It took a moment for what Maddie had said to sink in but after it had, Bonham was the first one to the door after her. 'I heard something banging in the barn while I was with Bel and Dakota-' She explained to him as they hurried over to the barn. 'Chopper's cast, Skylar, Ace, Bonny, Blue and Inka all look like they're colicing. Ace is the worst.'

They came into the barn, Maddie standing back as Bonham checked each horse over quickly before returning back to Ace's stall. His stallion was really struggling and as he knelt down beside him, he knew there was nothing that could be done. Ace wouldn't last much longer and it was cruel to let him suffer.

The rest of the family came into the barn, Maddie moving aside to let Cordell into the stall to speak with his father. 'It's colic?' Cordell questioned.

Bonham nodded, running his hand down Ace's neck as his stallion began to shiver violently. 'Liam-' He looked up to address his younger son. 'Liam, get on the phone and get the vet out here asap if we're gonna have any chance of saving the others.'

Liam nodded, quickly retreating out of the barn to get service on his phone.

'Cordell…' He looked back down at his stallion. 'Go get my rifle.'

Maddie's hand came to her mouth as she realized what Bonham meant, Cordell stepping out to go back to the house. 'C-can't we wait for the vet or-or something?'

'He's in pain, Maddie.' Abeline said gently, placing her arm around her shoulders, Stella and August standing with the same look of shock on their faces. 'It's the kindest thing that can be done.'

'What about the others?' Stella questioned. 'Will they be alright?'

'They'll have a chance if the vet can get here in time.' Bonham replied. 'Abby, take the kids inside. We'll take care of this.'

'I'm staying.' Maddie replied decisively as Abeline ushered Stella and August out of the barn. 'Chopper's gonna freak when that rifle goes off. I'll go keep him quiet.'

'Maddie-'

'I know what I'm doing. It's not the first time I've dealt with a cast horse.'

'Alright.' Bonham turned back to Ace, stroking his neck as the stallion struggled to hold onto life. 'Be careful.' He cautioned with concern. 'Don't get into his kick zone.'

She nodded soberly, lingering for a moment then headed a couple stalls down to where Chopper was stabled. The gelding was still lying on his side as she walked back in and she again carefully moved around him till she was positioned in the safe area behind him. 'It's gonna be alright.' Chopper was still fighting to get back onto his hooves without any luck though began to quieten down again with her in the stall. 'You're gonna be alright.' She spoke gently to him as she ran her hands over his neck. 'We'll have you up soon.'

They waited.

Footsteps sounded outside the door and she knew her father had returned.

A moment later, the rifle shot came.

Chopper struggled, Maddie quietening him and calming him as tears welled in her eyes.

Silence.

Hearing footsteps approaching she quickly dried her eyes and returned her attention to Chopper as Bonham, Cordell and Liam came to the doorway.

'The vet will be here in an hour.' Bonham remarked as he joined her beside Chopper, taking stock of the situation. 'We gotta get this guy back up. Liam-'

'I know the drill.' Liam replied. 'I'll be back in a moment.'

Cordell stepped into the stall as Liam left to go get what they needed and picked up the gelding's feed bucket. In the bottom there was still a couple handfuls of grain and he frowned as he picked some up, smelling it. Mold…

'What happened with Ace?' Maddie questioned Bonham as her grandfather looked Chopper over. 'What would have caused him to go down so quick? He was fine last night.'

'Any number of things Maddie.' He sighed gently, looking up at the girl. 'Let's just focus on the others, okay?'

She nodded, looking back down at Chopper as she kept stroking his neck.

'Dad-Daddy… Look at this…'

Bonham got up, leaving the gelding with Maddie and went over to his son. Cordell handed him the horse's feed bucket and after a moment of looking at the grain that was left in the bottom, reached the same conclusion.

Chopper began to struggle again, Maddie calming him with soft words again.

Bonham and Cordell were momentarily distracted but seeing that Maddie had the situation under control, returned to their conversation.

'Who did the feed last night?'

Maddie heard Cordell's question and looked up. 'I did.'

They both looked over at her.

Maddie raised an eyebrow. 'What's wrong?'

'Maddie…' Cordell was struggling to keep it together. The day they were to race for the ranch and his daughter had fed their horses bad grain. 'You fed moldy grain.'

