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“That’s what they’re here for, whenever anyone needs them. And I’ll prep you a good hearty dinner.”

“There’s no need,” I replied, feeling guilty already.

“Nonsense, darling. I cook for myself and Gaston anyway. We don’t mind sharing and would love the conversation.”

“If it’s not too much trouble.” It was two o’clock now. “I should be there around five thirty or so.”

“That’s perfect! We can have dinner around six thirty or seven, then,” she said.

I smiled to myself, already feeling calmer. Felicia had that effect on me. “Thanks. See you in a bit.”

After hanging up, I immediately left the office so I wouldn’t change my mind. My team was a bit surprised that I took off in the middle of the day without much of an explanation, but they didn’t prod, and I was grateful for that.

I thought I might cool off on the way, but no such thing happened. In fact, I only seemed to truly calm down once I was in the stable with Starlight. I liked the other horses, too, but he and I had a special bond, so I decided to take him out for a walk.

“Oh, Starlight. You’re the only one I can talk to,” I said once we returned to the stable. I’d talked the poor horse’s ear off, but I was feeling far more relaxed now as I started to brush his mane. His breathing was steady, and it was soothing me. Why couldn’t I shake off my ex’s words? Who cared what he thought?

But as I took out the last knot in Starlight’s mane, it finally dawned on me. Roger’s comment about my parents was rubbing me the wrong way. They certainly didn’t seem to mind who I was dating, but what if they really did and never told me?

As I stared at Starlight’s mane, I decided to call my parents. They’d never be coy with me if I outright asked them something.

I pressed my mom’s number, but she didn’t answer, which was par for the course. My mom always forgot her phone somewhere around the house. Then I tried Dad. As he picked up, I turned on FaceTime.

“Grace, where are you?” He frowned. This probably looked weird to him. There was a feeding station behind me, indicating I was in a barn.

“I’m at a ranch, in the stables.”

“Oh, right. Okay. So, is there anything we can help you with?” He may have realized this wasn’t just a checkup call, since we usually did those when I was relaxing at home.

“Um, is Mom around?”

“No, she’s out with a friend and forgot her phone at home.”

I laughed. “Of course.”

“There’s something on your mind,” Dad stated.

I nodded, leaning against the wall of the stall. “Yes. So, you know I’ve been dating Zachary.”

“Is he treating you right?” His voice was harsh.

“Yes. He’s wonderful, actually.”

My dad smiled from ear to ear. “Really?”

I nodded. “We’ve never openly discussed this, but do you mind that I’m dating a LeBlanc?”

He frowned. “You know, several of our friends have actually asked us this.”

“Dad! You didn’t say—”

“I told them that I don’t care who my daughter dates as long as she’s happy.” His eyes turned even softer. “And by the looks of you, you are.”

“I am.”

“And I also told everyone that I have no beef with the LeBlancs. My sons brought this upon themselves with their own criminal actions. The LeBlancs merely brought it all to light. If Xander hadn’t, it would’ve been much worse for us all. The legal ramifications would’ve been never-ending.”

I swallowed hard. “That’s exactly how I see it. I just didn’t know how you truly felt. You’d tell me if something was weighing on you, right?” I asked.