INVATATIONS

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Morning came too quickly for both of them.  Cassie was already down at the stables, mucking out stalls when Webb arrived.  Webb watched her for a few minutes before he said anything.  She was wearing a pair of jeans and riding boots with her hair braided in to pig tails.

"I do have people to do that," Webb stated.

"I know. I hope you don't mind, I asked them to exercise the horses." Cassie replied. "I like doing this."

"Suit yourself," Webb replied. "I will be back in about thirty minutes. I have to take Tatiana to day care."

"I'll see you when you get back," Cassie said. "When you get back, you should really make some calls and arrange for interviews."

"Will do," Webb said and left.

Cassie finished mucking out the stalls and went to the paddock.  She had a lunge line and whip with her.

"Does Mr. Webb ever exercise these horses?" Cassie asked.

"Not on the line," Ben replied.

"Well, it's going to start now," Cassie announced and lassoed one of the horses.

When Webb returned Cassie was working with the horses and it made him realize he was right in asking her to stay on for the week.

"You really need to put these guys on a line every now and then." Cassie said.

"This is a new venture," Webb stated. "I planned to."

"Clay, there are some things we need to go over," Cassie said walking toward him.

"Okay," Webb replied. "Did you want to discuss it now or later on?"

"We might as well get it out of the way." Cassie said. "You really should have a phone line installed down here."

"That's easily taken care of," Webb replied.

"I also think you need to establish a relationship with a vet.  I made a list of a few good ones in the area." Cassie stated. "Do you have a farrier?"

"Yes of course I do," Webb replied.

"Well, he needs to get here soon because your mare needs to be re-shoed." Cassie said.

"I know that, he's coming tomorrow." Webb said. "I do know how to care for horses."

"With all due respect, you are no longer caring for horses." Cassie said. "This is business now."

"Thank you for reminding me," Webb replied sarcastically.

"No need to be sarcastic," Cassie replied. "You did ask for my help."

"What else?" Webb asked.

They spent the next few hours going over Cassie list.  When they were done, Webb set up several interviews and asked Cassie if she would sit in on each of them.  After that, Cassie gave Webb pointers on exercising the horses on the line.

Webb, who actually was accomplished in all aspects of horsemanship, was amazed at how much he didn't know.  Cassie assured him that some of the things they were going over were things that most breeders did not do. 

"Clay, I was practically born in a stall," Cassie laughed. "I have forgotten more than most people will ever know."

"Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better," Webb replied.

Before they realized it, the afternoon was gone and it was time for Webb to pick up Tatiana.  He left Cassie, who was feeding the horses and went to pick up his daughter.  When he returned, Cassie was coming down the stairs and looked as if she was going out.

"Hey, little girl," Cassie said when she saw Tatiana. 

Tatiana reached out to Cassie much to Webb's dismay.

"You want to come to me?" Cassie asked. "Do you mind?"

"She seems to like you," Webb said passing the child over.

"I like her too," Cassie said taking her. "How was your day?  You're such a good girl. You're also a stinky girl."

"I'd better take her up and change her." Webb said.

"I'll do it," Cassie offered.

"No," Webb said quickly. "Thank you, but that isn't necessary.  It's not in your job description."

"Consider it a perk," Cassie said and went upstairs with Tatiana.

Webb followed them up the stairs and watched as Cassie changed his daughter.

"You really are an angel," Cassie said.

"Actually, I think of her as a countess." Webb said walking in.

"That works too," Cassie smiled as she handed Tatiana to Webb. "Well, you guys have a good night."

"You're going out?" Webb asked.

"Did you need something?" Cassie asked. "I hope it's okay.  Your mother said it would be fine for me to take one of the cars."

"It's fine," Webb replied.

"Clay, do you want to come out with me?" Cassie asked.

"No, I need to be with Tatiana." Webb replied.

"She's going to go to bed soon." Cassie stated. "Why don't I wait while you feed her and get her ready for bed?"

"I prefer to be here in case she wakes up." Webb responded.

"You have more staff then the Queen of England." Cassie laughed. "Come on, let's get out of this overgrown cabin and have some fun."

"Thank you for the offer," Webb said. "I need to be here."

"Okay, I'll see you in the morning." Cassie replied and left.

Webb tended to his daughter and then went out onto the balcony with a book.  It was about 11pm when Cassie returned.  She returned to her room and after changing was leaning on the balcony railing looking at the stars.

"Did you have a pleasant evening?" Webb asked.

"You startled me," Cassie replied. "I had a good time.  I drove into Washington.  It was amazing to see everything lit up in the night."

"It is a beautiful city," Webb said leaning on the railing.

"It's not Kentucky, but I will admit, it's really beautiful here." Cassie said.

With that Cassie returned to her bedroom.  Webb sat back down and gazed into the sky.  They both knew the pain of the other, but neither was going to reveal anything.

The next few days came and went rather quickly.  The interviews Webb had arranged did not yield much promise.  Cassie was not impressed with the candidates and Webb deferred to her judgment.

SATURDAY - WEEK ONE DOWN

Cassie was leaving her room with her packed Army duffel when she ran into Webb and Tatiana. 

"Good afternoon, sunshine." Cassie said to Tatiana who immediately reached for her.  "Haven't seen you all day Clay."

"On Saturdays, Tatiana and I spend the morning together." Webb explained.

"Can we trade?" Cassie said putting the bag down and reaching for Tatiana.

"I guess," Webb replied and took the duffel in exchange for the baby.

"Hey little angel, are you having a good day?" Cassie asked as Tatiana clung to Cassie and gurgled.

