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Chapter 4
“Esme! You’re finally awake!”
Morning light poured across the sheets as Esme blinked and found Liam lying beside her.- He reached over, pressing his palm gently to her forehead, eyes dark with concern. “You had a fever. Why didn’t you tell me? Do you have any idea how scared I was, coming home and finding you passed out?”
Would it have mattered? Weren’t you busy with Joy and your child last night?
“I’m fine now,” she said, her voice rough as she nudged his hand away.
Liam frowned. “You’re upset.”
“No.”
“I know when you’re not okay.” He leaned in, brushing a kiss over her hair. “Didn’t you say you wanted to go horseback riding at the ranch? Let’s go today, yeah?”
He moved around her, helping her up, guiding her to wash up and get dressed with the same gentle care as always.
Esme didn’t want to seem cold, so she let him.
They’d just finished getting ready when Joy appeared in the doorway, eyes wide and a little shy. “Mr. Mitchell, Mrs. Mitchell, are you going riding? I’ve never been. Can I come,
too?”
She smoothed a hand over her belly, looking at Liam with hopeful eyes.
“No, Joy. You’re pregnant,” Liam said, firm and protective.
Joy bit her lip. “But I want to… Staying home every day can’t be good for the baby…”
Her voice grew softer, just a hint of pleading.
Esme couldn’t stand it anymore. She turned and headed outside.
She knew Liam too well–he could never say no to someone who looked that helpless.
Sure enough, seconds later she heard his resigned sigh: “Alright, but you have to do exactly as I say.”
By the time Esme climbed into the SUV, Joy was already settled in the back seat. Liam helped her in, steadying her with one hand on her back like she might break.
At the ranch, it was the same. Liam never left Joy’s side, fussing over her every step.
“Careful on the steps.”
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Chapter 4
“It’s sunny–wear your hat.”
“Don’t walk too fast. Take your time.”
Every gentle reminder felt like a little cut to Esme’s heart.
She drifted toward the stables, quietly picking out a calm mare and saddling her up with practiced hands.
Liam had taught her all of this. On her twentieth birthday, they’d spent the whole day at a private ranch–her first riding lesson with him.
Now, that same man was checking someone else’s stirrups, buckling someone else’s helmet, fixing every detail for Joy.
He held Joy’s reins, never letting go.
Then his phone rang.
He checked the screen, brow furrowing.
Joy piped up, all sweet and understanding. “Mr. Mitchell, go take your call. I’ll be fine–really, I’ve got it now.”
Liam checked her seat one more time, making sure she was steady, before stepping away
to answer.
Esme edged her horse to the side of the arena, watching the scene unfold.
Sunlight stretched Liam’s shadow across the sand. He tapped the back of his phone with his finger–a habit Esme knew by heart.
“Mrs. Mitchell.” Joy rode over, beaming a sugary smile. “What do you think happens when two horses run into each other? I’ve never seen it before.”
Before Esme could reply, Joy squeezed her heels to her horse. Both horses suddenly collided, hooves thrashing in panic.
Esme gripped the reins, but her mare spooked, screaming and bolting straight for the fence.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Joy let go of her own reins, falling from the saddle,
almost like she’d meant to.
“Joy!”
Liam tore across the arena, catching Joy just before she hit the ground.
At that moment, a herd of frightened horses burst through the fence, stampeding right at
Esme.
“Liam… help me!” Her scream was swallowed by the thundering chaos.
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She watched as Liam, arms full of the unconscious Joy, ran out of the arena–never once looking back.
Dust burned her eyes. The reins slipped from her grasp. She felt herself thrown into the air, and for a second, she remembered that birthday at this very ranch, when Liam had promised, “Esme, if you ever call for me, I’ll always come back.”
The wind roared in her ears as she hit the ground.
Her vision blurred, and the last thing she saw was Liam, rushing Joy to the car–desperate, focused, gone.
Pain stabbed through her ribs, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her chest.
Esme curled up in the sand, listening to the pounding hooves draw closer, and slowly let her eyes close.
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