A wealthy tycoon made his son tie the knot with a down-to-earth farmer as a tough lesson. But he was blown away by what his son pulled off…

As the night deepened, Richard finally stood up and walked inside, the quiet of the farm settling around him like a blanket. For the first time in weeks, he didn’t feel like he was drowning. Maybe, just maybe, he could start to swim.

The next few days brought a strange sense of rhythm to Richard’s life on the farm. He was still far from mastering the work, but something had shifted. Instead of dragging his feet, he began to approach each day with a bit more determination.

His hands were still blistered and his muscles ached in places he didn’t know existed, but it didn’t feel as overwhelming as it had in the beginning. One morning, as the sun began to rise, Richard found himself outside early, waiting for Emma to give him his tasks for the day. He wasn’t sure when it had happened.

But at some point, he’d stopped dreading the mornings. There was something about the quiet before the day truly began that was almost calming. Standing there, with the cool breeze on his face and the distant sounds of the animals waking up, he felt a strange sense of peace.

Emma came out of the house shortly after, her usual no-nonsense expression in place. She gave him a quick glance, noting his early appearance, but said nothing. Instead, she walked toward the barn, and Richard followed without a word.

I’m going to show you how to tend to the horses today, Emma said as they reached the stable. It’s not just about feeding them or cleaning up after them. You need to learn how to care for them properly.

Richard nodded, though he wasn’t entirely sure what that entailed. He’d seen horses before, at country clubs or racetracks, but he’d never actually been close to one, let alone cared for one. Still, he followed Emma into the barn, trying to look like he knew what he was doing.

Emma led him to a tall bay horse, its deep brown coat gleaming in the morning light. This is Duke, she said, patting the horse’s neck gently. He’s one of the older ones, but he’s strong and reliable.

Richard stood awkwardly by, watching as Emma worked with the horse, her movements confident and sure. She showed him how to brush the horse’s coat, explaining the importance of checking for any cuts or sores. Then, she handed him the brush.

Your turn, she said simply. Richard hesitated for a moment, but then took the brush and stepped closer to Duke. The horse shifted slightly, its large eyes watching him with mild curiosity.

Richard could feel the size and power of the animal, and for a brief moment, he wondered if it would sense his inexperience and bolt. But Duke stood still, seemingly patient, as Richard began to brush his coat. It wasn’t long before Richard found a rhythm, his movements becoming smoother and more confident.

Emma watched him for a while before moving on to the next horse, letting him work in peace. As he brushed Duke’s coat, Richard felt a strange connection forming, one he hadn’t expected. The work was calming, methodical, and for once, he didn’t feel like he was completely out of his depth.

When he finished with Duke, Emma came back over, inspecting his work with a critical eye. Not bad, she said, her voice devoid of any patronizing tone. You’ve got the hang of it! Richard couldn’t help but feel a small sense of pride at her words.

It wasn’t much, but it was the first time she had acknowledged his progress without any backhanded remarks or sarcasm. Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to earn her respect. The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity.

Emma continued to show him the ins and outs of farm work, how to mend a fence, how to properly feed and water the livestock, and even how to drive the old tractor that had been sitting near the barn for as long as Richard could remember. He wasn’t great at any of it, but he was getting better, slowly but surely. By the time the sun began to set, Richard was exhausted, his muscles sore from the day’s work, but for once, he didn’t feel defeated…