A/N: This was originally intended to be a one-shot but I got quite a few requests to continue it so here's a second chapter, with possibly more to follow. Also you may have noticed i switched from the first person back to my usual third person habits for this, I just feel it suits this type of writing more.
"Ben I'm sorry, I only-"
"Don't bother Lisa," he cut off her explanation mid-sentence, continuing in a bored tone. "It's not a big deal, I just thought that since you said you were coming this time that you might actually follow through. I get it though, this is important to you-your rogue horse is finally cured. I'm happy for you." He didn't look too happy.
Lisa sighed. She knew he was mad, and not without reason. I did tell him I would take him to this show, to watch him compete. Not only that but I cancelled at the last possible minute, too.
Ben had been staying at Fairfield over a month already and Lisa still hadn't been able to make any of the other shows, what with meetings, business trips and horse-sales, her schedule was always overpacked in the summer months. If she was honest with herself, she was beginning to wonder had she made a mistake in thinking she could take him in for the summer. He'd grown up a lot since he used to spend weekends here as a kid. He's even more strong-willed than he used to be, to put it mildly.
He abruptly stood from the table, the chair scraping loudly on the hardwood floor. "I better get Red and the trailer ready."
He turned to leave. "Ben, wait-"
He paused at the doorway and Lisa continued, "Good luck, and remember to steady Red on those final jumps-you'll do great." A poor attempt she had to admit but he shot her an almost unnoticeable smile in response this time before leaving.
Lisa dropped her head into her hands. When Amy took on Promise, her relief was short lived. She had hoped that by now Ben would have settled in more and they'd be getting along better. No such luck, if anything, things were worse.
When Amy called only a few days after she'd taken on Promise to say she'd had a breakthrough Lisa could hardly believe it, she had wanted to see it right away. Unfortunately, she'd been on a three day business trip in Quebec. She had arrived home the night before in time for Ben's show with a message on her machine from Amy; she was having an open day and wanted to use Promise to show what they do at Heartland, giving Lisa her chance to see what progress Amy had made.
She stood up, dumping her coffee mug in the sink. I can't blame Ben for being annoyed, really. I offered for him to come here for the summer so he could avoid the all-round mess of his parents' divorce. But now things are just as crazy here, it's no wonder he's frustrated.
As she was rinsing the dishes that had accumulated in the sink the front door slammed and there were fast footsteps in the hallway. Seconds later, Ben was standing in the doorway, "The trailer's gone."
"What?!" Lisa turned quickly, her wet hands dripping on the hardwood floor.
"It's not outside, one of the stable hands said they saw it leave earlier this morning." he said, seemingly resigned.
"Why on earth? Why wou- oh, oh no." realisation dawned on Lisa. She reached behind her for the dish towel to dry her hands.
"What?"
"Andy was going to go get that interior light fixed this weekend, and when I told Sam I wasn't going today he must've thought you weren't either and told Andy to take it this morning."
Lisa looked at the clock on the wall. "Ok, I'm going to find Sam, get Red ready. I'll sort this out."
He raised an eyebrow doubtfully but Lisa pretended not to notice as she passed him in the doorway, barely thinking to drop the dish towel on the table on her way.
Out in the yard Lisa squinted in the sun, trying to catch a glimpse of Sam-or anyone who could point her in his direction. She walked quickly in the direction of the upper training ring, where Sam could usually be found with one horse or another at this time. As she drew closer she could see she was in luck, Sam was there.
"Sam," she reached the fence and called him over.
"What's up?" Sam said, walking towards her, a young mare following obediently by his side on a lead rope.
"Did Andy take the trailer this morning?"
"Yeah, you said you weren't going to the show today so I thought it would be a good time to finally get that light fixed."
"I'm sorry Sam, when I said I wasn't going I meant just me, Ben is still going. Well, he was, but now the trailer's gone." Lisa watched as her words sunk in.
"Dammit." Sam hissed, "I'm sorry Lisa, I should've checked with you first."
"It's not your fault." Lisa said, "In any case, I didn't come here to berate you for it, we need to figure out how to get Ben to the show or he might just pack his bags and leave."
"Would that be such a bad thing?"
Lisa arched her brow at him, "I know he isn't always the easiest company, but I told my sister I'd look out for him, and he deserves a break from the mess at home."
"I know, I know." Sam nodded, eyes downturned, "Some manners would be nice every now and again though."
"I cant argue with you there." She met his eyes before continuing on, "Anyway, I know we had it down in the books for Stella to collect those two yearlings from Calgary this morning, but I was thinking; you're taking the four horse trailer to Queenstown around lunch time, for the two Thoroughbreds?"
"Yeah," said Sam, "Busy weekend, it was the only trailer free for the trip."
"Okay," Lisa nodded, "If you could leave earlier than scheduled and take a detour to Calgary for the yearlings, before heading to Queenstown, that would free up a trailer for Ben and Red. It's not exactly ideal, but it's all I can think of."
