Everything Isn't As It Seems

Chapter Fifteen

"Fine." She scooped up then silken material in her arms and disappeared behind the privacy screen that stood in the corner of the room.

"You're angry." Isabel stayed silent. "What are you angry about?" Her jaw clenched again. She finished changing and stepped out

"I could slap you again." She said matter-of-factly.

"You could." He said, knowing full well she could. He didn't have to add 'but you won't', they both knew she wouldn't.

Chapter Thirteen
"I shouldn't keep Mum and Elizabeth waiting any longer." She said. Beau let it go though and followed her downstairs. As soon as they were insight Elizabeth wiggled out of Ruth's arms and ran into Isabel's legs.

"Izzy!" She exclaimed in a thrilling voice, her long red ringlets bouncing around her face as Isabel scooped her up.

"Hey baby girl." The small girl wrapped her arms around Isabel's neck, but leaned back so she could look at her.

"Where've you been?" Isabel smiled lightly.

"Mr. Scott was helping me find something I've been looking for." Elizabeth's eyes flickered to Beau who was standing a few feet behind Isabel, then hid her face shyly in Isabel's hair. "Be polite, Elizabeth. Say hello." She peaked out from her mother's locks.

"Hi." Elizabeth giggled and hid her face again. Ruth hovered close by, not wanting to interrupt the moment.

"Hey, mum." The woman squeezed both Isabel and Elizabeth in her arms.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Ruth sent a glare in Beau' direction.

"I'm great. Really, Mum. I don't know if Doctor Young told you..."

"The only thing Doctor Young told me is that you were fine and asleep. He said the rest you should tell me." Isabel sent a thankful glance Max's way.

"We found him, mama. They arrested him. He's going to prison." Ruth gave an exasperated look and began to speak in very fact Gaelic.

"Of course I knew! Sam worked for him." Isabel felt like the air had been sucked from her lungs.

"No, I don't believe you."

"It's true dear." Ruth's voice softened. "He made me promise to never tell you." Isabel didn't know what to say. She couldn't breathe. She felt like everything she knew about her brother was a lie. Ruth reached to smooth out her hair, but Isabel flinched away from the attempt at comfort.

"Do not touch me."

"Isabel..."

"No Mum. Take Elizabeth home."

"You have to understand..."

"Go. I'll be home later." Ruth nodded and took Elizabeth from Isabel's arms. She said goodbye and thanked Ms. Moore before walking out the front door. Both Beau and Max were staring at Isabel with curiosity. Ms. Moore made herself scarce by collecting the tea tray and heading toward the kitchen. Isabel's eyes were fixed on Beau', reading the question in his eyes paired with concern. "Sam worked for Caywood. My mother knew all along." The words sounded strange coming from her mouth, they didn't make any sense. With everything Isabel knew about Sam, it just didn't make any sense. It registered that Beau didn't even look surprised, just worried and a little guilty. "You knew too?" Of course he knew. He knew everything. That actually hurt. "You knew and you didn't tell me." He took a step toward her. "Don't!" And then she was yelling in Gaelic, angry words that held absolutely no meaning to this man. She was angry at Sam, not Beau, but it wasn't like she could yell at her dead brother. Beau was the next best thing. His hand touched her shoulder, but she was too angry to be comforted. Isabel jerked away from his touch. "Don't bloody touch me!"

Chapter Fourteen
"Don't." Beau seemed to understand the meaning of the single word and although Max raised an eyebrow, he didn't ask. Mrs. Moore returned with a tray and placed a cup of steaming tea in Isabel's hands. She offered milk and sugar, but Isabel turned it down, sipping the black tea. She felt the burning liquid warm her belly from the inside. "Thank you." She met Mrs. Moore's eyes, trying to convey that she was talking about more than just the tea. The woman gave a nod and busied herself in another part of the house. "Why didn't you tell me?" The question was directed at Beau and he had no trouble figuring out what she meant.

"I was going to." Isabel could see the truth in his eyes.

"Okay."

"Okay?" Isabel looked at Beau for a second then looked away, wondering something about Max.

"Don't be offended. Actually you should be flattered."

"Flattered?" Beau sighed, he didn't want to have to spell this out for her.

"He's protective, Max is, and he's grown pretty fond of you in the short time he's know you."

"Fond?" Isabel was still confused. Wasn't Max engaged?

"Belle, you've become somewhat like a sister to him. He doesn't want you to get hurt." Beau explained slowly. Isabel smiled gently.

"Well you can tell Max not to worry." She stood, shrugging Beau' coat off her shoulders. "I should be going." Beau nodded and walked her to the door.

"I'll come by tomorrow and make sure you and Ruth haven't killed each other." Beau gave a lopsided smile. Isabel knew it really was just an excuse to check up on her. They were both in an unashamed awareness that this case with Caywood had probably put them both on a list in the criminal word that could prove very dangerous in the near future. So she simply nodded and walked out into the cold, headed home.