Sandwiches and Mold

Kira made sure the picnic basket was attached securely to Dixie's saddle, then she checked the buckskin mare's girth one more time. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed her brother leaning against the wall, chuckling at her and she turned, glaring at him.

"What?"

"Nothing, sis. I'm just watching a woman freak out about a trail ride. That's all."

"Oh shut up, Kev. It's important to me. I want everything to be just right."

"With you, Kir, it always is."

Kevin smiled at Kira and then pushed himself off the wall before walking down the aisle humming a silly, immature schoolyard song that made Kira stare hard at his back for. If looks could kill her brother would almost certainly be in the ground. Shaking her head, though, Kira turned her attention back to the mare and her preparations. Before she knew it, she heard a rider's approach from outside the barn and took a deep breath.

"Well Dixie, this is it. I'm finally putting myself out there. Let's hope I'm not in for a mess, eh?"

Jason dismounted as he reached the barn and held the reins of his Quarter Horse gelding, Shim. Kira was just leaving the barn with Dixie in tow when she saw him stop and stretch and she nearly choked. How could the man be so damn sexy? Shaking her head to snap herself out of the trance, she walked outside and smiled at Jason.

"You made it. Prompt, I like it. I got a lunch all packed. You ready?"

"I sure am. I thought we might take the trail over the hills. Is that alright with you?"

"Of course. Dixie needs the workout anyway. Ever since she was retired, she's been chilling in the pasture with Tary and her sister, Jaws. Getting a little pudgy."

Kira laughed softly as she swung herself up into the saddle of the mare and watched Jason do the same on his gelding before nudging the horse forward toward the trails. Jason, too, laughed at the comment.

"Shim's been getting the same way since I've been concentrating on working with Jocko. I figured the old boy would like to get out today."

Kira smiled and nodded, then took the lead out of the gate and waited for Jason to pass before closing the gate and heading along the trail. If someone had said that she and Jason would be "dating" a year ago, she would have scoffed and shaken her head, but over the time they had been friends it had deepened into so much more and now it appeared that they were treading into more dangerous waters by dating. She hoped it worked out or she would lose a dear, dear friend and that wasn't something she wanted to happen.

The ride was a comfortable one. At times it was silent between them and at others there was laughing. That was one of the things Kira noticed they had, they were very comfortable with one another. It wasn't like they had anything to prove to the other. They were already friends, after all. Nearly an hour later and they were riding up to the small river that bordered a portion of Ravenwood Farms. Here they both dismounted and tied the horses to keep them from wandering. Kira took the basket off the saddle and began to set it up, but Jason came over to her and stayed her hand. He took hold of it in his own and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly.

"I missed you, Kira."

Kira was stunned. It was a huge admission, after just one date, but she found herself repeating it anyway.

"I missed you, too, Jason. I enjoyed our date, but you'd better not forget to call me ever again. Got it?"

"Ha ha, I got it, Kira. Never again. Now, would you like some help getting set up?"

"I think that would be very nice, Jason. Sure."

The lunch set up was much quicker with the two of them working together instead of separately. Kira was about halfway through her sandwich when her phone rang. Giving an apologetic face to Jason, she answered the phone. At least he understood, owning his own farm, so he didn't mind.

"Hello?" A pause.
"Yes, this is she." Another pause.
"Oh really? I had forgotten about even putting my name in there." Another pause.
"Yes, please. If you call my sister she will give you all you need. Thank you very much."
"You, too. Goodbye."

Kira hung up the phone and sat there, smiling and shaking her head, but then looked at Jason and giggled at his perplexed look.

"Apparently I had put my name into some 50/50 raffle a while ago. I forgot all about it, but that was the person in charge calling to tell me that I had won."

"Really? That's cool. What did you win?"

"I won a thousand dollars. Can you believe that?"

"Amazing. Just like you are." Jason reached out and caressed her cheek softly briefly before dropping his hand again. "So tell me about this river."

Kira caught her breath as he touched her cheek and even found herself leaning into it slightly, but when he dropped his hand, she swallowed and nodded. Kira started to talk about the river and how it was where she first saw the ravens that the farm was named for. Another hour and a half and their lunch was gone. Kira was the first to suggest they get back in the saddle and after packing everything up, they did just that. She was glad for the day that she had spent with Jason, but farm duties were weighing on her mind. She knew that the coming days weren't going to be so easy. Weaning time was at hand and that was never a good time for Kira. She hated it when the foals called for their mamas. As they reached the stable yard, they were met by a frustrated Kevin.

"What's up, Kev?"

"What's up? What's up, she asks. Well, dear sister, I was working on giving out hay when I noticed something wrong with the flakes I was pulling. When I looked closer, I realized the whole bit was worthless. It was damp and full of mold. We're gonna have to order an entire new load. A fixable problem, sure, but just a bunch of crap I didn't want to have to deal with."

Kira frowned at this news, but figured it came with the territory. One didn't own a horse farm without it happening once or twice. She dismounted and patted Dixie's neck, looking up at Jason with an 'I'm sorry' look before glancing at Kevin.

"I take it you are working on ordering the hay already?"

