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“What about me? I’ve done very little with my life. Do you believe I’ve wasted it?”
Mama smiled. “For women it is different. Certainly, most are married by this age, but I see nothing wrong in taking your time and making sure you marry the right man.”
“But you don’t believe Diego is the right one.”
“I believe you must speak to your father. He’s asked me to let him share what he knows, and I won’t break my pledge to him.”
“I want to talk to Papi and apologize,” Isabella admitted.Her conscience would not let her be. “But he’s been so sick, and I didn’t want to get him all worked up.”
“You can see him in a little while. He said he’s feeling good enough to take you for a short carriage ride. He heard about you not being able to go on your ride this morning and wanted to make it up to you.”
“But surely that will be too hard on him.” Isabella couldn’t imagine her father should be out of bed for long, much less go anywhere.
“Your father is dying, Isabella. It’s something I’ve had to come to terms with, and it hasn’t been easy.” Her mother’s expression saddened, and her gaze lowered to her hands. “I’ve had to learn to let him go a little at a time. If he wants to spend his last hours driving, then I want him to do it.” She looked at Isabella with tears in her eyes “You must let him do this. It’s the only gift we can give him.”
Isabella moved to the wrought-iron bench and put her arm around her mother. She had done nothing to comfort her mother prior to this. She felt it was important to show her support.
“Mama, I am here for you. I will do what I can to help you through.”
Still, the idea of remaining in Silver Veil didn’t appeal. She couldn’t reconcile her distaste for the place, no matter how much she wanted to.
“I love you, Mama. I’m so sorry for what I’ve said and done. Please forgive me.”
Her mother pulled away just enough to give her a smile. “You have always been forgiven, my child. I have loved you through these years with a mother’s love. That never dies.”
Isabella hugged her mother close. She didn’t understand how her mother could forgive so easily, but it felt good to have things cleared between them.
Now, if she could just do the same with her father.
Daniel Garcia sat atop his horse by the time his daughter joined him.
“I thought we were going to take a carriage ride. Isn’t being on a horse too much for you?” Isabella asked. There was great concern in her voice.
“I felt strong enough to ride, and your mother told me you had your heart set on a ride.”
She looked momentarily undecided but allowed the groomsman to help her onto her mount. “If you’re sure.”
Daniel smiled. “I am. I’m looking forward to this.”
The day was glorious. March had come in like a gentle lamb. Daniel knew it would be the last spring he’d see, and he wanted to enjoy every moment. He knew too that he wasn’t really up to this ride, but he wanted to spend time with Isabella. Helena had mentioned that she was changed—that their prayers were being answered and Isabella’s anger was dissolving.
The horses walked out across Garcia land. The mountain meadow was full of scrub mixed with juniper and pine. Occasional aspen offered variety, but otherwise the sandy terrain was sparse. Daniel had come to love this desolate landscape. He loved its people as well. That, he supposed, was why he was so desperate to have his daughter love it too.
He prayed silently as they made their way north. Winter melt had provided water for the streams, so they paused for a moment, letting the horses drink before heading on. Daniel could see that Isabella was trying to sort through her thoughts. She looked like she was on the verge of speaking,but then her brows would draw together, a frown would form, and she’d look away.
“Whatever you have on your mind, I hope you know you can talk to me. I won’t bite,” he said, laughing. Hopefully, the words would put her at ease.
“I know that, Papi.” She paused. “It’s just that I’m ... I’m ashamed.”
“We all have those moments. Why don’t you tell me about it?”
“I’ve been selfish and focused only on what was best for me. I haven’t considered anyone but myself.” She frowned as she shook her head. “I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to see it. Aaron has pointed it out more than once, but I thought I was a good person.”
“I believe you are.”
She shook her head all the more. “No. My desires and motives have all been to benefit myself. When I arrived here and saw how much you and Mama did for others, it made me uncomfortable. I know now that it was because I had no charity in my heart—none of God’s love for others.
“Ever since we moved here, I’ve been angry. I felt you didn’t care about me or what I wanted. Again, my thoughts were all focused on me.” She looked at him. “If you had just told me you were sick, I might have better understood the situation.”
