Wyoming Rebels Boxed Set by Stephanie Rowe

Author:Stephanie Rowe [Rowe, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781940968575
Publisher: Authenticity Playground Press

Chapter Twelve

Erin pushed her horse hard on the way back to the ranch. She buried her hurt in the wind tearing through her hair, and in the sound of Stormy's hooves thundering on the parched ground. She let the strength of the animal fill her, and she let the speed tear a lifetime of vulnerability from her. She hated herself for letting Steen hurt her. She hated Steen for hiding secrets from her. Withholding his truth felt almost as bad as when Louis had withheld physical affection from her, because she'd believed in the connection she and Steen had.

She screamed her frustration as they galloped across the meadow, furious at herself for being so pathetic that she let so many people hurt her and manipulate her. She'd run away from her life and her job to hide out in Wyoming, and yet, she was the same person she'd been in Virginia. She was still afraid to fight for what she wanted. She still let people cut her out. She still cried silent tears when she was hurt.

She didn't want to be like this anymore.

The wind blew the tears from her cheeks as she urged the horse onward, trusting the animal to know the way home.

She was still riding hard when the ranch came into view. She was so startled by the vista that she reined Stormy in so she could get a better look. When they'd ridden away earlier, she hadn't looked back and gotten a good view. But now...it was breathtaking. The ranch house was a picturesque expanse of glass and windows, stretching across the crest of the hill. She could imagine how incredible the view was at sunset, looking out across the land, which seemed to stretch on forever.

The house looked over the three barns, which were all well-kept and impressive. A sizeable bunkhouse sat behind the barns, sunk lower behind a hill. It had no scenic view, except of the immediate area, but she still felt the immense peace of the place. In the distance, she could see animals grazing, bound by rustic wooden fences and some wire ones. Beyond the ranch, she could see the driveway leading down toward the road, but from her vantage point, she couldn't see the road. All she could see was land, animals, and the ranch buildings.

She took a deep breath, and she felt the frantic pace of her heart slow, eased by the sheer magnitude of peace that the earth seemed to breathe into her. It was pure simplicity. No fancy cars. No standards to live up to. No one who cared about anything other than taking care of animals and living from the earth.

She inhaled again, and this time, for the first time in what felt like years, she felt her lungs expand fully, taking in air that she'd never had room for.

Behind her came the steady rhythm of hoof beats, but she didn't turn around. She also didn't try to run away.

Steen rode up beside her, and reined in to a halt beside her.

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