Well, you were all so kind in leaving such lovely reviews on my first story, I just had to put the first chapter of Rachel Barkley's next adventure on. I hope you like it!

The Angels are Singing

Chapter 1 – The Bronco Mare

"Mother! Jarrod! Heath! Audra! Rachel! Hey, where is everyone?" Nick yelled as he entered the house.

Rachel quickly laid down her McGuffey Reader, and ran into her waiting brother's arms.

"Nick, I'm so glad you're back!" she exclaimed, hugging him as tight as she could. She stood back from him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you get her? Well, did you?"

Nick laughed at Rachel's eagerness. At that moment, Victoria and Heath descended the stairs.

"Nicholas!" Victoria said, embracing her son. "Did you have a good trip?"

"It couldn't have been better!" Nick said enthusiastically, taking off his leather gloves and slapping them against his thigh to get rid of the dust.

"I presume you bought the mare, then," Heath said, clapping his brother on the back in welcome.

Nick looked at Rachel, his eyes shining with laughter as he saw the anticipation on her face. "Yes," Nick said finally. "I did get her. She's outside now."

Rachel didn't hesitate for one moment, and was out the door in a second. There, out in the yard, tossing her head impatiently, was a beautiful liver-chestnut mare with a white star beneath her forelock.

"She's beautiful!" Rachel exclaimed in admiration, her breath catching in her throat as she gazed in ecstasy at the regal horse before them. She stepped out towards her but Heath held her back.

"She isn't broke yet, is she Nick?" he asked.

"No," Nick replied.

"Well, just remember what happened last time you approached a wild horse!"

Rachel looked downcast as she recalled how, because of her stupidity in approaching a herd of wild horses, Heath had been trampled on by a wild stallion. It was a bitter-sweet memory in her mind, for although the incident had caused a great deal of anguish and guilt in her heart, it was also the time that she had truly learnt to love Heath as one of her brothers. Ever since the accident, they had been the best of friends, and Heath had been a great comfort to her since Eugene, her brother closest to her in age, had left for Berkeley College.

"But she's so beautiful!" Rachel said dismally.

"Looks can be deceiving," Heath said simply. "Wait till she's tamed down a bit, alright?"

Rachel looked questioningly at Nick, but saw in his eyes that he agreed.

"Is Audra out riding?" Nick asked suddenly.

"Yes," Victoria said. "You know Audra – always out riding. Rachel would have been too, if it weren't for her studies."

"You know, we didn't expect you till tomorrow," Rachel said, slipping her arm into Nick's as they walked into the house. "Jarrod's in Stockton at the moment, but he'll be home later."

"That's fine," Nick said, sitting down.

"Nicholas!" Victoria exclaimed. "Before you sit down, and before you get dust everywhere, you can go and change out of those filthy clothes and have a good soak in the bath tub!"

Nick smiled, "Alright," he said. "I'll do that, Mother." He took off his hat, and wiping the sweat off his brow, stood up, and went up the stairs, two at a time. Victoria watched him, and then she also went upstairs, feeling at rest now that her son had returned.

"I'm so glad he's back," Rachel said, sitting down. "It was beginning to feel so strange."

"What was?" Heath asked, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl and tossing one to Rachel.

"Not having Nick or Eugene at home," Rachel said sadly before taking a bite of her apple. "I was beginning to feel lost not having two of my four brothers around to tease me."

"But you've had Jarrod and me," Heath said, sitting next to her. "Now, maybe that's not so good, because I can tease twice as bad as Nick."

"No you can't," Rachel said, smiling. "Nick's always been the big tease in the family!"

"Oh, is that so?" Heath said, putting down his apple.

"Yes, it's a fact!" Rachel said undoubtedly, but not quite certain what was the cause of Heath's sudden grin. She was about to find out though, for Heath started tickling her without mercy.

"Who's the biggest tease then?" Heath asked, smiling as Rachel laughed uncontrollably.

"Stop it, Heath! Stop it!" Rachel cried, trying to push him away in vain.

"Who?" Heath repeated.

"You! Okay! You are!" Rachel said, struggling to catch her breath.

Heath stopped his attack, and sat back, smiling.

