The Promise

Chapter 2

"I need to speak to Jack Bartlett; where is he?"

"And you are?" questioned Lisa making no attempt to hide her annoyance with the man's arrogant and condescending attitude or his chaotic driving.

"Never mind who I am, where's_"

"First of all, we do mind, interrupted Amy. Strangers who drive up to Heartland like a bat-outa-hell and start demanding things at the very least are expected to introduce themselves. Second, tell your idiot driver to never approach this ranch like that again; he could hit something or someone. Now I'll ask, who are you?"

"Want me to handle this dad, said a voice followed by the closing car door? And who are you calling an idiot?"

At the sound of the voice, Amy, Lisa and Lyndy turned their attention away from the older man towards the new stranger. Sauntering in their direction was man of around thirty, medium height and build, and oozing cockiness. His physical resemblance to the older man clearly indicated him to be a son but his rugged, handsome face was otherwise overshadowed by the brash, self-important façade attached to it.

"Mam, nodding at Amy, I'm Steven Rawlings," said the stranger while tipping his hat, but my friends call me Colt. And you can call me Colt anytime you like. It would seem you have issues with my driving skills?"

"My but you're quick, and why would I bother to call you anything?" Amy replied her voice dripping with derision. "And yes, your driving skills are only slightly better than my horse's."

"Steven, mind your place. I'm doing the talking here. Is that understood?"

"Yes dad, just thought I'd offer to lend a hand."

"Does it appear like I need one?"

"No sir."

"Then keep your mouth shut and do as your told."

But Colt Rawlings was paying only tacit attention to his father; his real focus was on Amy. Making no effort to hide his licentious intent, he brazenly measured Amy's complete physicality from head to toe and everything in between absorbing her natural beauty and trim figure with lecherous deliberateness.

Determined not to reward such blatantly ill-mannered behavior with any degree of satisfaction, Amy decided to take the son down a peg. "You done gawking or would you like me to twirl around for you so you can get a more complete look? You might also want to wipe the drool off your chin or is that part of your act?"

"Ever consider teaching your son some manners, continued Amy reverting her attention back to the father; or did they just not take in this one?"

But before his father could reply, Colt addressed Amy's first question. "I've seen plenty…for now; but I sure wouldn't mind seeing more the next time; whether it be twirling…or something else. And who knows, you might just enjoy it."

A mocking chuckle began to emanate from Amy. "Next time? I suggest you stick to your blow-up doll. You may be used to high school girls swooning at your lame attempts at seduction, but women with a pulse and brain… and I count myself as one, Amy replied unable to hide the laughter laced in her voice, "tend to prefer real men over those who's sole focus is themselves."

Observing Colt's lewd attempt to flirt with Amy with increasing irritation, Lisa turned to address the elder. "Some say a son is but the reflection of the father…or so I've heard. Should I conclude it applies to you or are you as bored with his adolescent behavior as I am?"

"Steven, I told you to keep your mouth shut, the elder Rawlings bellowed! I'm not going to tell you again. Apologize to the lady."

"What? I'm not going_"

"Apologize now dammit!" roared the elder Rawlings.

Hesitating a moment before obediently addressing Amy, Colt replied, "apologies mam, I meant no offense."

Amy simply nodded acknowledgment but didn't miss the partially hidden smirk that Colt's feigned sincerity couldn't completely conceal.

"Now get back in the truck!" bellowed his father.

With a final definitive ogle at Amy, Colt turned on his heel and walked back to the truck. Opening the vehicle door, Colt returned his focus to Amy one last time.

"Maybe we'll run into each other again, he commented with a confident grin. I'll look forward to it."

"I doubt you'd be able to steal yourself away from your mirror long enough, but everyone should have a dream," Amy replied.

"Mr. Rawlings, now that Junior's play time is over, why don't you tell us why you're here?" challenged Lisa.

Before Rawlings could answer, the sound of approaching hoof-beats diverted everyone's attention.

Relieved to see her son and Jack approaching, Amy smiled at both as they reached the round pen. Self-reliant as she was, Amy was never the less thankful to have her grandfather now present to deal with Rawlings.

"How's the herd?" She asked.

"Things are good; right Jackson?" commented Jack.

"Yes, grandpa. All accounted for mom, and every one of them appears healthy. With prices where they are, we should see a good return this year."

Amy could only smile at her son's maturity especially in the wake of the childish behavior just exhibited by a man nearly twice her son's age.

"Jackson, he's not slowing you down too much is he?" Lisa teased.

Before the boy could respond, Rawlings barked, "Are you Jack Bartlett?"

Objecting to the demanding manner in which the stranger addressed him, Jack chose to not immediately respond, but instead, kept his attention on his family.

"How's the join-up going today Lyndy?"

"Real slow great gran_"

"I said, are you Jack Bartlett?"

"I heard you the first time," interrupted Jack. "And don't talk over my great granddaughter."

Suppressing his anger with a deep breath, Rawlings continued. "Sorry; you are Jack Bartlett?"

"Who's asking?" responded Jack still irritated by Rawlings manner.

"My name's Mason Rawlings and I'd like to speak with you about an important matter."

"What would that be?" responded Jack remaining elusive.

"It would be better if we spoke in private."

"Better for whom?"

"Excuse me Dad; Mr. Bartlett."

Both Rawlings and Jack shifted their attention from one another to a nicely dressed man walking toward both men.

The obvious physical resemblance to the elder, clearly indicated Mason Rawlings had at least two sons.

