Promise Canyon (Virgin River #13)(72)

"Not just my father, Clay. You were so unhappy."

He let a huff of laughter escape. "Was I the only one who was unhappy? Come on, Isabel--we came from different worlds and couldn't live together in either of them. I couldn't make it in that mansion, inside your social life. I did put a tux on for you on several occasions. But for your part, you've never seen the inside of a reservation."

She laughed and her eyes actually sparkled. "Yes, a tux, with all that hair flowing down your back. You stood out, that's for sure. If it was your intention to be different..."

"Here's where we parted company from the start. I'm not different. I'm Native. There isn't anything about me that's contrived to fit in."

"And yet, we fit together so well..." she said in a sultry voice.

"For a while it seemed as if that was the case. Isabel, I think you chose me to challenge your father. You have a long history of love affairs that haven't worked for one reason or another and Frederik hated all of them. I don't know if you've spent a lifetime trying to meet his expectations or trying to provoke him. Whatever the case, I don't want to be a part of it anymore."

"But I love you," she said softly. "And you said you'd always love me." A tear spilled out of her eye and rolled down her beautiful, smooth cheek.

He put his big hand on her cheek and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Of course I'll always love you, but..."

He heard a gasp from the stable doors. Clay turned to see Lilly standing there, her hand over her mouth, her blue eyes wide. "Lilly," he said.

She backed away. Then she turned and ran. Before he could get to the doors, she jumped into her grandfather's delivery truck, started the engine and roared out of the clinic compound. Of course she didn't wait long enough for him to follow her, to speak to her. He hung his head and said, "God!"

"Oh God, is right!" Isabel said from right behind him. To his utter astonishment, he heard her laughter. He turned to see her face alight with amusement. "Clay! Did you hook yourself up to a little Indian girl? I knew it!" And then she laughed as if highly amused.

His eyes and nostrils flared and he took a giant step toward her. "She is not a girl! She's a Hopi woman!" he said in a low, menacing tone. "She is Native American! Of indigenous people! I want you to take your horse, your diagnosis and recommendation and go home now. And if you want help for your horses again, make an appointment and send one of your hands!" He strode away from her and the stable, digging in the pocket of his jeans for the keys to his truck as he went.

As Clay was pulling away from the clinic, Gabe was arriving in his little green truck, having just passed Lilly, who was flying down the road at high speed. Clay never looked at Gabe; never waved, never slowed. And even before the attractive blonde stepped out of the barn, he knew who the fancy truck and trailer on the property must belong to. And he knew something bad must have happened.

He parked his truck and got out, approaching the woman.

Her smile was bright and welcoming; she held her arms wide for an embrace. Both things were a first. "Well, hello, young man! It's been a while since I've seen you."

He really didn't want to touch her. Isabel had always repelled him. But not knowing what had gone on between his father and former stepmother, he allowed her to embrace him, kiss his cheek, give his dark hair a pet. When she touched him he realized that's what bothered him most--she made him feel like a pet.

"You're looking well," she said sweetly.

"What happened with my father?" he asked. "He looked upset or angry. And Lilly..."

"I'm not really sure," she replied, arching her eyebrows as if confused. "We were just talking when the girl--Lilly you say?--when she saw us and ran off. And I think I said the wrong thing--I asked your father if she was an Indian girl and he barked at me that she was Hopi." She shrugged helplessly. "I seem to have offended him, Gabe. I'll have to make amends."

Gabe put his hands in his pockets and hung his head. His father was not overly sensitive about such vernacular unless it was meant disrespectfully. He lifted his eyes and looked at her. "And that's all it was? You asked if she was Indian?"

Again the shrug, but Gabe didn't miss the shifting of her eyes. "As far as I know. I'll give him a day or two to simmer down, then call him and try to sort it out. You know, one of the things I'm most proud of is that we managed to separate, end our marriage, so amicably. We've always maintained a good relationship, a very strong friendship. I wouldn't want it to all crumble away because I stupidly chose the wrong word. Surely he'll accept my apology?"

"I didn't know you were here," was all Gabe could think of to say.

She laughed. "Well, we're even. I speak to your father regularly, but I didn't know you were here, either. Are you visiting?"

"No. I'm staying with my aunt and uncle in Grace Valley. My father arranged it so we could see each other every day. I didn't know you and my dad were in touch."

"I guess he wouldn't think to mention," she said with a shrug. "Now, what are you going to do while you're here?"

He knew she was lying. They weren't in touch much, if at all. "I work at the clinic and stable and will be be finishing high school here."