Over the next few days Ty helped Amy with the babies when he had free time. He stopped working so much and staying home. Amy was super busy with everything at the ranch. not only did they need some new feed buckets, lead ropes, hay nets, and grooming supplies but she also had 3 horses that needed rehomed and 4 horses here for training. Dash started making a little progress. She could get a saddle and bit on him but he still wouldn't allow anyone to ride him. Amy had Ty check him out but he found nothing wrong. Amy did make progress getting Dash to trust Logan again. He would allow Logan to enter his stall and exersise him. Amy passed Paisley's stall and checked on her foal Spark Plug. She named him that for his crazy energy. Amy opened the stall door and patted Paisley's neck.
"Hey girl. How are you doing today?"
Paisley whinnied in greeting then pulled at her hay net. Amy knelt down and let Spark nuzzle his face against her hand.
"Hi Spark. Are you ready for your exersise?"
She pulled out his halter and slid in on. She slowly lead him from the stall and out into the yard. He hesitated but followed Amy. Maddie was sitting on the porch in a white turtleneck, light pink oso vest, jeans, and pink cowboy boots. She saw Spark and came over.
"Mommy can I help?"
Amy nodded and handed her a mint. "Can you give it to him?"
Maddie held out the mint and Spark accepted it. Amy passed Maddie the lead rope and had her take Spark into the round pen. Amy started having him learn to drink from a bucket. He did ok but still had a long way to go. Maddie put him away and Amy decided to call it a day. She saw Logan fixing part of the fence and Caleb cleaning out the fed buckets. Amy made a list of what she needed to order for the ranch then carried Maddie inside. They walked into the living room to find Jack playing with Noah and Lisa playing with Hannah. Amy set Maddie down and sat down on the couch next to Lisa. Amy smiled.
"I hope they were good for you two."
Lisa smiled and Hannah started looking around. "They were great. I think someone heard Mommy."
Lisa passed hannah to Amy. Amy craled Hannah and kissed her forehead.
"Were you good for Grandpa and Mimi?"
Hannah grinned and reached for Amy's face. Maddie kissed Noah's head and then sat between Lisa and Amy. Lisa looked at her.
"What did you do today ?"
"I colored, played with dolls, helped Mommy with the horsies, and played Hide and Seek with katie and Georgie."
Lisa kissed her forehead. "Sounds fun."
Amy gave Hannah her favorite purple pacifier and turned when she heard the door open. Ty walked into the living room. Maddie ran to him.
"Daddy!"
Ty caught her and kissed her cheek. He set her down and walked over to sit in the other arm chair. Jack handed him Noah and he and Lisa left the room. Ty made faces at Noah while Amy smiled.
"How was work?"
"Ok. Yours?"
"Good I made progress with Spark."
Maddie smiled as she gave Noah his blue pacifier. "I helped Mommy with Spark."
"Wow! Did you do good?"
Maddie nodded and climbed back onto the couch. She crawled over to Amy and gave Hannah kisses. Amy stood up and set Hannah in the playpen and walked into the kitchen. Lou was already cooking so Amy jumped in and helped her finish. When they all sat down for dinner Tim glanced at Amy.
"So I have an idea."
Georgie nudged Amy. "That is never a good thing."
Amy laughed while Tim scowled and continued. "I was just thinking that maybe it's time to start giving Maddie some kind of horse lessons. Barrel racing, trick riding, show jumping or roping."
Ty cleared his throat. "I think she is a little young. She just learned how to ride."
"I'm not saying have her compete. I'm saying start teaching her. Give her the basic tools and see which one she likes the best. If you start her young and give her time to learn she will be a safer rider. If you wait and do with her like you did with georgie she is more likely to get hurt."
Amy thought for a moment. "For once you might be right. We can teach her the basics now and monitor her carefully."
Ty nodded. "What do you think we should start her on?"
Jack looked at Amy. "Basic trick riding and jumping is probably the easiest."
Amy nodded and finished her dinner. Ty brought it up again after they put Maddie to bed. he was feeding Noah while Amy nursed Hannah.
"Do you really think it's a good idea to teach her to trick ride?"
Amy let Hannah grasp her pinkie. "I'm not saying we teach her to hang off the side of a galloping horse. I think we can teach her to bond with a horse and to trust them. She can learn how to ride without a bit or a saddle. She could stand on a horse. But show jumping we can teach her how to guide a horse over ground poles."
