Ned was nervous, he had not seen Benjamin Collier in years. Benjamin was a good friend of the Logan family and when Neds father died the friendship grew stronger. He couldn't think of a man alive that he respected more. Benjamin and his son, Steven, had moved from town shortly after Clay was born. Benjamin's brother in-law was ill and needed someone to take care of his horse farm. That was the last time Ned had seen Benjamin. They had been writing back and forth ever since. Ned told him everything about the kids, and asked Ben's advice on the horses and life. Ben would write about his farm and give updates on Steven, who when they were kids was like a brother to Ned. They got in plenty of trouble together. Stories Ned has successfully kept from Sean and Clay.

Steven was a business genus. He could take the worst company and turn it around in days. They stayed in touch the best they could; Steven came back for Libby's funeral, which meant the world to Ned. Steven knew what it was like to loose someone. Shortly before he and his father had moved to town when Steven was 8, his mother left. Neither he nor his father ever found out were she went. Benjamin never discussed it.
 
He read his letter from Benjamin again.
Ned,
I have something I would like to discuss with you. We will be arriving in Kentucky on Saturday the 5th. We should be able to be to the Logan farm by eleven o'clock in the morning. I hope our visit does not inconvenience you. I will be renting some rooms in town for us temporally. We may be staying for some time. So if you know of somewhere that would accommodate 3 that would be helpful. I am looking forward to seeing you and meeting the rest of your family.
My love to you and yours,
Benjamin.

He had something he wanted to talk about. 'Accommodations for 3?' 'What was this all about' Ned thought I can't believe I'm this nervous. Maybe I'm more excited than anything. He wanted the children to know Benjamin and Steven, the way he knew them.

"Pa, what time are they supposed to be here?" Asked Sean.

Ned was startled "11:00"

"It's a quarter after,"

"I know" Ned replied.

"Why are you so jumpy?"

At that moment Lexy came running down the stairs. "Are they here yet?"

"No Lexy not yet"

"They could be lost," Lexy said.
 
"I doubt it. Lexy, find your sister and see if everything is set for lunch. I will find you when they arrive."

Ned started to pace. Clay and Jeremy came in, "Pa" said Clay.

"No! They are not here yet!"

"Who's not here yet?" asked Clay.

Ned flashed him a stern look. "I have been telling you for days that Benjamin and Steven were coming today."

"Oh I forgot". Clay said.

Ned shook his head. "I'm going to wait outside". Just then, he heard a horse. "I think they are here!"

Everyone came outside. They only saw one horse. Why did Benjamin come alone? What happed to Steven? Thought Ned as he waved to his friend.

"Benjamin!" He yelled. Benjamin had not changed much sense the last 20 or so years. He was a robust man. With a thick graybeard, and a somewhat large girth.
 
"Hello Ned, bring your family out to the road there's going to be a race". They all ran to the road. Ned reached up to shake Benjamin's hand. Ben stayed on his horse.
 
"I think you should all move a bit," he said. He had a red scarf in his hand. He raised his arm and lowered while yelling go! Everyone's head snapped to look down the road.

Two figures came down it. The horses were galloping at a breakneck pace. Ben kept his eye on his watch. Ned finally saw that one of the riders was Steven. The other rider pulled ahead of Steven, made a break away and passed Benjamin. Steven came in a margin behind.
Ben and Steven were laughing. Steven got off his horse and hugged Ned. "How are you old man?"
 
"As old as you my friend." Ned said laughing.

Steven stood the same height as Ned, and light brown hair. His hair and face were full of dirt from the race.

Ben came off his horse to give Ned a great big hug.

"It's so great to see you two." Ned said holding back a tear.
 
Just then everyone heard a woman's laugh. " I have been, am, and will always be a better rider then you, Steven Collier." She yelled riding toward the group.

"Ned, I would like you to meet Catherine Collier". Said Ben. Steven made an attempt to help her down.
 
"I think not love," she said as she jumped down.

Ned smiled and held out his hand nice to meet you, Ned Logan,
 
"It's very nice to meet you Mr. Logan I feel like I know you already." She began.  Ned was surprised to hear an English accent.

"Please call me Ned, This is my family."

"Stop," said Catherine, "let me guess. These handsome men must be your boys." She looked at Sean; "You're Sean, the oldest right?"

"Yes ma'am." Sean said with a smile

"You're a successful tobacco grower and are involved in the town's government. Is that correct?"

