Disclaimer: They're not mine of course

Chapter 1 Love is on the line

Raindrops were streaming down her window. She watched them fall, making their way down. While she sighed, Stevie just stared at the scene. There was something about this evening that made her sad, and it wasn't just the weather.

She was thinking of Alex and she knew that it was best to ignore these thoughts, but she couldn't. She figured it could be anytime soon that he would find out he wouldn't become a dad. Whatever Fiona would tell him, the truth or another lie, it would hurt him. And she knew, she knew it, but she couldn't do a thing about. It was already too late.

It wasn't the only thing that worried her. After Alex had returned from Argentina she hardly had seen him. He was too focused on Fiona, on the baby and had tried to sort things out with Sandra. She knew that, not cause he told her, no ... because Patrick had said it.

'You will always be a part', he told her on his wedding day. It had broken her heart, like before. He had broken her heart too many times without even knowing it. And maybe it was a good thing that there was some distance, cause she needed to move on. Forget her feelings for him.

She thought about last night. She had found her way of moving on in Riley. He was the distraction she needed. They had kissed and it had confused her, but somehow she was glad that it happened. From the very first moment she thought he had something, something that made him interesting. He was a horse whisperer. The way he handled horses fascinated her. He wasn't the bad guy she always fell for. He was passionate and protective and she couldn't deny the physical attraction.

But still her mind wandered ... could she really get over Alex? Did she have a choice? She needed to get over him; otherwise she would drown in her sorrow. She had to ...

I tried, I really did, but I couldn't find another way
And I want and I need somehow to believe in the choice I made
Am I better off this way?
But I can hear a voice inside my head
Saying you should be with me instead

There was strange silence at Killarney. It was dark and it felt cold. You could hear the rain fall, but it got interrupted. Interrupted by the sound of crying.

Lost, scared and alone
Nothing I could give to you

A black Ute pulled up, as fast as it could ...

Cold and roaming in the wild
I'm forever changed
By someone I never knew

Dixie Chicks – Voice inside my head