Chapter 7

Amy opened her eyes slowly as a finger swept across her forehead clearing her face of some stray hairs and tucking them gently behind her ear. "Ty" she thought reaching up to take and kiss the palm gently.

"Sorry Amy" Rosalie whispered "I shouldn't have."

"Rosie, I thought" she stammered.

"I know, I shouldn't have" Rosalie repeated.

"No, it's Ok Rosie, I, I can't explain" Amy began softly, her voice unsure.

"Shhh, don't be upset, Ella would say I'm in the tall weeds here too" Rosie whispered smiling at her.

"Rosie, I still see him, dream of him, how can I" Amy said the tears slowly forming.

"No, No Amy, shhh" Rosie said moving over and pulling Amy towards her and gently into her arms, shhhh, of course it's too soon, I still see Jason sometimes, it scares me and the dreams, I have them too. I don't know what this is Amy or even understand it and I doubt we have a choice in any of this but we have time, maybe a lifetime. I know I love you Amy, I can live with that for now."

"Yeah" Amy said shifting her head a bit and smiling. "You need a hat Rosie."

"What kind of hat ?"

"A cowboy hat and I'm going to buy you one later and one for Charlotte and boots for her too."

"We passed a place called Maggie's on the way in."

"That's where we'll go, lunch at Maggie's and then shopping at Maggie's."

"Must be good to be Maggie"

"It was, my best friend in high School was Soraya Duvall and her mom Maggie is well Maggie but Lou's now Maggie and we pay cost."

"Oh, Lou doesn't work at the ranch ?"

"One night we'll all snuggle near the fire at Whispering Pines and I will relay the Bartlett-Fleming-Morris-Borden Saga for the last 27 years."

"Mine needs a bath and I need a shower"

"Same here, showers for us first while they sleep, you go first Rosie, and I'll get coffee started."

They managed to each shower and get dressed before the babies woke up. Jared got up first and Lyndy woke while Jared was being fed. Amy got Lyndy changed and into a onesie and then sat down in her rocker. She looked down at her daughter and smiled as she coaxed her onto her breast. Amy smiled as Lyndy waved her hand a bit until settling it on Amy's chest.

"You're beautiful you know"

Amy looked up and was obviously not happy.

"Whoa, did I do something ?"

Amy closed her eyes "You can't do this Ty, please"

"OK, you're right, I'm sorry"

"Thank you, I don't deserve your understanding, I'm sorry."

"You deserve to be happy Amy, never forget that"

"You Ok Amy ?, you looked a million miles away" Rosalie said.

"Sorry Rosie, I got lost in a memory. Did I tell you that Lyndy was born right in this bed"

"Ella mentioned it but I hadn't thought about it till now. That's nice, you bringing this, well, home with you ?"

"Sounds nice to hear you call it home, I love this bed" Amy said looking up at Rosie and smiled, a soft loving expression on her face.

"What was that ?"

"You're beautiful Rosie" Amy said and then she smiled again as she saw the blush rise in Rosie's cheeks.

"Stop that you" Rosie said smiling as she looked back down at Jared.

A little later they knelt side by side at the tub and washed the babies who seemed to have a ball playing with each in the tub and splashing. Soon they had them out and were drying them off and trying to keep them warm.

Amy was startled out of her thoughts when the knock came.

"Damn, who's there, CAN'T DO THE STAIRS RIGHT NOW" Amy called out.

"It's Lisa, Ella and Georgie, can I use my key ?"

"Absolutely Lisa" Amy called back as they both wrapped the babies and carried them out of the bathroom. They laid the babies on the bed and started dressing them.

"So that's the bed huh ?" Ella said walking over when she hit the landing.

"Yup, made and delivered her right there" Amy said.

"So what are you thinking of taking Amy ?" Lisa asked

"The leather chair and ottoman, bed, rocker of course, stereo, crib for now, personal stuff, not sure of everything I guess. Oh, office desk and chair, journals and that stuff, the small fridges from the office maybe the big bookcase. The loft will be amazing for Georgie compared to what Ty went through. Just needs a bed."

"University of Alberta Canmore is one hour and ten minutes from your ranch Amy, almost exactly what UC is from here and without a dorm expense I can get a truck".

"Have you been invited young lady ?" Amy asked

"Well no, but, I just figured" Georgie said sheepishly.

