Chapter 3

Amy pulled out of Garret McDuff's Five Clubs ranch heading towards Edmonton. Lyndy was in the back seat already falling asleep. She checked her Waze app, 3:46 to her destination, she'd have to stop at least twice for Lyndy and Spartan both of whom had proven themselves able travelers over the past 4 weeks. Edmonton was her last stop, Whispering Pines, a rescue and rehab ranch that had been shut down for nearly a year. She was going for a week to spend time with the owners family and then back to Heartland to decide.

She and Lyndy had been welcomed and made to feel special and wanted at all three of the trips she had taken so far. At Dark Horse Run, Renard and his wife were the perfect hosts, they performed for each other and Amy fell in love with the Andalusions they preferred. The apartment she would occupy was homey and spacious and the facility was as beautiful as Fairfield. She spent time with the current director who was very interested in her herbal remedies, her training methods and her success as a healer. He had put together quite an extensive file on her and accepted her immediately as an equal, a professional and someone worthy of respect as a trainer. Lyndy was a big hit and Renard's 14 year old daughter Renata especially loved doting over her.

Renard was nice enough to keep Spartan and her trailer, she had opted for the smaller one belonging to Heartland, while she and Lyndy travelled to Paris from Vancouver courtesy of the French National Jumping Team. When she got to the airport she found that Lisa had upgraded her to First Class which thankfully granted her access to the Air France Captain's Club complete with 3 doting hostesses. Amy called her and thanked her profusely for the gift and relaxed waiting for her flight. When called they escorted her to the plane and allowed her to stroll Lyndy right up to their seats which were now 2 large leather seats that reclined. As it turned out Lyndy was the perfect traveler. She didn't seem to suffer from ear popping and pressure and thankfully was content with the bottle and a cookie.

Europe was a whirlwind. Amy was surprised that her friend Lara met her at the airport. They had been inseparable on tour three years before and fell right into a pattern very quickly. They drove from Paris to the Loire Valley by limo and they let Amy stay in what would be her home, a refurbished and updated stone building originally built in the 1700's. It was like a fairy cottage in a storybook complete with a beautiful perennial garden.

Lara's aunt who lived nearby watched Lyndy while they rode some trails and Amy jumped and watched others do the same. She was asked and agreed to run a join up clinic for the French jumpers at the facility, apparently some teams adopted a few of the methods Amy used with her jumpers and was very pleased that almost all chose to sometimes just let their horses be horses and trail ride.

The food was amazing, traditional french country fare, fresh bread and local produce. Lyndy was a doll the whole time and laughed and laughed, Amy thinking that the sing song pater and the rolling cadence of the french language appealed to her daughter for some reason.

The apartment in Antwerp was nice, modern and comfortable. One window in the dining room actually looked out into the jumping ring. The team loved Lyndy and Amy got to jump a magnificent set of horses.

After flying home she picked up Spartan and spent the week at Heartland. Everyone was interested but subdued in her reports. She wasn't sure of what to make of their behavior but since they were no longer trying to dissuade her, she was fine with it. Lou was away most of the week which was also fine with Amy, she loved her sister but the conversations were getting old and she was growing tired of them. At the table one night Lou was telling her that she was lucky she didn't have to single parent two. "Lou, your kids have 100% more living parents than Lyndy does", that was an awkward meal.

A couple days before Amy was leaving again this time for Garret's spread she came into the office with Lisa and Georgie, the two had taken to spending time with her and Lyndy, they talked about everything and it became very clear that the one who dreaded her leaving the most was Georgie. In Lou and Peter's absence Amy had shepherded her through the past few years, boys, kisses, competitions, bullying and general teen aged angst and self confidence issues, Georgie needed her. She picked up her mail and they headed out to the barn. The site before her stopped her in her tracks. "11 years" Amy said.

"11 years what ?" Lou asked standing up.

"In 11 years I don't think I've ever seen you muck out a stall Lou, nope, nothing comes to mind." Amy said unlocking her door.

"That's not fair Amy."

"You're right about that Lou, still it's the truth, we're having tea upstairs, come on up when you're done."

"Anyone want to explain that to me ?" Amy asked sitting Lyndy down in her playpen while she shrugged off her outerwear and unloaded the diaper bag.