As what her father said sank in, Maddie shook her head. 'No, no, I didn't. The grain was good when I fed it to them.'

'What is this then-'

'Cordell.' Bonham cautioned as his son strode over to Maddie, shoving the feed bucket beneath her nose.

'It's moldy Maddie!' He yelled. 'God Maddie, you bloody idiot-' He paused, trying to restrain himself from taking out his anger and frustration out on her any further then he had. He paused for a moment to attempt getting his emotions under control. 'I thought you had more sense then to feed horses moldy grain.'

Maddie looked in the feed bucket in disbelief then picked up a handful of the grain and smelt it. Cordell was right. The grain was bad. Her bottom lip quivered as she dropped the grain back into the bucket and handed it back to him. 'But... But I know the grain was good when I fed them...'

'You-you were the only one who fed them-'

'Cordell.' Bonham again cautioned him, this time coming over closer to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

'Well…' Cordell stopped, walking across the other side of the stall to dump the bucket on the ground outside. 'I-I guess that's it then.'

Maddie bit her lip, trying her hardest not to lose it as Cordell marched out of the stall. 'I-I wouldn't have given them moldy grain. I know I didn't.' She said after a moment, looking up at Bonham. 'What does Dad mean?'

Bonahm sighed, crouching down next to Maddie again. 'The race, Maddie.'

'But can't it be postponed?'

He shook his head. 'It's in the contract that if either side failed to show up, all land would automatically revert to the opposite family.' He paused for a moment, looking back down at Chopper. 'Chopper's the only horse I would race, nothing else on this ranch comes close to him.'

'But couldn't we still run with another horse? We-we're just going to give up without trying?'

Bonham didn't say anything, just kept running his hand down the geldings neck.

He didn't need to answer.

Maddie learnt everything she needed to know in his silence.

This time, she couldn't hold back the tears. 'I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't m-mean to give them moldy g-grain.'

'Maddie-' Bonham rose as the teen fled from the stall, Maddie racing out of the barn as fast as she could go. A moment later Liam returned with the straps to move Chopper and Maddie was forgotten as the two of them worked to get the gelding back up.

Maddie didn't stop running until she reached her room, the door slammed shut loudly behind her before she sank to the floor. She knew, she knew that when she fed them last night the grain was just fine but there it was, right there in the bucket. Proof that the grain she'd given out was bad.

And Chopper had been given a double portion.

Her knees drawn into her chest, her face buried in her arms, she cried.

It was her fault.

All her fault.

She had fed moldy grain and now they were going to lose the ranch.

Bubbles came over to her but she paid the cat no attention.

Abeline, Stella, and August tried to get her to speak to them, to let them into her room but she ignored them.

It was her fault.

After her cry, a numbness washed over her, the teen resting her head back against the door, staring up at the roof. She hadn't know it was in the contract that if one party didn't show up everything would automatically be forfeited to the opposing side. They were going to lose their ranch without even fighting for it, because they couldn't.

Cordell was right. This was the end of it.

There was nothing on the ranch that even came close to how fast Chopper was and with the start of the race just mere hours away there wasn't time to find one elsewhere.

More tears slid down her cheeks as she stared up at the ceiling through blurred eyes. God, she hadn't meant to give the horse's moldy grain but she had. It was there in Chopper's bucket and if she looked at the other buckets she could guarantee too that it would be in them also.

What if the entire barn got sick?

That was almost thirty horses.

She couldn't get it out of her mind, seeing her Grampa there with his stallion. She knew that stallion meant the world to Bonham. He'd raised him from a colt, he'd had him for over twenty years. They had won world titles together. Now Ace was gone.

Her fault.

Her fault.

It played over and over in her mind like a mantra, threatening to cause more tears to spill. She'd been tired last night, so tired, yet she'd only wanted to help Bonham by doing the evening feed. She'd only wanted to help and look at what had happened. Ace was dead, another five horses were sick and god only knew if any of the others would fall ill too.

Her fault.

Her fault.

Time slipped by.

Her tears dried on her cheeks.

Shakily she got to her feet and opened the door, ignoring the concerned gazes of Abeline and her siblings as she went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her once more. She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a moment then turned on the faucet and began to wash her face.

'Maddie, Maddie… Let me in honey…' Abeline said softly, knocking on the door. 'I just want to know you're okay.'

'I-I'm o-okay.'

