Simone froze for a moment, suddenly at a loss for words.


    Ste didn''t say anything more to her. Instead, she walked toward Keen, then mounted a horse herself and took a leisurelyp around the paddock.


    Unlike Aurora and Simone, Ste didn''t try to show off with any horseback archery or shy riding skills. Frankly, she wasn''t great at those things-just lookingfortable in the saddle was enough of an aplishment for her.


    Rachel, on the other hand, had never ridden a horse in her life. She nced over at Haynes, her eyes brimming with suggestion, and hesitated before speaking, "Haynie, would you teach me how to ride?"


    If she could share a horse with Haynes, that would be perfect.


    Haynes''s gaze lingered on Rachel for a moment. She looked at him expectantly, her face open and hopeful. "Haynie, I''m feeling much better these days. A little exercise now and then won''t hurt me."


    Foreman, who had been quietly watching the slender figure riding across the paddock, turned his attention back when he heard Rachel''s voice.


    "Haynie, why don''t you give Ms. Pearce a quick lesson? A bit of physical activity might even help her recovery," Foreman suggested, his tone casual.


    Rachel shot Foreman a surprised look. Wasn''t he always on Ste''s side? Since when did he stick up for her?


    Haynes frowned slightly, then called Keen over.


    With his instructor''s help, Keen had managed to get up on his horse. His cheeks were flushed, and there was a pure, innocent smile on his face-one that hadn''t been seen for quite some time.


    "Dad, what''s up?" he asked.


    Haynes said, “Rachel''s also a beginner. She wants to learn, too. Why don''t you take her with you?"


    Keen nced at Rachel. "Sure, Rachel, let''s go."


    Rachel''s expression changed slightly. "Haynie, why don''t you show me the basics yourself?"


    Haynes replied coolly, "I''m not an instructor. I can''t teach you."


    He and Ste were about to remarry; thest thing he needed was to cause a scene or let Ste get the wrong idea.


    Rachel clenched her teeth, but with Keen and Foreman both watching, she couldn''t argue. Reluctantly, she followed Keen.


    She''d just have to keep up her connection with Keen for now-there would be other chances to turn things around.


    Ste finished herp and dismounted.


    As soon as she set foot on the ground, Joshua approached, holding out a bottle of spring water. "Ms. Cameron, you must be thirsty. Here, have some water."  fo


    Ste took the bottle. "Thank you."


    Just as she was about to twist the cap, she noticed it had already been


    bet


    opened-Joshua had unscreet


    it


    for her in advance. Content Belongs to


    She couldn''t help but look at him in a new light.


    After she finished, Joshua took the empty bottle and handed her a clean towel.


    "Here, wipe off your sweat."


    Ste epted it. "You''re being unusually thoughtful today."


    Joshua grinned. "Ms. Murphy gave me a crash course in manners."


    Not far away, Simone watched the scene unfold andmented to Aurora, "I didn''t expect him to be so considerate."


    Aurora replied, “He might be considerate, but that doesn''t mean it''s for your benefit."


    Simone shot her a look. "Are you trying to say he likes Ste?"


    Aurora shrugged. "A man like him, staying so close to Ste-it''s odd, don''t you think? And when you tried to lure him away with a higher sry he turned you down. Either he''s interested in Ste, or he has some other agenda. Either way, it''s best to keep your distanée."


    Aurora rarely did anything she wasn''t certain about; she hated feeling out of control.


    But Simone was different-she thrived on challenge.


    She didn''t argue, just changed the subject. "Did you catch Ste''spetition today? What did you think?"


    At that, Aurora''s expression turned a littleplicated. "She... actually has some skill."