Marcy felt like a small child who had been brought before the principal. "I shifted my weight to the left and threw Spanky's balance off. He had to adjust his position to compensate for my improper seat. That caused him to miss the landing." Kat merely nodded. "All right let's try again. This time, don't make the same mistake!" Once again, Marcy positioned her horse for the two obstacles. This time she was determined to do everything correctly; just as much for Kat as for herself. She took the practice lap around the perimeter to settle her nerves. Kat could sense her uneasiness. "Relax babe, remember to stay one with the horse; focus on the obstacle, one at a time, and let the tension go. What you feel, the horse feels."

Marcy executed the first single bar flawlessly. With all the concentration she could muster, the small woman guided the huge animal effortlessly over the higher obstacle. The landing was a little rough, but not as rough as the previous attempt. All in all for a first try, Marcy did quite well, and Kat was quick to acknowledge that fact. "Great job Marce; see I told you, you could do this!" Marcy's chest puffed out with pride at her best friend's praise. "Yeah, I did didn't I? Way cool!" The look that passed between the two friends was, for an instant, more than just friendly, if only... "Don't get carried away with yourself; it's only your first lesson ya know. Let's go cool your buddy out." The horse nickered his agreement and off they went.

Marcy swung her leg over Spanky's withers and slid to the ground. She turned to slip the reins over the horse's head, and stopped short. Kat couldn't suppress the chuckle building deep in her gut. Smartass, Marcy thought; I'll show you. "Spanky, head." Obediently, Spanky dropped his head within easy reach of Marcy's grasp. She took the reins away from the withers and slipped them over the large, gentle giant's head. "Humph, looks like you've been teaching Ol' Spank a few tricks. Understandable though under the circumstances." Marcy's head snapped up and she whirled on her friend. Jabs about her height inflamed her instantaneously. "Well not all of us are 6' Amazons with long arms and legs that go on forever y'know." Duly reprimanded, Kat begged for forgiveness. "Sorry Marce, I know you're sensitive about your height. I should be more in tune to your feelings. Forgive me?" Marcy always felt bad after she lost her temper like that, but...oh damn; this is her best friend and partner. She knew she shouldn't overreact. "Oh of course I forgive you, ya big oaf. I should realize that high up in the atmosphere you'd be suffering from oxygen deprivation." With that jibe, Marcy took off as fast as she could with Spanky trotting along behind. "C'mon Spank, I'm toast." Kat gave her friend and steed a good head start and then followed, her long loping strides chewing up the turf with every step. "You're toast anyway, squirt."

At the same instant, the friends sprung on each other. Rounding the corner, the two women engaged in a full frontal assault and drenched each other thoroughly. They screamed, with shock, when the cold spray hit their bodies at the height of the midday Virginia heat. Still, neither wanted to be the one who would back down first. The ruckus, the two women were causing, the screams and laughter attracted the attention of the other boarders and barn staff. The friend's reputation for practical jokes was well known, and the entire barn population, horses included, seemed to enjoy the antics of the two. Before long the group, watching the display was increased by two.

One, was a silver haired man, in his mid-sixties, well over 6' tall, and weighing more than 200 pounds, loomed over the small crowd. While definitely retirement age, Travis Worthington was nowhere ready to quit working. Worthington, of Worthington Textiles, people said, had more money than good sense. He had lost his beloved wife some seventeen years earlier, and with no children,Travis spent his money on his passion: horses. The textile mills were in the hands of a CEO and Board of Directors, but he still held controlling stock, and therefore, the pursestrings. Nothing was done without his knowledge and approval, belief to the contrary notwithstanding.

Argonaut Farms was named for his biggest and most beloved passion, his palomino mare Argo. Kat had been his trainer for the past eighteen years. Travis could see a great deal of talent and potential in the angry seventeen-year-old kid, but it was Travis's wife Eleanor, who actually convinced Travis to give Kat a home. The first six months were pretty rocky, but eventually, things evened out a little. And, when Eleanor died, both Worth and Kat, needed comfort from the other. And so, they moved on from a damaged past, and built a strong bond that has endured all these years. They had seen each other through the most traumatic time of their adult lives, and were stronger for having survived it.

