Chapter 1

I woke up to my alarm ringing. I rolled over and slammed my hand on top of it, staring at the bright green numbers that read 4:00 AM. I swung my feet over my bed and walked through the door in my room, to my connected bathroom. I took my shower, leaving my hair to dry naturally, as I threw on some short jean shorts and a red tank top. I looked in the bathroom mirror at my bright green eyes and dark brown hair. I walked downstairs, making myself some coffee, and sat at the table, thinking about how lonely it was in this house.

“Can’t wait till Gabi is back.” I muttered to myself, putting my mug in the sink and walking outside to start the chores.

My name is Ashton Stevens, and my sister, Gabi Stevens, and I owned Stevens Stables, in North Carolina.

I didn’t usually have to get up this early, but with only one of us to do the chores, I had to really pick up the pace.

As early morning turned into late morning, the sun got hotter, and I got sweatier. At about 10, Jason, the next door neighbor, and the only person within fifty miles of us, stopped by to check on me.

“Hey Ashton!” He called, waving frantically at me as I led Bandit around the ring. The dark brown foal was growing big for his age.

“Jason, what brings you out here? Why aren’t you with Marcy?” I asked as he entered the ring.

“Just came to check on you! I know you’re here all alone, so I was just wondering if you wanted any help.” He said, coming up on the other side of Bandit.

Jason was really nice. He was 20, and was quite the looker, with light brown hair and ice blue eyes, as well as a very nice farmer’s tan. He always came around to help with whatever needed to be done.

“Actually, yeah. Can you go let Icing out of her stall and lead her to the pastures? She is just dying to get out there.” I chuckled. He smiled, his eyes twinkling.

“Sure, kiddo! Will do!” He jogged away, already knowing where to go seeing as he knew these stables better then his dad’s.

Suddenly, I heard a car pull up, and brakes squeaking made me immediately know who it was. I dropped Bandit’s lead and ran out of the ring, being sure to close and lock the gate.

“GABI!” I screamed, running at my 20 year old sister full speed. She held her arms open and I threw mine around her.

“Hey, kid! How are ya? How are the stables doin? And is that Jason’s truck I see?” She asked knowingly, winking at me. I rolled my eyes.

“Yes it is Jason’s truck. He came to offer help. I’m fine, and the stables are great. Jinx has been missing you though.” She grinned.

“Well I should probably go see him then. Ashton, this is my friend Kayla. Kayla, this is my sister Ashton.” The girl who stepped out of the passenger seat of Gabi’s car didn’t look anything like the people we usually associated with. She had platinum blond hair, was wearing giant diva sunglasses, and I could see the pounds of makeup she smothered herself in.

“Howdy there!” I stuck my hand out. “It’s a pleasure to meet you!” I said happily. She looked down at my outstretched hand with a look of disgust, before looking back up at me.

“Hello.” She said snottily, turning away to text on her phone. I looked over at Gabi with a questioning look on her face and she returned with one saying ‘tell you later’.

“Ash, I let Icing roam free. Oh, hey Gabs!” Jason greeted with a large smile. “Who’s your friend there?” He asked curiously. “I’m Jason.” He greeted. She smiled seductively at him.

“Kayla.” She said in a quietly seductive tone. He tipped his cowboy hat before turning to me.

“Since Gabi’s back, do you wanna go ride? I know you haven’t been on Legacy since Gabi left, and Majesty wants to go out.” He held his hand out to me and I took it, letting him lead me to the stalls. I barely caught the openly dirty look that Kayla was giving me.

“She seemed…not very nice actually. I heard how snotty she was to you.” He said sympathetically. I shrugged.

“No biggie.” I said nonchalantly. He stopped and turned to look at me with those persuasive blue eyes.

“You and I both know that’s a lie, Ashton. Admit that it hurt you.” He said. My shoulders drooped and my phony smile fell.

“It’s just…no one’s ever refused to shake my hand before…was it me? Was I too forward?” I asked rhetorically.

“What she did says nothing about you, and everything about her. Don’t you fret none; you’re perfect just the way you are.” He smiled at me. I gave him a genuine smile back.

We saddled up Majesty and Legacy and walked out. I caught a glimpse of Gabi leading Bandit around the ring some more, and Kayla was sitting on the back deck texting next to our above ground pool, which we had built the deck around.

Jason and I took the barely used trail into the forest on the left side of our property. We rode till we reached the water falls. We tied up our horses to give them a break before I dove into the water, Jason not too far after me. We played in the water until about 2:00, which was when we decided we were hungry. We headed back to the stables to make ourselves some sandwiches. After unsaddling the horses and brushing them out, we walked into the house, talking loudly.

“Hey guys. How was the ride?” Gabi asked, sliding plates across the island at us. We caught them and tucked into the sandwiches.

“Great!” I exclaimed, wiping my face as I put my dish in the sink. “We went to the falls and swam for most of the time.” I smiled. Just then, the back door opened and Kayla walked in, hanging up her phone.

“Well, I see you’re finally back from the ride.” She said shortly, walking towards my room.

“Um, excuse me, that’s my room.” I called as she pushed the door open.

“Not anymore.” And then she slammed the door shut. Suddenly, a loud scream came from inside and she ran out, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. “What is that horrid creature in there?!” She asked, her voice two octaves higher than it usually was. I walked into my room and took my Boa Constrictor out of the cage, twisting him around my neck.

“Who this? This is Hugh!” I exclaimed. Jason was laughing silently, his whole body shaking.

“EW! GET THAT THING OUT OF HERE!” She squealed. “I refuse to sleep in a room with any snake in it.” She said huffily.

“Good.” I said in a voice of finality, putting Hugh back. “Wanna come in and hang out, Jase?” I asked. He nodded and kicked off his riding boots before walking to my room. We closed the door and I turned on the movie Despicable Me. We were laying on my queen sized bed when the door opened and Gabi poked her head in.

“Just checking up. We all need to talk.” I hit pause and sat up as Gabi came in and sat on the end of my bed.  “The reason Kayla is staying here for the summer is because her parents wanted her to come out and learn how to do hard work. She’s a spoiled rich brat and she needs to learn discipline. I would really appreciate if you helped out, instead of making it worse.” She said in a pleading voice.

“Gabs, you and I can break the strongest horse, and wrestle the toughest bulls. We can handle little miss blondie too. And with Jason at our side, we’ll be unstoppable.” I said, smiling. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“Thanks little sis!” Gabi exclaimed, ruffling my hair.

“Little!” I cried indignantly. “You’re only a two weeks older than me!” I said, pouting.

“Sorry, sis. I’m gonna go start dinner. You kids, behave!” She waggled her finger before walking out of my room, softly closing the door behind her. I hit play and Jason and I laid back down.

“So…” Jason started, but his phone ringing interrupted him. He held up a finger as he answered it. “Hey Marcy.” He said, sounding irritated. “No, I told you I was going to spend the day with Ashton.” He said, rolling his eyes at me. “I see you every day; I barely get to see her.” He said angrily before holding up a finger and stepping out of my room. I heard his sock feet walk away from my door, and the front door opened, then slammed shut.

I sighed sadly. Marcy was Jason’s controlling girlfriend. I have to admit, she’s an amazing rider, but she’s stuck up, snobby, and just all around mean. She didn’t like Jason spending any time with me at all.

My door opening door brought me out of my thoughts. I looked up to Jason’s apologetic face.

“I gotta go back, Ash. Sorry. We’ll hang out soon though, right?” He asked hopefully. I sighed silently.

“Yeah sure. Bye Jase.” I replied sadly. “Go back to your little bitch.” I muttered so soft he couldn’t hear.