Disclaimer: I don't own Saddle Club, Saddle Club is a copyright of Bonnie Bryant.

A Letter From Willow Creek Part 1

On a chilly evening in Willow Creek Virginia, Phil Marsten and Stevie Lake were decorating their apartment for Christmas after they closed up their restaurant, the Riding Ring.

Well, Sara Jane Lake-Marsten and Phil were decorating their apartment while Stevie was resting on the sofa due to being one month pregnent with her second child.

When suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Where is that coming from?" Stevie asked, standing up from her place on the sofa.

"It sounds like it's coming from downstairs," Sara Jane observed. "in the restaurant."

"I'll get it." Stevie said.

Stevie was about to walk down the stairs to the restaurant, when she was suddenly stopped by Phil.

"Hold on, Stevie, you sit back down," Phil said sternly. "I will get the door."

Stevie knew when she was defeated, "All right, Phil, you win." she sighed.

"I always do." Phil said.

Phil went downstairs to the restaurant.

Phil opened the front door to find his youngest sister and youngest brother-in-law standing in the doorway of the Riding Ring.

"Phil, this is important, we need to see Stevie straight away." Michael Lake said.

"I'll take you to her." Phil said to Anastasia and Michael.

Anastasia, Michael, and Phil went upstairs to the apartment part of the building where Stevie, Phil, and Sara Jane lived.

A few minutes later inside the apartment, Stevie had been thoughtful for several moments after Michael had filled her in.

"Michael," Stevie said finally. "I think that Nikki my just be right."

"You think so?" Michael asked Stevie.

Stevie nodded, "Nikki is getting a little old for a children's poem like the Night Before Christmas." she told Michael truthfully.

"But, it's our family tradition." Michael protested.

"I know," Stevie said. "and, I never said that you had to give that up, she never said she wanted to give up the tradition either, what I am saying is, that you need to be willing to adapt the tradition to your daughter's age."

"You're right, Sis," Michael said. "but none of that tells us how to find her."

"I know someone who can," Philsaid . "I'll call Jason and Ashley and get them looking for her."

"Why bother him with this," Michael protested. "I can find her."

"I think in this case it might be better if Jason or Ashley finds Nikki first," Stevie said. "don't forget, Michael, you're the one she's mad at, and if you go after her right now, she'd probably just get more upset."

Michael shook his head slowly.

"Nikki is just so stubborn," Michael said. "she won't give an inch!"

"She's no more stubborn that the man she got it from." Stevie said, giving her brother knowing look.

Michael sighed then gave a small smile of surrender.

"Okay, Sis," Michael said. "I get the message, we'll do it your way."

"Good," said Stevie, "I'll write to Lisa and Rafael and let them know what's going on."

"They're in Florida right now," said Michael, "I doubt Nikki will go that far!"

"Of course not but they still think of Nikki as family and they'll want to know what's going on!" Stevie said to Michael.

Sara Jane handed Stevie's laptop off to her so she could type the letter to Lisa quickly.