What a gorgeous day, Alexa James thought as she led her big red gelding from the barn. The sky was bright blue without a cloud to be seen on that warm September morning. It was perfect weather for a leisurely ride through the woods on her property and into the public forest. Jetson stood patiently in the barnyard while Alexa mounted and seated herself atop the western style saddle. She urged him forward into a canter to the trail that began as two tracks etched in the dirt with a strip of grass down the middle. As she rode deeper into the forest, the trail became solid hard packed dirt.
Alexa needed the diversion to clear her head after she got the notice that Lawrence was released from prison. She had a restraining order against him, but a piece of paper wouldn't stop him from coming after her. He blamed her because she pressed charges after he kidnapped her, beat and terrorized her until she agreed to have sex with him. She finally escaped when he fell asleep. The case pleaded out so he would only serve up to seven years. With time off for good behavior, he got out in four. After what he did, she couldn't believe she ever thought she loved him.
At first, he seemed like a caring lover, but after they had become exclusive, the facade started to crumble. Lawrence became jealous and controlling. He had to know where she was and with whom at all times. The first time he thought a man had been too friendly to her at a restaurant he had raged at her. Another time he slapped her in the parking lot after they'd been to a club dancing. Things escalated from there until Alexa finally admitted to herself that she was in an abusive relationship.
Three months after she'd moved in with him, she packed up and left while he was at work. She sent him a text from three towns away then ditched her cell phone and bought a burner. She used her savings to pay for a studio apartment in the city and got a job as a bank teller. She thought she was safe, but it only took Lawrence two months to find her. He cornered her in the hallway of her apartment building while she was unlocking the door.
As soon as the case was settled, Alexa left the state and went to live with her Grandmother in the mountains of West Virginia hundreds of miles from where she'd lived briefly with Lawrence. Grandma had passed two years ago and left her the ten-acre farmstead. It was hard losing Grandma, but she was glad for the two years they'd had. She'd made a good life here, mostly keeping to herself. But it got lonely sometimes.
Maybe that was why she had the dream about him again... before the letter about Lawrence. She didn't know his name or anything about him. He came to her as a lover in her dreams to a place out of a sci-fi movie. She never saw his face, but she felt her body yearning for his touch. Somehow, she knew he would be the one man she could always trust. He was out there somewhere. Alexa didn't know when or how he would come to her, though.
Those were the things that went through her mind as Jetson cantered down the path. Horse and rider flowed together in harmony enjoying the jaunt through the woods until the sudden flutter of wings startled the horse. A frightened grouse launched itself into the air in front of him. Jetson stopped suddenly, tilting back on his haunches and Alexa's feet slid out of the stirrups, then he reared up. Alexa flew into the air and landed in the dirt rolling to a stop unconscious.
Once Jetson got over his fright, he turned and walked over to where his mistress lay and dropped his head. He nudged her with his nose and nickered, but she didn't move. So. he stood there waiting, not knowing what else to do.