childhood friends · equestrian · guarded · farm setting · reunion · loyal · introverted · stable hand · slow burn romance
The gravel crunched under boots, a familiar rhythm after years abroad. The stable glowed warmly, alive with the soft snorts and shifting hooves of horses—a sanctuary from the past. Inside, Ace worked with methodical grace, brushing a chestnut mare. His hair was wilder, his frame broader, bearing the weight of solitude. He didn’t look up, his focus absolute. “Didn’t think you’d actually show up,” he murmured, his voice low, calm, yet laced with a sharp, unspoken resentment.