I don’t think I slept a wink all night between Brantley waking me up and the excitement of our engagement, sleep simply wasn’t important. I’m quietly in the kitchen making coffee and debating breakfast when Thunder catches my eye out in his corral.

With the sun peeking out on the horizon the day is going to be a beautiful one and I have the urge to spend time with the difficult stallion.

Slipping into my boots, I head outside. I walk slowly towards him making light noises as I go, knowing he could spook easily.

“Hey boy.” I greet when he begins to walk closer to me as I stand on the bottom rung of the fence. He doesn’t hesitate as he buts heads with me, gently rubbing his nose against the side of mine.

Climbing higher up, I rub my hands along his dark neck. Not only offering a comforting touch but feeling for any ailments he may have. I know he likes to kick up a fuss when anyone comes around, so he doesn’t get a full workup like he should.

Sitting on the top of the fence now, he turns sideways, leaning into me. Pushing for more. While he loves giving Brantley a hard time, I know he loves my soft touch. I’ve spent quite a bit of time with him these past few weeks, and I know his moods pretty well now.

Right now, while his muscles are rippling, I know it’s because he wants to be touched. He wants to be loved. Knowing I provide that for him is a heady feeling.

“Should we go get Windbreaker?” The two cluck their tongues and stomp their feet at each other so often I think it’s time they get together. “Should we wait for Brantley before we do that one?” I’m not a complete idiot. I know he’d be upset to see me here now, but I can’t help it.

Thunder nudges me with his shoulder, dancing in spot, and I take a chance, a dumb chance, but one I won’t regret until proven I should.

Sliding one leg over his side, I sit on his back. No sudden moves, and my hands gliding through his thick mane of hair, I talk soothingly to him while he trots around the pen.

He’s more relaxed then I thought he ever would be as we walk and talk. The sound of the houses screen door creaking open catches my attention, and I look back to see Brantley storming his way over.

“Here he comes,” I lean forward whispering to Thunder. With my cheek on his neck, the horse turns to face the man, daring him to do something.

“Flicka.” Brantley’s voice holds an angry warning in it.

“He’s happy Brantley.” I can feel it in my bones. The same way when I know when something’s wrong with Luke. Intuition is a very powerful tool.

“You shouldn’t be on him.” The man growls.

“He needs it. He needs to feel like he isn’t some wild animal destined for a life of solitude.” I defend. My fingers still playing with his thick mane.

Mumbling under his breath, I can see the moment Brantley gives in. Pointing at me he growls, “Only when I’m out here. No one else and not fucking alone.”

“Deal.” My grin is triumphant.

Circling the paddock, Thunder grows more comfortable with the feeling of me on his bare back, and I wonder more about him and his past. “Where did your Dad get him?” Stopping in front of Brantley has the tension back in Thunders bulky shoulders. I’m not sure if it’s from being near someone or because he doesn’t want to stop.

“He was to be slaughtered because of an accident in the previous owner’s barn. A snake got in his stall, and while he was trying to trample it, his hoof caught a teenage boy across the head when he opened it to clean it out.” I see the way Brantley watches him, not with disgust or even anger, but more sadness for his father.

“How’d your Dad find him?”

“Thunder was a champion racing horse, good temperament, manners to match. Dad used to watch him down in derby’s around the state. When he found out about the accident, he couldn’t let it happen. People would pay huge money for this one’s seed. I’ve had offers like you wouldn’t believe, but I’ve never been able to get him near another horse, or person.” His gaze looks up as Thunder stomps a foot as if agreeing. “Until you.”

“He seems to have taken a liking to Windbreaker too.” I grin.

“Yeah, the spoiled duchess of the RMR.” He laughs, and I fight not to as I object.

“She is not spoiled.”

“Whatever you say flicka.” Grabbing my wrist, he leans forward to kiss me, and I half expect Thunder to prance away, but he stays still. His lips are warm against mine as he sips at them. Excitement and arousal course through me immediately as he licks my lower lip.

“Hey, guys!” The sound of Faith’s voice interrupts our moment and startles Thunder into dashing off. Had I not been holding his hair so tightly, I’d have been in the dirt. “Sorry,” she whispers coming up beside Brantley.

“Calm down boy, it’s just Faith.” I lean against his neck because he seems to like the contact as Brantley drags Faith away while still keeping an eye on us. “That’s a good boy.” I coo in his ear, trying to direct him towards the barn. As soon as he’s settled next to Windbreaker’s stall, I hop off his strong back, landing on my feet with a small thud. “I’ll get you two loves birds an apple and be right back.

