Chapter 6

Amy was holding Lyndy and walked over to the window to see the truck pull up. "Oh my, Lisa please take her."

Lisa took Lyndy and Amy pulled on her boots and rushed out followed by everyone else.

"Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy" Charlotte cried out running across the path as Amy ran down the stairs to scoop her up then hugging and kissing her. The family

"Sorry we're late but Amy really didn't give us a lot of notice and we've got a ranch to deal with but we made it. You young lady, you must be Georgie, I'm Ella, there's a casserole in the back seat could you pop it in the oven for me please.

"Ella what ?" Amy said.

"You called me and told me that you were having dinner with your family and were going to let everyone see your choices and then you'd make your decision. You mean that wasn't an invitation ?"

"Of course it was" she said smiling and putting Charlotte down so she could wrap her arms around Ella.

"Go ahead" Ella whispered "she's scared you'll be mad."

Amy walked past her grinning and ran over to the truck where Rosalie was dealing with Jared in the back seat. "he pooped and I refuse to allow him to meet your family smelling like that" she said as Ella walked over to take the baby from her arms as Amy threw her arms around Rosie and they hugged. They stood for a few seconds holding each other and then walked arm in arm over to the family.

"Grandpa, Lisa this is Rosalie" she said as they disengaged and Rosalie looked up taking a second to pull her hair back behind her ears.

Both Lisa and Jack stared for maybe a second too long before shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.

"Why don't we all head in and make our introductions there" Lisa said.

"I'll get some more table settings" Georgie said.

"Momma, can I show Charlotte my room ?" Katie asked.

"That's a lovely idea Katie" Lou said as they ran off together.

As they headed into the living room Ella turned to Jack "you've got a lovely ranch here Jack and you did a damn fine job raising Amy."

"I'm her father" Tim said.

"Despite all that" Ella said to Jack who laughed.

They chatted briefly before being interrupted.

"You don't think it's a bit presumptuous of you to just show up here like this ?" Tim said when they had all sat down by the fire.

"You all are going to look at pictures tonight and hear a description of salaries, percentages, titles and duties, see pretty pictures of landscapes and flowers and then a decision that one or all of you will argue with. There will be a picture of these two in a playpen which won't make this sound" she said reaching over and tickling the babies so they laughed together.

Amy who was sitting with Rosie felt Rosie's hand and took it for a squeeze, the sound of their children laughing filled the room.

"Oh my" Lisa exclaimed "that's lovely."

"They don't come with a little girl running down a path who adores her"

"Or someone who actually understands her grief, or a family who will protect her until she's ready to give it up."

"So no Tim, I don't consider this presumptuous at all" Ella concluded. "Besides I have a bribe, a starter herd of 200 beef cows coming in April. 3 sets of breeder goats and a dozen chickens. The boys rototilled and mulched the garden for winter and Rosie and Charlotte are getting the seeds going."

Amy smiled at Ella her eye's a bit moist. They wanted her, needed her.

"Dinner's ready, are we going to feed them at the table ?" Lisa asked pointing to the playpen.

"Sure, who's volunteering to hold or feed one of these two" Amy asked.

Ella wandered over to the mantle "good lord Amy, you didn't offer and we didn't ask for a picture but that is one beautiful man. Come look Rosalie".

Ella walked away and found herself alongside Lisa, she leaned in a bit and said in a low voice, "you know they say that it's always the eyes that you fall in love with first. Here, my late grandson's picture".

Lisa reached over and looked at the picture of Jason Boucher, he too had light colored brown hair like his kids and Ella, a nice dimpled smile and deep blue eyes, Amy's eyes.

Then she looked at Ella and then back at the picture handing it back.

At the table Amy sat between Jack and Rosie and held Jared on her lap as he was fed.

"I swear Amy, a stranger would think he was yours, Charlotte too maybe." Jack said.

"You like that Lyndy ?" Georgie asked, "I have no idea what it is but you don't really care do you."

"Zucchini and Blueberries, mmmmmmm, so good" Amy answered in a sing song voice.

Jack, Lisa and Ella hit it off as did Katie and Charlotte. Tim glared at everyone but didn't really start anything at the table.

Lou alternated between smiling at Georgie and Lyndy who adored her older cousins, Katie and Charlotte who were chittering away and Rosalie. As far as she could see, the electricity between her sister and this woman was palpable. Her sister ?

