Page 26 of Secret Heir

Two are mine and two belong to the estate manager who lives in the cottage near the south fence.

I’ve always found horses calming, the rhythmic work of grooming and riding a meditation when my mind gets too dark.

Daniel’s eyes go wide when he sees them. “They’re so big,” he says in awe.

“Come meet Ranger.” I lead him to the first stall where a bay gelding is eating hay. “He’s gentle. You can pet him.”

Daniel reaches out tentatively, his small hand hovering just above Ranger’s nose.

When the horse doesn’t move, he touches him, and wonder spreads across his face.

“He’s soft,” he breathes.

“Want to help me brush him?” I ask, drinking in the look of joy on his face. I would do anything to keep him happy.

We spend the morning in the stable.

I teach Daniel how to curry the horse’s coat and pick out his hooves.

I even show him to bridle Ranger.

Daniel is careful and focused, watching everything I do and mimicking it with surprising precision.

“Can I ride him?” he asks hopefully when Ranger is saddled.

“Not today. You’re still too small.” I see the disappointment on his face and change tactics. “But I can take you up with me. Would you like that?”

He nods enthusiastically, and I lift him into the saddle before swinging up behind him. He’s tiny in front of me, barely taking up any space, and I have to adjust my grip on the reins to make sure I don’t crowd him.

We ride slowly around the paddock. Daniel is tense at first, gripping the saddle horn with white knuckles. But gradually he relaxes, leaning back slightly against my chest.

“This is amazing,” he whispers, and I can hear the awe in his voice.

We circle the paddock twice before I notice Aria watching from the upstairs window. Even from this distance, I can see the tension in her posture. She’s pressing close to the glass like she’s afraid we’ll disappear.

“Your mother is watching,” I tell Daniel.

He immediately twists in the saddle to look up at the house.

When he spots her, he waves enthusiastically.

She waves back, and even from here I can see her wiping at her eyes.

“She’s crying again,” Daniel says, his voice small, his face falling.

“Sometimes people cry when they’re happy,” I tell him, even though I’m not sure that’s what’s happening. “She’s probably glad you’re having fun.”

“Are we really not going back?” The question is quiet, almost lost in the sound of Ranger’s hooves on the packed earth. “To Philadelphia?”

“No.” I keep my voice gentle. “This is your home now.”

Daniel sighs. “I miss Mrs. Li. And the gallery. And my school.”

Guilt twists in my gut. I’ve ripped him away from everything familiar to him. But what choice did I have? Let Aria keep him in poverty? Let my son continue to suffer when I could give him everything?

“I know this is hard,” I say. “Everything is new and scary. But it’ll get easier. I promise.”

He doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns back to look at the path ahead. But I feel him relax against me again, accepting my promise even if he doesn’t fully believe it.