Beneath the Country Sky

Chapter 12: The Edge of Sorrow

It was a quiet morning, with the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow across the fields. The cool air brushed gently against Scarlette's skin as she finished her morning jog, her mind lost in thought. The rhythmic pounding of her feet against the dirt road offered a sense of escape, however brief. But even the run couldn't free her from the heavy weight of everything that had happened lately-Lola Victoria's death, the estrangement with Cooper, and the unspoken feelings swirling inside her that she didn't even want to acknowledge.

As Scarlette rounded the last corner toward the hacienda, she saw a familiar figure approaching from the opposite direction. It was Isabel. The woman was walking slowly, her head slightly bowed, her steps unsure. Scarlette slowed to a stop, wiping the sweat from her brow as she watched Isabel draw closer.

The sight of her felt strangely unsettling. The last time Scarlette had seen Isabel was in the back of Cooper's truck, with him stealing glances at his girlfriend while Scarlette sat, feeling like an outsider. Now, Isabel was alone, looking frail, almost like a ghost of herself.

Isabel smiled softly when she saw Scarlette, her gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than usual. There was something in that smile-something that felt more like resignation than friendliness.

Scarlette shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. Before she could speak, Isabel's voice cut through the morning stillness.

"Scarlette," she said gently, as if she had been waiting for this moment. "Can we talk?"

Scarlette blinked, caught off guard by the request. She hadn't expected Isabel to seek her out, especially not after everything that had happened with Cooper. But there was something in Isabel's eyes-something tired and vulnerable-that made Scarlette nod.

"Sure," Scarlette said, her voice cautious. "What's going on?"

Isabel took a deep breath, glancing around as if to make sure they were truly alone. She stepped closer, her eyes flickering over Scarlette's face with a strange sort of admiration.

"You know," Isabel began, her voice soft, almost wistful, "I've always thought you were beautiful. Even when I first saw you on TV. You have this... presence. It's like you draw people in without even trying."

Scarlette furrowed her brow, taken aback by the compliment. She didn't know how to respond, especially not when it came from Isabel. Her mind flashed back to all the things people had said about her lately-calling her a homewrecker, a has-been, someone who ruined her own life. She certainly didn't feel beautiful. But Isabel's gaze was sincere, her admiration genuine.

"Thank you," Scarlette said hesitantly, unsure where this conversation was going.

Isabel's smile faltered, and for a moment, the sadness in her eyes was palpable. She looked down at her hands, fiddling with the hem of her blouse. "I need to ask you for something, Scarlette," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "Something important."

Scarlette's confusion deepened. "What is it?"

Isabel met her eyes, and the weight of what she was about to say seemed to press down on her shoulders. "It's about Cooper."

Scarlette felt a jolt in her chest at the mention of his name. "What about him?"

Isabel hesitated, her voice lowering to almost a whisper. "He's lonely, Scarlette. He's so alone right now. And I can't be there for him the way I should be." She paused, her voice catching. "I need you to be there for him."