Esperanza (Brides Dock On Portum Island!) #1

Untitled Part 14

Chapter 13

Esperanza eyed the horse and scowled at it. Asher had been given her riding lessons for over a month. She had taken Shadow for short rides alone. But she was always a bit apprehensive about it. She would get over it because she was craving some damned ice cream. Too bad she couldn't call an Uber. Her husband, who had prepared a dish in the Crock-Pot for them for the last week, wasn't home. The food all tasted good. But Esperanza wasn't sure that she should ruin a good thing by introducing the stove into their lessons. Damn, did she want ice cream. Could she buy an ice cream maker?

Sighing, she fed Shadow a sugar cube before stepping on a stool so that she could saddle him. Her husband had taught her how to ride every weekend. Maybe if she fell off, her stubborn man would see a need for a bike.

She led the docile horse out of the barn and managed to mount him. Then she led the horse down the driveway.

It was smooth sailing, since she traveled at a careful pace. She wasn't crazy enough to go faster. She waved at some of the familiar faces, which included Kendrick, who was Julia's husband. As she rode, all she could do was daydream about ice cream.

She turned left, passing a gaggle of women who were walking and talking. Since some of them had silver in their hair, it was obvious that they were at least four hundred years old. Esperanza was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she was going to grow that old. It saddened her to think that she would outlive everyone that she knew. It wasn't like she really wanted to see Nancy, but the woman had been a constant presence in her life for two years.

Shaking her head at the thought of her old friend, she saw the ice cream shop, which had a few horses tied up in front of it. She tied up her horse and rushed into the room. The sound of laughter made Esperanza stiffen. Her eyes landed on a familiar face, Emma's. She was very pregnant, and devouring a sundae the size of Esperanza's head. A brunette was sitting at the same table, sipping on a coke. Her temper flared at the sight of the woman. For over a month, that woman had visited Asher and Esperanza every day. Her husband was waiting for the woman to have the baby, but Esperanza couldn't. She'd had enough. With her head held up high, Esperanza stormed up to the woman.

"Hi Emma," she greeted, but the hussy ignored her. Her friend eyed Esperanza warily. "What, you don't have something to say to me? That's strange, since you have been visiting my house every morning." Her eyes were hard with anger.

"Emma, what is she talking about?" the woman asked.

"What's your name?" Esperanza asked the brunette.

"Diana. Who are you?" she asked.

"Esperanza. Your friend has been making my life miserable. Let him go, Emma," Esperanza demanded. "Stop coming by in the morning with coffee, bagels, or whatever else you bring. Stop showing up in the evenings with slices of lasagna. Don't dare sabotage my next presentation. Stay away from us. It isn't my fault that you want Asher. I get why you would have regrets. But stay away from him."

An arm wrapped around Esperanza, and she frowned. She glanced over at Darrin, who was smiling.

"Mrs. Adams, can I get you another Coke?" he asked.

"Mrs. Adams?" Esperanza asked, her eyes hard.

"That's Brad's mother, dear," Darrin said as he led Esperanza to the counter.

"Oh. I.... She doesn't look a day over twenty-five," Esperanza said, defending herself. "And how did Emma get here? She's so pregnant." Darrin shot her an amused expression. "I think she walked," he said.

"Hi, Esperanza, what kind of ice cream would you like?" Catherine asked, appearing amused.

Esperanza eyed the selection, her eyes lighting up. "I want a double brownie sundae with hot fudge and caramel syrup," she said.