"The Bouchers are leaving after breakfast tomorrow and we can sit down and talk all this out with Lou. You're welcome at Whispering Pines Georgie, you know I love you and would never turn you away but you and I can't make this decision without one or hopefully both of your folks."

"Dad doesn't care where I go to college and it doesn't really sound like he wants me at his place if I went to Vancouver. His words say yes but his exuberance level is zero. Oh and forget a face to face with Mom, Lou's leaving tomorrow again, something's come up."

"With or without Katie this time ?"

"I think without" Lisa said.

Amy put her head down and ran her hand over her forehead and through her hair, when she blew out a load of air Georgie understood what she was doing.

"Let it out all out coach" Georgie said smiling at the words and action that Amy had said and done with her a million times since she snuck into Heartland and Amy wouldn't let Clint take her off to foster care.

"Maybe I should ask to take her too, at least this way she and Georgie can be together and she can have some stability."

"Lou would never go for it" Lisa said.

"It's not right Lisa, it's not like she's with Lou in NY half the time, she has a nanny"

"I'm starting to feel that way myself. Don't take this the wrong way Amy but with you leaving, Jack and I caring for a pre teen is a lot of extra work."

"Ella, Rosie, you have an opinion on this ?" Amy asked.

Ella looked over at Georgie and then at Lisa and Amy, "Georgie there are two rooms upstairs pretty much like yours, you don't want the one that faces East, sunrise is a bear in that room. Katie can share with Charlotte for now. Apparently this gene didn't pass to you thankfully Amy."

"I'm technically a Crawley by the way, no genes here." Georgie added.

"Lisa mentioned that, you're a lucky girl to wind up here Georgie" Ella said.

"We were lucky too Ella" Amy said smiling at Georgie, "Ok well, Lisa see what Grandpa thinks about all this and Georgie, send out your applications."

Lisa checked her phone as it buzzed. "Charlotte and Katie are up, Jack's making them eggs."

"I have to get to school and so does Katie" Georgie said "I mucked out with Mitch Amy so you're in the clear."

"Unfortunately, Charlotte felt poorly this morning and we called her in sick" Ella laughed. "What are the plans for today Amy ?"

"Breakfast, trail ride, Maggie's with my girls, shopping, oh and finding out all about livestock someone bought without checking with me first."

"Well, to be fair, the partners want to talk to you before we finalize the cows."

"Ok then, how about you two Grandmas get this one and Katie off to school and these two to the ranch house while Rosie and I straighten up here and have a cup of coffee in peace."

"Sounds good" Lisa said and a few minutes later Amy and Rosalie were alone.

They straightened up the room, made the bed, cleared and folded the baby's clothes and when done they each poured a cup of black coffee and sat at the table.

They sipped their coffee, each in their own world until Amy inched her hand over to take Rosie's. Amy ran her thumb in a circled caress of Rosie's fingers both watching the interplay between them and feeling an electricity that neither could explain. After a short time Rosie turned her hand and stretched her palm and Amy lay her fingertips against Rosie's. Their caresses were soft and gently placed, there was no need to move forward but the desire rose in them both until mutually they pulled away sighing inwardly to themselves.

"We should get going and get on a trail, I'd love for you and Ella to see the ranch."

"Then we should go" Rosalie sighed understanding the need to move but loathe to lose the feeling she had.

Amy got up and softly kissed Rosie's head as she passed and headed over to her hat and boots. Rosie followed and pulling on her boots, reached for one of Amy's baseball caps and pulled it on. "How's that ?"

"Cute, but I'm buying you a real hat today Rosie and that's that."

"Ty wore one I assume ?"

"Nope, he owned one of Grandpa's and yes there's a story that goes with it but he wasn't a hat guy. Biker all the way through, boots and leather jacket, helmet when he rode, stocking cap in the cold.

They left the apartment and Amy locked the door on their way out. As they walked close to each other and past the quonset Jack looked up as a young man knelt at the Norton.

"Amy, this is Grant Stevens, he's thinking of buying the Norton." Jack said.

Amy walked over and shook his hand "It's a great ride, all original".

"It's a beaut for sure, well cared for too" Grant said.

"Then let's you and I get to haggling Grant" Jack said.

"Good luck Grant, ride safe" Amy said shaking his hand and walking away.

"You never got one, a motorcycle I mean" Rosie asked.'

