She had hoped they would have time to ride all the way to the sea and back, but such an adventure would have taken far too long. She satisfied herself, therefore, with a jaunt eastward, along the roads and trails through her father’s farmland and endless fields of growing, ripening grain.

They rode eastward for about an hour, then turned to make their way back to Lebenshaus.

Meanwhile, Baron von Dortmann and Thaddeus McCallum sat chatting together in the rose garden.

“Have you recovered from your morning of unusual experiences?” asked the baron.

“I think so,” laughed Thaddeus.

“Quite a boy, that son of yours, Thaddeus,” said the baron. “I’ve grown fond of him already.”

“I would say the same thing of your daughter.”

“What’s it been like for him, being raised by a busy father and spending his teen years in a foreign country?”

“I’m afraid it hasn’t been altogether easy on him. And you’re right, I have been busy, perhaps busier than I ought to have been.”

“You occupy a position of importance.”

“Perhaps. But the time goes so fast, you know. Suddenly they’re practically grown. I haven’t spent near the time with him I should have.”

“He doesn’t seem to have suffered. He and you have what appears to be a good and communicating relationship, and he strikes me as a well-integrated young man.”

“He is,” replied Thaddeus. “I feel very fortunate, especially in that he takes so well to my job and our surroundings. I think he likes being part of the diplomatic world.”

The two fathers continued to chat, while on another part of the grounds, their son and daughter had turned the horses back toward the house.

When they were about a kilometer from the estate, suddenly Sabina broke into a gallop.

“Race you back!” she called out over her shoulder.

Matthew did his best to urge his horse into a run, but he was no match for her. As his steed bounded over the uneven terrain, it was all he could do to remain in the saddle, hanging on for dear life.

Within two minutes Sabina was flying over the stream and reining her mount in at the foot of the road leading up the knoll to the stables. She stopped and turned in the saddle to watch Matthew’s approach.

She saw instantly that her challenge had been foolish. The horse, caught up in the excitement, tore across the ground, and Sabina could tell that Matthew was far from secure on its back.

“Rein him in!” she cried.

Even if Matthew heard or made the attempt, there was no visible slowing of the mighty creature. Already the Belgian was gathering itself to leap over the stream. Fearing the worst, Sabina immediately dug in her heels and chased toward them, hoping to intercept horse and rider before the situation grew any more dangerous.

But it was too late. Into the air they both flew.