Chapter 2

As Amy was walking into the barn, she over heard Jack and Tim talking in the office. "I think we need to make her stop this Maggie's thing, if we have to be bragged into it. I was all for it at first, but I'm not willing to risk everything I have, for something near 3000 miles away."

"I agree Tim. I know, I told her when she came back after Marion's death, that she was in charge for getting us out of the hole financially, but that was then and this, is all together different." Jack paused as he noticed Amy standing in the doorway. " What do you think about all this Amy?"

"All I can say is I don't like it. I don't know enough about the restaurant business, but if this Maggie's isn't a hit in New York then we will loose everything is something that doesn't work for me. One thing I don't understand, is why a Maggie's in New York is so important to Lou, that she would even think of doing this."

"I was wondering the same thing. It's not like Lou to do this to the family."

"I wouldn't say that grandpa. Lou went behind Peter's back many times and even when it blew up in her face she didn't care. I wounder if the divorce has anything to do with her doing this."

"I tell you what we'll do. Lets have a family meeting at 9 in the morning. The girls should be gone to school by then. I want us to think about what we can do to help Lou with this, but at the same time not put the ranches in danger. I'm heading over to Fairfield to help Lisa with her sick colt. We will meet here, in the morning. Tim, why don't you go tell Lou, what's going on and about the meeting."

Amy headed up to the loft. She ran a hot bath and tried her best to relax.

Lisa was surprised, but happy to see Jack's truck, pull up into the dooryard. As she walked over to great him she saw the worried look on his face. "What's happened Jack? Please come in and I'll fix you a hot cup of tea and you can tell me all about it."

Jack filled Lisa in on all he knew. He could tell, she was madder than he was. Lisa paced the kitchen floor, as her business mind, was working overtime so to speak. She glanced over to see Jack half asleep at the table. "Jack come on lets get to bed, you look really tired."

Tim, after talking to Lou, called Casey and asked if he could come over and talk. She was in shock as Tim told her what Lou had done. "That sure doesn't sound like the Lou I've come to know. I agree with Amy, maybe something in the divorce papers, made her play her hand like that." Casey told him.

"Will you come to the family meeting with me in the morning? I'd sure like you to be there, I'm afraid I might lose my temper if we don't get this thing resolved." Tim replied.

Casey gave him a kiss on the check, as she grabbed his hand and lead him to her room.

They all gathered at the dinner table with their coffee or tea. Jack was the first to speak. "Lou, why do you feel, that putting up all that we have, was so important?" Lou started to speak but Jack put his hand up to stop her. "You need to let me finish. The reason Maggie's in Hudson works and is a money maker Lou, is because it's the only coffee shop, dinner and it's got the best feed in this area. I still own Heartland and as far as I'm concerned, you are going to have to take Heartland off this deal. That is not something, I will negotiate with you, are anyone else."

Lou looked around the table, "Is there anyone else that wants to read me the riot act before I speak."

Amy spoke next. "You said we don't have the money to buy a truck, so what has happened, to all our money? From what you have told us in the past, this ranch is doing quite well. Years ago, you said we had the old debts paid off and though we weren't rolling the the money. You said we had no worries. All the money I've earned since Moms death, I've given to the family. I want to know where it has all gone? I'm with grandpa on this, Heartland is not an option."

Tim cleared his throat. "Lou why?" Is all he said.

"I really don't know why I have to explain myself. I gave up a big future, to come back here and work miracles to stop the bank from foreclosing. I have done most of the cooking, cleaning and taking care of all of you for dang near 10 years now. I think I have every right to use this property and the others to make a name for myself."

Amy had heard enough. She pushed her chair back with such force it flew back about 4 feet. "Now you just wait one minute there sister. Who the HELL do you think you are? We have all made sacrifices for this family. So what with this I, I, I, crap. Who made you the master around here." Amy was getting very upset.

Jack stood and walked to Amy's side. He gave her a hug and asked her to clam down. "I will grandpa but I have one more question for my sister." She turned to face Lou. "Grandpa and I both have put our earnings into the family fund. How much for your earnings do you contribute?"

"None" Lou told them. "At least since I bought Maggie's."

"We bought Maggie's." Tim replied "Don't forget I'm half owner. You and Peter could of never bought it, without me."

"That maybe so dad, but your name isn't on the loan, anywhere." Lou answered smiling back at her dad.

Everyone was in disbelief with Lou's attitude and her actions. Jack had to sit down, as he felt he would explode, at any moment.

"So, what you are telling us is, that grandpa and I have been feeding and clothing this family which I assume you and the girls are included ever since you took over Maggie's?" Amy asked.

"Yes, thats true. I've had to invest my money in Maggie's, the vacation last year the girls and I took. Ballet lessons , trick riding lesson and my trips to New York are not cheep. I've had to stay at fine Hotels to show them I have the money to see this venture through to the end." Lou explained.

"Well, I've heard enough." Jack declared. "I'm heading into town to get your name taken off of the family fund checking accounts and I taking all legal rights you may have from you. I can't believe you can sit there Lou and say you have the right to do what you have done. If it weren't for my great grand daughters I'd throw you out." Jack then turn and walked into his room, where he sat down on the edge of his bed in tears.

Tim, Casey and Amy walked out the front door speechless. They had no answers for what they had just heard. Lisa was the only one that was still sitting at the table. Lisa knew that Lou had a very good business mind but this was not the way she had seen her do business before.

"Lou, I only have one question for you. How have you been feeling lately? Now I'd like you to get specific. Like have you been having any headaches, feeling nauseous, eye trouble, ear ringing, things like that?"

"Why do you want to know?" Lou snapped back at her.

"For that very reason, Lou." Lisa get out of her chair and walked up to Lou's chair. " You aren't your self Lou and I think you need to go see Tricia as soon as you can." Lisa then let her and went to checkup on Jack.

Tim and Casey had left while Amy went up to the loft to take a nap. Lisa and Jack headed to town to get what he wanted done to also grab a meal at Maggie's.

The more Lou thought about what her grandfather had said to her, the madder she was getting. As she grabbed the sack of potatoes and threw it into the sink, she felt something in her head pop. She neither heard, nor saw anything else. Lou collapsed onto the floor.

To be continued