True to his word I walked out of the hotel to find Grayson and Xerxes already waiting for me. "Thought you'd changed your mind." Grayson commented and I just shook my head about to start walking to the barn until Xerxes stepped in front of me and I bumped into him. "Hold on there, Missy. I'm not waiting for you to walk all the way back to the barn. Hop on." He told me and with a shrug I climbed onto Xerxes behind Grayson. "Now hold on." He warned not even giving me time to wrap my arms around his waist before Xerxes took off at a canter and I yelped giving Grayson two narrowed eyes for his trouble.

"Told you to hold on didn't I?" Grayson laughed as Xerxes raced through the town heading for the Prescott house. Once we were a few meters away I climbed down expecting Grayson to follow me but he didn't move and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You might be welcome here but I'm not, Mia." Grayson explained and I nodded making my way towards the barn. A few minutes passed and I emerged with Thunder walking beside me and he let out a breath, waiting until I reached his side. "Took you long enough now let's head back to that stream and I can start teaching you what I know." He said as Thunder and Xerxes headed there.

As our horses walked side by side Grayson started whistling and after a pause I joined in only stopping when Grayson did. With a quick grin he took off running and I rolled my eyes Thunder stomping his hoof before he shot after them. We raced the rest of the way to the stream and once Thunder stopped we found Xerxes and Grayson already waiting.

"What kept you?" He laughed and I rolled my eyes climbing down from Thunder's saddle and as he wandered over to the stream I walked over to Grayson.

"So what's lesson one?" I asked him and he gave me a grin picking up two sticks. "It's a stick. That was lesson one?"

"Don't you know how to start a fire?" He asked and when I shook my head he groaned, rubbing between his eyes. "Somethin' tells me this is gonna be a long day."

As the day passed Grayson taught me to start a fire, track and how to find my way around the forest. "I wouldn't have believed it but you're not doing too bad." Grayson admitted as I sat near the stream running my fingers through the water. "Don't even think about splashing me again." He warned and I just grinned at him water dripping from my fingertips.

"Aww you're no fun." I complained, sitting with my knees against my chin. "Thanks for teaching me what you know about surviving in the frontier. Maybe I could return the favor." I added not expecting him to smirk at me.

"Missy, there's nothing you could teach me that I didn't already know." Grayson replied sitting beside me and I shrugged wondering if he still would try and take Thunder from me. As if he could read my thoughts he gave me a tiny smile. "Nah I'm not fixing to take your horse. But that doesn't mean you're off the hook for that race." He added and I grinned, heading back to Thunder when Grayson straightened. "Race you back to your hotel?"

"You're on." I told him pulling myself onto Thunder's saddle only to see Xerxes and Grayson rush past us and I snorted at him Thunder rushing after them. We headed through the forest and then back into town and I laughed once Thunder managed to sprint ahead of Xerxes who raced after us, the horses neck and neck as the inn came into view.

But the moment I reached the inn first I saw my mother and father standing there taking with Althea the owner and I felt my heart sink into my throat as Thunder skidded to a halt kicking up dust. I didn't even see Grayson and Xerxes catch up as I climbed from Thunder's back. As soon as my father turned around he frowned at me, looking at the dirt marks on my pants and shirt that I hadn't managed to brush away.

"Dad, mum? What are you doing here?" I asked and my father sighed, crossing his arms as I stepped in front of them and Thunder snorted looking at my parents and then back at me.

"I promised to wait exactly one week to let you prove that you could survive frontier life. When you never wrote back after the week was up I decided to travel here and see for myself just how well you were taking care of yourself. Judging from the state of you I'm very glad I did. It's obvious to anyone that you haven't held up your end of the deal." My father told me and I cringed as Thunder stepped close enough to nudge my dad with his nose. "Down, boy. My brother should never have let you keep that animal." He grumbled and Thunder snorted nuzzling my side.

"Dad, I'm perfectly happy living in Miradero and besides I have friends now." I explained as Grayson and Xerxes walked over to me and I grinned to myself. "Dad, these are two of my friends. I want you to meet Harlan Grayson and Xerxes. This is my dad, Mr Davis." I said as Grayson dismounted and after a slight pause and a nudge from me Grayson held out his hand. When my father just looked at Grayson with his eyes narrowed Grayson withdrew his hand looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Let me see if I understand you correctly. You traveled all the way out to Miradero away from the family who loves you and provides for you just so you could spend you days having fun with this man?" Mr Davis said and I rubbed at the bridge of my nose knowing exactly what was coming. "Young lady, I thought you were making a life for yourself out here but all you've proven is that you need to be taken care of. You are coming home on the next train back to the city."

"Dad, I'm not going home. I have everything I could possibly need out here and besides I'm not a child anymore. I don't need you to take care of me. I can stand on my own two feet." I protested and my dad narrowed his eyes at me Grayson silent the whole time. Finally he decided to speak up and when he cleared his throat everyone looked at him.

