When I woke up in the morning, the first thing I smelled was Bacon and eggs! My first thought was "Mmmm! Lizzy must have run out if recipe's to try!" but then I remembered that she was many states away from me.

That kind of ruined the morning for me. But I got out of bed and pulled on my jeans and a blouse. When I got downstairs, a woman met me.

"Howdy! You must be Winnie! The lady Dad keeps talking about!" she fell in step beside me.

"Good things I hope!" I smiled at this young blonde. "And yes, I'm Winnie."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself. My name in Julie. I am Harry and Pam's' daughter." She stuck out her hand and I shook it.

"Nice to meet you Julie! Now if you don't mind, I'd like to go help myself to some of that good smelling food!"

"Mom's a really good cook. Oh, I forgot to add that were the same age! I hope we can be friends! Since we live out in the boondocks, there's not very many other girls around here!"

"Sure, it'll be nice to have a friend to talk to." I nodded, and stepped into the kitchen.

A woman who was standing over a frying pan turned around and smiled. "Well good morning Winnie! Did you sleep well?"

"As well as expected, Mrs. Brovido."

"Good, I hope you'll settle in soon. That horse of yours is quite a beauty!" She shoved a plate across the counter to me. I sat down. A warm feeling glowed in my midsection, I love it when people compliment on my horse.

"Thanks." I said, both for the breakfast and the compliment.

Julie grabbed a plate and sat down next to me.

"So, do you know what you're going to be doing today?" She looked up at me as she was taking a big bite of her eggs.

I had just taken a bite so I finished chewing, swallowed, and said, "Gentling horses, I guess."

We finished eating, then Julie fallowed me out to the GORGOUS barn (if you could call it that). It looked to be two stories high, probably a loft, and about as big as our whole pasture!

"Wow! Your barn is…" I searched for the right word.

"Huge? Gigantic? Crazy? Yah, I know." Julie finished. I nodded my head and fallowed her inside. It was even better inside! Half of it was an indoor riding arena with windows on the side that connected to the barn. It was heated, with a small sitting area with couches next to part of the arena so you can watch and stay warm. I figured the arena was heated too, and it looked better than some of the 'Big' show arena's.

As we walked down the isle, horses poked their heads out of "half stalls". Unlike mine, they were polished wood halfway then metal pillars on all four corners that reached the ceiling.

The horses seemed out of place though, they weren't polished and clean. They weren't dirty either, they looked normal.

One heaved itself up and shook all the hay and wood shaving off of him. He poked his head out and let out a loud "Wihihihihinnie". I stopped to scratch his forehead, and he snuggled his head into my chest.

"This one likes you! Why, he even knows your name!" Julie said and we both laughed at the joke.

I gave the handsome creature a final pat then strode on down the isle. Mr. Brovido, or Harry, was in the tack room switching bits on a headstall.

"Good Morning Winnie, Julie!" He smiled at us. We both said "good morning" back to him.

And so the day continued. That morning, Harry had introduced me to several of the horses I would be working with. One of them would be a real challenge; as meeting him was not a joyful encounter.

"This one's name is Joe, and he is a real pain. You'll have you're hands full with this baby, although I am sure that you will do wonders with him."

No sooner had I reached my hand out to stroke him than he pinned his ears back and snapped at my hand! I hurriedly pulled my hand back and yelled at him to stop it!

Anyway, that was Joe. And not the last of him, might I add.

Over the next few days I settled into a routine. Wake Up, Eat, and get out the barn to see what new adventures awaited me.

My normal day was to do a 45 min training session with some of the troublesome horses. Then we would get a break for lunch, then it was back to work. My afternoons were spent riding, exercising, and training in the saddle. After I was done, I could do whatever I wanted. I normally spent that time with Nickers.

There were several trails around so Nickers and I made it a habit to try one every week. I met a few other trail riders, some were friendly, some were not. We both enjoyed the time together, I enjoyed getting away from everything. I think Nickers just enjoyed getting out of her paddock!

The Brovido's soon became like family to me, and I to them. For when my 18th birthday came around, they threw me a party! I can understand now why people say other people became like family to them. All the other "employees" came and we had a good time together. I have gotten to know most of them pretty well, and we all get along swell.

My biggest surprise, however, came that night when one of the guys asked me to take a walk with him. The guys name was David, and out of all of them I can tell you that I liked him the best. You could almost say I liked him as much as Catman. Although I had known him longer.

David and I walked out to the paddock where Nickers was. As we leaned on the fence boards, he reached over and took my hand. I didn't pull away, because his hand felt warm and I had missed not being able to hold anyone's hand here.

I turned to face him, and something inside me changed. The moonlight reflected off of his brown face and green eyes. He was so…so…handsome. I almost…almost mind you…wished that he would kiss me. I had never really been kissed before. Except by Catman that is, but that's just, well, different.

He turned to look at me too, and smiled. He reached over and pushed back my hair, which I had bothered to brush smooth this evening.

"You are such a beautiful girl, Winnie." His eyes looked into mine.

"I know that you've got someone waiting for you…"

Waiting for me? Who the heck was waiting for me, I had never dated anyone. M? I know he has a crush on me, but I could never marry him. Grant? Not in a lifetime! It…Catman? I know he once said he loved me, but I had never really thought about that.

"…but I have to tell you that, well. I admire you Winnie, you're a hardworker, you've got so much talent and spirit!"

I blushed. This was SO unlike me! I must be going through a phase or something!

"I really, really like you Winnie. I like you a lot."

"I like you too, a lot, I mean." Ughh! Why do I always have to mess up my speech in times like these!

That was all the motivation he needed. He lowered his head and lightly pressed his lips to mine and kissed.

He stood up and I smiled sweetly at him. He looked away into the pasture and we stood there together for awhile.

Then I turned back to the house and pulled him along behind me.


Now I have gotten all the Winnie-catman folks mad! Haha! :)

Don't get all worked up, however, I am still a Cat-Win girl. So wait for it to all pan out! Until Then, Patience!

ps- Reviews are always Appreciated!