Sam was nodding thoughtfully, "Yeah, yeah that'll work. I'm just about finished here anyway, I'll go say it to Stella."
"Great, thanks Sam, I really appreciate it. I'll make a call to the owners, let them know who to expect and when."
Lisa turned away from the ring and caught sight of Ben heading into the main barn.
"Ben!"
He turned and Lisa hastened in his direction. She was talking before she even stopped walking, "I moved around a few things in the books and freed up a trailer for you, is Red ready to go?"
"Yeah, we're all set."
"Bring him out, I'll bring the trailer 'round."
As Lisa crossed the yard once again, this time in the direction of the garage, she sighed to herself. This morning had turned out more stressful than she had anticipated. In fact, the same could be said for the last few weeks in general, Lisa realised.
By the time Lisa had brought the trailer around to the barn, seen Ben off(there may even have been a semi-sincere thank you before he pulled off, if she wasn't mistaken) and made it back to her office to contact the owners of the horses Stella and Sam were going to pick up, the morning had passed without her noticing it.
Returning the phone to the cradle Lisa cast a glance at the time for the first time since she had gotten up that morning. Dammit!
She was late for the open house. Why is everything hell-bent on going against me today, she thought exasperatedly, grabbing her car keys from the desk and rushing out of the office.
On the drive to Heartland Lisa allowed her thoughts to wander for the first time that morning, it was the first 'free' time she had had since her flight came in the night before.
Somehow or another her thoughts came on Amy and how she had lost her mother. Since Amy had taken on Promise, Lisa had pieced together a little more of who she was. She learned from one of her long-time employees at Fairfield that Marion Fleming was actually the daughter of Jack Bartlett, famed Hudson cowboy, who was now raising Amy it would seem.
And doing a damn good job, Lisa mused recalling her encounter with the young girl. How does he manage it? I can't even get a read on Ben, and I used to be his 'cool Aunt Lisa'... My god how things change.
Pulling into the Heartland ranch Lisa marvelled at the simple beauty of the place, the rolling hills on either side, with grazing horses and cows, and the mountains not far beyond- it was most definitely Alberta. The yard was full of cars and Lisa quickly pulled into a space between two trucks.
Little tight, she thought, only able to partially open her door and squeeze out. Looking around she spotted a group of people beyond the barn and quickly strode in that direction. As she drew near she could see Amy, above the heads of those in the crowd, cantering smoothly around the ring.
Is that Promise?! Lisa could hardly believe it. When Amy said she had made a breakthrough Lisa didn't really know what she was expecting but it definitely wasn't this. Amy was now at a standstill, seated calmly astride Promise, whose ears were pricked and eyes alert, calmly taking in the crowd before her, unperturbed by the rider on her back.
She could see Amy was talking to the crowd but by the time she was close enough to hear her, another voice had cut in, "Well I'd say the horse is drugged. Oldest trick in the book, get a rogue horse, sedate him, make it look like you've worked a miracle."
Val Stanton. Lisa knew that self-assured voice, and should've known Val would be here to see if Amy really had done what Briar Ridge couldn't, and try to undermine it of course.
Lisa had reached the edge if the small crowd now and could hear Amy's indignant reply, "I would never drug a horse."
"There were no drugs used-" Lisa slipped between two people to reach the edge of the ring, "-I can vouch for that." She looked pointedly in Val's direction, no doubt she hadn't expected Lisa to show at all as she hadn't arrived on time. "Amy's just a very talented young woman with a special gift.." She nodded appreciatively at Amy to let her know she meant it.
Amy hardly had time to return a grateful smile before Val piped up again, "OK Amy, I paid top dollar for a horse that refuses to jump, why don't you show us how you can fix him?"
Lisa exhaled in exasperation, Oh for god's sake.
"I- I cant just-"
"Come on, you say you can fix behavioural problems, show us."
This time a voice across the ring spoke up, "Val, this is ridiculous, you cant ask her to work miracles in two seconds in front of a crowd!"
Lou Fleming, Amy's older sister, Lisa presumed. Meaning the vaguely familiar face next to her was their grandfather, Jack Bartlett.
Val looked straight at Amy now, "Isn't that what horse whisperers do?"
"I am not a horse-whisperer, I've never claimed to be!" Amy's features hardened and she didn't break eye contact with Val.
Lisa smiled, that was most definitely the girl she had seen at Fairfield. Good for her, Val Stanton is a ruthless piece of work when she wants to be.
Lisa watched Amy exchange a look with Jack, who nodded solemnly. Now that's a healthy, respectful relationship, Lisa couldn't help but think and draw comparison once again to herself and Ben. What am I doing wrong?
Amy's voice interrupted her thoughts, "Ok, I'll ride him." There was a grim look of determination on her face that somehow erased any doubt for Lisa in her ability to fix Val's so-called problem horse. I know now, if anyone can do what seems impossible, Amy can.