"Are you going somewhere?" Webb asked as they went down the stairs. "I thought you were going to stay until we found a stable manager."

"I told you I would stay another week," Cassie said. "I was on my way to the Laundromat. I have to do wash."

"Mrs. Caswell can take care of that for you," Webb offered.

"No thanks, I would prefer to do my own laundry." Cassie laughed.

"I'll have Geoffrey drive you into town," Webb stated.

"No thanks," Cassie smiled. "Your mom said I could take the BMW.  That's a hot little convertible."

"It's also my car," Webb replied.

"Is it a problem?" Cassie asked.

"No, have fun." Webb stated.

"Clay, I am going to do laundry.  There is nothing fun about it." Cassie laughed. "I'll catch up with you later."

Cassie handed Tatiana back to her father and grabbed the duffel bag.  She hopped into the car and took off.  While she was at the laundry mat, Clay and Tatiana went down to the stables.  After a half hour he saddled up one of the horses and took Tatiana for a ride out to the ridge.  They sat together in the breeze and enjoyed the peacefulness.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER

Cassie returned from doing her wash and put her clothes away.  She wandered down to the study and looked for Webb.  Not finding him there she went out onto the porch were Porter sat reading.

"Hi Mrs. Webb," Cassie smiled.

"How are you?" Porter replied. "Clayton tells me you are staying another week."

"Yes," Cassie said sitting down. "He hasn't found anyone he likes for the stable manager position.  He asked if I would stay on to help him."

"That's very considerate of you," Porter smiled. "Don't you have your own job to get back to?"

"Actually no," Cassie replied. "The stables are the family business.  A few years ago, my father put me in charge.  I can take some time off to help a fellow breeder."

"We do appreciate your assistance," Porter replied.

"It's my pleasure," Cassie said. "Besides I think Clay can use the help.  By the way, where are Clay and Tatiana?"

"I saw them earlier riding," Porter replied. "They haven't returned yet."

"Okay," Cassie shrugged. "I'm going to head down to the stable office."

"Cassie, check with Geoffrey," Porter called after her.  "He knows exactly where Clayton rides."

THE RIDGE

Webb and Tatiana were sitting under a huge oak tree up on the ridge behind the Webb estate.  Webb watched as Tatiana played and crawled in the grass.  As he sat there he talked to Zoya.

"She's got your eyes. She needs her mother and I don't know what to do." Webb said. "We both miss you so much.  You should be here.  I should have died, not you.  Harm made me realize that I was still alive but it's not easy.  Each time I take a breath it hurts. I need you here to help me.  I don't know how to be a father.  Who knows if I knew how to be a husband, but I know you would have helped me."

Webb leaned back against the tree and sighed.  He smiled as Tatiana 'discovered' grass.  She was pulling the blades and throwing them over her head.  Pretty soon she was covered with little green confetti and laughing.  As Webb leaned over to brush the grass off of her, he heard the sounds of an approaching horse.

"Geoffrey said this is where you come," Cassie said dismounting. "You guys must be starved.  Your mother said you've been gone since I left."

"I didn't realize how much time had lapsed." Webb replied looking at his watch. "I should get her back for her nap."

"You don't want to take a nap do you?" Cassie asked as she sat down on the ground next to Tatiana, who immediately crawled into her lap. "No you don't."

"I really should take her back. It's past her lunch time." Webb said getting up.

"Clay, stop it. Now go get the basket off the saddle." Cassie instructed. "Geoffrey gave me food."

"I'm really not up for a picnic," Webb said in protest.

"Just get the basket," Cassie said. "It's not a picnic, it's just lunch."

Webb retrieved the basket while Cassie continued to play with Tatiana.  Webb spread the blanket Geoffrey provided and placed the basket on top.

"So what did you bring for lunch?" Webb asked as he sat down and took his daughter back.

"I don't know," Cassie replied. "Geoffrey handed me the basket and said, 'Ms. Walker would you please take this hamper to Mr. Webb and the young miss they have not had their lunch as of yet' is he always so proper?"

"I suppose," Webb said.

"So I asked him, am I the old miss?" Cassie smirked. "He didn't get my humor."

"I don't think he would," Webb smiled.

"You look nice when you smile," Cassie said. "You should do it more often.  That smile matched with your scent is a real killer."

"What did you say?" Webb asked.

"Nothing, I just mentioned that you wear nice cologne." Cassie replied. "I meant no offense."

"None taken," Webb said quietly and put Tatiana down. "Let's see what he packed.

Webb opened the basket and removed the contents from the basket.  After a lunch that was basically silent, they waited for Tatiana to wake from her impromptu nap and returned to the house.  Together they went upstairs and after Cassie's insistence, Webb left her gave Tatiana a bath.

"You really don't have to do this," Webb said as he watched Cassie blowing the bubbles off Tatiana's hands.

"I don't mind," Cassie smiled. "It's fun, besides I will be gone in a week and she will forget I ever existed."

"I doubt that," Webb said quietly.

 "Clay, I was thinking about going into Alexandria tonight, would you like to join me?" Cassie asked as she put Tatiana into her crib.

"No thank you," Webb replied abruptly.

"Did I do something to offend you?" Cassie asked.

"You didn't do anything," Webb replied and closed the door.

Cassie returned to her room where she showered, changed and then went into Alexandria for a night out.  When she retuned the house was quiet and everyone was asleep.  She quietly went into Tatiana's room and rearranged her blankets before retiring to her own room for the night.  She went to sleep and the next morning it was back to business as usual.  Since it was Sunday, there were no interviews but there was plenty for Cassie to review with Webb.