I led Tessa through the aisle that led to the indoor arena.  It was currently not in use, which was surprising.  

We stepped out onto the sand and I spread my hands out again.  Above us a beautiful ceiling soared upward almost like a cathedral, and light streamed in from the windows on the sides.

"This indoor is 180 by 60.  It's heated and air conditioned.  It's set up so it can host shows.  And it has a viewing place up there."  I pointed above our heads.  

Tessa nodded.  "Impressive.  Why are the sides curved like that?"

"To keep the horse away from the wall and you from getting your leg rubbed."  

"Hmm.  A good idea."  She knelt down and rubbed the footing beneath her fingers.  "Oh, quite soft."  

I nodded.  "We mostly do dressage and flatwork in here, most of the jumps are located in the two outside arenas.  Of course, if there's a chance of rain during a show, we'd move it in here."  

"Is this the only indoor arena you have?"  

"Oh no, there's a second one.  It's slightly smaller than this one but still very nice."  

Tessa smiled faintly as she looked around it.  "I assume we we'll be riding in this one."  

"Of course."  I winked at her.  "We might go out and try some of the jumps too if you want, and maybe a little cross country on that course your friend was admiring."  

I could hear the sound of hoofbeats coming up behind us, most likely someone coming to school in the arena, so I led her towards the opening in the side of the arena.  "This indoor connects to the first outdoor arena."

Fresh sunlight greeted our face I opened the gate and we stepped out into the outdoor.  There was one rider there, who was schooling a gray Arabian.  

I didn't know her very well, but I had seen her around several times.  I found her interesting.  Her Arabian naturally had her head high in the air all the time.  Yet instead of using the usual methods that I knew to get her on the bit, she did something different.  What I didn't know.  

But now, as we watched her, her Arabian, who's name I believe was Flyaway, was trotting along with her nose practically on the ground.  I wasn't sure if this was any better than what she'd been before.  And it was a mystery to me as to how she'd coaxed her into getting her head that far down.  

I turned back to Tessa, about to say something, but was stopped by the knowing look on her face.  She was watching the pair enraptured.  I looked back and forth between her and them.  

The pair began to change the rein and the Arabian's head lifted slight as they went through the turn.  Tessa's fists clenched slightly.  "No, keep the contact, move forward," she whispered to herself. 

Flyaway seemed to listen to Tessa as she put her head back down and kept it there through the second turn.  A small grin blossomed on Tessa's face.  

But it could not have competed with the smile on Flyaway's rider.  She sat down and leaned back slightly.  Flyaway shifted down to walk.  Her head came up for a moment but then dropped back down.  Her rider patted her neck and we could faintly hear her praising the mare.  

It was then that she noticed us.  She waved, and turned Flyaway towards us, obviously coming to say hello.  

Tessa actually spoke before me.  "That looked wonderful, so soft and flowing.  Her back was up, she was stepping under herself..."  

Flyaway's rider beamed.  "It felt absolutely amazing.  It took two months of work to get it there.  She's just so sensitive."  

Tessa nodded.  "I know what you mean.  It doesn't take much to throw them off, does it?" 

The rider shook her head.  "No.  Not much at all."  

Tessa and this girl just seemed to 'click' in a way that Tessa hadn't clicked with the rest of Vantage Point.  I had to admit, it irritated me, because this girl seemed like the type of girl that Tessa would have sold Challenger to.  

The rider turned to me.  "You're Vanessa Ireden, aren't you?"  

"Yep, that's me."  

She gave me a half grin.  "I've watched you ride several times.  You've got good balance."  

I straightened slightly.  "Thanks."  I glanced to Tessa, realizing this rider didn't know her name.  "This is Tessa Wellen.  She's visiting."  

"Welcome to Vantage Point, Tessa, I'm Cassie Longsworth.  I hope you enjoy your time here."  

Tessa nodded.  "Thank you.  So far from what I've seen, it's a impressive facility."  