"Uh, sure. I was just cooling off. Hey Jason. Guess I'll go make sure the supplier knows where to go."

Kevin turned and left the two alone again and Kira giggled softly before looking at Jason.

"Please excuse my brother. He gets a bit tempered at times, but he's harmless." Kira winked.

"Let's just hope that temper's never aimed at me." Jason smiled at Kira. "Look, I had a great time today, but I should get home. I've got a mare due to foal any day now. I'll call you. This time I mean it."

"You'd better. See ya."

Kira waited until Jason had disappeared from view before turning and leading Dixie into the barn and untacking the mare. She spent the next hour grooming the horse before putting her into the stall and patting her neck. Then she went into the house to see what she needed to do to get the load of new hay delivered.

What Are Those and Why Do They Moo?

Five days. It had been nearly a week since her date with Jason and she hadn't heard from or seen him since then. He hadn't even come to the farm for their usual lunch times. It was five days that Kira stressed about. Did she do something? Did she say something? Did he realize that he'd made a mistake and now wanted nothing to do with her? She was at wits end with this whole thing. She couldn't count how many times she had picked up her phone and started to call him, then hung up. She didn't want to seem desperate, after all.

"Come on, Kir. Why don't you just call him?" Kevin asked Kira as he walked into the barn office and leaned on the doorjamb, watching her. "You will feel better and so will everyone else." He winked at her, pushed off the door frame and walked over to Kira. He wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug, sighing. "If he doesn't call soon I could always go and have a talk with him." He chuckled and kissed the top of his sister's head before ducking away, out of reach of her playful punch.

"No, I can't call him, Kev. He needs to call me on his own. So don't you go over there and talk to him. Okay?"

"Alright, fine. I won't go and talk to him, sis, but you should. Call him." Kevin winked at her and then left the office to get back to work.

Kira leaned back against her desk and crossed her feet at the ankles. Amanda had gone to visit a girlfriend of hers from high school. Kevin was busy working. Nodding, she pushed off the desk and left the office as well, heading to the Stallion Barn. With a smile upon her face, she led the horse out of his stall and began to groom him.

"Easy Aly. What do you think, huh boy? Should I call him?" The only response she got was the bay throwing his head up and a whicker. Kira laughed softly at his antics and rubbed his forehead. "You're so silly, Aly. Come on. It's been forever since we've gone on a trail ride." Kira threw herself into the job at hand. She finished grooming and then tacked him up and led Aly Is Game outside and mounted up. Taking one of the many trails that ran through the property, Kira let all her troubles float away and just enjoyed riding.

An hour later, on the other side of the property, Kira pulled the stallion up and listened. Aly snorted and jigged sideways, but Kira kept him under control. "What is it, boy?" She wasn't sure, but she could have sworn she heard a ... moo. Sure, some of her neighbors had cows, but she had never seen any of them. She shrugged and nudged Aly onward.

Aly walked on, but soon stopped and tossed his head, half rearing. Kira gasped, but held on and got the stallion back under control. Once that was done she looked up and noticed what it was that had gotten to the horse. There was what looked like a small herd of bulky deer with large udders and she shook her head. Jersey cows. In the woods. Her woods. Frowning and moving slowly so as not to spook the cows, she followed their path back to a broken gate. "Well, would you look at that, Aly. Looks like we have some visitors. How about we get them back home, eh?"

She knew who the cows belonged to, so she knew she had to call him up. Taking her cellphone out of her pocket, she dialed his number and waited for him to answer. On the fourth ring the call picked up and the farmer answered. Kira explained the situation to the guy and he thanked her, saying that he would be over to get them back. She hung up and patted the stallion on the neck.

"Bet you never thought you'd be a cow pony, did you Aly? Come on, let's get these girls down to the paddocks." Kira moved behind the cows, she and Aly herded them out of the woods and down to her farm where the farmer had arrived with his trailer. The guy thanked her very much for finding them and calling him. Kira told him it was nothing, but he wouldn't accept that. He wanted to pay her.

"I'm not taking anything from you, Mr. Sanderson. I was out riding and I saw them there. Let's just say thanks and leave it at that, eh?" Kira patted Aly's neck and smiled as the guy went on and on. She put him in his truck and told him to go with a laugh on her lips. Finally Mr. Sanderson agreed to go and Kira watched him drive off, waving at him. "Come on, Aly. Time for you to take your nap." She chuckled softly as she took the stallion off to the barn.

Amanda returned home later that night. Kira was watching a bit of TV, a rare thing for her. Amanda walked in and stood with her hand on her hip.

"Kir? I think this belongs to you. I checked the mail on my way in. This was in our box." Amanda handed Kira the mail with a big fat envelope on the top. It was not a mailed envelope either.

"Thanks, Amanda. Hey, did you eat?"

"Yeah, Annette and I went to eat at the diner. I think I'm just going to go up to my room. Night, sis."

"Night, Amanda."

Kira waited until her sister was gone before she looked down at the envelope and took a breath. She opened it and groaned aloud. Taking out the note she read it to herself.

