Chapter 1

I had no idea why Pablo, the horse trainer from the stables I visited while at Camp LaGrange, offered me a job at some place called Raintree Farm. I didn't even know if I wanted the job. I'd spent my whole time in juvie thinking I'd behave well, get parole, and go back home to my old life, living with my miserable mother, and working some awful waitressing job where I'd be hit on by gross men. I didn't even think that there were other options for me besides that. So, when Pablo stepped up during my hearing and told the judge he had a job for me, I just felt confused. I mean sure, I love riding Wildfire and being around the other horses at the stable, but I knew nothing about them really, so how could I work at a horse ranch? I didn't want to set myself up to fail even more than I already have, but I also didn't want to go home to my alcoholic, pill popping mother. So, I accepted the terms of my parole and left the next day in Pablo's truck, with my duffle bag of belongings slung over my shoulder.

The farm seemed nice, amazing actually. I couldn't believe I was actually going to be working in a place that had such openness and beauty. It was nothing like any of my other jobs in the past, working at clubs with my mom, waiting tables in run down diners, stealing cars with older guys that would just let you take all the blame. I already gained a newfound hope for this place. And then Pablo introduced me to the owner, Jean Ritter, I could already tell that she had a lot of apprehension towards Pablo hiring me to work for them; she kept looking me up and down. Pablo then pulled her aside to talk.

"I was in her situation once too, Jean" Pablo explained, "and I only wish someone would have seen the good in me and given me some opportunity. Just give her a chance, if you don't like her after two weeks, I'll help her find something else." I overheard Pablo defend me to Jean, it was nice to know someone actually cared and understood that I wasn't a bad person just because I went to juvie once, I really admired Pablo for that.

"I understand that Pablo. But she's just so young…and beautiful. I don't want her to be a distraction for Matt." Jean finally admitted, even though the juvie thing obviously bothered her as well. I wonder who this Matt is, probably her son if she cares so much about who's distracting him. Ha. Like I'd actually even think about dating my boss's son, I'm not dumb.

"Please Jean, she's not like that. She's just here to do her job and learn about horses. You should see her ride, a natural talent." Pablo added, sticking up for me the whole time.

"Alright." She surrendered. "She can live in the trailer." She began louder, adding me to the conversation while walking towards the small metal trailer positioned near the house that her family lived in. "It's not much, but it's pretty nice for one person, and right on the property, so you don't have to commute to work." She added, with a sincere tone hinted underneath her apprehension. She might not be that bad I guess.

"Thanks, it's perfect." I said, looking inside, noting that it was a lot of steps up from my digs at Camp LaGrange, and even nicer than where I lived with my mom, mostly because she wasn't there. It had a little kitchen so I could make a few things, a little table to eat at, and across from that was a small couch, in the back of the trailer there was a bed, some storage space, and a tiny bathroom.

"I can get you some curtains too, to spruce things up a bit if you'd like" Jean continued, noticing the lack of homeliness the trailer had.

"Thank you!" Jean must not be that bad, she just cares about her business and family is all.

As we were walking out of the trailer I saw a silver Porsche pull into the drive, and two boys around my age stepped out. The driver looked like a spoiled rich kid, but when he took his glasses off, and I saw his beautiful caring brown eyes that went perfectly with his tanned skin and brown hair, he looked like so more than a rich kid living off his parent's money. With him was another boy, who was homelier looking, like someone that's lived on a farm their whole life, who cares for others; he must be Matt, Jean's son. I must say, he's cute and sweet looking, but I usually don't go for that. I mean I'm in this situation because that's the exact opposite of what I go for. And even though the other boy looks less sweet and caring, he's still nowhere near the bad boys I dated back home. First off, he drives a Porsche, and second I'm pretty sure it's not stolen like my usual date's rides, just paid for with daddy's money.

That's when Pablo noticed me looking at them, calculating them and I noticed Jean was walking towards them.

"That's Matt Ritter, Jeans oldest son, and his friend Junior Davis, the son of Davis Farm's owner near here. They're about your age, and I would imagine you'd become friends with them. But nothing more, okay?" Pablo continued, raising his eyebrows, making sure I knew the rules that I already heard Jean lay down. "I stuck my neck out to get you this job and I don't want you jeopardizing it."

"Thanks for thinking so highly of me," I joked.

"You know that's not what I mean Kris. All I mean is that I know how teenage boys can be around a pretty, mysterious new girl like you." He explained as I looked back towards the boys who were now looking at Pablo and myself, talking, probably wondering who the hell I was. Who was I really though, coming to this farm, starting a job that I had absolutely no idea how to do. God, why do I always doubt myself, Pablo obviously thinks I can do it if he hired me, right?

"Don't worry, I have no intention of getting into any of that nonsense" I reassured him, then added, "I really just want to do a good job, this is the most anyone's ever believed in me and I'm not looking to let you down Pablo" I said smiling, truly believing the words I was saying.

"I know" Pablo responded. "You'll start tomorrow, 6am sharp" was all he said before walking away towards his housing on the property.