Fox Ridge, Gifts for the holidays, Book 5: Fox Ridge, #5

By Bonnie Marlewski-Probert

We wrap up the Fox Ridge series at Christmas time with a wedding, some amazingly great news for one of our favorite couples and some hot romance to boot. Be sure to pick up the first four books in the bestselling Fox Ridge series so you can enjoy the journey that our favorite characters, Katherine, Brandon, Jimmy, Brenda, Jennifer and Carl have taken since the very beginning. Happy Holidays!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bonnie Marlewski-Probert
• Release date: Sep 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386191773

Bonnie Marlewski-Probert

Bonnie Marlewski-Probert is an international bestselling author. Her background includes 20+ years as a professional teacher, trainer, speaker and author for the horse industry. She is the author of more than 26 books and has published more than 1000 magazine articles around the world in a wide variety of markets both in and outside the horse world. She started writing as a professional while still working fulltime in the horse industry, both as a syndicated columnist and freelance magazine writer before she signed her first book publishing deal. She founded Whitehall Publishing in the early 90s and has published the works of hundreds of authors from around the globe in both fiction and non-fiction, including everything from biographies, children’s books, religious works, WWII fiction, how-to books, fund raising works for non-profit organizations, medical works and more. Her firm has published award winning books and has produced dozens of bestselling authors in the process. Bonnie splits her time now between running Whitehall Publishing, working with animal-related non-profits (Therapeutic Riding Centers, Dog/Cat Shelters) and on her free time, writing contemporary romance. If you are a writer looking for a way to publish your work while maintaining creative and financial control, visit whitehallpublishing.com.

Book preview

Chapter 1: Ian Rides Jupiter

Carl and Ian returned from taking Curious George to his new home with Patty and her family before noon.

How did it go? Katherine asked, knowing there was something going on between the two men.

I'm glad I had a chance to go with Carl to drop off curious George. The Matthews have a beautiful farm, and Patty is adorable!

I appreciate you both taking George home so I didn't have to do it.

Ian, you've never seen any woman cry more than Katherine. She'll cry over puppy videos on social media! everyone laughed.

Oh, no, you're not one of those emotional women are you? You didn't strike me as a softy, Ian said, laughing.

If I'm working with the 1400 pound angry horse, I'm tough as nails. But, when it comes to 10-year-old little girls and their ponies, I'm as girly as they get! Hey, have you two had lunch yet?

No, we came straight here from the Matthews, Carl said.

The Jennings are coming here at two o'clock to watch Ian and I work Jupiter. If you two want to head out to lunch now, you'd have plenty of time to still get back here by two.

Ian, are you hungry? Carl asked. Both Katherine and Ian smiled at each other when Ian and Carl’s eyes met, filled with mischief.

I'm always hungry! the three shared a good laugh. Jimmy was in the aisle sweeping as the three were having their conversation and while he heard everything, Jimmy had no idea what they were talking about and couldn't understand why going out to eat was so funny.

Well then, Carl you have a responsibility to make sure that Ian's needs are met, so he's fit to ride it at two o'clock.

Carl and Ian returned by 1:30 that afternoon, 10 minutes before the Jennings arrived in the rental car. Ian and Carl pulled Jupiter from his stall and had him saddled and bridled shortly after his owners had arrived.

Katherine explained her training philosophy with Ian as he worked Jupiter on the flat. I want you to think of him as the best employee that's ever worked for you. If that employee came in to work in a bad mood, would you punish them?

No, I did want to find out what was wrong, Ian said as he worked Jupiter in a 20 meter circle at a posting trot.

Exactly! So if this horse does anything wrong, instead of immediately going for punishment, what I did was give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he had a good reason for the bad behavior. From that point on, I saw it was my job to find out what that good reason for the bad behavior was and fix it.

Is this how you handle all horses? Ian asked sincerely.

This is how I handle all really intelligent, talented horses. Just like Stewart could tell you in his business, not all employees are the brightest bulbs in the lamp.

Have you met my employees? Stewart and Marilyn both laughed.

