Writers POV)
It was around 6:00 in the afternoon. Lisa was starting dinner with the help of Katie and Georgie was outside in the the barn polishing her trick riding saddle. As she scrubbed, Georgie didn't blink. Her mind couldn't stop replaying her and Adam's conversation. How could this happen now of all times? Amy walked into the barn from the back pasture. She eyed Georgie scrubbing way too hard at her saddle.
"Georgie if you're going to scrub that hard, the leather is going to fade off." Amy said changing Coppers water.
"Sorry," Georgie slowed down. "I guess I'm distracted."
"Adam?" Amy asked.
"Yeah. I still can't believe he's moving." Georgie sighed.
"I know it must be hard. You know this decision shouldn't be yours to make. If you and Adam are together, you need to make this decision together." Amy said.
"So, I should talk to him?" Georgie asked.
"Yeah," Amy nodded. "See what he thinks. Then you can tell him you're feelings. You should be able to work something out. All you need to do is to listen."
"So talking about a problem together, could solve our problem? Wow that makes sense. Why didn't I think of that?" Georgie placed her saddle on the rack.
"You were too focused on Adam's question. Just talk it out. Im sure you'll make something work," Amy smiled. "Hey I have to run into town today so wanna come with me and go talk to Adam?"
"I would, but I haven't...you know, know what my feelings are yet." Georgie fingered her sleeve.
"Oh alright. I guess it's you're own time then. Since you're staying, I need you to fill the water trough for the horses." Amy said walking out of the barn.
"Oh Amy? Any luck with Spartan?" Georgie stopped Amy.
Amy shook her head with a fake smile. "No. I don't know what's gotten into him. Well whatever we don't need to worry about that now. I'll see you later." Amy said climbing into Ty's truck.
Georgie waved.
Georgie's POV)
I walked into the house smelling fresh rolls and spaghetti.
"Lisa that smells amazing!" I say peeking over her shoulder.
"Hey I made it too!" Katie whined.
"Yes she did and a good job at that." Lisa winked at Katie as her big grin grew.
I looked around for Jack. He wasn't anywhere in sight. Maybe Lisa knows.
"Hey Lisa? Where...where's Jack?" I asked.
"Umm...actually I have no idea. I'd thought he'd be back from the cattle drive by now. Maybe they just stayed late and went into town." Lisa stirred the spaghetti.
"Maybe...maybe you should call him?" I didn't want to call him myself especially since Lisa was his wife who should be worrying.
"Yeah I think I just might do that." Lisa set down a towel and grabbed the home phone.
I waited for Jack's voice to answer the phone. All I heard was the sound of the phone ringing.
"Hmm," Lisa set down the phone. "He should call back. Right?" Lisa asked me.
I didn't know how to react but with a simple nod.
"Oh...Kay..umm so its almost dinner. Can you go get Ty? He's been working all day and Amy won't have time to make dinner." Lisa asked.
"Yeah sure." I walked out of the house towards the barn.
Once I entered, I heard noises upstairs in the loft. I walked upstairs to see Ty moving furniture.
"Umm..what are you doing?" I asked.
"Oh hey. I uh..I was looking for more loose boards just incase. These things are so damn..-dang cheap." Ty laughed realizing that I was in the room.
"Uh dinner is ready if you want to eat with us." I giggled a little.
"Yeah sure I'll be there. Thanks." Ty said as he continued to search.
"Um what ever happened to the puppy?" I asked.
"Oh that puppy. Yeah Bob found a family who was willing to adopt him. Everything checked out well so he's with them now." Ty said.
I was a little disappointed. I loved that little pup. "Oh," I say casually. "That's good I guess. See you at dinner." I walked down stairs.
"Alright." Ty said.
Writers POV)
It was quiet at the dinner table. Georgie didn't even look up, Lisa barely touched her food, Katie was scarfing her food down, and Ty just looked confused.
"Umm," Ty started. "Is everything okay here?"
"He's missing." Katie blurted out.
"Who's missing?" Amy walked through the front door.
"GG." Katie took a bite of her food.
"No no, he's not. He's just delayed that's all. Nothing to worry about."
"Grandpas missing? With Mitch?" Amy sat down next to Ty.
"Nobody is missing!" Lisa shouted. Everyone was shocked but they knew she was upset.
"Im..I'm sorry. I have... I have to um wash up these dishes." Lisa stood up and walked into the kitchen.
"Georgie, what's going on?" Amy asked.
