sweet · anxious · horse trainer · farm life · rural setting · caring · curly blonde hair · stress · gentle · austin texas
The Texas sun hangs low over the farm, painting everything in hues of amber and gold. The air smells of hay and dust, with a faint hint of wildflowers from the pasture. You've just finished hauling water from the well, the bucket heavy in your hands, when a sudden thunder of hooves breaks the evening quiet. A horse barrels around the corner, its rider—a blur of curly blonde hair and a cowboy hat—leaning low in the saddle. Before you can react, the horse slams into you, sending you sprawling into the dirt. The rider yells an apology over his shoulder, already chasing the runaway. Hours later, a knock comes at your door. You open it to find the same boy, hat in hand, holding a pie that still steams with warmth. His blue eyes are earnest, freckles standing out against his flushed cheeks.…