MountainStallion by Kate Hill Page A

more she
realized how she’d misjudged Pace.
    She placed the containers on the shelves at the same moment
a brown-coated Horseman named Curt stepped inside. Curt and his wife Ellen were
healers and cared for the people of Fernwood.
    After exchanging greetings with Gayle, Curt purchased two
vials of an elixir used to cleanse wounds as well as several containers of
salve.
    “I’m needed back on the mountain, so I won’t have time to
prepare any salve of my own,” he said. “We’re glad you moved to Fernwood,
Gayle. This village has needed an apothecary for quite some time.”
    “What’s wrong on the mountain?” she asked, worried. “Has
there been an accident?”
    “Just some minor injuries. It’s bound to happen with so many
repairs underway. Most of the buildings were leveled during the storm. The
workers as well as some of the villagers are helping Pace salvage what he can
and rebuild.”
    Gayle felt a pang of guilt. She’d assumed that with minimal damage
in the village, the mountain would have held up as well, especially when she’d
heard about Pace taking people in.
    She’d spent the day not only holding a grudge against Pace
for lying to her but trying to figure out a way to make up with him.
    “There are no serious injuries?” she asked, worried.
    “Not really. Pace and another Horseman got stuck in one of
the craft shops when the remainder of the roof collapsed—”
    “What?” Gayle shouted, her stomach tight with fear.
    “But they’re fine,” Curt said quickly. “Just some cuts and
bruises. Ellen is there now tending them. That’s why I need to get back with
these supplies.”
    “I see. Is there anything I can do?”
    “Just let me know how much for the medicine.”
    “No charge. You’re sure Pace is all right?”
    “I’m positive. He’s as tough as Rock Blood shells.”
    That statement didn’t comfort her as he’d intended it to.
Rock Blood shells cracked with the right kind of pressure.
    “How extensive is the damage up there?” she asked. “How
badly will it affect his business?”
    Curt looked thoughtful. “His private forge is still standing
as well as a couple of other buildings. He’ll be able to keep up with small
orders but it’s a good thing they completed the big order for the Fighting
Carriers. It shouldn’t take too long to rebuild, especially with the villagers
helping.”
    “It’s kind of them to assist him.”
    “Well Pace has always been there for us. For instance a
couple of summers ago, when the river flooded the village and all the crops
were destroyed, he opened his mountain to everyone until their homes were
repaired. And he loaned the farmers enough money to buy new seed as well as
feed for the livestock.”
    Hearing this increased her overpowering attraction to Pace
and made her feel even more guilty. She had badly misjudged him. Maybe he had
as much reason to be angry with her as she had with him.
    “Thanks for the medicine,” Curt said.
    She helped him place the containers in his saddlebags.
    After Curt left, Gayle assisted another customer then closed
her shop early. She wanted to go to the mountain to make sure Pace was all
right.
    Being a small village, Fernwood had a part-time messenger
who did odd jobs to make up for the lack of delivery work. Luckily for Gayle,
he happened to be home chopping wood today. The wiry, redheaded Horseman swung
his ax with precision and split a thick piece of wood down the middle.
    “Brayden, will you fly me to Pace’s mountain?” she asked.
    “Of course. Just give me a few minutes to finish here. If
you prefer, I’ll cool down and wash first.” Sweaty and covered in woodchips, he
no doubt offered to clean up out of courtesy for her.
    “Only if you’re uncomfortable flying like that. Otherwise
I’d like to get there as soon as possible.”
    He grinned and winked. “I’ll be ready in two flicks of a
tail.”
    Gayle sat on a nearby tree stump. Moments later, Brayden
discarded his ax and donned his