Chapter 3 - The Greed of Men
By nightfall, the entire town was buzzing. The video of the little girl and the kneeling stallion had already been posted online by a bystander, and it was spreading like wildfire.
Inside the ranch house, Arthur poured two cups of hot cocoa. He slid one across the worn wooden table to Lily. She sat quietly, her small frame swallowed by a large armchair.
"You know what you've done, kid?" Arthur asked, scrubbing his face with weathered hands. "You proved that horse can be tamed. Now every rich, arrogant fool with a cowboy hat is going to want him. Especially Vance."
"Eclipse isn't for sale," Lily said, taking a small sip. "He belongs to the wind. And to my dad's memory."
"He belongs to my ledger right now, Lily," Arthur said gently. "And I owe you a million dollars. Money I don't actually have. The prize was a stunt. A gamble to attract investors to the ranch. I never thought anyone would actually tame him."
Lily looked at him, her brown eyes impossibly old. "I don't want your money, Mister Arthur. I just want my horse back. If Vance gets him, he'll break his spirit. Or kill him."
Before Arthur could reply, the roar of heavy diesel engines shattered the quiet night. Headlights swept violently across the living room windows.
Arthur jumped to his feet, grabbing the heavy iron fireplace poker. He peered through the blinds. Outside, three massive black trucks had pulled into his driveway. Silas Vance stepped out of the lead vehicle, flanked by four large, rough-looking men carrying heavy ropes and chain halters.
"Arthur!" Vance's voice boomed through a megaphone. "I've brought the sheriff and a court order. That horse is a public danger, and you are harboring a runaway minor. Turn them both over, or I'm taking this ranch tonight."
Lily’s breath hitched. She looked toward the barn. Eclipse was in there.
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"Stay here," Arthur growled, his jaw locked in anger. "Don't make a sound."
As Arthur stepped out onto the porch to confront the men, Lily slipped out the back window. She knew Vance didn't care about the law. He cared about power. And if she didn't get Eclipse out of there tonight, they would both be locked in cages forever.
