Isabelle turned away from Vin, tears in her eyes. "I'm not well, Vin. I've been doing this for as long as I can remember." She sighed and watched the various people wandering the streets. "I see something I want that a man has and I promise him whatever I can think of to get it." She turned back to Vin. "For Terrence, it was a live-in house girl. I had no intention of following through. I never do. I was hoping to ride out of Clarion late last night. Unfortunately my drinking problem got in the way."
Vin's smug look melted to one of instant concern. "You were going to leave?"
Isabelle nodded. "I can't stay here. With Mary and Billy. I'll ruin their lives. You know how I am. I was like that growing up. You wouldn't believe all the promises I made before I left home that I can't fulfill."
"So you lie to people?" Vin looked disgusted.
"NO!" Isabelle turned around, anger written all over her face. She stormed up to Vin. "I promise things to men I like and feel like I could be with. And then I realize I want nothing to do with the person." She lost her steam. "I just don't want to hurt her."
Vin's heart melted. He pulled the poor girl into his arms. "It's alright, Isabelle. You don't have to run. You should apologize. Return what you can." He felt her chuckle through what he assumed were tears. "But, you have people who will protect you here."
She pulled away and looked into his eyes. "I knew I was right about you."
Then she smiled a radiant smile and walked away from him. She was heading toward the church. And Vin wasn't sure, but he thought a part of him was going with her…
A/N: I hope that seems like an okay fault. She's a terrible flirt, that's all. Otherwise, Belle's a good girl. IN THE NEXT CHAPTER, LOTRGURL!! I PROMISE!!! ;) Nellie
