"Here, let me help Connor," I shook my head at Adam as I slid out of our parents truck. My Knee in a brace. One week had passed. One week since Wind strained a tendon in his front right leg. One week since I woke up in a hospital my knee in a brace. One week since I've seen Wind. One week since I used a whip on Wind. Wind. The horse who's trust was broken so easily and won't let anyone near him.

Adam stood off to the side near by Casey next to me with my bag.

"Adam come help me with the horses," I heard my Dad call from by the trailer. I immediately started walking toward the house with a slight limp. You should be able to get back to riding a few weeks after school starts maybe even sooner my doctor said. A light fracture on your knee but it will heal much faster than a broken bone. Make sure you take it easy And keep your knee in the brace whenever your walking on it. The fracture though, where that came from. That came from Winds hoof coming down at me.

I blinked back the tears that were forming in my eyes and jogged up the stairs as fast as I could. Entering my room I heard Casey stay downstairs talking with my Mom. Collapsing on the bed sobs came out as I looked at the picture of me and Wind on my bed side table. I looked so happy. So carefree and Wind seemed to be nibbling on my hair and I was looking up at him in adoration.

"Why me? Why does this always happen to me?" I said as I heard my door open knowing it was my Mom,

"Oh sweetie," I felt her sit down beside me on my bed and start stroking my hair, "I don't know why bad thing happen to good people but I do know Fire isn't gone and Wind isn't gone either he just needs some help. Your both lost and he's waiting for you to find him."

I turned to look at her,

"But it's my fault we're lost in the first place," my Mom stayed silent for a moment before saying,

"You were trying save him not hurt him and I think he knows this. He just needs reassurance that you know this," I gave my Mom a hug,

"Thanks mom," sitting up I wiped away the tears that had started to run down my face. "I think I should probably go and save Casey from Dad and Adam," my Mom laughed,

"Now there's a good idea," hobbling down the stairs took some time but I made it. Making my way into the kitchen I found Adam and our Dad arguing about the best way to cook a burger and poor Casey sitting between them.

"Hey you two would you quit with the burgers. Poor Casey is our guest and here you are arguing with her in between you," my Mom said hands on her hips. My dad and brother immediately stopped arguing,

"Yes ma'am," I laughed as they said it in unison, Casey and Mom did as well. 

"Now then it's Christmas eve tomorrow and we still need to bake cookies and you boys know the rules. No boys in the kitchen when the ladies are baking!" We all laughed as my Dad and Adam left the room to go watch Tv. Me and my Mom started grabbing ingredients while we instructed Casey on what to add and how much. 

By the time we'd finished we had flour smeared all over our faces and clothes

 Grinning I threw a towel at Casey,

"You've got a little something there," I said outlining her whole body. She laughed and I heard the door bell ring.

"I'll get it," hobbling to the door took longer than I thought but I made it.

"Hello-" I froze. Nick stood on the other side of the door, a bag by his feet.

"Nick? What're'ya doing here?" He smiled,

"Adam invited me to stay for a few days while my parents are out of town," I heard footsteps behind me,

"So your this Nick I've heard all about," I heard my Dad say,

"What type of riding you do? I I rolled my eyes,

"Why don't you come in first so my Dad can quiz you while your warm and not freezing. " he grinned and we moved out of the door way so he could come it,

"Nick! You made it! How was the trip?" I looked at Casey in shock so every one but me knew,

"It was good thanks," I whirled around to Adam,

"How come I'm the only one who didn't know Nick was coming?" Adam grinned sheepishly,

"Well you were kinda busy threatening every doctor in the hospital that if they didn't let you out soon you were gonna throw every horseshoe you could find at them," my jaw dropped,

"I didn't." He grinned even broader,

"You were kinda loopy on pain killers so yeah you did," I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath,

"If I find out your joking you Adam Mathew Steele are going to pay,"

"Good thing I'm not lying, now then Nicks not staying hallway so lets get him settled in the guest bedroom," I gave Adam a look,

"Casey's staying there, remember your girlfriend and my best friend," my parents were smart enough to sneak of away from the four crazy teenagers.

"Well then Casey can stay in your room," I sighed,

"Fine doofus of course she can,and I'm staying on the couch," they all gave me a look, and said at once,

"Like hell you are!" Adam spoke first,

"You have a fractured knee your not staying on the couch," I rolled my eyes,

"That's exactly why I am, it's a struggle to go up the stairs so it would make everyone's life easier if I slept on the couch and besides it's a pullout remember now go help Nick settle into the guest room and I'll help Casey," fuming Adam made his way up the stairs with Nick, weirdo and he wanted me and Casey to sleep in my room when we had a pullout couch. That was a kinda confusing argument I'll admit.

By the time Casey was settled in it was 7 o'clock and there were cookies waiting to be frosted downstairs.

Putting on Christmas music I started humming along as me and Casey started frosting the cookies and I looked at her a glint in my eye,

"Sooo Casey," Casey's head snapped up,

"Please tell me your not loopy on painkillers again I really don't want a horseshoe in my head," I laughed,

"No I was gonna ask what'd you get my brother?" I said grinning, they were so cute together after checking her gift I'd have to make sure my brother wasn't gonna mess up his,

"I got black leather halter with Caesars name engraved on it, I remember seeing yours on Wind and I noticed Adam didn't have one and I also got him a CD for Panic at the Disco's! Latest album with a signature from the lead singer!" Casey said excitedly. My jaw dropped. Well, that's the end of Adam how he's gonna top that, I have no idea.