Closing Thunders stall door, I see Faith and Brantley joking in the middle of the yard and grin, she’s such a nice girl. One of the few women in town who hasn’t judged me over the years because of my mother.

Exiting the barn, I see Blaine near the bunkhouse watching Faith with rapt attention. His eyes follow her every move, and when ours meet briefly, he smiles sadly before disappearing behind the building. He tries to mask it, but I saw the love he felt for the girl in his sad stare, and I can’t help but wonder what happened between the two of them.

“Hi, Faith!” She hugs me as soon as I approach, he dark hair wild in the light breeze. “What brings you out here?”

A huge beaming smile takes over her face as she talks animatedly. “Well, I know about what happened at your place, with the fire and everything, and I was wondering since you’re basically living here now it seems. What are your plans for that place?”

I blink a couple times when she’s done speaking. She spoke so quickly it was hard to catch up. Brantley grins and walks away, “I’ll leave you two to talk about that. I have a fence with my name on it.”

“I haven’t talked to Luke too much about it, but I’ve been thinking of selling. The problem is, Mom took a second mortgage out and the properties not worth what we owe. And I’m not sure the insurance would be enough to cover the excess owing.” I’m not attached to the property, the only good thing about it was the creek.

“I’ve got a really good lawyer that might be able to help with some of that stuff. See if maybe he can convince the bank to go after your mother for the second mortgage instead of you or something.” She still hasn’t lost her smile.

“Is that legal?”

“Who knows. But I’m going to talk to him. If you’re willing to sell. To me.” She adds the last part with a frown.

“Well, I’m not opposed to it, as long as Luke is fine with it and you’re getting your money’s worth I guess.”

“Great!” If possible, her grin grows bigger as she bounces back to her truck.

Baffled, I know I have to talk to Luke now. I really don’t see him having a problem, but who knows. Entering the house, I start on breakfast, the guys normally come up here for whatever I’ve got on the table before taking off for the day until lunchtime rolls around.

* * *

After hearing Faith’s bird-like chatter–words a million miles a second–and what she wanted I knew it was best to leave the girls alone. I want Adilynn to sell, I want her home to be here and even after becoming engaged last nig–

“Well shit.”

“What?” Blaine comes up behind me as I enter one of the storage barns with the fence supplies.

“I’m engaged.” I don’t even know if anyone paid attention to that detail last night, or me just dragging her off like a damn caveman.

“I figured that’s what happened.” He laughs. “So, what are you –well shit–ing about?”

“Faith wants to buy her property.” I see his reaction. Surprise.

“So, she’s staying in town then?” The pitch in his voice grows angry with each word.

“What happened with you two?” They’ve had the hots for one another for years, but they’ve never gone on an actual date or spent any time together, so I don’t get it.

“Nothing,” he grumbles.

“Then what the hell is the problem with you two?”

“That nothing happened. I tried, she pushed me away, I tried again, she left.” I remember that she’d gone away for a year. No one ever knew why or where.

“So maybe she’s ready now.” The two of them were meant for each other. I saw it in the way he watched her this morning while Ady was getting Thunder settled.

“Did I see Ady up on Thunder’s back this morning?” He’s deflecting.

“She’s out to kill me,” I mutter. I wasn’t pleased about finding her out there, but I also wasn’t surprised. I know how much she’s been itching to get to know the beast more, “but I think if anyone can bring him around, it’s going to be Adilynn.”

“She definitely has a soft touch. Everyone’s just drawn to her,” Blaine marvels.

We don’t talk too much after that, wanting to get a break in the fence line in the south pasture fixed up before we let the horses out to graze again. With only a week before we bring the hay baler out before the fall chill settles in, I want everything done and ready for the births in the spring.

We currently have eight mares here at the ranch that will be giving birth to foals, and another dozen that will be coming back around Valentine’s day to give birth and have inspections done by Drew for lineage and genetics.

I’ve only ever bred the best, and people pay extra for the paperwork, so we do the best we can to make sure they don’t worry while their animals are in our care. With Luke and Adilynn here now, I have a feeling quality of care will go up, if at all possible.

Already I can see the pregnant mares and studs happier and slightly larger than before she came. Their coats are shinier, and their eyes light up when she enters the barn. It’s no wonder Thunder has taken to her so well.

