"Would you like a refill?" Sloane, the waitress at Maggie's, asked from Cassandra who had already drank her first cup while waiting on Amy. The vet looked around and then checked the time, wondering if something had happened and if she should call Amy to make sure everything was alright, but before she could do that, there was a waitress who needed an answer from her.
"Sure", she finally said and leaned back so the cup could be refilled.
It wasn't like she was in a hurry, Cassandra thought, as this was a rare day off for her. That was why it had been nice that Amy had invited her at Maggie's for a coffee as it was so unusual for either of them to really have time for their friends outside their daily routines.
Cassandra then flipped her phone to her hand from the table and was about to look up Amy's number, when the bell by the door rang and it caught her attention.
In walked a blushing single mother - who looked like she had just ran a marathon - and her daughter who was looking around suspiciously as she mostly spent her time at home with her family and not surrounded by strangers.
"Hey, Amy", Sloane greeted her as she was heading back to the counter with her coffee pot. "Lunch or coffee?"
"Coffee, please. And a strawberry milkshake for Lyndy", Amy said and then gestured toward Cassandra who had reserved them seats. "We're with her."
"Alright", Sloane said and went to get her a cup and a milkshake for the girl.
"Hey, sorry, I know I'm late", Amy said as she walked toward Cassandra with Lyndy and a bag.
"I was just about to call you", Cassandra told her. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just reminded why I rarely go out anymore", Amy explained as she helped Lyndy on one of the chairs and then put the bag down. "Before, I could just grab my phone and my wallet and be good to go. Now I have to have million other things for Lyndy to make sure it'll be smooth sailing with her out in the public. We left the ranch, and I noticed half-way here that I had forgotten her favourite toy, and it just..." She sighed, sitting down herself. "I had to go and get it so she wouldn't start screaming."
"It's okay. I'm not in a hurry", Cassandra assured, not wanting Amy to feel guilty about having to deal with motherhood alone. She understood that it was a lot to deal with and there were things that she had to take into consideration now. "I'm just happy to see you both. - Hey, little angel!" she started cooing to Lyndy who seemed a little bit shy around her and kept trying to lean toward her mother to seek comfort.
Amy supported her daughter with her extended arm so the girl wouldn't fall off the chair and noticed that Lyndy didn't think Cassandra as a familiar. She was hoping Cassandra, as a Lyndy's godmother, wouldn't take an offence from it.
"Sorry, she has this phase", Amy told, feeling the need to explain. "With anyone who hasn't spend a lot of time with her. I really should socialize her more..."
Cassandra smiled. "Ah, it's okay. I mean... when was the last time we saw each other? When I went to Vancouver with her? It's been months. And even then she didn't really see me because I was sat on the front and she was at the back with Ty. I should come and hang out more."
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that", Amy corrected, realizing her comment had probably seemed like a criticism.
Cassandra waved her hand dismissively.
"I know. But it's true. I've been so busy with work, and you and I have only seen each other when I've been checking up on Bruni - and that's when Lyndy's been with Lisa and Jack", she pointed out. "Speaking of... You remember I'm coming tomorrow to check up on the horse, right?"
"I do." Amy nodded. "That is also kind of the point. I wanted to meet you outside that setting - even though it's kind of about that too. I mean, I would like to talk to you about the partnership thing." She felt butterflies in her stomach from the nervousness as she didn't know which way this would go, especially since it required opening up a little.
"Oh...?" Cassandra said, sounding pleasantly surprised. "I had thought maybe you had already made up your mind about that."
Sloane then brought Lyndy her milkshake and the girl's eyes lit up and suddenly it was all she could see. Amy helped her with the straw, and when it seemed like Lyndy was happy with that, she looked back to Cassandra as Sloane poured her her coffee.
"Well... I kind of have now, finally. I'm sorry it's taken me so long, I guess I just had to think it through", Amy explained.
"Of course, I get that", Cassandra said, wanting Amy to know she was in no pressuring her into it, but it was something she would be excited about if Amy was willing to give it a try. "Partnerships shouldn't be accepted lightly."
