Taking the Reins

Putting her journalism degree to use, Samantha Barclay is a writer for New York-based Compass, a lifestyle magazine. Sam has thus far failed to make the cover feature, her Editor, Amanda Carter, telling her that while her writing is technically good, her stories lack the personal feel that would be cover-worthy. Upon learning the news, Sam, in it being personal albeit emotionally difficult, decides with Amanda's enthusiastic blessing to write about this year's Northeastern Equestrian Championships hosted by her parents, Preston and Bonnie Barclay, at the family farm, Meadowbrook. Sam was once considered national team worthy as a show jumper, but stopped riding altogether three years ago when she lost her way, it at a time of the dissolution of her marriage to trainer Luke Travers, who she felt didn't support her, and she in turn losing focus, which led to a strain between her and uncommunicative Preston, that strain exacerbated by she leaving the sport to pursue writing full time in New York. Upon her return to Meadowbrook, Sam learns two important items that will factor into her stay: that Preston, unable to find anyone else, has chosen to be the host farm's rider in the jumping competition despite his advanced age and despite he not having jumped competitively in years; and that her parents have hired Luke temporarily to be the facility's trainer specifically for the competition. Getting over the initial animosity, Sam and Luke discover that there is still a spark between them. With love never an issue, they will have to find if that love can overcome what drove them apart. What will factor into what happens between them is Sam: discovering the reason why her parents at this stage of their life have decided to host the event for the first time; discovering why it is so important for Preston to win the competition, and; finding her way in life and within the family, especially in relation to Preston.