Kat obviously had a way with horses, and an affinity for communicating with them. Worth, talked Kat into training his horses for him in return for room and board. Worth provided Kat with a loft apartment in the barn, which served her purposes quite well. After that time, he threw all his energies into running the farm. Kat's talents blossomed, and she became a world-renowned trainer, and branched out on her own, but never forgot her loyalty for Travis. Training his horses always came first, even before her own. It took a little talking, but Travis talked Kat into bringing her horses here ten years previously. Travis and Kat had a good working relationship, but he acted more like the father she had lost, and she acted more like the daughter he never had.

In addition to room and board for she and her horses, Worthington paid Kat a healthy retainer to train his horses, for which he was rewarded with numerous Grand Prix Championships, and several horses were named AGA Horse of the Year. Argo was the most famous horse Kate had trained and showed for Travis. In fact, she won the gold medal at both the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the Pan Am Games prior to the '96 Olympics. The golden palomino held a special place in both their hearts, and had been retired after the Olympics. Now Argo raises babies for the farm, and is taken out occasionally for a pleasure ride around the farm, or a cross-country jaunt. Kat still was the only person, aside from Travis, who was allowed on her back, and for Kat's thirty-second birthday, Travis presented Kat with Argo's first colt, appropriately enough named Argo the Second. Already, the three-year-old filly was showing the potential to be as good as her mother.

The woman strode purposefully toward Marcy and held out her hand. "May I?" she asked casually looking at the hose. Marcy didn't know what to do. She looked first at the lady and then at Kat, who only shrugged. "Well, I---I---I guess..." The woman took the hose and turned on Kat. "Aahh Lady, I don't think you want to do this," Kat growled menacingly. The woman was undaunted. "Ya think?" Kat backed up a step or two to give herself more room to maneuver. "All right, if you're sure, give it your best shot." Simultaneously, both women fired their "weapons" drenching the other, neither one backing down one bit. Finally, they stopped, stared angrily, and advanced one trying to intimidate the other. They stood nose to nose, or more like nose to chest, but the smaller woman was not showing any signs of fear whatsoever. The tension was palpable, and if the other two weren't sweating, Travis and Marcy certainly were.

Kat couldn't keep the tears that fell onto the fine parchment she held in her hand. Even in her advanced age, and state of health, her mother's delicate, precise script hadn't diminished. Was this letter all she would have left of her beloved mother? Her life was full of regrets, but the way she left her home near Athens was one of the biggest. She'd live with the guilt and shame all this time. Pride, anger, hate...

The argument had been heated to say the least, angry words spoken on both sides...

Damn coward, or has Stavros bought you off too.

The pain caused by the hand that slapped Kat's face, didn't hurt nearly as much as the thought of who it was that had delivered the blow. Never before had her mamma raised a hand in anger to her.

That was eighteen years ago, and Kat had never returned to Greece in all those years to see her mother. As far as she knew, her mother hated her and never wanted to see her again. Her stupid pride and anger had gotten in the way. Her fingers felt something solid inside the envelope. She dug around and retrieved a small golden cross on a simple golden chain. This belonged to her mother and had been in the family for as long as anyone could ever remember. Tradition held this simple emblem be passed down to the eldest child, in each succeeding generation, at their mother's death. Since Kat was the eldest, she would have received the object and her mother's blessing. She ran her fingers reverently over the religious relic. "Oh mamma, I'm so sorry; I've missed you so much. I love you." She wrapped her arms around Bas, rocked back and forth and wept silently for the mother she lost so long ago.

