Page 41 of Puck and Prejudice

I set a slow pace, letting the mare get used to me. Once we’re out in the open and away from the stables, I nudge the pace up to a trot, and then a canter. You can’t ride a thoroughbred and not give the horse its head. Soon the wind is blowing against my face, and I feel like I’m flying. I do as Mickey suggested and let Raven Ray take me to her favorite spot. I see the lake in the distance down a small hill, and a fifty-foot-tall oak tree growing near it that looks straight out of a fairy tale.

“No wonder this is your favorite place, girl.”

I slow her down to an easy trot, and when we’re by the lake shore, I dismount. “Are you thirsty, Raven Ray?”

She’s already moving toward the lake, so I take that as my answer. I keep a loose hold of the reins though, just in case.

While she satiates her thirst, I take my time to appreciate the view. I love my dad’s ranch, but we don’t have a body of water. If this was my property, I’d come to this spot every day. I’d put a bench under the tree and sit there for hours.

Suddenly, there’s a shift in the wind. It picks up speed, blowing through my hair and sending leaves and dirt skittering toward the lake. Raven Ray becomes restless. I look over my shoulder and see dark storm clouds approaching from the east. Shit.

“We need to go, girl.” I try to mount, but the mare is skittish and moves away from me. “Come on, now.”

I tighten my hold on the reins, pulling her muzzle toward me. I manage to put my left foot on the stirrup, but the loud boom of thunder in the distance spooks Raven Ray. She rears, sending me to the ground. Adrenaline spikes through my veins. There’s nothing more dangerous than a frightened horse, especially when you’re on the ground, inches away from its hooves. I crawl away from her, then get back to my feet. Lightning slashes across the sky, and then thunder booms again.

Before I can grab her reins again, Raven Ray takes off. “No! Come back!”

Like she’d listen to my plea. Soon, she disappears up the hill. I run after her while only one thought runs through my mind.I lost Jackson’s favorite horse. He’s going to kill me.

* * *

JACKSON

I wasn’t surprised to find Izzie gone when I went looking for her. I can’t really sleep in when I’m in someone else’s house, and I guessed it’d be the same for her. It’s another thing I have in common with her. She must have gone to the stables to check on Fleur and the foal, which I still have to name.

I head out and notice it’s about to rain cats and dogs. In fact, heavy rain is already falling by the lake. Instead of walking to the stables, I drive to avoid getting soaked.

Mickey is there with a tacked up Raven Ray, who seems agitated. When he turns to me, I notice the creases on his forehead.

“What’s the matter?” I ask.

“Izzie took Raven Ray for a ride, but Raven came back without Izzie.”

My stomach churns. “No…”

“Raven Ray must have gotten spooked by the thunder. I’m terribly sorry. We weren’t expecting a thunderstorm. I should have checked the weather.”

“It’s not your fault. Saddle Apollo for me, please. I’m going after Izzie.”

I take Raven’s reins from him so she won’t run off. Normally, I’d saddle Apollo myself, but Mickey is faster. In less than a minute, he has Apollo ready.

“Do you know where Izzie went?” I ask as I mount Apollo.

“The lake.”

A pang of worry hits my chest. It’s already pouring down there. “Okay, thanks.”

“Don’t get hit by lightning!” Mickey yells as an afterthought.

“I’ll try not to.”

I sit deeply in the saddle, arching my lower back and applying pressure with my calves to urge Apollo into a canter. I usually trot first, but there’s no time. Apollo is the only horse I trust to head into a storm. He won’t get frightened by thunder.

When we reach the top of the hill from where I can usually see the lake, I stop. There’s a curtain of rain in front of me, and visibility is almost zero. I’m soaked through within seconds.

“Izzie!” I shout.

Every second that goes by without a response makes my heart heavier with worry. I’ll never forgive myself if something happened to her.

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