After a leisurely week on the road, we arrived at Greenbriers and cantered up the curving drive to Fortescue Manor. It was a lovely house, and Tommy saw my approving gaze, although truthfully, it wasn’t my place to approve or disapprove of his home.
“Growing up here must have been an amazing experience,” I said by way of excusing my bumpkinish stare.
“It was. If I were ever to have children, I would love to raise them in a home like this one.”
Children? I would have given him whatever he wanted, but that…that was beyond my power. It brought home, as if there was more need, that I could never have a future with him. But oh, how I wished—
I shoved the thought aside as the front door burst open, and a woman hurried out, her hands extended.
“Thomas!”
“Mother!” Tommy dismounted and went t
