Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
West’s parents arrive unannounced, catching Skylar in West’s shirt and spotting evidence of their tryst, but their warm banter eases the shock and they invite the couple to dinner. Later, Skylar watches West calmly earn a skittish filly’s trust and chooses not to ride her yet, underscoring his patience and their deepening bond.
Summary
Skylar answers West’s door in his shirt and meets Greta and Andy, who immediately clock the situation—underwear and a condom on the driveway—yet greet her warmly. Their playful argument about pickleball and Greta’s fake ID lightens the embarrassment, and Greta invites West and Skylar to dinner before departing.
After they leave, West jokes about the scene, shares a memory about his fake IDs, and reflects on his mother’s long-hug philosophy now that he’s a parent. He suggests they eat and buy Skylar a phone so he won’t panic if he can’t find her, reinforcing his protective care.
By midweek, Skylar spends her days watching West work horses, absorbing the quiet routine and his competence. Conor brings in a tense dapple-gray filly; West patiently talks to her, lets her investigate the arena, and soothes her without pushing too far.
When Skylar asks if he’ll ride the filly, West declines, saying she doesn’t trust him yet and he’s in no rush. Skylar recognizes herself in the filly—arriving nervous and being calmed by West’s steady respect—and feels her attachment deepen as his patience affirms their growing trust.
Who Appears
- Skylar StoneNarrator; meets West’s parents in an awkward, tender encounter; later observes West gentling a skittish filly and feels deeper love.
- Weston (West) BelmontComforts Skylar during surprise parental visit; plans to get her a phone; patiently trains a nervous filly, choosing trust over haste.
- Greta BelmontWest’s mother; cheerful and nosy, invites them to dinner, jokes about a fake ID for pickleball.
- Andy BelmontWest’s father; gruff but sweet, acknowledges driveway evidence, admits to getting Greta a fake ID.
- ConorNo-nonsense horseman who brings in a tense filly for West to work with.