No one in the corral laughed anymore.

The stallion stayed on its knees, breathing softly, his huge head lowered in front of the little girl like he had been waiting for her.

The rugged man stepped closer, shaken.

“What did you say to him?”

The girl kept her small hand on the horse’s face.

“My mama used to sing to him.”

The man froze.

“What was your mama’s name?”

The girl looked at him carefully.

“Rose.”

The rope slipped from the man’s hand.

Behind the fence, the older ranch hands stopped whispering.

Rose had been the only rider that horse ever obeyed.

Rose had disappeared seven years ago, pregnant and alone, after everyone said she ran away from the ranch.

The man’s voice broke.

“Where is she?”

The girl looked down.

“She died last winter.”

The stallion made a low, aching sound, like even he understood.

The girl reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a tiny silver charm shaped like a horseshoe.

“My mama said if I ever found the black horse, I would find where I belonged.”

The rugged man stared at the charm.

His hands began to shake.

He had given that charm to Rose the night he asked her to marry him.

The girl looked up at him, innocent and trembling.

“Did you know my mother?”

The man dropped to his knees in the dust.

Tears filled his eyes as he looked from the girl to the horse.

“I loved her,” he whispered. “And I think… I think you’re my daughter.”