"We talked about it but it never happened, I rode his when he was away. I guess we always thought there would be time we'd actually end up spending together but that dream disappeared, turns out in the last year we didn't spend much time together at all. We started by planning a two week trip to visit his folks in Vancouver but in the end he decided to go on his own. He out and out lied to me Rosie." Amy said tears coming to her eyes, embarrassing her.

Rosie waited patiently for her to pull herself together, seeing Amy like this broke her heart and all she wanted to do was pull her into her arms and soothe her pain.

"I'm sorry Rosie, you shouldn't have to" Amy said her head down and shaking.

"Don't you dare Amy Fleming, I'm here for you, always, do you understand me ? I love you and that doesn't come with strings attached. Now get your shit together and let's get on with our day."

Amy smiled and reached over to squeeze Rosie's hand for a second and looked into her eyes. "Come on then Rosie, let's go."

They came into the mud room and kicked off their boots, Amy hung her hat and they walked into the living room to sit with the family.

Amy sat next to Rosie on the couch. Charlotte was drawing and Ella was talking with Jack, Lisa and Lou.

"Dad been around ? Amy asked.

"He was here early and went out with Mitch to work the fences." Jack said.

"Imagine that" Amy commented wryly.

"Stop picking on him Amy" Lou said.

"Why Lou ? He's lazy, belligerent and full of undeserved self importance and I'm tired of it."

"Just try to cut him some slack, he's upset to be losing you and he's changed."

"Oh that's right, dad thought he was sick and had a come to Jesus moment and apologized to mom so all should be forgiven, it would be just like him to think my moving ahead with my life is all about his feelings."

"So I assume you'll be taking Spartan and Harley, what others are you thinking about ?" Jack asked changing the direction of the conversation..

"Chance, Pal, maybe some others, Monty and Pogey, we'll talk about it."

"Pal is Shane's horse." Lou said.

"Shane is attending UA Canmore Lou, he asked me to bring Pal where he can ride, he's an hour from the ranch and misses it and I miss him."

"I know, Georgie's mentioned the distance twenty times since last night" Lou said.

"It would be nice if they became friends, Shane and Georgie" Jack said.

"It would be nice if they met" Amy added.

"'I'm sorry, Shane ?" Ella asked.

"Lou and I have a half brother, Shane. Dad and Miranda hooked up when he left. They had a brief thing and in a drunken drug filled stupor, made him. Miranda threw Dad out when she realized, cleaned up her act and 12 years later Dad found out he had a son. Of course that worked for a time but they've had a blow out and haven't spoken in years."

"He's some piece of work that father of yours" Ella muttered. Jack reached over and patted her hand.

'"Do you have an opinion about that Lou, Georgie going to Canmore ?" Lisa asked.

"Does my opinion matter ?" Lou asked.

"Not as much as Georgie's does in this but of course it matters Lou, she needs your and Peter's support." Amy answered.

"Peter's all for anything that apparently doesn't effect more than his checkbook. Don't get me wrong, he's Johnny on the Spot when the shit hits the fan but he's basically told me, not in so many words mind you, that having Georgie live with him in Vancouver wouldn't be easy, besides, he thinks dorm life would be great for her, she'll love it."

"I hear you and Katie are leaving again tomorrow." Amy said glancing at Lisa.

"Just me for a few weeks, NY and then Nashville" Lou said "you'll be around right ?"

"Oh sure, for the time being. Nashville Lou ?" Amy asked.

"They're thinking a Maggie's in Nashville would be a big hit and there we can outfit a tack room addition and sell clothes and the like." Lou said.

"So no end in sight ?" Amy asked.

"I can't Amy, not now, just imagine the possibilities" Lou said.

"Let me take Katie with me Lou" Amy said softly as Lisa and Jack both looked up.

"What ? are you crazy Amy, she's my daughter" Lou said looking over at Jack and Lisa for support. "She'll be fine here."

"Have you asked ?" Amy whispered.

"Asked what ?" Lou said "She loves it here and Grandpa doesn't mind."

"He's 80 Lou and I'm leaving, Lisa has Fairfield to run and Georgie will be away a lot of the time. Dad's, well dad and it's not Mitch's job. Let her come live with us, she'll hopefully be with Georgie and she can grow up with brothers and sisters and some stability."

"Do I get a say in this ?" Jack asked.

"No Grandpa you don't." Amy said taking his hands gingerly in hers. She ran her fingers up around his hands holding them and then gently squeezed his knuckles.

