Ryder was looking forward to work as he drove along the roads towards the ranch. It was only a short drive, which was convenient for him and it was partly why he'd applied for the job in the first place. He drummed his hands against the steering wheel in time to the country song that the radio was playing. He turned into the drive and parked up in his usual spot. It was a cold Saturday afternoon as winter was setting in. Ryder loved the winter weather, when it was cold enough to require a coat and the cool winds whipped through your hair refreshingly. He spotted Mr Wilde as he got out the truck and made his way over.

"Hi! What's the plan for today?" He asked.

"Well if you start clearing some of the rubble and rubbish out of the paddock by the far stables then we can use that for storing some logs or something when it gets really cold."

"Sure thing. Is Kitty around today?" He ignored the questioning look he was getting from Kitty's father and waited for the answer. Sure he and Kitty spent a lot of time together as she would always come and talk to him whilst he worked but they were just friends. He smiled to himself as he remembered Kitty's little breakdown in the woods about how she had no friends. He'd kept his promise and not told anyone about the conversation. It saddened him that she had so much self doubt and there was no way he was going to be adding to that.

"She's out on the trails with Ginger at the moment but I guess she'll be around later. Never spends too long indoors, that one." Her dad laughed to himself as he walked off towards the house. Ryder, slightly confused by the laughter just turned and walked towards the paddock he was clearing. Hopefully Kitty would be back soon so that she could keep him company. He'd got used to her being there and it felt lonely to be there by himself and then he realized… he missed her. It was an odd realization for him and he tried to shake it off as he carried on with his work.

When he took a break for lunch he just sat in his truck listening to the radio and watching out for any sign of Kitty coming back from her trail ride. She was due back after being out for most of the morning. However she was still out when he returned to his work clearing the paddock. The afternoon ticked on and Ryder had nearly finished the whole field. He was beginning to feel nervous for Kitty as she still hadn't returned from her ride. He was moving the last log when he heard a commotion on the yard. He ran out from the field to see Ginger cantering into the yard. She had no rider and her saddle had slipped sideways. She was sweating and distressed as someone tried to grab her. Shit. Where was Kitty? His mind began racing. Mr Wilde was now running from the main house towards the yard at full speed, closely followed by his wife.

"What shall we do?" One of the yard girls sounded panicked as she held onto the chestnut mare that was now prancing around on the yard.

"Can someone try ringing Kitty. I don't have her number." Ryder spoke up trying to remain calm and praying that Kitty would answer her phone and tell them all the funny story about how she was walking back on her own. Kitty was a very talented rider though so it must have taken a lot for Ginger to unseat her.

"… no answer" said Mr Wilde after an awfully long silence. Ryder felt physically sick as they all waited for someone to make a decision. An idea suddenly hit him and he turned and sprinted into the barn. "RYDER! Where are you going?" Mr Wilde shouted after him but he was already in the tack room. He grabbed Captain's stuff before racing across to his stall. He threw the tack on before leading him out of the barn.

"I know Kitty's favourite trails, she's showed them to me before. I can go and try to find her." He was already climbing onto Captain and adjusting the stirrups.

"Wait a second! I can't afford to be looking for two of you! You are still new to riding." Kitty's dad began to raise his voice.

"But we can't afford to not be looking for her anymore. None of us want anything to have happened to her but we need to find her as soon as possible. Did anyone see which way Ginger came from?" This silenced Kitty's dad and one of the yard girls pointed at a track leading along the edge of the ranch.

"Thanks! Now I've got my phone and I promise I'll be extra careful" Ryder shouted back as he began trotting along the path. He'd grown used to Captain and was rather fond of him. It surprised him how natural and confident it felt to be trotting along the path. A month previously, he'd never even sat on a horse. He slowed Captain to a walk as they reached the wooded part of the trail. He didn't want to miss Kitty by simply trotting past.

"Kitty?" He called out every ten strides or so desperately hoping for an answer. The silence that answered him each time began increasingly depressing and worrying. He jumped a little when his phone rang out twenty minutes later. He prayed for good news as he fished it out of his pocket and answered. "Hello?"

"Hi Ryder. Any luck finding Kitty?" It was Kitty's mum.

"No, not yet. Have you heard any news?"

"No, her dad is driving his truck along the roads just in case and the police have been informed but we will need to keep them updated. They'll send a mountain rescue team out if she isn't found in the next two hours." Ryder swallowed nervously as he began to realize the seriousness of the situation unfolding in front of them.

