Chapter 11
The first thing he saw was a large mobile home parked near the farm house which was obviously undergoing a major renovation. He drove on towards the barn, an old, classic, red Dutch barn with its gambrel roof. Beside it, and connected to it by a sort of breezeway, was a large pole barn. It looked brand new. Dan surmised this was an indoor riding arena. Next to it was an outdoor arena surrounded by a white, vinyl post and slat fence.
Dan parked his truck and went into the barn. “Whew,” he whistled as he looked at what used to be the milking area. The stanchions were gone. In their place were eight horse stalls, four on each side. One row of stalls ended in what Dan supposed was a tack room, the other a feed storage area. Beyond that was an area set up as a wash rack.
Two of the stalls were occupied. In one was a white horse. Next to it was a liver chestnut with a thin white blaze. They turned their heads toward him as he walked down the cement aisle covered in rubber mats. The white horse nickered softly.
Dan raised his cap and ran his hand through his hair. Wow, this guy must have some dough to afford all this.
Dan walked up to the stalls. He could tell immediately these were quality horses. He reached in and petted their noses through the bars.
“I see you’ve met Shadow and Sugar,” a deep voice said, from behind him.
Dan turned to see a very tall, handsome man standing with his hands on his hips at the end of the aisle. The man was grinning at him. Dan judged him to be at least six three or four. He had blond, close-cropped hair, still wet from his recent shower. Smiling blue eyes met Dan’s from behind a pair of wire framed glasses. He was wearing shorts and a tank top and it was obvious he took good care of his body. While not bodybuilder muscular, his frame showed evidence he worked out with regularity.
“Scott Wagner,” the man said as he walked forward and extended a hand.
Dan took the offered hand. The grip was firm. “Dan Parker. You’re doing wonders with this old place.”
Scott looked around and smiled. “Well, I’m working at it.”
Dan liked the man’s smile and easy manner. “I understand you want a vet check?”
“Yes. I want to get horses for my twin daughters, Sarah and Susan. They’re eleven and about as horse crazy as you can get. They’re taking lessons and now want to start showing. Their riding instructor recommended these two. I have them here for a two week trial. The girls haven’t seen them yet. I wanted to make sure they were okay before they did. You know little girls, once they see them they’ll fall in love, and then if the horses aren’t right it’ll be hard for them to give them up.”
“The girls don’t live here?” Dan asked, wondering how Scott was keeping the animals from being discovered.
“Well, during the remodeling I’m living alone in the trailer. They’re in town with their mother.”
“Okay, let’s get to it. These guys look pretty high quality. Are they papered?”
“Yes, I have their registrations and shot records in the tack room,” Scott said, and started for the far end of the aisle.
Dan followed, trying not to stare at the man’s well-formed ass as they walked.
They entered the tack room. At present the saddle racks and bridle hooks were empty. But Dan could appreciate the efficient design.
“Here you go,” Scott said, handing Dan the papers that he took from a built-in cupboard drawer. “I’m told they both have pretty good show records. They’re old enough and well-trained enough that they seem perfect for Sarah and Susan.”
Dan perused the forms. They were both Quarter Horses. The white horse’s official name was Shadow of Cierra. He was the son of a well-known champion, Mito Cierra. The stallion had sired many champion level horses. Sugar was the daughter of Corona Cody, another well-known Quarter Horse champion stud. Her registered name was Cody’s Shining Lady.
“What do you think?” Scott asked. “I know nothing about horses and I’m taking this all on the word of the girls’ instructor, Holly Parker. Do you know her?”
“Not personally, but I’ve heard good things about her. Isn’t her logo Winning With Kindness?”
“That’s right. Well? What do you think?”
“They sure have the bloodlines, that’s for sure,” Dan said, continuing to look over the registrations. He was impressed with both horses’ lineages. “And their shots are up to date. Let’s get started on the exam, and we’ll know more.”
Dan and Scott led first Shadow, then Sugar into the indoor arena. Dan was once more impressed at how much Scott was willing to invest in his daughters’ happiness. The building was spacious and well-lit from the sun that filtered through the frosted fiber glass windows around the top of the arena. Whoever had advised Scott on the footing had done well. The depth and consistency of the sand floor was perfect.