117|Three Oaks—Part 3

Marybeth hung back but watched, in awe, her father whisper gently to the animal. She'd never been on a horse. Never been fascinated with them either. And she blamed her lack of experience on her irrational fear of the animals. But it was nice to see her father so at ease with them. Maybe this place was good for him, too. Maybe someday she'd take him away from the city and set him up on a small farm somewhere in the countryside.

"I couldn't let them hurt you, Sweet Pea," he said, turning away from the horse to look at her. "If I hadn't reached out to Hawthorne, they would have come after you."

"So you did this for me? Unbelievable!" Marybeth scoffed as she eased out of the barn; she'd taken all she could of the stench.

"I know it's hard to believe, but I did this for your safety—"

"I'm sorry, but did you honestly think selling me to the mob was the best way to keep me safe? Daddy, do you have any idea the week I've had? I've been harassed by Eli because I'm married to Austin. I've seen