The three friends stood silently outside in the courtyard that separated the barn from the house and grounds. Marcy was noticeably worried. "Worth, don’t you think maybe you should go in and see how Kat is? She's been in there an awfully long time." Worth thought for a minute, and replied. "What about you; you're her best friend?" Marce gently laid her hand on Worth's arm. "I don't think she needs a best friend at the moment; right now she needs her papa." Travis took a tentative step or two before he turned back to the two women. They both nodded, and he continued on his mission.

About that time, Travis came back to where Kat and Marce were talking. He crouched down to be at eye level with Kat. "Hey 'Legs', you feel a little better?" Kat nodded slightly as she drew a finger along the cross, and burrowed herself deeper into Marcy's embrace. She knew she was playing with fire, but it just felt too good to move.

True to his word, Travis had taken care of all the arrangements to get everyone safely to Rome. Kat and Marcy, with their rather large entourage, consisting of trucks, horse trailers, veterinarian, and grooms arrived separately from Worth. He and Nikki arrived in his limousine to Washington International Airport. Of course, Kat was more concerned with getting the horses settled on the huge private transport plane. Actually, the logistics of getting two seventeen hand, 1400 pound stallions on board the transport was quite impressive. The horses were unloaded from their trailers, wearing blankets, shipping boots, to protect their legs, and specially padded headgear, in case they might rear up. Next they and their handlers were loaded into a box stall-like elevator that lifted them to the plane's cargo doors. From there, they were led to their individual stalls for the duration of the flight to Rome. During the flight, the horses had access to hay and water. The farm's vet, Dr. Michael Case traveled in the cargo hold with the horses to monitor their condition.

Marcy leaned closer still and ran her tongue all along the outside of Kat's ear and nibbled and licked the lobe. Then without warning, she took the lobe into her warm soft mouth and sucked gently. She continued to tantalize Kat with her treatment of her neck and throat next, eliciting almost painful sounding little whimpers from Kat. Soft butterfly kisses and nips traversed her skin until Marce had reached Kat's neck and pulse point, which she attacked like a limpet, refusing to let go. Kat's senses were on overload, and the resulting shockwaves settled directly in her groin. She could feel the wetness seeping from her center, soaking her panties and jeans. Kat, regretfully, pulled Marcy away from her neck and when blue met green the world melted away, as did all the doubts and fears of a lifetime. Still, Kat had to know, for sure, before she let this go any further. "Marcy what are you doing? You have no idea where this will lead do you?" Marcy studied Kat's beautiful face. "Yes, I do," she said simply, and pulled Kat's lips toward her's for their first kiss.

Their lips met softly, at first, but in short order the passion escalated. Marcy opened her mouth and ran her tongue tentatively, but gradually more forcefully, over and between Kat's lips. The sensation was at once sweet and arousing. "Open up for me baby; let me in, please." Kat couldn't resist and opened her mouth and literally sucked her soon to be lover's tongue inside her warm oral cave. Tongues battled for control in an age-old dance of love. Knees and legs became weak, no longer able to hold bodies up. Moans of ecstasy came from deep down in their throats. No longer could the kiss continue without air, so the two broke apart reluctantly. "WOW!! I had no idea kissing you would be this good." Marcy's natural exuberance poured forth, and she again dived in for another passionate kiss. Kat, always ready to indulge her friend, accepted the heated passion of her new lover. Again tongues explored caverns and teeth gently bit and pulled lips sensuously. Marcy broke away, and whispered. "By the Gods, I want more. I want all of you, everything. I want to see you, feel you, touch you, taste you...love you...but I don't know how. Teach me please." Kat would like nothing better than to just rip Marcy's clothes from her body and ravage her until the plane touched down in Rome, but she couldn't, wouldn't.

