Her eyes were gentle; in them, Stryker understood why people claimed that the eyes were the windows to the soul.

They gazed up at him, soft and trusting. He didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve the soft, affectionate nuzzles she gave. He didn't deserve the way she rested her large head on his shoulder, all his sins and all his weeks of neglect forgiven as he gently scratched behind her ears.

Jamie was terrified of the majestic beast. He watched through terror-filled eyes, clutching his panda in a death grip. He refused to enter the stable, despite the fact that a headcollar was attached to the horse's face, a lead...