Chapter 13

“Now what I’m about to tell you, please know that I’ve spent considerable time on this and have considered every angle. This isn’t a conclusion I came to swiftly or lightly.”

“Mmhmm.” Belle didn’t trust herself to talk. Already she felt the familiar burn of tears. What she wasn’t paying attention to was Davenport, the way the gelding grew tense, feeding off her building anxiety. He grew nervous, chomping on his bit and flicking his ears.

“I think…” Julie took a deep breath, momentarily closing her eyes, then forged on. “I think we need to make some changes in our relationship.”

The world around Belle faded, ceasing to exist as Julie gave word to her worst fears. Anxiety tightened its hold, cracks already forming through her heart. A tear slipped free. Belle opened her mouth to say…What did she have to say? Logic fled her as dizziness swept in, her vision blurred along the edges. Davenport tossed his head, uncomfortable.

“Belle?”