Georgie picked at her food. "Lots of things I guess." Georgie whispered the last words.
"What happened to Mitch and grandpa?" Amy didn't take her eyes off Georgie.
"They should have been back hours ago but they aren't. Shouldn't you be more worried about Spartan? He hates you remember!?" Georgie stood up with her plate and walked into the kitchen.
"Georgie you don't mean that!" Ty called back to Georgie.
"No, Ty. Its okay. She's just stressed. About Adam. He asked her if they wanted to break up since he's moving away," Amy stabbed a carrot with her fork. "Ty, what is going on?" Amy turned to Ty.
"I don't know. I don't know." Ty rubbed her back.
Mitch's POV)
"Jack!? Jack! Jack you here?" I called for Jack. Buddy had been leading me into a forest by the side of the pasture. I hope this horse knows where he's going. I continue to call for him. He must be around here somewhere. If he's gone somewhere I can't find him, I don't know what'd I'd do with myself. He's the best boss and friend I've ever had.
"Jack?! Jack c'mon! Answer me damnit!" I couldn't help but wonder if he'd been seriously hurt. I continued riding my horse Maverick throughout the sticks and leaves all around me. He's gotta be here somewhere.
All of a sudden, I spot a tan/leather coat like thing sticking out from behind a rock. I quickly dismount off of Maverick. Before I go behind the rock I decided to call and see if he was awake.
"Jack?" I asked hoping for a response.
"J-Jack you awake?" I asked again.
Instead of a friendly "yes," I hear something else instead. Like a wheezing sound. I see the coat move.
"Jack!" I called running over behind the rock. His hand was at his chest. "Jack you...you okay? What's wrong?"
"My...medicine...in...saddlebag..." Jack slowly pointed to Buddy.
"Right, right." I race to Buddy and ripped open the saddle bag. "Which one?" I asked panting.
"All...of them.." Jack said.
"Got it." I grabbed all four bottles. I poured out one pill from each. "Here you go." I assumed this had something to do with Jack's heart. He slowly swallowed the pills as I held his head up so he could drink the water I gave him.
He looked at me with a pale face."Mitch," he said placing his hand onto my shoulder.
"Yeah?" I knelt by him.
"Get me...to the hospital. Something's...wrong." Jack slowly wheezed.
I nodded and had Jack get onto his horse slowly.
"Don't worry," I say mounting onto Maverick taking buddy's lead. "You're going to be fine."
Writers POV)
Amy paced the floor. "Ty what if something happened?"
Ty grabbed her arms to stop her from pacing. "Amy, you have to calm down. You're going to make the baby sick." Ty joked.
"Ty this isn't funny! Im really worried!" Amy broke her arms free.
"Then stop! They're probably just fine. Maybe the cattle just drove in late. Remember there is only two of them out there." Ty reassured her.
Amy slowly nodded trying to agree.
"What if...something did happen? Can't we go look for them?"
"Amy, no. Cause if we did they are probably-" Ty was cut off by Lisa.
"Mitch didn't answer his phone." Lisa walked into the living room.
Amy looked at Ty with a pale face.
"Ty," Amy choked.
"It's okay. Come here." Ty wrapped his arms around Amy.
"I don't know what to do! I think I need to look for them." Lisa said.
"No no. If anyone is going to look for them it's me. You two can stay here incase anyone calls. Wait...I just thought of something. Jack has an iPhone right? Can you turn on "find my phone" so I can find him easier?"
Ty asked.
"Y...yes I can!" Lisa grabbed her phone and turned it on. She pressed in Jack's number on her screen. An image popped up. "He-here." Lisa handed the phone to Ty.
"Okay. Its not moving. Im going to take Harley out to go see what's going on."
"I love you." Amy kissed Ty.
"Love you." Ty kissed back.
As the door shut, Lisa squeezed Amy.
"He's gonna see what's up." Lisa said rubbing Amy's shoulder.
"Yeah. He will." Amy let out a fake smile.
Georgie ease dropped by her stairway.
She slowly made her way down to Lisa and Amy.
"They aren't alright, are they?" Georgie said.
"Wu-well we don't know for sure, hunny." Lisa said.
"Aren't you worried? What if one of them is hurt? What if one of them is.."
"Georgie! Ty is looking for them. They'll be fine. Is something wrong? You've been so on edge!" Amy asked.
Georgie swallowed then sighed. "I..me and Adam broke up." Georgie ran up to her room and slammed the door.