Ty nodded. "If you think it is a good idea then ok."
Amy smiled and burped Hannah. She kept the baby's head on her shoulder and rubbed her back. She watched Ty burp noah and then cradle him. She kissed Hannah's head before speaking.
"I think i figured out how to get through to Dash. I think Logan is the key. Dash trust him i can see that but he needs to get over the fear of being riden. I think that since Logan was riding him during the accident then Logan has to help him work through the fear."
Ty thought it over and nodded. "You're probably right. But how are you going to convince Logan that you're right?"
Amy smiled. "I think he will understand."
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The next day Amy walked over to Logan. He was getting ready to muck out the stalls.
"Logan! Change of plans. Go get your riding gear on."
Logan looked confused but walked up to the loft. When he came back down he had his boots and helmet on. Georgie came into the barn and smiled.
"Are you two going for a trail ride?"
Amy shook her head. "No but stick with us. I might need your help."
Georgie nodded. Amy sent she and Logan out to the round pen while Amy got Dash out of his stall. He was nervous but went into the pen. Logan's eyes widened.
"No way! Not going to happen."
Amy frowned and unclipped Dash's lead rope. Amy handed it to Logan. "You're not going to ride him yet. You are going to get him to join up with you."
Logan hesitated but walked in. He drove Dash around the pen for half an hour before Amy saw the sign. She looked at Logan.
"Logan turn around and slowly walk towards me."
He did and stopped about 2 feet away from Amy and Georgie. Dash followed him. Logan grinned and patted Dash's neck. Amy went into the pen and patted Dash too. She then saddled him up. He did well. Amy looked at Logan.
"Take your hand and put some gentle pressure on his saddle."
Logan did as he was told. Dash didn't react.
"Ok now place your foot in his stirup like you were going to mount him."
Logan did and again Dash didn't move.
"Great now mount him."
Logan did and Dash stood tall. Logan grinned and started walking him around the round pen. Then he sped him to a gallop. Dash did great and responded nicely. Amy and Georgie clapped for him. After a while Logan hopped off and put Dash away. When he came out Amy noticed him staring at Georgie. Amy walked over and smiled.
"You did great."
Logan smiled but it quickly faltered.
"What's wrong Logan?"
He hesitated as he watched Georgie jump Phoenix. "You and my mom had a deal that I stay here until Dash is healed. Well Dash is doing great. I just thought I would have more time."
Amy nodded. "You like it here."
Logan gave a crooked smile. "Yeah. The horses are cool to work with and I like working with my hands. Plus Jack, Tim, and Caleb have taught me so much about working on a ranch. And..."
Amy followed his gaze and she grinned. "You like Georgie."
Logan glanced at her quickly but then nodded. "She isn't like the other girls I know. She's tough."
Amy nodded. "Have you told her how you feel?"
Logan shook his head. "I haven't really spent any time alone with her. We always have someone with us but she is amazing. She likes horses, she isn't afraid to get dirty and she is funny. What if I tell her how I feel and she doesn't feel the same way?"
Amy sat down on the bales of hay next to them and motioned for him to sit. "If you never tell her you will regret it. As for you staying I am sure I can work something out with your mom."
Logan nodded and Amy thought of something.
"Can you go saddle up Pal?"
Logan stared. "Yeah why?"
"I think I can get you and Georgie alone."
He smiled and went to get Pal. Amy walked over to the jumping ring. Georgie had just done some minor jumps.
"Georgie!"
She turned and led Phoenix over to Amy. "Hey Amy. Can we work a little?"
"Actually I have a job for you and Logan."
Georgie looked curious but hopped off Phoenix and led him over to where Logan was finishing tacking Pal up. Logan looked over to Amy.
"So what are we doing?"
"Georgie and Maddie keep saying that they see a white mustang hanging around the ranch. So you two are going to go on the other side of the property by the river and see if there is any sign of him."
Logan mounted Pal and Georgie mounted Phoenix. They both took off. Amy gave herself a mental pat on the back. When everyone was getting ready for dinner Amy got a text from Georgie saying that they were on their way back. Amy pulled up Charlotte's number on her phone and called her.
"Hello?"
"Hi Charlotte this is Amy Borden calling from Heartland."
"Oh hi Amy. Are Dash and Logan ready to come home?"
