The rest of the week passed by rather uneventfully, with the exception of Bonham leaving early Thursday morning to go on a business trip to buy some new broodmares for his breeding operation. He had invited Maddie to go along with him but she had declined, saying that she wanted to keep working with Bel.

Working with her mare she had been doing too and it was paying off big time. Every day after she finished her chores and her schoolwork, she could be found out with Bel. Not every moment she spent with her was training though, most of the time she was just there, hanging out with her and enjoying her company. The mare enjoyed having her around and it was clear to see that the two of them were bonding rather beautifully. With the mare being able to be turned out into the pasture now she was a lot happier to have the extra space to run and play in though Maddie still brought her into the yard and shelter each night.

Apart from the short message that Liam had sent her in response to her telling him about her winning third in the Eisteddfod, she hadn't heard from him. Things there were still rather tense in the household though not quite as bad as they had been the first week Liam had been gone. In all honesty, Maddie tried her best to keep out of the conflict, preferring to not know what was going on though she did wish that Liam would come home soon. Even though she wasn't as close to him as the other members of the family, she still missed his company and had mentioned that in the numerous texts she had sent him.

Even so, life went on.

The sun was out Saturday morning, the snow that had been laying on the ground finally melting away. The past couple weeks had been colder than normal and with that, more snow then was usual but Maddie didn't complain. It had been nice having the snow and it made for beautiful videos of her and Bel playing and training against the white landscape.

Bel met her with a whiny as she walked over to the yard and a smile came to her lips. 'You happy to see me this morning, hey?' She questioned with a soft chuckle and Bel responded by nuzzling her coat pocket through the fence. 'Oh, silly me... You want what I've got in here, dontcha?'

The mare trotted along the fence as she walked up to the gate and Maddie joined her in the pen, giving her a pat before pulling a horse cookie from her pocket. The day before she and Abeline had done some baking and she had made a batch of oatmeal cookies especially for her mare. 'What do you think, hey?' She asked as Bel quickly ate the cookie she had given her. 'Pretty good right?'

Bel started nudging her pocket again and she showed her that they were empty. 'All gone, you might get more later.' She assured her, giving her another pat. 'Come on, morning chores await us.'

Under the mare's close watch she cleaned out the shelter and filled up her water buckets before taking her out to the pasture to turn her out. As soon as she was loose Bel did her usual gallop around the pasture before taking a roll. 'Oh Bel...' With the melting snow came mud, lots and lots of mud. 'You're going to have to have a brush now.'

Bel, quite pleased with herself for getting dirty, trotted back to Maddie. 'What am I going to do with you, hey?' She chuckled, shaking her head. 'Come on, we'll have a play then you need a brush. A good brush.'

They played, Maddie using the time to incorporate a little training into their fun time. Bel loved to rear and it had only taken her a couple sessions to teach her to rear on cue. It was only on cue though and at a safe distance from her so she didn't get hurt. The day before she had been teaching her to come when called then stop and rear at a distance, Bel having enjoyed it quite immensely.

Something else she had been teaching her for fun and with August's help was to find someone on command. With there being numerous trees in the pasture they made for perfect hiding places and Bel had picked up how to play their 'hide and seek' type game easily. It had started as a game for fun at first but when Maddie had come across an article on Tuesday night about scent training with horses she had started to wonder if maybe she could train Bel to do the same thing. Even though she thought it wasn't something she would probably need to use, it was just something fun to add to their training.

When they finished playing it was nearing lunchtime and so Maddie returned the mare back to the yard and gave her a quick brush before heading in to eat. 'What's for lunch?' She questioned as she came into the kitchen. 'I'm starving.'

Abilene chuckled as she cut up some tomatoes. 'You're always hungry, you're as bad as August.'

'What can I say? I'm a growing girl.' She replied with a grin, taking a look at what Abeline was preparing on the bench. 'My guess is; turkey and salad sandwiches.'

'Correct. There's some brownies in the fridge too.' Maddie washed her hands then stole a bit of cheese to nibble on as she sat down at the bench. 'How did you go with Bel this morning?'

'Good. We mostly just played around for a bit, I think she's enjoying the sun being out. I know I have.' Finishing off her cheese she stole a little bit of sliced turkey from the chopping board. 'I was hoping to ride her for the first time today, would you be able to come watch? Grampa and Dad want someone there to watch just in case I fall off or something.'