"Thanks", Amy thanked Sloane before she left and then continued her conversation with Cassandra. "Well, from a professional point of view it makes total sense. I need a vet to help me out, and Scott has of course always been very helpful, but ever since Ty sort of took over his position at Heartland, Scott's been focused on other clients. But now that Ty is no longer around, I need to have that working relationship again, especially because my plan is still continue to help horses and I need to be able to rule out if the problem with their issue is medical or behavioral as quickly as possible. The problem is, Scott still has all his clients and he is still just as busy, as you probably know, but I need a vet who I can work closely with. I can't ask him to fit me in just because... well, my previous partnership didn't work out. Thankfully I have you, and working with you on this Bruni case has been good. I've gotten to see how things could work for us if we were officially partners."
"Well, for what it's worth; I've really enjoyed it", Cassandra revealed. "I know we haven't always seen eye to eye on some things, but I feel like we've come to understand each other a bit better. Not only as friends but also as professionals. I've come to respect your craft."
"And I've come to trust your judgement more", Amy said on her behalf. It was no secret for either of them that Amy had not thought much of Cassandra's opinions since she had not really been around horses that much in the past and her background had been mostly theoretical. It was actually kind of how they had started off in the first place; arguing about how to best treat a horse. To think they were here now - talking about a partnership - would have probably stunned anyone who had been there at Caleb's trailer by the fire pit to listen to their discussion about the topic.
"I know it probably wasn't easy", Cassandra admitted. "Especially after the Jeremy thing."
Amy was kind of surprised Cassandra didn't tip-toe around the subject, but actually acknowledged it and admitted it was part of her past, whether she was proud of it or not. But maybe that was exactly why Amy had come to respect Cassandra more and more over the years; she wasn't pretending to be something she wasn't and she was always honest.
"And I understand if that's what's making you hesitant about this whole thing. I know what I did was pretty much unforgivable and I'm not mad at people if they still want to hold that against me. I mean, I made my decision then and I have to live with that now even if it doesn't reflect who I am now. I'm lucky Scott was willing to give me a second change and I've been able to prove that I've changed and I'm smarter and not so easily swayed anymore, but I can't expect that from everyone", Cassandra explained. She knew Scott had his troubled past too and that was probably why he had so much empathy for people who wanted to make things right. But even he had his limits, and Cassandra wasn't about to abuse that trust Scott had given her. Never again. "Working with me occasionally is probably okay, but partnership is another thing. That's your reputation on the line too. People might not want to work with you if they see you're working with me. That's just the reality I have to accept."
"I get that and I haven't forgotten what you did, but it's also in the past", Amy said, taking a sip from her coffee after blowing into the mug. "But it's not why I needed time to think. I had my own issues to deal with that had nothing to do with you."
"Oh?" Cassandra asked, listening to Amy.
"Well, first of all, I wanted to be sure that this wasn't just going to be another case of runaway partner", Amy began, "but you said to me earlier that it won't be. And maybe I'm crazy or maybe I know you to be honest, but I choose to trust you when you said you would be committed to this. I know how much you have to lose. I do too, and I think that's why we understand each other. You said something about you feeling like this town gave you a second chance and now you want to repay their trust. I respect that."
Cassandra smiled a little. "Well, it's true. I don't take it for granted. Who knows where I would be if it wasn't for people like Scott and all of our clients that were willing to give me a second chance. I'd be an idiot to throw that away."
"Secondly..." Amy continued. This was the harder part. "I guess I just wanted to make sure that you'd get the best partner you could get."
Cassandra frowned. "What do you mean...? Are you talking about... you?"
"Yeah. I am", Amy nodded. "I've been really struggling with my self-esteem after some things that have happened to me and what's been said to me... and so I started doubting myself. I guess that's part of the reason why I've been kind of disliking the whole "Miracle Girl" title too. Lately... I've not been feeling like it. I've been trying to think why anyone would bring their horse to me. I'm nothing miraculous. So, I didn't want to tie you to it and drag you down with me. Maybe I won't have as many clients as you think we could. I haven't had them a lot lately and I'm only just getting back on my feet. I really needed to think about that, especially after what you said about you getting a second chance here in Hudson. I don't want to ruin that for you. I know how hard you've worked to be in the position you are."
