Reunited for the Holidays

“Hey!” Belle argued good-naturedly as she let them help her to her feet. “I’m not an invalid. I can manage on my own.”

“This sounds very familiar.” Brian’s baritone lifted above the other conversations as Grayson pulled aside the bedcovers and Jack plumped her pillows. “I see some things haven’t changed.”

“Brian is talking about my stubbornness, in case you kids couldn’t guess.” She eased onto the mattress. “I don’t think I’m stubborn.”

“Sure, of course you’re not,” Violet teased. “Not one of us has ever thought that.”

The entire room laughed. Even Belle.

“Sleep well, Mom.” Maddie kissed her forehead.

“Sweet dreams.” Violet kissed her cheek and stepped back.

“We’ll see you in the morning, Mom.” Grayson squeezed her hand.

“We love you.” Jack drew up her covers.

“I love you all. That means you, too, Carter.”

“Back at ya, Belle.” Carter smiled at her before stepping away and offering his arm to his father. “I’ll bring Dad tomorrow to visit.”

“Excellent.” She hated how exhausted Brian looked. He’d been without family, fighting a dangerous illness. What if he’d passed away? He never would have known each twin he’d given up was now safe.

“Have a good night, Isabella—Belle,” he corrected, standing on his own, refusing his son’s aid. He looked even paler, if that were possible.

“You, too, Brian. We’ll talk again tomorrow.”

“Count on it.” He hesitated, as if about to say something, but stayed silent. He raised a hand in a show of farewell.

She raised hers. Tomorrow, she’d have to face him again.

“Just lie back, Mom.” Violet fussed over her, blowing on her tea and moving her Bible within easy reach on the nightstand.

“Is there anything else you need?” Maddie asked.

Such good girls. Seeing those identical faces brought tears to her eyes. Behind them, at the doorway, the boys lingered, checking in on her one last time before waving and stepping out of sight.

“Just take good care of Brian.” She sank into the pillows, grateful to relax. She could pretend all she wanted that she was just fine, but that wasn’t entirely true. The coma and head injury had taken a lot out of her, and it would be a while before she was back to her old, feisty self.

“We’ll look after Dad, I promise.” Maddie stepped away first, the vow shining in her eyes.

When the girls left, they seemed to take the light with them. Still, she smiled to herself as she heard Violet and Maddie lingering outside the door, gushing about how this was going to be the best Christmas ever. Not only did they have Landon and Ty—their doting fiancés—in their lives, but now their entire family was finally all together.

Belle heard their footsteps retreat down the hall and silence settled in—the way it had on the night she’d ordered Brian out of their little house and, later, on the first night she’d been in protective custody, listening to the children sleep and wondering about the other half of the twins in Brian’s care.

Brian. The kids had thought it was a great surprise for her to see him tonight, but they didn’t know the agony it brought.

Give me strength, Lord. She tugged her Bible into her arms and hugged it to her heart. Most of all, please keep our children safe.

* * *

“You look happier, Dad.” Carter helped him into the passenger side of the truck. “Seeing Belle was good for you.”

“I don’t know about that.” He cleared his throat, collapsed into the seat and did his best to cover up how hard seeing Belle had been—and would continue to be. “You kids sure surprised her, too. I’m not certain that was a fair thing to do to a woman who spent five months in a coma.”

“During which she murmured your name. I heard it.” Carter drew himself up, hardly more than a shadow in the night. “I hadn’t felt a connection to her until then and I realized she loves you. That’s all I needed to know.”

“Belle doesn’t love me. At least she hasn’t for a long, long time.” That was his fault, failings that tore him up.

“You never know what God has in store.” Carter stepped back, hand on the door, preparing to swing it shut. “There’s still something between you two, I think.”

Yes, there was—animosity, bitterness and remorse. The door closed with a click, leaving Brian alone in the cab. Grateful for that, he tried to gather his strength, watching Carter cross the pavement to exchange words with Grayson. The kids were climbing into their vehicles, waving goodbye, calling out plans for tomorrow, leaving him time alone to think.

Isabella—Belle—looked more beautiful than ever. No surprise she’d done so well without him. She’d always been strong and independent-minded. She’d rebuilt her life, raised two of their children and run a successful ranch. Turned out she’d never needed him the way he’d needed her.

How was he going to be able to face her tomorrow? And the day after that? This matter of David Johnson was a big one. Belle had risked her life in order to put the drug-dealing criminal away.

Horns honked in friendly beeps, and he waved as the kids drove off—Maddie and Violet together in Violet’s SUV, Jack and Grayson in separate vehicles. A sight he’d never thought he would see in his life—the kids reunited, laughing and gleeful, dreaming of a future filled with love and happiness.

That’s the way he wanted to keep it. Tomorrow, first thing, he and Belle had to figure out a way to keep their children safe.

“Dad, are you okay?” Carter settled behind the wheel, concern furrowing his forehead.

“Just tired. It’s been a long day.” He relaxed against the headrest. “There’s one more thing I need to do. Is there a church around?”

“Grasslands Community Church isn’t far from here.” Carter started the engine and buckled up. “Do you want to stop by?”

“Yes.”

Carter pulled out his cell phone. “Let me just make a quick call to let Savannah know we’ll be home a little late.” He smiled indulgently. “My lovely fiancée tends to worry, especially with all those pregnancy hormones running amok.”

Brian beamed back at Carter. He’d heard how his youngest son had taken his fallen comrade’s pregnant wife under his wing—and fallen in love in the process. He couldn’t be prouder of his boy.

The ride was a short one. The church door stood open as a late Bible study was just disbanding, from what Brian could overhear in the parking lot. He left Carter in the truck and climbed the stairs. His movements rustled in the empty sanctuary, where the stained-glass windows gazed down at him darkly. God’s presence surrounded him, a calm that strengthened his weary body and refreshed his hurting soul.

“Dear Heavenly Father,” he began, kneeling, his voice echoing slightly in the shadows. “As You know, I’ve been absent from worship lately when I was ill and I’ve missed it sorely. Thank You for sparing my life. I know it was a near thing, and I’m more grateful than ever after tonight. Seeing the twins reunited and Belle—”

He stopped, struggling to clear the lump in his throat. Belle, more beautiful than ever. Just as stubborn and full of grit, her smile could light up a room the way it once had lit every chamber of his heart. “You answered my only prayer. That somehow, someway, I could see my lost children again. That they could all find happiness together, reunited, the way it should have been. Thank You, Father, from the bottom of my heart. Please hold them safe in the palm of Your hand.”

His amen echoed in the stillness and peace. As Brian climbed to his feet, he felt God’s touch like a ray of hope in the dark late November night.

Chapter Three

The first day of December shone bright and beautiful. Belle followed the path of sunshine tumbling into the corridor along Ranchland Manor’s tiled floors with maddeningly slow speed.

“Up again?” Helga, one of the nurses, looked up from her station. “I thought the doctor wanted you to rest.”

“Think of this as an extra physical therapy session.” Belle trudged by. “The faster I recover, the sooner I can leave. No offense, Helga.”