Disclaimer- I don't own any of the 7th Heaven related characters or the Mercedes car
Birds chirped gaily in the lofty branches of the sycamore trees planted just outside of the main barn of Hunter Path Acres. The morning was rich and balmy, the sent of lilac and evergreen mixed in with the gentle breeze wafting through the tops of the trees. Inside the barn, horses shifted restlessly in their stalls, waiting for the moment they would be set free into the lush pasture that was just outside their reach from where they stood. A few barn hands scurried about, sweeping the aisles, and dropping horses their last minute breakfast. Today was the first day of summer camp. And they all knew what that meant. Lots of little kids of varying ages and skills were to be running around their nice clean barn, disrupting the peace. Ruthie suddenly appeared in the door way of the barn, a beleaguered look worn upon her face. "Did someone neglect to mention that Tipper was lame?" she questioned them harshly, her brown eyes flashing. Stephanie, one of the barn hands, glanced up from her work, perplexed. "I didn't even notice that he was walking funny." She told her boss, straightening up. Ruthie studied her for a moment, as if pondering whether or not she was telling the truth. Her eyes moved then to the other hand, Jon, with a look of accusation. "I didn't even go to that barn yet. I just got here less then fifteen minutes ago. Traffic was brutal." He said in a hurry. Ruthie just rolled her eyes. "Do you realize what this means?!" she cried, her voice strained. "Tipper is our only gentle, sweet horse. How do you expect me to put Victoria Curt on a nice, dolce horse, if we don't have one?" she snapped.
Stephanie shrugged. "Didn't you say she's ridden before? Maybe she doesn't need a quiet horse. Maybe she can handle someone more difficult. Like Ace? He's a bit wild." She suggested. Ruthie had told all of her stable workers about Victoria's arrival, and just what she was like. Their response was just like she thought it would be. They were apprehensive about having her with them for the entire summer. Never the less, Ruthie insisted on having at least one of them around her at all times, so she couldn't try anything funny. Ruthie frowned. "I suppose you're right. She has ridden before at her grandfather's mansion up in Connecticut. But just to be safe, I would have rather put her one a quiet horse." She huffed, pacing back and forth. Jon stepped in. "But we can't. Tipper is the only good horse we have. Benji was shipped out to the retirement home three weeks ago. Looks like you're just going to have to use Ace. He's the only semi sweet horse here." He told her, picking up a broom. Ruthie nodded. She quickly thanked her stable hands, and retreated to her office. Already feeling drained of all energy; she plopped down on her buttery soft office chair, and placed her work boots on the top of the desk. She placed her hands behind her head, and let out a heavy sigh. Her day was already filled with problems, and it was hardly even seven o' clock! With an exaggerated effort, she forced herself to go over the day's routine.
The kids would be arriving at nine fifteen. Victoria and her parents would be coming at nine to go over what ever last minute questions they had about her spending every day of the summer at the barn. She would be taking daily lessons with Ruthie, and would also be pitching in around the barn. When all the kids arrive for the camp, Ruthie would do what she always did. Gather them in a circle, and have everyone tell a few things about themselves. She knew that the group of girls coming today where the same age as Victoria. That way Victoria got a chance to meet some girls her age that were in the area. After came the horse assignments, then the rules of the barn (even though most of them belonged to her stable anyway). Then they would all go off to tack up their horses, and be split up into smaller groups run by her, Jen, and Stephanie. After the hour lessons, they would untack and take care of the horses, doing what was necessary to cool them all down. Then they would have lunch, while watching a demonstration about lunging. Following the demonstration, they would again gather up their horses, but this time to do a fun activity such as a trail ride, or barrel racing outside. And thus concludes the day, Ruthie thought to herself, smiling. It was sure to be a success, unless Victoria somehow finds a way to ruin it all. She thought to herself bitterly. But there was no way she was going to let that happen. Many of the girls coming boarded their horses at Hunter Path, and took two lessons a week with one of her instructors. Needless to say, they were big clients of hers that she would hate to see slip away.
It was now almost nine, and after sweating out the last two hours, Ruthie was ready to face Victoria the terror once again. The sound of crunching gravel gave away their arrival, and Ruthie braced herself for what was coming next. She walked out to the front of the main barn where she always greeted the campers. Ruthie watched with wide eyes as the sleek black Mercedes pulled up next to her. The car stopped, and out came a chauffeur with a stone-like face and quick jerky movements. Ruthie watched in utter awe as he approached the car door closest to herself, and opened it up. There sat a completely forlorn, angry Victoria. Her face set in a disgruntled smirk, her eyes cold and deep. Her hands were jammed inside her pockets, and her hair was up in a tight pony tail. Ruthie tried to smile and sound pleasant, but she was not successful. "Hi Victoria! Glad you could come! Ready to have some fun today?" she asked, sounding terribly ditzy. Victoria cast a dark look her way before getting out of the car. Not much to Ruthie's surprise, she was donning all black. She wore spiked bracelets and necklaces, with chains and heavy metal rings. Her fingernails were also black, along with the heavy black eye shadow and eyeliner. Ruthie stood there for a moment, just looking at her until she was clearly aware that everyone else was looking at her, waiting for her to talk or move. Ruthie gave a little laugh and a smile, before leading everyone to her office. It was going to be a long day.