"I can't." To say Marcy was in shock would certainly be true. "I don't understand...I... oh god, I feel like..." Kat stopped her with a sweet, loving kiss. "I mean, I can't, not here, like this. Baby we'll be in Rome soon. Please, let me wine and dine, and seduce you properly. I want to make love to you in a huge soft bed with silk sheets caressing our bodies. I want soft pillows for you to lie against while I lay between your legs and feast on your ambrosia. Honey will you let me do that, please?" It was more than difficult not to continue with their loving after the sweet romantic description of what Kat wanted to share with her. "That sounds wonderful, I guess I can wait for something that good." Kat took her friend's face in both hands and placed soft sweet, almost chaste kisses over the entire surface. "I promise it will be even better. Now, ya s'pose we better eat this feast you brought back her for us? I am a little hungry." Marcy kissed her lover gently on the nose, and then poured the wine into the two glasses. "Here ya go, I hope you like it." Kat smiled, her heart full of love. "I'm sure I will." Kat tipped the glass toward Marcy's and clinked the two together. "To us, my love." Marcy replied in kind, "Yes, to us, for always."

The beautiful brunette shook her head at the little blonde who had changed her world in less than twenty-four hours. The joy and enthusiasm, with which Marcy attacked each new day, was a total wonderment. The little bundle of energy didn't have a mean bone in her body, and delighted in seeing only the good in people. But maybe the most amazing thing to Kat was the total unshakable faith her friend had in her. Most times she was positive she didn't deserve that trust. But take it she would and try in every way possible to live up to that faith. Where to begin...

The Contessa Lucia Maria Antonia de Medici. Yes de Medici, from the famous Renaissance Florentine family. Lucci wasn't born into the famous family; she married into it. Some would say, she calculated, seduced, bedded The Count, and the rest was history. The truth is actually quite different. You see, it was The Count who calculated, seduced, and bedded Lucci for her fortune, which he didn't get.

Lucci had her own claim to fame, and didn't need the man or the de Medici name. Lucia Maria Antonia was the founder, designer, and driving force behind one of the most famous haute couture houses in the world. Antonia was simply the be all and end all in fine fashion. Her fashions rivaled the best of the best: Armani Christin Dior, Chanel; you name them she'll beat them. Her reputation for being a genius in design, and ruthless in her climb to the top, and the ability to stay there over the years, is legendary. At fifty-five, she had risen to the top in the fashion world, from beginnings in abject poverty. Born at the end of the Second World War, she never knew her father; her mother was a prostitute, and Lucci was on her own from the very start. Lucci worked, scratched and clawed her way until she had amassed a fortune that would rival an Arab Sheik.

Kat had met the beautiful designer twelve years ago, well after her renown as a Grand Prix rider and trainer had been established. Travis and the designer had a long-standing business arrangement; Lucci buys all her fabrics from Worthington Textiles. Worth introduced the designer to the trainer, and they had, an albeit brief, but discreet affair. Fortunately their friendship survived the affair, and they had been friends since. Kat had even got the designer interested in the horse business and found and trained several show jumpers for Lucci. The Villa de Antonia, just outside Rome, where they would be staying, has a complete, up to date, training facility, including barns and riding rings. Kat designed the horse set-up, of course.

The wheels had barely hit the tarmac before Kat was up and through the cargo hold doors to supervise the deplaning of her equine charges. The miracles of modern technology had made the process much easier, but when dealing with very large, very powerful animals was factored in, anything could happen. A fractious horse could do a great deal of damage to equipment, handlers, and himself in very short order. Fortunately, Joker's Panache and Kings Command were seasoned show horses, and used to traveling, in all sorts of accommodations, and took in the goings on with the same stoic attitude the species is noted for. That isn't to say horses don't get bored, and when Pan's mischievous streak surfaced, anything was fair game. But evidently, Pan decided to behave himself, and the unloading concluded without incident. Satisfied her charges were in safe hands, and since they had been quarantined, in preparation for the impending trip to Europe, the customs personnel completed the necessary vet check in short order. The horses were loaded into a luxurious van Lucci had provided. If nothing else, Lucci's horses traveled in style.

