"I can''t quite match your skills when ites to music and art," she said with augh, her eyes sweeping the crowd until theynded on Joshua, who was standing beside Ste.


    Her smile deepened.


    She rode over, stopping her horse in front of Ste and Joshua.


    "Ms. Cameron, Joshua-would you like to give it a try?"


    Ste smiled politely. "Thanks, but I''m not much of a rider."


    Simone waved it off. "No worries, it''s all just for fun. There''s nopetition today."


    Just then, Keen noticed Ste had joined them and hurried over to her side.


    "Mom, can I try riding a horse?"


    Ste was a little surprised—usually, Keen would never have asked for her approval like this. She thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, just pick a gentle horse and give it a try."


    Keen''s eyes lit up with excitement.


    At that moment, Foreman Richards appeared, leading a small, calm-looking pony, two riding instructors following behind him.


    "I''ve picked out a quiet pony for Keen-see if you like him," Foreman said, always so thoughtful.


    Keen dashed over, curiosity shining in his gaze as he looked the pony over.


    "Thank you, Mr. Richards. I really like him."


    Foreman smiled and nodded toward the two instructors. "These are the teachers I


    found for you. How about you start with some basics?"


    Keen quickly agreed. "Okay!"


    He followed the instructors off to the side, eager to learn.


    Haynes approached then, his expression chilly and unreadable as always.


    Foreman turned to Ste. "Would you like to choose a horse too, Ms. Cameron?"


    He always addressed her formally when Haynes was present, keeping up appearances.


    Ste considered-since she was here, she couldn''t just stand around awkwardly. She nodded lightly.


    She turned to Joshua. "What about you?"


    Joshua shook his head. "I''ll pass."


    Ste didn''t push. "Alright, just wait here for me then."


    Rachel, seeing this, nced at Haynes.


    "Come on, Haynie, let''s go together."


    Haynes responded with a quiet, indifferent "okay."


    After everyone picked their horses, Keen was still off with his teachers, practicing.


    Aurora was nearby, offering pointers, but Joshua and Simone seemed to have disappeared.


    Ste turned to Aurora. "Have you seen Joshua?”


    Aurora nced around, puzzled. "He was just here a second ago. Where did he go?"


    Ste frowned, pulling out her phone to call Joshua.


    ces like this exclusive country club were all about status and


    appearances. Since Joshua''s


    ident, he hardly ever went met


    and het never been to a ce


    this Ste couldn''t help but worry he might run into trouble.


    ???


    Haynes noticed the worry in her eyes and his own gaze darkened Joshua clearly meant more to Ste, than he''d realized. He needed to find to get rid of him.


    The phone rang and rang, but no one picked up.


    Ste said, "You all go ahead and have fun-I''ll go look for him."


    Foreman wanted to go with her, but with Haynes there, all he could do was stand by and watch her leave.


    The riding fields were expansive but


    open one could see clear to the end. If Joshua wasn''t here, he was


    probably in the lounge area.


    Just as she started that way, she heard a familiar voice-Simone''s-firm andmanding.


    "I think you owe this gentleman an apology for your rudeness just now."


    Ste looked up and saw Simone standing, stern-faced, in front of a small crowd.


    And there, right at her side, was Joshua.