The tires of Isabelle’s car crunched softly against the gravel as she pulled up to the long, winding driveway of the ranch. The morning sun was already beginning to cast golden streaks across the open fields, painting everything in warm light. Turning off the ignition and exhaling slowly, she let her fingers rest on the steering wheel for a moment and closed her eyes in quiet prayer.
This was entirely new ground for her, and she’d be lying if she had told herself she wasn’t nervous, especially since it was the first time she would be the one in charge of the patient and not merely assisting another nurse in the form of her training. From what she'd heard in passing from the agency, the man who lived behind those brick walls was not particularly fond of change. Isabelle couldn’t find any fault in that. Losing someone you’ve trusted in your home for years was never easy. And now, she was the stranger at his door.
Grabbing her bag, Isabelle tossed her keys in the bag before stepping out into the dry air. Although she appeared calm and professional on the outside, on the inside, there was a quiet, looming uncertainty in her chest and an uneasy feeling in her gut. The front porch creaked as she approached, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting someone else to approach her but she was only greeted by a warm breeze, the smell of cattle and pasture along with it. As she knocked on the door, she reminded herself of two things — she was here to work but more importantly, to help.
He wasn’t going to answer the door. Slowly, she let herself in as she had been instructed. Inside, the home was clean and tidy, but the windows weren’t open, so it felt like night and day once she stepped fully inside. “Hello? Mr. Montgomery? It’s your new nurse, Isabelle,” she called out for him, glancing around for a sign of his presence. Perhaps he wasn’t awake yet. @soulunderfire