HORSING AROUND

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WALKER HORSE FARM

Webb arrived in Kentucky at the Walker Horse Farm.  He knew exactly what he wanted and how much he planned to pay.  Now it was just a matter of coming to an agreement with the owner.  This was to be the first time he and Tatiana would be separated for more than a few hours.  He promised Tatiana he would be back as soon as possible.  It was more of a promise he made to himself.  He hated leaving her.  He walked to the office and was asked to wait.  No one in Washington would have recognized Webb.  He was wearing a pair a jeans, a white button down shirt and a pair of Timberland boots.  A far cry from his custom made three piece suits and Italian leather shoes.

As he waited to meet the owner, Peter Walker, a young woman, similarly dressed in jeans and boots, with a long dark braid down her back, approached him. 

"Mr. Webb," Cassie said with her hand extended, "I'm Cassie, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Please call me Clay," Webb said taking her hand. "Where's Mr. Walker?"

"He asked me to apologize for his not being here." Cassie smiled. "He is also seeing a man about a horse today."

"Are you acting in his place?" Webb asked.

"I have full authority to make a deal." Cassie smiled. "Would you like to see the horse?"

"Yes please, according to the information, he is 15 hands high and has quite a lineage." Webb said.

"That he does," Cassie replied. "We were surprised that you were interested in him.  No one has showed much of an interest because of his age."

"I have a good feeling about this horse," Webb said.

They walked to the stables where there were several employees tending the horses.  There were three stables before them.  Each probably housed about 50 horses of all shapes and sizes.

"Here he is," Cassie announced as the walked to the stall.

Webb looked at the plate on the door and smiled. The name plate said 'Russian Tsar'.

"He is part Arabian and part Trakehner." Cassie said. "He will make an excellent stud for future show horses."

"You don't have to convince me," Webb smiled. "How much are you asking?"

"To me he's priceless," Cassie smiled. "But we are asking $5,000."

"That sounds fair," Webb replied. "May I take him out for a ride?"

"Of course, would you prefer to go on a trail or would you like to see him in the ring?" Cassie asked.

"Both, if I may." Webb replied.

"Johnny, would you saddle up Tsar?" Cassie asked. "Also, saddle up Queen Mary for me."

"You got it boss, right away." Johnny replied. "Ms. Walker, you want English or Western?"

"English please," Cassie replied.

"Ms. Walker, are you married to Peter Walker?" Webb asked.

"That would be sick," Cassie joked. "I'm his daughter."

"You should have told me," Webb replied. "I didn't realize I was dealing with the boss's daughter."

"Actually, I am the boss. Dad put me in charge years ago. Does that make a difference?" Cassie laughed.

"Not really," Webb said as the horses were brought to them.

"He's a bit skittish about new riders," Cassie said as Webb mounted the horse. "Just make sure you show him who is boss."

"I'm experienced." Webb stated. "It will be fine."

"He's got spirit," Cassie warned.

"That shouldn't be a problem," Webb replied. "I've dealt with spirited ones before."

"Sounds good to me," Cassie smiled. "I'll take you on our favorite trail."

They rode for about twenty minutes and finally came to a stop.

"He rides wonderfully," Webb said.

"I could have told you that." Cassie replied. "Tsar is my favorite."

"I gathered," Webb said. "Are you sure you aren't the reason he hasn't been sold."

"I guess I'm a little guilty of that," Cassie laughed.

"Where did you learn to ride?" Webb asked.

"Being born in Kentucky, it's in your blood, but I also went to school abroad." Cassie said. "I spent some time in England, there's no better place to learn."

"How about letting me see how he jumps." Webb asked, his face turning a bit dark.

"I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" Cassie asked, noticing the sudden change in Webb.

"No not at all," Webb said.

After riding the course, Webb and Cassie returned to the stables where some of the workers took the horses to cool them down.

"He's perfect," Webb said. "The price is fair. I'll take him."

"Really?" Cassie asked sadly.

"You don't want to let him go, do you?" Webb asked.

"I remember the day we brought him here," Cassie stated. "Tsar and I have been through a lot together."

"I see, are you sure you want to sell him?" Webb replied.

"It's time," Cassie said looking into the distance.

"Well, feel free to come to Virginia anytime to visit him." Webb smiled.

"I just may take you up on that," Cassie laughed.

They returned to the office where Cassie showed Webb the lineage papers and the transaction was completed.  Cassie advised Webb that they would have Russian Tsar delivered to him within the week.  With business complete, Webb thanked Cassie and left for the airport.  He was back with his daughter, eighteen hours after he left.

Several hours later, Cassie was sitting in the stall talking to Tsar and telling him that he would have a new owner.

"So you sold him," Peter, Cassie's father, said upon his return.

"Yeah," Cassie said looking up from the stall. "Did you purchase that gelding?"

"Yes I did," Peter replied. "We picked him up for a bargain too."

"That sounds good," Cassie smiled. "I told Mr. Webb we would deliver Tsar next week."

"I guess David and Johnny can take him." Peter suggested.

"Actually dad, I think I'll go with Johnny." Cassie smiled.

"Cassie, what are you doing?" Peter asked.

"Nothing dad, I want to make sure that Tsar gets there safely." Cassie replied.

"You sold him, you can't hang on to that horse forever," Peter said.

"I know, but Tsar has seen me through some of the worst times in my life." Cassie said. "He's the horse that Michael picked."

"I know baby," Peter replied. "It's time to let go."

"Dad, taking care of Tsar helped me get through everything with Michael." Cassie reminded.

"Cassie, it's been over a year." Peter said. "Michael is gone and hanging onto Tsar is not going to bring him back."

"I know, I know." Cassie replied.

"Come on little girl, let's go up to the house." Peter said. "Your ma's probably waiting for us."

"Daaaad," Cassie whined jokingly. "I'm 37, I'm not a little girl anymore."

"You're always going to be my little girl," Peter smiled. "You need me, your brothers don't."

"They need you," Cassie said, "Just not like I do."

"I'm proud that you sold him," Peter said putting his arm around her.

"I don't know Daddy," Cassie shrugged. "There is something different about this man."

"Is he horse people?" Peter asked as he locked the stall door.

"In a way yes, he knows his stuff and he sits well." Cassie replied. "But I got the feeling there is a story there and I think that Tsar needs to help him like he helped me."

"Are you being psychic?" Peter teased.

"No Dad, I'm going with my gut." Cassie replied.