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“Hi, I’m Stephanie Morley,” I said, aware that my voice held a hint of southern drawl. I extended my hand toward Ashlyn. “I couldn’t help but notice your presence here at the fair. It’s . . . uh . . . nice to meet you.” My words felt clumsy and awkward, a stark contrast to the effortless confidence that seemed to emanate from Ashlyn. But before I could embarrass myself any further, my eyes were drawn to the beautiful sorrel horse standing nearby. He was salivating and looking in discomfort. His head tilted and he was struggling to eat his hay. I suspected issues with his teeth.
Politely pausing the conversation with Ashlyn, I approached the horse’s owner, my heart pounding with a mixture of concern and urgency. “Excuse me,” I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “I couldn’t help but notice that your horse is showing some signs of discomfort while eating. He looks to me like he is having dental issues- not sure if you are aware, but I just didn’t want it to be missed.”
The owner’s eyes widened in surprise and gratitude, “Oh, thank you so much. I’m new to owning horses, I’ll get the veterinarian to check him. Do you know what the issue is?”
“May I?” I asked, indicating the horse’s mouth. She nodded her consent and I used my fingers to open the horse’s mouth to examine him. I noticed the foul smell and the swelling of the gums around some of the teeth. I saw the excessive salivation.
“I suspect EOTRH,” I said, confident in my diagnosis. “Your vet will do a quick surgery to extract the problem teeth, then he will advise you, but you should be easily able to manage the condition in the future.”
She smiled and nodded her thanks. As I watched her lead the horse away, a sense of satisfaction washed over me, knowing that I had made a difference in the life of an animal in need. My medic training was never far away, and horses weren’t that different to people.
Turning back to Ashlyn, I offered her a sheepish smile, hoping she wouldn’t think less of me for my abrupt departure. “Sorry about that,” I said, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I just couldn’t ignore the signs of distress in that horse. Anyway, it’s . . . nice to meet you, Ashlyn.”
Now that Ashlyn had seen the interaction between me and the horse’s owner, her interest seemed to have deepened, and I couldn’t help but notice the shift in her demeanor. Suddenly, she seemed intrigued, her gaze lingering on me with a newfound curiosity.
“So, Stephanie Morley,” she began, her voice betraying her interest. “Are you a vet?”
I chuckled softly, a hint of self-deprecation coloring my response. “No, not exactly,” I replied, feeling a rush of warmth at the genuine curiosity in Ashlyn’s sharp green eyes. “I’m actually a doctor, but horses and humans- they aren’t so different, medically at least.”
Ashlyn’s smile widened at my joke and she was beautiful in the sun under her cowboy hat, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride at having elicited such a genuine reaction from her. She seemed to enjoy my sense of humor, which made me feel oddly validated in her presence.
“Well, you certainly seem to know your way around horses,” Ashlyn remarked, her admiration clear in her voice. She was charming in her compliment and I liked it.
I shrugged modestly, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping into my cheeks. “I’ve always preferred horses to people,” I admitted, my gaze drifting back to the horse that had caught my attention earlier. “They just seem to understand me, you know?”
Ashlyn nodded in understanding, her eyes sparkling with a newfound respect. Her gaze lingered on me curiously, but her question still caught me off guard. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Stephanie Morley. What brings you here?” she inquired, her voice genuine and warm.
Surprise rippled through me at being singled out by Ashlyn Beech. It seemed everyone else was there to ask her questions or vie for her attention, so her interest in me made me feel even more nervous.
But I gathered my composure and mustered a smile, grateful for the opportunity to converse with her.
“Oh, uh, thank you,” I stammered slightly, my nerves betraying me despite my efforts to remain composed. “I’m here because . . . well, I own a ranch out east, and I’m looking for a trainer for my horse, Phantom.”
As I spoke, I felt a rush of excitement mingled with apprehension. This was my chance to make a good impression on Ashlyn, to show her that I was serious about finding the best possible trainer for Phantom. And though the prospect of speaking to someone as renowned as Ashlyn was daunting, I knew I had to seize the opportunity before it slipped away.
As Ashlyn’s expression shifted to one of disappointment at my explanation, I felt a pang of unease wash over me. Had I said something wrong? Was she not interested in helping me find a trainer for Phantom after all?
But before I could dwell on my self-doubt any further, Melody appeared at my side, clearly sensing the tension in the air. With a gentle nudge and a knowing glance, she said, “Why don’t you tell Ashlyn a little about Phantom?” her voice filled with encouragement.
I nodded gratefully, seizing the opportunity to share my passion for Phantom with someone who might understand. “Phantom is . . . he’s more than just a horse to me,” I began, my voice softening with affection as I spoke of my beloved companion. “I rescued him from a difficult situation a few years ago, and ever since then, he’s been a constant source of joy and challenge in my life.”
As I spoke, I could feel the warmth of Ashlyn’s gaze upon me, her interest piqued by my words.
Emboldened by her attention, I continued to paint a picture of Phantom’s remarkable spirit and resilience, detailing his journey from a troubled past to the magnificent horse he had become.
“But despite all his strength and beauty, Phantom has always been . . . difficult,” I admitted, a note of sadness creeping into my voice. “He’s fiercely independent and stubborn, and I’ve struggled to
train him. To earn his trust and respect as a rider.”
Ashlyn listened intently, her expression thoughtful as she absorbed each word I said. I continued to speak of my struggles and insecurities, a sense of vulnerability washing over me. Fear that Ashlyn would judge me for my shortcomings as a horse owner. But to my surprise, Ashlyn’s response was one of understanding and empathy. “It sounds like you’ve been through a lot with Phantom,” she remarked, her voice filled with genuine compassion. “But it also sounds like you care deeply for him, and that’s what matters most.”
Her words struck a chord within me, resonating with the deep love and affection I felt for Phantom. In that moment, I wondered if perhaps Ashlyn saw something in me that I hadn’t seen in myself—a strength and resilience born from my unwavering commitment to the horse I loved. As our conversation continued, I found myself opening up to Ashlyn in a way I hadn’t with anyone else in a very long time, sharing stories of Phantom’s antics and triumphs with a newfound sense of pride. And with each passing moment, I could sense Ashlyn’s interest in both me and the horse growing, her curiosity ignited by the bond that Phantom and I had shared and the challenges we had overcome together.
Ashlyn’s hand touched my wrist in a gesture of support and I felt electricity sparking through me from her touch. Her eyes were kind and I felt connection with her. I felt my heartbeat quicken. I wanted more from her. More of her.
Something about Ashlyn Beech drew me right in. She was utterly charming and although I suspected I wasn’t the only woman she had ever charmed she felt right. For Phantom and for me. She was the one I wanted on our journey with us.
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