When Kat came around the plane's fuselage, to join her lover, she was engulfed in by a pair of delicate, but strong arms, and sucked in by a passionate kiss. The designer was still a very beautiful woman. Her shoulder length red hair framed a lovely face. The woman's high cheekbones, dark brown eyes, and olive skin tone, typical of Mediterranean people, made quite an impression. Her 5'7" frame was voluptuous, and all the right body parts were accentuated nicely by the skintight black leather jacket, pants, and boots, that finished off the ensemble. Naturally, the greeting Lucci heaped upon her surprised Kat, but not nearly as amazed by as the chain of events, which followed. Marcy sprung into action like a lioness protecting her cub. The Italian femme fatal was forcibly torn from her passionate embrace, and the usually mild mannered accountant was all over the designer. Kat, in a state of total shock, could only stand there with a stupid look on her face.

"Listen, you...you...you barracuda. You--keep--your--lips--off--my w-o-m-a-n!" A finger sharply jabbing into to the red haired Italian bombshell’s chest punctuated each word. The forward movement of the angry little woman accompanied the jabs, and all Lucci could do was back up under the onslaught. But Marce was far from finished. "I know all about you and your escapades, and if you think I'm going to stand by and let you move in to my territory, you have another think coming, little missy!" The last was punctuated by a particularly forceful jab that pushed the backpedaling women's momentum over the edge and she landed with an undignified thump onto the tarmac. Marcy towered over the babbling, cursing, but duly chastised woman, ready to pounce given the slightest provocation. The commotion encouraged a small crowd to gather, and of course Michael had to put in his two cents. "Oh goody, a cat fight." The lascivious remark earned 'the look' from the dark haired Amazon, so the good doctor found somewhere else to be. "Shouldn't you be with Pan and King. Equine veterinary medicine is your specialty after all, not felines." Dr. Case took the advice to heart, and disappeared into the horse van, and Kat took the opportunity to move forward to extricate the two would-be combatants.

Marcy felt two strong, muscular arms grip her securely around her waist, and pulled her away from the prone woman. "Marcy! What's gotten into you; c'mon cool your jets." Kat could have imagined several scenarios, but the one that played out, was the last thing she would have thought to happen. Marcy rounded on her, and unleashed a tirade that would have made a sailor blush. "What's gotten into me?! Are you serious? We spent the night in the cargo hold of a jet airplane! The only thing that kept me from burying my face between your legs and fu...Oh my God..." The crowd that had gathered, including Travis and Nikki, were all but gut rolling, on the tarmac, in raucous laughter. An icy glare from Kat stopped that display, sort of. She turned to the now mortified blonde and said, "Yes?..."

Marcy couldn't speak; she wanted to run away and hide, but her feet wouldn't move. Fortunately Kat's could; she moved forward and pulled her soulmate into her arms in a comforting embrace, while the blonde burst into tears. She had never been so embarrassed in her entire life. "Hey it's okay baby, I was wondering how I was going to break this to Lucci, and now I don't have to wonder anymore. I may not have been quite so vocal, but perhaps this is best. A sharp knife, plunged in quickly, hurts the least and leaves the least jagged scar. I love you, and I'm proud to know you would fight for me." Kat loosened the embrace and raised Marcy's chin to look into tear-filled emerald eyes. "Do you know how that makes me feel?" A gentle shake if the head was her only answer. "No one has ever fought for me before, but to have you fight for me makes me feel very, very, proud." Having said that, Kat brought her world close to her and kissed the lips she loved so much, gently at first, then more passionately as the kiss escalated. A cough and throat clearing behind her broke the kiss. "Go away!" Then, the kiss continued.

Travis had gone over to help the disgruntled Italian designer up off her duff. "Well, looks like you'll just have to settle for an old Southern Gentleman, darlin'." Lucci gave him a dour look, as she dusted off her derriere. "I wouldn't exactly call that 'settling' my darling." She threw her arms around the tycoon, and kissed him soundly. "It's good to see you my friend." She cocked her head to the two women still locked in a passionate embrace. "Does Katrina have any idea what she has gotten herself into?" Travis had a grin plastered from one side of his face to the other. "Not the slightest sweetheart, but she better learn quick, or Marcy will sure 'nough take her to task. Hey, y'all gonna stand there all day, or are y'all comin' with us?"

