It was the first summer break from high school. I still lived in Texas with my parents and little sister. My mom made a deal with Grandma Amy, that we would visit her every summer, fall, and winter break. 

As my dad grabbed the luggage from the rental car, I heard a strange noise in the barn and decided to investigate. 

"Mallory, get your butt back here and help unload the car!" My mom hollered as I walked into the barn. 

"I'll be back in a second." I lied and opened the barn door.

"Will you stay still for one second!" A strange man muttered as held Bella's hoof in his hand. 

"Excuse me, who are you and what are you doing?" I asked with a shovel in my hand.

The stranger turned around and his looks did not disappoint. His shaggy light brown hair was matted his to head with sweat and his green eyes looked at me in confusion. "Are you going to hit me with that?" He pointed to the shovel in my hand.

"I might, if you don't answer my questions."

"I'm Finn, the new ranch hand. Amy hired me."

"Okay." She didn't tell us about a ranch hand. 

"And I'm trying to get a splinter of this stubborn lady's hoof." He nodded at Bella.

I put down the shovel with a loud thud and walked over to Bella. "Give me that." I said and snatched the tweezers from Finn's hand. I saw the splinter and slowly pulled it out, Bella didn't move an inch the whole time. 

"See? Easy as pie."

Finn looked at me bewildered, "How did you do that?"

"Well maybe it's because Bella isn't used to you yet." 

"Who are you?"

"Mallory! Get out here!" My dad yelled from outside.

"Sorry, I have to go." I was about to run back to the car when Finn caught my arm. 

"See you around, Mallory." 

I felt a swarm of butterflies in my stomach when he said my name. "I'll see you later." I ran back over to the car and helped my dad unload the rest of the car. 

"Where have you been?" My mom asked.

"Did you know about the new ranch hand that Grandma hired?"

"No. Is that who you were with?" My mom crossed her arms when Grandma came over.

"He's harmless." She said and gave me a hug. 

"Mom, why didn't you tell me that you needed help? I would've come down here sooner."

"That's exactly why I didn't ask for your help. You have a life outside of this here, and Finn doesn't have anyone."

"What do you mean?" I wondered. Did he not have a family?

"That's his story to tell sweetheart."

"How old is he?"

"Why, does someone have a crush?"

"No." I lied as blush spread across my cheeks.

"You're too young to have crushes." My mom said.

"I'm in high school, I'm not a baby anymore."

"Well, too bad because you'll always be my baby." She pinched by cheek.

"Mom! Stop it!" I pushed her away and saw Finn out of the corner of my eye. "How long is Finn staying here?"

"As long as he wants. I hope he stays here forever, he's a great helper." 

Finn came out of the barn and moved some hay bales around; my grandma called him over and introduced him to everyone. "This is Finn."

"Howdy." He reached out his hand and I shook it, feeling a spark of fire running through my veins.

I gulped. "How long are you staying here?"

"As long as Amy will let me, if that's alright with you?"

That was totally fine with me.