Miss Ravenwood,
I couldn't, in good conscience, leave without paying you something for keeping my cows out of harms way. I know you said you didn't need anything, but I felt bad about that. Here is ten thousand dollars. I appreciate your help. If you ever need me for anything, know that you have a friend in me. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Garrett Sanderson

Kira rolled her eyes and then massaged her temple. Ten thousand dollars? Did people have so much cash on them? Obviously Garrett Sanderson did. It wouldn't be right to give the money back, he might think she was being rude. Resigned to the fact that she was keeping the money, she decided to put it away and not use it.

Turning off the TV, Kira headed upstairs to her room and shut the door. Once there, she found the lockbox and opened it, putting the envelope inside of it then she shut and locked it again. She put it away and walked over to her window, staring outside at the horses in the fields. As she was about to turn away, her phone vibrated and she took it out of her pocket and looked at it. It was rather late, but when she saw the caller, she didn't care.

"Hello."

"Hello, Kira. I'm sorry I haven't uh, called."

"Oh. It's alright, Jason. Really."

"Yes, well, I still feel bad. I had to go out of town and only just got back. I wanted to call you first thing."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I had a great time Saturday and I'd uh, like to take you out again sometime."

"I had a lovely time, too, Jason. When uh, were you thinking?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe this weekend we could take a trail ride and have a picnic. Uh, unless you don't like that idea."

"No, no. It's fine. I think that's a great idea. We can meet here on Sunday. Eleven o'clock?"

"Eleven's fine with me. So, what have you been up to?"

"You would not believe the day I had today." Kira blushed, but she went on to tell him about the day finding the cows and the money that Mr. Sanderson put in her mailbox. Before she realized it, it was nearly two a.m. That didn't bother her, though, and it didn't bother Jason either because they continued talking until the first rays of dawn. They both laughed and finally said their goodbyes, knowing they each had work to do. Kira sat there and watched the sunrise, thinking of Jason.

How Perfect Can He Be? Where's the Catch?

Oh dear, what am I thinking? That was what Kira was asking herself as she finished dressing for the date with Jason. She looked in the mirror and almost didn't recognize the woman looking back at her. She didn't wear dresses. She was a T-shirt and jeans kind of girl. That was what she was comfortable in. When she wore dresses, she felt out of place. Don't even get her started on heels. Looking down at the shoes she wore made her want to groan, but Amanda was beside her, primping and prepping. Kira let out a sigh, but she had to admit that she hadn't seen her sister this happy in a very long time.

"Amanda, really. Please settle down. It's not like I'm going to Prom or anything." Kira rolled her eyes as she moved away from the mirror, carefully, and sat down at her vanity so that she could do the rest of her prepping herself.

"That's where you are wrong, sis. You haven't gotten this dressed up since then and don't even try to deny it. Even when there's a charity function you wear a nice pair of slacks and blouse. You are a beautiful woman. You should wear more dresses." Amanda smiled and began to tease Kira's hair.

"Oh hush. Please. Jason's just..." Kira's voice trailed off as she tried to come up with a word to describe their handsome neighbor. Gorgeous? Thoughtful? Kind? Sympathetic? In Kira's mind he had just asked her out as a kind gesture. Perhaps he felt bad that she had been alone for so long. Maybe even her siblings put him up to it. She wasn't sure, but she knew she was nervous and that was not going to end well for her.

The doorbell rang and both of their heads snapped up, then they laughed at one another softly. "That'll be Jason. You look great, Kir. Don't worry." Amanda squeezed her hand lightly and then left the room. If she left Kevin alone with the guy he might take off before Kira even made it downstairs.

Alone in her room, Kira looked into the vanity mirror and sighed. What am I doing? He can have his choice of any woman around. Why would he ever want me? Shaking her head, Kira rose and carefully made her way out of her room and downstairs. She watched where she stepped, not wanting to fall.

As she descended the stairs three pairs of eyes lifted and watched her. Kira blushed red when she spotted Jason in between her brother and her sister. She bit her bottom lip and stood there at the bottom of the stairs, a nervous grin on her face. "I'm ready to go."

"Beautiful," Jason muttered under his breath and then turned to shake Kevin's hand and give Amanda's a kiss before he stepped toward Kira. He offered her his arm and waited for her to take it. When she did, hesitantly, Jason nodded to her siblings and led her to the door, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "You take my breath away, Kira."

Kira, already blushing from his touch, stumbled at his words. Kevin stepped toward them, but Amanda held him back, shaking her head. Jason held her steady and looked into her eyes. "Easy. I might just have to carry you to the truck." Then he winked and Kira wanted to melt into a puddle right there.

"I'll be back later, guys. Don't uh, wait up." Kira smiled a little as she waved to her brother and sister before leaving the house and going down the porch steps toward Jason's truck. "I don't wear heels much, so you'll have to bear with me, Jason," Kira told him softly when they reached his truck and he held open her door.

"Oh, believe me, Kira. I promise you won't have a problem in those shoes tonight." Once she was inside the truck, he shut the door and went around to the driver's side and got in. He drove off and Kira noticed her siblings were on the porch watching them go. Kevin with his arms crossed in front of him and Amanda waving excitedly. She was never going to understand them.

