Engaged at Heartland

After 17 hours and 40 minutes on the road and 1044 miles, Ty pulled the old GMC truck into Heartland ranch. It was about 5:30 am that Saturday morning.

As Ty turned off the truck lights and engine, Amy stretched and leaned over to kiss Ty. He kissed Amy back and hugged her. Both got out of the truck and grabbed their garment bags and carried them to the front porch. As they open the screen door to enter, Jack walked from the kitchen and gave Amy a big warm hug and extended his free hand to shake Ty's hand.

"Welcome home Amy... Ty...", said Jack.

"Grandpa... we missed you", said Amy.

"It is great to be home Jack", said Ty. Both Amy and Ty sat heavily in kitchen chairs while Jack poured coffee for them all.

Jack felt a sense of positive change seeing Amy and Ty come home 'together' for the first time and not separate from each other.

As they drank coffee, Amy showed off her engagement ring to her grandpa.

"That is a beauty... who knew this guy have an eye for jewelry...", teased grandpa.

"Well, we know he has a good eye for choosing a wife...", said Amy.

Ty was blushing a bit, "I just know a blessing when its in front of me". Ty was awash in the moment thinking of the fatherly love of Jack and the love for him shown by his future wife.

"I'll always be thankful that I was lead to this place to become part of this family", said a misty eyed Ty.

"Well, you two clean up a bit. Ty, you can use the couch for a few days", said Jack, as he noticed both could use some rest time. "We'll talk more later this morning..."

"Thanks...", sighed Ty.

"I'm going to hit the shower and clean up first", Amy said as she got up and walked to the bathroom.

Jack stood up to go do chores, "Congratulations Ty, welcome to the family son" and he left Ty smiling and feeling a part of something larger than himself again.

Ty sipped only a little coffee and decided to lie down on the couch. As his head hit the soft arm of the couch, he fell asleep from the long drive home.

Meanwhile Amy finished her shower and put on faded jeans and a work t-shirt and a loose fitting blue and white checkers blouse. She went to the kitchen to make some breakfast.

Amy heard a noise and as she turned, there stood Amy's sister Lou with her baby niece. Lou gasped and Amy walked over to hug her older sister. "Amy... it is so good to have you home... when did you get here?"

Amy said, "Ty and I pulled in about an hour ago".

Lou said, "would you like to hold your niece?", and Amy smiled excitedly.

Lou handed the baby girl over to Amy. As Amy took her, Lou noticed the ring on Amy's left hand and gasped... "AMY... Oh my gosh... your not... you are... you and Ty?"

Amy's smile widened into pure joy at having shocked her older sister. "Sis - I am joining you soon... as a married woman... Ty proposed in Colorado... we are getting married!"

Lou screamed for joy, "It's about time!" Peter come into the kitchen and realized something was up. Ty woke up and walked over to stand next to Peter. Amy gave Ty the baby and she hugged her older sister.

"So, would you be my maid of honor? without being a control freak?", Amy teased.

Peter stared dumbstruck, then saw the ring on Amy's finger and broke into a smile of recognition. Turning to Ty, Peter shook his free hand... "congratulations Ty". Ty said thanks as he held Peter's daughter snuggly.

Lou accepted Amy invitation to be her maid of honor. Amy put her arm around Lou and the looked at their men. "You know Amy, I think Ty might look good with his own son or daughter in his arms..."

Amy blushed a bit, "Let's keep things in their proper order, Ty and I are engaged, the wedding is a little ways off."

Peter said, "do you two have a date yet?"

Ty said, "nothing definite yet, but we would like a fall wedding... and we are thinking about balancing school, working and where to live".

Lou asked, "so you would not live at Heartland?", Amy's sister was disappointed but understanding.

Amy stated, "we hope to live in a place that balances distances between school and work... maybe up near highway 22 if a place is available."

Ty added, "we are just getting started and have not looked for places, but we would welcome your input and help".

The family enjoyed breakfast together for the first time in several months.

That Sunday, Ty took the church address that Dean and Ann had given him and attended at service. Mountain View Church was on the western foothills of Calgary near highway 1 - a 60 kilometers from Heartland. Ty met the pastor and agreed to see if Amy would come next week.

That afternoon, Amy and Ty decided to ride Spartan and Harley across the river valley and toward Mrs. Bell's place. Amy brought along some blueberry preserves as a gift.

