Chapter 3 A Tense Introduction
Dawn, for Alexandra was disorienting. Besides strangely quiet surroundings, the clothes she’d used to hide herself and keep her warm when she’d fallen asleep were confusing. She lay still as the events of the night before began to reassert themselves in her mind. The combination of fear and the biting cold had driven her to cover herself in her wardrobe, though she couldn't recall the exact moment 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 sounds.
Just as she was beginning to malke sense of her situation, 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, would they lose interest and move on? 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 silence. It came again, a gentle reassurance that somebody was near. Was somebody really there? She waited, her heart pounding, before the voice, soothing and clear, spoke once more, the voice came from directly behind the car. A sudden jolt of adrenaline caused her sit up, tossing the clothing that covered her aside in a single movement.
The scene that unfolded in response to her sudden movement was comically chaotic. Behind the car, she saw 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 she managed to pull over her to keep her warm. Her hair was a tangled mess, her face streaked by the black streaks of her mascara, 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, arrived first, their wagging tails and adding friendly nudges. 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 bore into her. She found herself unable to look away. 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 weathered skin. "You lost?" 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. How did you end up here? It's no place for a car."
"The map showed this road leads 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. In that moment, the terror of the night seemed incredibly foolish. Bathed in daylight and in the presence of this captivating stranger, the fear she'd experienced had melted away. She had truly believed she wouldn't survive the night, but now, it all felt 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 show he put on?” 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," certainly not by him.
"Pleased to meet you, 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. He's plenty friendly, just young and easily startled."
Tentatively, Alexandra reached out and touched the horse's velvety muzzle.
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 hand. He took a step forward and pressed his muzzle closer, his breath tickling her cheek. The sheer scale of the animal was intimidating, yet beneath the imposing exterior, she sensed a childlike innocence.
In that moment, her fear of the large animal 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.