Chapter Nine

Frank awoke to the sound of hooves outside his window. He sat up in the bed, noticing that his stitches didn't seem to hurt any longer. He felt better than he had in days. He let out a sigh, knowing that he would soon have to leave. He climbed out of the bed and pulled on a nearby shirt. He moved toward the window and looked out. He could hear the sound of hooves and heaving breathing outside. He watched as a horse moved around the small corral.

The horse was the color of a midnight sky. In the sunlight, the horse glistened and appeared darker. The horse moved with a certain smoothness that Frank had never seen. He watched as the horse started to slow and move toward something in the corral. It was then that Frank noticed Mattie.

He smiled as he looked at her. Her hair was pulled off her neck into a loose bundle down her back. The clothes she had on looked like entirely too big for her, but she had them pulled tight enough where anyone could make out her curves. He watched as the horse came over to her and nuzzled on her arm.

Mattie gently stroked the horse's neck. He watched as her fingers moved slowly up and down. He turned away, shaking his head. Mattie had been through enough and didn't need someone like him to make it worse. He began to button the shirt and started toward the small kitchen. He could smell the coffee and leftover biscuits. He stopped to look out the window and noticed that Mattie was saddling the horse.

He poured himself a cup of coffee and started outside. Mattie looked up as she heard the back door open. She locked eyes with Frank for a moment and then turned back to tightening the girth.

"It's about time you woke up," Mattie said with a small sigh.

"Is it that late?" Frank asked, taking a long swig of coffee.

"No," Mattie replied as she started to place the bridle on the horse. "I have been up since before sunrise."

Frank nodded. His eyes traced over Mattie and then went to the horse. The body was stout and powerful. The neck was thick and muscled, and his head was small with pointed ears.

"Where'd the horse come from?" Frank asked as he climbed up the fence.

Mattie dropped the reins over the horses head and turned to him. She walked over to the fence with the horse following. She turned back, rubbing the horse.

"It's one of Buck's heard," she explained. "He doesn't want him. He is a fine stallion, but Buck already has too complete purebreds, and this one is not a purebred."

"He's more beautiful than any purebred," Frank admired.

"Yes, but he is not broken."

"Looks broken to me."

"Only with a saddle and bridle but not a rider."

"He have a name?"

"Sampson, but I think I'm going to call him Challenger."

"We had a plow horse named Sampson."

Mattie let out a laugh. It was the first time that Frank had heard her really laugh. He watched her smile and heard the sweetness of the sound. He touched his stomach, feeling the stitches. As he listened to Mattie, he realized that he didn't want to leave. He could stay here, but he didn't know if she felt the same.

Mattie let out a sigh and walked over to Challenger. She pulled him away from the fence and slowly stroked his neck. She stepped closer to the saddle and gripped the reins. She could feel Challenger tense underneath her hand. She put her foot in the stirrup and waited.

Frank watched as the apprehension grew. He knew if something went wrong, Mattie could hurt badly. He moved toward the gate, putting his coffee down.

"Mattie, maybe I should do this," Frank said, hoping that he wouldn't see into her concerns.

Without answering, Mattie swung herself into the saddle. She could feel Challenger move underneath her. She held the reins firmly, waiting for what was going to happen next. Challenger shifted his weight. Mattie had known horses to do this before. Then suddenly, he reared. She held on tight, grabbing at the reins. She got a firm grip on one and pulled to the side. Challenger hit the ground firmly, and started to lower his head. She pulled it up quickly. She slowly loosened her reins, thinking that the fight was over.

Frank felt as if his heart was going to explode. Mattie had handled things well, but now the horse was just standing still. What was she going to do next? She softly tapped him with her heels. Frank looked down at the post.

Mattie felt Challenger move underneath her. His strides were strong and fluid. She didn't urge him to do anything more than walk. Out of nowhere, there was a loud crash out on the street. Mattie had no time to react as Challenger began to bolt around the corral. He slammed against the fence, shooting pain through Mattie's leg. Then he started to buck and rear. Mattie couldn't control him. Out of nowhere, Challenger jumped at of the fence, pulling Mattie from the saddle. She slammed the ground with a loud thud.

"Mattie!" Frank yelled as he ran to get her.

He ran at Challenger to keep him away from Mattie. He quickly picked her up and took her into the house. She didn't look that hurt, but he had seen how she hit the ground. He laid her down in the bed and went to grab some water. Then he heard coughing from the other room. He ran back to the room and found Mattie sitting up.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, rushing to her.

"Only my pride," Mattie said, pulling her hair loose. "I understand why Buck didn't want to break him."

Frank smiled a little. "I think he wanted to break you."

Mattie looked out and smiled at him. This was the first time he had been this close to her since she had found him. She liked the feel of the warmth that was there. She knew that this was idea to be feeling this, but she couldn't help it. Frank was different. He wasn't like Cole or Jesse. She felt it in his touch and saw it in his eyes. Slowly, she reached out and touched his hand.

Frank felt something shoot through him as she touched him. He leaned forward, placing a hand behind her and pulled him. He thought that she would fight, but he could feel her need and want. He took the chance and put his lips to hers. He tasted the dust, the sweetness, and the fire.

Mattie wanted to resist, but the kiss felt so good. She felt the power and the kindness. She quickly kissed him back, tasting every part of his mouth. It wasn't long before she was tasting every inch of him, while he was getting lost in the taste of her.