"Explain what ?" Lisa asked.

"My sister mucking out."

"Uhmmm, we had a meeting and" Georgie said.

"It's been a hard or tense maybe, couple of weeks with you gone Amy."

"I told you to hire a hand Lisa."

"Well Amy, Caleb was here, he hasn't been himself at the rodeo school and Tim thought it might be good for Caleb just to help out around Heartland figuring that might help. He stopped coming when you got back." Lisa explained "have you talked to him at all ?"

"Just at the funeral for a second, haven't talked to Cass much either."

"He feels guilty" Georgie said.

"Good, maybe that feeling will keep him alive." Amy said harshly walking away towards the cupboards. "Two grown men" she sighed.

"What's with the boxes ?" Lisa asked looking at the stack against the wall to the bathroom.

"

"Ty's clothes, most of them at least, we packed them up last night."

"We ?" Georgie asked.

"Me, er I, sorry." Ty had been with her the whole time, they had talked about his favorite clothes and stuff, she kept several things like her favorites as reminders. She also kept his boots, signature leather jacket, sunglasses and helmet.

"I could have done that Amy or been here to help honey."

"It's ok Lisa, I needed to do it, the folded stuff was easier than the worn stuff. It all smells like him" she said breaking down a bit and trying to maintain control.

During their get togethers both Lisa and Georgie had gotten used to Amy's short bouts of melancholy and gave her a second to reign in her emotions. It seemed that she did better without the hugs and reassurances and soon was back at the table.

"Georgie, what colleges have you chosen to apply at ?" Amy asked taking a bite of a cookie while peeking over at Lyndy playing quietly with one of her many horsies.

They didn't hear Lou start up the steps, Amy had left the door open and Lou stopped for a second hearing Georgie talking.

"Why do I have to go to college ? Why can't I come with you, you never went to college, at least if you were here I'd have you when I got home every day."

"Georgie, we've been through this a million times, you have to go to college sweetheart." Amy said reaching over to run her hand lovingly down Georgie's hair. "You know I've spoken to Dan Blocker, the admissions rep at Colorado State and told him about you. He's an old friend of mine. He'd love for you to apply."

"Colorado ? That's so far."

"It's not that bad Georgie, there are planes to visit and you can take Phoenix and Checkers with you, it's the best equine program in North America."

"I'll pick a college after you pick, maybe I can be near you and stay with you."

"That's a decision you should be making with your folks Georgie and wouldn't you miss Heartland and everybody, they're your family Georgie ?" Amy asked. "look, we can talk and Skype and we'll visit, summers and holidays."

"It won't be the same without the hugs" Georgie whispered.

"You have your mom and Lisa and Grandpa for hugs, "and Wyatt ?" She finished with an eye brown raised and a smile.

"Not the same and you know it" she said blushing and smiling.

"Hey there's the smile I love" Amy said "can you tell us anything about the movie you saw last night ?"

"Uhmmmm, it was dark, there were zombies" Georgie said the blush on her face deepening "Ok stop".

"Yeah, Ty and I, I can't tell you how many movies were just dark", a wistful smile playing at her lips.

"Have you looked into colleges near Vancouver or maybe NY ?"

"What would be the point Amy, it's not like they would make time for me" Georgie said.

"That's not fair Georgie, they're your parents, they only want what's best for you."

"Doesn't seem that way" she whispered. "I wish you were my mom."

"Come on Georgie, let's not do this Ok, I have to go away in a few days and I want to spend time with you smiling, how about a trail ride later ?"

"I have to practice" Georgie said.

"Then let's do that."

"What am I supposed to do without a coach ?"

"Oh, that reminds me, I made a list and spoke with a few of the local coaches. You should talk to your mom about them and visit them, have a lesson or schooling session and see which you like."

Lou seeing an opportunity and being somewhat shell shocked by what she'd heard from her daughter, kicked the step twice and continued up the stairs.

"Hey Mom" Georgie said as Lou hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek.

"Sit down Lou, tea ?"

"Maybe some water, I'll get it Amy." Lou said heading to the fridge.

"Mom, Amy put together a list of jumping coaches to try out."