"Well... that's nice of you, but you're also stupid for thinking that", Cassandra said, which caused a reaction in Amy, based on her facial expression. "Do you really think I would have changed my mind about you after we first met if you weren't anything miraculous? Sorry, but I'm not impressed by plain people. Amy, I don't think the lack of clients has anything to do with your gift as much as it does with you having a baby and having to deal with some other things these past few years - which is why we're sitting here in the first place. If you think I'm asking you to be a partner with me because I'm desperate and I just need someone, anybody, then you are wrong. I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't think you're the coolest person I've ever met and what you do with horses is miracles. And, more importantly, I wouldn't be asking you if I wouldn't think we could make so much more together by uniting our skills."
Amy was stunned. This was a compliment... right?
"Also, you gotta stop thinking that your failures are your personality traits. Do you think I would have gotten here if I would have let what happened with Jeremy to define me? Absolutely not. I succeeded in spite of it. Sure, I got some help from people, but I also got a lot of crap and faced dead ends because of it, but I still managed to carve my out of that hole. And now I'm happier than ever. I'm more than my failure", Cassandra said. "So whatever anyone has done to you or said to you - succeed in spite of it."
"You're right..." Amy admitted after thinking about it for a while. She then looked Cassandra in the eyes with much more determination. "And this is why I would be interested in the partnership, if you still have me, that is. Because I can trust your honesty and that is exactly what I need right now in my life."
Cassandra started smiling widely. "Of course I will still have you. Like I said, I wasn't going to just ask anybody."
"Okay", Amy replied with enthusiasm she hadn't felt in a while. "Do you think we could make some arrangements tomorrow after you've come to - hopefully - clear Bruni?"
"Sure. I'll bring some papers too", Cassandra promised. "And I'll talk to Scott."
The bell by the door chimed again and at first Amy didn't really pay attention to it, since people walked in and out all the time, but the figure of the person walking in and the long blonde hair made her realize it was someone she knew.
Ashley Stanton stood in the doorway and walked to the counter to get herself a cup of coffee. She had a long beige coat on and a designer bag hanging on her arm as she browsed through her phone while she placed the order.
In some ways she reminded Amy of Lou every time she came home from New York as "the vibe" of the city always lingered on her for a while until she got settled back to the ranch. But it seemed like with Ashley, it had all gotten more root. Not that Ashley had ever really been as "country" as her, but she seemed so out of place here - which was ironic, since the now-lawyer had actually once worked here as a waitress.
"What is it...?" Cassandra asked when she noticed Amy's petrified look.
"It's... it's someone I used to know", Amy explained, wondering if she should hide or just say hi. Few days ago, she would have probably been just as surprised to see Ashley, but for a different reason. Now she knew, thanks to Tim, that Ashley was in town to look into Ty's case which caused Amy to have a lot of mixed feelings.
"Amy...?" Ashley then noticed her before Amy could make up her mind about how to go about this. At first Ashley looked just as stunned as her, but pretty soon her lips curled into a familiar smirk as she walked over to her and put her phone away almost as if she had been caught in the middle of something. "Hey... It's been a while. - Look at you, still here, hanging at Maggie's like you used to! And I see you got your sight back", she commented as Amy's eyes were wide and directed at her, "you know, since the last time I was here was when... well, you had your accident." She shrugged, realizing Amy didn't probably need the recap because it wasn't like she had lost her memory in the accident with the horse that had kicked her in the head.
"Yeah..." Amy nodded. "Though... we didn't meet then, right? Since I was in the hospital. So... I haven't seen you in a long time. Probably not since you left to Italy", Amy stuttered, feeling awkward. She noticed from the corner of her eye that Cassandra was looking at Ashley and Amy wondered if she had counted the two and two together. "This is Cassandra", Amy introduced her then, not wanting to seem rude.
"Hi, Cassandra, I'm Ashley. Nice to meet you-" Ashley said, then realizing. "Wait, you look familiar? Have we met?" she asked, but it was rhetorical because immediately she continued. "Oh no, we haven't, but I think you used to date my brother, but then you cheated him with my ex. And now you're married to Caleb, right?" she continued with a nasty tone which made Amy a little bit mad.
It seemed like the old Ashley was back...
"Oh... Right. That Ashley", Cassandra finally figured it out as well and smiled through clenched teeth. They had never met while she had been dating Jesse because Ashley had always been in Vancouver, but she had seen her in the pictures Jesse had had in the office walls with her and their mother. It was uncomfortable as it was to meet the sister of one of her exes, but also one of the exes of her husband at the same time, but Cassandra wouldn't let that break her as she knew these type of people and how to deal with them.
