Nathan Pratchett’s last relationship ended because he spends too much time at the barn with his mare, Birch. But he finds peace in the saddle.<br><br>However, Birch seems to have other plans.<br><br>After losing a shoe while out on a trail ride, Nathan is forced to use a new ferrier. After that, it seems like Birch is a different horse. She’s gone from well-behaved to running loose! And, for some reason, she keeps winding up at the home of a dreamy fella named Lucas Shaw. Is it possible the mare knows something Nathan doesn’t?

A New Pair of Steel Shoes

With a heavy sigh, Nathan sank onto the cement, tears burning in his eyes as he sucked in his bottom lip.Contained within the box were all the things he’d left behind at Marsh’s apartment. Though thankful for having them returned, he saw it as the final nail in the coffin, confirming there was no way he wouldbe able to repair the damage.


While talking in length to Eleanor the other day, he came to the simple yet painful conclusion that Marsha was all wrong for him and in a matter of time he would be ready to move on. She seemed to think Lucas was a promising first step in a new direction, pointing out how excited he sounded when he broughtthe man up, the way Lucas’s name made him smile; she heard it in his voice. Still, to have his things returned, even if he accepted their parting of ways, there was a certain sadness linked to the ending ofa love that didn’t quite make it.


Chapter 8