What was Summer's plan?
"Are you actually a cowboy shepherd or a sheriff?" Louis joked."I'm an all-round cowboy!" Summer nodded firmly. "I can herd cattle and also uphold justice. I'm a smart and wise little cowboy! That's why ...."The toddler let the cuffs hang on Louis' left hand. Then, she put her hands on her hips, exclaiming loudly, "I only cuff one of your hands right now. You still have to control the horse. But, once we get back to the stable, I'm going to cuff both of your hands and take you to court. You have to be punished for the crimes you've committed, Uncle Louis!"While Louis shook his head in resignation, Summer narrowed her eyes at her mother. "That's why, Mommy, be careful! Don't make any mistakes. You could end up like Uncle Louis."Sky snorted slightly. "It's no use threatening me, Honey. I am a good person. I won't do anything bad.""Don't be too confident, Mommy. I'll keep an eye on you. Oh, Mommy, Uncle Louis," Summer's attention was suddenly drawn to a large pool of water."Is that
Sky couldn't believe that the key was missing. She checked Summer's pockets herself. Finding nothing, she sighed in disbelief, "You're not kidding, right, Honey? You didn't deliberately hide the key so that Mommy and Uncle Louis would stay close, did you?"Louis spontaneously glanced over. He didn't expect Sky to give such an honest opinion."No, Mommy. I have promised not to be a naughty child. I've also promised to take good care of Mr. Rodriguez's gift. Could the key have fallen out while we were riding the horses?"While Sky sighed in resignation, Louis answered casually. "That could've happened. You were so active back then. Maybe the key got pushed out while you were petting Dusty.""Then what should we do now? How can we go back with our hands like this?" Sky pointed at their hands with round eyes.Summer knew the meaning of that expression. Her mother was really panicking."Maybe, Mommy and Uncle Louis can ride side by side," the toddler said softly. Her head was slightly lower
Summer blinked at Louis' back from her slightly lagging horse. She wondered what the man and Sky were talking about. She couldn't hear any sound."Hey, Straw," Summer whispered to her horse, "can you walk a little faster? I want to see what Uncle and Mommy are doing."Summer waited for a while. However, the horse she was riding was still walking slowly."Oh, what should I do to make the horse go faster?" Summer started to think."Should I move my legs like when I rode Dusty? He ran because I was kicking his stomach. If I press Straw's stomach a little, maybe he won't run, just walk faster. Should I try it?"After tapping her chin a few times, Summer finally dared herself. She moved her legs once. Unexpectedly, her method worked."Good, Straw. Let's catch up with Dusty!" she whispered, excitedly. Her head leaned forward. She couldn't wait to see her mother.At that moment, Louis' head moved closer to Sky's face. When Summer arrived at their side, Louis and Sky's lips were only an inch a
Seeing the pouting little face, Louis changed his mind. "Then, is there any wire I can use? I think I can pry the keyhole and turn it.""No, Uncle. If the keyhole is broken, I won't be able to use the handcuffs anymore," Summer said softly."If your handcuffs are broken, Mommy can replace them with new ones, Honey," Sky stroked her hair, hoping that Summer would be willing to free her from Louis.However, the little girl kept shaking her head. "Those are special gifts for me, Mommy. They can't be replaced with others. Even if Mommy buys the same model, it's still different.""Do you have the heart to see Mommy and Uncle Louis restrained like this?" Sky showed the handcuff on her wrist with a pitiful face.Summer pouted. "Please be patient, Mommy. It won't be long. Only until the evening. We can wait here while doing other things.""What other things do you mean, Little Human?" Louis asked, full of anticipation."Mr. Rodriguez said that he provides lodging for visitors who want to rest
"Why are you acting like an innocent girl? You already have a child, Sky," Louis said after he zipped up his pants again.Sky stopped singing. She didn't dare to open her eyes even though Louis had pressed the flush button."So what if I already have a child? That doesn't mean I'm used to men," she grumbled in annoyance.Louis smiled wryly. "Okay. Then do it quickly."Sky's eyes widened instantly. "Do what?" she asked in a choked voice."What else?" Louis glanced down.Thinking Louis was asking her to do something indecent, Sky's legs closed together. Her face turned into a boiled crab."Louis, are you crazy? You have a girlfriend, and we are only friends. But you dare to ask me to do it?" Sky sighed in disbelief.Receiving such a scolding, Louis' eyebrows arched high. A second later, he burst out laughing. With his free hand, he flicked Sky's forehead."You said you're not used to men, but why are your thoughts so dirty? What did I tell you to do?"Sky blinked. Her brows furrowed in c
"Are you forbidding me to be serious?" Louis asked with a lowered eyebrow."No, it's not like that," Sky shook her head. "I just don't like it every time you emphasize your voice. It can make people afraid. I think they don't like that bad side of you either. You'd better show your sweet and gentle side."Suddenly, Summer approached them with her hands on her hips. "Uncle, Mommy, did you forget about me? I had been waiting for you guys inside, but you guys still didn't come. Stop fighting and let's do our agenda!"Louis snorted in amusement. He looked at Sky again. "Sky, instead of advising me, you'd better take care of your daughter. It'll be a shame if she inherits your fierce, pushy, and bossy nature. You know what? People don't like that bad side of you either," he quipped with a sly smile.Sky gaped in disbelief. She put her hands on her hips. "You're talking back to me? You know what? I did not force you or be bossy. I just gave you advice. It's not good to intimidate people lik
