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Tearing me away from my relentless thoughts, I watched Ledger grab the pad and saddle, setting it on Rebel’s back. I decided to help him, inserting the bit into the horse’s mouth before making sure it was comfortable for him. Ledger secured the reins as I mentally checked off the list in my head for a safe ride for him.
“You might be living in the city, but you’re still a cowgirl at heart. Look at you remembering how to set him up properly.”
“I grew up riding horses. It’s like riding a bike. You never forget.”
“Like I’ll never forget the look on your face the day you rode your first horse.”
“I miss my Daisy.”
She was the white Lipizzan horse I got on my thirteenth birthday. I always thought she looked like a magical unicorn and had special powers to make me happy. I spent a lot of time with her while avoiding Ledger and the random girls he’d always bring around.
“She still on your parents’ ranch?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I wish. They sold her after I moved away. My parents didn’t want the maintenance if I wasn’t there to take care of her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah. I think that’s where my resentment for them started. I begged them not to get rid of her, but they still did, and our relationship only went downhill from there. I wasn’t lying to you when I said I have nothing to do with what they’re trying to do to your family’s business. I barely talk to them as it is.”
“Do they know about the baby?”
“No.”
“Are you going to tell them?”
“Eventually. I know them being our kid’s grandparents complicates even more things between us.”
“They’re still your parents, and I won’t keep their grandkid from them.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”
With a sincere expression, he stated, “I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. I wouldn’t do that to our child. Regardless of my feelings for them.”
“That’s awfully kind of you, considering the hell they’re putting you guys through.”
“One thing has nothing to do with the other.”
To say I was surprised at how much Ledger had grown up would be an understatement. I honestly thought he’d try to keep our baby from my parents, so I was shocked he didn’t have those intentions. He turned into the man I always wanted him to be, and a huge part of me was sad that I didn’t experience it with him.
So much about him had changed in the past ten years, yet he still felt the same to me. It was confusing and frustrating, and we were only getting started on our new dynamic.
Although, the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Something about him at that moment was captivating and so unbelievably endearing to me. For Ledger to set aside his hatred and rivalry against my parents said a lot about the man standing beside me.
I wanted to continue to hate him, but he made it nearly impossible for me not to fall for him again. I needed to keep my emotions in check because this wasn’t just about me anymore. I had a new life growing inside me to consider, and I didn’t want to fuck things up for him or her. Even if it meant I had to put my emotions on the back burner.
We had to remain platonic for my sake and our kid. I refused to let him in more than I already had. I’d only end up getting hurt, and I wouldn’t survive it a third time.
As if reading my mind, he swept the hair away from my face to look deep into my eyes.
“I’ll always do what’s best for our baby, Hazel. No matter what, she comes first.”
“She?” I smiled.
“Yeah.” His hand moved to my belly. “I think it’s a girl.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Because you’re glowing. You’re fucking stunning, sugar. Pregnancy agrees with you.”
