21. Stephanie

21

STEPHANIE

T hey had crossed the finish line in a blur and I could see the numbers flashing—second place.

It wasn't the victory we had hoped for, but it was still a remarkable achievement. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I took in the scene. They had given it everything they had and Ashlyn was on her knees, tears of joy streaming down her face as she embraced Phantom.

I rushed forward, my heart swelling with pride and relief. "You did it, Ashlyn! You were amazing!" I cried, wrapping my arms around her and Phantom. As she buried her face in Phantom's mane, I felt a rush of gratitude wash over me. They had brought us back from the brink. Even though we didn't take first place, the $50,000 prize would make a world of difference. We could save the ranch. In that moment, as I held Ashlyn close, I realized how deeply I loved her and how much she meant to me.

Despite the challenges we faced, I knew we were stronger together. Ashlyn had fought through her fears and I had watched her transform into the incredible rider I always knew she could be. And as we stood there, surrounded by the chaos of celebration, I couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.

I pulled Ashlyn close, feeling the warmth radiating from her body as we kissed, our hearts soaring with the thrill of the race. The world around us faded and for a moment, it was just the two of us, basking in the joy of our hard-fought success. I could feel the weight of the past few weeks lift off my shoulders. All that mattered now was the love I felt for her.

But then I felt Ashlyn stiffen in my arms, her body tensing as if a chill had swept through the air. I pulled back slightly, searching her face for the source of her sudden change. That's when I noticed the woman approaching us, her expression a mix of smugness and disdain.

"Good race, Ashlyn," she sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. I could sense the ice in the air, and how Ashlyn's mood had shifted from elation to something darker. The warmth we had just shared

felt like a distant memory as tension crackled between us.

"Thanks," Ashlyn replied coolly, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze locked onto the woman as if she were sizing her up. I could see the flicker of defiance in her eyes, but there was also an undercurrent of fear there that made my heart ache for her.

"What are you doing here?" Ashlyn's words were sharp, cutting through the celebratory atmosphere like a knife. I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me, wanting to shield Ashlyn from whatever this woman represented.

"Oh, I just came to congratulate you on your little win," the woman replied, her smirk widening. "Well, second place, wasn't it?"

The words hung in the air like heavy fog, and I could see Ashlyn's expression harden.