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    Phantom Stallion #1: The Wild One
    Phantom Stallion #1: The Wild One
    Phantom Stallion #1: The Wild One
    Ebook189 pages2 hours

    Phantom Stallion #1: The Wild One

    By Terri Farley

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    When 13–year–old Samantha returns home to her family's cattle ranch in Nevada, she's worried. She moved away two years ago to recover from a bad fall off her beloved mustang, Blackie, and she's still not sure she can get back in the saddle. Her new colt doesn't seem to like her, and the other ranchers treat her like the boss's spoiled daughter, and Blackie has been missing since that fateful day.

    But that's just the beginning. When Sam suddenly finds the fate of a mysterious mustang who may or may not be the missing Blackie – resting in her hands, she has to learn to be a real cowgirl, ready or not. The classic theme of a girl and her horse is set against a backdrop of mustangs, tumbleweeds, and a West that's still Wild.

    Phantom Stallion #1: The Wild One

    On a moonlit night, a mustang comes to Sam. Is it Blackie grown up and gone wild? Is it the legendary phantom stallion? Or could it be both?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateMar 24, 2009
    ISBN9780061888397
    Phantom Stallion #1: The Wild One
    Author

    Terri Farley

    Terri Farley is the author of the Phantom Stallion series. Her research for the series led to her awareness of mustangs and the challenges they face. Terri lives in Verdi, Nevada. Learn more about Terri and her work at terrifarley.com.

    Read more from Terri Farley

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    Reviews for Phantom Stallion #1

    4/5

    6 ratings8 reviews

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    • 3/5
      The Wild One is a Georgian romance about Juliet, an American who became pregnant by a British officer killed at Concord. She and her baby come to England to find help from his family. Gareth, his younger brother, is the Wild One of the title.Juliet and Gareth are likeable enough. However, I really couldn't buy Gareth's 'growth' throughout the story; he's pretty immature at the beginning and remains so despite the responsibility of a wife and child. I did not find his ultimate solution to their living arrangements to be believable. I also had trouble believing that Juliet could be so in love with her Charles and then forget him so readily for his brother.However, I did like the other siblings and the epilogue ensures that I will probably continue the series in order to find out what happens next.
    • 3/5
      I liked the author's voice a lot. Her characters are very well written. However, I enjoyed the first 2/3rds of this book the most. I understand that Gareth has to 'grow up' but I did not like the way this is done in the last part. It somehow seems unconnected to the first part of the book. Still, good enough to recommend this and to want to read more.
      3 - 3,5 *
    • 3/5
      The Wild One
      3 Stars

      Juliet Paige and her baby daughter are on their way to meet her deceased fiancé’s family in England, when her coach is waylaid by highwaymen. Little does she know that the young gentleman who comes to the passengers’ rescue is none other than her lover’s younger brother, Gareth de Montforte. Gareth, known as The Wild One for his rakish ways, is smitten with Juliet from the start and vows to reform and become the husband and father she and her daughter deserve. Now all he has to do is figure out how to go about it …

      A wonderful premise and solid writing, but the story contains themes that are simply not my cup of tea. Consequently, this review reflects my own personal foibles and those who do not share them will probably enjoy the book more.

      To begin with, I’m not fond of heroines who have had a child with a man other than the hero. For me, it undermines the romance and emotional connection between the characters. That said, Gareth’s interactions with baby Charlotte are sweet and endearing.

      Second, Gareth is a definite beta hero and initially comes across as childish and irresponsible. While, he does mature as the story progresses, the damage is done and he never quite manages to fulfill his potential.

      Finally, although Juliet is a strong and admirable heroine, the fact that she is in love with the hero’s brother at the outset of the story puts a damper on their chemistry. Yes, she grows to love Gareth, but the specter of Charles is always there in the background.