Curious, Summer peeked out the window. Finding many people outside, she gasped. "Uncle Louis, it's bad! We're surrounded by parapazzi!""Paparazzi?" Louis straightened up his back, his eyes squinting to check outside the window.Two seconds later, he sighed in disbelief, "Summer, they're not paparazzi. They're reporters! Hurry up, wake up your mother! We have to escape before they come storming in!"Soon afterwards, the reporters had gathered in front of the cottage's door. They were all impatient to interrogate Louis."Mr. Harper," the bravest reporter knocked on the door, "can we interview you for a moment?""Is it true that you are cheating on Miss Evans? Are you with your mistress inside?" a careless, newbie reporter continued.The others glanced at him cynically. He realized that."What? Isn't that what we came here for? We want a clarification about that," he said, indifferently.Then, he knocked on the door. "Mr. Harper, if you really weren't having an affair, you wouldn't have
Sky let out a heavy sigh. After thanking Mr. Rodriguez, she sat down next to Louis. Not long after, Louis stepped on the gas. The car sped off, and the reporters groaned in disappointment. No one thought of following him by car because they knew how fast Louis was driving on the road.Summer, who was looking through the rear window, chuckled. She waved triumphantly. "Bye, bye, Mr. and Mrs. Reporters! See you at another time!""Summer, put on your seatbelt," Sky said as she freed the handcuffs from her wrist."Okay, Mommy!"Even though her body was too small for the seat she was sitting on, Summer still put on her seatbelt. Then, blinking, she watched the sun set.Soon afterwards, the atmosphere became quiet. The three of them were busy with their own thoughts.Louis was focused on guessing who sent the reporters to the ranch. Sky was busy thinking about Louis' reputation and their fate. Meanwhile, Summer began to regret that her plan had to be canceled again. They would not be camping
Sky's face turned pale. She never thought that her secret could be revealed."No. That's not true. I mean, it's true that I borrowed money from a loan shark. But I've paid it off. I'm no longer in debt, and I never aimed for Louis' assets," she explained in a thin and hoarse voice."Are you sure?" Grace asked in a doubtful tone. "Then tell me. Where did you get the money from? Your parents didn't know you had debt, even after your relationship improved. You always pretended to be okay in front of them. You never accepted money from them.""Do you think I can't fight for my own life?" Sky said angrily. Tears welled up in her eyes."I can work hard! I can support my own daughter. Do you think all this time I've only been adventuring, spending my parents' money, and having fun?"Holding back the vibrations in her lips, Sky shook her head slowly. "I work, Miss Evans. I write books, become a translator and a tour guide. Even when Summer was still very little, I took her around because I ha
"Have you forgotten who initiated our relationship?" Grace asked while raising an eyebrow. Her elegance had disappeared with those glaring eyes.Then, with her pointed index finger, she poked Louis' shoulder. "You, Louis. You were the one who wanted this relationship. You said we could be an ideal couple, the couple that people out there would envy. Now, after we've made it, you're going to give up?"Shifting her jaw, Grace shook her head slowly. "Don't expect me to back down from our marriage. Our relationship must be maintained. If not, where will I put my face? I can't lose to that cheap woman!""Ace, come on, "Louis sighed restlessly. "What do you mean by that? This isn't a competition.""Yes, this is a competition," Grace said firmly with burning eyes. "This is a competition to maintain my pride, Louis. If you didn't choose me, people might think she's better than I. I don't want it to happen. Besides, you're my fiancé. I never let anyone take what's mine."Everyone stared at Gra
Louis smiled wryly at Sky. She looked cute when she looked down with her lips pursed like that.Respecting her decision, he sighed in resignation, "Okay. I won't touch you again until I break up with Grace. And I think I need to apologize for this afternoon. I shouldn't have kissed you like that. Did I scare you?"Sky's eyes immediately rounded. Her cheeks felt warm. Her lips trembled as she said her answer, "A little. You remind me of what happened that night."Sky's voice was soft, but Louis could clearly hear the vibrations in every word. It made his heart heavy again."By the way, you haven't answered my question, Sky," he muttered.Sky's eyebrows were raised. "What question?" She glanced at him in surprise."Was I rude that night? Did I ... force you? How could we do that? Wasn't it a red-headed girl who took me out of the bar?"In an instant, Sky's face flushed. Her pulse was racing. She was too embarrassed to bring it up, let alone discuss it."Sorry, Louis. Can we just not tal
