Page 10 of The Outlaw's Code

“I respect him,” Shane replied. “He does his own thing. Doesn’t give a damn about anyone’s approval. He’s a breath of fresh air.”

“Breath of fresh air? Sure. That’s one way to put it.” I let out a small laugh. “But I’m sure I’ll get used to him, soon enough.”

Isit just because this is all I have?

I watched Shane as we did saddle work, setting equipment up on one of the horses. He was being particularly kind to the horse, his usual sweetness with them amplified. He murmured the name Ursulaas he continued to work with her, and she was calm as ever. I was mesmerized by him, unable to look away even if I wanted to. There was just something about him, something shining all the way through.

Is my mind playing tricks on me?

I couldn’t even remember my damn name. It would make sense that my feelings were all mixed up and wrong, too, with nothing to base them on. The way I was feeling about Shane was probably a side effect of that. It was probably the same reason Ifelt so strangely at home on Stratton Ranch, even though I’d only worked here a few times. It was like something was settling in my bones about this place, something all too familiar.

“Her name’s Ursula?” I asked, desperate to get out of my head, hoping to make conversation.

“Yep. Ursula.” Shane smiled. “She’s my cousin’s favorite horse. But you want to know a secret?”

“What’s the secret?”

“I think she’s everyone’s favorite horse.” Shane let out a light laugh. “There’s just something about her.”

“You light up around all of them,” I replied. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you light up like that around another person. At least, not yet.”

“People are a little more complicated. But Ursula? She’s nothing but peace.”

I walked up to Ursula, standing next to Shane. As he gently stroked the horse’s neck, I followed suit, our hands inches away from each other. I looked over at him, distracted by the look on his face, all serenity and smiles. I found myself smiling, too. I was so focused on Shane that I didn’t even notice when our fingers crossed each other’s path, fingertips tangled just for a moment.

Warmth.

I’d felt it, then, so close to Shane. There was something between us, something fleeting, a spark of electricity underneath my fingertips, but what if it was all in my head?—

I moved my hand away from his, my heart racing inside my chest. Shane was staring over at me, something unreadable on his face. But a few seconds later, he went back to work with Ursula, as if I’d faded into the background of the stable. I was grateful for his lack of attention, barely able to process what’d just happened to me?—

Happened to us?

Had Shane felt it too?

Had Shane feltanything?

Nothing made sense anymore.

I’d tried and failed to get to sleep, tossing and turning, my brain refusing to settle down. When I was finally able to get any sleep, I had that same dream again. The trail, the horse, the cowboy, the silhouette. This time, I got off my horse, deciding to charge right at the stranger. I was tired of not knowing who he was, my memories feeling like they were trying to creep into the edges of my mind.

I just didn’t want to be in the dark anymore.

“Hey! Hey!” I called out to the stranger, my feet pumping as fast as they could. “Who are you? What’s your name?”

The stranger said nothing. I continued to run.

The trail felt like it was extending and contracting at random intervals, leaving me unable to tell if I was getting any closer or if the stranger was getting further away. “Hey! Come on! Just tell me your name!”

Again, not a word.

Suddenly, I was close enough to make out his face.

“Shane?” As soon as his name left my mouth, I woke up in my cabin, my sheets stained with sweat.

What the hell?

I searched my useless mind for an explanation, something I could hold onto. But there was nothing, just blank memories, feelings and connections that I didn’t understand. It was like I was being tortured, someone playing a twisted game that I’d never agreed to. I jolted up out of bed, briskly walking to my cabin door, my fingers wrapped around the doorknob.

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