Cassie nodded.  "That it is."  She looked around the huge outdoor, which had colorful jumps of various sizes strewn about.  "It has its faults though," she said as she locked eyes with Tessa.  

Tessa looked down with a smile.  "I know.  Everything does.  That's just the way life goes."  

There was a moment of silence before Cassie picked up Flyaway's reins.  "Well, I've got to keep schooling Flyaway and I'm sure you've still got much more to see of Vantage Point."

I nodded curtly.  "Yes, we've still got a lot to go.  Enjoy your ride."  My tone was very polite.  I wanted to grab Tessa by the wrist and drag her away.  

"Yes, enjoy.  Oh by the way, it might help if you keep a steadier contact, let her know she has something to stretch into," said Tessa as we turned away.  

"Thanks, I'll try that."  

When we were out of earshot, Tessa spoke.  "Why were you so curt back there?"  

"I have a stable to show you, and not much time left to do it."  

Tessa was silent for a moment. "We've still got over a half hour left, we're fine."  

I didn't reply to that.  "I'll show you the cross country course next."

  Our course was every eventer's dream. It had three water complexes with banks and jumps, ranging from beginner novice to advanced. We also had many jumps of varying height, width, and complexity. It sprawled over 30 acres and had trails that branched off for those at Vantage Point who just wanted to trail ride.

"How high have you competed Challenger?" I asked as we came up to a bank.

Tessa rested her hand on it. "Training. We might try for a Preliminary Modified at the end of the year. That's our goal, at least."

Inwardly I scoffed. Challenger had the potential to go Preliminary Modified in roughly two months, he could be competing Preliminary by the end of the season. Tessa really did baby him.

"I know what you're thinking."

I glanced at her. "What?"

She raised her eyebrow at me. "You think that I'm taking it too slow, too easy, with him."

I wouldn't deny it. "Yeah, I mean, you are. He could easily compete Preliminary by the end of the season and Intermediate next year."

"Could he?" She challenged. She turned to face me head on. "You're right Vanessa, physically he could. But mentally? To push him that hard would not only keep him from the upper levels, it would also unravel everything we've accomplished at the lower ones."

She placed her hands on the bank and hopped up on it. "Furthermore, I'm not ready. I've only competed up to Training Level, with preparation for Preliminary in training, with the horse I had before Challenger, Jigsaw."

I didn't miss how her voice caught at the mention of this 'Jigsaw.' I hopped up on the bank with her. "What happened to Jigsaw?"

She reached down and ripped up a handful of lush green grass. "He... He died suddenly from a bout of colic. We don't know what caused it."

I bit my lip. "I'm sorry. I know... What that's like."

She nodded. "Challenger came after Jigsaw's death. He wasn't meant to be mine, we were going to train him as an advanced lesson horse for our stable." She looked down and laughed. "Or so I was told."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I half-wonder if my parents didn't buy him in hopes of snapping me out of my grief. I mean, it was pretty obvious it was going to take a lot of work for him to be a lesson horse, if he would be at all. But I don't know that for sure." She brushed away her theory with a wave of her hand and pinned me with a direct gaze.

"I'm glad you invited me here Vanessa, I truly am. Your offer for Challenger is very generous. It encourages me that you think he has so much potential. But you should know, right now, that I will not sell him."

Her voice was as firm and final as if she'd signed her signature in ink.

And I knew she was right. And that I had been a blind fool.

She loved Challenger. Truly loved him. And no amount of luxury, of money, of anything would be enough to cause her to sell.  

AN:  Well, looks like Vanessa has finally come to her senses, at least a little bit.  

I don't have a lot to say here, other then that there's a little surprise possibly coming in the next chapter.  I don't know if you'll like it or not because it doesn't have a whole lot to do with this book, but it's there anyway ;) 

Oh, and if you make it through the next few chapters, congrats!  I'm sorry they're a little off and funny feeling, it's first draft problems.