Wedding at Wildwood by Lenora Worth Page B

for the first time in a very long time, felt as if he had indeed come home again. Lifting his head, he stared down at her, unable to voice his feelings. Except to say her name. “Isabel.”
    Isabel watched his face, saw the peaceful expression falling like soft sun rays across his weathered features. “It’s going to be all right, Dillon. I promise.” Then she lifted up to kiss him again.
    For a few minutes, they were lost in each other, there on the edge of the cotton field. Until the roar of an approaching tractor brought them out of their embrace.
    And brought Eli Murdock face-to-face with his brother and Isabel Landry.
    Eli glared down on them, then cut the engine, leaving a quaking silence to shatter through the trees.
    “I told you this was a bad idea,” Dillon whispered, all traces of serenity gone from his face now. But he held her hand tightly in his as he turned to face his brother. “I’ll handle this.”
    “No,” Isabel said, lifting her head to stare up at Eli. “We’ll handle your brother—together.”
    She didn’t miss the pride shining through Dillon’s eyes, or the tightening of his fingers around her own.
    Eli sat back in his seat, then hopped down from the cab, his harsh features red from heat and disapproval. “I see you two are up to your old tricks.”
    “Hello, Eli,” Isabel said in a level voice, even though her whole body tensed at seeing him again. She’d avoided him as long as she could. Might as well show him right here and now that she wasn’t a scared little girl anymore.
    “Isabel,” he said by way of greeting. “I mighta known you’d take up with my no-good brother again. Y’all are like two peas in a pod.”
    Dillon glared at his brother, a steely look cresting in his eyes. “Well, these two peas don’t want to be bothered, Eli. What Isabel and I do together is none of your business.”
    “It is when you’re standing on my land,” Eli reminded them, his eyes purposely centering on Isabel. “What would Mama think, if she saw you two kissing right here in the middle of the cotton patch.”
    Dillon let out a long sigh. “First of all, this is my land, too. And I don’t think Mama would make a big deal out of this. Isabel and I are adults, after all.”
    Eli’s look of disdain made Isabel feel sick inside. He’d never regard her as anything but poor farm trash. His next words only confirmed that notion.
    “Yeah, I can see things have certainly taken a new turn with you two. Used to chase each other around, playing tag and baseball, innocent enough. I reckon you’ve both grown up, but that doesn’t mean you should become careless and irresponsible—with no thought for the consequences.”
    “Shut up, Eli,” Dillon said, the echo of his frustration rising out over the trees. “I won’t listen to your insults and I won’t let you talk that way about my relationship with Isabel.”
    Isabel lifted her chin, her gaze meeting Eli’s. “It’s okay, Dillon.” Then to Eli, “You’re right, of course. Dillon and I are adults now, and we’re also a whole lot older and wiser than we were when we used to run around this place teasing each other and playing games. Don’t worry, though, Eli. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything to ruin Susan’s wedding. And I hope you won’t, either.”
    Turning defensive, Eli said, “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Take it any way you want,” Isabel said, shrugging. “Now, gentlemen, I have to get back to work. Susan wants to see the first shots of her wedding dress. And, in case you’ve both forgotten, she’s having a pantry shower tomorrow night. I’ll be taking pictures of that happy occasion, too. So, I’d better get back and finish up today’s negatives.”
    Dillon stood silent, his hand on Isabel’s arm. Then he said, “Don’t rush off.”
    “Not on my account anyway,” Eli said with a mock smile. Then he added, “Oh, by the way, Isabel, I hear you’re making a nice living with that fancy camera