" Yes ma'am," Sean said again, amused.

Ned studied her as she spoke to the children. Who was she? When did Steven get married? Why didn't he tell me? She was lovely. Only slightly taller then Alice with long full red hair to her waste and small waste at that. She must be around 30 years old. Although her face was dirty from the ride she has a warm smile he thought.

Catherine then looked at Clay. "Then that makes you Clay." He nodded yes. "I understand you're excellent horsemen."

Clay beamed, "how did you hear that," he asked. From Ben here, I guess he heard it from your father. Clay flashed a huge smile as he looked at Ned.

"And the two of you must be Alice and Lexy."

"Yes I'm Lexy and she is Alice. You ride really well," said Lexy.

"Well thank you and you have a trophy I need to see! You are the Jr. champion jumper right?" Lexy was grinning from ear to ear.
 
Catherine moved to Alice, "Well Mr. Logan the house is still standing so this beautiful Alice must be working harder then ever."
 
"What do you mean," asked Alice?

"Well your father wrote that if you weren't here the house would fall down around him."

Now it was Alice who was smiling.

Catherine then noticed Jeramy.

"I'm sorry," she said." I am at a loss as to who you may be."
 
"Jeremy, Jeremy Bradford," he said holding out his hand.

"Oh your Mr. Logans 3rd son, your from New York! I have spent sometime there myself I would just love to chat with you about it!"

"Sure," said Jeramy

He was proud to be called Ned's son, especially from a complete stranger. He looked at Ned and Ned gave him a nod of approval. At the same time catching Clay’s disapproval.
 
"Wow," whispered Sean to Ned. "She sure knows how to make a first impression." Ned chuckled in agreement

"Catherine," said Steven, "I let you win you know. "

"I doubt that!" She exclaimed. "Sure the horse could do it, but not with a big lug like you on its back!"

Everyone  laughed.
 
"Where did you get your horse?" asked Lexy.

"Would you believe that I won him in a poker game?" She replied.

"You're kidding?" said Clay.

"No, young man I'm not! I never joke about a horse!"

"Wow," said Lexy. Catherine smiled at her.

"It's nice to see someone can have good luck playing cards" said Clay.  Jeremy knew that Clay's comment was directed at him.
 
"What's its name," he asked to change the subject.
 
"Rose Petal, but to make Steven happy we will race him as Thorn."

"Now then, Mr. Logan is there a place where a lady could wash up?"

"Where's the lady?" asked Steven.  Catherine gave him a light punch in the arm.

"Yes," said Ned, "Alice, why don't you girls take Mrs. Collier upstairs. We will meet you in the house for lunch in a few minuets And Mrs. Collier please call me Ned.
 
"Why are you calling me Mrs. Collier?"

" Sorry, Catherine," he replied.

"Ned, I brought you some of your favorite cigars," said Benjamin. "I thought we could enjoy them while the men folk here have a talk."

"Well ladies it's a good thing we are leaving," joked Catherine, "That's sure to be dreadfully dull. Steven would you be a dear, get my bag, and see to Rose Petal"

Steven untied her bag and threw it at her.

"Thank you ever so much" she said between her teeth. "Why I ever bother with you is a constant wonderment to me."

"Catherine, Steven you two behave!" said Benjamin.

Ned watched them walk to the house Steven and his wife have an interesting rapport he thought to himself.

"So Ned what do you think of Catherine?" asked Steven,

 "I think you have your hands full!"

The men all laughed a Ned's joke. About Catherine Steven, said Ned.

Catherine is a long story Ben interrupted. Let’s get down to business.

Ned was confused "So Ben what did the three of you come all the way to Kentucky to talk to me about?"

"Well you see the horse Catherine was riding? I want you and your boys here to train him. I'll pay you whatever price you want."

"Does he have what it takes," asked Clay?

"Catherine says he does," replied Steven. "If she says it, it's true. She hasn't been wrong yet. Although the name she gave him may give him some confidence problems!"

"Don't you have your own farm?" asked Sean.

"Used to, that damn brother in law of mine died and left it to his 2 stupid kids. They will be broke in a month. Lucky for me that my boy here invested my money well and we can live off of that. I wanted to come home. You Logan are all I have left. I want my family to be here." Ned smiled, that sounds like a fine idea. "I'm sure we can work something out." The only thing is the horse does belong to Catherine. She is very picky on how he his treated. She will pick the rider.
 

To be continued…