"And Little Lyndy", Ashley then pointed her attention to the girl who smiled at her kindly, which to Amy seemed a little off, especially considering the fact that just some minutes earlier the girl had been shy around Cassandra, her own godmother, but now she seemed to suddenly be okay with a stranger. "What you got there? A milkshake? The strawberry ones are the best here, but I also always liked the chocolate too!"
For some reason this type of interaction unnerved Amy and she wasn't sure why. She decided to drag the attention back to her, maybe in order to shield Cassandra from the lingering awkwardness as well.
"I heard you are representing Ty with his case."
Ashley then snapped back to Amy from the mention of Ty and nodded. The word really traveled fast here, but then again after talking to Amy's father just couple days ago, it wasn't that surprising to Ashley that the news had reached Amy, too.
"I am. Which reminds me; I've been meaning to call you. I would like to come for a visit and go over your eye witness statement. Are you free tomorrow?" she asked.
Amy had known that she would play some kind of part in this whole thing due to her statement, but she would have preferred to go over it with someone who she had no history with to make it a little less neutral, but of course Ty had had to mix Ashley into this, seeing she was one of the few lawyers he knew and who was willing to work pro bono for him.
"Tomorrow's not good", Amy said, "maybe day after that?" she suggested, not looking forward to it, but also wanting to get it over with so hopefully things would move forward and she would be free to move on with her life.
"Let me check", Ashley said, pulling out the phone from her pocket. "Yeah, I can put you in. How about... one o'clock?"
"That'll do", Amy said, putting that down in her head.
"Miss, your coffee is ready", Sloane said from the desk, and Ashley looked over her shoulder, giving the waitress a nod.
"Okay. I'll see you day after tomorrow, one o'clock", Ashley said. "Bye, Lyndy."
She turned around, paid her coffee and grabbed it before leaving outside and put on sunglasses just as she stepped outside. It almost felt like she had three hands to do it all as she did it with such grace and smoothness that Amy could hardly follow with her gaze.
"Well, that was awkward..." Cassandra noted.
"Tell me about it..." Amy said, feeling almost breathless after what had just happened. "Sorry about that. If she hadn't known me, maybe she wouldn't have come over."
"It's okay, those kind of people don't scare me", Cassandra replied, even though she was still blushed from annoyance still. "At least now that's over with. - I wonder if Caleb knows she's in town..."
"If he doesn't, he will soon, since Ashley has to speak to him about his statement", Amy said, thinking what a mess of personal affairs this was.
"Right, I didn't even think about that", Cassandra sighed, pausing for a while."I mean, I knew Caleb has been married before, but I sort of didn't think about that since she wasn't even around here, so it didn't really matter, but... I'm just wondering what do I have to deal with when she's done with him and his statement. Is he going to be a mess? He's always told me she completely broke his heart when they divorced", she wondered out loud, knowing Caleb to be pretty sensitive.
"Could be. I mean, their divorce wasn't handled well", Amy said, putting it mildly, "and when she came back few years ago, she did a number on him by messing with his feelings", she continued, wanting to be honest with Cassandra even though it probably didn't help her to feel better about it.
"And you used to be friends with this person, right? At least that's what I've gathered", Cassandra asked. She just couldn't see it with Amy's personality.
"Yeah... But she was kind of different. I guess she's back to her old self now", Amy admitted, not seeing them hanging out anymore.
Even if she was somewhat mad at Caleb for being stupid around Ty with the whole Mitch thing, Amy still didn't want anything bad for Caleb - and that bad included Ashley. Hopefully, since she was now working, Ashley knew to act professionally around him, and Caleb wouldn't be too tormented.
Then again, how professional had her run-in with Ashley just been...
"Well, I have to talk to Caleb about it", Cassandra said, wanting to be aware of the state of her husband's mental state of mind. "Speaking of which... has he called you? He said he'd called you and apologize."
Amy shook her head. "No. He hasn't."
Cassandra sighed.
"Looks like Ashley is not going to be the only one he has to deal with when he gets home..." she said, indicating that Caleb would have to answer to her about not calling to Amy as well. It was starting to become embarrassing how far he was willing to drag it out because he was so ashamed about what he had played part in.