Chapter 7
Zack clung to the horse’s back, barely holding on, his face pale as he shook with fear.
Yara, standing nearby, started crying, completely out of her depth.
In a flash, Ruby shot forward.
“Ruby! What are you doing? Get back here!” Jolie yelled, her voice shrill with panic.
“Move! Get out of the way!” Zack shouted from the horse, his heart racing. Ruby seemed fearless, and it scared him senseless, cold sweat dripping down his face.
Yara, faking worry for Zack, had a nasty glint in her eyes. Deep down, she hoped Ruby would get killed.
Everyone watching stood frozen, holding their breath, dreading a tragedy.
But Ruby stood calm in front of the wild white horse, her round face steady, not a hint of panic.
Her mind raced, pulling up the horse–taming tips her mom had taught her.
She pursed her lips and blew a sharp, clear whistle, the sound almost magical. Amazingly, the horse slowed down, staring at her, puzzled.
Ruby made soft, gurgling sounds, like she was comforting a pet cat or dog. Her small hand gently stroked one of the horse’s legs, as if they were having a chat.
The horse, which had been acting crazy, started to calm down. He knelt on the ground, gentle as a puppy, practically ready to wag his tail.
Yara’s mouth fell open, her eyes huge, like she’d seen a ghost.
Zack, shocked and rattled, jumped off the horse. He’d ignored Ruby’s warning before, but now he got it–this soft–looking girl had saved him.
Thanks,” he said.
A flicker of warmth crossed Zack’s usually cold face before it went back to normal.
Ruby gave a big, dimpled smile. “Be careful when you ride next time, okay?”
Jolie rushed over, pulling Ruby aside to check her over. “Ruby, are you okay?”
Tm fine! Ruby said with a grin.
Jolie sighed in relief. “Come on, let’s find your mom. No more dangerous stuff, alright? If she finds out, she’ll be mad?“
Ruby stuck out her tongue at Jolie’s words. “Mommy’d never be mad at me. I’m just too adorable.”
She waved at Zack “Im off to find my mom. Bye, Little Knight?”
Zack watched Ruby bounce away, her small figure disappearing into the crowd.
His brows furrowed, a shadow of sadness in his eyes. Ruby’s cheerful “mommy” hit him like a sharp jab.
Images of his own mom flashed through his mind–her gentle patience, her strict nagging, and then the cold way she walked away. His fists tightened, nails biting into his palms.
Yara shot a suasty look at Ruby’s back, then turned to Zack. “That kid’s so annoying! Are you thinking about your mom”
Zark’s head jerked up, his eyes iry. Td rather think about anyone else than her
Yara jumped in quick, “Right, your momis awful. When Auntie Joanna marries your dad, you’ll have a new Mom.”
Zack pressed has lips together, staying quiet
Joanna, who’d been chatting someone up nearby, hurried over. “Zack, Yara, what happened?*
She took them here, but she hadn’t been watching the kids–she’d been too busy chasing connections at the horse club
The owner, a young, wirematid man past back from abroad, was her target. Word was that he was a business genius
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4:11 PM D
Chapter 7
She wanted to get in with him, and to expand her social circles, but the staff had politely shut her down.
Still, she’d heard the owner was hosting a big party soon, and Byron had an invite. She’d go with him.
Yara, piling on the drama, retold the story. She pointed at the white horse being led away by staff and said in anger, “It’s all that dumb horse’s fault! It tried to throw Zack off. So mean!”
Joanna’s face hardened, her voice cutting, “A horse that wild doesn’t belong here! What if it hurts someone? I’ll make sure the staff handles it right
now!”
Zack glanced at the horse, then at Ruby disappearing into the crowd. “That girl said the horse was sick. It’s my fault, not his
Joanna’s eyes tracked Ruby, landing on the woman she ran to. Her heart skipped, a jolt of shock freezing her for a moment.
Sylvia. It was really Sylvia.
Joanna’s breathing quickened, her chest tightening like a fire was burning inside.
How dare she come back?‘ she thought to herself. ‘Who does she think she is? Is she here to take Byron?‘
Even after Sylvia’s three–year absence, Joanna’s relationship with Byron had never moved forward. She blamed Sylvia for it all.
bn
the other side of the field, Sylvia’s voice turned firm when she heard the story from Jolie.”
Ruby, you can’t do dangerous stuff like that again!” said Sylvia, “What if you got hurt? Do it one more time, and you’ll be grounded!”
“Sorry, Mom. I won’t do it again,” Ruby mumbled, head down, her little face all pouty and sorry. But her big, shiny eyes flickered with a sneaky spark.
It was her classic move. Every time Sylvia got mad, she’d play the sad card, and Sylvia would cave.
Sure enough, Sylvia’s stern look softened at Ruby’s face. Her heart twinged. Ruby had grown up without a dad, and Sylvia always felt she owed her for it.
“Looks like her mom’s chewing her out. It’s my fault–I should go say sorry,” Zack said, pushing up his glasses.
His nearsightedness had gotten worse during the past three years, and it now blurred the figures in the distance, but he started walking toward Ruby.
Joanna’s stomach lurched. She grabbed Zack’s hand. “Zack, don’t. It’s getting late, and your dad’ll be pissed if we’re not back soon. Don’t worry, I’ll
send someone to them.”
She couldn’t let Zack see Sylvia. She knew if they reconnected, her spot in the Blair family would be toast.
Yara piped up. “Yeah, Zack, listen to Auntie Joanna. Don’t make your dad mad!”
Zack paused but nodded, following Joanna to the car parked outside the horse club.
Just then, Sylvia wrapped up her meeting with the club owner and led Ruby to their car.
Through the car window, Zack caught a glimpse of Ruby, and Sylvia. He could only see a side profile, so he leaned forward, trying to get a better look…
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