Katherine smiled at Stewart and said, I don't know of any business that has either all good employees or all bad employees. There seems to be always a mix and as a result, there is no cookie-cutter way to deal with employees. The same is true with horses. So, in answer to your question Ian, Jupiter is an exceptionally smart animal that I considered to be an equal partner over fences. There's no getting around it, if he doesn't make it over the fence, neither do I so it's in my best interest to do whatever I can to help him want to get over the fences.

I think I get it now, can we take him over some fences?

Absolutely! We set up a low line on the far wall. If you want to use it as a warm-up. The opposite line is big and complex striding. I set it up that way to help you learn to trust him over big fences. He's really smart, if you give him have a chance, he'll take good care of you. My hope is that by the end of the ride today you'll see just what a good guy he is so that when you take him home, you'll trust him to do his job while you focus on doing yours.

Over the next 20 minutes Ian jumped Jupiter successfully with no refusals. I'm guessing your shoulders hurt?

They sure do! Ian said happily.

How did you know that? Stewart asked.

When an open jumper likes his job, he'll drag his rider down to every fence he can get to. Jupiter likes his job once again so if you cantered him toward a parked car, he’d be looking for an opportunity to jump it! As a result, instead of trying to convince him to jump, Ian is spending his time holding him back, and that creates sore shoulders the rider.

I'm so proud to see that my Jupiter is back! Marilyn exclaimed.

What do you think of him Ian? Katherine asked.

He jumps like a dream. He's confident, eager and you can feel how much he wants to jump. You sure solved his problem Katherine. He's a change horse, Ian said, patting Jupiter on the neck as he walked him around the arena to cool him out.

So you're confident you can keep him tuned up in California? Katherine asked.

Now that I understand the approach that you came up with that works with him, yes, I believe I can keep him tuned up and winning in California.

While Katherine was delighted to see how well Ian and Jupiter got along, there was a part of her that was secretly sad to recognize he’d be going home soon.

Katherine you did a great job with our horse. When we get back to California, I’ll make arrangements to have him shipped home. I'll tell the shipping company to contact you so you know when they're coming.

That'll work, Katherine said smiling.

I don't know that our Jupiter is going to want to come home after being at Fox Ridge, Marilyn said sadly.

I know I'll miss him, Katherine said sincerely.

Oh no, are we going to witness waterworks by both women now? Carl laughed.

I don't know about Katherine but I know my Marilyn will cry at the drop of a hat!

Katherine is just as bad. That's why Ian and I took George home this morning. If Katherine had taken him, she'd still be there weeping, everyone erupted in good humor.

I don't cry over everything, just things that are sweet that touch your heart. I like to think that makes me human! Katherine said in her defense, laughing.

Exactly, that makes both Katherine and I very human! Marilyn chimed in, still laughing.

Well it's getting close to dinner time. Ian and I can put Jupiter up. Why don't we all go out to dinner? I know you’re planning on heading back to California tomorrow, but if you have time this evening, there’s a wonderful Italian restaurant about 30 minutes from here, Carl suggested. Katherine could see he was looking at Ian and wanted to spend more time with him before saying goodbye.

That's a great idea. Stewart, Marilyn are you game?

Sounds like a plan, Marilyn said.

Katherine looked at her watch and said it's 4:30, why don't we all plan on meeting at the restaurant at 6:30 and that'll give you time to head back to the hotel, freshen up and still have plenty of time to meet us there. The restaurant is 30 minutes from here, but it’s only 10 minutes from your hotel. I'll give you the address so you can plug it into the GPS in the rental car.

I'm looking forward to it, Stewart said, watching you both work Jupiter has built my appetite!

My Stewart would eat 24 hours a day if I'd let him, Marilyn said, reaching up to kiss him on the cheek.

If you and Marilyn would like to head back to the hotel now, I can drop Ian off when we finish up with Jupiter in a few minutes, Carl suggested.

That works for me, Stewart said.

Stewart let me get you the address for the restaurant before you leave, Katherine headed into her office with Stewart close behind.

