Chapter 14 - Crossing the Horizon

— Did you say Kyera?

Alec was stunned, staring at Kyera as if he were facing a ghost. He had never imagined meeting his former childhood enemy again, let alone discovering that she had become a woman of stunning beauty.

His gaze drifted over her features, which were now more defined: her hair was an intense copper shade, curly, tied in a voluminous braid that fell to one side. She was wearing a tank top with a discreet canoe neckline, highlighting her generous breasts. The tight jeans molded her shapely legs and firm thighs, highlighting her athletic and elegant physique. Despite this, Kyera was still not as tall as he remembered. In elementary school, she was one of the shortest in her class.

— Yes, Kyera Winter, daughter of Vince O'Brian and Sara Winter. – Samantha came down the porch steps with a warm smile and wrapped Kyera in a tight hug. – You have become a stunning woman.

— Thank you, Mrs. Stella. – Kyera replied, returning the gesture.

— Samantha, please! – the matriarch corrected gently. – I've been looking forward to this moment ever since you called me a few days ago.

Alec, still processing what he was seeing, interrupted, confused:

— Wait! Did you know she was coming?

— Yes, I did. Kyera called me a few days ago, saying that she needed to deal with an urgent matter with me, but that it couldn't be done over the phone. She asked if she could come to the stud farm, and of course I said yes. – Samantha explained, still smiling. – I just didn't expect it to take so long to arrive.

— I'm sorry, but I hate flying. I'm terrified of airplanes, so I decided to come on my motorcycle. – Kyera grimaced. – I didn't realize it would take so long to get from New York to Dallas.

— New York? – Alec and Alex exclaimed at the same time.

— Mm… hmm. – Kyera nodded casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Alec looked at her incredulously.

— Wait, you're saying you crossed the country on your own... on a motorcycle?

— Yes, that's exactly what I said.

— Have you gone mad? Do you know how many crazy people there are on the roads? – Alec squawked as if he were scolding a child. – You could have been attacked in one of those roadside motels, had an accident caused by a drunk... or worse, caused an accident by driving tired!

Kyera arched her eyebrows with a wry expression, crossing her arms.

— I wouldn't have caused an accident, because I rested enough at each stop before hitting the road. And as for being attacked... that would be impossible.

— And why would it be impossible?

— Because I've been trained in Krav Maga since I was eleven. – Kyera replied, confidently. – My defense techniques include analyzing unfamiliar environments and observing those who frequent them. As you can see, I know how to take care of myself.

Alec laughed, shaking his head, while Alex whistled, impressed.

— In that case, I guess I should consider myself lucky that you only ignored my prank at the Lone Ridge Store. – said Alex, with an endearing smile. – But if my sincere apology isn't enough, I can make it right with a hug.

Before Kyera could react, Alex pulled her into a hug so tight it almost took her breath away.

— Welcome back, kitten!

— Thank you, Alex! – she said, laughing. – I would have taken it as a joke if I'd known it was you. Although, to be fair, I was in a terrible mood.

Kyera remembered Alex well. He had always been the most irreverent, with that acid humor that bordered on irritating, made all the more unbearable thanks to the ironic and debauched tone of his words. And, of course, there was his trademark mischievous smile, which seemed to make a point of disarming anyone, or provoking them even more.

Despite this, he was undeniably the most endearing of the Stella family, with a rare ability to solve problems sympathetically and a natural way of comforting those in need. Even so, Alex had his faults, and they were not few. In addition to the Stella's almost hereditary arrogance, he carried with him an explosive temper, which, although it rarely surfaced, was impossible to ignore when it did, usually in moments of contrariness.

— All right, this sweet talk has gone far enough! – Alec interrupted, pulling Kyera away from Alex with a firmness that left his brother visibly frustrated. – Why don't you just say what you've come here for? Have you come to pay for my horse that you helped sacrifice? That would be quite a surprise.

Kyera snorted at the provocation.

— Of course I didn't come to pay for that mare. Although I was very fond of her, I would never have the money to cover what she was worth. – Kyera sighed, before turning to Samantha. – Can we talk inside?

Samantha, sensing the seriousness in Kyera's voice, nodded and motioned for everyone to head for the kitchen.

As they walked down the long corridor, Kyera couldn't help but notice how everything looked the same as she remembered. Each open door revealed a room that seemed frozen in time. As they passed the library, she felt a shiver run down her spine – memories of all the times Alec had locked her in there as part of his cruel pranks.

When they reached the kitchen, Kyera stopped as she came face to face with another man identical to Alec. The same piercing gray eyes were appraising her intently, but the smile was friendly.

— Kyera Winter! – he said, opening a warm smile.

— Allan Stella! – Kyera replied, returning the smile. There was no doubt about it: this was the older of the twins.

Allan nodded, setting his coffee mug down on the table before coming over and hugging her.

— Welcome back!

— Thank you. – Kyera returned the hug, feeling genuinely welcomed.

— Did you know she was coming too? – Alec asked indignantly. – And how on earth did you recognize her, and we didn't?

Allan raised his eyebrows, a wry smile playing on his lips.

— Simple. Firstly: I'm not that idiot Alex who only thinks in his pants...

— Hey! – Alex exclaimed, his forehead furrowed and his mouth full of cake. – I'm right here, you know?

Allan ignored him with a grimace before continuing:

— Secondly, when Mom mentioned that Kyera was coming to Lone Ridge, I did my spy thing and stalked the social networks. – He turned to Kyera, smiling. – I found beautiful photos on your Facebook profile.

Kyera winced in surprise. Although she knew her photos were ordinary, she wasn't used to receiving such direct compliments.

— Still, they could have shared it with us. As sheriff, I would have done the same as Allan and been better prepared. – Alec crossed his arms, his expression closed. – Does Dominic know about this?

— No, Dominic doesn't know. Only Allan. – Samantha replied. – You know how busy your sister is, dividing herself between her work at the police station and her studies to specialize in law.

Kyera raised her head, puzzled.

— Dominic is a lawyer?

— Yes, one of the most dedicated. – Alec replied, suspiciously. – Why is that?

— Because I think it would be good to have a lawyer present right now. – Kyera said, pulling an envelope from her backpack. – Someone who can answer any questions that arise about these documents.

With a frown, Samantha took the envelope. As she opened it, her eyes immediately focused on the first sheet: the deed to the stud farm. The matriarch scrutinized the paper for a few moments before looking up at Kyera.

— Where did you get this?

Kyera took a deep breath, preparing to dive into the subject that had brought her here.

— Well, it's a long story, but I promise to tell you everything from the beginning.

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