"Georgie," Amy sighed and started to walk towards the stairs but lisa stopped her. She shook her head and faintly smiled at Amy.
Amy's POV)
I stood in the barn waiting nervously for any news from Ty. I hoped Grandpa and Mitch were fine. I needed to get this off my mind. I needed a distraction I need...I...need...Spartan! I completely forgot with all of this going on! I need to find him.
I don't care that the sun is almost down. I need my horse back. I thought of taking grandpas tractor but I saw his old golf cart instead.
"Please turn on. Please. Please. Please!" I say as I find the power button.
The cart stuttered but eventually started running. I hop on and drive out into the side field. I don't see any sign of Spartan anywhere. Probably because it's getting dark fast.
"Spartan!" I called out several times. I sighed. "Where are you boy?"
It was almost so dark I couldn't see almost anything so I decided to head back. I was almost to the barn when I felt my phone buzz against my leg. I picked it up and it said Ty on it.
"Hey Ty." I said.
"Amy um, nobody's here. Its just Jack's phone. I...I don't even see the truck either. They must have gone somewhere." Ty said.
I made a sigh of relief. "So are you going to try to call Mitch or.." I asked.
"Well im going to tell Lisa so-"
"No no. I can do that. You try to contact Mitch." I cut Ty off.
"Okay thanks Amy." Ty hung up.
I started the cart and drove back up to the house.
Ty's POV)
I picked up Jacks phone. Dang it. Password. Umm maybe it's his and Lisa's wedding date. I plugged it in but it didn't work. It must be his and Lindy's wedding date. Yep it worked. I was about to select Mitch but I was cut off from an incoming call. It was a random number so I ended it. I immediately selected Mitch. It rang. And rang... and rang.
Finally someone picked up. "Hello?" A familiar voice said.
"He..hello? Mitch? Is that you? Its Ty. I found Jack's phone." I said.
"Ty! Its so good to hear you're voice! Im glad to hear from you. Sorry I haven't picked up the phone for the others I have been uh.."
"It's okay. Its..fine just... what happened?" I ask.
"Me and Jack were uh, getting ready to leave. As I came to the gate Jack was uhh...he was gone." Mitch said.
"What? He's gone?" I asked.
"No no. He's here now but there was a bit of a problem." Mitch sighed over the phone.
"Problem? What kind of problem?" I ask impatiently.
"He uh...he had like a mini heart attack the doctors said. I got his medicine just in time but if I hadn't he'd be a goner."
There was a long pause.
I knew what Mitch was talking about. Jack had those pains every-so months.
"Okay okay. Yeah. Um I am going to send Lisa over with Amy. You should come home you know? Get some rest."
I said.
"Yeah yeah. I will once you get here."
"Alright thanks, Mitch." I say.
"Yep." Mitch hung up.
I whipped out my phone and called Amy.
Georgie's POV)
"Katie I need you to stay here with Georgie." Lisa said grabbing her coat.
"But...what happened to GG and Mitch?" Katie asked.
"Uh," Amy bent down by Katie. "So GG and Mitch are fine we are just going to visit them." Amy sighed.
I looked around to see a picture of Jack and Katie by the fireplace. I panicked at first but I had to calm down so I took lisa's hand and said,
"Please make sure he's okay." I whispered into her ear.
"I will sweetie." She gave me a big hug and a kiss.
"Alright bye! Love you! Be safe!" Amy said shutting the screen door.
"Bye," I sighed. "C'mon Katie. Lets go play."
Katie nodded.
Ty's POV)
I came back to heartland on Harley. I basically shoved him in his stall I moved so quickly. I was going to my truck when I saw a note by my door.
Please call Georgie and tell her you are leaving to the hospital as well.
-love Amy.
I hopped into my truck and started the engine. I'd just call her on the way. It'd be so much quicker.
I kept on thinking to myself about Jack. He's had pain on Christmas and around New Years. How could he not have told me it was more serious than it was? Oh wait. I forgot. He's Jack. He thinks he didn't want me to worry but he sure as hell got me thinking. I knew it was going to come to this.
Writers POV)
Ty pulled up in the hospital parking lot next to Lisa's car. He raced inside to the front desk.
"Jack Bartlett?" He asked.
"Family?" The nurse asked.
"Uh yes. Grandson-in-law." Ty said proudly.
"He'll be in room 214." She finished.
"Thank you." Ty said.
Once he turned around Mitch was right there.
"Hey." Mitch said.
"Hey! Uh how are you after that? Must have been an intense situation." Ty said.
