a horse beneath me?

[snow]

Sara pulled into the roughed up gravel driveway. There were no designated parking spots, so she stole one by the entrance. Cutting the engine of the Jeep Wrangler she inherited from her mom she grabbed a small duffle bag and headed indoors. The weather outside was quite similar to what it was inside. So there was nothing she needed to get used to. The only bad thing is, she didn't have a horse yet at the stabled. One of them were to be transported here, unfortunaly her horse has a muscle tension, so he was unable to be ridden. Sara considered him her project, considering he had barely been broke as she had bought him at an auction for the cheapest price. But for now she could squeeze in a few practices before he came. Walking along a continous line of stall that were thoroughly cleaned she found the loft. Throwing her duffle bag on a couch she stood by the window< envying the other talented riders circle the ring. Sara couldn't necessarily find the office, but the lounge seemed like a good place to settle. Now all she needed was a horse.

[Serenade]

The sound of tires rolling up the drive made Eddie stop what he was doing and turn, seeing a Jeep come to a stop and a girl hop out. He watched curiously from Winchester's paddock as she walked to the loft in the gelding barn. After giving his stallion a final pat, Eddie hopped the fence, not bother with the gate, before following this unknown girl to the loft. His boots echoed as he walked through the empty barn to the stairs. Not trying to mask his coming, he clomped up the stairs, knowing he would get her attention before he reached the landing. He soon came into view, glancing around the room, with its old and comfortable furniture that his parents had given him when he moved out. The girl was standing by the window, looking out over the mare barn and the rings. She was short, with brown hair. He couldn't see her eyes from here, especially with her back to him. He approached her easily, his long legs striding smoothly, shoving down his shyness and allowing the business side to surface, the side that was better at communicating. Stretching out his hand, he introduced himself. I'm Edward Jansen, owner of Maplewood Stables. How can I help you? He was a little nervous, knowing that if she needed a job, he would have to send her off to a different stable. With Rachael, Liz and only having two horses and a foal, he really couldn't hire anyone else. He needed more income and more horses before he could do so. And as for lessons, again he needed more horses. Shaik and Kyss were not ready to be separated, so Shaik was out as a lesson horse at the moment, and Winchester, his only other horse, was his personal boy. He wasn't really sure he wanted anyone he didn't know to ride his prize horse, the horse he had had for several years. But he would wait and see what she wanted before jumping to any kind of conclusion about what she was here for. Eddie smiled a welcoming smile, his dark eyes warm and friendly, his dark brown hair a little windswept from jogging over from the stallion barn. He was quite an attractive guy, and didn't really noticed it, and definitely didn't let it go to his head. Eddie waited, still thinking over what he needed to do today while he watched this girl for her answer.

[snow]

Sara saw one girl make her way around to the horses. Nurturing the one foal and taking good care of the others. Even though Sara had purchased a barn just a few miles away from here, it'd be good to practice as the building was being finished where she would live and work. Turning around she heard creeps of boots scraping the rough wood floor. An attractive, yet young man had decently approached her. Hopefully he'd be kind enough to let her get a good practice in with his supervision.

Uhm, hello Mr. Jansen. I'm Sara Smith, I just moved here but I recently bought Stagecoach Stables down the road. I was wondering, if perhaps I may ride one of your horses. Under your supervision of course.

She gently smiled as her bright blue eyes glowed with brilliance. Her project horse, Sleepless in Seattle wasn't much use at the moment. Until Sara could fully break him, which would be difficult.

You see, I do have a horse, but my task for now is to completely break him, making me unable to ride him, ya know?

Sara's sweet southern twang voice peeked out a little. She moved over to the shelves of trohpies and ribbons, examining each one.

[Serenade]

So, she wanted to ride. Oh, joy. He only had two horses! He definitely needed to go out and get a few more. Eddie's hand were in his pocket, and he rocked back and forth on his feet and he though his response over. She could ride Winchester. He didn't seem to have as much time as he wanted to with his prize stallion. As for Shaik, he wanted to ride her a bit more, especially since it was about time to pull Kyss away and get her into the foal barn by herself. Shaik would be close enough, but Kyss was just getting too old to spend all of her time with her mother. It was about time to separate them, and when he did, he didn't want to have someone else working with her when she began to rage at being away from her offspring. So, yeah, he supposed she could ride Winchester. Here though, nowhere else. He was a little protective of his prize boy, and wanted him to stay where he could be with him. Realizing he still hadn't given her an answer, he stopped rocking and smiled at Sara. Forgive me, I was thinking. Welcome, Ms. Smith, to Maplewood. I currently only have two horses, but I suppose you could ride one of them. My stallion Winchester 73, hasn't really gotten the attention he deserves lately from me. My new mare has been taking some precedent. At first, I do request that you only ride him when I'm around or one of my stablehands. I'm a little protective, but I'll happily give you the benefit of the doubt. Come on, I'll show you. With that he turned and walked back down the stairs through the empty barn out to the stallion barn, where Winchester was still inside. He turned to walk backwards, making sure she was following, glancing back to make sure he wouldn't walk into anything. He gave her a grin before turning back to face forward and went into the stallion barn, where Winchester was dozing in his stall. Knocking on the stall door, he woke the dozing stag up. Wake up, lazy boy. We have a guest. Seeing his owner, Winchester let out a happy sound and came to the stall door, the light coming in the barn doors lightly up his shining, brindle pelt. Lipping Eddie happily, the friendly stallion rubbed his head lightly on his arm before turning to see the newcomer.

[snow]

Sara stood there dumb founded waiting for an answer. Finally Edward spoke softly as Sara's eyes lit up. She smiled lightly with joy. Seattle, her project horse wasn't much use at the moment, until she could get him into top performance.

Ahh, a stallion. They are most interesting to ride. But, thank you Mr. Jansen so much.

