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Nicky closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of the water around them and the bond she shared with Midnight. It was a moment of pure connection, where words were unnecessary, and the beauty of the world enveloped them. With a gentle nudge of her heels, Nicky guided Midnight towards the shallower part of the pond. They continued their leisurely stroll through the water, cherishing the serenity of the place, knowing that moments like these were rare and precious.
Nicky loved animals, especially horses and dogs. It was a passion she had nurtured since childhood, spending countless hours at the Bailey’s horse ranch on the outskirts of Marco Island. She had learned to ride there, forging a deep connection with the majestic creatures that roamed the ranch’s pastures.
For Nicky, animals had become her silent confidants, offering solace in times of profound personal turmoil. The knowledge that she could never have children had left her with scars that ran deeper than mere words could express. The turmoil of her divorce and selling the home she’d so lovingly chosen in Miami had ripped her to the core.
Returning to Marco Island, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature, the comforting support of her family, and the companionship of horses like Storm and Midnight, was her way of finding healing. In the soft, knowing eyes of these animals, she discovered a unique kind of therapy. Their presence, their unspoken empathy, eased the ache in her heart. The rhythmic beat of hooves on the earth, the gentle nuzzle of a horse’s muzzle, and the unwavering loyalty of her beloved basset hound, Belvedere, provided a sense of comfort and understanding that words could not.
In the company of these creatures, Nicky found a refuge where her soul could mend and the weight of her past could be momentarily lifted. They didn’t ask questions, didn’t judge her, or offer empty sympathy; instead, they just loved her with an unwavering innocence that transcended the complexities of human emotions.
With their gentle eyes and graceful movements, the horses understood her need for solace. They communicated in a language older than words, a silent understanding that ran deeper than the deepest wounds. Storm Chaser offered her his quiet strength and was her trusted steed. But Midnight, in particular, seemed to sense her pain and offered his back as a literal and metaphorical means of support. He, too, had something ripped from him when his racing career ended due to an injury, and they shared a pain no one else really understood.
Belvedere, her loyal basset hound, was a constant presence by her side, his mournful eyes replaced by a sense of purpose when they were together. His tail wagged with the simple joy of being in her company, a reminder that life could still hold moments of happiness, even in the midst of her struggles.
In their world, Nicky found solace and healing. The tranquility of the ranch, the soft rustle of leaves, and the earthy scent of hay and horsehair provided a sanctuary where she could breathe freely, away from the prying eyes and well-intentioned but often painful questions of friends and family. Here, Nicky didn’t need to explain herself or justify her choices. She could simply exist, finding comfort in the company of these creatures who loved her unconditionally, reminding her that life was still beautiful in all its simplicity.
The sound of laughter intruded into her silence as she sat on the rocks in the sun, drying her riding pants, and Midnight grazed at the edges of the pond. As she looked up, her breath caught in her throat, surprising her. Mike looked a lot more relaxed upon Storm Chaser.
The comparison was impossible to ignore. Both man and horse were striking in their own right. Storm Chaser, the Akhal-Teke stallion, was a vision of elegance and power. His silver coat gleamed in the sunlight with a metallic sheen that made him appear almost otherworldly. His black face, adorned with a distinctive white diamond on his forehead, gave him an air of regal charm. His ears, mane, tail, and slender legs, all in silky black, contrasted beautifully with his radiant silver coat.
And then there was Mike. Tall, with a rugged handsomeness that seemed to belong to the wind and sea. His dark brown hair, kissed by the sun, framed a face that bore the lines of a life well-lived. His hazel eyes held a spark of humor as he laughed, creating crinkles at the corners. Dressed in jeans and a cotton shirt, he looked much more relaxed riding Storm Chaser.
Nicky shook herself mentally, suddenly self-conscious of her own appearance. She was damp from her earlier swim with Midnight, her riding pants and shirt clinging to her. As she continued to watch him, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. He looked a lot more relaxed than he’d been the day before. But then, the Bailey’s horse ranch seemed to have a way of unraveling the layers of stress and worry, revealing the person beneath.
Nicky felt her heart flutter, and she sucked in a breath to calm herself and put her weird feelings down to the magic of Pan’s Waterfall, a tableau of tranquility and beauty that mirrored the harmony of nature. For a moment, the weight of her past and the uncertainty of her future seemed to fade into the background. Here, in the company of these majestic creatures, the beautiful scenery, fresh air, and good company, she found herself on the cusp of something new—she glanced at Mike and felt her heart lurch—and unexpected.
“Nicky!” Jade called as she walked her horse to where Nicky was standing up.
“Hi,” Nicky greeted the teenager with a warm smile. “How are you and Arrow getting along?”
“I love Arrow,” Jade told her, sliding out of the saddle and walking the horse toward them. “She’s a great horse.”
“But you have your heart set on Midnight.” Nicky patted Midnight’s neck as he lazily grazed and ignored the humans talking about him. “He’s a beautiful horse.” Her mind was filled with memories of a happier time. “I used to ride him all the time when I came to visit my parents.”
“You two do seem to have a bond I haven’t seen with anyone else who rides him,” Jade commented.
“We understand each other,” Nicky’s voice was soft, and she laughed when Midnight gave her a gentle nudge. “To be honest with you, I know my sisters say they want to sell him, but I doubt whether Steph will let them.”
“Oh!” Jade’s face fell, and she sighed.
“Don’t feel blue,” Nicky told her. “You are a great rider, but you still have a lot to learn, and your uncle is right to be concerned about you riding a horse like Midnight.” She leaned forward and stroked Arrow. “I’ve seen how you and Arrow work together, and if you want to buy a horse, you should look at her.” She laughed when Arrow whinnied and rubbed her nose on Nicky’s arm. “She’s a mustang with a beautiful spirit, just like you.”
“She does,” Jade agreed, looking conflicted as she looked from Midnight to Arrow. “It’s just I feel like Midnight and I share a connection.” Her voice dropped. “We both have broken souls.”
Nicky’s heart lurched at the young girl’s words and the haunted look in her eyes.
“I felt like that too when we first got Midnight,” Nicky told her, swallowing the burning lump rising in her throat. It was just after her second miscarriage. “He’d just recovered from an injury that ended his racing career, and I’d just recovered from one myself.”
“Oh no,” Jade looked at Nicky with compassion shining in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Nicky assured her. “My sister told me about your parents.” She gave Jade’s arm a gentle squeeze. “That’s another reason Arrow is the perfect fit for you.”
“Why?” Jade’s brow crumpled curiously.
“Arrow was a wild mustang who lost her parents when she was one year old,” Nicky told her. “My older sister, Lorry, and I were visiting my mother’s cousin in Montana when we found Arrow.”
“You were the ones that saved her?” Jade’s eyes widened.
“Yes,” Nicky said, nodding and gently stroking Arrow’s forehead. “But we got her to trust us, and she’s been with us ever since.”