"You should probably take care of that soon, not sure who's got spots and you'll need to book arena time for the winter, I doubt Val or Paula would be too receptive at this stage to Georgie and Phoenix jumping at their places."

"What are these numbers ?"

"Oh, the first is their normal rate and behind the slash is what they'll charge as a favor to me." Amy answered.

"Weekly ?"

"Sorry Lou, that's per session figuring three a week."

"$1200 a week plus the arena ?"

"The reduced cost of a world class trainer Lou, you could of course do it yourself." Amy said digging at her sister.

"You know that I don't have" Lou started and looking over at Georgie.

"You don't have what Lou, the money ?" Amy asked holding back the words "or the time."

"Forget it, we'll take care of this, I'll cut my trip short and come back to see and interview the coaches and I'll talk to Peter. When are you leaving to your last two interviews or whatever they are ?"

"They're not interviews Lou, I have any of these four jobs I want, I'm just going to sit down and check comfort levels. Friday for Garrett's place for 5 days and then to Edmonton, Whispering Pines, about 2 weeks all told and then I'll decide."

"Must be nice to have that many offers to consider" Lisa said.

"I had others, these are the four that interested me the most, I have no desire to work for Val, Hillhurst, Westfield's or any of these" she said holding up a small stack of letters and emails she had printed out.

"You could have stayed close by ?"

"No Georgie, I have to go" Amy whispered.

"You don't you know, you're just being stubborn" Lou said walking over to Lyndy.

"I do Lou, you see, you just walked through Ty."

"What ?" Lou exclaimed looking over. "Stop, that's not right"

"Just kidding" Amy said smiling as Georgie and Lisa started to laugh.

After two planned and two unplanned stops Amy finally turned off the highway on a rural road to her destination.

"You're back I see, where have you been anyway ?"

"Watching Georgie try out a new coach"

"Ty, she's not your responsibility anymore."

"I know, she reminds me of you jumping."

You just watched me jump in Antwerp and do liberty work at Renard's".

"I know, I don't like the way those guys look at you Amy"

"Not your concern anymore either Ty and I have no interest in any of them."

"So what's this place like ?"

"Rescue and rehab center I would have to restart and build up" Amy said.

"Oh, the place you asked me about, Whispering something"

"Whispering Pines, yes, the offer is intriguing."

"I remember, sorry I was an ass about that"

"Water under the bridge Ty"

She listened to the directions app and slowed down to turn as she drove a short ways down the road leading her small family and trailer under a sign marked "Whispering Pines" and up to a very nice, though somewhat in need of some polish, log home with a welcoming porch covered in hand made and comfortably worn furniture and a small family, remarkably similar to but still different from Heartland.

Several weeks before Ty left to his last conference, Amy noticed an interesting ad in the Hudson Equestrian. A family named Boucher was looking to reopen and revitalize their ranch. It had served as an Equine Rescue, Rehab and Retraining center up until a little over a year or so ago when the grandson of the owner passed. She contacted them after the whole parcel gift, we can't afford anywhere near the down payment on a house incident.

She learned that the owner's son and daughter in law had died tragically in a car crash several years before and the grandson returned to take over the ranch and care for his grandmother with his young newlywed wife and baby daughter.

Tragically, the son too passed, ignoring some stomach pain early on, when he finally did go to a doctor they discovered an advanced stomach cancer. He went pretty fast apparently.

The ad stated that they were looking for the right person or a couple to come in and partner with the family for an equity stake in not only the business but the land as well. The right choice was someone familiar with rescue and retraining who would restart the center and build it back up. They wanted the daughter in law to be a part of it but she would have to be trained in the business.

Amy approached Ty with the plan and idea that they could own half a 750 Acre ranch in what seemed to be a relatively short time if they were successful and Amy just knew they could be. A whole new start for them, their own business like their dream and rescuing and retraining horses.

Ty had a million excuses which to Amy all came down to the same thing. If he gave up his freedom with this deal he was stuck at home. No more saving the world, adventures on the prairie with Scott and Cass, conferences, clinics or anything else and full time husband and father just didn't appeal to him.

So now it was Amy, Lyndy and Spartan who drove up to the house as a smiling and waving young girl and what was obviously her grandmother came down the steps to welcome them into their home.