01.12 Chapter 4 " Esme ! You're finally awake ! " Morning light poured across the sheets as Esme blinked and found Liam lying beside her.- He reached over , pressing his palm gently to her forehead , eyes dark with concern . " You had a fever . Why didn't you tell me ? Do you have any idea how scared I was , coming home and finding you passed out ? " Would it have mattered ? Weren't you busy with Joy and your child last night ? " I'm fine now , " she said , her voice rough as she nudged his hand away . Liam frowned . " You're upset . " " No. " " I know when you're not okay . " He leaned in , brushing a kiss over her hair . " Didn't you say you wanted to go horseback riding at the ranch ? Let's go today , yeah ? " He moved around her , helping her up , guiding her to wash up and get dressed with the same gentle care as always . Esme didn't want to seem cold , so she let him . They'd just finished getting ready when Joy appeared in the doorway , eyes wide and a little shy . " Mr. Mitchell , Mrs. Mitchell , are you going riding ? I've never been . Can I come , too ? " She smoothed a hand over her belly , looking at Liam with hopeful eyes . " No , Joy . You're pregnant ," Liam said , firm and protective . Joy bit her lip . " But I want to … Staying home every day can't be good for the baby … " Her voice grew softer , just a hint of pleading . Esme couldn't stand it anymore . She turned and headed outside . She knew Liam too well - he could never say no to someone who looked that helpless . Sure enough , seconds later she heard his resigned sigh : " Alright , but you have to do exactly as I say . " By the time Esme climbed into the SUV , Joy was already settled in the back seat . Liam helped her in , steadying her with one hand on her back like she might break . At the ranch , it was the same . Liam never left Joy's side , fussing over her every step . " Careful on the steps . " 0112 Chapter 4 " It's sunny - wear your hat . " " Don't walk too fast . Take your time . " Every gentle reminder felt like a little cut to Esme's heart . She drifted toward the stables , quietly picking out a calm mare and saddling her up with practiced hands . Liam had taught her all of this . On her twentieth birthday , they'd spent the whole day at a private ranch - her first riding lesson with him . Now , that same man was checking someone else's stirrups , buckling someone else's helmet , fixing every detail for Joy . He held Joy's reins , never letting go . Then his phone rang . He checked the screen , brow furrowing . Joy piped up , all sweet and understanding . " Mr. Mitchell , go take your call . I'll be fine - really , I've got it now ." Liam checked her seat one more time , making sure she was steady , before stepping away to answer . Esme edged her horse to the side of the arena , watching the scene unfold . Sunlight stretched Liam's shadow across the sand . He tapped the back of his phone with his finger - a habit Esme knew by heart . " Mrs. Mitchell . " Joy rode over , beaming a sugary smile . " What do you think happens when two horses run into each other ? I've never seen it before . " Before Esme could reply , Joy squeezed her heels to her horse . Both horses suddenly collided , hooves thrashing in panic . Esme gripped the reins , but her mare spooked , screaming and bolting straight for the fence . Out of the corner of her eye , she saw Joy let go of her own reins , falling from the saddle , almost like she'd meant to . " Joy ! " Liam tore across the arena , catching Joy just before she hit the ground . At that moment , a herd of frightened horses burst through the fence , stampeding right at Esme . " Liam … help me ! " Her scream was swallowed by the thundering chaos . 2/3 01 12 Chapter 4 She watched as Liam , arms full of the unconscious Joy , ran out of the arena - never once looking back . Dust burned her eyes . The reins slipped from her grasp . She felt herself thrown into the air , and for a second , she remembered that birthday at this very ranch , when Liam had promised , " Esme , if you ever call for me , I'll always come back . " The wind roared in her ears as she hit the ground . Her vision blurred , and the last thing she saw was Liam , rushing Joy to the car - desperate , focused , gone . Pain stabbed through her ribs , but it was nothing compared to the ache in her chest . Esme curled up in the sand , listening to the pounding hooves draw closer , and slowly let her eyes close . 3/3