"Okay… well I'll keep you updated as well."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Be careful please." With that, she hung up and Ryder was left alone with just the noise of Captain's hoof beats to break the silence. Some time later, Ryder was beginning to give up hope of finding her on this trail. There were so many trails to look on and she could literally be anywhere. He was trying to decide which trail to try next when he passed a clearing. Something caught his eye as he walked past one of the other trail paths. He turned Captain around and as he turned into the trail, he could see a head of blonde hair lying on the floor at the end of the path.

"KITTY" He shouted as he kicked Captain's sides. He must have kicked harder than he had anticipated, as Captain broke straight into a canter. Ryder had almost forgotten he hadn't cantered before but held on as they approached the end of the path. Ryder made sure they slowed down in plenty of time before he jumped off and ran towards the still body lying in front of him. Luckily Captain seemed to understand the seriousness of it all and just stood still, watching as Ryder reached Kitty.

"Kitty. Kitty. Kitty." Ryder felt a huge wave of relief flood him as he noticed she was still breathing. "Kitty… please wake up" He gently turned her from her side onto her back.

"…. Ryder?" Kitty began to stir which made Ryder break into a huge grin of relief. She went to sit up before nearly collapsing but Ryder had realized and had caught her body as it began to slump and was supporting her with his arm.

"Kitty. I'm so glad you're okay… well not okay because you're obviously not but… alive… Do you remember what happened?"

"Erm… sort of. I was cantering along here and something spooked Ginger really suddenly and she spooked and bucked, my girth was slightly loose so my saddle slipped and I ended up in the undergrowth. Then I watched her run off and I must have blacked out… oh god Ginger! Where is she?!" Kitty began to panic as she thought about her mare. Typical Kitty, putting her horse's needs before her own even though she was probably in a lot of pain.

"Don't worry! She came charging onto the yard without you and one of the yard girls took her so she'll be fine. She'll be grazing happily in her paddock right now. Now let's focus on you. Are you hurt?"

"Oh that silly mare." Kitty began to smile as she thought about Ginger. "I'm not too sure. Let me try standing up." Ryder helped to support her body weight as she climbed up off the floor. He caught her as she nearly collapsed once again. "Well I feel a bit dizzy and I think my left arm may be broken but I think that's it."

"You make it sound like nothing. Try eating this." Ryder had rooted through his coat pockets and found a chocolate bar that was hiding in one of the pockets. He then pulled off his jumper and made a temporary sling for Kitty's arm.

"Thank you… oh no you don't have to, you'll be cold."

"No, I insist." Ryder replied as he did up the sling behind her neck. "Now how to get you back?" He wondered out loud.

"I can walk." Kitty suggested.

"I don't think so. Here, you can ride Captain. I'll help you on and then I can walk next to you." He motioned for her to get up once she'd finished the chocolate. She seemed hesitant but did as she was told and moved towards Captain. Luckily, Ryder was strong enough to lift her entire body weight up onto Captain, who stood still for them. Ryder grabbed the reins and began to lead Captain back towards the yard, constantly checking on Kitty who was slumped forward and holding onto the saddle with her non-broken arm. Ryder pulled out his phone and dialed her parents' number as they walked along. "Hi? Mrs Wilde? I've found her. Yeah… was unconscious but awake and talking… possible broken arm… she's on Captain and we're just walking back towards the yard… sounds good… that's alright." They continued walking in silence for another forty minutes before they finally reached the final stretch of the trail. They turned into the ranch to be met by everyone scurrying up to them, as well as an ambulance waiting for Kitty.

"I can't get down." She whispered. They were the first words Kitty had spoken since Ryder had put her onto Captain. She'd been unusually quiet which Ryder had put down to shock. He'd tried to make conversation but had given up after the fifth or sixth failed attempt.

"Here…" Ryder stood Captain next to the mounting block and climbed up so he was level with Kitty. He then leant over and moved her body round so she was facing him. He then lifted her off with one smooth movement before placing her next to him on top of the mounting block. He then helped her down the two small steps before a paramedic and Kitty's dad rushed over to take her off him. They supported her body weight as they carried her towards the waiting ambulance. Ryder stood with Captain watching.

It took nearly all of Kitty's strength but she turned her head as she was carried towards the ambulance and mouthed to Ryder, "Thank you."

A/N: Ahhh! Drama! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I love all your reviews so keep them coming. Also got a few non-ranch chapters planned (the next one will be a school one) which is all very exciting so please keep coming back/follow this :D