Not much to tell really, two years after the events in Flicka. Only a few OC's, bring back everyone from Flicka. Told from Katy's POV and is about her change from childhood into adulthood and the two that helped her get there.

1: Changes

Changes were coming-it was everywhere, in the trees, floating through the barn, whispering in the wind, it was impossible to not feel it. Like wind, it was invisible, yet there. Ever-present and somewhat daunting.

If only I had known what was going to come crashing into my world, rocking it in ways I had never dreamed.

But there are some lessons in life that can't be taught in a classroom. My experiences the summer I was eighteen showed me that and so much more.

I had just finished high school, Howard was at B.U., he had finished his sophomore year and was coming home for the summer. He had returned for both Thanksgiving and Christmas but he hadn't been able to stay for the full summer last year. This year he was staying right up until school started again.

As for me and school, well…

The day Howard was coming home I was wide awake and up before anyone. Well, almost anyone. Flicka stood up-right and alert in the stall as I walked towards her. "Hey girl" I said softly. "Want to go for a run?" I led her out and we started running, following the same route that had led me to her. As always, the beauty of the nature made me catch my breath. It was still cool, the sun was starting its upward climb, the dew from a shower the night before glinted faintly, casting about rainbows. At times like these, it felt like Flicka and I were the only two people on earth.

Flicka and I came home just as the sun had fully risen. I took her to the arena and walked her around it, letting her cool off before going inside for breakfast. Already everyone sat there: dad at the head of the table, mom to his right, Gus to his left, Jack next to Gus, my chair next to mom was empty, as was Howard's at the other end of the table and the extra one mom and barley managed to squeeze in next to me. After quick "mornings" I sat down and looked at the extra chair. "When is Howard supposed to be here?" I asked as mom handed me a slice of toast.

"I imagine sometime early this afternoon" my father answered, spearing a piece of pancake, chewing it slowly. A lot had changed between us over the past two years. Our bond was stronger than it had ever been, though we still managed to find something to argue about. But hey, we're just human-and father and daughter. He looked up and smiled at me, a smile reserved for me alone. "You really miss him?"

I nodded. "Yeah." I nibbled on the toast, reaching for a glass of orange juice. Part of me was at the table, listening for tires, the other was back with Flicka, we were running wild and free.

"What do you know about his friend he's bringing here?" mom asked casually. That was the way mom always was-casual about just everything. Even her clothes were casual-faded jeans, a simple cotton shirt, tucked in neatly. Her blonde hair hung loose over her back, though it was elegant and graceful.

"Not much. Just that he's a pretty quiet guy, smart, knows his way around horses real well, said he would be willing to pay us." Dad shrugged and took a sip of coffee. "Sounds ok by me." Breakfast was finished in relative silence, minus forks scraping plates.

Once the dishes were done and put away, I worked with mom on my morning chores, Flicka still in the arena. "When are you going to talk to your father?" mom asked as we tended to the garden. I was tugging some weeds up, my face down and away from her. "Katy?" she said gently, standing just behind me.

I turned to her, tossing the weeds in a wicker basket. "I'm waiting until Howard's home. It will soften the blow." She looked at me and sighed. "I'll tell him." She raised an eyebrow and we went back to tugging out weeds.

Just as mom and I were finishing in the garden Gus called out to me. "Katy!" I followed the direction of his finger and saw an unfamiliar truck making its way up to our home. I laughed happily and rushed to the front of home. I could hear mom and Gus behind me, dad and Jack coming from the barn. Slowly the truck wove its way up to the front, stopping mere inches from me. The passenger door opened and out stepped Howard. I rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly around the middle.

"Howard!" He laughed and ruffled my hair. I turned my head to look up at him. He still looked like my brother, aside from slight stubble he looked just like he had at Christmas. "Planning on growing a beard for Miranda?" I teased him. He laughed again, tapping my cheek with a closed fist.

Mom grabbed him from me, holding on tighter than I had. "Oh let me look at you" she said. He stood still and let her look at him, tracing the stubble. "My baby's growing up so fast." He snorted and shook his head, backing away slightly. "Both of my babies."

I rolled my eyes and the three men near us made throat-clearing noises. Mom disregarded them all. We had been so swept up in Howard's return none of us had noticed that the driver had climbed out and had a bag slung over his shoulder. He stood at the front of the truck, slightly unsure of himself in the wake of the reunion.

Dad stepped out of the line and walked towards him. "Welcome." He held out his hand which the stranger shook. "I'm Rob. That's Gus and Jack, my stable hands, my wife Nell, and my daughter Katy." He had walked closer to us, extending his hand as dad introduced us. He didn't wear a hat, though the way he tipped his head at mom and I made it seem like he did.

When he stood in front of me I had to turn my head so far up, one hand blocking out the sun as best it could. He was 6'2'', broad-shouldered and muscular. His hair was blue-black, his lips slightly red but not too much so. He had high and prominent cheekbones and a strong jaw line. His chin was solid and stoic, a long silver scar ran across it. Out of all his features though, it was his eyes that were the most startling about him. They were pale blue-green; I imagined that they were what the ocean looked like. "I'm Matt Harte" he finally said, his voice deep and booming yet soft at the same time.

"Welcome, Matt" mom said cheerfully, smiling at him. He pulled one on as well yet it seemed out place and forced. "I hope you boys are hungry. I was just getting ready to make some lunch."

Howard grinned at Matt. "Did I mention my mom is the best cook ever?"

Matt grinned back, a true grin this time. "Only the whole way here." Everyone chuckled and mom ushered us all inside.