Unbridled Hearts

Prologue

Willow groaned and rolled over on her bed, the crinkly hospital gown rubbing against her sides.

A knock sounded at the door. "Willow, its time for your walk." A nurse gently opened the door and came inside, carrying a stack of clothes.

"Are those?.." Willow eyed the bundle.

"Yep, your parents dropped them off early this morning, didn't want to wake you." She gave her a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Yes, finally! I hate these gowns!" She breathed. "Er, no offence."

"None taking hon," the nurse, Betty, chuckled. "I hate them too."

"Now come on, lets get you up and out. You've been scheduled for a small amount of PT today if you're feeling ready for it?"

"Oh yeah, definitely. I'm tired of laying around all day."

Willow took the clothes gratefully from Betty's hands and slowly made her way to the bathroom. She changed into the olive green silk pajamas and quickly brushed out her morning tangles, running her hands through her chestnut hair.

She found Betty waiting out in the hall, a wheelchair by her feet.

Willow eyed it sourly.

"I know, I know. You hate being pushed around like an old lady, but this is necessary until you heal properly." Betty sighed.

"Lets just get it over with." Willow came around to the front of the chair and plopped down in it, glad she didn't have to wear a hospital gown anymore. Otherwise, betty would have just gotten a perfect view of her backside. No thank you.

She was wheeled down the hall to the elevator and pushed inside as Betty hit the button that led to the physical therapy floor.

The elevator lurched and descended to their desired floor. God I hate these things. Willow thought as she gripped the arms of the wheelchair for support.

"You okay hon?" Betty asked worriedly.

Willow muttered a 'yes' and breathed a sigh of relief when the doors pinged open.

Willow and her physical therapist did a series of simple exercises and a walk on the tread mill. By the end Willow was sweaty and tired, sitting in a cushy chair sipping orange juice.

She used to be able to run six miles a day, no sweat. But now... Now, she was winded and panting after a few little workouts not even standing!

I hate this so much, its taken everything from me.

Betty came back into the room, her silver hair looking frazzled atop her head. "You all done Willow?"

"Yeah. What happened to you?"

The little nurse grunted. "Some patients cranky brother making me run this way and that, keeping me on my toes and damn near making me forget that oath I took."

Willow chuckled. "You? Never."

Betty gave her a glare, making Willow only laugh harder.

"Oh boy, you should see your face!"

"Ha ha, very funny. I'm glad you find my struggles so amusing."

Willow was going to make a snarky retort when the intercom went off.
"ICD 9 in room 110. ICD 9 in room 110."

Betty groaned. "Not mister hammond again! Well that's me kid, you good waiting here? Shouldn't take more than thirty minutes."

Willow nodded. "You go, I'm too tuckered to move yet."

Betty gave her a concerned look over but Willow just shooed her away.

"Go! Before I change my mind."

Betty chuckled again and ran out of the room.

Willow laid her head back on the chair and sighed, exhausted from her day of PT.

She was just drifting into sleep when a voice said beside her, "Hey there."

She peeked through her lids to find a girl about her age staring down at her with a grin on her freckled face.

"I'm Ruby," she extended her hand towards Willow.

"Willow, what happened to your arm?" She asked, noticing a cast on her left wrist.

"Oh that, I fell off my horse. Can you believe it? A cowgirl falling off her horse! So strange right?" She rushed.

"Hold on, back up. Did you say horse?" Now she had Willow's attention.

She loved them, ever since she was four and visited her uncle's ranch in Texas. She has been mystified with them since her first time on one. Gliding along the fields with its mane flicking in her face, the smell of hay and wet grass floating in the breeze.

"Um, yeah. My ranch is just a ways away. The Hidden Gem, ever heard of it?" She said, breaking Willow from her thoughts.

"Can't say that I have. I'm actually not from around here, I live in Chicago."

"Oh wow, you're a long way from home. Say, maybe before you leave you could come on out to my place. It'd be so fun! Having another girl around for once. Can I give you my number?"

"Uh yeah. Here." Willow reached inside her handbag and handed her phone to Ruby.

How does she talk so much?

A loud "Ruby!" Came from down the hall, followed by, "Where the hell is that kid?"

"Oh gosh, that's my brother Harley. I gotta run, but it was great to meet you! Hopefully you can get out to my place soon and-"

She was interrupted by a looming presence in the doorway and gruff, "Where the hell have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you."

"You shouldn't worry so much Harley, I'm fine. I was with my new friend Willow. She's goin' to come out to the ranch." Ruby chattered, her red hair bouncing with the movements.

Willow hardly heard a word she was saying, she had locked eyes with Harley who still stood in the doorway. His steely gaze baring into her as he looked her up and down.
Damn, wish I had put on a little makeup.

He stood leaning against the door, his long Jean clad legs crossed in front of him. His arms were folded across his chest, making his biceps look all the more bigger in their tight black tee. She could see the markings of a tattoo along his upper arm, but couldn't make out the design. His sharp jaw and straight nose made him look ruggedly handsome, the stubble lining his jaw didn't do matters worse either.

"Is she now?" He said in a deep rhythmic voice, making her insides wobble with the sound.

"Well, maybe. I hope so." Ruby grinned, looking between the two. "Anyway, we've got to go. By Willow!"

And just like that, they left, Harley gave her a devilish smile on his way out.

Oh wow.