"So, where are we going?" Kira asked the handsome man beside her.

"To dinner. I made a reservation at that new Italian place in town. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah. You know me, Jason. I like Italian food." Kira blushed again because it wasn't everyday that she was the focus of attention. Normally she ran the farm and the only attention she got was from potential buyers, sellers and/or breeders that she dealt with. This was not her first date, but it was her first real one. Those she went on in high school don't really count. Amanda told her so.

They made polite conversation during the drive into town and while they waited to be seated. Kira nearly pinched herself to keep a reminder that this was real, but she resisted the urge to do so. It was a pleasant evening, even if she was nervous as hell, and she even danced a few times without stepping on his toes. He was a perfect gentleman and that, she knew, was rare in these times.

After dinner and dancing, Jason suggested a walk through town and Kira agreed, taking his arm and walking along the sidewalk. It was a little cold, but nothing she couldn't deal with. It was, after all, summertime, but she did shiver a few times.

"Here. You're cold." Kevin took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. It was huge on her, but it made her feel so nice to know he cared. Her eyes found his and they stopped under a street light. "Warmer?"

Kira nodded and then pulled her bottom lip between her teeth again, feeling nervous again. She shifted from foot to foot, much like one of the horses she loved so much. She jolted out of her thoughts when she felt Jason's hand on her arm and her head lifted to look into his eyes. Her mouth suddenly went dry.

"Good. Wouldn't want you to get sick from being outside." Then he did something Kira had never thought would happen to her. He reached up, holding her chin in his hand, and lifted her head just a bit more, keeping her still. His thumb stroked her skin lightly and then he was lowering his head, his eyes on her lips. "Stop biting your lip." Kira had little time to think about everything as his lips brushed against her own in the whisper of a kiss, her eyes closing of their own accord.

Kira had, of course, been kissed in high school, but those boys (both of them) had been gangly youths with little experience. This man... Well, he knew how to kiss. When he deepened the kiss, Kira felt the breath leave her chest and her legs felt like jelly. Jason's arm went around her waist and held her upright. Right against his hard body. I wonder what he would look like, feel like under that shirt. Her thoughts were spiraling out of control but she didn't care. Feeling his tongue pressing against her closed lips was a surprise, but she opened for him and was rewarded with sensation. A soft groan escaped as their tongues wrestled and she slid her hands up to wrap around his neck.

All too soon, the clearing of a throat from a passerby had the kiss ending and Kira was blushing and breathless. Her lips plump from his kiss, her eyes full of lust as she gazed at him.

"I believe that is our cue to get back to the truck. Are you warm now?" Jason asked her, offering her his arm again so they could return to the parking lot.

Kira nodded, unable to really say anything at the moment. She flushed because they had been spotted, but also because of how he made her feel. It wasn't a normal feeling for her. Well, it was becoming a normal thing when she was around him, but she still felt like a shy little girl who thought they'd just been caught by her parents. Once they were back in the truck, she was able to regain some sense.

"Jason? What... Um, thanks." Kira had no idea what to say. What did one say to one whom had given her the most spectacular, sensual, seductive kiss she had ever had? Jason's response to her whispered words was to take her hand in the truck as he drove back towards Ravenwood Farms.

"Tonight was wonderful, Kira. I hope we can do it again sometime." Then he lifted her hand and kissed the back of it and Kira sucked in a breath. How can that really be so sexy? She wasn't sure, but it was. Most definitely.

Inwardly giving a groan, she saw all the lights were still on at the house and she looked at Jason. "They're expecting to grill me on our date tonight." She had finally regained her composure and could have a conversation with him again.

"Does that mean you don't want me to walk you to the door?" Jason asked her as he parked the truck and turned to look at her. "Because that won't stop me." He gave her a wink and got out of the the truck, walked to her side and opened her door for her, holding out his hand for her.

Kira smiled and blushed again, damnit, but took his hand when he offered it and stepped out. Taking his arm, she walked back to her door with him and turned toward him once there.

"I had a great time tonight, Jason. And look, you got me to wear a dress." Kira was trying to lighten the mood a bit.

Jason smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, stepping closer to her. "Yes, I definitely didn't miss that, Kira. You should wear more of them. You have beautiful legs." He grinned and then lowered his head, taking her lips once more in a sensual promise. Kira felt her legs once more turning to jelly and a tingle in places she had never expected. She returned his kiss and then pulled back, looking into his eyes.

"Thank you, Jason. I had a great time," Kira said breathlessly.

"As did I, Kira. I'll call you. Good night." Jason kissed her cheek and then walked down the porch steps and back to his truck. Waving after he got in, he drove away and Kira stood there watching him go, her hand on her just-kissed lips. A giggle escaped her mouth and she turned to go inside. Only then did she realize that she still had his jacket. It made her dream of seeing him again and she didn't even mind when her brother and sister fell upon her for details of her date.

That night was the first time Kira dreamed about Jason erotically and when she woke in the morning, she was restless. Turning to look at his jacket on the chair, she smiled and pulled it into bed with her, taking a long sniff. For the first time since she was a child, she slept in.

Shopping? Kill Me Now, Please!

