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“They sound wonderful. Maybe I’ll get to meet them sometime.”
He looked over at her and made eye contact. “You will.”
“So, tell me about your siblings,” she said.
“Huh?” Had he said he had siblings? He couldn’t remember for sure.
“You said your parents were supportive to you kids, and you told me before you have a younger brother and sister.”
“Right.” He looked away.
“What are their names?” she asked.
Oh, man, did he feel sick to his stomach at the moment. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t lie to her. If ever there was a time to tell her the truth, now was it. But then her words about not wanting a wealthy man came back to him, and he panicked.
“Paul and Anna,” he answered. It was a partial truth. He had used their middle names just as he had with his own name.
She smiled at his answer, and they rode on in silence, rounding a curve that led them back to the original path toward the house. He was thankful for the break in talking, and not feeling very good about himself at the moment. He couldn’t let this go on any longer. And if she hated him for it, and if she didn’t want someone with a lot of money, then he’d have to live with that. He only hoped in time, she would find a way to forgive him, and maybe then they would have a real chance at something together. They really couldn’t until she knew the whole truth.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” He looked over at her, and she gave him the most hopeful look, like whatever it was he was going to say would be something very good.
“What is it?”
He pressed his lips together and was about to say the words, when Charisma suddenly lurched forward then stopped moving.
“What is it, girl?” Genevieve grabbed hold of the saddle and leaned to the side, looking down at her horse’s legs. She jumped down to get a better look.
Sebastian got down from Buddy as well, and bent down next to Genevieve as she examined Charisma’s leg.
“I’m so sorry, girl.” Genevieve looked heartbroken as she lovingly touched Charisma’s leg. “Her knee is swollen. She hasn’t done that in a while, and I ran her too hard without warming her up properly. What was I thinking?”
“Hey.” Sebastian lay his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure Charisma will be okay in no time.”
“I hope so.” She took hold of the reins and began to slowly lead her horse along the path back to the house with the utmost concern on her face. “I knew better than to run her like that. And in this heat. She’s probably dehydrated too.” She softly rubbed Charisma’s head as she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
He hated that she was beating herself up over this.
When they reached the barn, Sebastian stayed and watered the horses and took care of the saddles, while Genevieve went for some ice to wrap Charisma’s leg. Once she returned, he watched her carefully wrap her beloved horse’s leg, gently caressing her and whispering to her things that he couldn’t make out. It was the sweetest thing to behold. She was such a warm and loving woman. He could only imagine how she’d be with children someday.
This time when that thought came into his head, he wasn’t as surprised by it.
“Thanks for taking care of the tack,” she said as they walked toward the house.
“No problem.” He reached out and squeezed her hand, and her eyes met his. “She’ll be fine, Gen. Don’t worry.”
A slow smile spread on her face as they walked hand in hand. “I like you calling me that.”
He smiled back at her. “Good to know.”
They entered the house then, and Sebastian got a drink of water in the kitchen while Genevieve went to the bathroom.
Ida entered the kitchen then and got herself a glass of water too. She leaned her back against the kitchen counter and faced him.
“It was very nice meeting you,” Sebastian told her. He didn’t quite understand the look on her face. It was the same one she’d given him in the living room earlier.
“I know who you are,” Ida declared.
The swig of water he’d just taken went down hard. “Excuse me,” he coughed out.