Page 11 of Curvy Girl and the Protector Cowboy

I shake my head. "It was desperation, not courage. If I'd been brave, I would have left the first time he showed his true colors."

"You're protecting your son now," Cole says firmly. "That's what matters."

His certainty is like a balm to the doubts that have plagued me for three days. Does Ricardo deserve a chance to change? Am I overreacting? Am I depriving Miguel of his father?

"He'll come looking," I say instead of voicing these thoughts. "He's not the type of man who accepts losing something he considers his."

"So, what's your plan from here?"

"Get as far from here as possible. Find somewhere small to start over. I have some money saved—not much, but enough for a few weeks if I'm careful." I attempt a smile that feels brittle on my face. "I was a kindergarten teacher before Miguel. Maybe I can find something similar."

“Springfield has a decent school system. Bigger town, more opportunities than around here."

"Is that a polite way of suggesting I move on?" I ask, half-joking but unable to keep a hint of defensiveness from my voice.

To my surprise, Cole shakes his head. "Just thinking out loud. Cedar Falls is small, but that cuts both ways. Strangers stand out, but neighbors look out for each other."

Before I can respond, the back door bursts open and Miguel rushes in, his eyes bright with excitement.

"Mama! I fed Buttercup an apple and she has the softest nose ever and Miss Sarah says horses can run super fast and jump over big fences and—" He stops, breathless, as Sarah follows him inside, smiling indulgently.

"He's a natural," she tells me. "Buttercup usually takes a while to warm up to new people, but she went right to him."

Miguel beams at the praise. "Can we stay and see the other horses too? Please?"

I look from his hopeful face to Cole's carefully neutral expression, feeling the walls of my resistance crumbling.

"We have a bus to catch," I gently remind him, though I haven't decided which one.

Miguel's shoulders slump, and I hate myself a little for dimming his excitement.

"Actually," Sarah says casually, "I'm taking a group of kids out to see the therapy horses in an hour. Miguel would be welcome to join, if you're still around."

I open my mouth to refuse when Cole interjects smoothly. "No pressure. The offer's there if you want it." He glances at his watch. "You've still got almost two hours before the first bus anyway."

Two hours. Not long enough to make a decision about our future, but perhaps long enough to let my son have one more moment of happiness before we plunge back into uncertainty.

"Maybe we could stay until lunchtime," I concede, rewarded instantly by Miguel's radiant smile.

He throws his arms around my legs, squeezing tight. "Thank you, Mama! Thank you, thank you!"

I smooth his hair, my heart both full and breaking at how little it takes to make him happy. A few pancakes, some horses, and he's glowing like it's Christmas morning.

Sarah smiles. "Great! We'll meet at the stables around nine."

The back door opens again as Charlotte and Lucy come downstairs, the little girl immediately brightening at the sight of Miguel.

"Who are you?" Lucy asks, direct as only children can be.

"I'm Miguel," he answers, standing a little straighter. "I just fed a horse an apple."

Lucy's eyes widen. "Buttercup? She's now my favorite! Are you going to see the other horses too?"

Sarah intervenes smoothly. "Lucy, Miguel and his mom are joining us for the morning therapy session. Would you like to come too?"

Lucy bounces on her toes. "Yes! Can I show Miguel Thunder?"

"As long as you stay behind the fence," Sarah says firmly, sharing a knowing look with Charlotte, who nods.

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