Page 174 of Time To Learn

Time may be fickle—moving too fast as well as too slowly at times—but I now know that I was given the exact time that I needed in order to heal before he entered mylife.

Maybe fate—or Dad—played their part in it, but Trish is right.

It is my choice to trust my heart again.

I know it will not betray me thistime.

How can it, when it brought me a man like the one standing next to me rightnow?

* * *

Kristian

Five years later

“Ailith,I’m not sure about this,” I grumble as she drags me behind her and towards the stables.

“Oh, don’t be daft, Daddy,” she grins. “It’s been five years, and you still refuse to get up on Thunder and go for a ride. That’s so silly.”

I shake my head, letting her take thelead.

When it comes to my girls, I can’t say no. I never have been able to, and I doubt that’ll ever change.

“Fine, fine,” I sigh as we stop in front of his stall. His ears perk up at the sight of us and when Ailith comes closer to wrap her arms around his neck, cooing and cuddling the beast like she’s always done, I can’t stop the wry smile from stretching my lips at the sight ofthem.

“But why today?” I run a hand through my hair, feeling a sliver of panic trail down my spine.

She turns around and puts her small fists on her hips, looking so much like her mother that I can’t help but grin ather.

“Because,” she starts, leaning slightly towards me, “it’s about time you learnt how to ride, Daddy. You can’t live on a horse farm and not knowthat.”

Sighing, I crinkle my nose at her andnod.

She does have a point. But that doesn’t mean I should admit defeat without a fight. I’ll never hear the end of it if Ido.

“Okay, but why this grouchyguy?”

Ailith giggles when Thunder stretches out his long neck and tries to take a chunk out of my shirt. I yelp and jump back, scowling athim.

“Careful what you say,” Ailith tuts. “You know he understands everything you say, don’tyou?”

I raise my hands and nod, trying to placateher.

“Yeah, Ido.”

The truth is that I don’t, but I’ve never had the heart to contradict her adamant convictions. Animals don’t speak—though I have to admit that Thunder does seem rather intelligent.

“Right,” I sigh. “I can tell I’m not going to get out of this, so lead the way, girlie.”

“Yay!” She claps her hands. “Okay, wait here. I’ll just fetch his things, and then we’ll get started.”

I shake my head at her eagerness and watch her retreating back as she runs to the tack room, all the while I try not to think about what I’m about todo.

When Thunder pushes hard at my shoulder, though, my scowl returns and I point a warning athim.

“Now, listen, boy,” I mutter, “you better not make me look bad in front of my girls. You hearme?”

He snorts, and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear laughter is dancing in his browneyes.