So here's the deal: For the most part, the story's stayed the same as it was before. However, because of it I had my first...hmmm...I guess critical or flaming review would be good 'nuff terms. You know what? I LIKED IT! It gave me the feedback I needed to make this story better. Hope it's a little better. :)

My name is Samantha Anne Forster and I live on the River Bend Ranch. I'm sixteen years old and I'm in love with my best friend. He doesn't know that though. It's my secret. Please don't tell him. To him, I'm just Brat, his friend. To others, I'm Sam.

I walked from the ranch house yawning, ready to feed my horse Ace. Already, I had gulped some cereal down. I still hoped Gram would abandon her health kick sometime soon. All Bran was fine for her, but I was going into serious SUGAR WITHDRAWAL. My dad and Jake were working a new horse in the round pen when I finished the morning feedings. I leaned against the worn brown corral fence. The horse's name was long and Dad didn't really approve of it, but it didn't matter. Shoshone Princess wasn't his horse to name. The lively appaloosa filly belonged to Rachel Slocum and was her newest birthday present.

Dad called it time and went to put the horse away. Jake started walking over, his black hair waving in the breeze. My heart immediately sped up its beat. Please don't ask me questions. My tongue is in my throat right now looking at you. "What do you think of it, Brat?" Wha-? Oh right. The horse. Great timing. Sigh. "Looks good. Rachel will be really happy."

"We don't have work this afternoon. Want to go for a ride?" Calm down. Just. A. Ride. Whether it was with Jake made no difference. Oh, who was I trying to kid? I nodded numbly, not trusting myself to use real words.

That afternoon, I tacked up my gelding with a sigh. Why couldn't I have a choice who I fell in love with? Jake didn't notice me in the least, so why'd I have to fall in love with the cowboy who still called me 'Brat'? "Hey Ace? Why do things like that have to happen?"

"Things like what?" I think I jumped two feet in the air. "JAKE! My gosh! Why d'you have to do that?"

"What?"

"You very well know what. Scare me."

"Okay, but I think I just did that." I rolled my eyes and walked Ace from the barn. Luckily, his question had been lost in the banter between us. "So, what things?" Damn it. Spoke too soon. "Just thinking about having to have Ace shoed again. Let's go, Jake." We both mounted and headed off.

We were trotting when Jake pulled alongside me. "Your dad asked me to do a bit of an errand. We have to report to the Slocums how their horse's training is going. You okay to go see Rachel, Brat?" That bloody nickname again! Was I okay to go see Rachel? Do you go skiing in the summer? Of course I wasn't ready. I'd avoid her for all the chocolate in the world, and that was saying something. Did Jake care about my feelings? Another no. A definite no. I sighed and shrugged instead of blurting out my thoughts. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

I'd like to make a note here: NOTE. Just kidding. Okay, so the deal is this: I have not read the actual Phantom Stallion books in ages, so if you notice any inconsistencies, let me know what they are. I promise I WILL fix them because I love even critical reviews. It helps me a better writer. :) Don't worry. I won't rip into you if you point something out. I'm not like that.