17. Stephanie

17

STEPHANIE

I sat at the rustic wooden table in the kitchen, sipping my morning coffee and daydreaming about our sex and the familiar sound of the mailbox creaking open outside caught my attention. Wondering what had arrived, I stepped out

onto the porch and retrieved the small stack of letters and bills. I flipped through them absentmindedly.

One envelope caught my eye—a letter from the bank, its official seal staring back at

me. With a furrowed brow, I tore it open, my heart pounding with a mix of apprehension and uncertainty.

Reading through the contents of the letter, my heart sank. It was a notice from the bank, informing me that I needed to come in for a meeting about my financial status. My mind raced with worry about the ranch's expenses. I knew the truth—I had poured my heart and soul into this ranch, using every penny of my savings and army discharge money to purchase it. I had managed to escape without needing a mortgage. But the cost of running the farm, coupled with the expenses of caring not only for the other animals, but for Ashlyn, Melody and Phantom, had begun to take its toll on my finances.

I felt anxious and uncertain about what the meeting would entail. Would I be able to secure the funds needed to keep the ranch afloat, or would I be forced to make a difficult decision about its future?

As I sat at the kitchen table, lost in my thoughts, the sound of footsteps drew me out of my reverie. Melody entered, her expression soft with concern as she saw me sitting there, the letter from the bank still clutched in my hand.

"Hey, Steph, everything all right?" Melody's voice was gentle, her eyes filled with genuine concern as she came over.

I offered her a weak smile, trying to push aside the waves of worry that threatened to overwhelm me. "Yeah, just got some news from the bank. Looks like I need to go in for a meeting about my finances."

Melody's brow furrowed in understanding and she took a seat across from me, her presence a comforting anchor. "Is it serious?"

I sighed, uncertainty settling in the pit of my stomach. "I'm not sure yet. But the ranch expenses have been adding up and I know I need to figure out a way to keep everything afloat."

Melody reached out, placing a reassuring hand on mine. "You're not alone in this, Steph. We'll figure it out."

Her words eased my frazzled nerves and I offered her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mel. I appreciate it more than you know."

Ashlyn came down the stairs just then, her presence adding a flicker of warmth to the room, but I didn't want to burden her with my worries. She approached us, concern etched on her features as she glanced between Melody and me. "Hey, is everything all right?" Ashlyn's voice was soft and her eyes searched mine for signs of distress.

I hesitated, unsure how to broach the subject. But before I could find the words, Melody stepped in, her tone gentle, but firm. "We just got some news from the bank, Ash. Stephanie needs to go in for a meeting about the ranch's finances," Melody explained, her gaze steady as she met Ashlyn's eyes.

Ashlyn's brow furrowed with concern. She moved closer, her hand finding mine in a comforting gesture. "Is it serious?"

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the situation. "I'm not sure yet. But money's been tight lately and I know I need to figure out a way to make ends meet."

Ashlyn's expression softened with understanding and she squeezed my hand reassuringly.

As I drove to the bank, I suddenly realized that I felt completely exhausted. My old Bronco rattled down the road, the familiar hum of the engine doing little to calm my racing thoughts. I glanced down at my outfit—a crisp, white button-down shirt tucked into high-waisted trousers. It was the best I had, but as I looked in the rearview mirror, I noticed how worn and faded the fabric had become over time. I used to feel confident in this ensemble and considered it a reflection of my professional demeanor. Now, my outfit made me feel like a shadow of my former self.

I had spent the last few days replaying every financial decision I had made, every expense that had piled up, and every dream I'd had for the ranch. The memories of laughter shared with Ashlyn, the thrill of Phantom's first race, and the comforting routine of caring for the animals all seemed distant now, overshadowed by the impending doom of the upcoming meeting.

I pulled into the bank's parking lot, took a deep breath, and steadied myself for what lay ahead.

The building loomed before me, in stark contrast to the freedom of the ranch. This place felt suffocating, its sterile walls a reminder of the financial shackles I was about to face. I stepped out of the Bronco, gravel crunching beneath my boots as I approached the entrance.

Inside, the air was cool, a welcome reprieve from the Texas heat, but it did nothing to ease the anxiety swirling in my gut. I had always found comfort in the chaos of the ranch, the symphony of horse whinnies and clucking hens, but now I was stepping into a world that felt foreign and intimidating.

"Good morning, Stephanie!" Bill's voice boomed from behind the reception desk as I entered. His warmth was immediate and I appreciated the way his eyes crinkled with genuine delight upon

seeing me. Bill was a big man, with a heart to match, and I knew he had a soft spot for ranchers and their dreams.

"Morning, Bill," I replied, forcing a smile as I made my way to his office. The familiar scent of coffee lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of horse leather that he seemed to carry with him.

As I settled into the chair across from his desk, I couldn't help but notice the framed pictures of horses that adorned the walls—each one a testament to his passion. "So, how's Phantom doing?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, his expression curious yet concerned.