Ty knocked on Mrs. Bell's front door and shortly they were greeted by the white friend of Mrs. Bell - Sugarfoot. After greeting Sugarfoot, Mrs. Bell came out and hugged Ty, then Amy. "Welcome back to you both".

"Mrs. Bell, we are some grateful for you letter to use while we were away from Heartland", said Ty. Amy helped her to the outdoor porch swing. "We brought you a gift", and Amy gave her the jar of preserves.

"Why thank you Amy". Mrs. Bell, even in her 80s, was a sharp observer and the new diamond ring on Amy's left hand was noticed. "So, I suppose I can safely deduce that you Ty and you Amy... you both are ready to be a team for a lifetime?", as Mrs. Bell took Amy's left hand in hers.

Amy smiled and immediately gave Mrs. Bell a hug, a tear forming in her eye. Each time it was revealed that she was getting married to someone, tears of joy leapt to her face. "You dear lady... you mean to much to Ty and I... to us".

Mrs Bell replied, "Well getting married suits you two... you know". Ty recalled her advice over the past couple years. She continued, "Ty dear, could you go in and get a couple glasses of lemonade for us?" Ty jumped up and headed inside.

Amy asked, "How did you know what to write in that letter Mrs. Bell?"

"When Ty was having issues last year, I tried to guide him... not knowing if it would take hold in his heart". Amy thought about the previous winter with the Clydesdales.

Mrs Bell continued, "Even last summer, I told Ty I wanted to help him with his university. I was worried about him, his temptation to travel thinking he was missing out on the world..."

Amy knew that feeling. "Last year was tough for Ty... for us".

"I told Ty that I thought the two of you worked well together, but you needed to be pulling in the same direction... that when his flight or fight response hit him, that he should stay and fight".

Amy sat quietly considering how Mrs. Bell's advice had shaped Ty's actions the past year. "Some of what you say fills in pieces of the puzzle... thanks Mrs. Bell".

Ty came back from the house and served the drinks.

On Monday morning and throughout the day, Amy and Ty entertained visitors and friends wishing them a welcome back, only to find they were engaged and thus raising the excitement level. Caleb and Ashley along with Mallory were all excited and congratulatory, but sworn to silence from telling Soraya.

Perhaps the excitement was brought to a new level when Amy and Ty drove to town for supplied Monday evening. Stopping in front of Maggie's, Ty and Amy considered how to break the news to Soraya - Amy's best friend.

Amy and Ty decided to load supplied with their work gloves on their hands at the loading dock then pay Soraya at the counter. Once the supplies were loaded, both entered the back door and came to the counter. Soraya immediately shrieked in delight at seeing Amy.

After hugging each other, Soraya hugged Ty as well. "I am so glad you guys are back here in Hudson... how was school in the states?"

Amy smiled, "It was great and the Colorado mountains were fabulous".

Ty slipped away to pay the cashier for the supplied

Soraya replied, "Oh I wish I could have been there with you... can I assume you and Ty had some romantic moments..."

Amy smiled... "you might say Ty suitable impressed me at times..."

Soraya chided, "your holding back Amy, I can tell when you do that to me".

Ty joined them... "What is Amy forgetting to tell you now Soraya?", as he waiting for Amy to spring the surprise.

Soraya looked at Ty, "well she was going to tell me about how you romanced her while in Colorado, but you interrupted us talking about you..."

Ty said, "well you could just ask us both...we don't keep secrets from each other" and Ty smiled at Soraya. Soraya attention now on Ty, Amy slipped off her gloves and folded her hands and put her chin on them.

Soraya said, "Ty, we girls have to keep some secrets from you men, right Amy?", and Soroya turned to look at Amy.

Amy said, "well not if Ty is more than just a boyfriend...".

Soraya's puzzlement was quickly replaced by a gasp of recognition that Amy's left hand now adorned a diamond ring. "You're engaged?", screeched Soraya.

"I'm engaged to be married... can you believe it Soraya?", asked Amy.

Ty said, "surprises come from romantic getaways in Colorado", teasing Soraya.

"WOW, I am so thrilled for you both... oh Amy this is so great", Soraya was crying now.

Amy added, "and of course you will be a bridesmaid?"

Soraya said, "just try to keep me away..."

Soraya talked with Amy and Ty about her last couple month of work and how she has given Chase Powers the proverbial boot as a boyfriend. Soraya was now dating a new beau, though Chase continued to be a regular thorn in her side on his trips back to Hudson.