"Hey" Jack said pulling his hands away. "Watch that".

Slowly and with determination Amy looked at them both. "Sorry Grandpa, maybe not the best way to prove my point, you're 80, you need to slow down, Lou needs to stay home and you need to hire a capable hand or two that actually show up and work. I'm leaving, things can't just go on the way they were around here. Katie needs parents Lou and you need to be here to keep up on things, this is your legacy, Heartland and your kids, not Maggie's."

"I'm fine Amy" Jack said "the arthritis comes and goes."

"Bullshit" Amy whispered. "You're both full of it, no better than Ty and his crap, stubborn and selfish."

"Lisa, nothing to say ?" Jack asked.

"Don't you do that to me Jack Bartlett, you know my feelings about all this" Lisa said. "Amy, do you mind if I came along on your ride ?"

"Of course not Lisa. Ella, Charlotte, Rosie let's hit the trails" Amy said getting up "you two are in need of a serious discussion, I'd have that now if I were either of you and keep an eye on our kids please."

"Lisa I'll go fetch Cinders in for you and get Chance for Charlotte, If you can get Trouble saddled for Ella and Harley for Rosie I'll be back in a second."

"Sure thing Amy" Lisa said.

As Amy rode away Rosie looked up "Harley a good horse ?, Amy said she's taking him"

"Harley was Ty's horse Rosie, she hasn't let anyone ride him except her since, well.

He's over next to Spartan sweetheart and you can grab that saddle over there." Lisa added.

As Lisa introduced Trouble to Ella explaining that he was one of Georgie's horses Rosie clipped Harley up and talked to him. "So you're special huh and know all their secrets and you know how to ride with her don't you ? Huh good boy." She set about getting a blanket on him and then a saddle. "You'll help us do this won't you Harley, for her sake ?"

Lisa and Ella minded their own business and Ella reached over to Lisa and squeezed her hand in understanding when a tear fell from Lisa's eye. Neither understood the bond that had developed between their granddaughters and it both delighted and frightened them. "We need to sit down for a long talk Ella."

"We do and we will Lisa" Ella agreed.

Amy got back a few minutes later with Cinders and Chance and while Lisa dealt with Cinders, Amy and Rosalie set about introducing Chance to Charlotte. "He's a very gentle ride Charlotte and a good solid ranch horse" Amy said as Charlotte followed Amy's directions during the introductions and Chance responded as his jovial self.

"He likes me Amy" Charlotte said with a big grin.

"He seems to for sure, how about you, do you like him ?"

"He's wonderful and he's white like in all the books"

"How would you feel about him being your horse ?"

Charlotte stepped back her mouth open and eyes wide. "My own, my very own ?"

"Your very own sweetheart" Amy said as Rosie bit back tears and turned away.

"Mommy, can I" Charlotte asked.

"Of course sweetie", Rosie sniffed, looking up at Ella who had the biggest smile, "but you'll have to promise to help take care of him when Amy brings him, and talk to him and love him."

"I will, I promise" Charlotte said.

"Sounds like a done deal to me" Ella said coming over to hug Charlotte and then Amy.

"And ?" Amy asked opening her arms and bending over with her arms out.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you" Charlotte yelled running over and throwing herself into Amy's arms. They watched as Amy closed her eyes and absorbed this sweet little girl. They could see her sucking life and happiness from the moment like a clean, deep breath and Rosalie's smile was radiant at the exchange.

"Can you help me up ?" Charlotte asked as Amy joined her hands and helped Charlotte into the saddle and then adjusted the stirrups for her . Chance stood still as a post as she settled onto him and a second later when she clicked her tongue Chance walked out into the sun with the happiest girl for miles on his back as she leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him.

"You're going to spoil her rotten aren't you ?" Rosie asked as she put her arms around Amy from the back and hugging her causing Amy to sigh.

"That horse comes with an 8 year old sized mucking out set, so no, I doubt spoiled is the right word but I will do my damndest to see that smile on her face everyday of our time together."

"This isn't going to be easy for Jack or Lou to hear but if things around here aren't going to change I think you should take Katie." Lisa said softly.

"Let's take it slow Lisa, I don't know what got me to say it so quickly, I had thought to bring it up slowly but Nashville, so soon? Then what, Vegas, LA, Miami ?"

