The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 141

Aveline

The sun had barely risen when enthusiastic knocking erupted at our door, followed by Ryan's excited voice: "Miss Aveline! We have activities today! Wake up, wake up!"

Grandma Eleanor and I shuffled to the door in our robes, still half-asleep and thoroughly disheveled. There stood Ryan, practically bouncing with excitement, while behind him loomed Orion with an expression so dark and stormy it could have summoned actual rain clouds.

The contrast was almost comical, but something about Orion's deliberately sullen demeanor made my chest tighten with irritation.

*What's his problem now?*

I forced a bright smile, determined not to let his mood affect me. "Good morning, Ryan! What adventure do you have planned for us today? My grandmother is absolutely dying to know!"

Ryan immediately grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the hallway. "We're going horseback riding! It was Daddy's idea!"

At the mention of it being Orion's idea, the man himself quickly stepped forward with that same professional tone from yesterday.

"It's just our standard guest itinerary," he said stiffly, not quite meeting my eyes. "We arrange these activities for all our visitors."

I couldn't help the cold smile that tugged at my lips. *Yesterday I was 'teacher,' today I'm a 'visitor.' Excellent.*

"Actually," I said with deliberate lightness, "I think we might prefer to make our own arrangements today. After all, our reservation ends this afternoon anyway."

I caught the flash of disappointment that crossed Grandma Eleanor's face, but before I could feel too guilty, Ryan piped up with obvious confusion.

"But Daddy thought of the horseback riding just last night! He said we got new horses at the estate, and the scenery around the west creek is absolutely beautiful! Daddy spent a really long time planning it!"

Orion's face went through several shades of embarrassment as his careful facade crumbled. "Ryan, don't talk nonsense," he said quickly, his voice slightly strained. "Just take your teacher to breakfast. They can decide for themselves whether they want to go."

*Your teacher.* There it was again. I had to bite my tongue to keep from rolling my eyes.

Grandma Eleanor, bless her heart, immediately jumped in as peacemaker. "Oh, Aveline, it's been ages since I've seen horses! Even if I don't ride, just watching them would lift my spirits tremendously."

I recognized the gentle manipulation in her tone—she was clearly trying to give Orion and me more time together. With a resigned sigh, I capitulated.

"If it makes you happy, Grandma, then we'll go after breakfast."

---

The breakfast spread was absolutely spectacular—fluffy Belgian waffles with fresh berries, perfectly scrambled eggs with herbs from the estate garden, crispy bacon, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and coffee that smelled like heaven in a cup. Even Grandma Eleanor, who'd been eating carefully due to her medications, couldn't resist sampling everything.

"My goodness," she murmured, savoring a bite of waffle dripping with maple syrup. "This is restaurant quality!"

After we'd eaten our fill, Orion led us to the stables where he'd already prepared two magnificent horses. He looked absolutely devastating in his riding gear—dark jeans that fit him perfectly, tall leather boots, and a simple white shirt that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. When he mounted his horse—a powerful black stallion that seemed to respond to his every subtle command—the sight was enough to make my mouth go dry.

*Damn him for looking so good while being such an ass.*

A stable hand followed behind, leading a smaller, gentler-looking horse with a beautiful cream-colored coat.

Grandma Eleanor's eyes immediately lit up with recognition. "Oh my! Is that a Welsh Cob? What a beautiful specimen!"

For the first time since yesterday, Orion's expression softened into a genuine smile. "You have an excellent eye, Mrs. Hartwell! She's a purebred, sweet-tempered and incredibly reliable. Perfect for—"

But he was interrupted by the sound of me swinging myself up onto the larger chestnut mare with practiced ease.

"Miss Aveline, you know how to ride?" Ryan asked, clearly impressed.

I settled into the saddle with a satisfied smile. "Picked up a bit of equestrian training while I was in Europe."

Orion's smile immediately vanished, that cold mask sliding back into place so quickly it was almost funny. The deliberate shift was so obvious it made me want to laugh—like he was actively working to maintain his sullen demeanor.

"You should be careful," he said stiffly, his voice taking on that same patronizing tone from yesterday. "Even though my horses are well-trained, if you don't communicate properly with them, they might—"

But I was already feeling the familiar thrill of being back in the saddle after so long. The mare responded beautifully to my touch, and before Orion could finish his condescending warning, I'd guided her into a smooth canter around the paddock.

"This beautiful girl deserves a proper run!" I called over my shoulder, grinning at the exhilaration coursing through me. "You all take your time—I'll meet you at the creek!"

The stable hand looked alarmed. "Miss, please be careful at that speed!"

But Grandma Eleanor was beaming with obvious pride. "That's my granddaughter!"

I heard Orion mutter something under his breath before calling to the stable hand: "Take Mrs. Hartwell and Ryan slowly to the creek. I'll follow her before she breaks her neck."

Moments later, I heard the thunder of hooves behind me as Orion spurred his stallion into pursuit. I glanced back to see him approaching with that same handsome, brooding expression—all flowing dark hair and intense concentration as he rode like he'd been born in the saddle.

The contrast between his undeniably impressive riding skills and his deliberately cold expression struck me as almost absurd. If he was going to chase after me with such obvious concern, the least he could do was drop the act.

*Two can play this game.*

I urged my mare into a faster gallop, determined not to let him catch up easily. But Orion seemed equally determined to overtake me, and soon we were racing neck-and-neck through the morning air, neither willing to concede defeat.