'I'd love to Maddie but I have a list of things to do a mile long. Your Dad on the other hand-' Cordell chose that exact moment to come wandering into the kitchen. 'He's got plenty of spare time on his hands.'

'Woah woah woah, what are you roping me into now Ma?' Cordell questioned, taking some turkey from the pile as he joined them at the bench.

'Just watching me take my first ride on Bel this afternoon.' Maddie replied, helping herself to some more cheese. 'You'll be able to come watch me, right?'

'Yeah, yeah sure.' He nodded as he took some more turkey.

'Can you both stop stealing food?' Abeline asked with a hint of annoyance. 'At the rate you two are going there won't be anything left to put onto our sandwiches. Go on, out of the kitchen until I call you for lunch.'

'Going, going.' Cordell snuck one last piece of cheese as Maddie giggled at the glare Abeline shot at him, the two of them heading into the living room where August was working on something on his computer. 'What are you up to Augie?'

'Not much.' He replied, placing his laptop aside. 'Being bored. I can't believe I still have another three weeks to go.'

'Maybe next time you won't go climbing old burnt out barns.' Maddie pointed out as she picked up her cat from the couch and sat down where the cat had been sleeping. Bubbles curled back up on her lap after a moment, purring loudly as she gave her some pats. 'Hard lesson learnt.'

'Yeah yeah...'

'Got any plans for this afternoon?' Cordell questioned.

'Nope. Not really.'

'Either of you know where Stella got to? I saw her around here earlier...'

'I think she mentioned something about meeting up with a couple friends to do some study.' Maddie spoke up. 'Have you heard from Uncle Liam?'

He shook his head. 'I-I've left him messages but no... He hasn't replied.'

'How long do you think he'll stay away for?' August asked. 'I mean, it's been three weeks since he left...'

'I-I don't know. But uh... I'm sure he'll come back when he is ready.'

'I hope so.' Maddie said softly after a moment. 'I kinda miss our chess nights.'

'How about... after dinner tonight, you and I play a couple games?' Cordell offered. 'I know I'm a terrible opponent-'

'That's an understatement.' She teased. 'Like, you are the only person I've ever played against that I've been able to checkmate in three moves.'

'Yeah, chess isn't really one of my strong suits.'

'I hadn't noticed.' She replied with a grin. 'But hey, I'm in the mood for a little bit of kicking your butt.'

'Oh really?'

'Look out Dad.' August said. 'Maddie means business.'

'Alright-' Cordell offered his hand to Maddie to finalize the deal. 'Maddie girl, your challenge has been accepted.'

After lunch Cordell and Maddie headed outside to Bel's yard, the teen giving her mare a good brush down before taking her back out to the pasture. At first he thought that she was just taking her out to do some extra training but when she climbed up onto an old stump she was using for a mounting block he realized she was planning on riding her then and there. 'Aren't-aren't you going to stick a saddle or bridle on her?'

'Nope.' Maddie replied as she asked Bel to sidestep closer towards her. 'Don't need it.'

'You-you aren't going to ride her bareback-'

'That's the general idea.' She replied with a chuckle. 'For a couple reasons. One, so if Bel does blow up and I do fall off, I don't get a foot caught in my stirrup or something and two, I just prefer riding bareback anyway.' Bel turned her head towards her and she rubbed her forehead as she let the mare settle down next to the mounting block. 'Can you start recording? If I do come a busta, I want to see it.'

'I really don't feel like taking you to the ER today...' He replied as he turned Maddie's phone on in the camera stand Liam had given her for Christmas. 'Be careful honey.'

'Yes Dad... I will be. Promise.'

Bel stood quietly as Maddie repeated all the exercises she had been training her with in preparation for this moment. Laying her weight over her back, jumping up and down beside her to imitate the movement of mounting, swinging a leg over her back and resting it on her rump; all part of vital training a horse needed before they had a person sit on their back.

She watched the mare's body language carefully the entire time, Bel hardly doing more than flick an ear back to listen to what she said. The mare was more than ready to be ridden, there was nothing else she could teach her from the ground. 'Alright Bel my girl...' She spoke softly as she took her leg from off her rump again, preparing to spring onto her back for real this time. 'You think you're ready for this?'

