"Two Independents"

Rogue wolves, cowboys with crushes, and cattle drives await Susie Stetler as she steps into an unwanted summer in the mountains with her grandmother and eight-year old step-brother. The fifteen year old dread-locked surfer girl can only dream of riding the waves in California as she fights to survive one of the hottest summers on record.

"Dad's here!" Billy shouted with glee, letting the screen door slam shut behind him. He jumped off the porch and bolted towards the big rig as it came to a screeching halt, the wolfhound barking excitedly at his side.

The driver's door popped open and a larger version of young Billy stepped down from the cab, his curly carrot colored hair hidden beneath a black Freightliner ball cap, freckles dotting his cheeks, his slate gray eyes reflecting the afternoon sun. He scooped his son up in one easy movement and held him to his chest. Billy wrapped his arms around his father and hugged him as hard as he could.

"You're home," Billy cried happily.

"Whoa, partner, I can't breathe," Thomas gasped.

"Hi, honey," Melissa said as she stepped down from the porch. She shook her head and joined her son and husband in a group hug. The giant dog leaned in against them, his tail whipping Melissa's legs hard enough to make her wince in pain.

"Glad you made it safe and sound, boy," Bill said to his son. "Any troubles?"

"Why don't you let Thomas come inside before you start talking road trips," June added, glaring meaningfully at her husband.

Bill shrugged helplessly.

June waited for her turn to give her son a hug and a quick kiss.

The door opened on the far side of the cab and a tall, deeply tanned girl with strawberry blond hair hanging in tight braids down her back, clad in hip-hugging jeans and a loose cotton shirt, sauntered around the front of the truck. Her lips were pursed in a sour pout and a frown creased her forehead, but the surly attitude did not dim her beauty. She held a knapsack in one hand and an iPod in the other.

"Susie, come and meet your kid brother and your stepmother," Thomas waved her forward. "I expect you hardly remember your grandparents, but they do send you some pretty neat gifts every year."

Susie sulked and stood where she was, her feet firmly planted, her shoulders drooping forward slightly. The stance didn't suit her wiry, muscled frame.

"He's not my kid brother. He's my stepbrother," she corrected her father. "And I have a mother."

"Whatever," Billy replied, insulted. He eyed his half-sister with unease.

"That's enough," Thomas ordered, his face turning red. It was clear that it had been a difficult trip from California and his temper was frayed.

"What is that thing?" she pointed at Horse. Horse's tail stopped wagging and he lowered his head to glare at her through golden-brown eyes. "Is it safe?"

"Horse is an Irish wolfhound and yes, he's safe," Billy said, throwing an arm over the dog's shoulder. Horse licked his face and wagged his tail once, then turned his attention back to the aloof teenager standing before him. "Course that's only if he likes you," he added, under his breath.