Shadow Rider

Prologue

Willow was out riding on her family ranch one day just wanting to be alone. She often came out this way to think. Being the only girl in a family full of men was hard. She never knew her mother because she died giving birth to her.

She always felt her dad didn't love her because of it. Her father once told her that her mother would always ride out to the lake. So, Willow found this was also her favorite place to ride. It made her feel close to her mother. The lake was peaceful, but to others it was nothing special.

One day when she was really upset, she saw a beautiful woman riding a horse. The horse was the most beautiful she had ever seen. The woman looked familiar, but who was she? When Willow said something to the woman she took off.

She tried going after her, but it was if the woman had vanished. There wasn't another ranch for miles around. So where did she come from, and who was she?

The next day Willow went to the lake hoping to see the mystery woman again. She wondered if anyone else had seen her. When she asked her brothers, they all said she was crazy. They said she was just imaging stuff and losing her mind. Was she just imagining the woman?

Could she be losing it as her brothers had said? She wondered if she would ever see the mystery woman again. All she could think about was that woman, and her horse. She was scared to go back to the lake in fear it was just her imagination. She needed to see her again. To find out why she felt so connected to this shadow rider....

Chapter 1

Willow's pov

Today I found out my so-called boyfriend cheated on me with a so-called friend. I went to my special place so I could be alone, and cry. I couldn't be alone at home, and my brothers would only laugh at me.

My dad wouldn't understand. It was times like this that I really missed having a mother. I really felt all alone. I sat down on the bench by the lake. It was a memorial my father set up for my mom since he said this was her spot.

Coming here made me somehow feel close to her. I was sitting there crying not even paying attention to my surroundings. When all of a sudden it got so cold. My horse seemed to be spooked.

I went over to check on her when I noticed a woman on a beautiful horse. There was no other homes for miles around. Who was this woman? She felt so familiar. It weird how calm I felt.

She smiled at me then took off. Love surround me. I wanted to follow her, but I was scared. Instead, I went home to ask my brothers if they knew who she might be.

My brother's said I must have fallen and bumped my head because there was no woman out at the lake. Had I just been imagining her? I just need some sleep. I mean it has been a stressful day.

I mean how else can I explain seeing someone that no one else has? I needed to get a grip. So, my boyfriend left me, and my best friend betrayed me. It's not the end of the world.

Yes, it hurts like hell, but soon I will forget all about them. It's not enough to lose my mind over. This woman I thought I saw wasn't real, and I am sure I will never see her again.

I lay down on my bed and tried to sleep. All I could think of was how beautiful that woman was, and how her horse seemed so mystical. I knew it couldn't be real, but deep down I hoped I was wrong. I wanted to see her again, and I didn't know why.

Chapter 2

Willow's pov

My brothers told my father that I was seeing things because I was stressed. Now he was worried about me. My father didn't need anything else to worry about. I told him my brothers had made it all up because they were mad at me for something.

Luckily, he believed me. I looked at my father. He looked so much older than he was. All he ever did was work to give us the life he promised my mother we would have. I wish he would talk about her, but he says it's too painful.

So, I don't bring her up because I don't like to see my dad sad. I wish I could find a picture of her, but they have long been hidden. I wonder if I look anything like her. My phone kept chirping so I looked to see who it was blowing it up.

Great it was my lying cheating now ex Ethan. What could he possibly want? I won't take him back if that's what he wants he can give up now. Once a cheater always a cheater in my book. He kept calling so finally I answered it.

"What do you want Ethan?"

"Just to talk. Please meet me at the lake."

No way I was not going to let his lies taint my favorite place. I should never have brought him there in the first place.

"Ethan, we have nothing left to say to each other."

"Please Willow just let us get this closure. Wait is your dad dating someone?"

Was he crazy?

"No why the hell would you even ask that?"

"Because I am at the lake already and I could have sworn I saw a lady riding a horse."

Wait he saw my mystery lady? That proves I'm not crazy, and why was he at my lake?

"Ethan why are you at my lake?"

"Because I don't know really can we please just talk?"

"Fine I will be right there."

I hung up and went down to the stables. I grabbed Butterfinger (My favorite snack so don't judge) and rode out to the lake. I saw Ethan with his horse midnight. He looked so handsome I almost wanted to run up and kiss him.

What hurt is I've known Ethan all my life. His mom was best friends with my mom. So, for him to do this just kills me. He was best friends with my brothers so there was no way I could avoid seeing him. Heck they didn't even know we were dating. If they found out all hell would break loose.

"Okay Ethan I'm here so talk."

I kept looking around in hopes I would see the mystery woman.

"First off there is no excuse for what I did. I messed up plan and simple."

"Okay I already knew that so why did you drag me out here? You know if my brothers see us, we will be in trouble."

"I came out here to own up to what I did, and to apologize to you. I am so sorry I hurt you. I will never forgive myself for that. I don't even get how it happened. I went for a jog got me some juice then all of sudden felt tired. I went upstairs to lie down. Then you came in and Mya was on top of me."

"Spare me the details, and your lies."

I could have sworn I heard someone whisper "just listen to him." Maybe I really am losing it.

"I am not lying, but I know you can't believe me. I just don't want you to hate me."

"I don't hate you. I never could, but we are over. I have to see you because of my brothers being friends with you, but you leave me alone. I am going to back before anyone notices I am gone."

"Okay I am actually headed to your house to meet up with your brothers."

"Fine I will just stay in my room."

I got on Butterfinger and rode off. I feel so confused right now. Why would I hear someone telling me to listen to him? Maybe it was my heart. I just needed to avoid Ethan before I stupidly take him back and get hurt all over again.