The summer moved along. Rio was busy with his duties as riding instructor and stable manager. He continued to work regularly with Zeus and was pleased with the way the stallion was coming along. He felt they would be ready for showing that winter.
He also did his best to keep guests entertained by giving private tours of the hayloft and moonlight trail rides to the secluded clearing in the woods set up for such purposes. Rio had pretty much forgotten about Mark, although he occasionally thought of Zeke.
Toward the end of the season, the men of Stallions and Studs started talking about plans for the coming winter. Seth and Mack, the owners, would, of course, stay on the ranch. So would Wade, Charlie, Sandy, and Todd. They would care for the stock and do general maintenance and repair. Son
