The next morning Lucy had to force herself out of bed. It was a rainy day. She slowly got dressed and went downstairs. Ben stood by the door, ready to leave.
"Ready?" Kevin asked.
Ben turned to Lucy, winked and left. That's it? No goodbye speech? She wandered into the dining room. She took a bran muffin from the basket and went back to her room. She ate and looked over her paintings. She had to find the best one's to take to Ms. Walker. Afterwards, she went downstairs. She found Kevin sitting quietly. He was reading.
She sat down across from him. "Must be a good book."
He held it up and she saw the silver lettering. Holy Bible.
Lucy smiled. Did he really believe that? She used to, but not anymore. "Do you actually-." She heard the sound of a truck pull up the house.
Kevin looked out the window. "It's my dad with the foals." He grabbed his hat and went out to greet him. Lucy stood and walked to the door.
The two men greeted each other warmly and then worked to get the horses out of the trailer. They were high quality, she could tell. Their coats shone and their backs were straight. She couldn't resist, she went down to them.
Kevin stepped back and onto Lucy. He turned to his dad. "This is Lucy Camden."
"Hank Kinkirk. Pleasure meeting you. Do you do much riding?"
"She's a capable rider," Kevin said.
Lucy stared at him, surprised. He never shared that opinion before.
"Good, then you can help Kevin with these follies."
"I try to help him with Destiny, but he refuses."
"Thanks a bunch dad," Kevin said grimly.
Lucy seized her chance. "Mr. Kinkirk, can I get you some coffee inside?" She saw Kevin's frown as they went inside.
She poured his coffee and started in on her case. "Those horses sure are beautiful."
He smiled. "Do you know much about horses?"

"Mostly about thoroughbreds. Kevin's quarter horses are great too, especially Destiny."
"Yep, that horse is something else, isn't he? I'm sure Kevin must appreciate your help."
"He only lets me ride, but I would love to help with Destiny."

Hank smiled. "Well, we'll see if that could happen."
"Thanks." She smiled, ignoring her conscience. Kevin could have let her help from the start.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next afternoon, Kevin and Hank were out looking over Destiny. "He's been better these last few days dad. Seems like he doesn't want to throw me anymore."
"Then I bet it's all downhill from now on. I think you should let Lucy help you now."
Kevin shook his head. He should have been expecting it. Dad was wax in her hands.
"Of course you'll need to keep him on the tether when she's on. But really son, give it up, besides what can it hurt? She's such a nice young woman. Let her at least try."
"I can see I'm going to lose this argument. Tell her she won dad."
He winked. "I'll let you do that."
"Sorry dad but its Ben she's been seeing."
"Ben? Well I see."
Kevin was sure his dad did see. More than he wanted.
"She's still a wonderful young lady."
"Conniving too," Kevin laughed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kevin and Hank were sitting in the living room after dinner, relaxing.
"So how is Ben?" His dad's tone was neutral, but Kevin knew what he meant.
"Shiny new corvette, new job prospect, and lots of money. How do you think?"
"Drinking?"
"Not as bad as usual."

"Maybe he'll find a reason to stop."
Kevin's mind immediately went to Lucy. Was she enough to get his straight? No, she couldn't be. Although he just saw what she could do when her mind was set to something.
Kevin tried to enjoy the rest of the evening. He needed to be ready for tomorrow; Lucy would be on his case.
Sure enough, Lucy was ready the moment she stopped waving goodbye to Hank. "Did Hank-."
"You know he did. C'mon let's go."
Kevin loaded the saddle and then they got in the truck. "It's too bad your father had to leave so soon."
"Lord knows what I would be doing if he didn't."
Lucy didn't worry about hiding her satisfaction as they drove up to the corral.
"Wait by the gate." Lucy did and watched Kevin go to Destiny. HE fastened the reins and began to saddle him. "I'll ride first to see how he is acting." The circled the corral several times and finally Kevin stopped next to Lucy. "Are you sure you wanna do this?"
She smiled. She was sure. Lucy climbed up. Kevin could feel Destiny's confusion. He wasn't used to having a new rider.
Slowly, Kevin let out the rope. Suddenly Destiny reared. Kevin tugged him down firmly. What was he thinking? Kevin knew Lucy could get hurt doing this. He shouldn't have let her ride Destiny. "It's okay Kevin, I'm fine."
Gradually Kevin let the rope out again. This time Destiny followed the commands. He trotted around the corral, and then worked into a canter. Kevin let them ride and then brought them to a stop and Destiny stood calmly as Lucy dismounted.
"DO you want to help me train him?" The words were out before he even had a chance to think about what he just said.
"Really?"
Was he sure? If he gave her this, she would take the whole ranch. "Sure. I mean it. Unless you don't want to."
"I would love to."
"You should be happy, you finally rode him."
"Only because I had-."

Kevin raised his brows. "Yes?"
"Hank saw my point of view."
Kevin grinned. "Is that what he saw? Or did he see you give him a smile and bat your eyes?" His eyes went over her face. "Unlike dad, I'm not a pushover."
"Well you asked me to help you train Destiny."
That's true. Destiny responded to her. That was part of it. He couldn't admit the other reason. They was he'd felt when she smiled. Something about her...
When they got back to the house, Kevin opened Lucy's door. "You did a good job. Thank you for helping me today."
"Maybe I could help you with the foals."
Yep, the whole ranch. He grinned. "We'll see."

A/N: Please review!