      The secondary characters are interesting, especially Lucien who is the alpha hero that Gareth is not. I have a thing for the staid, stuffy and repressed hero who needs to find the perfect woman to bring him to his knees. Thus, despite my issues with this particular story, I will probably continue with the series sometime.
    • 4/5
      A wonderful start to a great series. I enjoyed the story line of Juliet and Gareth and can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter when the illustrious Charles returns. Juliet is left a single mother, alone, broke, and in very much need of the family of her dead betrothed. She travels to England in search of his family in hopes that the Duke will take her young daughter as his ward, since she is his niece. But the journey is wrought with danger and before she even arrives at the castle, her coach is waylaid by thieves. But then a rescuer appears and wanders into danger himself only to save the others. Why does this stranger seem so familiar? Then he tells her his name...Gareth De Montforte...brother to her dead lover.
    • 3/5
      ‘The Wild One,’ by Danelle Harmon is a historical romance novel about Lord Gareth de Monteforte who bravely intercedes in a stagecoach robbery by taking a bullet. Unbeknownst to him, his deceased brother’s fiancé, Juliet Paige, arrives on the same stagecoach with her young baby. Juliet arrives from America to plead with Lord Lucien de Monteforte, the eldest brother and head of the estate, to make her newborn child his ward. Lord Gareth, an irresponsible and light-hearted rake, is attracted to Juliet, and he pledges to marry her, while others are dubious about his ability to forego with a carefree life. Although the story is entertaining enough, I thought that there were some moments when I felt like this was just too hasty a transformation of character, and it was difficult to totally accept. How is it that an irresponsible rogue would suddenly fall in love and assume a responsible life? In addition, it seems implausible that an unmarried mother with a child would become acceptable marriage material for an aristocratic lord, during Georgian England. This is most certainly fiction by any stretch of the imagination!
    • 4/5
      This was pretty good. I decided to throw in a quick historical romance and this one worked out. The story was really good and kept my interest. Gareth was very sweet and wild but a bit immature at the same time. I did admire Juliet's determination take care of herself and ability to love Gareth despite all the challenges he presented! But that ending totally flipped the script for me! I will picking up book 2 ASAP! Not a cliffhanger but...oh just read it and you'll see!!
    • 4/5
      THE WILD ONE opens the de Montforte series which is about four brothers and a sister.Gareth's story is filled with humor and heart break, but what I liked best was this heroin's story and the way she handled herself (although at times she did get my goat up!) despite the situations Gareth put her into.Gareth is the third son of a Duke, and current Duke's spare heir. He is not exactly a black sheep of the family, even though he is described as such, but a twenty-three year old scoundrel whose reputation is well-deserved. He is the leader of the Den of Debauchery, a group of lazy and mostly mischievous young-bloods of the county.Gareth's immaturity is evident to all and everyone is forgiving of it only because of his good heartedness and happy disposition to every situation he finds himself in, from an midnight debauchery stunt gone awry to the accidental run in with the highwaymen in which he almost ends up killed. It was really hard not to like a man like that! Yes, his immaturity gets him in hot water with all and saundry, but deep down all this man needed was the right woman to give him love and support, and this is where our heroine comes in handy.Juliet Paige is in England for one reason only: to request help of Lucien, Duke of Blackheath who is the brother of her deceased fiancé, Charles de Monteforte. It has been more than a year since she last saw her beloved Charles, and now that she's left the war-torn Boston with Charlotte, her and Charles' little girl, she is weary and apprehensive about meeting this formidable family. The uncertainty of their future is weighing heavily on her shoulders, but she is determined to make their acquaintance and introduce them to Charlotte.As she nears the home of the family, her stage coach is stopped by vicious band of highwaymen.Gareth de Monteforte is on his way home from yet another night of debauchery and while racing his friends, he comes upon the grisly scene, and it never occurs to him to abandon it, but comes to the rescue of the travelers, especially when he witnesses the heroic stance of Juliet.There's so much to recommend this story, but what I liked the best was the family dynamic between all the brothers and their little sister. The story doesn't falter in pace and for the most part is humorous, with some tender moments, especially the romantic ones between Juliet and Gareth. The sensuality of their first union is really touching and hot at the same time. Most of the story is predictable, yet I still found it interesting and entertaining. My only complaint, if you can call it that since I thoroughly enjoyed the read, is that I wished the author made it longer, and with it delved more into the relationship of all the characters.All in all, very enjoyable if short read, with plenty of angst, humor and action. This one's a four quill and I'd say hot and sweet romance.Melanie for RCJR eZine
    • 5/5
      I scarfed these down like candy. Harmon's de Montforte brothers are each delicious, and every book is better than the last. Unfortunately, most are out of print, but if you see them in the used bookstore, definitely grab a copy.