Laying the lead rope over the mare's neck she took a deep breath then sprung up onto her back in one fluid motion. Bel raised her head in surprise, moving a couple of steps to the side as she felt the weight of a rider for the first time. 'That's a girl...' Maddie soothed softly, holding onto the lead rope but not holding her back. 'Good girl. It's okay. You're alright. Just something new, hey?'

After a couple more nervous steps, Bel stopped, turning her head to try and see what was on her back. 'Yeah, I'm up here now.' Maddie gave the mare a pat on the shoulder as Bel sniffed at her boot. 'This isn't so scary, is it?'

She could feel the mare was tense and uncertain beneath her but so far, the mare hadn't shown any interest in getting her off her back. Lingering a little while longer she carefully slid off and landed on the ground beside her, giving the mare a good scratch and plenty of praise. Bel licked and chewed as she processed what Maddie had been doing with her and she gave her a moment before climbing back onto the mounting block and repeating the process again.

By the fifth time she had re-mounted, Bel was standing half asleep with boredom, the mare not even bothered anymore when she got onto her back. 'Alright, shall we try something else?' Maddie asked her softly then gently asked the mare to bring her head around to the right with her lead rope. Bel obliged happily and after Maddie had asked her to turn to either side multiple times, she gave the command to walk on.

A mare who only mere months ago had been wild and unpredictable had become gentled.

A huge grin was on Maddie's face as the mare walked on and after having done a few turns and some circles on the flat ground around the stump, she brought her to a stop in front of the fence where Cordell stood. 'Good girl.' She praised as she gave her a hug and a pat. 'Well done.'

Cordell ended the recording after Maddie had dismounted, pride filling his heart. 'Maddie, you-you've done wonders with her.'

Maddie blushed a little as she ran her hand down Bel's neck. 'She just needed someone to show her a little kindness and love Dad. Anyone could have gentled her.'

'I don't think just anyone could have done what you have.' He replied. 'Not many people would have seen what she could be back at that auction house. I didn't even think she was worth saving but you've both proved me wrong.'

'Sometimes what people consider worthless becomes priceless.' She said as she gave the mare a hug. 'Dad, come meet her.'

'You-you sure she'll be okay if I come in?'

'She's fine with Grampa, Colton and August. Come on.' She took the lead rope off the mare's neck and held it in her hands. 'She won't bite.'

Carefully Cordell climbed over the post and rail fence, approaching the mare slowly. Bel's head lifted and she snorted softly as she looked him over. 'Hey Bel...' He held his hand out to her for her to sniff and she did so after a moment of slight hesitation. She relaxed after a moment and nudged his hand with her muzzle, asking for pats. He smiled, looking over at Maddie as he rubbed the mare's forehead, his daughter wearing a huge grin on her face.

'I think you get her tick of approval.' She said with a little chuckle. 'What do you think Bel? You think Dad's okay?' Judging from how the mare was enjoying him rubbing her face it definitely seemed like that was the case.

'So...' Cordell started after a moment. 'When do I get to ride her?'

'Dad!' She laughed. 'She might be okay with you giving her pats but I highly doubt she'd be happy for you to ride her.'

'Yeah, you're probably right.' Bel turned back to Maddie and sniffed at her pockets, searching for treats.

'Do you want to see her tricks?'

'Yeah, yeah sure.'

Laying the lead rope back over the mare's neck Maddie started to the fence where she had left her two dressage whips. 'Come on Bel.' The mare trotted after her to catch up and once she had picked up her whips, she walked back over in front of the stump where Cordell had taken a seat. 'We gonna show Dad what we can do?' She asked the mare softly as she rubbed her head. 'Think you're up for a little performance?'

Bel nickered softly and she giggled.

'I take it that's a yes.'

After giving the mare a couple more pats she untied the halter and threw both the halter and lead over near the stump then turned back to Bel. Starting off with something easy she asked the mare to walk with her and they did a couple circles and changes of direction before she asked Bel to trot. The mare jogged after her eagerly, tossing her head and snorting and Maddie chuckled. Bel enjoyed this just as much as she did.