Abeline let out a sigh of relief. 'Come on out honey. Come talk to me.'

'In-in a moment.' She looked at her reflection again, her eyes not quite as red now that she'd washed her face. Taking a towel from the rack she dried her face off and fixed up her hair then stepped back out. Abeline was waiting there for her and she allowed her grandma to take her in her arms.

'Is this about Ace?' Abeline questioned softly.

Maddie shook her head, swallowing back the lump in her throat as Stella and August came over closer. 'No… I-I fed t-the horses moldy grain. That's why-that's why they're sick.'

'Oh Maddie…'

'I-I'm sorry.' She withdrew from her. They'd find out soon enough what happened and when they did, she knew they would be furious with her just as Cordell was. 'I just need a moment.'

Abeline nodded, letting her go.

Maddie hurried back to her room, closing the door behind herself once more. The clock telling the time on her bedside table seemed to taunt her as each minute ticked over, each minute one closer to when the ranch would be forfeited to the Davidson's.

Even the ticking seemed to tell her it was her fault…

Her fault.

The feeling of her phone vibrating caught her attention and she didn't want to see what it was but after a moment, pulled it out to see who had messaged. It was Liam, asking her if she was okay.

No.

She wasn't okay.

I'm fine. The rehearsed lie slid easily from her fingertips into the message. Can you cut off some of Ace's tail and save one of his horseshoes please? The least she could do was make something for Bonham to remember him by.

After hitting send she waited, a reply coming back a few moments later.

I can.

A moment later, another text came through.

Dad doesn't blame you.

She bit her lip reading that, another tear slipping down her cheek. He only thought he didn't. In time, when it sank in what she had done, it would. They would all blame her.

Not bothering to reply she returned her phone to her pocket and looked over at the clock. An hour and twenty three minutes.

Her fault.

Her fault.

They were going to lose their home because of her…

Thank god Bel and Dakota had separate feed.

As that thought passed through her mind, she froze. Chopper was the fastest quarter horse they had but even he hadn't come close to Bel when she had escaped.

Bel was fast. Faster than Chopper.

She quickly wiped the tear from her cheek, a new resolve flooding over her. It was her fault her father couldn't race. She had given the horses the moldy grain.

She had to make it right.

After taking a few moments to make up her mind, Maddie slipped out her bedroom window and ducked away unseen from the house. No. They wouldn't lose the ranch. They couldn't lose the ranch.

The veterinarian's truck was still outside the barn as she went past and she stopped for a moment outside the barn. The saddle she needed was inside the tack room, Emily's old one she normally used when she was riding was much too heavy to race in. Quietly she slipped over to the tack room, glancing through the window to see if the coast was clear. It was. She quietly opened the door and walked in.

The saddle Bonham had been working on was sitting on the stand it had been last night and in one motion she picked it up and rested it against her hip. It sure was a lot lighter then Emily's one though she didn't stop to wonder why as she headed out again. As she was in the tack room she heard the sound of a truck and trailer coming up the drive, stepping over to the window to watch it go by. The Davidson's had arrived.

This was becoming horribly real by the minute.

Swallowing the lump in her throat she snuck back out of the tack room and headed in the direction of Bel's pasture. Seeing the Davidson's drew home just how much they had to lose. The Davidson's didn't really have that much at all. Apart from that broken down thoroughbred and his herd mates their ranch had nothing on what the Walkers had. They had over a thousand head of cattle and all the horses… They had so much more to lose.

If only she hadn't fed those horses that moldy grain.

Bel and Dakota came up to the fence as she walked over to the gate and after letting herself in she carried the saddle into the shelter and placed it down. Bel investigated the new saddle curiously for a moment as she picked up a halter and lead rope, the mustang allowing herself to be caught with ease.

Dakota watched with interest as her pasture mate was un-rugged and thoroughly groomed, Maddie having to shoo her away a couple of times. She had neither the time nor the interest to deal with her games and after having pushed her away for a third time, Dakota finally got the memo.

Bel too picked up that something was different with Maddie, the mustang beginning to dance in place a little and paw the ground. 'Settle down Bel…' Maddie murmured softly, knowing the mare was picking up on her emotions. When Bel didn't stand she took a step back and a few deep breaths. 'I know.' She said as she stepped back to Bel, rubbing the mustang's cheek and jaw gently. 'I know you can feel it. I know you know I'm nervous. Scared. But we both need to channel that energy into something more important. Winning.'

