A Dragon’s Heart

Amanda forced herself from her saddle, disregarding the pain that raced through her body at the thought of moving. "I'm going to need another horse."
It had been a difficult day, and she had had very little sleep the night before.

She had slept for just an hour or two before they departed for the ranch since she didn't want to miss a thing, but now she was starting to regret that decision.
Her body felt like every muscle was glued together from the stiffness.
She was used to being active on the ranch and riding horses, but this level of muscle fatigue was new. She told him, "We have to go tomorrow morning," expecting his agreement.

She cast an eye down the path in the direction of her father's guest ranch's main home. During the day, the ranch home had a quite different appearance than it did at night. The unfinished wooden building seemed drab and boring in the night.
Nevertheless, after daylight poured in through the ranch house's windows, a new energy filled the space. Amanda raised her stiff arm over her head and stretched it out, muttering softly as she did so.