"Ella this stew is so good" Georgie said.

"It's moose and elk Georgie, last of the season, I'm glad you like it."

"And you use juniper berries like we do, well like Lisa does." Lou said.

"I do Lou, good palate. No one ever thought to teach this one to cook ?" Ella said nodding at Amy.

"To be fair Ella, I'm the only female in this room that can rope or wrestle a steer." Amy said.

"Better than Ty" Tim said.

"That's crossed my mind a few times lately. Grandpa, remember when he rode that bull ?"

"Ty rode a bull ?" Georgie asked

"In a rodeo" Jack answered.

"And that amazingly is not the dumbest thing he ever did" Amy added sarcastically.

"Amy !" Jack exclaimed.

"What grandpa, it's Ok for me to be mad at Ty" Amy answered back.

"I'm sorry, I guess it is" Jack murmured.

"It doesn't mean I love him any less, but this girl today, bunkmate ? Botswana ? Seriously ?"

"Would have been an adventure." Jack said.

"You see, even now you can't say what the fuck Ty, get a grip"

"Amy !"

"Sorry Grandpa, but we enabled all this crap, look, why don't I head over and get the water and coffee started, what are we doing for sleeping arrangements ?"

"Ella should be here in the guest room and she can share with Rosie or Rosie can stay on the bed in the nursery with Jared."

"Charlotte how about you ?" Amy asked.

"I can stay with Katie" Charlotte said with Katie nodding.

"How about this, you two are going to want to stay up" Ella said to Amy and Rosie. Take the baby in the Porto crib, I'll stay here for Charlotte and you and Amy can stay in Amy's apartment."

"Works for me" Amy said with Rosalie nodding in agreement.

"Good" Lisa said, "why don't you two get the babies over and we'll bring the girls. Figure 10 minutes or so".

"I'll bring your and the babies stuff over in the truck Rosie and I'll get the pie" Ella said.

"Pie ?"

"Late Northern Blueberries Jack, they're not Saskatoons but they're good."

"I'm game" Jack said as he picked up a cake and headed towards the barn.

Amy and Rosalie got the kids upstairs and while Rosalie checked and changed the kids into PJ's Amy set up a pot of coffee and a kettle of boiling water. Since the dining room table was too small to seat them all she used it along with the counter as a serving station. Dessert was served buffet style.

Lisa contrived to be last in the house with Georgie "Hey is it just me or do you see this ?"

"All I see is that for the first time since, well months, she smiled Lisa, not a cute watching Lyndy smile, a real happy to be alive smile."

"Ok, let's go or they'll think we're plotting." Lisa said getting through the screen door one handed and holding it for Georgie.

"We are plotting"

"They don't have to know that, please don't let on to Tim or Jack, think your mother's noticed ?"

"I don't even know if Amy or Rosie have noticed but what I have noticed is that Ella is awesome and Charlotte and Jared are adorable."

"Well my first impression is that I like them."

"Me too Gran, nope still doesn't quite work does it" Georgie said smiling as Lisa bumped her with her hip.

As Lisa and Georgie were about to turn into the barn a truck came down the road heading towards them and parked.

"Good, you haven't started yet" Casey said hopping out.

"Not yet Casey, Tim didn't mention, not that it's a problem" Lisa said

"Amy asked me to be here."

"Smart girl" Lisa muttered.

"I hope he doesn't act like an ass Lisa" Casey whispered.

"What are the odds of that ?" Georgie called back.

"How ?" Lisa stammered.

"Young ears gran" Georgie shot back laughing as she ran up the stairs.

They got upstairs and laid out the desserts. People helped themselves and Charlotte and Katie had cookies and milk off in the corner.

Amy was pouring herself a cup of tea and announced "Let's finish the eating part for now and we can relax on the couches and watch the pictures."

She sat down on the couch and put her tea down on the side table. A few seconds later, Lisa and Jack both smiled as Charlotte walked over to climb onto her lap. "You should sing a song Amy."

"Just me ?"

"You and Momma and Gran."

"We don't have a guitar sweetie, maybe tomorrow."

"Momma has her guitar in the truck. She never goes anywhere without it."

"I'll get it" Georgie said heading to the stairs.

"I'll come with you Georgie, we need the portacrib for Jared and Rosie's suitcase." Amy said heading down with her.

"They're nice Amy."

"None of that Georgie detecto vibe ?"

"Nope, they're clean."

