Page 55 of Back in the Saddle

Hunter chewed slowly, considering this. Only now had it occurred to him that he had never actually told her about his father’s diagnosis. He had assumed her aunt would’ve told her, but he remembered that she probably wouldn’t have done due to doctor–patient confidentiality. And he didn’t think Caroline would’ve asked her, for the same reason.She must’ve put two and two together, he thought. After they met at the cancer centre and later when she heard he took over the ranch after his father got sick.

He took a long sip of his milkshake and started the story. ‘I went to college in Texas, studied biomedical sciences. I planned to apply to vet school afterwards. Always dreamed of becoming a vet. Shortly before my graduation, my mom called me. I remember like it was yesterday …’ His eyes glazed over as he closed them. ‘She told me Dad had fallen off a horse. Nothing major, she assured me. Just some broken ribs and a slight concussion. But the doctors were concerned with some abnormal blood results.’ He paused, glancing at Caroline.

‘It felt like weeks waiting for the results – it could only have been a few days – but when they came in, they askedmy mom to come in to be with Dad when he heard the news. She’s terrified of doctors, so she asked me to go too.’

It wasn’t something he talked about often. With every word, the pain edged deeper inside his heart.

‘Stage IV melanoma. The most severe stage with the worst outcomes, which I’m sure you know. When they found it, it had already spread to his lymph nodes. Then it started. Surgeries, scans, blood tests, oncology appointments, targeted combination therapy … everything that could get rid of the disease. And it did. He went into remission two years ago.’ He took another shaky breath and went silent.

It took him a moment to notice that Caroline had placed her hands on top of the table. Before Hunter realised what happened, she took his hands in hers.

He breathed out, pausing for a second to soak in the warmth and kindness the wordless gesture offered. It anchored him, let him know she was listening. That he wasn’t alone.

‘Not long ago, we found out that the cancer was back. Only this time more aggressive. The clinical trial he’s in right now, at the centre, is his last chance.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, squeezing his fingers.

He tipped his head forward, his mouth forming a sad smile. ‘Thank you. It is what it is but …’

‘It’s hard,’ she finished in a whisper.

Hunter nodded. ‘Yes.’

Caroline let go of his hands and bit her bottom lip. ‘Did I tell you that my mother passed away when I was nineteen?’

He looked up. ‘You told me she passed but didn’t elaborate.’

‘She had lung cancer. Even though she had never smoked a cigarette in her life. How ironic is that?’ Caroline laughed but the tone sounded off. Like she couldn’t convince even herself there was anything remotely funny about it.

‘They only found it when it spread to her brain, and she started having seizures. By then, it was too late to do anything other than keep her comfortable and try to hold the pain at bay.’ She shivered as if she suddenly went cold.

‘I’m so sorry. You must miss her,’ he said gently.

She nodded, continuing with a pensive gaze somewhere above his shoulder. ‘Every day. Everyone tells you that it gets easier, that time heals the wounds. They’re right, in a way. But you’re never going to stop missing them. Losing a parent is inevitable, yet it doesn’t make it hurt any less. I’ve always loved my dad, but now I try to appreciate every moment with him even more as I know how much it’s going to hurt when he’s no longer here.’

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, she returned to her half-eaten burger.

‘Tell me about her.’

‘My mother?’

Hunter nodded, popping another fry into his mouth.

Caroline lowered her hands and blinked, looking far away into her memories. He felt a warm pull inside when he noticed the exact moment the crease between her brows smoothed and she smiled.

‘She loved the opera. I remember when she took my older sister, Clara, for the first time. I was so jealous and couldn’t wait to go myself. When Clara came back, she had this air of mystery around her as if she’d become wiser over the course of one evening. She told me I’d understand when it was my turn.’ She paused, taking a sip of her milkshake. ‘When the time came, I was ecstatic. I put on my best dress and my mum did my hair with her curling iron. I thought I looked like a princess.’

Her smile widened and Hunter found himself smiling too. ‘Anyway, even before the first act finished, I knew it wasn’t something I enjoyed. I could barely make out what anyone was singing and found the whole thing rather boring.’

‘I’ve never seen the opera.’

‘No? It’s good to experience it, at least once. Who knows, you might enjoy it.’ Her smile faltered and she looked down at her hands. ‘I wish I liked it more. After that one time, I never went back. Even though Mum asked me several times. I didn’t even go with her when she got sick – it was always Clara or Caitlin, my younger sister, who accompanied her.’ Her eyes became misty.

She continued in a broken voice. ‘I … I wish I had more memories of seeing how alive she came when she sat there in the seat, completely engrossed in the performance. It made her radiant.’ She finished, tugging at her sleeve.

Hunter took her hand in his again. He felt her shudder when their skin made contact.

‘I’m sure she wouldn’t have wanted you to pretend on her account.’

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