Jogging around with her for a little while she then sent the mare into circles around her, Bel watching her closely for her cues. At the lowering of her whips to the ground the mare slowly came to a stop and rejoined her, Maddie giving her a pat before raising both her whips in the air and started jogging back. Bel tossed her head with excitement, anticipating Maddie's next command.

'Bel, come!'

Bel started forward at a gallop as Maddie lowered her whips to the ground, the cue for her to come to her. Quickly the whips were raised again and Bel slid to a stop, Maddie flicking the whips in the air to ask for a rear. Bel reared high, pawing the air and when Maddie lowered the whips, came back down to the ground. Once more Maddie lifted them and Bel reared for a second time, this time Maddie taking a couple steps back as she kept flicking the whips. Bel took two steps forward on her hind legs before Maddie lowered the whips and she stood, waiting for further instruction.

'Good girl.' Maddie praised as she walked up to the mare, giving her a firm pat on the neck. 'Good girl.' Giving her a moment to take a break she then asked the mare to walk on with her. Bel continued forward with her back towards Cordell and a few yards from him, she asked her to stop again. 'Smile Bel.'

Cordell laughed as Bel 'smiled' for him, Maddie giving the mare a couple pellets she had hidden in her pocket for her reward. 'Well done you two.'

'That's not all she can do, I've taught her to bow and lie down too this week.' Maddie added as she moved back a step and asked Bel with her whip to bow. The mare went into the bow then after Maddie asked her to stand again, Maddie got her to lie down. Bel turned around on the spot a couple of times before lying and after giving her a pat and a treat, Maddie climbed onto her back and gave her a hug. 'Alright Dad, what did you think?'

'Very good honey.' He turned off the recording he had taken of their little 'performance' and snapped a couple of photos while Maddie was giving the mare a hug. 'But how- how did you teach her this stuff?'

Maddie shrugged as she asked the mare to stand up and Bel did so, the girl giving her another pat on the neck before she slid off her rump. 'Videos on YouTube and just doing what felt right. It makes it easy cause Bel just wants to please-' She gave the mare another couple of cubes from her pocket before haltering her again. 'she has been easier to train then starting Grampa's three year olds.'

'Well you've done very well with her sweetheart.' He said as he stood and gave the mare a couple extra pats. 'You should be very proud of yourself.'

'I am, kinda. I mean, it feels good to be good at something, you know... And actually feel like I'm good at something for a change. Saving Bel... I guess in a way we kinda saved each other.' Cordell placed an arm around Maddie and she returned the embrace. After a moment Bel wanted in on the attention and nuzzled at her cheek the girl giggling softly as she gave her a kiss on her muzzle. 'We're both like diamonds in the rough. Having to go through hard times before we can really shine.'

'Whatcha doing?' Stella questioned as she joined Maddie in the living room, taking a seat on the couch next to her.

'Working on a slideshow of Bel while Dad is on the phone.' Maddie replied as she added another video file into the video editor. 'Had my first ride on her today too.'

'Really? That's great. Did you fall off?'

'No. I didn't.' She chuckled. 'Can you hand me over my water bottle?' Stella handed her the bottle from off the coffee table and she opened the lid to take a drink. 'How was your day? How did study go?'

'Fine, Todd helped me finish off a couple of assignments.'

'Ohhhhh...'

Stella rolled her eyes at the look that Maddie gave her. 'We're just friends.'

'Hmmm.'

'I could ask you and you and Colton-'

'Me and Colton?' Maddie almost choked on the water she was drinking, much to her sister's amusement.

'Well, you two have spent a lot of time together lately...'

A slight blush came to her cheeks. 'Yeah, mainly because Rocky keeps finding ways to injure himself. I've never known a horse to be so accident prone.'

'So there's nothing else going on?' Stella teased.

'Nothing at all.'

'You sure-'

'Stella, I'm sure.' Maddie replied as she closed the lid on her water bottle and placed it aside again. 'Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get this finished before Dad gets off his phone call. I'm supposed to kick his butt at chess tonight.'

'Dad's going to play chess with you? He's awful at that game.'

'Yeah, that's why I say I'm gonna kick his butt.' She said with a little grin. 'Uncle Liam is the only one who really gives me a run for my money. When I mentioned to Dad that I missed our chess games, he offered to play with me instead.' Cutting the video down into a little clip she added it to the slideshow she was putting together. 'Have you heard from Uncle Liam?'