    Book preview

    Phantom Stallion #1 - Terri Farley

    Chapter One

    AT FIRST, SAM THOUGHT she was seeing things. The windshield of Dad’s truck was pitted by years of windblown dust. Maybe she’d been away from the ranch so long, the desert sun was playing tricks on her eyes.

    Suddenly, she knew better.

    Mustangs stampeded over the ridge top. They ran down the steep hillside. As their hooves touched level ground, a helicopter bobbed up behind them.

    It hovered like a giant dragonfly.

    As she watched the herd, Sam saw one creamy mane flickering amid the dark necks of the other horses. She saw a black horse shining like glass and two roans running side by side. Here and there ran foals, nostrils wide with effort.

    Sam wondered if the men hovering above could see each running horse, or only a flowing mass of animals.

    The mustangs ran for the open range. Sam knew the horses would find little shade and less water ahead, but they seemed to think of nothing except outrunning the men and their machine.

    The herd swung left. The helicopter swooped, ten feet off the sand, to block them.

    The herd galloped right. With a whirring sound, the helicopter followed.

    Then, from the back of the herd, a silver stallion raced forward. Sam never imagined a horse could be so beautiful, but there he was. He nipped and screamed, turning the mares in a wide U back under the helicopter’s belly, running back to the hills and safety.

    The helicopter pulled up. It banked into a turn and followed, but it was too late.

    Wow! Where did they go? Sam’s thigh muscles tensed. She sat inside her dad’s truck, but her knees shook as if she’d been running with the wild horses.

    Mustangs have their secret getaway trails. They go places even a chopper can’t. Dad took one hand off the steering wheel to pull his Stetson down to shade his eyes.

    Sam cleared her throat and looked out the window at dull, brown Nevada. Could she have felt homesick for this?

    Yes. Every day of the past two years, an ache had grown under her breastbone.

    She just wished Dad would talk more. She wanted to hear about the ranch and the horses and Gram. But the nearer they got to the ranch, the more he acted like the dad she remembered. Relaxed and quiet, he was completely unlike the awkward man who’d come to visit in Aunt Sue’s polished San Francisco apartment.

    Since he’d picked Sam up—literally off her feet in the middle of the airport—their conversation had bumped along just like this old truck. Slow, but sure.

    Shouldn’t use helicopters and trucks, Dad muttered. They just don’t savvy mustangs.

    Translated, that meant he had no respect for men who didn’t understand the wild horses they were capturing and taking off the range.

    Dad really talked like a cowboy. And his first name was Wyatt, a cowboy name if she’d ever heard one. Plus, he walked with the stiff grace of a man who’d ridden all his life.

    When he’d first sent her to the city, Sam had been so angry, she’d tried to forget Dad. For a while, it had been easy.

    After her accident, the doctors had said Sam might suffer complications. When a girl fell from a galloping horse and her head was struck by a hoof, that was bad. When she lost consciousness as well, they explained, it was far worse.

    Fear made Dad agree to send Sam away from the ranch, to live with Aunt Sue. In San Francisco, she was only two minutes away from a hospital, instead of two hours.

    First Sam had begged to stay, then she’d turned stubborn and refused to go. But Dad was just as stubborn. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Since she’d barely turned eleven, Dad had won.

    After a few lonely weeks, she’d learned to love San Francisco. Aunt Sue’s willingness to take her everywhere and show her everything eased the pain of leaving home, but it couldn’t make her forget Blackie.

    Blackie had been the first horse who was all her own. She’d raised him through a rocky colthood, gentled him to accept her as his rider, then made a terrible mistake that injured her and frightened him into escape.