The mustang relaxed a little as Maddie rubbed her forehead gently, focusing on connecting with Bel and going through the motions of that helped not only to calm the mare but herself as well.. When Bel was finally quiet again she picked up the brushes again and finished off the groom while being mindful to not rush her movements. Bel was already upset as it was from her emotions and she certainly didn't wish to escalate things.

Bel sidestepped a little when she put the saddle cloth on her then settled again as the felt pad and finally, the new saddle, was placed on her back. She cinched it up securely then adjusted the length of the stirrups to suit her and headed into the adjacent tack room to grab Bel's bridle.

As she took Bel's bridle down from its hook she checked the time on her watch. Twenty seven minutes until race time. They'd be ready.

The mustang snorted, shying away a little from her when she went to place the bridle on her but with some soft words and gentle touch, settled once more. Bel accepted the bit after a moment and when she'd slipped the bridle on over her ears she stopped for a moment to give her a pat before doing up her throat latch.

Bel was ready.

Was she?

Dakota whinnied loudly as her herd mate was led out of the pasture then settled back at the hay pillow Maddie had given her while she'd been tacking up Bel. Outside the gate she brought her to a halt and checked her cinch once more then passed the reins up over her neck and swung into the saddle.

Bel sidestepped as her backside landed in the seat, the mare tossing her head and prancing a little. 'I know…' Maddie kept the reins loose, one hand on her shoulder. 'Just settle down sweetheart. Easy girl.' The mare stopped, snorting gently. 'That's a girl. Easy now…' She gave her another pat and took a deep breath. If she didn't get her own emotions under control how could she expect Bel to behave? Her mustang was a direct reflection of how she was feeling.

Bel flexed her neck, chomping at the bit as Maddie kept her walking in small circles just outside the pasture. There was no sense in rushing her. She would let Bel have as long as she needed before going over to where the race was to begin.

The clock was ticking as Maddie let Bel loosen up and relax while at the same time trying to quell the rising anxiety inside her. Their home was on the line because of a mistake that she had made. Because she hadn't seen that the grain was bad. Her father couldn't race because of her and she was sure that if he was the one racing, he would have won.

She couldn't afford to lose.

'Alright Bel…' She brought the mare to a halt, leaning down over her neck. 'Let's do this.' At the touch of her heels Bel started forward, Maddie's face set with determination. Bel began to jog, catching onto her rising anxiety and she forced herself to take a deep breath as she slowed her back to a walk. 'You'll get to run soon…' She promised the mare grimly, one hand on her shoulder as the other kept a light contact on the bit. 'Patience Bel… Patience.'

As she rode around the side of the barn she could see the whole family gathered there together with Geri bar August, the Davidson's gathered on the other side with their chosen horse. Maddie looked it over, her eye telling her that horse was going to be a tough competitor. It was a stunning chestnut and it was built for speed. Though she had been worried that they wouldn't win, seeing what the Davidson's had to race against her mustang only caused her more doubt. Bel was fast but would she be fast enough?

It was the sound of another horse walking that caught Stella's attention and when she looked over in the direction it came from, her eyes widened. 'D-dad.' She placed a hand on his arm, interrupting the conversation with the Davidson's. He looked down at her and she motioned in Maddie's direction.

If the Davidson's chestnut was really something, Bel was even more magnificent to look at. Her black coat shone in the sunlight, her long mane blowing in the breeze as she tossed her head, Maddie sitting easily through the mare's impatient jogging. Bel was in peak condition, perhaps even better than Chopper had been and it showed. At a height of over sixteen hands she was an imposing sight at the best of times and Maddie, sitting straight and determined in the saddle only added to the image. A hush fell over the group as every head turned, Bel being brought to a halt a few yards back from them.

'You gonna let a kid ride for you Bonham?' Gale questioned. 'I thought you were more man than that.'

'What the hell are you doing Maddie?'

'What does it look like I'm doing?' Maddie replied, Bel backing up a couple paces as Bonham stepped towards them. 'You might be willing to let this place go without a fight but I'm not.' She said as Bel tossed her head, fighting with her a little.

'Oooohhh. Ouch…' Dan remarked with a chuckle, enjoying the glares the Walker shot at him.

