Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 9

Nine

Talia

W hen I got up this morning, I found that I can no longer run. I can’t really walk properly either, truth be told. I’m officially so pregnant that I hobble everywhere. My belly is this undeniable weight that puts immense pressure on all my internal organs and makes my back hurt with the strain of constantly carrying a bowling ball around.

I’m pretty sure that by the time that this baby is born, I will be the size of a planet and exert my own gravitational pull.

So I am moving pretty slowly as I climb out of the back of my chauffeured SUV. I have to accept the bodyguard’s hand as I shuffle out onto the ground and let him stabilize me for a second.

“Thanks,” I say. It sounds like a complaint coming from my lips, but Igor says nothing. He follows me closely as I approach the horse riding ring. The familiar scent of leather and hay fills my nose as I walk through the swinging wooden doors of the stables.

Olive spots me first, dropping the bridle she's scrubbing to pull me into a hug. "Talia, thank God. I was so worried when you disappeared."

Her arms tighten around my swollen belly and the baby kicks in response. I hug her back, breathing in the comfort of our friendship. "We're fine. Just had some things to work out. I would’ve visited you sooner, but I was called to Hope House to deal with a minor emergency. What can you do?"

She pulls back, eyeing me with concern. "You can tell me about it while we clean the tack. I've got a pile here with your name on it."

“Well…” I settle onto a hay bale and pick up a dirty bridle, the stiff bristles of the brush scraping away years of built up grime. "The gist of my disappearance is that Burn knows about the baby. That he’s the biological father, I mean."

Olive's eyes widen. "Shit. I didn't see that one coming." She shakes her head and sighs. "How did he find out?"

“He did the math, I think. Plus he had some photos that we all took that night. I don’t remember getting in a photobooth, but apparently we did.”

Olive squints. “I do remember something like that, now that you mention it. How did Burn react?”

"He was furious that I didn't tell him. Now I’m afraid that he’ll want to be a part of my daughter’s life." I work the brush in angry strokes. "I can’t handle the idea of sharing custody. And what if we don’t agree about something big? What if he tries to take the baby away from us?"

"Don't borrow trouble." Olive's voice is firm. "You're putting the cart before the horse. For now, focus on you and the baby. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

The brush slips in my grip, falling to the floor. Olive is right. I've been so worried about Burn that I've forgotten to enjoy this pregnancy, savor each kick and roll of our child. I place my palm on the taut skin of my belly, warmth and life pulsing under my hand.

Our baby. Mine and Dare's.

Burn will not take that away from us.

Olive smiles, patting my knee. "That's the spirit. Chin up, Talia. This too shall pass."

The baby kicks again and I smile back at my best friend. Together, we turn back to the tack, the familiar rhythm of cleaning bridles and bits settling my nerves. Our lives may change, yes. But here, in this place of childhood memories, I find my strength again.

The scent of horse feed and manure is soothing, transporting me back to carefree summer days at the stables. Olive and I spent hours here as girls, grooming horses for lessons we couldn't afford, our laughter echoing off the wooden rafters.

I run a hand along a saddle, the well-worn leather soft as velvet. "Do you remember when we convinced the stable hand to let us ride Lemon and Duchess without supervision?"

Olive snorts. "As if I could forget. We were barely eight years old and thought we knew everything about horses. Gina nearly had a heart attack when she found out."

"We rode bareback, too, with only halters for reins." I shake my head at our foolishness. "It's a miracle we didn't break our necks."

"We thought we were such rebels." Olive's eyes crinkle with mirth. "And when we were a bit older, all those hours we spent mucking out stalls to earn riding time. I still hate the smell of manure."

I laugh. "Now look at us. You’re in charge of a lab and running Minnie’s store. I’m going to have a baby and for the first time, I’m not terrified. Somehow, we are both still finding our way back to the stables."

Olive slings an arm around my shoulders, and I lean into her familiar warmth. "Some things never change. Like our friendship--and this place. No matter what happens, the stables will always be our sanctuary."

Her words resonate within me and I cling to them like a lifeline. She's right. The stables are woven into the fabric of my childhood, a reminder of joy and adventure, and the bonds that sustain us through every trial.

Our lives may shift and change but here, I will always find my way home.

Olive presses a kiss to my temple. "Think of all the happy moments we have to look forward to. Soon we'll have a sweet baby to cuddle and spoil. I can’t wait for all the joy she’ll bring into our lives."

Her words lift my spirits and I smile through my tears. "You'll be the best auntie ever. I'm so lucky to have you."

"Nonsense. I'm the lucky one." Olive pulls back to beam at me, her eyes suspiciously bright. "What else are best friends for if not to share in life's greatest adventures?"

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."

"I know. We've been under a lot of stress and pressure, and we took it out on each other." He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to my knuckles. "The last thing I want is for our child to grow up with parents who can't get along. We have to fix this, Talia, before it's too late. Will you give me another chance?"

I stare into the fathomless blue of his eyes and the choice is easy. It has only ever been him, from the very beginning. "Yes," I say simply. "I will always give you another chance."

His answering smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds. Then he's drawing me into the circle of his arms, holding me close as if he never intends to let go. And this is where I belong, in this place that was once the scene of our sweetest memories. Here, with Dare, I am home.

At that moment, Baby Morgan decides to make her presence known. She flips and twirls, making me press my hand to my belly and make a strange sound.

Dare's at my side in an instant, his hands covering mine. He looks down at my face. "Are you okay? Is the baby kicking up a storm in there?" His voice is hushed with wonder.

Another fluttering caress answers him, and his eyes widen. A laugh bubbles up in my chest, spilling out in a joyful burst.

"Our baby," I say softly. "Our baby is saying hello."

Dare kneels in front of me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing his ear to my belly. I comb my fingers through his hair, sharing this perfect moment. The life we created together, our daughter, is announcing herself to the world in the sweetest way possible.

After a long peaceful interval, Dare lifts his head to beam at me. His eyes are suspiciously bright. "Best dance partner ever," he says hoarsely.

I cradle his face in my hands, overwhelmed by love for this man and the tiny being who will bind us together forever. "Looks like she’s jealous of us."

"Well, she is certainly welcome to join us when she’s ready." Dare kisses my palm, then my wrist, moving slowly up my arm. "Thank you," he murmurs against my skin. "For this gift, for another chance... for everything, really."

He kisses me, drawing me close, and the conversation falls away like grains of sand filtering through my fingers.