Having made the date, she still felt strange saying that, with Jason, Kira knew that she needed the serious opinions of her fashion-conscious sister, Amanda. Unfortunately, she didn't really enjoy shopping. Like, at all. It was Thursday and she had two days until her date. Kira was driving in her BMW M5 with Amanda in the passenger seat. She drove with a heavy foot, even if she didn't really want to go where she was going. Letting out a sigh, she turned the radio on and kept the volume at a moderate level.

Amanda turned to look at her sister as she drove. Just think, Kira was going on a date. It was something that she and Kevin had both joked about, not near their sister of course, but she had never expected that Kira and Jason would get together. He was a handsome enough guy and he had his own farm, so he was obviously successful, but she knew that Kevin would have something to say to the guy when they met him on Saturday. Kira thought she had arranged it well enough to keep them from doing just that, but there was very little that their sister could actually keep from them. One of the advantages of living together.

"Take the next right, sis." Amanda grinned as she shook her head slightly. "And slow down for Pete's sake. It's not a race you know."

"Oh come on, Amanda. Where's your sense of adventure?" Kira asked with a wicked smile, but she did slow down. She didn't need to get a ticket or end up in an accident. No matter how much she didn't want to go shopping, she wouldn't put herself at risk to avoid it. Taking the right, she slowed so she was only doing 10 over the speed limit.

"Are you sure that you and Kevin can manage the tack shopping on Saturday? I can uh, always cancel my date if you need me there." Kira knew that if she cancelled, Jason would most likely be disappointed, but at least she wouldn't have to go shopping.

"Naw, I'm sure we can handle it, Kir. We each have our own trucks for a reason, you know. You're going on that date and that's final." Amanda would make sure her sister went if it was the last thing she did. That was why she was happy to be the one taking her shopping. With her fashion sense, Kira was sure to have a second date with Jason. And a third, and a fourth. Amanda smiled at this and then was quiet until they reached the mall.

After parking, Kira took several deep breaths and then got out of the car, locking it up after Amanda was out as well. She swallowed and looked at the intimidating building that was the mall and her lips twitched when Amanda took her arm.

"Come on, sis. You can do this. Just imagine it's a huge tack store and the clothes are for riding," Amanda teased.

The visual actually helped and Kira was finally able to move towards the mall, Amanda keeping her comforted as she entered. They went into a dress shop and Kira shut her eyes, telling herself that they were just show clothes. Riding breeches and jackets. When she opened them again, Amanda had already chosen two dresses for her to try on. Groaning, Kira dragged her feet towards her sister. This day was torture.

She made it through, somehow, and the success of that sort of made Kira feel...alive. Amanda was so happy with their outing that Kira had to wonder how they were even related. How could Amanda be so...well, so much a girl and Kira was, well, not much of one. Tomboy was a word that was thrown around a LOT when she was growing up. Hell, she had climbed trees and roped cows better than any of the boys she grew up with. Including her brother. That was something that had always bothered him, she knew it did, but he had risen above it and come to work with her anyway.

"Thank you, Amanda. I probably would have just worn a pair of jeans and a nice blouse." Kira shrugged and then looked back at the road.

"Sure thing, Kir. Ugh, you would have been going on your first and only date if you'd done that," Amanda said with a soft wink and then leaned back, looking at the bracelet on her wrist. She had to buy it when she saw it, even though this was supposed to be Kira's day. Shaking it once, she then lowered her arm and thought about the purchases made that day. Two short -above the knee- dresses and a skirt and shirt outfit. It was the best she could do with her sister. She knew Kira hated shopping, but she was impressed with how she managed. She was coming along. Now, if they could just keep Kevin from intimidating the man, everything would be perfect.

Red is the New White!

Standing at the window, Kira stared out as the trailer drove away with the most recent sale horses. A sigh escaped her lips as she thought about saying goodbye to her lovely babies, but at least they were going to the home of a friend. Meischa would surely take great care of them, so she shouldn't worry about that. Besides, the contract states that she has buyback rights in case Mei ever decides to sell them. With that thought in mind, Kira turns back to her desk and sits down. "I have to get everything in order. The tack room is a complete mess."

A knock sounded on her office door and she looked up to see the handsome face of her neighbor, Jason Wyman. He owned Wyman Performance Horses next door and routinely came over here to make sure she ate lunch. A small smile appeared on her face as she stood up, but Jason noticed that she wasn't her normal bubbly self.

"Are you okay, Kira?" he asked her, moving around the desk to give her his usual friendly hug. She held on a bit longer than she normally did and then seemed to recollect herself and step back. He sat down in a chair and looked at her.

Kira sat down again, her cheeks flaming from knowing that she'd hugged him longer than was appropriate. She nodded to him and then said, "Yeah, I'm fine, Jason. Just sold a few babies. It keeps getting harder and harder to see them go. I know it's all part of running a breeding business, but I guess I expected it to be the other way around. That it would get easier as time went on."

Jason gave her a smile and then began to set out their lunch. "It's never easy to sell the foals you bred yourself, choosing the right stallion and the right mare. You do realize that if everyone kept all the horses they bred, this place would be overrun with them, right?" he asked her softly as he started to eat his salad.