"Let's ride" Lisa said as they headed off on the trail "We wouldn't move her until school is out anyway, we have time to give Lou. Jack is another story and you need to deal with Caleb."

"I feel like tanning his hide" Amy said.

"Still, Cass and he are some of your best friends and Lyndy's godparents" Lisa said.

"I know, Ashley is coming in Friday and we have a meeting on Saturday with the clinic attorney for some reason and to get the paperwork done for Whispering Pines. There's also apparently some breakthrough with the insurance company so who knows. I'll talk to Cass about Caleb, she hasn't been around a lot either. Or Scott for that matter. Enabling cowards, all of them."

"Amy come on" Lisa said.

"They knew about it all Lisa, he made promises to them all and they all let him break them including me. And Caleb, you know what his problem is don't you ? Caleb knew about the bull and the doctor's order's and together they acted like idiots. What the hell were they thinking ?"

Spartan stopped and looked over his shoulder. "I'm sorry boy, I keep doing that to you don't I."

Spartan grunted and made a small whinny, Rosie was a bit surprised as Harley walked over to nuzzle him and take a step.

"Called in reinforcements huh" Amy said patting Spartan's neck as they walked together. Charlotte on Chance walked beside Ella as they looked out on Heartland and the views with either Lisa or Amy pointing out significant spots or history. At one point the trail they were on got narrow and they had to scrunch together. Harley and Spartan, so in sync through the years came together and Amy, without thinking reached out as she always would at a spot like this to hold Ty's hand but what she got was Rosalie and though it took a second she realized that it fit and it made her happy. More importantly when she glanced over, Rosie smiled at her and those flashing green eyes tore into her heart.

"Look Gran" Charlotte whispered.

"I see sweetheart, I see" Ella whispered back glancing over at Lisa who was smiling.

At one point they all got off and let the horses rest by a small creek. Amy led them through some birches to a small clearing with a view that was breathtaking. She stood and looked out and at one point took out her phone and snapped a picture of Ella which she sent to Ella's phone.

"What's this ?" Ella asked looking at the picture.

"We're even you and I Ella" Amy said smiling.

""What is this all about, this is from last night right ?" Lisa asked.

"The first time Ty and I made love was right there on that spot" Amy said.

"Hmmm, I always figured, loft, trailer or truck" Lisa said.

"Nope, it was right here and I put my foot down and gave him no choice." Amy said.

"You didn't huh ?" Rosie asked her interest peaked.

"I was pretty insistent by this point and I'm not sure what his deal was" Amy stopped and looked over to see Charlotte standing with Chance and out of earshot "We made out for like an hour, touching, whispering, he was driving me nuts, I'm all undone, blouse open, pants unbuttoned, sweaty, you know, and finally I just stopped. He looked at me and said "what ?" his hair was all in his face he had that beautiful grin and those eyes, I said Ty, I can't do this anymore, you are driving me crazy if you're not going to pull my pants off and make love to me then saddle Spartan."

"Atta girl" Rosie said laughing.

"And" Ella asked

"We didn't stop till the day he died, except for Europe and his subsequent meltdown and I guess all the trips."

"All tales for another day" Lisa said walking over towards the horses with Ella, both smiling.

"So you like sex huh ?" Rosie asked in a whisper.

"And miss it terribly " Amy whispered back with a grin.

"Truth, were you holding my hand ?"

"For a second no and then yes Rosie, the same with this morning, I'm sorry" she said apologetically, dropping her eyes.

"No Amy, this is the hardest time, you didn't stop and that's so important to me, I don't know if I could handle you pulling away from me, my touch."

"I don't think I could ever do that Rosie" Amy said.

Ella gave Charlotte a leg up and the caravan continued on.

This time Lisa, Ella and Charlotte led the way. "Which way Amy ? jumping course ?"

"Not today Lisa." Amy said feeling self conscious.

"That's fine, we can head back through the dude ranch." Lisa said picking up on her reluctance.

Amy smiled as they passed through an open clearing in the woods "hands Spartan" she said.

Rosalie looked over as Spartan took a conscious step to the side closer to Harley and Amy took her hand. "This one is all you Rosie" she whispered lifting Rosie's hand turning and kissing her palm lightly, the electricity firing through both of them.

"What else does he do ?" Rosie asked nodding at Spartan with a huge grin.

"You want it all at once ?"

"Little by little works fine with me Amy" as they rode on hand in hand.