She swallowed as she turned back to her parents. “I told you. I wanted my freedom. I didn’t want to be hidden away anymore.”
Her mother tugged her into another hug, nearly pulling her off her feet. “Oh darling! You were never a burden. We had no idea you felt that way until your letter. We were only trying to protect you. That’s all. Had we known… I never wanted to drive you away.”
She was stunned as her mother kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly once more. Her eyes fell upon her father who nodded. The man looked like he was trying to hold back tears. He had never cried before. It was the most bewildering reunion she could ever imagine. But the knot in her stomach began to loosen.
Not certain of what else to do, Della sat with her parents and caught up with them.
They wanted her home. They wanted her as part of their family. And they would give her anything to know she could do whatever she wished. It was a misunderstanding that had never been made clear. Della’s heart grew light as she learned the truth. They were only trying to protect her. All three of them apologized, lightening the loads on their heavy hearts.
Afterward, Della introduced her parents to the Ganey family who invited her parents to join them for supper. More space was set up around the table, and everyone enjoyed a hearty meal. Della found joy in her heart and only wished that her final confusing relationship could be cleared up.
She had only told them the smallest details about her relationship. And when they asked, she simply told them that they were still unwed, and he lived nearby. Much more in her life was finally making sense. All except for Zack Heston. As she glanced at her parents, she wondered what might happen next.
Chapter 14
It was Christmas tradition to take an evening ride around the ranch.
Zack could hardly believe it was Christmas Eve again. Time was flying by and soon, his son would be a man. He glanced over at Ross who looked around with a serious expression. Mountains descended upon them within the next couple of miles, and everything was wrapped in a cold layer of snow.
“Ross?” The boy was too sober for a boy of his age. “What’s on that mind of yours?”
He slowed down when Ross didn’t respond. The boy shrugged and then darted a hesitant look over. Whatever it was, he didn’t want to say it. “Nothing.”
“Oh really?” Zack chuckled, feeling lighthearted for once. “Somehow, I doubt that.”
Ross shrugged again. “It’s only… I guess I thought Della came here to have Christmas with us. I thought she was my present. But Uncle Rob said maybe not, and I shouldn’t talk to you about it.”
The lightness in his chest tightened. He had forgotten how perceptive Ross could be as a child. A lump formed in his throat. He searched for the right words to explain. “It’s not that. I only… I don’t know if she’s right for us.”
“But I like her,” Ross mumbled. “And she said she likes me.”
They fell quiet, and Zack couldn’t help as his thoughts turned to the young woman.
She was pretty, he knew that. She was also smart and kind, which was obvious from their time together and as she had cared for Ross. It made his stomach queasy again just thinking about her. He couldn’t explain the feeling, and it had been a long time since he had felt like this so much. Was it the winter? The cold? The food?
Then Zack realized he hadn’t felt queasy like that since Ella.
His heart pounded in his chest as he thought about the young lady who had looked for him and watched him curiously whenever they were together. She would smile at him. And it was clear she adored Ross. Della was so good with him, patient and cheerful.
She was cheerful. And wise, from everything Ross had said.
The truth slowly began to dawn on him.
As they made their way quietly back to the house, Zack realized he had been wrong about everything from the beginning. He had been drowning in fear all along of embracing something new. It was easier to deal with the miserable life he already knew than embrace someone to replace his Ella.
But what would Ella think?
Even as he asked the question, he recalled one of the last conversations they’d had together. Ella had been in and out of consciousness, clutching his hands with the last of her strength. She had begged him to carry on, to be happy, if anything happened. He could hear her voice now, reminding him of this.
How had he forgotten?
“Papa?” They had reached the house, but he was still sitting atop his horse.
Zack blinked and turned to his son, stunned over his realization. “Yes?”
“Do you like Della?”
“Yes.” The word slipped out before he could help himself. And as he said it, Zack knew it was true. He thought back to their missives about how sweet she was, how she craved a life out of the city. She wanted to find a new home, and he had told her he would help her.
And all he had done so far was let her be at his sister’s house. He was a fool.
“I have to see her.” Zack swung his horse around.
Ross hollered that he was coming. Zack rushed them the two miles between the ranches as he thought more and more about Miss Della Prescott. He thought of her sweet nature in caring for Ross, and how natural she had looked in their house. He recalled watching her decorate their Christmas tree and read stories to Ross. He thought of her