Lucci navigated their way through the airport to the exit designated for private planes landing and departing almost continuously. Customs personnel checked the Americans luggage and personal belongings in a perfunctory, cursory way, and the travelers emerged to the street and the sparkling white stretch limo awaiting them. Lucci was nothing if she wasn't flamboyant, and making spectacular entrances and exits was very important to her career and reputation. Her life style fit her natural hedonistic tendencies, and she lavished herself in creature comforts. And she made no apologies for her rather conspicuous consumption.

While Marcy was far from destitute, she was in no way accustomed to this kind of decadence. When she and Kat traveled, they traveled quite comfortably, but not to this extent. Kat, on the other hand, was used to hard work, but also enjoyed the creature comforts too, but not the attention that usually accompanied celebrity, and she was a celebrity in her own right, more so here than in the states. Show jumping and dressage were far more popular, by the general public, in Europe than it was in the states, and the riders were looked to like Michael Jordan or Dion Sanders were back home. So, while in Europe, it was easy for Kat to fall back into a way of life that was engrained in her from birth.

The thirty-minute drive to Lucci's home was a pleasant one. the limo’s wide tinted windows afforded a panoramic view outside, without allowing prying eyes to spy on the car's occupants. The beautiful Italian countryside spread out before her eyes was wonderfully varied. They passed vineyards and estates, as well as small farms where Italian farmers tended their crops and livestock. The car had to stop for a short time, while a farmer and his dogs herded a flock of sheep crossing the narrow highway. Lucci noticed the younger woman's rapt attention on the pastoral scene passing before her eyes. "So, Marcy is this your first trip to Europe?" Lucci inquired. "Oh no, Kat and I have traveled quite extensively throughout Europe to horse shows, but generally, we have been so busy with the shows and the horses, that we don't have a lot of time to sightsee. This is a real treat, and your country is fantastic. I can't wait to see your home; I'm sure is it quite beautiful. Thank you for inviting us, and I can't say how..." The rest of her statement was cut off by Kat's elbow jabbing into her ribs. Kat leaned over and whispered. "No apologies, remember?" The statement was reinforced with a gentle nibble and kiss, on said ear. "Ah ummm, well thank you for your hospitality."

The long driveway leading up to the villa was lined on either side by tall poplar trees, and ended in a circular drive in front of the impressive home. The architecture was definitely influenced by Ancient Greek and Roman designed, with huge columns and wide, open verandahs running the length of front portico. The ornately, carved door was opened by a butler dressed formally in black suit and waistcoat. The man was very prime and proper, right down to the white gloves on his hands and spit polished shoes on his feet. He was very British indeed. "Charles, please see that our guests are shown to their rooms and made comfortable. We'll have dinner on the patio, at 7:00, I think." The butler nodded, "Very good mum." As if on cue, two young men promptly stepped forward, and collected their bags.

Lucci motioned Travis and Nikki to follow her up the long wide staircase, to the second floor. Worth was deposited at his room first, and Nikki followed Lucci and Carlos, who carried the bags, on to another room several doors down and to the right. When Lucci opened the door, she said, "I hope you will be comfortable here. This is one of my most favorite rooms in the entire house." She directed Carlos to set the bags down at the foot of the bed, he nodded and left. "Oh Lucci, this room is really phenomenal." She moved to a set of double glass doors leading out to the balcony, and stepped outside to take in the view of the fountain, pool, and surrounding grounds below. When she turned around, Lucci was taking in her compact, muscular frame with obvious lust. "Tell me Nikki, do you ride? The villa consists of several hundred acres, and I have a rather nice stable of horses. I'd love to show you around, if you'd like." Nikki moved toward the redhead and stopped only when the two were but a breath apart. "I've been known to go for a good ride every now and then. I would love you to show me what you have here." Lucci walked over to the phone near the nightstand, picked it up, and spoke, "Charles, delay dinner; I'll call you when I'm ready. Oh, and Charles, I want no interruptions. Do you understand?" A slight pause, "Good, see to it then." The Italian beauty turned to find Nikki already lying nude on the bed. "Now, are you ready to show me what you have?" Nikki growled seductively.

