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I hold my hand out. “Hey, girl. You’re okay. You’re beautiful, aren’t you? I’m not going to hurt you.” I gently talk to Diamond, wanting her not to only feel but see that I’m not going to hurt her.
She stops moving and watches me. I hold her gaze, but she turns away and goes into a circle. I stay standing in there with her, not moving, simply watching, silently wishing Sebastian hadn’t seen my scar. Will he make the same connection I did? Not that I even know if it’s true or not. Secretly, I hope it’s not true. I’m not sure how I could process that bit of information—that I have his wife’s heart.
“Will she eventually calm down and come to you?” Sebastian’s soft words startle me. A trickle of unease slides over me, slowly increasing to a wave. I don’t know why. He seems like a great guy, and his girls are beautiful, but what’s this feeling I’m suddenly beginning to have for him—this invisible pull? It’s crazy and not something that normally happens. Well, not to me anyway.
In a whisper, I say, “It will take some time for her to be calm with me. Maybe a couple of days when she sees I pose no threat to her. She’s had a bad life by the looks of it.”
“How old is she?” he asks.
“She looks young, but I’ll have to get the vet to come take a look and examine her when she’s settled in a little.” I hold my hand out to Diamond again. She stops and then throws her head back and turns away from me. I drop my hand by my side and wait.
“It all sounds like a lot of work.”
“It is, but it’s something I’m good at… working with horses. I’ve actually missed it and being back here feels right like it’s healed a small part of my damaged heart.” My cheeks heat at my honesty. I can’t help it. Why does my guard drop with him? It’s not natural to be this comfortable with someone so soon. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said that. I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my problems.”
“It’s fine. I’m sorry to hear that.” I’m glad he doesn’t say anything else.
I don’t respond. Keeping my mouth shut is the best thing right now. I never want to become a vulnerable person again. I gave so much of myself to Eli that I fear I had lost the person I was before he came along. I fell head over heels so quickly that whenever I think back on that time of my life, I know I was so stupid for being such an easy target for someone like him. People like Eli know how to make a girl feel special, loved, and wanted in the beginning as if they’re setting a trap for them.
After some time, I make one last attempt with Diamond. With a sigh, I leave the stall and spot Sebastian in the training pen, leaning against the fence and staring down at his girls happily playing in the dirt. A small smile plays on my lips, and a swell of adoration builds in my chest. He has his girls. They mean everything to him, and I can’t allow my stupid feelings to grow.
They’re fangirl feelings.
They have to be.
SENSING HER EYES ON ME, Ikeep my focus on the girls for fear of scaring her away. She has this runaway vibe about her, and I don’t want to cause her to feel unsettled or uneasy with me. It’s not my intention. The mention of her scar unsettled her—that was clear.
“Daddy, can I have horse-riding lessons?” Rylee’s sweet words choke my heart. We’ve always been city people. For her to have the courage to try riding a horse brings me so much joy.Anna-Beth would be proud.
“We can look into it, Ry.”
“Can she teach me?” Her finger dashes out, and she points to Dee, who has moved and is putting the blanket back from where she got it.
“I’m not sure she’ll have time. She has a baby and will be training these horses.”
“Please, Daddy? I like her. She’s kind.”
“She is,” I agree. “How about we ask, but if she says no, then the answer is no, and we’ll ask someone else. Okay?”
“Yes, Daddy.” She jumps up and dusts off her clothes. I collect Ruby, who’s covered in dust, but it’s good for her to explore and try new things, even if that’s eating a little dirt.Anna-Beth would’ve freaked out.
Rylee skips over to Delilah and takes her hand again. “Can you teach me to ride a horse, please?” Her big eyes stare up into Delilah’s, and Delilah’s smile falters a little but then corrects itself into something so beautiful it steals my breath.
“What does your dad say?” She drops down to her level, something Anna-Beth used to do when talking with Rylee. She found she held her attention longer when she gave her full attention to our daughter.
Rylee bounces on one foot and then the other as though she needs to use the bathroom, but I know it’s her pure excitement. “He said only if you say yes, or I have to go with someone else.”
I rub my hand over my face. Too honest for her own good, that one. “I only said that because you’ve got your daughter and training these horses, and I’m not sure what else with running a place like this. So, it’s all up to you. I don’t want to put you out—”
I’m cut off by loud laughter from Delilah and Rylee’s little giggle.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
Delilah stands, pulls her phone out, and then faces it in my direction. I grimace when I see myself with brown dirt smeared over my face. I glance down at my hand, and it’s covered in dirt. Must be from dusting off Ruby’s bottom.
“You’ve got a great look going here.” Delilah chuckles, her phone still on me as she snaps away. “This’ll look good on social media, don’t you think, Rylee?”
“Daddy needs a shower.” Her high-pitched giggles cause me to laugh. Within seconds, we’ve all got tears streaming down our faces.
