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My heart clenches at the wordsenhora, a reminder that so many years have passed. “I’m happy too, especially now that I know you’re here.”
“Valentina,” he gushes, gazing over my shoulder. “Look at you. All grown up.”
She smiles shyly at him. “Do you work here?”
He nods, his eyes gleaming. “I believe I once made a promise to teach you to ride when you got to be six years old. Are you six, yet?”
She nods and laughs, her violet-blue eyes dancing a happy jig.
It hits me then. If Silvio’s not at Quinta Rosa do Vale,who’s taking care of Atlas and Zeus? They trusted him as much as they trusted me.Zeus isn’t young. He needs a steady, familiar hand. Antonio assured me they were well cared for—I don’t think it’s something he would lie about. If he had sold them, he would have had no qualms about telling me.
“Come inside,” Silvio murmurs softly to me, as if sensing my concern. “There’s something I want to show you.”
33
DANIELA
Ifollow him into the barn, with Valentina on my heels. When we reach the center stalls, I stop as the bloodwhooshesin my ears.Zeus and Atlas.
I rush over, first to one, then the other, being cautious not to spook them. Six years is a long time. But they recognize me right away. Zeus nuzzles me immediately, and Atlas, the proud stallion, takes only a few moments longer to forgive me for leaving him.
“Silvio, they look like they haven’t aged a day. You’ve taken such good care of them. Thank you.”
He nods. “They’re fine animals. You trained them well.”
Before I abandoned them.“Why are they here?”
“This is their home now.SenhorAntonio would come out to Quinta Rosa do Vale regularly to check on them, and to ride, but it was easier for him to have them stabled here.”
I swallow the lump in my throat.Antonio, you never cease to amaze me.“He rode them?”
“They needed to be ridden,senhora.”
Of course they did. But Silvio could have done it.
“SenhorAntonio has been generous with me, and he spares no expense when it comes to the horses.”
I glance around the stable. Zeus and Atlas aren’t the only horses here. When my gaze meets Cristiano’s, he gifts me a tender smile.Rascal.He’s enjoying this almost as much as I am.
“Silvio, will you really teach me to ride? Please?” Valentina gives him that angelic look she has whenever she begs.
“I would be honored, but Daniela might like to teach you herself. She’s an accomplished rider, and I have no doubt she would be a marvelous instructor.”
“Which horse would be better for me to ride, Zeus or Atlas?”
I don’t respond to her question because I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea that Antonio Huntsman would make sure my horses were well cared for—not assigning the chore to someone else, but overseeing it himself.
“Zeus is old and set in his ways, and Atlas is still feisty,” Silvio explains to Valentina, “but I have a mare that’s perfect for you. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Valentina takes my hand and pulls me along. It’s a good thing, because my emotions are all over the place, and I’m a little lost.
“Ohhh!” Valentina cries. “She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”
“Demeter,” he replies, “after the goddess of the harvest.” Silvio glances at me. “SenhorAntonio thought you would approve of the name, but you can call her something else, if you’d like.”
“I love it,” Valentina squeals.
“Me too,” I say, so softly I’m not sure anyone hears.