    Each time Dad called her in San Francisco, Sam asked for word of Blackie. But the swift two-year-old had vanished.

    In time, Sam stopped asking. She and Blackie had hurt each other. She’d been unable to go after him and touch him and explain. So, Blackie had followed his mustang heart back to the wild country.

    Although Aunt Sue didn’t ride, she did share Sam’s passion for movies. Sam made friends at her middle school, too, and played basketball in a YMCA league. It wasn’t long before the months had added up to two years.

    Still, movies and basketball couldn’t measure up to Sam’s memories of riding the range, fast and free. Sam never stopped loving horses and missing them. When Dad announced it was safe to come home, Sam had started packing.

    Now, Sam sneaked another look at Dad. In San Francisco, she’d been embarrassed by him. She’d worried that her city friends would hear his buckaroo slang, or take a good look at his face, all brown and lean as beef jerky. If they had, they would have known Dad for what he was: a cowboy.

    But here in Nevada, he fit in and it was easier for her to see she had a lot in common with him. They were both skinny, tanned, and stubborn.

    You really liked living in San Francisco? Dad asked.

    After I got used to the fog and traffic, I loved it. I jogged in Golden Gate Park with Aunt Sue and we saw at least three movies every weekend.

    Dad glanced her way with eyes as cold as a Hollywood gunfighter’s. He hated the city.

    Sam shrugged as if she didn’t care. If he’d left the ranch more often to visit her, this wouldn’t be so awkward. She and Dad might have a lot in common, but when he asked questions like that, hard-eyed and expecting a certain answer, Sam felt like a stranger.

    She crossed one knee over the other and jiggled her foot. She ignored Dad’s frown, which said he was disappointed that his daughter had become such a city slicker.

    Not far to River Bend, now, Dad said.

    As if she didn’t know they were near the ranch. She couldn’t wait to see if it was the horse paradise she remembered. She only hoped she could still ride like she had before the accident.

    She remembered so little of that moment. Falling. Breathing dust. Impact just over her right ear. The sound of Blackie’s hooves galloping away, fading, gone. The accident wouldn’t keep her from riding, because she wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t.

    Sam fanned herself, wishing she hadn’t worn black jeans and a black tee shirt. What was fashionable in San Francisco might be considered weird in rural Nevada.

    She blew her bangs out of her eyes. Using Aunt Sue’s sewing scissors, Sam had cut off her reddish-brown ponytail. She didn’t want to look like the child Dad had sent away.

    She straightened to look at herself in the truck’s mirror. She’d accomplished her goal, all right. She didn’t look like a little kid; she looked like a teenager with a bad haircut.

    Sam shifted against her seat belt, stared out the truck’s back window, and blinked.

    Half-hidden in dust stood a horse. His powerful shoulders glittered in the sun, convincing her he was the silver stallion who’d turned the herd, but he had the dished face and flaring nostrils of an Arabian. She hadn’t seen a horse that perfect since—

    Sam? Dad’s voice hit like a bucket of cold water. What are you staring at, honey?

    Sam looked at Dad. Then, before she told him, Sam turned back around to make sure of what she’d seen.

    Uh, nothing, she said. The horse had disappeared. Had it been a mirage?

    Never mind. In minutes she’d be at River Bend and she’d have a horse of her own, again.

    Still, Sam couldn’t help glancing back over her shoulder one last time. The first place she’d ride would be here, wherever here was, to find that ghost horse.

    Sam saw a metallic glint against the sky. The helicopter was still searching.

    Sam worried about the mustangs. Even a city girl knew how some cattle ranchers accused mustangs of eating all the grass and drinking water holes dry. A newspaper article she’d taken to class for Current Events had told how wild horses roaming Nevada’s range were rounded up with government helicopters, then penned until they were adopted.

    Sam remembered that half the girls in class had waved their hands over their heads, volunteering to take wild horses into their apartments or carports. Now here she was, with wild horses practically in her front yard.

    I can’t wait to get you up on Ace, Dad nodded, smiling. Apparently he wasn’t holding a grudge because she liked San Francisco. You two are a match for sure.

