Mansfield Ranch Read Free

about them?”
    He chuckled. The deep sound caused my eyes to meet his full-on. “Lilly? Are you hiding a romantic streak under that tomboy defiance of yours?”
    I couldn’t help it. I giggled. For as much as I wasn’t a girly-girl, the last thing anyone could call me was a tomboy—and Sean knew it. Me and sports? Yeah, we didn’t mesh well—unless it meant on the back of a strong, fast horse. Now that was a sport I could get in to. Horseback riding was my only escape. I knew and loved every square inch of property the Benallys owned. Most days, if my foster family couldn’t find me, that’s where I was, riding on Mansfield Ranch, their hundred-and-fifty-acre spread. It was marvelous. I couldn’t do anything wrong out there. I mean, I couldn’t say the wrong thing when company was over, or wear the wrong outfit, or trip and break expensive vases from England—er, long story. I could be me, Lilly Price—not the girl who was fostered eight years ago. Just me.
    “All right, all right,” Sean muttered as he brought me in for a hug. “I give. You win. I’ll leave you alone for now.”
    For now? “Thanks.” My voice was muffled by his coat.
    Sean’s hugs were the best. He always knew right when I needed one, too.
    I needed one.
    “So, are you ready to meet Princess Buttercup?”
    I pulled away. “Are you gonna move so I can?”
    “Nope.”
    “No?”
    Sean ducked his head and pulled a long scarf from his coat pocket. “Well, I was gonna make you wear this as a blindfold, but I guess since you already figured it out . . .” He stepped away from the door and pulled it open for me.
    I walked inside and quickly switched on the lights. Four stalls down, there was a large purple bow hanging on the handle. I could just make out Princess Buttercup’s shiny brown back and the top of her black mane.
    A few of the horses whinnied at our arrival, and Princess Buttercup stuck her head over the stall to see what the commotion was about.
    She was beautiful!
    “Oh, my gosh, Sean!” I gasped. “She’s even prettier than her pictures. Wow! Look at her star. I love her star!” I slowly walked up to the mare and rubbed at the white patch on her forehead. It looked like the perfect place for a unicorn horn—if she had one.
    Princess Buttercup snorted softly and nuzzled her nose into the crook of my arm. It was love at first sight.
    “Hello, pretty girl. You are the prettiest horse in the whole world. Do you know that?”
    The horse neighed in agreement and nuzzled me, looking for the carrot she could smell. I giggled. “You, missy, are a scamp. Yes, you are.” When I reached into my pocket to pull out the carrot, she nodded and nudged me again, pushing me back a step. I laughed. I could hear Sean chuckling too, but I didn’t look at him. “So, Buttercup. I hear you like carrots. Do you?”
    She snorted in agreement as I brought my palm forward with the carrot flat across the top. Instantly the carrot was gone. My fingers stroked the hair out of her eyes as she nudged and prodded me again.
    “I don’t have any more, you greedy thing.” I stood on my tiptoes and mock-whispered in her ear. “Sean has the other one. Promise. You’ll just have to beg it off him.” I heard Sean chuckle again as I smoothed her long, shiny nose. She was one of the sweetest, friendliest three-year-olds I’d ever known. I still couldn’t believe her owner was willing to get rid of her.
    “Here ya go,” Sean muttered as he brought over the promised carrot. His other hand trailed reassuringly down her cheek and neck. “Remember me? Yeah, the really nice guy. The one you couldn’t get enough of yesterday.” Princess Buttercup grunted her agreement and accepted the carrot without hesitation. Within two chomps, it was gone. She instantly began to reach and prod into his chest too. Sean chuckled. “Oh-oh! You are greedy, aren’t you?” 
     “I can’t believe how perfect she is, Sean.” I shook my head and rubbed my palm down her