“Let her be a pill, then. Wyatt swears up and down she won’t strike you. I’ve been working with horses all my life, and I don’t believe it. A frightened horse is a dangerous horse, and there’s no way in hell I’m giving you the equivalent of a nail in your coffin.”

Erin was shaking as she climbed over the fence to get inside the enclosure with Violet. The mare wouldn’t understand that her future depended upon this moment. Erin had never rushed her. Each morning, they took their time, and Violet slowly grew accustomed to Erin’s presence. If Erin changed that pattern now, the horse might freak out.

Even so, Erin was no longer afraid of Violet. Even at her worst moments, she’d been careful not to hurt Erin. Uncle Slade would see that for himself, and maybe, just maybe, he would consent to selling Erin the mare.

On trembling legs, Erin walked toward the animal. “Hi, baby girl. Are you going to let me pet you tonight?”

Violet stared at Slade, and all the muscles across her back twitched and rippled.

“She doesn’t like that you’re here,” Erin told him. “Will you back away?”

“Hell, no. In the real world, other people won’t back away. Move on in. I want to see her act up.”

Erin straightened her shoulders and moved in. Violet made that strange rumbling sound, and she heard Uncle Slade say, “Listen to her talk to you. That’s positive.”

Erin relaxed a bit and moved closer. “Hi, sweet girl.” Erin had no treats with her, and she’d never tried to approach Violet without them. But she had no choice but to do so tonight. She took two more steps. Then another. In a moment, she was close enough to press against the mare’s shoulder. Erin wanted to shout with joy, but she didn’t dare. Instead, she ran her hand up Violet’s neck, just as she always did, to touch her poll.

“I’ll be damned,” Slade said. “You’ve made some progress with her. I’ll give you that.”

Just then Uncle Slade tossed his hat over the fence, and Violet gave a violent start. It made Erin angry. She spun around. “Why did you do that?” she cried. “She’s starting to trust me, and now you’ve frightened her.”

“Yep. But she stood fast.” Uncle Slade grinned, then said, “Get me my Stetson before she tramples it.”

Erin collected his hat and took it to him. He simply accepted the offering and turned to walk away. Erin scaled the fence to run after him. She grabbed his shirt sleeve and drew him to a stop. “Well? Are you going to sell her to me or not? I’ve only got three hundred to spare right now, but I’ll make payments.”

“I am not going to sell you that horse.”

Erin’s heart sank. “But why? Please, Uncle Slade. I love her! And I promise, no matter what your asking price is, I’ll pay you every dime.”

He smiled again. “I didn’t say you can’t have the horse, honey. Only that I won’t sell her to you. She’s yours. Only she’s a gift.”