    Ace. Could there be a more perfect name for a cow pony? Sam had to smile. Dad said Ace stuck to a calf like a burr on a sheep’s tail. She supposed that meant Ace was a good cutting horse, able to separate the calves from the herd.

    I wish you had a picture of Ace.

    Dad laughed. And have him get conceited around the other horses? That’d mean trouble for sure.

    Dad squinted through the windshield as a flashy tan Cadillac drove straight at them, honking.

    Speaking of trouble… Dad shook his head and coasted to a stop.

    Who is it? Sam tried to read Dad’s face. Don’t you want to talk to him?

    I’d rather take a shortcut over quicksand.

    The Cadillac’s window eased down, revealing the driver.

    Hey, Wyatt. The driver had slick hair and a toothpaste-commercial grin. His cowboy hat was as big as one of dad’s truck tires. This must be Samantha. Welcome, little lady.

    No one called her Samantha—just Sam—but one thing Dad insisted upon was being courteous to adults. Sam smiled and wondered if she was supposed to recognize this guy.

    On your way to town? Dad sounded neighborly, but his back looked stiff.

    The man slumped back in his seat, all relaxed, and Sam nearly groaned. A horse of her own waited at the ranch. She wanted to see Ace, run her hands over his neck and smell the alfalfa sweetness of his soft nose. And this guy looked like he’d settled in for a long chat. When he lit a cigarette and threw his match on the desert floor, she knew she was right.

    Sam, this is Linc Slocum. Dad sighed.

    I’m your new neighbor, Samantha. He nodded. Even though we’ve never met, I’ve heard lots of stories about you and that one-man horse of yours that escaped.

    One-girl horse, Sam corrected silently. Blackie had bonded with her, because she’d used the Native American horse taming tricks her pal Jake Ely had taught her. She’d breathed into the colt’s nostrils so he’d know her scent, she’d mounted him for the first time in water, and she’d called him by a secret name.

    After the accident, lying in a hospital bed, Sam had worried that no one could call Blackie back. Her mind kept replaying the sound of his hooves galloping, then fading away, but she’d told no one the colt’s secret name.

    How could a stranger know Blackie had been a one-girl horse?

    Dad’s voice interrupted her memories. Nice seein’ you, Linc, but we’d better head on.

    Even when Dad started to drive, Linc kept talking. That’s when Sam knew Linc Slocum was no cowboy. Real cowboys hardly talked, even when they had something to say.

    If it hadn’t been for that danged Jake—

    Confusion nipped at Sam’s memory. She’d let Jake down, failing to ride Blackie right, but it sounded like Mr. Slocum blamed Jake for the accident.

    Clearly, Dad didn’t like Linc’s implication.

    Dad bumped his Stetson up from his brow and faced Linc Slocum head-on. Sam couldn’t see Dad’s expression, but Slocum pulled back like a turtle jerking his head in.

    Old news, Slocum said, but his smile slipped.

    Sam shivered as if someone had sprinkled a handful of spiders down the neck of her shirt.

    Maybe he’ll come home, Linc said.

    Sam bit her lip. She knew better, but Dad’s words still hurt.

    Don’t get your hopes up, Dad said. The wild ones never come back.

    Chapter Two

    BOARDS RUMBLED UNDER Dad’s tires as he crossed the bridge over the water that gave River Bend Ranch its name. Sam breathed the scent of sagebrush as they rolled under the tall wooden rectangle marking the ranch entrance.

    A brown dog ran barking toward the truck.

    That’s Blaze, Dad said. He sleeps in the bunkhouse most of the time, but it looks like he’s come to welcome you.

    A cowboy yell split the summer silence.

    Sam glanced left. She saw only a huge grassy pasture and horses grazing peacefully.

    Come on, now! the same voice shouted again.

    To her right, Sam saw the ranch house, white with green shutters. White curtains billowed from the upstairs window of her bedroom.

    But all the racket was coming from a round corral, straight ahead.

    As Dad pulled up next to the corral, Sam heard thudding

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