~MADELEINE~

After a long flight to the US I finally landed. Florida here I am. I had worked my ass off for years to get a scholarship to the University of Miami. Along with that I worked so hard to get a job as a proffesional rider around there. I did it. I have a job as a proffesional rider. I got a job as a show jumping rider and dressage rider, well I train the basics with dressage horses. I even have a room to stay at the stables. I walked around the airport and collected my 2 suitcases. The rest would arrive next week but at least I had some clothes already along with my show jumping boots and my helmet. Julius and Elvira would arrive in 4 days and I already can't wait to see them again. I miss my babies already. I found a taxi and went to the stables.

After an hour of driving, I finally arrived at the beautiful stables. I climbed out and a short, chubby man wearing a baseballcap waved at me.

"Hello! You must be Madeleine!"

"Hi! That's me, yes!"

I got my suitcases out of the trunk and smiled at the middle-aged man. He helped me carry my suitcases as he waved me to follow him.

"My name is Frank Brown, the owner of Brown stables. My wife, Odette, is over there. She loves gardening so make sure the horses don't ruin the flowers around here."

His tone was light with a small laugh. The woman, Odette, was planting a few new flowers. She was a slime woman with hair that was beginning to turn gray but she looked like a real sweetheart. I smiled at her and waved back when she waved at me. I followed after Frank towards the tiny apartment complex above the stables.

"You're one of 4 people that live on the stables. The only rider to be honest. My grand-daughter, Morgan is your neighbour. She's a real sweetheart, she will probably come by later on the evening. She can't wait to have someone her age living on the stable property again. The other two are our main grooms. Stefan from Germany and Ella from England, they're both around 35 now. I will call Ella to come get you in 30 minutes so she can show you around the stables and introduce you to your assigned horses and show you your tack room and your lockers for your personal stuff."

"Thank you, Frank. It all sounds wonderful!"

He opens the door of my apartment and I'm in awe. It's beautiful. The living room, dinning room and kitchen are small and in one area but it's gorgeous. Big windows allow naturel light to come in and make the room look more spacious. 

"Wow it's beautiful..."

"I'm glad you like it. Feel free to change the decorations if you want."

"I don't think that's necessary... it's just... perfect."

"I'll leave you to it then huh. See you around Madeleine."

Frank leaves me alone in the apartment. I run my finger tips along the counter of my new kitchen and can't help myself from smiling. I look around amazed before going to open one of the two doors there are in here. I open the first to find a bathroom. It's small but just enough. A simple sink, shower and a toilet. The next door reveals a bedroom. The bed is a two-persons bed and there's a huge wall sized closet. Definitely enough space to leave my clothes in. I look out the window and find out my bedroom view overlooks the outdoor arena. When I walk back to the big windows next tomy dinning table I see acres of grass fields and horses peacefully grazing. Wow... I entered a dream. I decide to go freshen up. I wash my face and change into some riding clothes. I decide on a pair of grey riding breeches of my favorite sponsor Samshield, along with a basic black long sleeve, a black leather belt and black socks. I pull on my dirty white stable sneakers and pull my hair in a ponytail and top my outfit off with a black baseball cap. I open my closet to put away some clothes as I have some time to spare when I find some stable work clothes. A polo, T-shirt, sweater, hoodie, winter jacket, rain jacket and body warmer with logo's of the stables. I pull on the black bodywarmer and then there's a knock on my door. I walk to the door and open it. I'm faced by a brunette with dark brown eyes and a polite smile with a pair of dimples.

"Hi I'm Ella."

"Madeleine. Nice to meet you, Ella"

"Are you ready to go?"

"Oh yes of course!"

"Ah I see you have found the clothes in your closet. You're not obligated to wear it."

"That's good to know, thanks."

Ella and I hit it off immediately. Ella introduced me to the 10 horses I'll be riding. She told me how everything works and what I could expect. She showed me the tack room and showed me my lockers for Julius and Elvira. I even already saw their stables. I even found out that Ella and Stefan are a couple. How cute right! The same passion and job brought them together and after 15 years they still work at the place they met. Too cute. 

"Oh before I forget. There are radios in the crew room. All of them have a label with names so get yours at the start of your day. Make sure to wear your earpiece and microphone at all times. Only on breaks are you alloud to take them off. Always announce you're on break though and when you're back. It makes communicating so much easier and faster."

"Wow that's so clever! I'll try and do it."

"Nobody blames you if you forget the first weeks. No worries, we're very chill here."

"Thanks for everything Ella."

"No worries. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"See you tomorrow!"

"Oh in the crew room there's a whiteboard with which horse you've to ride what day in the week. How you ride them or what you do is up to you."

"Thanks Ella!"

She waves softly to me before she walks off to continue her job. I walk around the barn and suddenly there's a bright smiling red head walking towards me. She's a little shorter than I am but it's close to my height. Her blue eyes pierce straight through my soul with all that happiness.

"Hi can I help you?"

"Oh no... just looking around."

"Ooooohhh such a strong accent. French?"

"French indeed."

"Wait... you must be Madeleine! I'm Morgan your neighbour!"

"Nice to meet you neighbour."

"Wow I've been waiting so long for your arrivel."

She links her arm in mine and I'm taken back by this stranger's affection. I can't help but smile... I think this might become my best friend here....

(1131 words