They did the shift in three trips including Rosie's suitcase and the large diaper bag.

Jack and Tim argued about the right way to get the crib open until Ella snatched it away. "Enough, it's a crib not a tractor" she said pulling it open, setting the two locks and dropping in the bottom and the mattress.

"Does anything ever get done around here ?" She exclaimed walking back to the couch and sitting down near Amy as all the women in the room smiled or chuckled.

Rosalie got her guitar from the case and spent a minute tuning. Without a second thought she walked over and sat down on the floor right in front of Amy her back between Amy's legs.

Georgie grinned at Lisa for a second.

Lou looked between the two of them.

"Which of our two hits should we do ?" Rosie asked.

"Charlotte ?" Amy asked.

"The one where you and Mommy sing to each other."

"The Factory Girl" Amy said.

"You sang that with Lyndy."

"I did Grandpa"

"I was a fan of Lyndy's Jack, I was sorry when she stopped singing and well, for your loss." Ella said reaching over to squeeze his hand. Jack liked this woman, real Alberta stock.

"Give us some notes Rosie, we've got an audience" Ella said.

Rosalie played off three notes, high for her, middle for Amy and low for Ella.

"Ready ?" Rosie asked and began her dirge like strumming.

The song was sung mostly by Amy and Rosalie, Rosalie singing the girl's part and Amy the boys. Ella added a low bass to add to the dirge effect and Rosalie's guitar played a strong beat she highlighted by tapping her thumb in counterpoint against the guitar.

Rosalie began singing, the words were slow and drawn out against the hard strumming and thumb beat, Rosie's strong beautiful clear soprano brought smiles to those who didn't know what to expect.

As I went out walkin' one fine summer's mornin'

the birds in the branches they did gaily sing

Then all three sang in a harmony that was pitch perfect.

the lads and the lasses together were sportin'

goin' down to the fact'ry their work to begin

Then Amy's alto, Lou was shocked that Amy ran her hand down Rosie's head, a movement that she had seen her sister do hundreds of times to Georgie and yet …..

I spied a fair damsel far fairer than any

her cheeks like the red rose that none could excel

her skin like the lily that grows in yon valley

she's my own bonnie Annie my factory girl

The song was slow and haunting, designed to stretch the voice and Amy's and Rosie's voices rang out against the low strumming and Ella's accompanying low hum.

I stepped did up to her just thinkin' to view her

but at me she cast a proud look of disdain sayin'

And then with a smile as Amy put her hand on Rosie's shoulder as she sang out.

"Stand off me young man and do not insult me

for although I am poor sure I think it no shame"

Then Amy again.

"It's not to insult you fair maid I adore thee

ah pray grant me one favor it's where do ya dwell?"

And once again with a smile Rosalie sang.

"Kind sir forgive me it's now I must leave you

for I hear the dumb sound of the factory bell"

Then all three sang again.

Now love is a thing that does rule every nation

good mornin' kind sir and I hope ya do well

my friends and relations would all frown upon it

besides I'm a hardworkin' factory girl

And finally Amy with the ever present low bass hum from Ella.

Oh it's true I do love her but now she won't have me

for her sake I'll wander through valley and dell

and for her sake I'll wander where no one can find me

I'll die for the sake of my factory girl.

The song ended abruptly, voice and guitar stopping simultaneously and the group was stunned a second before applauding and congratulating them.

"That was intense" Georgie said "and I recorded it."

"Well done you all" Jack said.

"Ok, let's get on to the pictures." Amy said grabbing her computer and then turning on the TV. Georgie turned down the lights. Rosie set her guitar in her case and returned to the floor by Amy.

Amy was up front with everything; salary, benefits, perks, the job, everything. All the while showing pictures of the facilities, residences and area all the while answering questions about this and that as she went along.

She followed the order in which she visited, Renard's Dark Horse Run first, then the trip to France and Belgium, followed by Garret's 5 Club ranch and finally up to Whispering Pines. Amy noted the reactions as the pictures went through, who would want what. There were only three votes in the room, Jack, Lisa and Georgie, that mattered to her aside from hers and the Whispering Pines clan and she knew by their reactions what their choice for her would be.

For the first three offers the reactions were what she expected and if those three were the only ones the decision would be much harder.

It seemed Tim was torn between praise for Renard's and Garret's offers financially or how her status would grow in Europe and to him status meant money.