'A couple short texts since he's been gone.' Stella said with a soft sigh. 'It's not the same without him being around. When Dad was gone after Mom died, Uncle Liam was always here for us. I want to be there for him but I don't know how-'

Maddie's attention diverted to her laptop again with a notification coming through that she had an email. 'Just one second Stell...' She quickly clicked on the link and as the email loaded, she emitted an excited squeal. 'I've been accepted to compete in the Mustang Makeover!'

'Let me see!'

She moved the laptop over so that Stella could see the screen and Stella started reading the email out loud.

'Dear Madeline, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as one of the trainers in this year's Mustang Makeover competition...'

'What's the commotion in here?' Cordell questioned as he walked into the living room, having heard Maddie's squealing when he'd come through the back door.

'I got accepted into the Mustang Makeover!' Maddie said, almost knocking her laptop off Stella's lap as she stood. 'Where's Mawline? I want to tell her I got in-'

'I think she's in the cellar. Woah-'

'Sorry Dad!' She called back over her shoulder as she hurried down the hallway to the walk-in pantry behind the kitchen. Sure enough the door into the cellar was open and Abeline was stacking some preserves on one of the shelves as she came down the stairs. 'Guess what?'

'Hmmm...' She made a show of pretending to think hard about the question for a moment. 'You're crazy and I'm not?'

Maddie giggled. 'No.'

'Cordell beat you at chess?'

'Ah, no.'

'Hmmm... Let me see...' Abeline placed the empty crate down in an empty space on the shelf. 'You were accepted into the Mustang Makeover?'

'Yes.' She laughed. 'Wait, did you hear me tell that to Dad?'

'I think everyone within a ten mile radius heard you, Maddie girl.' She gave the teen a hug, Maddie still grinning like the cat that caught the canary. 'Guess that means we'll be taking a little trip up to Fort Worth on the weekend, you and I.'

'Oh... Yeah. Grampa won't be back in time for the pick up and Dad's working...' Maddie looked up at her. 'Are you sure you're happy to drive me up there?'

'Of course sweetheart.' Her phone began to ring and as she pulled it out from her pocket she saw it was Bonham ringing. 'Hey hon...' She answered it, Maddie mouthing to her that she wanted to talk to him. 'No, I'm not too busy... That's good... Hey, there's someone here who wants to speak with you.'

'Hey Grampa!' She started after Abeline had handed her the phone. 'You'll never guess what just happened...'

Maddie was still over the moon that she had been accepted into the competition as she crawled into bed that night, still unable to believe that she had actually been accepted! She had read and re-read the email that she had received from the committee a good ten times but still it hadn't quite sunk in yet. Out of over a hundred applications (and those trainers had to be invited at that) she had been one of the forty chosen trainers that would be competing and the youngest trainer at that.

As she typed up a post to put up on Bel's Facebook page, Bubbles came over to curl up beside her. Giving her cat a couple pats she finished writing up her announcement and added the post to the page with the picture Cordell had taken of her sitting on Bel when she had been lying down.

With that posted she also uploaded the video she had made documenting Bel's progress so far. She'd put together some clips of how Bel had been in the first days of her arriving at Walker ranch and other clips as time had passed. Her favorite ones though were of her in the snow, especially the one she had taken a few days ago where Bel had been rearing on cue at liberty in the snow with her.

The song she had put the slideshow to fit their relationship perfectly.

'Cause I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we're breaking down
We can find a way to break through
Even if we can't find heaven
I'll walk through hell with you
Love, you're not alone
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you
(I'm Gonna Stand By You - Rachel Platten)

As she played the video again, a smile came to her lips. Though she had thought it had been her to rescue the mare, in a way, the mare had rescued her too. When she was with Bel, things felt better. Life felt better. She could forget all about her past and even things going on in the present she preferred not to think about and just be there with her horse.

Her eyelids started to get heavier and she yawned softly as she opened up her messages to Liam once more. For the last four days he hadn't replied to her though he had messaged Abeline back a couple days ago and she debated if she should bother messaging him again. After a moment though, she decided that she would.