Sadness escaped her mouth. Her eyes were glassy. "I was not the woman you desired. I wasn't worthy of being with you. And because I wasn't after your wealth, I didn't need to appear in front of you again, especially with Summer—our daughter. So ...."Shrugging, Sky forced a smile. "I thought there was no point in contacting you again. I could understand that you hated me. I was presumptuous because I dreamed of being with you."The fragile smile on her face successfully hurt Louis' heart. As the pain spread, Louis couldn't hold it in anymore."Sky," he sighed hoarsely, "you shouldn't think that way. You are the woman I want the most to be my wife. Even now, it's still the same. I want to live with you, with Summer."Sky looked at Louis with doubt. "Are you sure? Then what about Grace? Why are you dating her? Isn't it because you want to marry her?"Louis froze. His breathing became heavier. "We're talking about us, Sky. Can we not talk about her now?""She is your girlfriend, Louis, a
Raising an eyebrow, Louis shook his head firmly. "Don't even think about it! She's nothing more than a cheap girl. She can't even maintain her own dignity, let alone other things? I don't want a woman like that to be the mother of my child. Besides ...."Louis snorted in disdain. "Just look at her appearance. Is she attractive? And her hair, my goodness ...."Louis shook his head slower this time. His expression was disgusted. "I couldn't stand looking at her. Can't she change it like other girls? It's too distracting to the eye. And just so you know ...."Louis' finger sharpened again. "A woman like her has no qualities to be proud of. All she knows is to have fun in life. She has no fighting spirit or clear goals. In other words, she is the perfect definition of the woman I hate the most on earth.""Sorry, Sir," a reporter finally spoke up, though trembling. "What if she gets pregnant? Will you be responsible for her child?""I think ...." Louis' eyes narrowed. "That's probably her
"I thought you would be happy with my arrival. I meant to offer myself to be your graduation companion," Sky admitted shyly."Wait," Louis raised his hand, asking for a pause. His eyes rounded, doubtful at the possibility that emerged in his mind. "You wanted to be my graduation companion? Why? Did you ... like me?"Sky pursed her lips. She was too embarrassed to admit it. "That was five years ago, Louis. I was still very young. I often acted without thinking. Because of that," she frowned, "yes, I planned to express my feelings to you that night."Now it was Louis' turn to freeze. His eyes trembled as he stared at the beautiful face that held various emotions."You liked me too?" he sighed in disbelief. "Then why didn't you give me your surprise? Did I do something that changed your mind? I scared you? I was too harsh on you?"Regret was clearly etched on Louis' face. Seeing that, Sky became even more confused."When I arrived at the hotel that night, I saw you with your friends. So,
"Have you covered her with a blanket?" Sky asked casually after Louis closed the door. "She can't sleep well if there's nothing covering her body. I think she doesn't like her skin to be in direct contact with the air."Louis raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? No wonder she used a sleeping bag the first time she slept in my penthouse."Sky nodded awkwardly. She realized that it was her chance to convey her opinion about where they should talk. However, when she just caught her breath, Louis had already grabbed her hand."Now let's keep our promise," he pulled her to walk with him.Seeing his enthusiasm, Sky was flustered. "Louis, wait. I don't think your bedroom is the right place for us to talk. How about the library? There's no one there.""No. Emily can come there anytime. She usually reads a book when she can't sleep, and Cayden always accompanies her. I ever found him sleeping on the library couch, on Emily's lap."Sky winced. They were getting closer to the stairs. "How about the b
Seeing how Louis held her hand, Sky was wide-eyed. Her mouth was agape in surprise.Was she a little kid who needed to be held so she wouldn't get lost? Or maybe Louis got carried away so that he considered her a little friend who he hadn't played with for a long time?"You know what? The best work that ever existed in this world is God's creation. Every living creature that He created has features ...."Sky was no longer listening to what Louis said. She was more focused on his expressions and gestures.How could Louis be so casual with her? Had he forgotten what happened between the two of them? He forgot what they both did in the afternoon in his sister's office?"Plants too! Just like animals, they also have structures that allow them to adapt ...." Louis didn't finish his sentence. He just realized that Sky's gaze was unfocused. "Sky, do you hear me?"The woman blinked. Now she realized that Louis was staring at her from a very close distance."Yeah?" She spontaneously took a ste
Louis' eyebrows pressed together. "Which one? There are too many promises we've made.""Camping in the yard while looking at the stars!" Summer answered with a beaming face.Louis' mouth rounded. "Oh, that one. I don't think tonight is the right time, Summer. You've been playing around too much today. You need to rest and recharge. How about tomorrow night?""Sorry, Uncle. I have an appointment tomorrow. Aunt Emily and Uncle Cayden are planning to take me out. All day! They even asked for leave. How about the next night?"Louis nodded. "I always have time for you, Summer."The toddler chuckled. "Anyway, Grandpa and Uncle Cayden want to stargaze too. They said they wanted to buy a big telescope for me. But I said no, because it's really expensive. Instead of buying it, we'd better rent it. It's much cheaper. Besides, it won't be used very often. You don't mind if they join us, do you?"Louis smiled a little more widely. "I don't mind. It will be more fun, right?""Yes!" Summer nodded,