Kira thanked him softly and took her salad as well. "Yeah, I do. Which is why I sorta acquired some new horses the other day." She chuckled at the look on his face and took another bite of her salad.

Jason was amazed that Kira had gotten more horses, but he scolded himself. He shouldn't be surprised when Kira was involved. She always tended to open herself to any horse that might be in need. Or at least appeared to be in need. "So, what did you purchase this time, Kira?" He took another bite of his salad as he waited for her answer. Then he remembered the sodas he had brought as well and set them on the desk.

"Well, let's see. I adopted a few racing Thoroughbreds, a racing Paint, a few more western pleasure mounts and a new halter horse. Oh, and the most exciting, the Andalusian stallion I adopted to help with the Azteca breeding program. I will have to show him to you later. He has amazing strides." Kira spoke avidly about her new horses. It gave her a lot of happiness to be able to give these horses wonderful homes.

Jason couldn't help but grin as he listened to Kira talk about her new horses. It always lit her face up when she did that and he could do nothing but gaze at her speechlessly. Clearing his throat when he was done, he took another bite of his salad and then nodded at her words. "Yes, perhaps after we are finished lunch. I would very much like to meet this amazing Andalusian stud who has captured your heart." He feigns jealousy and then grins. He would never be jealous of a horse. If it were another man however... Well, that would be a different story then.

Kira blushed again and looked down at her salad and took a bite. She always felt so relaxed with Jason that she forgot herself at times. He was very handsome, for sure, but they were just friends. Right?

After lunch, Kira took Jason around the farm to show him the new horses. He was impressed that she had managed to find such decent horseflesh at the Helping Hands Adoption Agency. Jason had to agree with her about Olimpico XXXX. That stallion, even though he was not colored in anyway, was the perfect fit for her Aztecas. It would give them the grace they would need for their spins and cuts where the stock horse would give them the cow sense and muscle to work the cows. He couldn't have done a better job and he told her so.

"Thank you, Jason. Your opinion means so much to me."

"You are very welcome, Kira. I have to run now, but maybe you and I could uh, go out to dinner sometime. Maybe uh, Saturday?"

Kira blushed from her head to her toes as she looked at Jason, who was waiting for her reply. Did he just ask her out? She swallowed and brought her hand up to her cheek, feeling how warm it was. "Uh, yeah. That uh, sounds great, Jason. I... I'd like that very much." Kira realized as she said it that she meant it. She supposed that she'd always wanted him to ask, but was afraid to make the first move herself. "I guess I'll see you on Saturday then."

"Saturday it is. Until then, Kira." Jason nodded once, tipped his hat and then headed out to his truck. He climbed in and started it up. Jason waved to Kira and then drove off. Kira stood in the driveway staring after the truck thinking to herself, Oh dear, I have a date with Jason Wyman and I have nothing to wear! Then she groaned because she knew that meant a dreaded shopping trip with her sister, Amanda, who was sure to ask why she needed a new outfit before Saturday. She wasn't sure she would tell Amanda why, but it gave her a chuckle as she turned to head back into the barn and then into her office, still blushing from the thought of going on a date with Jason.

Ravenwood Welcomes Six New Arrivals from 3RP!

"Hey sis, just got a call from the airport. They're on their way. I expect we'll see them in an hour or so. Perhaps a tad longer. I heard there was a bit of a ruckus after loading, but everything settled down so they got on the road," Kevin informed his sister, Kira. She owned Ravenwood Farms and had turned it into something amazing in just a few short years. A year after she started the farm, Kevin had come to work with her. There was just something about working with your family that made everything right.

"Thanks Kev. I am very excited about these guys. I can't wait until they get here." Kira smiled at her brother and then kissed his cheek softly before turning and heading into her office in the barn. She had a lot of paperwork to get organized. Horses that needed vetting, shoeing, supplies that needed to be purchased, feeding and pasturing schedules needed to be checked and double checked. The work of a horse farm owner was never finished.

Ten minutes later, a young blonde woman entered the barn tapping a black riding crop against her thigh. Under her arm she held a black riding helmet. She went directly to Kira's office and burst inside. "You have GOT to be kidding me, Kira!"

Kira sighed and massaged her temples as the woman burst in and yelled. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she gave a grin to her younger sister. "What is it now, Amanda?"

"Don't act like you don't know, Kir. It's all over the farm."

Amanda was fuming, Kira could tell, so she decided to be careful with her questions. Lord knew that her sister could, and would, fly off the handle for the simplest things anytime she felt like it. It was the last thing she needed right now.

"I'm telling the truth, Amanda. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Amanda took a hesitant breath and then tilted her head. Perhaps Kira didn't know what was going on. She frowned and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Kira's desk. "So, you didn't order Bryan to take Moon out on the trails today?"

"No. Why would I do that? Bryan is supposed to be working with the yearlings today. Did you say he took Moon on the trails?" Oh, that man was going to be in so much hot water when Kira got her hands on him. For the past two months it has been like this. The guy was completely irresponsible and half the time he was late to work. When he did work, and did what he was told, the work was excellent, so Kira had been reluctant to fire him, but if he didn't hurry up and change his ways, he would be soon out of a job. "Thanks Amanda. When he gets back I will talk to him. He has to stop shirking his work like this. Oh, by the way, they've landed and are on their way here!"

