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He looked surprised. “What, no rage? No defiant declarations of needing no one to care for you or your father’s estate?”
Isabella scooted a chair close to the fire. Once it was in place, she sat. “No. I thought I might feel that way too. I’m sure just days ago I would have.” She shook her head. “I find my thoughts changing.”
Aaron studied her for a moment. “What caused that?”
“I’m not really sure.” She stared into the fire. “Different things. I suppose knowing that my father is dying is the most influential. What purpose does it serve to continue to be angry with him? The move here was to aid his healing. I wish he had told me that—just taken time to explain why the move was necessary. I loved him and would have understood.”
“Loved? Don’t you still love him?”
“I do now, but for a time I don’t believe I did. I certainly didn’t treat him or Mama with love.” She looked up. “I don’tknow why I’m telling you any of this. You aren’t my confidante or friend.”
“I’d like to be. A friend, at least.” He took a seat and continued to watch her.
“Why? I’ve treated you with nothing but disdain.”
“It’s true. You’ve been mean-spirited and difficult every step of the way.” He grinned. “But your father would like us to be close.”
She rolled her eyes. “My father would probably like us to be married. You’re just the kind of man he would pick out for me.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean ... he has discussed it with you?”
Aaron chuckled. “We have talked about many things. Like I said, he wants me to take over caring for all he loves.”
“And that includes arranging my marriage to you.” She shook her head. “He knew I cared about Diego Morales.”
“There you go talking in the past tense again. You cared for him. Don’t you now?”
Isabella didn’t know why, but she felt compelled to be completely honest. “Something has changed in me, and it’s altering everything. I heard a woman speak at church about her prodigal son returning to God as he died. She called it her joy.”
“The lost sinner saved.”
“Yes.” She fixed her gaze on the fire. “I couldn’t understand it in that moment, but Mama explained, reminding me of the prodigal son, the lost coin, and the single sheep out the ninety-nine. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was praying for me as Julietta prayed for her boy.”
“If I were to guess, I’d say yes. They love you, Isabella. Nothing you could ever do would change that.”
“I know it would please them both to put the entire world in order,” Isabella said with a hesitant smile. “But especially my world.”
“Yes. That’s your father’s desire.”
“And he usually gets what he wants.” She looked at Aaron as if she might find all of her answers in his face.
His smile faded. “Usually. But he can’t force people to feel the same emotion he feels, or to care about the things he cares about.”
“Are you speaking of me?”
“Not you alone. There are many who oppose him. Many who make demands of him and have plans for his money and future. Many who refuse to accept his counsel and wisdom.”
Guilt edged in on her thoughts, and she stood, ready to leave. Something caused her to stop, however, and she looked at Aaron, who was also getting to his feet.
“Are you a praying man, Mr. Bailey?”
“I am. I think you know that, however. What is it you really want to ask?”
“Do you think God actually listens? Does He hear our prayers?”
“Absolutely.” He held up his hand as she started to pose another question. “It doesn’t mean, however, that He gives us everything we ask for. Otherwise, your father wouldn’t be dying or even sick.”