"With all due respect, Mr Davis your daughter is right. She's been helping out around Miradero and she's an accomplished rider." Grayson explained and I brightened giving him a smile which he awkwardly echoed until my father let out a breath. "Besides I've been teaching her how to get by out here in the frontier."

"All I can see, Mr Grayson," My father began with a scowl on his face and I let out a breath feeling my heart sink a second time, "is a daughter who has chosen to abandon her family for a life of fun instead of taking her place. This ends right now young lady. You will pack up your things and when your mother and I leave on the next train back to the city I expect you to be on it as well."

"No, dad. I'm not leaving this town behind." I answered and he blinked at me as I looked up at him. "I have a life here now which is more than I can say about living in the city. I have freedom and the chance to make my own way out here and that's something I never thought I'd be able to do. I'm not going on that train and you can't make me." I told him crossing my arms and my mother stared at me then her husband who stared at me for what felt like a full minute. Then he sighed and I smiled at him thinking I had finally won until he fixed me with a thin smile.

"If that's how you choose to live, Mia then I guess I have no choice. Until you decide what's more important to you I will not lend a hand to help you not a singe penny. Your family or your new frontier life." My dad told me starting to walk back into the hotel until I reached out grasping his left shoulder and he turned in time to see my hand. "What did you do to yourself?" He asked, genuinely concerned once he saw the scar running across the underside of my right hand.

"I...kind of fell down a ravine when we were having a race and cut it on a rock. But Grayson stitched it back up and all I have is a scar now so..." I trailed off when my father sighed, releasing my hand. "Dad, it's nothing."

"This is why I told you you can't survive out here, Mia. You grew up in the city and the frontier is no place for a young lady. Especially one who could have been killed." My father told me and I stepped back as he stared at me.

"It was just a ravine and beside I'm not going anywhere, dad. I refuse to leave Miradero today or any other day." I told him stomping my foot and after a few seconds my father nodded.

"Until you decide that your family is more important you are no longer a part of this family and as such I will no longer provide for you. You will have to make your own way in this town until you finally come to your senses. Goodbye." My father said before he started to head back inside the hotel and I blinked as my mother stood there.

"Mia, please reconsider. Your father and I only want what's best for you." My mother finally answered but I shook my head, climbing onto Thunder's back and without looking back we raced away. "Mia, wait!" She called out but I ignored her, fighting back tears as we raced out of sight.

Shaking his head Grayson climbed onto Xerxes' back surprised by my stubbornest. "Of all the stubborn, idiotic..." Grayson grumbled as he looked down at Mrs Davis. "I'll bring her back before the train leaves tonight." He told my mother before Xerxes hurried after Thunder and I.

Thunder raced along the streets as I wiped at my eyes and when he reached the outskirts of town he slowed until I coughed. "Let's ride as far out of Miradero as we can. I need to get away from town for a while, Thunder." I asked and he snorted, looking at me until I nodded at him. "I promise we'll come back later I just...need some time to think." I added and he neighed racing off into the forest.

Thunder raced through the trees dodging fallen trees and rocks until his hooves touched dirt and he slowed unsure until I looked down at the ground. "We've never ridden this far out before. Let's see how far we can ride." I said and Thunder nodded, waiting until I had a firm grip on his saddle before he took off again moving as quickly as he could.

"Come on, Xerxes. I know exactly where Mia's gone." Grayson told his horse leading him towards the stream but as they reached the water Xerxes slowed to a trot. Grayson jumped off his back walking around as he searched for any trace of Mia or Thunder.

Noting the lack of hoof prints or boot prints he frowned. "Blast. I thought for sure she'd be here." He muttered as he climbed onto Xerxes' saddle again. As Xerxes raced further into the forest Thunder and I raced further into the canyon and as the heat of the sun hit us I wondered where I was going to live now.

"I can't go back to the hotel if I can't pay. I mean you could stay in the barn with the other horses but...not sure what I'm going to do. Maybe we could live in the forest." I suggested and Thunder started to slow even when I nudged his flank. "Boy, what's wrong?" I asked squinting from the sun beating down on us until I saw a massive cloud of dust heading in our direction.

"Dust storm! We need to find shelter." I told Thunder who whinnied, both of us searching the immediate area for a tree or something to shelter behind. But there wasn't anything and with the dust storm getting closer every second I made a quick decision.

"Thunder, if you lay on the ground I can cover us with that blanket. I just hope it;ll block out the dust." I suggested and after staring at me he nodded sitting the ground and I quickly pulled out the blanket from the saddlebag. Sitting in front of him I hurried to cover us with the blanket and just as I managed to get us underneath it the storm hit. Coughing I pressed my forehead against Thunder's both of us closing our eyes to stop any dust from getting it.

