Chapter 8 - The Night Declan Almost Lost Her
Rowan woke to the sound of rain.
For several seconds, she thought she was back at the stable.
Then she smelled antiseptic.
Hospital.
She opened her eyes.
Declan was asleep beside the bed.
His head was resting against the mattress.
His hand was wrapped around hers.
She smiled weakly.
“You look terrible.”
His eyes opened instantly.
“Rowan.”
“Hi.”
He nearly laughed.
Then nearly cried.
Instead, he kissed her forehead.
“You scared me.”
“I know.”
“I don't want to ever feel that again.”
“I know.”
He stayed beside her for days.
The legal investigation consumed the Kavanagh family.
Declan testified.
Finn testified.
Patrick testified.
Bridey revealed the final archive.
Gerard was charged.
Liam was charged.
The old network began unraveling.
But Ashgrove remained.
Declan had a choice.
Sell it.
Keep it.
Destroy it.
He chose to rebuild it.
Not as a criminal estate.
As a rehabilitation center for injured horses.
Rowan recovered slowly.
Midnight Reel recovered too.
The first day she walked into the stable, he lowered his head.
She cried.
Not because she was weak.
Because for the first time, the place did not feel haunted.
It felt alive.
Declan came up behind her.
“You're not cleared for work.”
“I know.”
“You are not cleared to lift anything.”
“I know.”
“You are definitely not cleared to climb into a saddle.”
She turned.
“Are you finished?”
“No.”
She smiled.
He kissed her.
Then Midnight Reel bumped him in the shoulder.
Declan stumbled.
Rowan laughed.
For the first time in years, laughter felt safe.
Weeks passed.
Finn moved closer to Ashgrove.
Patrick remained nearby.
The family that had been fragmented across lies slowly became whole.
But there was one unresolved problem.
Rowan still feared that happiness would be temporary.
Declan understood.
One evening, he found her sitting on the steps that had never been swept.
He sat beside her.
“You're thinking too hard.”
“I always do.”
“You're wondering when this will disappear.”
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
He took her hand.
“Then we'll enjoy it while it's here.”
“What if it doesn't stay?”
“Then we'll build it again.”
She looked at him.
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It probably will be.”
She laughed.
Then rested her head against his shoulder.
The future did not feel certain.
But it felt possible.
Until Rowan received an envelope.
No return address.
Inside was a single photograph.
Liam.
In prison.
And behind him stood Gerard.
Free.
May you like
On the back was one sentence.
THE GAME ISN'T OVER.