* * *

I’ve spent all day with Thunder and Windbreaker, acquainting them with each other. They’re finally in the paddock together, and everyone’s watching. Luke is on one side while Mason is on another.

I’ve been testing a theory I have, and it seems Thunder’s only problem is large men. He trots over to Luke no problem, let’s my brother touch and pet him the same way he does me, but refuses to go near Mason. And I’ve tested my theory on all the guys except Blaine and Brantley. Even Pops was able to get near him.

“Here comes Drew!” Brock calls, coming from the barn with another mare, Starlight, she has patches of white in her black hair that look like stars.

I called Drew a couple hours ago so he could see what I do. With this new information, I think Thunder could be rehabilitated into a great riding horse. I’m not sure he’ll ever be a stud, he’s too skittish and potentially volatile to be introduced into that life.

“Adilynn!” Drew’s smile is huge as he walks over to where I’m sitting on the fence. “It’s damn good to see you with animals again.”

“Thanks for coming Drew.” I can’t take my eyes off of these two beautiful creatures. With Thunders black hair and Windbreakers whiteness, they’re night and day. They’re complete opposites meant to be together. “You see how protective he is of her? The way he crowds her away from everyone but Luke and me?”

“He’s shadowing her.” His voice is thoughtful while he watches as Mason tries to coach Windbreaker over with her favorite treat–an apple.

“Now, watch.” I jump down into the corral, and I can hear Drew’s shocked gasp as I whistle for them both to come over. They do so without hesitance. Thunder even blocks my body from Drew’s.

“It’s the estrogen. He knows you’re the weaker sex.” Drew’s voice is full of awe. Horses are extremely intelligent creatures, and while this is shocking to witness, it’s also beautiful.

“Watch the way he is with Luke though.” I walk over to my brother, who is still standing on the second rung of the fence. Tall enough to reach the animal, but not so high he would be considered a threat.

“You’re doing great Ady.” He smiles down at me as he reaches a hand out for Thunders' shoulder. Lightly scraping his fingers through the rough hair.

“It’s amazing isn’t it.” I smile brightly.

“Adilynn! Goddammit, what did I tell you!” Brantley’s voice as he jumps over the fence and stands a few feet from Drew is full of anger and admiration.

I can feel the air surrounding Thunder shift with the knowledge of someone other than I in his pen. “Get down Luke.” I don’t know how this is going to go, but I don’t want him caught in the crossfire.

With a soft hand on Thunder’s neck, I try to soothe him before taking slow steps towards Brantley. I keep my body loose, relaxed, with the hopes Thunder will take his cues from me. Windbreaker, the poor girl, seems torn about the tension surrounding her.

“What are you doing in here Brantley?” I’m about five feet from him when I hear Thunder’s impatient steps.

“Could ask you the same fucking thing flicka.” His voice is low. Lord, I love this man.

“Do you see him? How pliant he was with Luke.” Three feet now.

“What I saw was you ignoring me when I said you did this with me around only.”

Two feet. “You said I couldn’t ride him without you here.” I know I’m poking the bear.

Growling, he reaches a handout and pulls me into his arms. “You’re mincing words when you know exactly what I meant.” His lips land on mine in a possessive kiss full of everything he’s feeling. Lust, love, fear, pride.

I can feel Thunder’s looming presence behind me as Brantley’s hands cup my ass and pinch the bottom of my cheeks. “I told you about these fucking shorts.” He groans against my lips.

Ignoring his complaint, I watch as Thunder circles around us. Gripping one of Brantley’s hands in my own, I bring them to Thunder’s shoulder on his next circle, and he stops. Pressing the strong hand against tense muscle, I move mine away.

Thunder’s head turns to see, and while his nostrils flare, he doesn’t move other than to click his tongue at us. “He’s growing used to you,” I tell my future husband. “One day, he’ll let you ride him.” I have no doubt.

“Drew,” I call softly, “I’d like to get a full workup on him now. I think he’ll let us.”

“I’ll get my bag.” He doesn’t look as confident as I am, but I know this horse. I know his moods, how much he can take, and when he’ll lash out.

“You sure this is a good idea?” Brantley hasn’t moved his hand away and starts petting the horse as we wait.

“I’m positive. Watch and wait, Brantley, Thunder is going to show you just how deep his loyalty runs.”