It seemed like we hid there forever until the sun peeked out and I let out a shaky breath uncovering my face to find the storm had cleared. "That was too close." I told Thunder who climbed to his feet and as I pulled the blanket free I noticed that it was covered with dust. "Might have to get this cleaned when we get back to town." I suggested, shaking as much dust off of it as I could before I carefully folded the blanket up, stowing it back in the saddlebag.

"Okay so all we need to do is follow your hoof prints and we'll be fine." I said as I turned around only freeze my eyes widening when I looked at the ground beneath our feet. "I can't see a single hoof print leading back to Miradero. The storm must have swept them away." I gasped and Thunder whinnied searching around the area but after neither of us could find any prints I sighed.

"Guess we'll just have to find a landmark or something." I suggested and Thunder nodded with a snort following me when I began to walk in one direction searching for anything that seemed familiar. After walking along the canyon for hours with the hot sun beating down I started to get thirsty and when I saw Thunder's tongue sticking out I giggled before I could stop myself. "I'm sure I brought some water with me." I said as I rummaged through his saddlebags though when I brought out my canteen I shook it.

"Not much left. Here you have it, Thunder." I offered it to him but he shook his head at me nudging the canteen until I shook my head. "Hey you did all the work getting us out here and protecting us from the dust storm. You earned it." I urged and after several more attempts Thunder opened his mouth and I poured the remaining water into his mouth.

Putting the canteen back I started to lead him towards a large rock that stood out and as we walked I couldn't help feeling a little afraid that we'd never find out way back. Crossing the canyon the rock I'd seen grew closer and I let out a breath wiping sweat away from my forehead as we reached it.

"That's Skull Rock. We're not too far from Grayson's ranch according to the PALS but we'd better not go there. Grayson doesn't like anyone entering his property without asking first." I pointed out as I started to walk past it until Thunder pulled on his reins and I paused looking back when he knelt. "You sure?" I asked him and he nodded helping me onto his back before he started to trot past the rock.

It felt a lot better sitting on his back and as we walked straight past the rock I looked straight ahead, hoping that something would seem familiar. Time passed and as Grayson and Xerxes continued to search the forest for me Thunder led us along a rocky path slowing when he started to sniff. "Did you get dust in your nostrils?" I asked him and he snorted picking up speed until I saw something shining in the distance and as we moved closer I thought I could see water. "Probably just our eyes playing tricks." I muttered trying to turn him around but he wouldn't budge and I sighed, too tired from the heat to argue.

Once Thunder grew closer to whatever he was so desperate to show me I blinked, rubbing at my dry eyes with one hand before I climbed down, wobbling a little before I started to lead him towards the lake he'd stopped before me. "Is that...a lake?" I whispered and he grinned at me rushing towards it and I followed behind him as he rushed into the lake. Sending water everywhere Thunder splashed around in the lake before I joined him, washing my face before I grabbed the empty canteen filling it before I took a few sips from it.

Grateful that we'd found water I sat heavily on the grass dropping the canteen beside me and Thunder whinnied trotting over to me when I ran a hand through my wet hair. "I'm okay, Thunder just a little tired." I told him when he nuzzled me. "Might just rest here for a while." I added as I lay on my back too tired to even pay the slightest attention to my forehead or face which had begun to sting the moment I washed my face.

Thunder whinnied when I closed my eyes but when I didn't move he neighed, sniffing at my head. Even a gentle nudge didn't make me move and he snorted, lifting his head when he heard the sound of a horse racing towards them. Thunder moved around me hiding me from view as best he could as the horse drew closer and he neighed as Xerxes raced into view, slowing to a trot once he saw Thunder. Thunder shook his head giving Grayson a long stare and Grayson just rolled his eyes at Thunder.

"What are you lookin' at me like? Your rider's the one you should be mad at." Grayson grumbled as he jumped down from Xerxes' back and Thunder snorted moving to one side to reveal his rider who hadn't moved during the brief exchange. "Mia?" Grayson muttered quickly moving over to me until Thunder pawed the ground and Grayson paused staring at the jet black station with two wide eyes. "If you want my help you need to move." Grayson told Thunder who eyed him for several seconds before he moved back enough to let Grayson through.

Kneeling he touched my shoulder and I coughed opening my eyes to find Grayson looking at me. "Where'd you come from?" I muttered when I sat finding him looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "What?"

"Where exactly did you go?" Grayson asked and I waved my arms around until he pushed my hands down. "That doesn't tell me much."

"I went for a ride with Thunder and we got caught in a dust storm. Then we got lost and ended up here. I saw Skull Rock and we followed it here." I explained, climbing to my feet before I wobbled a little. "See? I can take care of myself."