Ian and Carl spent the next 30 minutes together stripping and grooming Jupiter before getting into Carl's truck and heading back to the hotel.

Katherine invited Brandon to join them for dinner, which he did. The party of six had a wonderful dinner, shared a lot of laughs and everyone was optimistic about Jupiter's future.

You know, I wasn't kidding when I invited you to come for a visit to California, Stewart said to Katherine and Carl over dessert.

I appreciate the offer Stewart, but as I mentioned before as a business owner I married to my business so I can't leave but Carl, if you wanted to go for a visit, I can certainly cover your book. Katherine said looking Carl in the eye knowing how much he wanted to go.

Carl, you're certainly welcome to come home with us tomorrow morning! Marilyn interjected enthusiastically. We aren’t going to leave until almost lunch time so you'll have plenty of time to pack a bag and you can stay at the house if you wish.

Marilyn, Carl could stay at my place. I have plenty of room and you know how single guys are, Ian laughed.

I remember when I was a single man, my apartment was always a wreck, Stewart laughed.

I don't want to inconvenience anyone, Carl said sincerely.

It's no inconvenience, our private jet will carry 10 people, so there's plenty of room if you'd like to fly home with us tomorrow. You can pick up a one-way ticket back to North Carolina in a few days, flying commercially if you want. Carl looked over at Katherine for some assurance.

Well, then, it looks like that's settled, we have one more guest coming home with us tomorrow on the plane! Marilyn said with delight.

I appreciate the invitation and I'm looking forward to seeing your farm, Carl felt Ian take his hand under the table and squeeze it gently.

You're going to love California for so many reasons, Ian said enthusiastically.

Brandon watched as Katherine encouraged Carl to take the Jennings up on their offer. He'd never witnessed her matchmaking skills before and found she was very good at maneuvering things to Carl's benefit. He found himself smiling, remembering that just days earlier he’d thought Carl was hitting on her, only to find out from Carl that he was actually gay.

Chapter 2: North Carolina Heads to California

The following morning Carl stop by the barn before heading to the airport to fly to California with the Jennings.

As he entered the barn, he found Katherine in the aisle with Jimmy doing chores. Hi Carl, Jimmy said.

Hey Jimmy, how’s Brenda?

She's doing really well. Thanks for asking, Jimmy said enthusiastically.

Great! Katherine can I talk to you for a minute in your office?

Sure, the two headed into Katherine's office and closed the door behind them.

Katherine I want to thank you for what you've done.

Someone close to me recently played Fairy Godmother to me and as a result Brandon and I are together. I'm just paying it forward. Do you like Ian?

Very much!

I want you to be happy Carl. That's all I want for you. I have some big news I was planning on sharing with the staff tomorrow morning but since you'll be sunbathing on the West Coast, I'd like to share it with you before you go.

What's the news? Carl's eyes lit up with anticipation.

Brandon proposed and I accepted. We’re getting hitched! Katherine whispered enthusiastically.

That's great news! Carl whispered, when's the big day?

We haven't gotten that far, but I'd like it to be sooner rather than later so I don't have to keep hiding his truck in the garage overnight, so the neighbors don't talk, they both laughed. Well you better get moving. I don't want Ian worrying about where you are.

Katherine thank again.

You're welcome. Now come over here and let me give you some North Carolina shugga before you leave for California, Katherine said, opening her arms up to Carl, giving him a warm bear hug. I'll cover your book until you get back. Just give me a call and let me know when you're coming in and I'll pick you up at the airport.

You're the best, Carl said, hugging her tightly. I better get going. I don't want to be left behind!

You bet, it's a long walk to California from North Carolina.

Chapter 3: Moving Forward

That morning over breakfast, Brandon and Katherine discussed their future.

If we’re getting married, we need to figure out where we’re going to live, Katherine leaned back nibbling on her buttered toast.

You’re right. With two houses and two businesses between us, I guess we‘re going to have to figure out a lot of details.

What do you think about moving your practice here? We could live at Fox Ridge and run both businesses out of the same location.

Working out of the same facility would give us more time together and it would cut down on our monthly overhead.

"We could kick out