Bonham turned back to his granddaughter. 'I'm not going to let you ride.'

'Huh.' She scoffed. 'Don't see you've got much choice,' Her eyes diverted to Cordell, watching his expression for a moment then turned back to Bonham. 'specially since I was the one who fed the horses that grain.' She nudged Bel forward a step. 'Grampa, this place is just as much a part of me as it is you. I'm the one responsible for why Dad can't ride. I can't just stand here and watch them take our home without at least trying to fight for it. I'm as much a part of this as the rest of you. Please…' She paused. 'Let me try.'

He sighed then nodded after a moment. He didn't want to do it but what other option did he have? Neither he or Cordell would even think of riding Bel and she was the only horse on their ranch that would stand a fighting chance against the Davidson's Quarter race horse. 'Like you said, we ain't got much of a choice.' He turned to the group. 'Maddie will ride.'

Conversation broke out amongst the Walkers and the Davidson's, Maddie paying no attention to their squabble as her eyes met Colton's. He met her gaze for a moment then turned away. Was it guilt in his eyes or remorse? Whatever it was, it was too late now for him to take back the part he'd played in this whole horrible mess.

When the arguing amongst her family and the Davidson's finally settled down, Geri instructed her to warm Bel up. Both families made their way over to the large sand arena to watch the warm up, Maddie swallowing back the lump in her throat as Bel stepped up beside the chestnut Dan was riding.

Though the race was supposed to start at ten, with the delay from the resulting argument Maddie's presence had caused, it would be pushed forward to ten fifteen to allow both horses a proper warm up. As Maddie rode Bel around she deliberately didn't look at her family and instead tried to focus all her attention onto her mare. She didn't need any more encouragement for Bel was already wound up like a coiled spring and more than once made a quick motion that would have unseated a less experienced rider.

At fifteen minutes Geri announced that would be the warm up, both riders bringing their horses back out of the arena and over to the starting line. Dan dismounted, handing the reins to his horse to one of the ranch hands and another came forward to take Bel. 'Just be careful with her.' Maddie said to him as she dismounted. 'She's rather wound up today.' He nodded, assuring her that he would manage and she handed him over the reins, going to stand with her family as Geri began to read out the rules.

'As the only person here not of Walker or Davidson blood, I will read the rules.' She started. 'The race will start right here at Walker ranch. The riders will make their way to the barn in between the two properties and circle back to the starting position to finish the race. Whoever wins, will have legal claim to both the Walker and Davidson land. The losing family will need to vacate the premises in the most immediate manner possible.'

After Geri had read out the rules, each adult stepped forward to sign the contract. The two horses were kept walking by the ranch hands, Maddie keeping a close eye on how Bel was doing as she waited for her family to finish signing the document.

'Maddie-' Cordell started as he returned to where she was standing with Stella. 'I-I owe you an apology-'

Maddie shook her head. 'Dad, it's fine. You were right. It was my fault.' She replied softly, Bonham, Abeline and Liam all coming back over to join them as the Davidson's stepped up to the pen. 'I'm sorry. Will the horses be alright?'

'The vet is optimistic we caught the others in time.' Bonham replied. 'He thinks they should pull through.'

She breathed a sigh of relief. 'Thank god…'

'Maddie-' Cordell waited until she looked back at him. 'You-you be careful out there, okay?'

'Bel will take care of me. You don't have to worry.'

'I am worried. If there was someway, any other way-'

'Dad.' Maddie interrupted gently again. 'I will be okay. You've always told me I can do the impossible.' He smiled a little at her using his own words back at him. 'This is the first place I've ever really been able to call home, I can't let it go without fighting for it.'

'Regardless of what happens out there Maddie,' Abeline said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. 'This, us. We are your home. Home isn't just a building or a ranch. It's family. You are family. Don't forget that.'

She smiled a little, giving her grandmother a hug. 'I won't.'

'Maddie, listen.' Bonham started, the girl turning to him. 'When you get to the fork in the road, you go right.' She frowned for a moment and was about to say something when he continued. 'Okay? Left is quicker, but the trees are overgrown.'

As it dawned on her what that meant, she nodded. 'Yes sir.' Looking back over at the horses she saw Dan starting over to his chestnut and was about to leave when Bonham stopped her again.

'Maddie.'

'Yeah?'

'You go out there, and you kick his ass.'