Hey Uncle Liam. Hope you're doing okay. Had my first ride on Bel today! She did so good, I'm so happy with how she's going. Got some big news tonight too. I've been accepted to compete in the Mustang Makeover! Nervous but excited about that at the same time, I'll be the youngest trainer to compete.

After she had sent the text she uploaded the slideshow as well so he could see it then sent a little extra message with it.

The song might fit Bel and I but it goes for us too. I miss you Uncle Liam, I hope you come home soon.

'Geez it's chilly out there this afternoon.' Maddie exclaimed as she walked into the kitchen, rubbing her cold hands together in an attempt to warm them up. 'How much longer did they say this cold snap was supposed to last?'

'Ah, till the end of the week I think.' Abeline replied, putting on the kettle to make the girl a warm drink. 'Hot chocolate?'

'Yes please. At least it's stopped snowing...' She blew on her hands then rubbed them together again. 'Even with my gloves on my fingers still feel frozen.' Her grandmother took a mug down from the cupboard as she pulled out a seat at the bench. 'I saw the woodpile is almost gone, Dad must have forgotten to get more wood on the weekend.'

'How low is it?'

'We might have enough left for a couple more days if we're careful.'

'Well Bon has all the ranch hands working with the cattle-' She added the hot chocolate into the mug and waited for the kettle to finish boiling. 'and with this cold snap the cattle need the attention. Looks like it's up to us to go get the wood then, Bon won't be home till next week.'

'I sure wish Uncle Liam was here.' Maddie sighed softly. 'And not just so I wouldn't have to go outside and freeze again.'

'Stacking wood will warm you up.'

'Who's stacking wood?' August questioned as he came into the kitchen in search of something to eat. 'We got any cookies left?'

'Second shelf in the fridge and we are.' Abeline filled the mug with water from the kettle and handed the hot chocolate to Maddie. 'Drink that up and we'll head on out. From memory Bon said there was some wood left already cut up in the bottom gully of the back pasture.'

'Least we'll only have to split it then once we've brought it back.' She took a sip of her drink as August helped himself to the container. 'Can I have a couple of those too please?'

'Sure. When are you going to make more Mawline?'

'How about tomorrow?' Abeline suggested 'You can help.'

'Cooking isn't really my thing-'

'But eating apparently is.' Maddie teased. 'If you want to eat, you've got to cook.'

A little while later Maddie had thawed out and finished off her hot chocolate and cookies, she and Abeline heading out to go grab a couple loads of firewood. Though the sun was out and the sky was a crisp blue there was still a sharp coldness in the air. It wouldn't be long however before it started to warm up though with the forecast predicting an early spring.

'Got your gloves?' Abeline questioned as they climbed into the old truck they used around the ranch.

'Yep.' She pulled her work gloves from her pocket and put them on instead of her fleece once. 'Hope we don't get bogged, it's pretty muddy after that bit of rain we had this week.'

'We'll see how we go, might just have to carry the wood a bit further depending on how close to it we can get. That'll warm you up.'

'Yeah, it sure will.' Maddie replied as Abeline put the truck into gear and they started towards the back pasture. 'When do you think Dad will teach me to drive?'

'You don't know how to drive?'

She shook her head. 'My father... Bruce...' She corrected herself. 'He never taught me. Is it hard?'

'No, not really. You want a crash course in the basics?'

'Sure.'

On their way to the gully Abeline explained the basics of how to drive stick to which Maddie payed close attention. When they arrived where the wood was they parked up on the trail above the gully and she suggested that Maddie have a go at driving on the way back to the ranch.

As Abeline and Maddie carried the wood up to the truck, Maddie had a question. 'Mawline, when is Dad's birthday?'

'A couple months away yet.' She replied. 'Why?'

'Oh, no reason in particular. Just wondering what I'll get him for his birthday is all-'

'Crap!'

Maddie put the wood she'd picked up down at Abeline's harsh exclamation, expecting that maybe she'd gotten a splinter or something. What she didn't expect to see was a seven foot rattlesnake slithering away from where Abeline had just been picking up wood. 'Is that-'

'Western diamondback.' She finished off her sentence, clutching her wrist as she backed away from where the snake had been.

Maddie gasped when Abeline moved her hand aside revealing two bleeding puncture marks on her left wrist just above her glove.

She'd definitely been bitten.