Chapter 4 A Tense Introduction

The first rays of dawn found Alexandra disoriented, still clothes she’d used to hide herself and keep her warm when she’d fallen asleep. For a moment, she lay still, trying to piece together the events of the night. Fear and the biting cold had driven her to seek shelter, but she couldn't recall exactly when she'd finally succumbed to her exhaustion. As faint light filtered through her makeshift covering, a stark reminder of her predicament returned. Her car, stranded in the middle of nowhere, was still her prison, the surrounding wilderness a symphony of unsettling animal sounds. A fresh wave of despair threatened to engulf her, tears welling in her eyes.

Just as the first sob escaped her lips, a new sound cut through the stillness: the scrape of claws against metal. Alexandra froze, her breath catching in her throat. The coyotes. They had found her. She could hear them sniffing, feel them peering through the car windows, their intentions chillingly clear. If she stayed perfectly still, perhaps they would lose interest. A low snort, guttural and menacing, sent a fresh wave of panic through her. Were they truly that desperate? Just as she felt herself sinking into the depths of hopelessness, she heard a voice, quiet, calm, and undeniably human, break through the terrifying silence. It came again, a gentle reassurance that someone was near. She waited, her heart pounding, before the voice, soothing and clear, spoke once more, this time from directly behind the car. A sudden jolt of adrenaline sent her sitting bolt upright.

The scene that unfolded in response to her sudden movement was comically chaotic. A man wrestled with a spirited horse, while two eager border collies danced around them, barking and leaping. Seeing the man, the horse, and the dogs, Alexandra felt a surge of relief. Safety was within reach. She cautiously slipped from the back seat, attempting to smooth her disheveled appearance, which included a heavy Pittsburgh Steelers sweatshirt. Her hair was a tangled mess, her face streaked black by tears, but she had little time to dwell on any of that.

The man had gained control of his mount and was riding back towards her. The dogs, however, were already there, their wagging tails and friendly nudges a welcome greeting. The male of the pair offered his belly for a scratch, and the small female, equally enthusiastic, licked her hand, an immediate confirmation of their amiable nature.

As the horseman drew closer, a sensation unlike anything Alexandra had ever experienced in her life washed over her. He was ruggedly handsome, his piercing blue eyes holding hers. Despite the recent struggle with his mount, he exuded an air of effortless calm.

"How do?" he greeted, a warm smile revealing a flash of bright white teeth against his tanned skin. "Lost, I reckon?" His voice sent a delightful shiver down her spine.

"I... my car broke down," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

"Uh-huh," he grinned, his eyes twinkling. "And I'm guessing you took a wrong turn before that. What business did you have on this road, anyway? It's no place for a car."

"The map showed it led to Silverton," Alexandra explained, her voice laced with a hopeful uncertainty. "It's not far, is it?"

A subtle furrowing of his brow, a barely suppressed amusement in his eyes, told her the answer before he spoke. He seemed to be fighting back a laugh.

"Silverton?" he repeated, his smile widening. "Ma'am, you can't get to Silverton from here."

A wave of embarrassment washed over Alexandra. The terror of the night seemed incredibly foolish in that moment, bathed in the daylight and in the presence of this captivating stranger. Her fear had been so real. She had truly believed she wouldn't survive the night. Now, it all felt rather silly.

"Did you sleep out here last night?" he asked, his gaze steady.

"Yes," she mumbled, her eyes fixed on her boots.

"I'll bet you nearly froze to death."

She glanced up, meeting his intense gaze, and felt a flush creep up her neck as she nodded.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little," she admitted.

"Here," he said, swinging his leg over the saddle and gracefully dismounting. "Hop on. I'll lead him back to the house. You can get cleaned up and have something to eat."

"I... I don't think I can ride him," Alexandra protested, eyeing the horse nervously. "He seems... spirited."

"You mean all that?” he chuckled, his voice warm. “Nah, he was just a little spooked. He's alright now. Besides, I'll have the reins. You'll be fine."

"I can walk," she offered, though her feet were already throbbing from the previous night's exertion. The thought of a hot shower and food was incredibly tempting, but the prospect of sitting atop such a powerful creature, one that had so recently demonstrated its power, filled her with apprehension. What other choice did she have?

"Ma'am?" he prompted gently, sensing her hesitation.

"Alexandra," she blurted out, a sudden urge to shed the formality. She didn’t want to be addressed as "Ma'am" by him.

"Okay, Alexandra," he replied, a warm smile gracing his lips. "I'm Evan." He extended a rugged, gloved hand, which she took. His grip was firm.

"Pleased to meet you." An awkward silence followed as she wrestled with her apprehension, still questioning the wisdom of trusting herself to a horse that had just exhibited such a violent reaction.

"Why don't you just give him a little pet," Evan suggested softly, "get to know him? He's a good sort, really. Friendly, with a good head on his shoulders. Just young and easily startled."

Tentatively, Alexandra reached out and touched the horse's velvety muzzle.

"Just gently stroke him a little," Evan said, his voice a low rumble. "Let him smell your hand. He won't bite."

Alexandra hesitated, her gaze drawn to the enormous creature before her. Its eyes, a deep, soulful brown, seemed to hold her spirit in their grasp. Tentatively, she reached out. The horse flared his nostrils, a soft puff of warm air brushing her skin as he investigated her hand. Then, with surprising delicacy, his velvety nose nudged her hair, his breath tickling her cheek. The sheer scale of the animal was intimidating, yet beneath the imposing exterior, she sensed an almost childlike innocence.

In that moment, the fear that had gripped her began to recede, replaced by a dawning sense of wonder. As her fingers brushed against his coarse, dark mane, an inexplicable connection sparked between them. She felt a lightness in her chest, a giggle of amusement bubbled up as the last vestiges of nervousness dissolved into the quiet understanding that this magnificent being was no monster at all.