Page 11 of Rebel Moon

“I’m assuming so.”

“You’re just saying that to scare me,” she said, glaring.

“Is it true what Ivy said about you tonight? That you grew up poor.”

“I don’t talk about my past.”

Okay, then. Good old Madeleine Price, cold as a Montana winter day.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because it’s no one’s business but mine. Goodnight, Knox,” Madeleine said.

“Sweet dreams.”

I watched her walk up the steps and across the small porch. When she reached the door, she glanced back and gave me a little wave.

I nodded, then headed to my own cabin, not fifteen feet from hers. This was going to be a long month.

4

MADELEINE

December 2

Trail Ride Through the Property

Heavy snow fall.

Supper: Chicken pot pie ·Winter greens

Ididn’t sleep well. It was so quiet I could hear an occasional rustle in bushes and the wind blowing in the trees. Then, just as Knox had predicted, I heard coyotes. It sounded like an entire den howling at the moon. At one point, I’d gotten up to look out the window and sure enough I saw four of them together near the fire pit looking utterly terrifying. I’d stood and watched them for a few minutes, shivers running up the back of my spine, before diving back under the feather quilt on the bed.

By eight the next morning, I’d only just pulled myself together, having finally fallen asleep at three a.m. But I needed to show up for Ivy. Today we were riding horses up some godforsaken trail, God help me. I dressed in the warmest things I’d packed—jeans, my thickest sweater, a puffy jacket, and snow boots I should’ve been wearing yesterday when I arrived. I hoped no one would mistake me for a marshmallow and try to put me between a cracker and a piece of chocolate.

We gathered at the barn after breakfast, scents of hay and leather mingling with horse manure to remind us where we were. The weather was cold and gray, with a close sky that felt poised to dump snow at any moment.

Soren Moon stood in the barn waiting for us, arms crossed. He was a big man and one who seemed to belong to the ranch as much as the ranch belonged to him. The day before, Ivy had told me more about the Moon family and what they did to save the land and ranch that had been in their family for generations. It had been the eldest brother’s idea to turn the ranch into a tourist destination. According to Stella Moon, the matriarch, it saved them from having to sell but also gave each of them a new sense of purpose.

“All right,” Soren said. “I matched you up with horses according to your experience level.” He went down the list. Jack and Ivy were given a matched pair of bays. Grant was matched with a big dark gelding named Ranger who seemed to match his rider’s energy and physical prowess. Luci was assigned a golden palomino called Clementine who was already stretching her neck over the stall door, perhaps hoping for an apple. And finally, Beck was to ride a gray mare, Blake a chestnut, Holly a sturdy little mouse-colored thing. Rhett was to ride a flashy sorrel named Bandit.

“Keep a strong hand on him,” Soren told Rhett. “He’s got more energy than sense.”

“Um, okay. I’m not really a horse guy,” Rhett said. “Maybe you should give me one with a little less energy?”

Soren gave him a long look. “I have a feeling you’ll be just fine.”

“You’re the boss,” Rhett said, flashing one of his killer smiles.

Soren came to me, looked me up and down. From the knit in his brow, he found me lacking. “Miss Price, you’re on Duchess.”

A groom led out a glossy bay mare with a delicate head and the unmistakable air of a creature who found her surroundings beneath her. She stopped, looked at the snow beyond the door, and sighed.

“She doesn’t like mud,” Soren said. “Doesn’t like puddles. Doesn’t like being rushed, crowded, or surprised. She’ll pick the cleanest line on the trail and take her sweet time doing it, but she’ll get you home safe.” He handed me the reins. “Finley says she’s a lady and well suited to you.”

“I’m choosing to take that as a compliment,” I said.

Soren didn’t comment, turning to Knox. “You have Cash.”