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“I don’t know. We’re not joined at the hip, Trish. He can come and go as he pleases.”
“Okay, I’ll come by after work. Say, around six-ish?”
“Perfect,” I smile. “See you later.”
“Seeyou.”
I sigh as I end the call and look at Sally snoring away in her crate. I know that I have a million things to do, but for once, I try to let go of my miles-long to-do list and focus on the here and now instead.
Everything is happening so quickly with Kristian, and I’m afraid I can’t keep up. I’m afraid I’ll lose myself, getting so caught up in him and my growing feelings towards him that I’ll lose sight of the woman I have become. In my heart, I know that Kristian is nothing like James, but…I was wrong abouthim.
Will I be wrong about Kristian, too?
“Come on, Sally,” I whisper softly to her as I get up from the rocking chair. “Let’s go for awalk.”
I send a quick text to Kristian, disguising my need to escape from him by saying that I need to check on the horses. Once Sally and I are outside, I feel better.
The phone vibrates in my hand, and when I notice the photo Kristian has sent me, my heart does somersaults in my chest.
He’s taken a selfie with Ailith tucked next to his side, both of them making funny faces at me. I swipe the screen to read the text he’s sent along.
Kristian: Hurry back. We miss you. xx
“Bloodyhell.”
I look down at Sally sitting besideme.
“I’m in too deep already, aren’tI?”
She lets out a low whoof as she shakes herhead.
“That’s what I thought.”
Then I sit down on my haunches and scratch her ears, while I take in the beauty of my home. I don’t understand how I could ever feel trapped here, but my twenty-five-year-old self did. As much as I hate what I allowed myself to become, I know I wouldn’t have Ailith if I hadn’t met my husband. I wouldn’t have found my purpose. I wouldn’t have come backhere.
And…I wouldn’t have all my plans for the farm that I donow.
If there’s one thing my country and its folklore has taught me, it’s that everything comes full circle, and I feel as if I’m finally there. I’m where I belong. The future doesn’t look as bleak as it did a mere monthago.
Instead, it is filled with hope. With dreams. Maybe even withlove.
As my eyes fall on Thunder leaning against his paddock, watching me, a sense of peace I haven’t felt in almost a decade settles in mysoul.
“Tomorrow,” I call to him, watching his ears flick, “we ride, Thunder.”
He neighs softly, and when I stretch my back, I can’t help but laugh as he nods his big head atme.
“Looks like we’re finally on the samepage.”
* * *
I can’t stop watchingAilith sleeping. She passed out just around noon, but I haven’t the heart to wake her up. After last night, she needs her sleep. We’re still flanking her on either side, but as my stomach starts to rumble, I chuckle lightly and look up at Kristian.
“Lunch?” I whisper.
He gives me a crooked smile as he turns off theTV.
“Yes, please,” he whispers back and slides his arm from underneath Ailith’shead.
