Mercy knows she cannot work with so many restrictions! She does not know how to detach herself and she rebels against the idea. She is severely reprimanded for her behavior the night before, and is told she must drastically cut back her hours; she is only allowed to work two to three days a week on the second floor. Mercy understands her behavior wasn't appropriate, but still feels what she did was right.
Worried, she thinks of what she can do so Wilton doesn't have to feel the brunt of her mistake. They have struggled financially several times because of his career, but he has always made sure Mercy Isabella didn't have to worry, even though she gave him a hard time about it; it was deeply engrained in her as a child that being an artist, painter is a hobby not a career, and it would cause many heated, hurtful arguments.
Isabella and Wil are both passionate and intense, always wanting to connect with others, that is what attracted them to each other in the first place. Mercy realizes she must tell Wilt but the thought of it embarrasses her. Isabella's pride and stubbornness always get her in trouble, so she decides she will be honest with Wilton, instead of her inclination to hide what happened at work.
They have worked hard to be able to understand each other and communicate much better than their first few years together. They truly love each other even though their differences have clashed often!
Wilton's Art Gallery thrives now and people from around the world come to be taught by Wilt! His art sessions during the week are very difficult to get into! Isabella gets bittersweet excitement because she remembers she has always wanted to work as a home health nurse, but didn't because she could not imagine leaving her patients, but now with everything going on at work, the transition seems easy.
After the haunting dream and evening Isabella had, she didn't even dare awaken the sirens hibernating deep within her, because Mercy Isabella praised herself for doing such a great job burying the truth regarding how she and Annabelle truly parallel!
TO BE CONTINUED!