Buck Taylor's boots hit the mud, and he wiped the rain from his face as he ducked into the barn, his horse, Dusty, following behind.

"This weather is a bitch," he muttered to his best friend and partner Jackson as he put Dusty in his stall, pulling off his saddle and halter.

"Tell me about it," Jackson said back. "Everyone here has been fed and watered, so I'm headed out. I'll see you first thing tomorrow."

"Thanks," Buck said, shedding some of his wet layers. He and Jackson were co-owners of this ranch. They raised cattle mostly, but the farm served several other purposes, like rescuing a variety of animals, rehabilitating them until they could go to a rightful home.

He was also a dominant. His father was one, and he loved the relationship between his mom and dad. They were so loving, so balanced. He knew they were soulmates, and he wanted that, too. He completed his training, and had taken that damn test three times. He hadn't had any luck.

Jackson was a dominant too, and he got his match on his first test. He and Audrey were perfect together. It wasn't fair.

Buck wasn't about to cry about it. If he was destined to be alone, then that was that.

He was tempted to sleep in the barn to avoid the walk to his house, but he needed a shower. He was muddy and exhausted.

His old farmhouse came with the land. It was pretty beat up and out dated, but he enjoyed the little projects. It gave him something to do that wasn't ranch work, and it wasn't like he had anything better to do anyway.

He had picked up speed on renovating the kitchen and his bedroom in hopes that when he took his next test, he might bring someone home.

The following morning, he and Jackson rode up to check on the cattle.

"I say at the end of this week, we get these boys moved to the north pasture," Jackson said.

"Maybe sooner. With all of the rain, this grass doesn't stand a chance. It's like a mud hole up here," Buck responded. "Anyway, some lady stopped a meat truck from hauling a bunch of relatively healthy horses. They're boarding them at the rodeo grounds, and letting people take them in for free."

"Yeah?" Jackson gave a dimpled smile. "There has to be a few runts that nobody wants that we can whip into shape."

"Want to head over there after lunch?"

"Absolutely. Audrey's bringing us something special, by the way. I have no idea what that means."

He groaned. "Come on, man. You know she can't cook to save her life."

Jackson reached over to give him a shove, Dusty stalling in his tracks as Buck pulled back on his reins to keep from falling.

"You ass. That's my girl you're talking about. She's trying her best."

"Yeah, yeah," Buck muttered, pulling his hat low over his eyes. "Not that I don't appreciate a hot meal, but you should buy her a cook book or something."

"Maybe your match will know how to cook and they can show her," Jackson said.

"You're too optimistic."

"I have a gut feeling. When has my gut ever been wrong?"

"That's probably your breakfast, bud." Buck sped up, tired of chit chatting when they had a lot to do before lunch.