The rancher’s grip loosened on the rope.

“What did you say?”

The girl kept her hand against the stallion’s face.

The horse stayed perfectly still, breathing softly now.

She looked up at the rancher.

“My mama used to bring me here when I was little.”

The man frowned.

“I’ve never seen you before.”

She nodded, like she expected that.

“Because she came at night.”

The crowd exchanged quiet looks.

The girl reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a faded photograph.

She held it out.

The rancher took it with shaking fingers.

In the picture, a younger version of himself stood beside the same black stallion.

And on the horse’s back, smiling between them, was a woman he had spent eight years mourning.

His breath caught.

The little girl’s voice turned softer.

“She said if he ever bowed to me, I should show you that.”

The rancher looked at her.

Then back at the face of the woman in the photograph.

“What was your mother’s name?”

The girl answered.

His knees almost gave out.

It was her.

The woman who had vanished without goodbye.

The one he had loved before the whole town convinced him she had run away.

His eyes filled as he looked at the child standing beside the horse.

“She told me one more thing,” the girl said.

He could barely speak.

“What?”

The girl rested her cheek against the stallion’s neck.

“She said the first time you saw me…”

Her eyes met his.

“…you’d know why he kept waiting at the gate.”