Any other time she would have laughed but this time she just nodded soberly as Bonham initiated a hug, the rest of the family joining in. She closed her eyes, breathing in deep for a moment then opened them again as they let go and stepped away over to her mustang.

The ranch hand brought her to a halt as she came over and handed her the reins, Maddie offering him a timid smile. 'Thank you.' He tipped his hat at her and left, Bel snorting softly as she ran her hand up the mare's face. 'I know. I know…' She soothed softly to her, the big black snorting as she rubbed her cheek. 'I know you're nervous, I am too sweetheart but you have to trust me. We can't let my family down. They are counting on us. We have to win…'

We have to win.

With so much on the line, they couldn't afford to lose.

Bel seemed to calm slightly as she kept rubbing her face and Maddie took another moment to calm herself too. 'I need you with me Bel.' She whispered gently, Bel's ears pricking forward again at her voice. 'We have to win Bel. I need you to give me your best.'

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Colton giving his dad a hug and she took another deep breath as Dan started over to his chestnut. 'With me Bel…' She crouched down a little, blowing gently into the mare's nostrils. Bel's nostrils flared as she blew back at her, Maddie rubbing her forehead once more. 'Stay with me.'

Dan mounted, Maddie up on her mustang a moment later. Bel tossed her head, dancing in place a few steps as she settled into the saddle and she placed a hand on the mare's shoulder, speaking softly to her. A moment later she quietened and with a gentle touch of her heel, Maddie guided her forward to the starting line where Dan was waiting on his horse.

'So much wasted land.' Dan remarked nonchalantly as he made a pretense of appearing relaxed and unfazed. 'I mean, does anyone really need a tree house these days? I do think I'm gonna keep your Grandma's garden. Looks like she worked real hard on that.'

Maddie said nothing, her focus being only on her horse. He's just trying to throw you. She reminded herself, swallowing back the lump in her throat as Bel sidestepped again. 'Easy… Easy Bel.'

'Okay.' Geri started, pistol in hand to begin the race. 'Everyone ready?'

Maddie went to nod then saw the pistol in Geri's hand. Her heart stopped for a moment as she realized something horrible. She'd never ridden Bel around firearms before. Bel caught onto the rush of nerves that flooded through her, the mare beginning to bounce in place, her front hooves lifting from the ground. 'Easy… Easy Bel.'

'On your marks!'

'Steady Bel…'

'Get set!'

Bel was really beginning to fight her now, Maddie having to hold onto the horn of her saddle with one hand as she kept a firm hold of the reins with the other.

The pistol barked, Dan's horse leaping forward while Bel went skyward. Maddie held on tight as the mustang reared up, dropping all contact on the reins so she didn't pull Bel over backwards. Coming back down to the ground Bel began to spin, Maddie kicking her in the flanks with her spurs when she was pointed in the right direction.

Bel shot forward in surprise, Maddie vaguely hearing her family cheering them on as they raced through the gates after Dan. Thanks to Bel's antics Dan already had a decent lead, Maddie cursing herself for not having thought ahead. She should have remembered they'd start the race with a gun…

Bel fought against her as Maddie held her back, not allowing the mustang to run at full speed just yet. It wasn't a short race, it was a five mile round trip over rough terrain. Bel needed to keep her stamina for the final stretch. Her face set with determination she rode out the buck the mare gave her, keeping pressure on the mustangs sides with her spurs to keep her moving forward.

Dan was way ahead of them but Maddie was confident that when she let Bel go near the end she'd be able to catch him. After a short sprint down the road they turned off onto a track leading across one of the pastures, Maddie letting Bel speed up just slightly. Even without running at full steam yet they were slowly gaining on Dan and as the fork Bonham spoke about came up ahead, Maddie prepared to turn Bel to the right.

Dan, obviously not knowing that the left was overgrown, chose that road and when he glanced back to see where she was, rode straight into an overhanging branch. Maddie saw him fall and gasped, bringing Bel to a halt. Part of her just wanted to ride on and leave him lying there but there was no honor in an easy win.

Always do what is right…

'Yes Mama…' She whispered with a sigh, Bel fighting to keep going as she turned her back towards Dan. 'Are you okay?' She questioned with concern, pulling Bel to a halt near him. 'You hurt?'

'No… No, I'm fine…' He grunted as he got back onto his feet. 'You didn't have to come back, you know.'

