Author: WillowFever
Rating: PG to R
Feedback: Please leave feedback on the Wild Horses thread on the Kitten Board.
Disclaimer: I don't own Willow and Tara, if I did I would set them free...

Willow snapped the final chord in place and flipped the switch that would bring her computer to life. <Back in business> She was pleased with herself. It had only taken two hours, a shower and a Scooby-Doo sweatshirt and baggy jeans before she felt able to work with wires and hardware.

Tara's kiss from earlier had rendered the red head speechless and disoriented. Willow felt giddy and light headed. She actually had to look down before walking back into the house to make sure her feet were on the ground.

<Now... I just need to focus... Apples will help with the focusing... not to mention I'll get to sneak a peek out the window...>

Willow bounded down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. Her eyes scanned the large bowl on the counter until they settled on the most tempting looking apple. Willow grabbed it and began polishing it with her sleeve. Her mind wandering to the barn and what might be happening out there.

She walked over to the window and glanced out. She could see Tara and Doug leading Frankie around the corral by a rope. Tara was a vision to behold. Her long blonde hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and her tennis shoes replaced by bright yellow boots that were almost knee high and covered in mud. Her jeans hugged all the right places and Willow could only imagine how her eyes must look against the dark blue Nike windbreaker that Tara had put on..

Willow looked at her apple and grinned. "She kissed me."

Willow shook her head. "Now I'm talking to apples... what's next?"

One last look outside and Willow decided that she had better get back to her computer and check in with the main office. She glared at the apple in her hand... "I Gotta stay busy... focused... concentrate..."

Willow took the steps two at a time letting out a big 'Woohoo' once she got to the top.

"She kissed me..."

Doug swung the doors open that led to the walking pen. They had decided that it would be a good idea to get Frankie out and moving to help with his congestion. Doug couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his long-time friend.

"What did you do Mac... jump in pigpen?"

Tara just rolled her eyes.

"Ha... ha... very funny Dougie... I cleaned out the stall from last week that someone, who shall remain nameless but whose initials are DOUGLASS J. McFARLAND, was supposed to clean out and never did."

The guilty young man hung his head in mock defeat.

"Can you ever forgive me?"

"Maybe... I'll have to think about it."

The two friends laughed as they hooked Frankie to the tie-out. For the time being he would only be able to walk in circles, but that was okay. He needed this time to get used to his new home and the other horses that he would be sharing the place with before they turned him out in the pasture.

"So Mac... I was thinking..."

"That's scary..."

Tara couldn't help but tease Doug... he was like an older brother... except not nearly as annoying.

"Yeah... well... we all have our moments. Actually, I was thinking of... maybe... asking Willow out... what do you think?"

Tara's eye's nearly popped out. All she could do was mutter a few sounds and make rapid hand gestures. Doug lifted his dark eyebrows trying to draw an answer out of the speechless blonde.

"Well... do you think she would go out with a country boy like me?"

"Ummmm... well... actually... no."

"Well... shoot me down why don't ya?"

Doug patted Frankie on the neck as he continued to circle around.

"Is it my height... it's my height... I'm too tall ain't I?"

"Dougie it's not your height... trust me."

"Well how do you know... did she say something about me?"

Tara scratched her chin as she contemplated on how to answer him. <Might as well get it out there>

"No she didn't say anything about you... it's just she wouldn't go out with a country boy like you... because she is going to go out with a country girl... like me."

Doug just shook his head.

"Damn... why do you get all the cute ones?"

Tara just laughed at the look on Doug's face.

"Don't worry Dougie... I'm sure you're going to meet some wonderful woman someday who will not be able to escape the Douglas charm."

"Yeah... well... I wish that day would get here. I don't even have a date for the camp-out. That... just... sucks."

Tara tried to cheer Doug up but it was too late. He had already dove into despairville and rented a condo. Although she remained cool on the outside, Tara felt like exploding on the inside but she couldn't do that in front of Doug, not now anyway.

The day had been wonderful. Her mind kept drifting back to her lunch with Willow and she couldn't help but wonder what the cute red head was doing now. Maybe if she got a chance she would stop in and say goodnight before she left. <only if there is a light on.>

She didn't want to overstep her bounds or come across to strong but she did hope and pray that she would see a light on before she left.

<please... be a light on>