Amanda stood from the seat and smiled at her sister. She had helped pick the horses out this time and so she had a vested interest in this. She was just as excited as Kira was. "Oh! What exciting news. I can't wait to see them in the flesh. I hope their flight was alright."

"I'm sure we would have been told had something happened. Kev said they told him there was a bit of a ruckus when they loaded, but then it settled down. Should just be an hour or so."

"Awesome, Kir. Be sure to ring me when they get here," she said before turning toward the door.

"Sure thing, Amanda. Oh, and make sure to stay out of Gene's way today, hmm? He's grumpy today and you always seem to rub him the wrong way regardless of what you do."

"Yeah, I don't know what it is about that old man. See you, Kir. Call me." Then Amanda disappeared out the office door and Kira was alone once more. Alone with her paperwork. Sighing, she went back to it while she waited for the trailer to arrive.

Feeling the rumble of the truck before it even arrived an hour later, Kira jumped up from where she'd fallen asleep, at her desk, and looked out the office window. A wide grin appeared on her face and she actually fist-pumped the air before moving around the desk and hurrying outside to meet the trailer. She was in the process of texting Amanda when she spotted Kevin emerging from the Stallion Barn with a halter and lead rope. She had a feeling he was excited about the arrival as well. She had two halters and lead ropes herself and by the time the truck parked near the Main Barn, Amanda had appeared with three more halters and lead ropes, handing one of them to Kevin.

The driver and his assistant got out of the truck and came over to Kira. She noticed that the assistant went to start unlatching the trailer and she could already hear the horses moving around inside. The driver handed her a clipboard for her to sign and she grinned broadly. "Thank you so much. How were they on the drive?"

"They were alright, Miss Ravenwood. Couple o' them were bouncing around a bit ago, but we got them settled down just fine."

"Thank you again. Alright guys, let's go get them." Kira was the first to head toward the trailer and she was instantly in love with the whole lot. Unloading first one, then another, she headed toward an unused pasture to give them a bit of unwinding time and to allow them to grow accustomed to their new surroundings. She smiled at the two paint mares she held leads to. Spots of Colour was a white-faced beauty who pranced beside her, ears flicking this way and that as she took in all around her. She had an idea that this girl would fit right into her racehorse breeding program without a problem. The mare on her left, Royals On Fire, was a blue roan tobi who showed a lot of promise in the cow pens. Kira was certain she'd match well with Silver.

Letting them loose into the pasture, she watched them stop, look around once, then take off together. It warmed her heart to see that. She turned to let her sister who was walking with two of the other mares, Lena One Gun and LP Please Pass The Chic, toward her. The similar coats - one golden with flaxen hair, the other golden with dark hair - made such an appealing sight. She smiled when the buckskin mare (Chic) nipped at the palomino mare (Dilli) who simply pinned her ears and snorted at her. Amanda released them into the pasture with the paint mares and Kira leaned on the top rail of the fence as the quarter horse girls took off to join the other two in the field.

Hearing a scream from behind her, she turned around in time to see the last two, being led by her older brother, Kevin, in a dominance battle. Rolling her eyes, she stepped away from the pasture fence, leaving Amanda in control of the gate, and headed to help her brother. Kevin was having a hard time keeping the horses away from each other, fearing for their safety. He was grateful for Kira's help. "Thanks," he said softly when she took the mare's lead.

"Put him in the smaller paddock near the geldings, Kev."

"Sure thing, sis." Then he was leading the buckskin overo Thoroughbred stallion away from the others and Kira had to hold Fashionable Spark's lead even tighter. "No girl, you can go after him. He's no good for you." She smiled and kissed the dunalino roan's muzzle before turning her toward the pasture with the mares in it and releasing her with them. Amanda closed the gate and relaxed. "There, that's done."

"Yeah, but did you see the way A Zillion Rumors was acting? He's quite full of himself still, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he was. What are you thinking, Kir? Sending him back to the track?"

"I am, Amanda. I think he should have another shot. He did finish third in his maiden, after all. He might just win it next time out." Besides, she thought to herself, she had a hunch about him and wanted to see if she was right. "I think we'll have Lena start riding him in the mornings with the others. After he has a couple days to settle down from the ship, that is."

Amanda nodded and looked up as Kevin returned to them, having put the stallion by himself near the geldings. The delivery guy was leaving and Kira smiled at her siblings.

"I think I will send an e-mail to Kara at 3R Performance and let her know that they arrived safely. Amanda, don't forget to send Bryan my way if you see him. You, too, Kev. I need to talk to him."

Kevin nodded and couldn't help the grin that appeared on his face. That guy was working on borrowed time here at Ravenwood Farms. Kira didn't take crap from anyone and Bryan was pushing her buttons, big time! He had to wonder... No, Kira wasn't looking for that. She had the horses. That was her life. Giving Amanda a push, he laughed and jogged off back toward the Stallion Barn where he'd been checking on the boys there.

