Page 27 of Time To Learn

Sighing, I stop at the fence just as Ailith is about to pull up the stirrups on Lady’s saddle.

“I think you’re ready for the competition tomorrow,” I say, smiling, when she comes closer to me. I open the fence to let them out. “Don’tyou?”

She scrunches her nose at me. “I don’t know. I don’t want to think aboutit.”

“Hey?” Puzzled, I put an arm around her shoulders, stopping her. “What’s brought this on? You’ve been talking about it the past month. Why the change of heart?”

“I dunno,” she mumbles, looking down at the ground.

“Sweetie, come here.” I bend down in front of her, putting my hand lightly under her chin when she avoids my gaze. “Please talk tome.”

She sighs as she rolls her lips between her teeth. “It’s just…Thomas from school will be there, and I know he’ll start to make fun of me, and –”

“Ailith, if he does, I’ll talk with his parents, yeah?”

That littleshit.

“I know, but…”

When her voice trails off, I kiss her cheek.

“Don’t forget that I’ll be there the whole time. Who’s your number one fan?” I grin ather.

Her lips twitches. “You.”

“Exactly.”

I know the crisis is over when she giggles.

“Okay, let’s wipe Lady down, get her some water, and then let her out to Domino.” I straighten my back, but keep my arm around her shoulders as we walk to the stables.

Ailith takes off her helmet and smiles softly atme.

“Thanks, Mum.”

“Forwhat?”

“For having myback.”

Warmth settles in my heart, and I have to blink hard to clear the sudden mist in myeyes.

“Always, sweetie. Always.”

As we set about our task, my mind wanders back to Kristian. I still can’t quite grasp that he’s here. Seeing him again so soon is a shock to my system—an unwelcome one—but I think I did a fairly good job letting him know that I’ve no interest inhim.

Well, that’s what I try to tell myself, anyway.

My mind is at war with my body. One part of me longs to feel the touch of a man again, and yet, the biggest part of me recoils from the thought.

Plus, there’s also Ailith to consider. It’s important that she knows she’ll always come first, no matter what, and I don’t want our lives to ever fall into a downward spiral ever again.

“I’m just going to put the saddle away in the tack room, Mum.”

Smiling, I nod at her. Her small frame looks adorably funny as she picks up the harness along with the saddle. I watch as she leaves, making sure she can handleit.

My girl is strong in so many ways. Sometimes, even I forget that she’s only eight yearsold.

I take a hoof pick and lean slightly into Lady’s side and, without making a fuss, she lifts her leg forme.