She added a little skip to her step as they headed to his stall. Edward began walking backwards as Sara nodded her head playfully and a corner of her lips turned up. The long loose locks of curled hair bounced a little. Edward had turned around as they had reached their destination. She quietly waited outside of the stall when Edward entered his stallion's home. The presence of Edward to his boy seemed to brighten. Sara smiled a little as she stood at the entrance of the cracked stall door. Peeking in, she took a step in. Reaching out her hand she slid her hand down his rough cheekbone. Smiling gently.

Hey boy, you are beautiful.

Taking a step closer she glanced him uo and down and starting to move her other hand to his muzzle. His little whiskers prickled her hand. Glancing at Edward she looked to his stallion one more time.

What's his name?

[Serenade]

Eddie held onto Winchester's halter as Sara slipped into the stall as well. There was room for the three of them in there, but Eddie just wanted to make sure Winchester wouldn't mind her. But the brindle stallion just nuzzled the newcomer, taking in her scent as she stroked his nose. She was fine by him. He wasn't exactly easy to upset. Seeing that Winchester was reacting as he usually did with strangers, Eddie slowly loosened his grip on the halter, though he kept his hand on Winchester's cheek. With the other he was lightly stroking the shining brindle hide, and smiled as Sara complimented his pride and joy. When she spoke again, it took Eddie a moment to process what she had said, as he was thinking about what he needed to do soon, one of which was get down to the sales barn to find a horse or two to purchase for his lesson program that he intended to start. Looking up, he smiled apologetically before speaking. His name is Winchester 73. He caught my eye about two years ago at a show. The brindle is what really got me. It's such a rare color. His coat may have been shining, but there was a layer of dust and some straw that was covering his hide. Eddie wrinkled his nose at the happy stag, who snorted back playfully. Dirty animal. Do you have to roll in your stall when you get bored? He poked the stallion on the nose, causing him to curl his lips in play, trying to catch Eddie's finger with his lips as Eddie continued to poke him. Looking at Sara, he asked her, Do want to take him for a quick ride, just to get the feel of him? He is only trained for Western, by the way. Maybe I should have mentioned that earlier. Gently moving Sara out of the way, he led Winchester from his stall to the crossties at one side of the barn. Clipping him in quickly, he gathered up the grooming tools he needed and started. Achilles, hearing movement in the usually quiet barn, came trotting in, his nails clicking on the cement floor. The big, golden dog paused by Eddie, licking his pants in greeting and licking Winchester's leg as well, as the stallion looked down at him before ignoring the canine. Achilles soon saw the newcomer and headed towards her, his creamy tail waving. Achilles, come. Don't scare her, please. With a sigh, the big friendly dog turned and lay down on the floor by Eddie with a groan, though his tail continued to thump the dusty ground. Eddie gestured to Achilles with his head, not turning from brushing Winchester to explain, He's really friendly. But people get freaked out by his size, which is why I hold him back, usually.

[snow]

Smiling a little, she heard Edward talk. Gently and rhythmically patting Winchester's neck.
What a lovely name, and yea I see why. He is just beautiful!
Sara moved out of the two's way and followed like a little puppy to the cross ties. Standing there patiently she rubbed Winchesters barrel as Edward had come back with a grooming box. Grabbing a curry comb Sara pitched in with what seemed like an endless job getting the thick layer of dust off.
You know that's okay he is trained western. I haven't been in a saddle like that in years. It'd be nice to have that memory back. The only time i ever did that was when I rode on trails with my foster mom.
She began rubbing in circles as all the dust ciculated to the top. Thinking of her mother she smiled a bit. Hearing a tail thump she turned over and saw a large animal come after the three. He was absolutely adorable. Giggling a bit as his dog had punishment like a toddler. It amazed Sara how if you talk in a stern voice how animals will listen.
Oh, it's alright. I love big dogs, we used to own a white lab and golden retriever. I'd much rather have him then some little yapper dog.
Sara laughed a bit as conversation began. Thinking of Seattle, she breathed slowly and sighed happily as the scent of horses was inhaled. Ah, this certainly was a good beginning to an early life she never had.

[Serenade]

Eddie chuckled as Sara spoke, and looked down at Achilles. Alright, go say hi. You're free. Getting up, Achilles shook his coat off before padding over to Sara on the other side of Winchester. He sniffed her all around, pausing now and then to drag his tongue across her pants. Don't ask why, he's weird. Satisfied that she was okay, he trotted over to a patch of sun and sunk down with a sigh, stretching out and falling asleep. Eddie shook his head as he continued to brush off Winchester, who was tugging at his jeans in play, making it a little more difficult to keep his balance. Looking at the stallion, he finally shoved his head away. Do you mind? Trying to stand here. Winchesters snorted at his owner before turning his head and sucking up to Sara, lipping her shirt. Eddie chuckled at the stallion before packing in his brushes, having gotten the dust and straw off his now brilliantly shining coat. Gesturing for Sara to follow, he made for the small tack room at the end of the barn. Opening the door, he made for Winchesters everyday saddle, next to his covered show saddle. It was older, much used, but well made or dark leather. Hooking the headstall off the wall, he hauled the saddle off the stand before walking back to Winchester, grabbing a blanket on the way out. Setting the blanket on his back, Eddie then slung on the saddle expertly, and began bucking him in. That's the stallion tack room. The covered saddle that was next to this one is his show saddle. It's not out often. This is his everyday, trail, working, just whatever saddle. Getting all the buckles done, the unclipped and took off Winchester's halter, slipping on the headstall instead. Checking that everything was set, Eddie grinned at Sara before leading Winchester to one of the rings outside the barn. Come on. The pair slipped inside, and Eddie waited for Sara to haul herself up so he could adjust her stirrups.