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“Stop,” he commanded in a low voice, the edge of frustration clear.

“Stop what? Being dramatic?” Yvette shot back, narrowing her eyes at him, challenging him, daring him to say something more.

Her emotions were raw, and she couldn’t help the harshness in her words. She wanted him to understand just how much his absence had affected her—and Maisie.

Killian’s eyes darkened with frustration and something else—regret, maybe. His voice softened, though his tone was still firm.

“I apologize for my behavior yesterday. There was an urgent matter at the site, and it could only be resolved by my presence. I did not expect the matter to escalate as it did.”

Yvette’s chest tightened as she heard the apology. She looked up at him, meeting his eyes with a hardness that matched his.

“That is all I wanted to hear from you last night,” she said quietly, her voice steady. “An apology. Not for me—for Maisie. She cried when you didn’t show up. She was heartbroken.”

The words stung her as much as they did him. She had wanted him to see the effect of his actions, but now, standing before him, she felt conflicted.

Killian’s expression softened just a fraction, his thumb lightly rubbing against her arm in a slow, circular motion.

Yvette froze, the touch unsettling in its intimacy. She wanted to pull away, to maintain her distance, but something about his silent apology kept her rooted to the spot.

“I apologize,” he said again, his voice rough, the apology more genuine this time but still burdened by his pride. “I should have been there. For her. For both of ye.”

Yvette took a slow breath, her irritation and hurt mixing with something she wasn’t ready to admit.

“I… accept your apology,” she said, her tone neutral, though a flicker of something vulnerable flashed in her eyes. “But you should make it up to Maisie. She needs to know that she matters to you.”

Killian nodded, his gaze unyielding yet tinged with something softer. “I will,” he promised, his voice low and determined. “I will make it right with her.”

Yvette met his gaze, searching his face for any sign that he truly understood the weight of his actions.

For a brief moment, the walls she had built around her softened, but only a little.

As Killian turned to leave, he paused at the door, his hand resting on the knob. He glanced back at Yvette.

“I shall see to it,” he promised again, his voice a bit gruffer now, as though the weight of responsibility had finally settled on his shoulders.

Yvette nodded, her expression unreadable.

“Good,” she replied, but her heart betrayed her, hoping that he meant it. For Maisie’s sake, and perhaps for hers as well.

CHAPTER 13

“Icannot wait to show you what I’ve learned, Papa!”

Killian’s method of making it up to Maisie the following morning was straightforward enough—he would attend her riding lesson.

The little girl’s excitement was evident, her small body practically vibrating with enthusiasm as she bounced around.

Yvette had initially thought that Maisie would be apprehensive about mounting Flash again, given the incident the last time, but to her surprise, it wasn’t fear that filled Maisie’s eyes. It was determination, along with a touch of excitement.

Yvette couldn’t help but think it had more to do with Killian’s presence than the actual riding itself. The girl simply wanted to prove herself to her father, to show him that she was brave and capable, especially after his absence the previous day.

A soft smile tugged at the corners of Yvette’s lips as she stood back, watching as Killian walked Flash, with Maisie riding him.

“Faster, Papa!” The little girl urged, but Killian only laughed, walking at the same pace.

“Any faster and it’ll be difficult to keep control of Flash,” he finally told her after her third request.

“This is wonderful.” Maisie said, suddenly changing her mind, and Killian laughed out loud.