'Mama taught me to do what is right even if I don't like it.'

Dan's reply was a huff of some kind.

'You sure you're alright?' She asked again. 'That was a really hard fall.'

'Yeah… Just fine kid.' He growled. 'Quit your fussin. My horse is probably in the next state by now.'

Maddie took a look around, spotting Dan's horse wandering down the track not far away. 'Wait here. I'll catch him for you.'

Bel fought against her to start running again but she held her back at a walk, catching Dan's chestnut with relative ease. Dan walked over to her as she led him up, handing him back the reins. 'You think you can ride?'

'I'm fine.' He insisted as he mounted again. 'Let's finish this. On three. One.'

'Two.' Maddie hoped this time Bel would go forward and not up.

'Three.'

Both horses started together this time, Bel matching the chestnut stride for stride. Bel kept fighting her, Maddie still holding her back as they galloped on.

They were in the lead as they splashed through the creek, Bel still fighting against her. Over a low rock fence then up a hill to another rock fence. Down a hill, a long flat stretch, one more rock fence.

The burnt out barn loomed on the horizon ahead, a fitting halfway mark for it being the start of the whole feud to begin with. They were still in the lead as they came into the turn, Bel fighting for her head the whole time Maddie slowed her down.

Dan came up on the inside, over taking them again halfway around and as they started back, let his horse go. Bel wanted to go, wanted to gallop but Maddie still held her in. 'Not yet… Soon.' She promised as Dan and his horse made it over the rock fence, she herself preparing to go over it too.

As Bel leapt, something went wrong. There was a snap and the next thing Maddie knew was that the ground was rising quickly to meet her. Bel crashed down on top of her, the mare quickly getting back onto her hooves in a wild scramble.

It took a moment for what happened to register, Maddie rising to knees as Bel trotted away. She shook her head to clear the fuzz, her eyes landing on the saddle laying on the ground.

The cinch had snapped.

She looked down the trail, Dan disappearing over the horizon. Desperation and determination flooded through her. She couldn't let him win. Rising to her feet she hurried for Bel, the mare thankfully stopped only a few yards away.

Bel's bridle was broken and Maddie slipped it the rest of the way off her head, dropping it to the ground. Quickly she grabbed a lock of her mane, leading the mare forward for a brief moment to make sure that she hadn't injured herself in the fall. By some miracle, Bel wasn't hurt.

Still holding onto the mane she clucked for the mare to go faster, using her momentum to vault up onto her back. Finding her seat a moment later she dug her heels into the mare's sides, Bel galloping on again.

Dan was nowhere to be seen but Maddie guessed he had to be at the third wall by now. There would be no catching him if she kept going that way and the rules didn't say a thing about her going off course…

Her mind made up, she turned Bel off the beaten path, trekking across country.

This time they worked as one, Maddie no longer fighting against Bel. She didn't hold her back as they raced down into the valley, cutting off a significant amount of ground they had to cover. The only emotion flooding through her now was urgency, Bel catching onto it and ran faster.

A barbed wire fence loomed up ahead, higher than anything Maddie had ever jumped bareback. There was no turning back now though. The track was just up ahead on the other side and as they raced towards it she could see Dan on her left just above. With nothing to hold onto except the mare's mane she closed her eyes and held on tight as Bel jumped.

Maddie almost lost her seat when Bel landed and ended up on the mare's neck but somehow managed to regain her seat once more. Dan was just ahead now as they raced up the hill to the track above, Maddie digging her spurs in Bel's sides again. Bel responded with another burst of speed, the mare giving everything she had.

Dan looked down in surprise as he saw Maddie racing up, seemingly out of nowhere. As she came onto the road behind him he spurred his horse faster. The finish line was just up ahead now.

'Go Bel! Go!' Maddie shouted, crouched low over the mustangs neck. Dan was right there in front of them, only three strides ahead. 'Faster Bel, go!'

Bel responded with one last burst of speed as the finish line loomed ahead but it wasn't enough. Dan finished half a stride in front of them.

Half a stride…

She had been so close.

The Davidson's erupted with cheers, Maddie asking Bel to slow as Dan jumped off his horse, her heart sinking as Gale, Denise and Colton celebrated his win.

Denise? Wait…

Why were there police here?

Better yet….

Where was Bonham?