Page 38 of Burned

“What…how?”

“I heard you and Uncle Colin talk about it one day. He was saying you’d have to tell me one day, and you said you didn’t want to hurt me.”

“Oh, sweetheart, why didn’t you ever say anything?”

She shrugged. “I thought if it was out in the open it would change things. I don’t want to lose you and I…I guess I got scared.” A tear slid down her cheek.

Carys was breaking his heart. That she’d carried this around for so long must have been a strain. Rhys wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. “You’ve got to know how much I love you and nothing and no one is more important to me than you.”

“Not even, Sadie?”

Rhys’s heart wrenched at the reminder. Sadie had been as important to him as Carys, but now she wasn’t. She was nothing to him. Or at least she would be when he was finally able to get over her. He had to remember what had happened and stay firm. “No. Not that it matters because it’s over.”

“You…you really liked her didn’t you?”

He firmed his lips not wanting to even talk about it. “It doesn’t matter anymore. We’re over. The minute she did what she did to you…well, I’m really sorry it happened.”

“Do you know if she’s okay? I mean…is she out of the hospital?”

He’d called the hospital a few days ago to check on her status and was told she’d been released. “Yes.”

“Will she be okay?”

“I guess she will, but you no longer need to concern yourself with that anymore. From now on it’s just you and me kid.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“You really liked her didn’t you?” She asked again.

“I’d rather not talk about it if you don’t mind, honey.”

“But you did,didn’t you? You haven’t been the same. You look tired all the time and you just pick at your food. I’m worried, Daddy.”

“Let’s just say, I liked the person I thought she was.”

“You’re hurting now because of it.”

“Carys—”

“What if it was my fault that she—”

“Don’t you dare blame yourself for what she did! She had no right to lay a hand on you. What I feel...felt for her doesn’t matter anymore. I have to deal with it. Okay? Can we drop this please?”

“But I…I’m sorry okay?”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I should be the one who’s sorry. I should havespent more time with you. In fact—” He was cut off when the phone rang. “Hang on a second, honey.” Rhys stood up, walked to his desk and answered the phone. “Edwards’ residence.”

“Mr. Edwards, this is Pricilla Barnes at the Hickory Hollow Stables. I’m afraid I have a bit of troubling news for you.”

That was where their horses were boarded. “Is everything okay with the horses?”

“I’m sorry, but no. It appears Buttercup has fallen ill. The vet is still here and it doesn’t look good.”

“What’s the matter with her?”

Carys walked over to him, anxiety shining in her eyes. “Daddy, what’s wrong with the horses?”

“There was a puncture wound on her left flank. We thought maybe she’d brushed up against something and scratched herself, but the vet found a needle embedded in Buttercup’s flesh. I don’t know when it happened, but the wound has become infected and the infection has spread. The vet doesn’t hold out much hope that Buttercup will make it through the night. I’m very sorry.”

“I’ll be down right away.” He hung up with a groan. This was the absolute worse time for something like this to happen. Carys would be beside herself.

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