"That was mean!" Rachel exclaimed, shoving Heath's shoulder in an attempt to prove her displeasure.

"I thought you said you missed being teased!" Heath said, picking up his apple again and continuing to eat.

"Well I did say that, but…" she stopped, knowing that she had been defeated.

"Besides," Heath continued. "That's what big brothers do best."

Rachel laughed, and giving Heath another playful shove, stood up to go and do her piano practice.

Just at that moment, Audra walked in.

"Nick's back!" Rachel called to Audra as she sat down at the piano.

"I know," Audra said, pulling off her cream riding gloves. "I saw Coco in the stable."

"Did you see the mare?" Rachel asked excitedly.

"Yes, she's magnificent!" Audra declared. "Where's Nick?"

"Taking a bath," Heath said, insinuating to upstairs.

"I'm just going up to change," Audra said, and quickly ascended the staircase.

After finishing her apple, Rachel began her practice, and Heath stood up and made his way outside. The mare was circling the yard, looking for a means of escape.

She was a fine creature! Boy howdy she was! But she was going to be a tough one to break.

It was wonderful that evening to have Nick back again, when the family gathered round the table.

"That's a fine mare you've bought, Nick!" Jarrod said. "Do you think she'll be hard to break?"

"Probably," Nick said.

"I'll start tomorrow," Heath announced.

Rachel's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can I watch?" she asked.

"So long as you stay clear," Heath said. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I wouldn't get hurt," Rachel said recklessly.

Nick shook his head, "With that attitude, you might. Just make sure you stay out of harm's way!"

Rachel sat upright in her chair. "Well, I should think I have a right to watch," she said.

"Oh, is that so?" Nick said.

"Yes it is – in fact, I'd love to break her."

Heath nearly choked on what he was swallowing. "What did you say?" he asked in disbelief.

"Well, that's certainly out of the question," Nick said abruptly.

Rachel was about to retort angrily that she would be perfectly capable, when she saw the look in her mother's eye. It was the look that told her not to go on unless she wanted to have a heated lecture from Nick. As that was the last thing she wanted at that moment, she decided to hold her peace, and merely cut her chicken a little more vigorously than was necessary.

After the meal, the family went into the living room. It still felt so strange not having Eugene with them. Rachel felt there was an emptiness without him, and it was true. It did seem completely different.

"It's good to have you back, Nick," Victoria said. "I'm glad the trip was worth your while."

"Do you know," Nick said, standing up and walking over to the fireplace, "that mare was going for a ridiculously high price. I told Rivers that I thought so."

"I'm sure you did," Heath said, grinning at Audra.

"Now, what's that supposed to mean?" Nick asked loudly, turning on Heath. "Oh, I see! Very funny!" he added sarcastically.

"You know," Jarrod said coolly. "The first thing I notice when Nick's gone is the first thing I miss when he gets back."

Victoria smiled knowingly.

Nick soon latched on to Jarrod's meaning, "I suppose you're trying to be funny now," he said.

Rachel smiled. Nick was quick-tempered, but she wouldn't have him any other way! "Oh, Nick," Rachel said. "Can't you see they're just teasing you? Come on, Heath," she said, changing the subject. "I dare you to beat me at a game of chess."

"Alright," Heath said. "I'll do that."

Much to Rachel's dismay, Heath won the dare!

"Well, Rachel," Victoria said, after they had finished the game. "I believe it's past your bedtime. It's time to say goodnight. I'll be up later to check on you."

Rachel reluctantly rose from her chair. She kissed everyone goodnight, and then went upstairs to her room. She got ready for bed, said her prayers, and then turned out the lamp. Climbing in under the covers, her thoughts turned to the mare. She was so wonderful; Rachel so desperately wanted to break her. Her brothers would never let her – but maybe there was a way that she could do it when no one else was around, and without getting into any trouble, either. She turned over and closed her eyes.

"I'll sleep on it," she thought sleepily as a yawn escaped her. "I'm sure something will come to me."

And thus she finally fell asleep, dreaming of the chestnut mare.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thankyou so much for reading! Please let me know your thoughts. I always love to hear from you - and you would really make my day if you left a review! Rachel :-)