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“I didn’t want my ten-year-old daughter to worry. I don’t want my twenty-five-year-old daughter to worry either.” He smiled even though his pain was increasing. At least he wasn’t coughing. The herbal syrup had seen to that. “The news was bad, and your mother and I deemed it best to keep it from you as long as we could. But I was wrong, Isabella. I should have told you. Maybe not when you were so very young, but as you grew up, you should have been told. I’m sorry I continued to hide the truth from you. The truth isalways better than a lie, and our relationship would no doubt have been better had I just been honest with you.”
She nodded. “You could have at least told me you were sick and that this place had the potential to make you well.”
“The dry air here bought me a great many years. Far more than the doctor anticipated.”
“But now that’s come to an end?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “But look at all the extra time God gave me.”
“All I see is the time I wasted. Papi, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry too. I should have told you. I never meant for you to suffer.”
“I feel the last fifteen years have been a complete waste of my life.”
“Nonsense. You were a pleasure to Josephina. She often wrote of the joy she took in your company. I have to admit, I envied her.”
“Again, it was my doing, and I’m so sorry.”
“May I ask what brought about your change of heart?” Daniel knew she would continue in this cycle of self-blame if he didn’t move their conversation in a different direction.
“Everything about this return to Silver Veil. It started at the station when Aaron Bailey came back into my life. Did he tell you about being in the room with us when I was eighteen and begged you to let me live with Aunt Josephina permanently?”
“No. He never said a word.”
“That’s because he’s an honorable man. He was there, however. He heard my selfish rant, and after you left, he confronted me. He told me what he thought of my childish scene. It was no different when he showed up to bring me home. He was pleasant and gentlemanly, but when I became angry, he allowed me no quarter.”
Daniel smiled. “That sounds like Aaron. He’s always been a very practical man.”
She finally smiled. “You call it practical. I called it rude and obnoxious. He rebuked me for my selfishness, and I hated him. He sang your praises and told me I owed you everything, and I hated him all the more. Nevertheless, when he mentioned that you were ill, it made me start to think. He had nothing to gain by revealing that to me except for his desire to see our relationship mended. He knew what that would mean to you, and because he loves you, it was all he wanted.”
“He has come to mean a lot to me. He has always been faithful.”
“Where I was not.”
“I’m making no comparisons, Isabella.” He turned the horses on a westerly path. “Aaron was there when I needed him most. His connection with the Santa Fe Railroad brought us together because of our mutual interests and needs, but I see him as a gift from God. The son I never had.”
Daniel hoped he could get across to his daughter that Aaron was a good man and truly cared about all of them. It was what had impressed him more than once. Aaron seemed to be genuinely concerned for Helena as well as Isabella.
“Aaron comes from a good family. I don’t think they show much open affection, but they serve the Lord. They don’t openly speak of Him much at home, instead relegating such teachings to the pulpit. When Aaron came to me, I think it surprised him that we could openly discuss God and His Word. We have spent a lot of time studying certain passages and discussing Bible times and culture. We have prayed together too. Aaron knows about my struggles and worries over you, so no doubt he took offense on my behalf. I apologize for that, if he caused you grief.”
“But I’m seeing that grief in a different light. Papi, I want to ask forgiveness for the past and for my bitterness. Please tell me you’ll forgive me.” She brought her horse to a stop and turned to face him. “I don’t want you to die without making this right between us.”
“Of course it’s right between us. I forgave you long ago. In fact, the very moment you wronged me, I forgave you.”
She looked confused. “But I didn’t ask for forgiveness until now.”
Daniel smiled. “I know, but I forgave you nevertheless. You are my child. My only child to live. I will always forgive you, no matter the wrong.”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“None of us deserve forgiveness. We’re full of bitterness and anger. We rage in our desires to have our own way—to find self-satisfaction. You aren’t the only person who has ever acted out of selfishness, and you won’t be the last.
“Issy, I am so happy to have you home—and here with me.” He hadn’t used her childhood nickname in years. “I’ve worried about you and your mother. You need to be there for one another after I am gone. You need to be here for the people of Silver Veil. They are good people, but many are uneducated and know nothing about the bookkeeping and legal details that come with running this town. Many are capable of handling their own duties and upkeep, but on a larger scale, they haven’t been trained. That’s my fault. I didn’t teach anyone. I should have. Aaron knows a great deal, so I’ve asked him to take over after I’m gone. I want him to keep this town moving forward, and I want him to take care of you and your mother.”
He hoped the idea wasn’t too offensive, but when Isabella said nothing, Daniel feared he’d upset her. “I’m sorry. I’ve asked too much of you.”
“No. Not at all. I understand how your years of working together cause you to trust him. I know you probably wish I would choose him instead of Diego for a husband.”
