Page 17 of Vow To The Devil

She places her palm over my rounded belly, her touch brimming with warmth and affection. "This little one already has so much love waiting for them. Everything will work out the way it's meant to be, you'll see."

I cover her hand with my own, holding fast to her promise. In this place that has always brought me comfort, I find the hope and courage to believe her.

We fall into a comfortable silence, taking solace in each other's presence as we continue cleaning tack. The familiar motions are soothing, my troubled thoughts settling into the rhythmic scrape of the brushes.

When Olive speaks again, her tone is hesitant. "Talia, there's something else I wanted to ask you about. Have you heard anything about Dare's plans for the company?"

I frown, dread coiling in my gut at the mere mention of his name. "Unfortunately. He's determined to move the headquarters to New York City, which means pulling all resources and personnel from Harwicke. That means Hope House will eventually lose funding."

Olive gasps, her eyes widening with disbelief. "He can't do that! Hope House is the only refuge those children have. If he closes it down..."

She trails off with a shake of her head, too appalled to continue.My heart is so heavy in my chest. I shake my head.

"I know. It will destroy them, and this town. I've tried reasoning with him, but he won't listen. He's so focused on expanding his empire he doesn't care who gets hurt along the way." I grip the bridle tightly, rage simmering beneath my composure. "All he cares about is power and control. He's making progress in some ways, but he still wants to move the company. Trust me, I’ve tried to talk some sense into him."

"That's terrible." Olive lays a comforting hand on my arm. "What are you going to do? There must be some way to stop him."

"I wish there was." I release a weary sigh, the fight draining out of me. "But in the end, it's his company. He can do whatever he wants, even if it's wrong."

"Don't say that. We can't give up so easily." Olive's eyes blaze with determination. "If anyone can make him see reason, it's you. He may not listen to others, but he loves you. And you’re having his child. You have to try again."

Her faith in me ignites a spark of hope in my heart. She's right; I owe it to the children of Hope House, and our baby, to at least try. I won't give up without a fight.

"You're amazing, you know that?" I pull her into a fierce hug, gratitude swelling inside me. "Thank you for always knowing exactly what I need to hear."

"That's what best friends are for." Olive returns my embrace, a silent promise of her support. "Now, go get our town back. I know you can do this."

“I’ll try. No promises.”

We work in silence for a bit. Eventually she has to leave to teach a class. We hug and she rushes off. But I’m content to stay here, smelling the familiar, comforting smells of the stables. I work for the better part of an hour, humming faintly to myself as I finish cleaning the last bit of tack.

By the time I’m ready to go, my back hurts and the soles my feet feel like they have been beaten in some dangerous form of torture. I don’t see a living soul as I wander out of the stables and toward my chauffeured SUV. I’m thinking of how tired I am. These days, the baby seems to suck all the energy out of my body with such suddenness that it makes my head spin.

The bleat of the SUV startles me.

The familiar gleam of Dare’s SUV pulls into the stable yard, dust swirling around its wheels. My heart leaps at the sight of him climbing out, all lean grace and power in his charcoal suit. Even after everything, he still has the ability to make me weak in the knees with a single glance.

I swallow hard and brace myself as he strides over, hands tucked into his pockets. "Rob said I might find you here." His gaze flickers over the stables, a wistful smile curving his lips. "Brings back memories, doesn't it?"

"It does." I run a hand along the rough wooden beams, weathered and familiar under my palm. "I had some good times in this place."

"So you’ve said. You told me you used to come here with Olivia a lot."

I nod, turning back to see the stables. “This was our place. We could always come here, no matter what was going on at home.”

“I’m glad you had it, then. Though I have to say, I'm surprised you chose to come here in your condition. Not the most comfortable of places for a pregnant woman, is it?"

I arch a brow at him. "Just because there's a baby on the way doesn't mean I plan to spend the next few months wrapped in cotton wool. I'm still perfectly capable of mucking out a stable, thank you very much."

He laughs, a warm burst of sound that makes my heart stutter. "I don't doubt that. You've always been tougher than you look." Sobering, he adds in a softer tone, "It's one of the many things I admire about you."

A blush steals into my cheeks. I look away, busying my hands by brushing them over my floral dress. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Morgan."

"Will it not?" He steps closer, the scent of sandalwood and spice enveloping me. "I was rather hoping it might at least get me a smile. You have been avoiding me since our argument the other day before Burn kidnapped you. And I... I miss you. I miss this." His hand covers mine, stilling my restless movements. "I don't want there to be any more distance between us, Talia. What we have is too important."

My throat tightens at the raw emotion in his voice. When I meet his gaze again, the longing and regret I see there undo me.

"I miss you, too," I whisper. "I'm sorry things have been so difficult between us lately. That was never what I wanted."

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