Hi - here's the next chapter. Thanks again to all those who have left reviews; you really put a smile on my face! And thanks to Shire once again for the book recommendation (I'm always looking for good, exciting books to read!), and to Nina for saying where I can buy those books! Enjoy this chapter! :-)

Chapter 2 – The Accident

The next day, Rachel was outside watching the new mare even before breakfast. The beautiful horse seemed to be getting used to her surroundings, but still occasionally pawed the ground and tossed her head impatiently.

Rachel was overawed by the mare. Even though she had grown up around horses, they never ceased to amaze and enthral her. Reaching into her pocket, Rachel drew out an apple that she had helped herself to that morning. She rubbed it on her pants till it shone, and then edged her way towards the mare, which was sniffing the ground.

As soon as she drew closer, the horse looked up, her neck stretched erectly and her ears cocked and pointed. Rachel smiled at the horse and slowly, ever so slowly, extended her hand towards the horse, with the apple laid on the flat of her palm. The mare's nostrils went in and out several times as she took in the delicious scent of the juicy fruit.

"There, you see," Rachel said quietly. "I don't want to hurt you. I just want to be your friend."

The mare stared at her out of those lovely, large eyes of hers. Then slowly she moved first one hoof, and then another, gradually making her way towards the youngest Barkley. She craned her neck and stooped towards the apple till Rachel could feel the warm breath on her hand, and the moisture from the mare's tongue.

After the mare had finished the apple, Rachel tried to rub her muzzle, but the horse shook her head vigorously.

"Ah, well," she said. "That'll come, won't it girl?"

"What are you doing?" sounded Heath's voice from behind her.

Rachel turned around sheepishly. She smiled at him, trying to determine whether he was angry at her or not for approaching the mare.

"I thought I said to wait a bit till you went near her," Heath said, his eyebrows raised at her.

"Well," Rachel began, "I have. I waited all night."

Heath shook his head at her. "Boy howdy, girl," he said. "You sure twist things."

Rachel grinned at him cheekily.

"Well, come on," Heath said. "The family will be wondering why we aren't at the table for breakfast."

Rachel looked at the mare longingly one last time, and then made her way for the house. As she passed Heath, she jumped as she felt a swat on her backside that was none too light.

"What was that for?" she asked in surprise, whirling round.

"I think you know, little sister," Heath said with a gleam in his eye. "I think you know!" "Now," he continued, offering her his arm, "the family's gonna be wondering where are, so shall we go in?"

Rachel looked at Heath trying to see if he was cross with her. He didn't seem to be, so she slipped her arm into his, and they walked into the dining room together.

"Sorry we're late," Heath said as they sat down.

"Where were you?" Nick asked, turning to Rachel. "Audra says you weren't in your room when she went to check on you."

"I was outside," Rachel said, looking at Heath to see if he was going to add anything to that that would lead to a lecture from Nick. Whether he was going to or not, she didn't have a chance to find out, for at that moment Victoria asked Jarrod to say grace.

"Dear Father," he said. "Please bless this food. Thank you for your blessings, and please provide for those less fortunate that us. Amen."

"What are you planning on doing today, Audra?" Rachel asked her sister, as they helped themselves to the food that Silas had put on the table.

"I was thinking of going riding, but I could wait to go later if you wanted to go to the Mokelumne River," she said.

"Thank you Audra, I'd love to," Rachel said, "but I was kinda counting on watching Heath work on breaking the mare today, when I'm not doing my studies, that is." She stole a peek at Heath to see if he had any objection after she had been with the mare this morning, but he continued eating his breakfast and said nothing.

After breakfast, Jarrod left for Stockton, Audra went riding and Rachel set about her studies. Before she did though, she drew Heath aside.

"You're not mad at me, are you?" she asked wide-eyed.

"No," Heath said, smiling at her. "Why would I be?"

"Well, I thought you were a little cross because I was petting the new mare," she said nervously.

"No, little sister," he said. He kissed her forehead, "If you take your studies outside, you can watch me work the mare, alright?"