"Of course you can't! This is exactly what your daddy was talking about." Grayson told me and I shook my head making my way back to Thunder. Shaking his head Grayson followed me as I tried to straighten Thunder's saddle. "Would you calm down? You just got lucky out there." Grayson protested and I sniffed as the saddle slipped off Thunder who poked at it with his nose.

"Even when I do something right someone always has to say it's because I was lucky." I muttered turning around when Grayson followed me. "You heard my dad. He doesn't think I can do anything right and...and maybe he's right. I could have gotten Thunder hurt out there in that dust storm. Plus I made us fall down that ravine and we got caught in that storm after." I finally admitted before I headed over to Thunder.

"Your dad's wrong. You learnt in a day everything I taught you. You need to stick up for yourself." Grayson commented and I turned my head even Thunder fixing the rancher with a blank stare until he cleared his throat. "Are you just gonna let him run your life?" He asked me and I shook my head at him. "Didn't think so."

"I'm going to march to the train station, look my father straight in the eye and tell him I'm not going home." I agreed as I marched past Grayson only to stumble and when I fell on my knees Grayson and Thunder rushed over, Thunder trying to push me back to my feet.

Grayson kicked himself when he finally noticed my red face and how fast I was breathing. "You were riding in the canyon without any shelter. How long were you out there?" Grayson asked and I just shrugged the sunlight suddenly too bright for my eyes.

"A couple of hours?" I replied wondering why Grayson was so focused on me all of a sudden. "But I had water...which I gave to Thunder but I'm fine. I had a drink just before you got here."

"That doesn't mean anything. You're sweating and your face is all red." Grayson pointed out, pulling me to my feet with some difficulty. "Trust you of all people to get heatstroke." He grumbled as he half-carried me, half-dragged me towards his horse.

Waking wasn't fun and neither was finding someone's face much too close to mine. "Ugh...too close." I muttered trying to push myself up only to feel strong hands on my shoulders pushing me back.

"Now hold on there, Missy. You're not going anywhere. Not in your state." Grayson told me and I groaned as something cold was pressed against my forehead before everything grew dark again.

The room I woke in was silent and even after spending the next minute thinking I still couln't figure out where I was. I tried to sit but my head felt as heavy as a plank of wood so I lay there instead finally noticing that something soft had been spread over me. Reaching out with my fingers I touched it and after a few seconds I realized it was a blanket.

"How did I get here?" I muttered not knowing that I wasn't alone and I blinked as footsteps approached me. "W...who's there?" I tried to call out but my voice sounded small and I swallowed trying to clear my dry throat.

"Grayson. I mean who else would it be, Missy?" Grayson chuckled as he stepped close to where I was lying and I blinked at him. "This here's my ranch in case you're curious."

"How did I get here?" I asked him and he just grinned at me taking a seat before he picked up a cup. "Wait did you bring me here?"

"Of course I did. You couldn't even stand so how could ya ride Thunder?" Grayson answered with a smirk on his face. "You don't look it but you're heavy."

"You better not be calling me fat, Mister." I warned knowing exactly how weak I sounded when he just laughed. "It wasn't that funny." I complained taking a few sips from the cup Grayson offered me.

"Neither was dragging your sorry hide all the way back here." Grayson replied and I rolled my eyes. "What possessed you to go riding around in the heat like that?"

"My dad who else?" I muttered and he sighed setting down the cup before he turned back to see me staring at the ceiling. "Guess he was right. I can't do anything right."

"Is your daddy that bad?" Grayson asked, helping me sit and I nodded fiddling with one corner of the blanket.

"He never wants me to have any freedom. He never used to be like this but ever since I turned sixteen he's been on my back about finding a suitable husband and helping run the family business." I explained closing my eyes when I felt my eyes burn with tears. "My uncle's completely different though. He and my dad never saw eye to eye about how much freedom I should have."

"Is your uncle the one who gave you Thunder?" Grayson asked and I nodded, smiling to myself about my last birthday. "You should have shown your daddy how well you ride now."

"Too late now. He's probably on his way back home now already. His brother's the one that convinced him I should spend a week in Miradero. Just to figure out what I want to do with my life." I said in a small voice, swallowing the lump in my throat when I reminded myself that my father had shouted at me the night before I packed up my things."

"If he was so set on you staying to help run the family business why did he let you leave?" Grayson asked and I shrugged a tiny smile on my lips. "You took off during the night didn't you?" He said and I just nodded at him raising my head to see a smirk on his lips. "That takes a lot of guts. Never figured you'd do something like that."

"My dad didn't think so either until he came up to my room the next morning. By then I was already on the train heading out as fast as I could. I did send out a letter just so my mom wouldn't worry. She's the one who helped me pack." I finished, rubbing at my eyes.

"You get some rest you hear? With that fever you're not going anywhere. Gonna make sure you earn you keep once you're better." Grayson told me as I lay back, closing my eyes as he walked away.