This is the first story I ever wrote directly in English. One day I had this idea and I just had to write it.

Prologue

Alex Ryan was sitting on a couch, at home, reading a comic. He was a little bit distracted, so he decided to go into the kitchen and take a snack. But then he hear voices from his father's study.

"I thought it was a good idea Liz"

"Harry, they are only fifteen, they are too young!"

"I know, I was only wondering if we could do something to get them together… Nick marrying Drovers's heiress is a perfect plan. We'll be the wealthier owners in the area!"

Alex was astonished. He knew Claire McLeod since his family arrived in the district, a few months ago. Claire was the most stubborn girl he ever knew, the only one who always dared challenge him. She was definitely not the kind of girl he would date, she neither dressed up like a girl, but he somehow liked her. He and Claire were closer then she and Nick, they were a kind of friends, even if they always argued. "Nick's been at school for the last 4 months while Claire and I were already working in our farms. Claire and Nick hardly know each other, how the old man can plan something like this?" He thought as he decided to keep listening from the doorway.

"But we already are"

"But no one would neither compare with Killarney and Drovers together. Nick will arrive this evening, so I can invite Jack and his daughter tomorrow for lunch"

"No problem for me. But… what about Alex?"

"Alex?!? I think he likes Claire"

"Yes, he do. I was wondering… why not Alex?"

"Yup! Why not Alex?" muttered Alex a bit hurt "I'm the oldest, I should be the fist to be settled"

"Jack's daughter is not the kind of girl Alex would date, and she's too smart to date someone that already dated half Gungellan girls in a few months."

"You're right, but…"

"He started flirting every girl he met in the very second we arrived here, and I wonder if he ever noticed she actually is a girl. And, as I already said, she could never accept to marry someone like Alex."

Now Alex was very angry. Why in the world his parents thought Claire could never marry someone like him? He could have at his feet every girl in the district, but not Claire McLeod because she was too smart for him?!?

He was too angry to think, so he thought a snack would be great.

Chapter 1

The next day Alex was still angry. He felt that every statement his father dropped about Claire or Nick at lunch seemed to be overlooking.

He also observed Claire and Nick's behaviour. He was sure nothing could happen between his little brother and the girl next-door, but his Dad could be such a underhand.

Claire noticed there was something wrong about Alex, but she supposed he had a fight with the girlfriend of the week. She tried to talk to him after lunch, but he answered harshly that he was fine and however it wasn't her business. She felt a bit hurt, she thought they were becoming mates in the last few months, so when she arrived home that afternoon she was still in a bad mood.

"Hey bro', what's wrong with you?" asked Nick shortly after Jack and Claire left.

"Nothing. I'm waiting for Michael, so leave please"

Michael Davies was a close friend of Alex, they saw each other almost everyday, especially when Michael tried to avoid his 7-year-old sister Ruth. Nick didn't like Michael very much, so he agreed to leave his brother alone.

An hour later, while Nick was passing Alex' room, he seemed to hear his name, so he approached. Alex was growling something, than he heard Michael's voice reply.

"Someone here is jealous?" giggled Michael.

"Me jealous? Are you kidding? Jealous of the most boyish girl in the world?"

"So why this 'plan' is getting you so angry? I thought you and Claire were only mates…"

"We are. But I can't stand the fact Dad neither take me into consideration. Like I cannot conquer every girl I want to" replied Alex dryly.

"What are you talking about?" said Nick entering the room.

"Your Dad is planning your marriage with Claire McLeod!" answered Michael.

"Are you joking? It's not funny at all" Michael always pulled his leg, mostly about his marriage-to-be with little annoying Ruth, but this time Alex was not laughing at this gag.

"No, no, I'm not joking at all" continued Michael almost burning into laugh "and there is something more, Alex wants to marry the girl himself!"

"I don't!" screamed Alex blushing a little. "But I have a plan too" continued as he became serious again.

"What are you talking about?" asked almost together Michael and Nick.

"Nick, do you like Claire?"

"Of course I do"

"Do you think you could marry her one day or another?"

"I'm fifteen, of course I don't think I could marry her. We barely know each other"

"That's what I thought."

"You're scaring me Alex" murmured Nick "You look devilishly"

Alex burst into laugh, and so did Michael. Nick thought this was the end of the talk, but Alex continued.

"My own father thinks I can't conquer someone. I'll show him I can"

"Are you completely mad?" said Nick. He was seriously starting to worry about his brother's mental health.

"It's a challenge. I like challenges. I'll date Claire McLeod, I can make it."

"You bet?" asked Michael.

"Yup"

"And what will you do with this girl?"

"What?"

"I mean… are you going to… kiss her or what?"

"Sure. I bet I will… Oh, no no no"

"You give up already?" tease Michael.

"No, better. I bet she will kiss me in public, where anyone could see it"

"I bet my horse you will fail if you bet your horse as well"

"Here I am." Said Alex as he and Michael shook their hands.

Nick was totally astonished.

"But… what about Claire?" he stammered. Alex looked at him unrealizing.

"Are you going to tell me that you don't care about joking with her feelings? I thought she was your mate, I thought you care about her, at least a bit! If you do make this to her I guess you are completely insensitive to anything" and he left the room slamming the door.

Nick was in disgust. Alex was competitive and stubborn, but he always thought his brother was a good person. Fortunately he was only staying for the weekend, so he was not supposed to watch his brother carry out this stupid plan.

He considered the possibility of tell Claire what he heard, but she'd believed Alex, not him. He wasn't as close to Claire as Alex, why should she believe him?

So… what do you say? Liked the beginning so far? Let me know, you know how.