Rachel smiled, "Thanks, Heath. I'll go get my books."

She hurried to get her stuff and then followed Heath outside. He put his gloves on and pulled the brim of his hat down firmly with determination, and carefully made his way towards the mare. He had a bitless bridle and a saddle in his hands. Rachel watched on with interest from where she sat outside the house. She had watched Nick break a horse before, but never Heath – and she had particular reasons for watching closely this time.

Once Heath had reached the mare he set the saddle down on the floor, and slipped the halter over her nose. She tossed her head a little, but didn't make too much fuss. That was the easy part – the saddle was different. Being as gentle as he could, Heath placed the saddle on the mare's back. She promptly bucked and reared till the object of her irritation had fallen off her. Heath wiped his brow, and picked up the saddle, replacing it on the horse's back. This time she kept still, and allowed him to do up the cinch.

At that moment, Nick came outside. He stood and watched with his hands on his hips.

"Are you watching Heath or doing your studies?" he asked Rachel with a laugh.

"Both," Rachel said indignantly. Nick laughed at her reply. "Well, I can do both at once," Rachel declared.

She would have said more, but at that moment Heath put his foot in the stirrup and hoisted himself up into the saddle. He barely had a moment to put his right foot in the stirrup for the mare was off, bucking as hard as she could. She bucked all the way round the yard before she finally threw Heath. He got up from the floor, covered in dust.

"That was fine, fine," Nick said. "Get at her again. Show her who's boss."

Heath, breathing heavily, nodded his head, and approached the mare again. He grabbed her by the bridle, and mounted up once again. The same cycle ensued, with the bucking, the circling, and finally, the throwing.

Heath walked over to Nick and Rachel, taking off his hat so that he could wipe the sweat from his brow. "That's some animal," he said.

Nick clapped him on the back, sending a cloud of dust flying. "You're doing a fine job," he said. "Come on and get a drink."

"That's a good idea," Heath said, smiling gratefully. Nick laughed, and walked into the house with Heath. Rachel was about to pick up her McGuffey Reader when she stopped. Jarrod and Audra were out, and Mother, Nick and Heath were in the house. She was outside with the mare, and the horse was tacked up. It was perfect. Now, her brothers hadn't exactly told her that she couldn't try riding the bronc. If they had said outright then she wouldn't have tried – but they hadn't said so, so what was the harm? Alright, Heath had told her to wait to approach the horse till it had started being tamed, but wasn't that what Heath had just been doing? The arguments were all on her side, so, laying aside her books, Rachel walked towards the horse, speaking softly.

"I just want to ride you," she said. "Remember me? I gave you the apple. If you let me ride you, I'll get you another."

Once she was next to the horse she hesitated. Gummy, she was getting herself into something – probably a great deal of trouble with her brothers – but she'd handle that. Besides, she was strong for her age, and handled horses well. Of course, the thought never crossed her mind that the horses that she could handle were ones that were no longer green. All that she could think of was riding that beautiful liver-chestnut mare, and finally living her dream of riding a bronc. So, now satisfied that she could do what she was about to do, Rachel put her left foot into the stirrup and swung her right leg over the side. In an instant, the mare bolted, enraged that she had been mounted once more. She bucked with all her might making Rachel hold onto the horn to try and stay on. It was no use though, for the mare bucked like nothing Rachel had ever experienced before. After one final kick, Rachel fell from the saddle, sore and bruised. The mare had now gone quite wild with rage, and was loping round the yard. Rachel forced herself to sit up, wondering how Heath managed to rise so quickly after being thrown by a bronc. She looked across at the horse, and froze with alarm when she saw the mare suddenly turn and dash towards her. Rachel screamed as the horse was nearly on top of her making the mare rear, kicking her forelegs out in fury as she whinnied in anger. Rachel suddenly felt a thudding pain in her head, and then she knew no more.

I know - a cliff hanger! I just couldn't help it! I love keeping you on the edges of your seats! *Laughs* Please let me know what you thought of this chapter!