Amy hesitated and sat down in the living room with everyone. "That is why I am calling. Dash is doing great but Logan would like to stay."
Everyone looked at Amy shocked and Charlotte sounded equally shocked. "He wants to stay?"
"Yes he likes learning from my grandfather about running a ranch. He says he feels like this is where he belongs."
Charlotte was quiet for a moment. "Can I speak to him?"
"He is actually out with my niece looking for a stray horse right now. I'll have him call you when he gets in."
"Ok thank you Amy. Bye."
Amy set her phone down and noticed everyone looking at her. Lou spoke concerned.
"Logan wants to stay here? Why?"
Amy cradled Noah. "He says he likes helping with the horses and working with his hands. He likes being around a family and..."
Mallory smirked. "Georgie."
Peter looked from Mallory to Amy. "What about Georgie?"
Amy giggled. "Logan likes her."
Lou awed but then her eyes widened. "And you sent them into the woods alone?"
Everyone laughed and Amy shook her head. "Lou, Logan was afraid to even talk to her. I think you're safe."
Lou nodded and set the table. Jack looked at Amy.
"If Logan wants to stay, I would appriciate the help."
Amy was about to say more but Logan and Georgie walked in. Logan was laughing and Georgie was blushing. Amy stood up and spoke to Logan.
"I called your mom and she wants you to call her back."
Logan nodded and pulled out his phone. He stepped onto the porch but Amy could still hear him.
"Hey Mom...Yes I really want to stay...well Amy's family is really great and they are teaching me so much...Well there might also be a girl...she's great and really different...I know I can't stay here forever...Can I stay until school starts again in the fall?...Thanks Mom...I love you too. Bye."
Logan came back in smiling he looked at Amy.
"She said I can stay for 5 months but I have to be home in September to start school again. If it's ok with you and your family."
Amy looked at Lou and they both smiled. "Logan all of us are happy to have you."
Logan hugged Amy and went into the living room. Georgie grinned.
"So what's the verdict?"
"I'm staying until September."
Georgie hugged him and pulled away quickly. Maddie ran over and hugged him tight. Logan was truely part of the family.
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Over the next few weeks Amy noticed Logan and Georgie getting closer. It was now rare you saw one without the other. Dash was back to his old self and would allow anyone to ride him. Today though Amy promised Maddie and Katie that she would take them on a trail ride. She had Spartan, Pal and Harley tacked up. Maddie came running out of the house in her riding gear and held onto Harley's reins. katie came out 2 minutes later and climbed on Pal. Maddie got her foot in Harley's stirrup and tried to pull herself up. She was to tiny. Amy walked over and tried to help her.
"Here Mad."
Maddie shook her head. "I can do it."
Amy laughed Maddie was turning three tommorow and was declaring this week "Maddie Week". She eventually pulled herself up and had Harley start walking towards the trail. The three of them had been riding for a few minutes when maddie saw something.
"Mommy look."
Amy turned and saw him. The white stallion was staring at them. Amy was afraid to inch forward. Maddie pulled a mint out of her pocket and held it out to the stallion. He hesitated but started walking towards Maddie. When he was a few inches away from maddie's hand Amy noticed the blood on him. It looked like he had tried to jump a barb wired fence. The stallion accepted the mint and shocked Amy by staying close to Maddie and allowing the little girl to pet him. When Amy inched forward the stallion snapped and ran away from her. Amy turned around with the girls and headed back towards the house. She pulled her cell phone out on the way and called Scott.
"Hello?"
"Hey Scott it's Amy. i need you and Ty to come out to the ranch with a tranq gun."
"Why? What's going on?"
"Remeber that mustang that looked like Pegasus?"
"Yeah."
"Well I saw him when I was out riding with Katie and Maddie. He's hurt really hurt. It looks like he tried to jump the barbed wire fence and it caught him. If we don't find him he might die."
"We're on our way. I'll bring Sundance and we can see about tracking him on horse back."
"Thanks Scott."
Amy helped the girls off their horses and grabbed Jack, Tim, Caleb, Georgie, Peter and Logan to come help her look. Lou, Mallory and Lisa offered to stay with the kids. When Ty and Scott arrived Scott unloaded his buckskin gelding named Sundance and Amy handed Harley off to Ty. He looked at Amy.
"Are you sure it was the mustang?"
"Yes. He went to Maddie but when I tried to grab him he ran. I think he will go to Harley."