"Mr. Bartlett, my name is Christian Rawlings; Mr. Rawlings son. We have a business proposition to discuss with you if you'll give us a few minutes of your time and if Ms. Stillman, Ms. Fleming and your great grandchildren don't mind."

Somewhat surprised by the elder Rawlings allowance toward this son's interruption considering his intolerance of Colt's, Amy studied Christian expecting to find the same entitled arrogance exhibited by his brother. Instead, unlike his self-absorbed brother, Christian Rawlings conveyed an air of genuineness and character.

"Mrs. Fleming, please accept my apology for my brother's highly disrespectful manner towards you displayed a few minutes ago. It was completely unacceptable. I can assure you, my father raised all his sons to speak and act respectfully towards women; only some of us adhere to it more than others."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Christian and I accept your apology but to be honest, it's somewhat shallow unless it comes from him."

"Noted Ms. Fleming but unfortunately, it's the best I can do at the moment."

"How may I ask do you know our names?" inquired Amy.

"I try to do my homework on people I'm about to meet mam."

Nodding in acknowledgment, Amy began to wonder as to the purpose of the Rawlings visit.

"Mr. Bartlett, can you spare a few minutes?"

"Nice to meet you Christian, said Jack. Why don't we go into the house where we can all talk?"

"Mom, I think Jackson and I will head back to our place; mind if we take the truck?" asked Lyndy.

Amy looked at Jack and Lisa before answering.

"It's fine honey, Jack and I will drive you home," responded Lisa.

"Alright, replied Amy. "I'll see you later this afternoon."

As Jack led the way towards the house followed by Lisa, Amy, Mason and Christian Rawlings, Colt Rawlings emerged from the truck and began to follow the rest of the group.

"Not him," Amy commanded looking at the elder Rawlings. "He's not welcome."

A look of malice spread across Colt Rawlings face at Amy's intent to exclude him from the discussion.

"I don't think so!" Colt fired back.

"Stay in the truck Colt."

"I don't take orders from you Christian; Dad_"

"Stay here! ordered the elder Rawlings in a raised voice. Maybe next time you'll think before opening your mouth."

"Am I missing something here?" inquired Jack.

"That boy was extremely crude and disrespectful to Amy before you arrived," commented Lisa.

Fixing his glare on the elder Rawlings, and angry Jack barked, "whatever you're fixing to try and sell me just got a whole lot more difficult."

"Mr. Bartlett, I apologized to your wife, granddaughter and great-granddaughter for my brother's unacceptable behavior and now am apologizing to you. I hope you will still hear us out."

Holding Christian's gaze for several seconds, Jack finally nodded before continuing to the house.

Lou and Mitch's home near the Dude Ranch

"Mitch, have you seen or spoken to Georgie recently?"

"No, I haven't. She hasn't responded to any of my texts."

"Mine either. Mitch, I'm worried about her. Do you…do you think she might be using again?"

"I hope not Lou, but we have to consider that possibility. Why don't you call Peter and see if he's spoken to her?"

"Good idea, I think I will."

Despite all the forces that had tried to keep them apart; most of them of their own doing, Lou and Mitch finally came to accept their love for each other and had been happily married now for 14 years; with the one notable exception to their continual bliss being Georgie.

Upon finishing High School, Georgie was offered and accepted a full scholarship into the prestigious Equestrian program at Kings College in Ontario located in the heart of Caledon King horse country and near the Caledon Equestrian Centre. For her first three years, she excelled both academically and in riding. Her promising career however derailed during her final year when she fell for a boy who with assistance from his friends and a far too trusting Georgie, wrecked her life. Within weeks he began to entice her to the dark side. Casual drinking led to heavy drinking and keg parties which progressed to hard liquor, which progressed to recreational drug use and finally opioids. By the end of the fall semester of her final year, she'd lost interest in horses and no amount of pleading from her parents could change her mind. By the middle of her final semester she stopped going to class, flunked all her courses and cut-off communication with her family.

After several heart wrenching years enduring Georgie's now destructive life style, Mitch, Lou and Peter were finally able to get her into a treatment program in Calgary and for a number of years, Georgie remained clean and her life appeared to be back on track. But a bad fall during a jumping competition resulted in cracked ribs and a broken collarbone and due to the tolerance built up from her previous use of opioids, the pain killers prescribed only partially masked the pain. Desperate for relief, she reached out to her old boyfriend who secretly supplied her with Fentanyl. The broken bones eventually healed but her addiction reemerged and Georgie's life returned to that dark place she had escaped only a few years prior.

Ignoring the pleas from her parents and family to let them help and unable able to hold down a job, Georgie again cut-off all communication from those who loved her and began to frequent abandoned buildings and homes inhabited by other broken-down junkies and addicts in search of a fix. When the little money she had ran out, she resorted to selling herself for drugs and her life spiraled ever downward towards oblivion. Finally, after an overdose that nearly killed her, she found herself in a rehab program that the family managed to get her into and her life began to slowly turn for the better.

And now after two years of living clean, Lou and Mitch couldn't suppress the fears beginning to invade their thoughts; that Georgie had relapsed again.

Heartland

"So, what is it that you want to discuss with us, inquired Jack to Rawlings?"

"Mr. Bartlett, I want to buy your ranch; think of a price."

A/N: As stated at the end of the first chapter, I don't intend for this story to be "All is happy at Heartland." Many may not like where I take it, but I wanted to challenge myself to write something different and maybe a little disturbing.