When Anneke stumbled back into the house at dawn, her parents were already awake and milling around the house. The girl's breath caught, and fear gripped her throat. If her parents knew she was riding without permission…

"Anneke! I was wondering when you were going to get inside! How long have you been out there for?"

"Uhh, sorry Mummy, I'll wash up right away."

"Please do, we have a man who's interested in renting that room over."

"Oh, alright." Anneke bolted up the stairs to her room, where she slammed the door shut behind her. The familiarity of the room helped Anneke to calm down as she dressed in a light red corseted top and white cotton skirt. She picked strands of hay out of her silky blond hair, then spritzed on a tad bit of lilac and rose scented perfume. She was pleased with her appearance after five minutes. "Coming down!" She called, forcing herself to walk quietly and daintily down the stairs. When she turned into the living room, her mother seated her at the couch, across from an attractive man with sandy coloured hair. He wore a cowboy hat and jeans. Anneke found herself enticed, and he seemed equally interested in her too.

"Anneke, this is Mr. Frank Hopkins, Mr. Hopkins, this is our daughter, Anneke."

"Hello, Anneke." Mr. Hopkins' voice was coarse and soft, and it gave Anneke the chills.

"Hullo" Hopkins did not smile, his green eyes continued to search Anneke's face.

"Would you look at that sky, Chimer… pure beauty." Anneke stroked Chimer's big grey nose and inhaled the scent of horse and hay and summer grass. "And I met our new border today. He's called Frank. Frank is a strong name, right Chimer?" Chimer nickered his reply. "I thought so. How old would you say he is? He's most defiantly not sixteen or eighteen either…maybe thirty?" Anneke rambled on, the memory of Frank's gorgeous green eyes fuelling her thoughts. "And his eyes Chimer…they're the color of the mountain brook! His chin is so chiselled…it's amazing! He's amazing!"

"If you continue gushing like that, you'll surly make your horse sick." Anneke froze. That voice…that soft yet coarse voice…Frank's voice!

"OH MY!" Anneke sprung to her feet, and brushed strands of hay off of her dress. "You weren't listening for long, were you?" Anneke flushed red in pure embarrassment.

"Maybe I was… maybe I wasn't…" Frank winked at Anneke and stroked Chimer's neck. "Nice boy you got here. Chimer, right?"

"Well, in Dutch he's called Klokkengelui, but Daddy encourages me to call him in his English name."

"So you're Dutch then?" Frank's eyes studied Anneke with interest.

"Mhm." Anneke nodded.

"That's neat."

"Not really. I like it in America much more. Holland wasn't very special. Too crowded. Out here I have my space, which I like."

"Do you ride, Anneke?"

"Err…" Anneke hesitated. She wondered if Frank would tell her mother and father about her morning escapes.

"You do…"

"Well….I'm not supposed to…" Frank's eyes twinkled, and Anneke felt pride blossom in her chest like a mountain rose.

"I ride too."

"Where's your horse?" Frank remained silent, and Anneke instantly felt bad. "I'm sorry…"

"It's fine. I'm not exactly sure where he is."

"He was stolen?"

"Naw."

"He's dead?"

"Nope."

"You sold him?"

"Not exactly." Anneke began feeling frustrated.

"Never mind" she mumbled.

"Would you take me on one of your rides?"

"Yeah, sure! How's tomorrow morning sound?"

"Sounds good."

"Meet me in the barn at 3:00am. Sharp."

"Sounds like a plan."