Ty nodded and climbed on. Amy climbed onto Spartan. Georgie was on Phoenix, Peter was on Pal, Tim on Patches, Jack on his horse Pistol and Logan on Dash. They all set out in four different directions. Georgie followed Amy to the river. They had only been looking for about an hour when Amy saw him. She texted everyone and then waited. The stallion was drinking from the river and really didn't look good. When the others arrived Amy pointed him out. Scott pulled out the tranq gun and fired. It hit the stallion in the rear. he went wild but quickly settled. Scott turned to Amy.
"Amy you would be the best one to grab him."
Amy nodded and took the rope. She quickly looped him and lead him back to the ranch. She set him in the round pen. Ty and Scott quickly looked him over and stopped the bleeding. Scott took some blood and gave him some vaccinations. When they came out Ty looked at Amy.
"The senative should wear off in a few hours. He looks ok. It's a good thing we found him."
Amy nodded and said goodnight to Scott. After they put the horses away Amy and Ty took their kids home and put them to bed.
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The next day Amy got up extra early to go look at the mustang. he was frantic trying to find a way out. Amy set a feed bucket and water in the pen and then went to help caleb and Logan muck out the stalls. When she got back to her house Ty was pouring himself some coffee.
"How's the mustang?"
"Nervous. I think I will give him some time to settle down before moving him to a stall."
Ty nodded and Amy heard a baby cry. she walked into she and Ty's room and picked Hannah up from her bed.
"Good morning silly."
Hannah grinned and Amy carried her into the kitchen. Ty smiled as Amy sat down next to him on the couch. She sat hannah up and let her see Ty.
"Can you say hi to Daddy?"
Hannah reached her hand towards Ty. He took her and kissed her cheek. Maddie came out of her bedroom then and Amy snatched her into her arms.
"Good morning Birthday Girl."
Maddie giggled and kissed Amy's cheek. She crawled over and kissed Ty's cheek and Hannah's forehead. "Daddy i'm 3!"
Ty's eyes widened. "Wow you're so old."
Maddie smiled and grabbed Hannah's hands. The baby looked at her sister smiling. "Hannie Bear."
Hannah giggled and Maddie kissed her cheek. Amy heard Noah starting to stir and grabbed him. Ty made Maddie Birthday pancakes and bacon. When they finished breakfast Amy dresses Maddie in her new pink long sleeve tee that said "Wee I'm 3" on the front and had her name on the back. She then paired it with her denim skirt, pink capri leggings, brown cowboy boots and put her hair in a ponytail. She then dressed Noah in his long sleeve white onesie that said "Little Brother" in blue writing and put Hannah in a matching white onesie that said "Little Sister". Ty and Amy drove up to the main house and took the kids inside. Georgie was sitting at the kitchen table but stood up and hugged Maddie.
"Hey Birthday Girl!"
Maddie giggled. "Will you take me on a trail ride?"
Georgie rolled her eyes. "Sure thing."
After a while Amy walked outside and looked at the stallion. He was running around crazed until he suddenly stopped. He looked gentle. Amy turned and saw that Maddie was walking out. She gasped when she saw the stallion.
"Mommy you caught him!"
Ty walked out of the house and met Amy's eyes. Maddie ran to the round pen and climbed up until she could reach her hand over. Ty and Amy watched as she fed the stallion a mint and then petted him. He was like a different horse with her. Amy realized something quickly and turned to Ty.
"I think maddie will be the only one able to get through to him. They're connected."
Ty smirked. "looks like we got another horse whisperer."
Amy jabbed him lightly and kissed him. She approached the pen slowly and looked at Maddie.
"Do you want to try the join up?"
Maddie nodded and took the rope from Amy. She stepped into the pen and started driving him around. Amy was shocked that the stallion responded. It only took him 20 minutes to join up with Maddie. Amy had never seen someone so young get a horse to respond that quick. Amy was excited and patted the stallion. Amy shook her head. Maddie would follow in Amy's footsteps.
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I recived a question about Miranda. Miranda is Shane's mother and even though she and Tim are not together abnymore, Miranda is like a grandmother to Maddie. tim has joint custody of Shane and Shane will be in this story at times. And Peter is also in this story but he travels a lot for work and is often absent for a lot of things. Thank you for all the feedback I love hearing it. - Sissy
