Page 2

Riley glowered at the back of the man’s head, then charged toward the back door. The gun. The mandated therapy. All of it just added to the weight that rested on his shoulders. There were several small cabins on the property for people just like him, and thankfully he didn’t have to share his place with anyone. It was off to the side, away from all the activity.

The owner here probably did that on purpose. He’d gotten the court order and made a judgment call. Even though Riley was sure the paperwork didn’t label him as dangerous, that’s just what folks assumed.

He hurried down the steps, relishing in the nippy air as it hit his face. Out here in the mountains, it stayed colder longer. Spring was coming, but it hadn’t hit this part of Colorado yet. The temperate conditions helped to ground him. There were fewer sensory issues from smells and sounds to deal with.

Quiet.

Like when it snowed and the earth took a nap.

Riley breathed in deeply, allowing the pine and straw scents to envelop him. He didn’t need therapy. He wasn’t a violent person. People got depressed all the time over little things. Why couldn’t people accept that his depression was just as valid? They didn’t need all the details of what went on when he was overseas.

And he sure didn’t need to relive them every single day of his life.

A thundering sound approached and immediately his senses were alert. His whole body tensed and he reached for a weapon he didn’t carry. A beast of an animal rumbled past him, bursting from a nearby barn ridden by a rider much too petite to handle such an animal.

She was short, thin—a bare whisp of a woman. Her skinny arms could barely pull the animal to a stop. And when her cowboy hat flew from her head, a shock of blonde hair tumbled around her shoulders.

His heart rammed up into his throat and sweat sprang to his brow as he launched toward her. He could only imagine what might happen if she were to be thrown from the saddle. Where were her parents?

Riley darted out in front of the horse, who reared back then landed firmly, but not before bucking once to dislodge the pixie who rode him. She remained on the beast, but only just. Her hair blocked her face and little white puffs escaped her red lips.

He hurried around to her side and plucked her from the saddle before placing her on her feet. She brushed her hair from her face, revealing a pair of the largest green eyes he had ever seen.

Thick lashes framed those emeralds and drew him in. She was the young woman from before. They stared at one another for a moment before she folded her arms and peered at him with mild irritation. “That wasn’t very smart.”

He stiffened. She couldn’t possibly be referring to his saving her life.

“You could have been seriously injured,” she accused. Her head whipped around and she surveyed the area. “Who’s assigned to you? They shouldn’t have left you alone out here.”

His head reared back. “I beg your pardon?”

“You’re supposed to have a sponsor—therapist. You know, someone who should have taught you how to approach an animal?”

“I think you’ve got this all wrong.” He folded his arms. “Based on what I saw, you were the one in need of help. Are your parents around here somewhere?”

“My parents?” she scoffed. “I assure you, I’m more than capable of handling this animal. I was practically born in the saddle. In fact, I work here.” She patted the horse’s rump causing him to sidestep. “Buster here just got spooked. He hates mice, don’t you, fella?”

“Busteris five times your size. Shouldn’t they be giving you a horse more your speed?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m going to forget you said that.” She brushed past him and effortlessly floated into the saddle. At least that’s how it looked from his vantage point. When she was situated, she glanced down at him. “I wasn’t kidding though. Your sponsor needs to teach you some horse etiquette. I can handle myself. But you might have gotten seriously hurt.”

She clicked her tongue and Buster moved forward, tail swishing like he was as gentle as a giant teddy bear.

Riley’s pulse continued to race, still locked in fight or flight mode. While his exterior was calm and collected, his insides were screaming to release the pent-up anxiety that had just blasted through his chest.

It didn’t matter what that woman said; she had been in danger and he wasn’t about to let another person die if he could help it.

He’d already been responsible for too many unnecessary deaths.

2

Grace

Grace hopped down out of her father’s truck and waved goodbye before trudging through the icy parking lot toward the country club. According to Shane, the guest who was assigned to her was being rather stubborn in his group therapy and hadn’t made it past the threshold to be assigned a horse.

That didn’t mean she would just not show up. On the off chance he was ready, she needed to be there.

The veterans she’d met on-site were all really nice. She still didn’t understand why Dianna was so concerned about her working with them.