Seventeen year old Ethan Keller has lived a sheltered life in his mother’s boarding house. So while working in the general store he escapes into the pages of his books whenever he gets the chance. An intriguing cowboy named Travis Cain stops by the general store and takes a liking to the shy Ethan. Eventually, Travis charms Ethan into joining him when he signs up for a 900 mile cattle drive. While on the long days of the cattle drive, Ethan discovers he has deeper feelings for Travis beyond friendship…a love that Ethan never imagined could exist. Now the two need to face nearly impossible odds to be together.

This is a wonderfully sweet story about two men getting to know each other while on a cattle drive and fall in love during the trip. Mark R. Probst describes the cattle drive in such a way that you can imagine yourself along with Ethan and Travis on the trip. Ethan and Travis know that they have to hide their relationship from the world, otherwise they could be punished by the law. Knowing that their family, friends, and community would not understand their relationship, they decide to move to Colorado to start their new life together. Before they can leave, Travis’ father finds out about their love affair and murder and chaos follow. When Ethan is jailed for 5 years for the murder, Travis waits for him. And on Ethan's release they reunite and are finally able to put their plans into motion to live their lives together and have the happily ever after they deserve. I highly recommend reading The Filly – you won’t be sorry you did!