The next morning found Peter at his kitchen table with papers sprawled around him. He sipped his coffee slowly, not ready to begin his first real day of work. The half-started shopping lists, financial documents, and jumbled notes the previous owner Mr. Thompson had left for him swam in his mind as he considered the mountain of tasks ahead of him.

Working with horses was what Peter loved more than anything. He had experience, too, working for other horse trainers and breeders. But his dream for as long as he could remember was to run his own land with his own horses. Had he been too confident when he bought this place? His parents had tried to warn him off, telling him how difficult it would be. He always knew it would be tough getting started, but he felt suddenly like he didn't even know where to begin. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Good morning!" It was Ellie, in a sunny yellow tank top with work overalls and boots. "This place is beautiful in the daytime," she said, looking around her at the land. "I should have visited Mr. and Mrs. Thompson more when they lived here. She turned back toward him with her hand shielding her eyes, smiling and squinting in the sun.

"Uh, what are you doing here, Ellie?"

"We said we'd help, didn't we? Besides, it's a slow day for us and I've pretty much done my chores."

"Thank you, but I'm not really sure if I've got anything for you to do. I'm not even sure where to start myself, let alone what to ask for help with."

"Well, we'll figure that out," she said with a shrug. "Now don't be too grateful," Ellie warned teasingly, "We like to help people out so they owe us free labor later on."

Peter laughed. Normally he was a private person, and wasn't used to this sort of involvement in other people's business. Not that he was uncomfortable with it. Ellie had a knack for putting people at ease. And he had a feeling that Ellie Phillips would not take no for an answer when she offered help, even if she never intended to call in the favor.

"Anyway," Ellie continued, "the first step is always the hardest. Why don't you give me the tour; I'm sure there's plenty to do around here."

They grabbed a notepad and set out walking the property, making notes of everything that needed to be done and the tools he would need. The stables were in desperate need of cleaning and repair, and the roof would need to be fixed up before any big rain. A bunch of fences had fallen, but not as many as Peter had thought. They made it to the forested riding trail, Peter's favorite part of the property.

"This is really lovely," Ellie said, looking up through trees, spinning as she walked.

Peter nodded. "It'll be great once I get it cleared out. There's all these fallen trees up ahead."

"Well that's perfect!" Ellie responded, immediately turning toward him.

"In what way is that perfect?" said Peter, confused by her sudden bout of positivity.

Ellie laughed. "My dad just got a new chainsaw for his birthday and he's just dying to use it. We don't really have enough trees at our place for him to try it out on. He'll be thrilled. And he'll want to invite some buddies, if you don't mind."

Truthfully, Peter minded a good bit having a bunch of strangers get involved. But he couldn't clear that trail on his own, no matter how much he'd like to.

Back near the house, they checked out the old chicken coop and overgrown vegetable garden. "Are you planning to keep chickens?" Ellie asked, and he shook his head no.

"I hadn't really thought about it. But I'd like to get the coop fixed up at some point later on. And the garden too. I probably won't have time to plant anything for this year, but I'd like to get it weeded and maybe put down a cover crop in the meantime."

They made it back to the house after a few hours and had a late lunch of sandwiches while discussing Peter's plans.

"So, the elephant in the room: where're all the horses?" Ellie asked jokingly. "Or at least, are you planning to buy some?"

"Well I actually have two, but they're still being boarded at the place I used to work at. I've arranged to get them moved out here in less than two weeks."

Ellie nodded thoughtfully. "Then we'll start with the stables. They're not in bad shape. Just the roof and— ah, is there a spigot or a hose? We'll have to check out the tool shed. Then the fences hopefully within the two week period, and then the trail."

They quickly made up a detailed to-do list and sorted out what equipment Peter needed to buy. Though he'd been overwhelmed that morning, Peter did have a good grasp of his budget and how far it would get him. Most of his know-how was horse-specific, but Ellie's more general farm experience and knowledge helped fill in the gaps. There are few problems in the world that a fresh set of eyes can't help solve.

"Thanks for everything today, Ellie, really," Peter said as she started heading out the door.

"Sure. Let's head into town tomorrow and hit up the hardware store," Ellie replied.

"Oh you really, really don't have to do that." He was overwhelmed and a bit burdened with gratitude as it was.

"I want to!" Ellie said, and before he could get out a response, she had jogged halfway up the drive.

"Seriously! You don't have to!" he called out after her, knowing even if she heard it she wouldn't listen. She did hear, and just turned and gave him an exaggerated shrug and continued on.

"Thank you!" he called out one last time.