by Gwen Cole
I can’t hold my smile anymore. Then I say, “There’s not a lot to laugh about out here, but I never smiled much before you came around. So maybe that’s a start.”
“It’s probably my fault—I’m not very funny.” Avery smirks and I pull her down to our bed.
“I don’t need you to be funny,” I say.
“Not even a little?”
“No. Just you being here is all I need.”
Her lips are warm on this cold night, and she eventually falls asleep on my shoulder. The stars look down on us from above without a cloud in the sky. I’m becoming a new person for this new world, ready for a change I never thought possible. My mind wanders less every day, and I no longer find myself someplace without remembering how I got there. But in this new world, I still get to do what I love most.
I ride for me.
I ride for those who can’t.
I ride because the Wild is a part of me.
Acknowledgments
This book never would’ve been made into an actual book if it wasn’t for certain people. Some of them had a direct hand in getting it published while others might’ve been there for the support of an author who sometimes needs it (always needs it).
Rachel Brooks, you are a rockstar agent and you deserve more than I can give. Thank you for being there when I needed you most and always having the right words to say.
Nicole Frail and the whole Sky Pony team, thank you for believing in this book and making it into a real thing. Also to Darren Hopes, for illustrating a such beautiful cover.
Sarah Glenn Marsh, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. I’m so lucky you live so close and always have something encouraging to say. Thank you for always being there for me.
Kay L. McCray, I can’t put into words how amazing you are and I can’t thank you enough for always being there when I need you most.
To my critique partners—Kevin van Whye, for always being the first reader and always having something good to say. Tricia Levenseller, for always being a text away and being the best agent sister. Dave Connis, for just being you—keep at it.
To the Insomniacs: Thank you for being the most awesome people and talking about inappropriate things at inappropriate hours.
To my family, who have always supported me no matter what. Corri, thank you for reading my books more than once when I need the help and also for watching the child when I’m on tight deadlines. Mom and Dad, for your never-ending support. And to Nina, for being that older sister everyone needs.
Joe—even though you’ve never, and probably will never, read my books, you’re still so supportive of me and I love you for it.
Lastly, thank you to my readers, because there would be no books without you.