"Okkk now I really wanna know what mine is," Casey grinned at my whining voice,

"Well you'll just have to wait till tomorrow," she sing songed. I started grumbling about the pains of waiting. Patience is a virtue. Horse poos a virtue.

. . .

By the time we finished the cookies and had watched a movie it was 11 and everyone was going up to bed. Me and Nick were the last ones up due to the fact Nick was still on the couch and I was sleeping on the couch so that boy needed to move so I could sleep! 

"Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow, night Connor," I smiled at him,

"Night Nick, merry Christmas," when he finally made his way up the stair I sat for a few moment before I got up and limped to the doors pulling on my boots and jacket I made my way to the barn. I was crazy. I am definitely crazy. Entering the barn I welcomed the smell of horses and heard familiar whinnying. Fire. She was in the stall next to Wind and she recognized me immediately. Stroking her nose I smiled softly and moved onto Winds stall.

 Going to Winds stall I looked at him my heart breaking a little. His coat was dirty due to no one Being able to clean it and his eyes held distrust in them. That was it. My mom was right. We were both lost and Wind was waiting for me to find him. Opening his stall I grabbed a lunging whip and used it to get Wind out of his stall and into the corral. In the corral I kept him moving which he did. I wanted my horse back and nothing was going to keep me from that.

I kept him going for what seemed like a few minutes but in reality it had been two hours. He still wouldn't gove. Damon his thoroughbred blood. 

"I'm sorry Wind. I'm sorry! In was trying to help you! Not hurt you! I miss my best friend Wind! I want him back!" Winds bottom lip started sagging. 

Flashback

"See here sweetie he's ready to join up,"

"How to you know granny?" She smiled at little 5 year old me,

"Its different for every horse they always give us a sign," she dropped the lunge whip and the horse immediately came over to her,

End of Flashback

I had learned everything I knew about join up from Granny and my Mom, they were the 'horse whisperers' in my family and they always said that I had both of their gifts combined. My Granny had past away about a year before my accident.

Taking a deep breath I dropped the lunging whip. This would either go terribly or wonderfully. Turning around I closed my eyes ready to give up after a moment when I heard hoof steps and a familiar nicker. I opened my eyes and turned around. Wind stood by me and nudged me with his nose. I threw my arms around his neck happy tears leaking out of my eyes as I whispered to him,

"I won't ever let you go Wind never again." Leading him back to his stall instead of going back inside I sat down in the corner of the stall and stayed with him as my eyes grew droopy with the need to sleep and slowly I fell into a peaceful sleep.

. . .

"Connor!!!" 

"Ughhh do you have to yell!" I slowly lifted my head realizing I was in Winds stall as Casey came into the barn my family and Nick following.

"Geez no I don't have to yell when we wake up Christmas morning ready to open presents but no of course Connor decides to go missing so we spend the morning leaving the warm comfy house to find you in the barn in Winds. . . What'd I miss?" She stopped talking finally when she saw what horses stall I was in,

"We found each other again," my Mom smiled at me,

"Thats amazing honey, I always said you have more of a touch with horses than I ever did,"

"As your mother said that's great but it's cold and there's presents inside!" I laughed at my Dad as he motioned toward the house. Getting up we all made our way back to the house after feeding the horses quickly.

"Presents!" My brother yelled running into the living room we all followed but a little more slowly.  All us ladies sat on the couch while the boys on the floor, of course, handed out presents,

"Umm this is Connors stack and this one Casey's" Adam said handing us two stacks and Nick my parents two stacks while they took their own on the floor.

I gasped as I opened the one from Casey as did Adam, she'd got me a necklace with two charms on it one of a horse with a flame in the middle of it and another with a gust of wind in the middle of it, symbolizing Wind and Fire.

I tackled Casey in a hug as did Adam and I laughed,

"Your not allowed to be this good at gifts!" Casey giggled in response and i pulled out of the hug and Adam kissed her forehead,

"Yes that is not allowed but I love them almost as much as you," I giggled at Casey's red face and realized I was the only one close enough to hear them. Yay I had blackmail! I scare myself sometimes.

"Casey stop spoiling our kids!" I kept on laughing and we continued opening presents. Mostly I got riding clothes, New headphones, and some gear for Wind. I also happily got a new phone case while was more simple but horse themed naturally. I now only had one present left as everyone else had just torn in there's. Picking it up I realized it was from Nick and slowly unwrapped it. Inside it was a beautiful engraved leather journal with a girl and horse free jumping on the cover.

"Thank you!" I basically tackled Nick as soon as I put it down.

"I'm glad you like it." I got off him and grinned,

"Well I mean who I wouldn't love a journal like that." He grinned back going back over to Casey, her and I spent the rest of the day beating the boys badly at Mario kart and telling stories with my parents. Overall not a bad day. 

Looking out the window as it started growing dark I saw a few twinkling stars peek out and a full moon shine down. Next semester was going to be hard but I had a feeling no matter what my friends would be what got me through it. Especially Wind.