AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Tell me this. Is Isabelle’s life in imminent jeopardy?” Warrick asked.
She thought about it for a few seconds before answering. “I don’t know of a specific threat. Just that someone is possibly after me and may have mistaken Isabelle for me when she lived in Chicago. I’m here to ensure no one followed her here thinking she was me. That’s it. Precautionary, but I’m taking it seriously.”
“All right. We’ll meet you at the Enclave Inn.”
“No need. I can take care of myself. Let me follow you there so I know where it is.”
“Fine. When can we meet up again?” Warrick asked.
“How about lunch tomorrow? Then I can sleep in.”
Warrick agreed and the three of them left, departing in three separate vehicles, headed in the direction of the Enclave Inn.
Colton was happy to have a few minutes to himself to consider Isabelle first being in danger, and the shocking discovery of her having a twin sister.
He wasn’t someone who liked being in the center of any drama, but felt like it was inevitable at this point.
Colton’s mind wandered to Isabelle. Was she happy or unhappy that her sister was here? What was that story about? The sudden need to see Isabelle rose inside of him so fiercely he almost steered his truck to Old West Town, but stayed on the road to Warrick’s house by way of the Enclave Inn to secure Isabelle’s sister a room.
Also, he needed to calm the fuck down. The adrenalin rush of his prize mare’s earlier difficult birth had now worn off. Colton was weary. But he also wanted to get caught up with current events. Namely the danger, Isabelle’s twin sister, and his growing affection for Isabelle, not necessarily in that order.
Warrick had mentioned that Isabelle might come over to his house after her shift was over. Colton hoped he could stay awake and wait that long. Maybe he could take a nap.
He remained in his truck, as Warrick and Ari went inside the lobby of the Enclave Inn. If Seth was in there, he’d ensure she got a good room for a good price. The OWT discount.
Isabelle’s beautiful face appeared in his mind like a fresh breeze on a warm summer day. Would she be the ignition point for them to make a big shift in their previously staid regulated lives? Possibly.
Warrick exited the Enclave Inn’s front office behind Ari. They said a couple of words to each other and parted company. She went down the sidewalk toward the rooms, and Warrick waved at him right before getting into his vehicle. Colton followed him home.
Once they arrived at Warrick’s house, Colton prepared himself for what was certain to be a fascinating story.
Isabelle has a twin sister wasn’t even going to get top billing, interestingly enough. Instead, Isabelle is in danger would be discussed first. At least it would if he led the conversation.
Next on his personal agenda would also not be about Isabelle’s twin sister, but instead the question, are we about to change our lives dramatically for Isabelle?
Colton knew what his answer was already. He hoped Warrick was on the same page.
* * * *
Isabelle’s unquenchable fury over her dinner break made the rest of her work night difficult. She should have taken off the rest of the evening, but still didn’t have any vacation time built up to take off for the purposes of pouting. And even if she did, Isabelle wasn’t sure she wanted to use it talking to her sister or filling her head with more drama.
She also wasn’t ready to reduce her paycheck because her sister decided to show up and throw a monkey wrench into her life.
Ari had explained her theory about why she thought Isabelle might be in danger. She cast back to the discussion they’d had at the Trail’s End Tavern after separating briefly from Sven and Warrick.
“I got some interesting family information that made me realize some things were not what I thought they were long ago,” Ari said, starting out.
“Like what?” Isabelle asked, unsure she wanted to know any details about their difficult past. She’d washed her hands of that years ago after Gran died. Although, maybe she’d finally be able to tell Ari Gran’s final message.
“Not now. First, I need to tell you about the danger you might be in.”
“Fine. Tell me.”
“I know you believe I’ve thrown my life away as some permanent party girl for the past decade, but I haven’t.”
“Oh. What were you doing?”
Her sister let out a long loud sigh. “Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to tell you quite yet, but trust me, it isn’t what you think.”
“What if I don’t trust you, Ari? Why would I, especially after all this time?”
At first, her sister looked crestfallen, but then a wave of perception shaped her face. “You know what? I wouldn’t blame you a single bit. But I need for you to hear me. I’ll tell you what I can. It’s important.”
