Barrel racer Becca, frustrated because COVID has shut down all rodeos, is annoyed when Nikki, the farrier's daughter, shows up in his stead. They spar over Nikki's competence and their different ideas of social distancing, yet eventually bond over their mutual love for horses. Since Becca doesn't have Nikki's number but wants to see her again, she resorts to requesting another farrier visit. Nikki sees through her ruse and retaliates by using the water hose on Becca, yet they still hang out. Their first real date threatens to fall through when Nikki's trailer has a flat and she shows up for their trail ride without a horse. Becca has brought both of hers, but, because of a bad experience that caused one of her horses to get hurt, never lets anyone else ride them. Falling for the idea of someone can happen in sixteen seconds. But can Becca find the courage to take her real life chances on Nikki?

Sixteen Seconds

Becca saddled both with a routine she had perfected long ago and took them into the round pen she’d elongated into a small, oval arena. Ponying Jetgirl to warm her up, she leisurely took Dreamy through her paces. Dreamy, who her parents had bought for her when she was fifteen, didn’t need any training. She just needed to be kept in shape. Either way, Becca hardly used her for competitions anymore. No, Dreamy was mostly a lesson horse now, and with her sweet face and overall gentle disposition her little riders adored her. Too bad her students’ parents were so scared of this virus! Not only had they canceled for this week, they had said no riding lessons for as long as schools were officially closed. Totally ridiculous, of course! It wasn’t as if the kids were going to catch anything from Dreamy.


Chapter 2