Amanda huffed, but didn't chase him. Kevin was too fast for her anyway. She turned and headed into the Broodmare Barn to check on the adorable foals and their mothers. It was her favorite part of living here. She got to help with all the babies. That always made her day better, no matter how badly it went.

Ravenwood Has Exciting and Tragic Opening Day At the Races!

The day had dawned cool and foggy, but by the time races began (at ten o'clock) the sky had cleared and the temperature had soared to a blistering 88*F. The first races to run were those for the Standardbreds and Ravenwood Farms had fifteen total running in several of them. The most exciting of these harness races was the 2nd race, a maiden for pacers, where Blank Canvas, a three year old filly, ran in her very first race and took home the win with a length to spare between her and the others. Also of note was the 7th race, the Evergreen Stakes (G3), where Prides In the Chips, a five year old mare, raced in her fifth race and took the win with a half length lead over the rest of the field. Finally, there was the 12th and final race for Standardbreds, the Madison Stakes (G1), where Noble At Nite, a four year old filly, took the wire with an amazing two length lead in her fifth start. Happy about each horse's win, Kira also had two 2nds, a 3rd, three 4ths, two 5ths, two 6ths, a 10th and 11th place finishes.

After an hour break, the Stock Horse and Arabian races began. The horses were raring to go and showed their stuff right away. The most exciting for Ravenwood Farms would be hard to call because there were three very impressive wins for the day. To start with, in the 2nd race, a maiden for stock horses, Cajun Curse, a two year old QH filly, ran in her first race ever and took home the win, a head over the rest of her competition. At this point Kira thoughts ran along the lines of "it's a day of firsts!". The next exciting race was the 13th race, a maiden for Arabian routers, where Baby Blaziet, a three year old Domestic Arabian filly, also ran in her very first race and led the field, wire to wire and finished ahead of the others by a quarter length. Kira was on cloud nine after this win. The final exciting race for Ravenwood Farms was the simulcast of the famous Spots N Dots (G1), a stakes race for stock horses aged 3yo and up, where Skid Row, a five year old Paint gelding, came home to win the race by a nose over the others. Even though she had been unable to attend the race, Kira was elated at the finish and it was made all the better by the other horses Ravenwood had running who brought in five 2nds, a 3rd, five 4ths, three 5ths, an 8th and 9th place finishes.

After another hour break, the Thoroughbred races began. These were the final races that were running this day and it seemed that the temperature felt the excitement because it had reached 94*F by this point and a lot of the horses were sweating as they jigged to the starting gates. Once again, Ravenwood Farms had several exciting races. First was the 1st race, a maiden for 2yo fillies on dirt, where Painted Edges SF, a two year old filly purchased from Southwind Farms, took off in the start of her racing career with a mid-pack run that ended with her a length ahead of her competition at the wire. Not bad at all for her first race. Next was the 6th race, a maiden for 2yo colts and geldings on dirt, where Flash Bang RF, a two year old gelding, sped out of the gate and ran just off the leader until the homestretch where he kicked into gear and flashed to win by an amazing two lengths! Kira and her family were ecstatic at this point with how the day had been going, but were afraid that something would happen to ruin it. The next race that pleased Kira was the 18th race, the Silver Park Route (G1), a stakes race on dirt, where Daddys Dollar, a four year old gelding, managed to keep just off the hot pace that was set for most of the race to drive at the end and sweep past and win by a length and three-quarters. The next was the 28th race, an allowance race on turf, where Creamy Gold, a three year old colt, was able to hold off his rivals and take the win at the end by half a length. The last exciting win for Ravenwood was the 32nd race, the Serenity Handicap (G3), a stakes race on turf, where Baby Blue Eyes, a three year old colt, ran in last for most of the race and at the final turn kicked it into high gear and shot off like a rocket to take the lead by a neck and flash under the wire that way. Oh man, was Kira bouncing in her seat after all of this.

At least she was, until the 37th race which was a maiden steeplechase, the first of what she had hoped would be a new career for La Curiosos, a five year old buckskin TB mare. This mare, having finished out of the money only once in her racing life - and that was in her very first race - had a profitable career on the turf and showed aptitude for jumping so she was retrained for steeplechasing with plans to train as a show jumper when this career was finished. However, the mare never fired in her first steeplechase and though she jumped each fence during the race, Kira noticed how LaLa (as she is fondly called) was eased up in the homestretch and she began to fear for the welfare of her beautiful mare. Kira walked back to the barn with LaLa and her fears came true a few hours later when all the x-rays were examined and the vet told her that it was a tendon injury. Thankfully, it is not enough to deem the euthanasia of LaLa, but her steeplechase career is over. Kira doesn't care about this fact because her beautiful mare is still alive. With LaLa taken care of, Kira somberly takes stock of the rest of the day and ends with six 2nds, six 3rds, three 4ths, seven 5ths, a 6th, two 7ths, two 8ths, and two 9th place finishes.

All in all, it was an exciting, exhausting, and tragic day at the first 2013 race meet. Kira hopes that the next meet brings better results. Hoorah!