"Oh yeah... I guess my adrenaline kicked in." Mitch sighed looking a little shaken up.
"Hey thanks for that man. Without you who knows what could've happened to Jack." Ty smiled.
Mitch just nodded his head.
"Well im going to go see him. Im glad you're fine." Ty added.
"Oh yeah I'm totally fine. Im just going to go get some rest back at home." Mitch said pointing his finger towards the door.
Ty nodded. He then quickly walked to Jack's room to see Amy sitting on a chair right outside his room.
He knelt beside her.
"Hey, you okay?" Ty asked holding her cold hands.
"Yeah. Im okay. I think Lisa just needed time with her husband, you know?" Amy sniffled. "And uh I can't bare to um.."
"Come here," Ty hugged Amy. "It's alright. Everything's going to be fine."
Lisa's POV)
I sit next to Jack holding his hand. He's asleep thank God not unconscious. He's all cut up on the side of his face where he fell off Buddy into the thorn bushes. Couldn't help but wonder if this will happen again and then happen more frequently.
I wipe my tears of happiness and sadness. Happiness because he is a living old fart still, and sadness because I don't want him to suffer like this. What if this is going to be like this for the rest of his life? How can he live with this?
I bent over to give him a kiss on his forehead then I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Mrs. Bartlett?" A nurse had asked.
"Uh its Stilmon. Lisa Stilmon."I wiped my tears.
"Im sorry but in a little bit you will have to leave for some tests." The nurse said writing down notes on her paper.
"Oh alright. What um... what kind of tests?" I ask trembling.
"The usual cardiac tests. You know like cat scans, blood tests, artery tests." The nurse said.
I nodded in agreement.
"You should go home and get some rest. He's well taken care of and these tests will probably take all night." The nurse added.
There is nothing worse than a husbands own wife hearing he's well taken care of. It made me nauseous. I wanted to break down and cry but I had to be strong, so I told her I'd go home.
Amy had been waiting for me in the lobby with Ty.
Amy's POV)
"Ty you didn't have to stay here." I said quietly.
He looked and me and squeezed my hand. "I wanted to stay here with you until Lisa came back." He smiled.
I let out a small smile. Then my smile faded.
"What's wrong?" Ty asked.
"Lou. What about Lou?!" I asked wide eyed.
Lisa then walked in. "What about Lou?" She asked sitting down.
"How am I going to tell her?" I asked in a state of panic.
"Amy, its okay. We can deal with that on the way home." Ty said.
I nodded then looked at Lisa.
"How's Grandpa?" I asked.
"He's still sleeping. They are going to do tests which are supposed to take all night so we all best go get some rest." Lisa said walking towards the door.
"She doesn't look okay." Ty whispered to me.
I shook my head in agreement.
Writers POV)
On the way home, Amy called Georgie to tell her everything. Lisa didn't drive home so it was a bit complicated for Amy to drive and call as well.
Amy's POV)
As they walked into the house, Georgie ran up to them saying,
"I called Lou. She's going to be on a late flight so we should see her really early tomorrow." Georgie said.
"See? I told you it'd work out." Ty hugged me.
I half smiled.
"Hows Jack?" Georgie asked.
Lisa walked towards Jack's door and said, "Im going to get some sleep before Lou comes." She then shut Jacks room door.
I sighed and looked at Georgie.
"I'll fill you in on everything as long as someone gets me some of my lemon-raspberry-no flavor- no taste tea." I joked.
Writers POV)
It was five in the morning when there was a knock on the door. Amy had been up all night waiting for Lou. She quickly ran to the door and unlocked it.
"Hey!" Lou hugged Amy with all her bags in her hands.
"Hey! Sorry! The door was locked." Amy held open the door as Lou squeezed in.
"Oh don't worry. Is um, everyone sleeping still?" Lou whispered.
"I think so. Katie slept with me and Ty because Lisa wanted to be in Grandpas room by herself for one night."
Amy whispered.
"Aw. How's Lisa holding up?" Lou asked.
"She's uh...I can tell she's trying to make us feel like everything's okay." Amy sighed.
"Ugh. I can't wait to give her a hug. How are you holding up?" Lou asked.
"Me? How are you? You've been rushing since 9:00 p.m. last night!" Amy hugged her sister.
"Im fine really. Please lets go sit and fill me in on grandpa." Lou said placing her bags on the floor.
Georgie's POV)
I woke up at 6:30. I needed to see Jack. First thing I did was check my phone.