Lisa seemed bored by Renard's which was perfectly understandable as the owner of Fairfield Stables and Garret's offer didn't seem to excite her. Her feelings towards Europe were understandable. Without saying it they knew each other well enough to know what would cloud this. If Amy and Lyndy were in Europe, she would have an easier time visiting and more importantly getting Jack to come along. Attach to that her relationship to Amy on the French team would be great for business. More though, Amy knew Lisa saw the beauty in growing up in an old world setting like was being offered Amy having lived that way herself as a child.

Lou of course fixated on Renard's and France. "Oh Amy's" thrown in here or there. Lou was more than anything a prestige hound and both of these afforded that in spades. Amy understood though that either of those positions would drive her apart from her sister. Lou's nature to compete and win would pit her against Amy because that was Lou.

Poor Georgie was lost in it all. The Andalusians, the jumping and the cowboys. She loved it all and could see being happy in any of those places.

Her Grandpa of course loved Garret's operation, at one point exclaiming "I can't imagine how different my life would have been if I had been offered something like this."

"But if wouldn't have been yours Grandpa" Amy said softly.

Charlotte and Katie sat staring with big eyes at all the pictures and both thought the French cottage was magical. Interesting to Amy were their reactions to seeing Amy jump. Amy noticed that several people picked up that Katie had no interest at all and Charlotte was beside herself.

"Would you like to jump horses sweetheart ?" Ella asked.

"Oh yes Gran, it looks like flying"

"Then we'll see come spring."

"Jumping's not cheap."

"Meaning what Tim ?" Ella snapped back holding out her hand to hold Rosie back as she had turned to him as well.

"Uhmm nothing, just a comment"

"Rosie, want to feed them and we can put them down, then we can do Whispering Pines." Amy asked.

"Yeah, this might be a good time to break" Lisa agreed "Georgie, Jack, let's get night check done."

"I'll help" Tim said

Amy and Rosalie went over to the bed behind the curtain, Amy on her side and Rosie on Ty's as they sat back against the headboards quietly feeding.

"He's out like a light, feeding on instinct" Rosie whispered.

"Her too, long days for them on a ranch" Amy replied.

Ella popped her head in at one point, "you two Ok ?"

"We're good and Lyndy's done, now all I have to do is change her and get her down."

Both kids were troopers and transferred well, they were left behind the curtains and although that in no way stopped the sound, both kids seemed to be used to normal adult conversation as they slept.

In the end Amy only wanted their reaction to Whispering Pines. Since there was no operation going on except doing upkeep and repairs, she focused her pictures on what was most important, family life and the land.

Jack and Lisa both watched Ella and Rosie swell with pride as Amy showed the pictures she had chosen of their home. A set table with home made food with Charlotte taking turns feeding the babies with Rosie. The little table and chair by the fire in her room and her claw foot tub.

She showed them pictures of the barns and told them what she would do with them. Pictures of the well maintained paddocks, work rings and round pens. She took pictures of the long untouched meadows ready and waiting for a herd and the landscapes and vistas from their trail rides. She saw her Grandfather's and Georgie's eyes light up at the views that were new and exciting. She showed pictures of the family pointing out their favorite places and secret meadows.

"Amy Fleming, how could you !" Ella whispered blushing and swatting at her hand as Amy and Rosie giggled. Rosie had taken a picture of Amy standing on the spot where Robert and Ella, well …..

"How about I make it up to you tomorrow" Amy said smiling.

"Deal" Ella agreed.

Lisa smiled knowing there was a secret story somewhere that brought her granddaughter joy. She was fine not knowing, seeing her smile was enough.

"Your spread is beautiful Ella" Lisa said reaching across to both Ella and Rosie.

"1878, I know you all were first but hell we're miles north of here." Ella extolled proudly.

"Couldn't have been easy, I wonder what drove them."

"The chance to build up and call something your own Jack" Ella said looking at Amy.

And then startling everybody and shocking Tim to silence Ella turned to Amy and was a Grandmother in every sense of the word. "Well young lady, you want to dance with someone else's horses ? Watch a bunch of men jump around on someone else's horses, start someone else's stock and have what appears to be 20 men tipping their hats and saying ma'am to you all day or do you want to do all that for yourself, on land and with a family you can call your own."

"Now wait one second I" Tim started

"Shut up Tim, this isn't a damned vote and none of us is blind, we all saw what the world thinks of Amy Fleming's talent, look at that stack over there, for once be a father and let her decide who Amy Fleming is !"

