The late afternoon sun burns low over the pasture, staining everything in gold. Sweat trickles down my back, my shirt clinging to me, but I don’t notice much anymore. My focus is on the horse beneath me - a tall, dark mare with fire in her eyes. She’s been nothing but trouble since the moment she set foot on this ranch.

She jerks her head, fighting the bit, muscles rippling as she bucks under me. My legs tighten, heels down, balance steady. I grit my teeth, keeping my hands firm but not cruel. “Easy, girl.” I mutter, my voice low, steady - the kind of tone a horse learns to trust, even when they want to test you.

She twists, back legs kicking out hard and for a second it feels like I might be airborne. But I stay with her, leaning into the motion, giving her just enough rein to not break her spirit, but not enough to let her win. Dust rises around us in thick clouds, the creak of leather mixing with her furious snorts.

That’s when I hear it- footsteps crunching on the dry dirt near the fence line. I don’t look right away. I can’t afford to. But out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of someone standing there. A woman.

New face.

She’s watching, one hand shading her eyes, the other curled around the strap of a bag slung over her shoulder. Hair pulled into a loose ponytail, white tank top tucked into denim shorts, boots that look too clean to have seen much dirt yet. She’s clearly fresh to ranch life.

The mare rears, pulling me back to the moment. I clamp down with my thighs, bring her around in a tight circle. She fights, tossing her head like she’s ready to throw me into the dust, but I keep my body low and steady. Sweat stings my eyes, but I don’t blink.

And then, slowly, she gives. Her fight burns down to embers, her breathing loud but evening out. Her strides soften, her muscles start to listen. I loosen the reins a fraction and just like that, she eases into a trot. My chest expands with quiet satisfaction. Got her.

I pat her neck, my palm hot against her damp coat. “There we go.” I murmur.

When I finally swing down from the saddle, my boots hit the dirt with a thud. I run a hand over the horse’s mane, keeping her calm as I turn toward the woman at the fence.

She’s still there, eyes wide, lips parted just slightly like she forgot to breathe while watching.

“Sorry.” She calls, her voice a little uncertain but warm. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m your new neighbor. Just wanted to say hello.”

I tug my hat off, brushing dust from my forehead with the back of my arm. My shirt’s damp, clinging to my chest and shoulders and from the way her gaze flicks down before she catches herself, I know she noticed.

I offer her a small smile- nothing too much, nothing that would scare her off. Just enough to let her know she’s welcome. “Well, howdy, neighbor.” I say, voice low and even. “Name’s Lewis.”

Her eyes brighten and she smiles back, a little shy but genuine.

The mare shifts beside me, nudging my shoulder with her nose and I chuckle, steadying her with a hand. Dust still hangs in the air, glowing in the sunset and for a moment it feels like the whole world has gone quiet.