Free The Impossible Art of Falling (Impossible Art #1) by Sara Fiorenzo

had come consistently for the last week. She would spend an hour in Gatsby’s stall, talking quietly to him. She stroked his silky muzzle, ran her hands over his smooth shoulder and brushed his long mane and tail. He often sat outside of his door, hidden in the shadows, listening. He couldn’t make out what she was saying, but all he needed to hear was her melodic tone. Sometimes there were tears, and he ached with want and desire to brush her sadness away. She spoke to her horse more and more each night, and he had begun to wish it was him she was talking to instead.
    The physical effect of her nightly visits with her horse was stunning. Her face had held a haunting beauty when she first came. Now, there was color to her cheeks, and her eyes had begun to shine. She no longer looked so lost in herself. She worked dutifully in the office with Meg but no longer dragged her feet to get there. She seemed genuinely happy to be helping.
    Luke had also changed. He had never felt this way about anyone, had never felt such a strong urge to be with someone so desperately. During the day, he found his gaze seeking her out. Their days were spent working near each other in silence, although she smiled at her more and more. He loved to watch her blush when she caught him watching her, and so he found himself watching her constantly when she was in the room. Hopefully, Meg and Rob hadn’t noticed too much. He didn’t want them to see how he was beginning to feel. He wanted to be near her. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to know more.
    Of course, there was Kyle to contend with as well, although with Jena around, Luke was often able to avoid him more. The hardest part was watching Kyle look at her, too. He found that he was jealous and felt a primal urge to step in and protect her. Especially, since the last thing of Luke’s that Kyle touched was now gone.
    Luke and Kyle had such a tumultuous past. They had shared a similar life at one time, but now, Luke simply wanted to get away from the other man. He felt as if Kyle were constantly sizing him up. Judging him for what had happened. Blaming him as much as he blamed himself.
    Luke closed his eyes and willed the thoughts out of his mind. He did not want to think about Kyle or his sister right now. He wanted to listen for the other girl. The one who calmed his mind and was working her way into his heart. Today, he had decided that when she came into the barn, he would go to her. He would talk to her. Or at least try. Maybe she was ready to say something back.
    The sound of the latch on the barn door pulled him out of his thoughts, and he shifted upright in bed. She was coming. The rain hadn’t scared her away, as he had worried. Tonight would be the night. He listened from his doorway, to the squishing sound of her rubber boots on the concrete floor. She opened Gatsby’s door and slipped in. Within moments, he could hear the sing-song lilt of her voice, as she purred at her horse.
    Without a sound, he slipped from the dark confines of his room and made his way down the barn aisle. He hesitated at the corner and took a deep breath. She was still talking, her voice surrounding him.
    “Hey,” he whispered, slipping out from the shadows and making his presence known. “Couldn’t sleep?” It was a question he hoped that she would answer.
    Her mouth opened to speak, and he could see her freeze up. Not wanting her to leave, he continued to talk.
    “You don’t have to answer,” he said, holding his hands out in surrender. “That was a stupid question anyway. I mean, it is almost midnight and clearly, you can’t sleep if you’re out here. I’m sure you didn’t set your alarm or anything, just to come out here…” He trailed off, realizing that he was rambling and shoved his hands into his pockets. He stole a glance at Jena and was rewarded with a smile from her. Gatsby took a step forward, pushed against the stall door and nickered at Luke. Apparently, he had been giving the big