Free Wedding at Wildwood by Lenora Worth Page A

happy,” she told Susan, patting her friend’s trembling hand. “You’ve just got to relax and enjoy being a blushing bride.”
    Susan still looked dejected. “If he’d only quit being so stubborn—he could hire someone to help oversee things around here. He’s trying to run this place with so little help, and it’s making him very hard to live with. Not to mention, he never gets to rest. I worry about his health.”
    “Farming is very demanding work,” Isabel said, remembering how hard her father had worked. Rain, drought, wind, fire, pests, a hundred things could go wrong at any given time when you farmed the land. Your livelihood depended on nature and good luck. “Does he have someone reliable who could take over some of the responsibilities?”
    “He’s got good workers, but…” Susan stopped, her expression guarded and unsure. “Eli says he can’t trust anyone else to be in charge. And his mama runs him ragged, demanding his attention.”
    “Miss Cynthia is a very capable woman herself,” Isabel said. “Maybe she could at least take over some of the paperwork.”
    “But Eli doesn’t trust her with any of it,” Susan said. “Besides, he doesn’t want his mother working.” Giving Isabel another measured look, she said in a shaky voice, “If Dillon would offer a hand—”
    “Dillon?” Isabel couldn’t help but laugh. “You expect Eli to let Dillon help out on this place, after the way they feel about each other?”
    Recovering remarkably, Susan nodded, then sniffed. “Well, I could talk to Eli and you could work on Dillon. I’m sure between the two of us, we could make them see eye to eye on this.”
    “No,” Isabel said, shaking her head as she whirled away. “Dillon doesn’t want to get involved in his brother’s problems.”
    “This land isn’t a problem,” Susan retorted. “This land has been in this family for generations, and the money from this place has helped Dillon through the years. He owes it to his mother and to Eli. He deserted this family. He should be thankful he’s even welcome back here at all.”
    Angry now that Susan had just blurted out all her own problems regarding Wildwood and had just as quickly turned the blame toward Dillon, Isabel said, “I don’t know what Eli’s told you, Susan. But from what my grandmother’s told me, whatever happened between Dillon and Eli all those years ago wasn’t all Dillon’s fault. Eli, as you’re beginning to discover, can be as hardheaded as anyone. And he was always the hardest on Dillon. I just don’t think this is a good idea.”
    “Then I guess I’ll just have to handle this the best I can, and hope my groom doesn’t call off the wedding.” Giving Isabel another pleading look, she said, “At least think about it. If Dillon could stay on a while, that would give Miss Cynthia some time with him, distract her from pestering Eli so much, maybe. And you and Dillon could have some time alone—it’s obvious you two are growing close again.”
    Hating the logic in Susan’s words, and ignoring that last remark, Isabel decided she hadn’t given her friend nearly enough credit. Beneath that ditzy persona grew a regular steel magnolia.
    “Why, Susan Webster, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were deliberately trying to manipulate me.”
    Grabbing her arm, Susan said, “Of course not. I just know that Dillon needs some time here, to reconcile with his mother. And he’d listen to you—you did get him to agree to the tuxedo.” Lowering her voice, she added, “And the talk around town is that you two are getting reacquainted in a very big way, if you know what I mean.”
    Isabel knew exactly what her friend meant. “We’re friends, good friends. That’s all.”
    “But Dillon confides in you,” Susan said on a low whine. “He’s never been civil to anyone around here. He must have some feelings for you.”
    “Not really, and that’s why I don’t want to go another round with him,” Isabel said,