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“Exactly! And together, you two are unstoppable,” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. But even as she spoke, I noticed the flicker of doubt behind her eyes, as if she sensed I wasn’t being entirely truthful. I steeled myself against it, knowing that I had to keep my past hidden.
“Listen, we have two weeks to get him in top shape,” she continued, the determination in her voice palpable. “We’ll do everything we can to make sure he’s ready for the race. I’ll help however I can—training, feeding, whatever it takes.”
“Thanks, Stephanie. I appreciate that.” My fingers brushed against hers, a fleeting moment of connection that sent warmth through me, although the undercurrent of tension remained. “We’ll figure it
out together.”
The conversation shifted back to training schedules and strategies, and as we discussed everything from workouts to nutrition for Phantom, I could feel my anxiety starting to ebb away, replaced by a sense of purpose. But in the back of my mind, the nagging thought of the contract loomed large. I couldn’t let Stephanie see how afraid I really was. I had to protect her, even if it meant putting myself in a risky position.
“Okay, so what’s the plan for the next few days?” I asked, trying to refocus. “We need to get Phantom acclimated to race day conditions. Maybe we should get him used to the noise and crowds.”
“Absolutely! We can take him to the local fair next weekend. They’ll have music, people, and everything. It’ll be perfect practice.” She grinned, her enthusiasm infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile back, even as the situation seemed heavier on my shoulders.
As we continued talking, planning every detail for Phantom’s training, I felt a shift in our dynamic. It wasn’t just about the race anymore. It was about our future together. I wanted to keep Stephanie safe and I wanted to be there for her. But I couldn’t shake my anxiety that this all hinged on me. If I failed, it wouldn’t just be my loss—it would be hers too.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Ashlyn?” she asked again, her eyes searching mine, and I felt a pang of guilt about the way I was deflecting her concern.
“I’m fine, really,” I assured her, though the words felt hollow in my throat. “Just trying to take it all in. This is a big deal.”
Stephanie studied me a moment longer and I could feel her instincts kicking in. I knew she was smart and I hated the idea of lying to her. “Okay, but if you ever want to talk, I’m here,” she said softly, her voice full of sincerity. I nodded, grateful for her support, but I also felt the chasm grow wider between us. How could I ever explain my past without risking everything? I couldn’t let her know about the agreement I’d made—the one that had kept me shackled to my old life.
“I’ll be ready,” I finally said, forcing a confident smile. “We’ll make this happen.”
With that, I reached out and took Stephanie’s hand in mine, intertwining our fingers. For a moment, it felt like everything would be okay. But beneath the surface, the storm raged on, and I knew that in two weeks, everything would come to a head.
We left the barn as the sun dipped low on the horizon I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges ahead. I would race in the state competition—not just for Phantom and the ranch, but also for Stephanie. She believed in me and I had to find a way to make her dreams a reality, even if it meant confronting my own demons along the way.
19
STEPHANIE
Iwatched Ashlyn’s face and the myriad of emotions that danced across her features, revealing a struggle that tugged at my heart. Despite her bravado, I could sense her underlying tension. I could tell by the way her fingers fidgeted and her gaze flitted to the side, as if searching for an escape. There was something Ashlyn wasn’t telling me, something that curled around my gut like a snake. While my instinct urged me to pursue the truth, to demand she open up to me completely, I hesitated.
The reality of our situation loomed larger than any hidden secret. The race in two weeks wasn’t just a competition; it was my lifeline. The responsibility was intense. If Phantom was going to secure our future, then all of my energy and focus needed to be directed toward that goal. But how could I do that while knowing Ashlyn was holding back?
I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I had to trust her abilities. She was exceptional with Phantom—a natural rider whose confidence radiated from her. The bond the two of them shared was undeniable, and maybe that was enough.
I had to channel my anxiety into a fierce determination for the raceahead. The financial strain and the fear of losing the ranch—those were battles for another day. “Okay,” I said, my voice steady. “We’ll focus on the race. I believe in you, Ashlyn. I know you can win.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a surge of conviction. I would throw myself into this challenge alongside her, pushing aside my worries about whatever Ashlyn was hiding.
Her face softened in response, a hint of gratitude flickering in her eyes. “Thank you, Stephanie. It means everything to me that you believe in us.” There was something in her voice that made my heart skip. It was more than just gratitude; it was a thread of connection that pulled me closer to her. The way Ashlyn looked at me, the warmth in her gaze—it made my insides flutter. I wanted to reach out, to hold her, and to erase the distance that had crept between us. The love I felt for her was undeniable, an undercurrent that surged with every shared moment.
But I had to be strong. “We’ll work together to prepare Phantom for the race,” I said, forcing myself voice to be steady. “We’ll get him in shape, practice our strategies, and make sure he’s ready to go.”
“Absolutely,” she agreed, her tone shifting to that of a determined partner. “I’ll spend extra time with him too, working on stamina and speed. I know he’s got it in him.”
“Together, we’ll make this happen,” I replied, feeling a spark of hope ignite within me. “I’ll help however I can.”
As I looked at Ashlyn, at the way her hair caught the light and the softness of her expression, I felt a rush of affection. But it was overshadowed by a sense of urgency. The race was our immediate
concern, but the unresolved tension between us loomed large. Whatever Ashlyn was hiding felt like a chasm that could open up at any moment. I knew I had to navigate it carefully.
“Let’s get to work then,” I said, forcing a smile even as uncertainty gnawed at me. “We’ll train hard and win this race. And after that . . . ” My voice trailed off as I considered the next steps. The
impending confrontation with whatever truth lay between us. But for now, I had to keep my focus on the task at hand.
With a deep breath, I took a step toward her, brushing my fingers lightly against Ashlyn’s arm. The connection sparked like electricity, sending a shiver through me. In that moment, the world outside