"He's doing great. Ashlyn's really bringing out the best in him," I said, my pride in Phantom's progress surfacing, despite the weight of the conversation looming over us.

"That's fantastic to hear!" Bill's enthusiasm was genuine and it made me feel a glimmer of hope. But as I looked into his eyes, I could see his underlying concern. "Now, let's talk about the ranch."

I took a deep breath, preparing myself to lay bare my vulnerabilities. "I've been struggling to keep up with the costs lately. I know I've taken out loans and I'm worried about falling behind on them."

Bill nodded, his expression serious as he shuffled through some papers on his desk. "I understand, and I want to help you. But we need to figure out a sustainable plan to get you back on track. The

expenses have been rising and I'm concerned about your ability to keep the ranch afloat."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut and I felt my chest tighten. I knew he was right, but I couldn't let the ranch—my sanctuary—slip through my fingers. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes," I

said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Bill leaned forward, his eyes searching mine. "That's the spirit, Stephanie. But we need to be realistic. Have you considered cutting back on some of the expenses?"

I nodded, my mind racing with potential solutions. "I'm open to it. I just need to find a way to keep the ranch running, while also taking care of Phantom and the other animals."

Bill sighed, his expression softening. "You're passionate about this and I want to see you succeed. But we need a solid plan moving forward."

I sat there, feeling the enormity of the situation settle over me. This wasn't just about finances. It was about my life, my dreams, and everything I had fought for. But I couldn't let fear dictate my

actions. I was determined to save my ranch, no matter what it took.

Bill leaned back in his chair, studying me closely. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and knew he was assessing my reluctance to discuss any drastic changes. After a moment, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled over us. "Stephanie," he began, his tone thoughtful. "I've been hearing a lot of buzz about Phantom since that local derby. It seems like he really has potential."

I nodded, feeling a swell of pride at the mention of Phantom's name. "He does. Ashlyn has a real way with him. They've built an incredible bond and it shows on the track."

Bill smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting as he nodded. "That's great to hear. But have you considered entering him in the state race coming up? I've heard the prize is a hundred grand for first place."

My heart raced at the thought. One hundred thousand dollars! That could change everything for the ranch.

"The state race?" I said. "I . . . I hadn't really thought about it. That's a huge commitment."

"I get that," Bill said, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the desk. "But think about what that kind of money could do for you. It could secure the ranch for the next two years, and that would give you a little breathing room. I could defer your debts for the next month until the race, allowing you to focus on preparing Phantom without that added pressure."

I let his words sink in, possibilities swirling in my mind. "You really think he has a chance?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"From what I've seen and heard, absolutely. And, I am a betting man. But it all depends on how you handle the training and preparation. Ashlyn seems to have a good grasp on him. With the right approach, you could be in it to win."

I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation at the thought. "What if we don't win? What if Phantom isn't ready?" My anxiety crept back in, tightening my chest.

Bill waved a hand dismissively, a reassuring smile on his face. "You won't know unless you try.

You've already seen what he can do in a competitive setting. Just think of the confidence that a win will bring you and Ashlyn. Besides, with the right training regimen, I believe he will be ready."

I closed my eyes for a moment, envisioning Phantom's powerful strides as he thundered down the track, the wind whipping through his mane and Ashlyn's focused determination guiding him. The picture felt exhilarating, yet terrifying. "I know Ashlyn is dedicated, but we're still relatively new to this. The state race is a whole different ball game."

"True," Bill conceded, "but every race is a learning experience. This is an opportunity to elevate both your and Phantom's standing in the racing community. It's your chance to shine and I believe you both can rise to the occasion. You're a talented owner and coach, and with Ashlyn's support, I can't see any reason why you shouldn't take this leap."

A fire ignited within me at his encouragement. "You really think we can do it?"

"Without a doubt," Bill replied, his voice firm. "I've seen you work with Phantom, and I believe in your ability to manage this. Plus, it would secure your financial future for a while. You won't be just

surviving; you'll be thriving."

I ran a hand through my hair, the weight of his words settling in. This was a significant decision, but it also felt like a possible turning point. "If we do this, I want to make sure Ashlyn is on board. She's

been instrumental in Phantom's training and I don't want to take her for granted."

Bill nodded approvingly. "That's a smart move. You'll need to communicate and strategize together. It's a partnership, after all. But don't forget that this is also about you, Stephanie. You've put in so much hard work. Don't shy away from this opportunity just because you're worried about the ‘what ifs.'"

Somewhere in the middle of our meeting, my anxiety had begun to dissipate, to be replaced by a glimmer of hope. "Okay. I'll talk to Ashlyn. If she's up for it, then I think we can make this happen."

"Great!" Bill beamed, his excitement infectious. "I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Let's get Phantom registered and I'll help you set up a training plan. This is the beginning of something big, Stephanie."

"Thank you, Bill. I really appreciate your belief in me. It means a lot," I said, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

I left his office feeling excited. The upcoming state race could be our chance to turn everything around. Now I just needed to gather the courage to speak with Ashlyn.