26. Isabella
26
ISABELLA
B ella hummed a Matchbox Twenty tune as she strode through Grady’s Feed and Seed. Travis needed to pick up ointment for one of the horses at Silver Falls Ranch on their way to work, and he insisted she get a coat.
Summer was officially waving its last goodbye, and Bella needed a whole new wardrobe. She wasn’t a stranger to harsh winters, but it was only the middle of September, and the nighttime temperatures were already bringing on the autumn color changes in the trees.
Bella would get one coat just to please Travis. Later, she’d ask Anna to take her to Blackwater Restoration to get a few used coats and sweaters.
Scanning the racks as she strode past the men’s clothing section, her attention caught on a flash of color that stopped her short. She detoured and brushed her fingers over the sleeves of a canvas coat. It was new, expensive, and the exact color of Travis’s brown eyes.
Ugh. Travis’s stupid deadline did nothing to stop her heart from latching onto him. The weeks since they’d decided to keep things platonic had only solidified her love for him.
Yes, it was love. Unfortunate, untimely love.
She’d done everything she could think of to change it, but nothing helped. Spending time with him four to five days a week gave her plenty of reminders that he was a good man. He made sure she always had meals, snacks, and water. He drove her to work and back and sometimes to doctor appointments. He checked on her constantly with texts and calls.
It was awful. They had three weeks before his self-imposed deadline, and she had trouble thinking about anything except Travis and the baby.
She let her hand drop from the coat. If only her baby could have Travis’s brown eyes and selfless heart.
“Hey. Did you find something?” Travis asked beside her.
Jerking out of her daydream, she stepped away from the rack. “Oh, sorry. I got sidetracked.”
Travis turned to the coat she’d been drawn to. “I don’t think this one will fit you.”
The coat didn’t fit her, but Travis did. What made it worse was that Travis knew it too. She could see the way he stared at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention and the way he stood close to her whenever he could.
She looked up at him, and her stomach did a flip.
Wait, that wasn’t a normal flip. It was quick like a kick.
Bella pressed a hand to the bottom side of her barely showing bump and waited.
“Everything okay?” Travis asked.
Something bumped quickly against her hand, and she gasped.
“Bella, what’s wrong?” he asked again.
“It’s the baby,” she said. “It’s moving.”
Travis’s eyes widened. “You can feel it?”
She looked up at him, and his childlike wonder probably mirrored her own. “I’ve never felt it before.”
Travis’s breaths deepened as a wide smile spread on his face. It was a look of pure joy.
“Do you want to feel it?” she asked.
His gaze lowered to her hand. “Can I?”
She took his hand in hers and pressed his fingertips to the spot where the baby was kicking. They stood stone still for a few seconds before she felt the movement and Travis’s breath hitched.
“That’s the baby?” he asked, struck with the same wonder she was still experiencing.
“It is!” Her breaths quickened as the baby moved again. “This is amazing!”
Travis pressed his fingers to the spot and stepped closer until his chest brushed her shoulder. “It’s moving a lot.”
Bella rested her hand over his and closed her eyes. The only thing she could think to do was pray and thank God for this amazing wonder. Her heart beat a quick rhythm as elation bubbled inside her.
“Bella, you’re doing so great. This baby has no idea, but it has the best mom.”
The wave of emotion hit her without warning. “Ope. I’m gonna cry.” The tears were already welling over before she finished the last word.
Travis pulled her in, and she rested her head against his chest. “It’s okay. You’re crying because you’re happy right?”
“Yes,” she wailed, pressing her face into his shirt to muffle her cries. “This is so embarrassing.”
“There isn’t even anyone around. You’re free to cry in peace,” he said.
Bella lifted her head and wiped her tears. “Ugh. I’m so tired of these hormones. I can’t go a day without crying.”
“It’s fine. It’s actually expected during pregnancy. I just read about it this week. Don’t worry.”
She shook her head and sniffed. He’d been reading books about pregnancy, and her heart couldn’t take it. “I’m going to sit in the truck.”
Travis handed her his keys. “I’ll grab you a coat and check out. Give me five minutes.”
“Take your time. I’ll just be filling your cup holders with tears.”
Travis took her hand as she started to walk off. “Hey, are you okay?”
She inhaled a deep breath and took stock of things she could measure. The baby was healthy, she was safe, she was ridiculously happy.
“Yeah. I’m great, actually.”
That earned her a smile from Travis, and he released her hand. “Five minutes.”
“Don’t rush,” she said as she started for the exit. As soon as she got to the truck, she’d check to make sure she wasn’t blowing snot bubbles or walking around with red, swollen eyes.
Bella wiped her eyes again as a tall man strode toward her. Something about his dark eyes, gaunt cheeks, and angular jaw had her steps slowing. The familiarity grew heavier as the man turned and disappeared down an aisle.
Her heart raced, spurring her into action. Her steps quickened as she turned down the aisle to follow the man. He’d stopped to look at shelves stacked with dog food. He was so focused on the bags of feed that he didn’t even turn to face her until she was right by his side.
“Excuse me. I’m sorry to bother you, but do I know you?” she asked.
The man’s mouth turned up into a friendly smile, and all familiarity disappeared. “I don’t think so.” He extended a hand for her to shake. “I’m Jeremy Dodd.”
He was right. They didn’t know each other. Why had she gotten that feeling?
She shook his hand and smiled back. “Sorry to bother you. I’m Bella Young.”
“It’s okay. Are you from around here?” he asked.
That was a loaded question. She didn’t know the true answer. “I’m fairly new to the area.”
Jeremy turned his whole body toward her, giving her his full attention. “Oh, I was going to say you might have seen me before at Ken’s Tractor and Equipment. That’s where I work.”
Bella shrugged. “I do work at a cattle ranch, but I’ve never been to Ken’s before.”
Jeremy covered his mouth with a hand as he rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “I’m not sure then.”
As soon as he covered the lower half of his face, the recognition came back. With his eyes narrowed in thought, she realized why she’d found him familiar.
Her entire body broke out into a cold sweat. She hadn’t seen eyes like that in a long time, but they’d haunted her daily for the last five years.