Missed call from- Jade
Jade! I haven't told her! Amy must have told Tim and he probably told Jade. I have to call her. Well maybe later. I need to tell...Adam...well, he can wait too. I have to see my mom.
I ripped the sheets off of me and quietly crept down the stairs. I look to see Lou asleep on the couch with Amy on the rocking chair. Should I wake them? I feel sleepy I need to wake up.
I go to the bathroom sink and rinse my face with water. I look in the mirror to see Katie standing by the door.
"Katie what are you doing up so early?" I ask kneeling down by her.
"Uncle Ty woke me up by kicking the sheets off in his sleep. I was cold. Can I sleep with you? Im scared for G.G." Katie said.
"Katie, I'm going to be up now so why do I tuck you in you're warm, nice, cozy bed? I'll read you a bedtime story?" I said.
Katie nodded. We walked out of the bathroom and down the hall when a hand stopped me. I turned around to see Lou.
"Mom!" I whispered as I squeezed her.
"Mommy you're home!" Katie said loudly.
"Shh!" I shushed Katie.
"Hey sweeties," Lou whispered. "I just heard you and wanted to say hi."
"I was going to tuck Katie into her bed. So I'll catch you up after?" I ask.
"Of course." Lou smiled and walked into the living room.
Writers POV)
A few hours later, Lisa and Ty walked in the house with Jack leaning onto Ty's shoulder.
"G.G.!" Katie ran to give Jack a hug.
"Careful sweetie." Lisa stroked her blonde hair.
"Hi Katie." Jack patted her head.
"Grandpa!" Lou and Amy came to give him a hug.
"Amy, Lou? Lou what are you doing home? I thought you were with Peter." Jack rubbed his head.
"Really? You'd think I'd stay in Vancouver when you had another heart attack?" Lou asked.
"-Mini...heart attack." Jack corrected her.
"Everything checked out. The doctor said as long as we kept an eye on him there wouldn't be a problem." Ty said.
"There was no problem." Jack sighed.
"Yes there was! You can't deny that." Lisa laughed.
"Jack!" Georgie said running down the stairs.
"Hey Georgie!" Jack hugged her.
"I was so worried." Georgie said.
"You don't need to be. Everything's fine." Jack said.
"We'll see," Lisa sighed. "Cmon you need to rest now. Don't argue." Lisa pointed her finger at him.
"Ah-"
"Nope. Don't wanna here it. Lets go old man." Lisa led him to his room.
Everyone laughed.
"Im so glad he's okay." Georgie hugged Amy.
"Me too." Amy smiled.
Lou walked out to see Mitch piling hay by the barn. She walked towards him.
"Hey," Lou said.
"Hey. Glad Jack's okay." Mitch sighed.
"Yeah. He isn't going anywhere anytime soon." Lou laughed.
Mitch smiled than said, "Hey, um listen about the thing I told you, about my mom..."
"Yeah I know that wasn't my business. You didn't have to tell m-"
"No no! Im...actually glad I told you." Mitch said.
"O...Kay...what are you trying to say?" Lou laughed.
"Well...I trust you I guess is what I'm trying to say and umm... I do...uh..."
"Mitch spit it out." Lou said.
"There isn't words that describe how I feel about you. Aw hell Lou." Mitch grabbed Lou's side and pulled her close and placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her.
Once his lips touched, Lou pulled even closer until their lips locked. Once they slowly pulled away, their eyes gazed into each other's.
"See you around Lou." Mitch said walking into the barn.
"B...Bye!" Lou said. She turned around mouthing the words oh my gosh!
Amy walked out of the barn to see Spartan by a near tree. She slowly opened the gate and walked slowly towards him.
"It's okay boy. Easy. Easy." Amy sat down in the grass a few yards away from him and looked away. She knew eye contact would scare Spartan.
Spartans ears pricked forwards towards Amy.
"Easy..." she kept whispering.
Spartan smelled the air then slowly walked towards Amy.
"Hoah...good boy..."Amy said still looking away not moving a muscle.
Spartan sniffed Amy's shirt. He then rubbed his nose up against her face.
Amy giggled.
"Good boy!" Amy rubbed Spartans nose. "Guess all you needed was a little more attention, huh?" Amy laughed.
Spartan nickered.
"Here's a carrot. Want that? Yeah? Good boy!" Amy fed Spartan a carrot.
"I love you, Spartan." Amy kissed Spartan near his eye.
"I promise I won't forget you."