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Stepping to one side, Bull answered his phone. “What’s wrong, Carol?”
“It’s Luke, he’s in the emergency room with a high fever and I don’t have any money to pay the bill.”
All Bull heard was high fever. “Where are you?”
“Austin, Seton Center on Research.”
“I’ll be there in a few hours. Don’t worry. Tell the doctor to admit him if need be and give them my number if they need to call. I’ll take care of everything.”
“What’s wrong?” Isabella asked, her hand warm on his arm.
“It’s my little boy, he’s sick.” Bull was already walking back to where the horses were tied.
“Oh, no! I’m so sorry.” Isabella’s mind was spinning. “I didn’t know you had a child. Are you married?” The shock of the possibility stole her good sense.
“Used to be and…” He kept walking, worry clouding his mind.
“Oh, I see.” Isabella’s heart contracted for him. “I will pray for your son.”
“Mr. Redford, what about our deal?” Don Luis was coming behind them as fast as he could.
Taking the reins in hand, Bull placed his foot in the stirrup and pulled himself up on the horse. “I’d still like to do business with Terra Dura. I’ll be back in touch as soon as I make sure my little boy is okay.”
Isabella mounted her horse also and they started back toward the hacienda at a gallop. “I hope everything is okay. Please do let us know something.” She wanted to explain to Benedict about the masquerade and that she was his Carmen, but now wasn’t the time.
The ride back was made much faster than their initial trip, Isabella called ahead to have the house staff ready Benedict’s car and his bags. “You’ll be able to leave straightway. What is the airport closest to your ranch?”
Bull shook his head, hardly able to think. “Austin-Bergstrom is where I left my truck when I flew down here.”
Isabella nodded, busy on her phone as she held the reins with her other hand. “I’d like to book a first-class flight to Austin-Bergstrom, first available.” She rattled off her credit card number.
“I’ll pay you back.”
“No, let this be my get-well gift for Luke.”
Stunned, Bull looked hard at Isabella. “That was hardly necessary…” He paused. “But one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”
She gave him a caring smile. “I have enjoyed getting to know you, Mr. Redford.”
“And I you.” He tipped his hat to her as they arrived at the barn. “Tell your uncle,” he gestured back toward the rider approaching in the distance, “that I’d like to see about buying both those bulls if we can work out some kind of a deal.”
“I’m sure we can.” She didn’t push who would make the decision, right now those details were unimportant. “You don’t worry, let me handle this for you and you take care of your child.”
Bull nodded as he handed his mount off to a waiting ranch hand. “I appreciate your hospitality, Miss Cortez.”
Isabella felt a wrenching pain in her chest. Regardless of who he thought she was or wasn’t, she couldn’t let him leave without hugging him one more time. Running to him, she held out her arms and he pulled her close. “You are most welcome, it was a privilege to meet such a southern gentleman and a Texas cowboy.”
Bull held her until his rental car was pulled up behind him. His body was as confused as his mind. She felt so good, almost familiar. He refused to think that one woman was replaceable for the other, but he was drawn to Isabella, despite his absolute adoration of Carmen. “Maybe we’ll meet again someday, Senorita.” Bull placed a chaste kiss on the top of her head.
“I hope so,” Isabella said, feeling bereft when he released her to climb into his vehicle. “Goodbye. Be safe.” As Benedict raised a hand in farewell, Isabella was already planning their reunion. She had no intention of giving him time to forget her.
When Bull’s plane touched down, he wasted no time getting to Seton Center. He broke the speed limit, his mind racing with one worry after another. He’d phoned Carol as soon as he touched down and she informed him that Luke had been admitted with meningitis. With every turn of the tires, Bull sent up a prayer that he’d come through this okay. Luke was such a little boy, he missed him more than words could say.
As soon as he arrived at the hospital complex, Bull found a place to park, then set off at a sprint for the door. Carol had given him the room number on the third floor. He cursed the slowness of the elevator, but soon he was finding his way through the maze of halls to room 308.
“Carol?” he said his ex-wife’s name as he pushed through the door. He hoped to God that jerk she was living with wasn’t there.
“Oh, Bull! I’m so glad you’re here.” The slight blonde came running toward him, throwing herself against him. “He’s so sick!”