In the meantime, Charles led Marcy and Kat down a long hallway on the main floor. The vestibule so was impressive, Marcy couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the house must be like. She had never even imagined living in a place like this, and she couldn't help but wonder how all the little curly cues high up on the walls got dusted. Finally, Charles stopped as the downstairs maid opened a door and led the two women inside. A young man put the bags down on a chest at the foot of the bed, and both he and the maid left. Charles turned to leave, and once near the door, he said, "I hope you find these rooms suitable; if you need anything don't hesitate to ring. Dinner will be promptly at 7:00pm." He bowed stiffly and left. Kat flopped down on the bed. "Y'know, I'll bet if it wasn't for the stick shoved up ol' Charlies' ass, he couldn't stand up." Marcy turned, and she too bounced down on the bed. She playfully slapped Kat on the arm. "Gee, thank you for sharing that visual."

Kat had to shake her head and try very hard not to laugh at Marcy's reactions to all this 'stuff'. Her baby just wasn't used to such opulence; when they traveled together, Marcy took care of all the finical arrangements for booking tickets, making hotel and dinner reservations, etc. Marcy certainly didn't have the typical 'bean counter' mentality; she wasn't the least bit tight fisted, but she was very careful how she spent Kat's money. She didn't spend her own any more extravagantly either. And in a deal! Wow she was really something. The woman loved to shop and always got the most ‘bang for the buck’. Kat had always had money, and while she didn't flaunt her wealth, she didn't worry about money either. It was a tool to her, every bit as much as a saddle or bridle. Marcy's wide eyed wonderment made her think a little more about what she had, and she promised herself she'd learn to appreciate it more.

Kat stepped into the barn, and was greeted by the soft knickers from King and Pan. "Hey guys, how ya doin’, get all settled in, and feeling good. Well you better get some rest, ‘cause in a couple of days, we’re going to work." The horses gently nuzzled Kat’s chest looking for their horse treats. "Yeah, you two can’t fool me. The only reason you like me is ‘cause I give you treats." A gentle nudge from the two stallions produced the desired result. "Here ya go; now don’t say I didn’t give you anything." The huge equines took the apple, flavored treats gently from the palm of Kat’s hand, their cotton soft muzzles tickling her skin. Lucci’s horse facilities were really top notch; after all they should be, Kat designed them. Being in the barn, after all these years brought memories, both painful and happy, flooding back to the rider.

Lucci and Kat had met in a time in the trainer’s life when she was wandering aimlessly from one show to another, amassing all kinds of trophies and accolades, but no one to share them with. While Lucci was by no means a saint, and Kat knew their affair would never last very long, she did at least teach the lonely, lost woman one thing: not everyone was out to hurt her and take only what they wanted and then leave. More than that, Lucci taught Kat how to control her emotions and her affairs. Kat vowed she’d never be hurt again, and she learned the power she had over her own life and the direction it would take. Lucci taught Kat many things: her sense of style, what clothes to wear, and how, to leave just the right impression. She learned how to style her hair and apply her make up to create just the right affect. After Lucci was through, her creation was not only stunning, but also deadly. When they ended their passionate, tumultuous affair, they did so on a happy note. There were no recriminations or hard feelings, and through the years a strong, lasting friendship remained. Still, even with everything Kat had learned from Lucci, it took a certain small, blonde caring, loving, and understanding woman to come into her life, and before this night was over, Kat was determined to show her just how much she loved her.