"Not that," Ma said. "It was your courage. You weren't afraid to ride a fifteen-hand horse—even though you should've been," she said with a firm set to her lips. "Or to climb onto the roof. Or scuffle with a bully at school. You were fearless."
Breanna shook her head. Maybe she had been at one time.
Ma squeezed her arm. "I should've said something after our Philadelphia trip three years ago."
Breanna was careful not to let anything show in her expression. "What do you mean?"
"After you confronted them. Was it your mother?"
Breanna looked up at her in shock. It was a moment before she could speak. "Grandfather. I think. How did you—?"
Ma smiled a little. "You have always worn your heart on your sleeve—and in your expression." Ma shook her head. "You and Cecilia were thick as thieves, and you seemed fine. And I was… relieved, I guess. Not to have to talk about it. I'm sorry. I should've reassured you then."
Breanna closed her eyes. "Why didn't they want me?" she whispered.
"It was never about you," Ma said. She rubbed Breanna's back, a soothing touch. "It was always about them. Their selfishness. Their desires." There was a definite note of tears in her voice as she went on. "They missed out on a chance to know what a beautiful, brave, caring girl you are. And maybe it makes me selfish, but I'm glad we didn't have to share you with them."
Breanna laughed, but it was soggy.
There were a few moments of silence between them. She tried to figure out how to ask the right question. What should she do about Adam?
Somehow, Ma knew. "Don't let one awful family represent the entire upper class of a city," she said. "When I was in finishing school, I knew several girls from families that were nothing like the Broadhursts."
Breanna swiped a tear from her cheek. "What if—what if I see them?" What if they were rude to her in public? Or she embarrassed Adam?
"You could ignore them," Ma said. "Or show them kindness. Whatever felt right to you. They aren't anything to you.Weare your family. And Adam, if you choose him. They are irrelevant."
Ma's words were like a balm to her soul. Breanna was well-loved. She'd never wanted for anything. Never questioned Pa's love for her, and later Ma's.
But what had happened with Mr. Broadhurst had made her question whether Adam could love her without question.
He'd proved it, hadn't he? Giving up his last ride for her. Giving her the chance to decide. Knowing her, knowing all her secrets, and letting her know all of his.
"I'm in love with him," she whispered to Ma, tears pooling.
"I know." Ma patted her back. "Your Pa even thinks he might be halfway good enough for you."
Breanna laughed again. For years, she'd prided herself on never crying. Today, she was a mess. She blamed the lack of sleep, the elation and the desolation of the morning.
"I need to find Adam." She turned on the barstool, then froze in place. He was just inside the cafe door.
With his brother and the well-dressed woman beside him.
16
"Adam."
He saw the word cross her lips, though he couldn't hear her above the noise of other diners or the pounding of his heart in his ears.
She was here.
She hadn't disappeared on him.
Nothing was settled, but he still had a chance.
She crossed the room, rounding tables and sidestepping a waitress. And then he saw her mother just behind her. He glanced around, but the place was empty of her other family members.
Was it a good or bad sign that Breanna had taken time to be with her mother just after the race's completion?
