Page 36 of Redeeming Melodies

Part of me wanted to say no. But watching Caleb and Liam move around each other with such easy familiarity, seeing how naturally they fit into this peaceful world they'd built... fuck it.

"Sure, why not?"

Twenty minutes later, I found myself perched on Daisy's back, feeling simultaneously too high up and oddly secure. Caleb walked beside us, one hand on Daisy's lead rope.

"Relax your shoulders," he instructed. "She can feel every tension in your body."

"That's what she said," Liam called from where he was mucking out a nearby stall.

"Ignore him," Caleb laughed. "Just breathe. Let your hips move with her rhythm."

As we circled the paddock, I started to get a feel for it. There was something meditative about the motion, about having to focus completely on this moment instead of all the shit waiting for me back in the real world.

"Tommy would love this," I said without thinking. "He's got this mechanical mind, always wanting to know how things work. But this..." I patted Daisy's neck. "This is different."

"Horses have a way of teaching you what you need to learn," Caleb said quietly. "Sometimes that's trust, sometimes it's patience. For some kids, it's just feeling powerful in a good way."

"Yeah, he could use some of that."

"We do a family day every Sunday. Lots of kids his age, no pressure, just fun and fresh air." Liam said, joining us.

The image hit hard - Tommy laughing with other kids, learning to ride, being allowed to just be himself. No cameras, no society parties, no perfect pose required.

"That sounds..." Perfect. Impossible. Everything I wanted to give him. "Really nice."

"Speaking of community stuff," Liam leaned against the fence, “Are coming to the party this Friday?”

"I don't know if I'll still be-"

"It's nothing fancy," Caleb cut in, leading Daisy back to her stall. "Just locals hanging out, sharing food, enjoying some music. No dress code, no expectations."

"That's kind of the beauty of it," Liam added, his hands working automatically to remove Daisy's saddle. "Nobody's trying to impress anyone. Half the town shows up in whatever they wore to work."

The concept felt almost foreign - an event without an agenda, without cameras or careful positioning. When was the last time I'd been anywhere like that? Even Tommy's school events had turned into photo ops since Vanessa's PR machine kicked into high gear.

"Sounds nice," I admitted. "Different."

"Different can be good." Caleb's voice carried a hint of knowing. "Look, I get it. Being the new guy in a small town isn't easy. But these gatherings? They're how you stop being the new guy and start being just you."

"And who exactly would that be?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Liam paused in his work, exchanging a look with Caleb. "Whoever you want to be. That's the point."

"Nina makes these sliders that'll change your life," Caleb continued casually. "And the local band's actually decent, especially when this one joins in." He nudged Liam with his elbow.

"Plus," Liam added with a poorly hidden smirk, "certain members of local law enforcement usually stop by. You know, if you're interested in discussing traffic laws or whatever you two talked about at the bar."

Heat crept up my neck. "That's not-"

"Sure it's not." Caleb's grin matched his partner's. "Just like Jake doesn't drive by Clara's place more often than his regular patrol route requires."

The thought of Jake deliberately passing by made something flutter in my stomach. Ridiculous. I had bigger things to worry about - custody hearings, career decisions, my son's future.

"Look, I've got to be in New York by four," I said, checking my watch. "But maybe when I get things sorted out..."

"No pressure," Caleb leaned against the fence post. "But if you do come back, you should check out our fall festival next month. Whole town turns out for it."

"That the one Jake organizes the security for?" Liam asked innocently. Too innocently. "He takes it pretty seriously - makes sure everyone feels safe, you know?"

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