"Amy ?" Rosalie asked.

"Guess I'm moving to Edmonton" Amy announced.

"Is that us ?" Charlotte asked

"Yes sweetheart and my first order of business is to find you a jumper"

"Yay !" Charlotte exclaimed dancing around.

"That's it ? No one gets a say in anything, why are we here anyway ?"

"Tim, calm down, we were here so that Amy could show us the offers she considered and give us her decision and I for one support it whole heartedly. Congratulations and now I have another place to come for dinner on the road".

"You're welcome anytime Casey" Rosie exclaimed.

"I want to see the contract."

"Ashe is working on it dad."

"She's been an attorney for what 10 minutes ?"

"What is it you want to see Mr. Fleming", Rosalie said turning to him "we have no big salaries to negotiate, no fancy house, gardeners or servants. What we have is what she wants, our land, our love, our dreams and ourselves. We have two high school boys who help us after school, decent tools, and two barns but we've saved over 1000 horses on our ranch over the years and we can do that again. Go ahead Ella, do it, give it to her."

Ella got up and pulled two envelopes from Jared's diaper bag.

"This is my will, I had it changed and this becomes official as soon as I sign it and file it with our attorneys. It names Rosalie and Amy or their heirs as joint owners of the ranch upon my death. The second envelope is a deed to the first 100 of those acres Amy, if you want it."

"Neither are necessary Ella, really." Amy said.

"Are you crazy ?" Tim exploded.

"Jack, he has no off button, none at all ?" Casey ?" Ella exclaimed.

"I've never found one" Jack said.

"Me neither" Casey mumbled.

"Fine, no one wants my opinion, fine" Tim muttered.

"What's your opinion dad and keep it down please, babies sleeping" Amy asked.

"Gerard, nice life, good salary and you stay in Canada".

"Lou ?"

"You want Whispering Pines Amy, that's what you should do."

"Way to go Mom !" Georgie exclaimed.

"Georgie ?" Amy asked.

"Applying to every university near Edmonton tomorrow. By the way, I saw the letter to you from Colorado State. You didn't call them about me, they offered you a job."

"And I told them no and about you."

"What didn't make the list aside from the local stuff ?" Lisa asked as Amy fixed herself some more tea.

"The latest came this morning, Stewart Forrest called, he was away and didn't get my email. He offered to let me be head trainer at his facility in England, horses and jumpers."

"A couple teaching positions like Colorado State, a Ring of Fire tour, Rodeo Clinician, ranches, training facilities, some nice, some without Lyndy as if I would consider that."

"You do what's best for your family Amy."

"Being with Lyndy is the best for my family Lou, always."

The decision having been made to everyone's approval except Tim; Lisa and Jack brought out a bottle of Champagne to toast the occasion and a bottle of sparkling cider for Amy, Tim and the girls. They toasted and drank until the girls started yawning. They hugged and kissed everyone goodnight and soon they could hear Tim and Casey driving off to Big River and the crowd receding to the ranch house.

"Movie or bed talk Rosie ?"

"How about a movie, I'm not sure I'm ready for bed talk yet" Rosalie said.

"Sleepwear or as is ?" Amy asked

"Sleepwear is fine Amy, why don't you get changed and I'll get the dishes. "

Amy changed into yoga pants and one of Ty's old T shirts. She threw an old flannel over the top and headed to the couch. Rosie got changed into sweats and a pull over Henley shirt with holes.

They sat on the couch and chose The African Queen to watch and about a quarter of the way through started yawning. They agreed to give it up after a few minutes longer and made their way to the bed tucking themselves under the blanket. They turned, their heads resting about a foot from each other while they looked into each other's eyes.

"Did you have a good day Rosie" Amy said yawning.

"I had a way better night Amy, are you happy with your decision ?"

"Right now it's the only decision I could make."

"Then let's leave it at that for now, are you glad we came ?"

"I am Rosie, Lara offered to come if it would make a difference."

"That's nice I guess but it's sad your friend is so far away"

"She said she'll come and visit now that Ty doesn't have to deal with the whole jumping and Europe thing, ridiculously unsure of his place in my heart."

"I guess we have plenty of stories to tell each other, good thing we have a lifetime to do it in. Good night Amy" Rosalie drawled, closing her eyes.

"Good night Rosie" Amy answered closing her eyes.