In the dark of Amy's bedroom, Ty held her. She was no longer crying, but he could feel her trembling still, her breath shallow, her emotion spent. She laid her head on his shoulder, her forehead against his neck, the occasional flutter of her eyelash tickled his earlobe. His arms embraced her, steady, except for his thumb slowly, lightly stroking the softness of her long hair.
When she quieted, he took her hand, then guided her into bed. He crawled in, laid next to her. She drew into him, curled her body into his, her head on his chest, her arm across his stomach, her hand tucked around his side. He enveloped her with his whole body. They laid still, not talking, just breathing in and out.
With each breath, he took in her sweet scent. He whispered. "You smell like lavender. Very nice." He missed her. He missed the simple pleasure of being close to her.
He shifted so he could see her face. He looked into her eyes and confessed. "Amy. You are my best friend, my whole heart. I love you like no other." A smile touched her lips.
He traced her cheek with his finger tip, moving a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. He closed his eyes, kissed her forehead slowly and pulled back. He looked into her blue eyes. He bent down again and kissed the tip of her nose.
"Amy. Tell me about your dream."
She was silent.
"Please?"
She nodded. She took a deep breath, trying not to cry. Still, she shuttered just thinking about her nightmare again.
She started. "In the beginning of the dream, I was so happy because I knew you were home. I was getting ready to see you. I put on my favorite white top with skinny straps and my light blue jeans."
"The ones with the silver stitching on the pockets?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm. I love those jeans on you. They hug your butt just so. They drive me crazy." He imagined her body in those jeans.
She smiled.
"And, are you talking about your white top with the blue ribbon?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I've always wanted to pull that ribbon. Like unwrapping a present." He added. "Were you wearing a cowboy hat?"
She giggled.
He smiled. "Mmm, Nice. Then what?"
"Dad kept pushing me, telling me to hurry. He was making me nervous."
"Typical Tim."
"I know, right." She rolled her eyes and continued. "So I went to the barn. Grandpa was in the doorway of the office. He was talking to you, something like, 'Welcome home son. Proud of you. You brought home a real beauty'."
"Did I bring home a four pound fish?"
She laughed. "No. Ty. Grandpa wasn't talking about a fish."
She continued, "He just stood there, staring at Blair. She was sitting on the edge of mom's desk, wearing only a skimpy black bra, panties, and tall boots."
"Wait, what office? In the barn or in a stripper bar? Was there pole?"
Amy laughed again. "No, Ty. It was in the barn." She paused. "When I looked at her, I felt embarrassed."
"Of course. I can imagine how stupid she felt sitting there in her skivies in front of Jack?"
She giggle and shook her head. "No. I mean I was embarrassed by how I looked, compared to her sexy outfit, in my stupid, junior high outfit."
"Her sexy outfit? Are you kidding? There's nothing left to the imagination." He touched her chin making her look at him. "You were in the sexy outfit."
She smirked. "Yeah, right!"
"Amy. Listen to me. You are beautiful. You are. When you wear that white top, with those tiny straps on your shoulders and that ribbon just under your, ah, um, and those skin tight jeans, I get..." he paused, "okay, um, well, you know. I can't think about anything but you. Holding you, kissing you." He sighed. "You have no idea what you do to me."
"But in my dream, you were excited by her, not me. You didn't even notice me."
"Amy. That was a dream. This is real. I am here, with you. You are the one for me." He stoked her cheek. He desperately wanted to kiss her pink, sweet lips, but she still needed time. So he gently kissed her cheek instead.
Amy grew quiet, he could tell she was thinking. She suddenly laughed aloud. "What?" He asked.
"Well, it just seemed so real and so horrible. I was heartbroken. Until I told you."
"Feel better?"
"Yes."
"Good. Amy. You can tell me anything. I will listen."
"Thank you."
She was quiet again. He felt her body relax, her breath grew steady and regular. He closed his eyes, contented, next to Amy. He began to drift to sleep.
"Ty?"
"Yeah?"
"Please stay."
"I am not going anywhere."
As the morning sun peeked through the curtains, Ty awoke to a sleeping Amy in his arms. Strains of golden hair strayed across her nose, her eyelids fluttered, she was peaceful. Looking at her made him happy, made his heart skip.
When he opened his eyes again, she was gone. Missing her, he got up to find her.
He found her where expected, in the barn, talking to the horse as she worked. He just watched her.
"Hey Spartan, how's my handsome boy this morning?" She stroked his mane as he munch on his morning hay. "How did you sleep?" He snorted and shook his head in response. "Oh you slept poorly? Me too. Bad dream? Yeah, me too. It was the worst."
Then she saw Ty. "Spartan. Want my advice? Get yourself a someone special. Yes, that makes everything better."
Harley whinny to get her attention. "Well good morning to you too, Harley." He snorted. "Ty? He's sleeping in...again." Harley shook his head seemingly in agreement making her laugh.
"What fibs are you telling my horse?" He laughed and patted Harley's neck.
"How did you sleep?" She smiled.
"Very well. But I have a confession to make."
"Oh really. Please tell."
"Last night I slept with most beautiful, sexy woman in my arms. Oh Amy, she had the face of an angel. She had deep blue eyes, golden hair of silk, and perfect lips. I thought I was in heaven."
Really?"
"Yes. But, when I woke this morning, she was gone. And, the only thing she left behind was this." Ty produced one of Amy's boots from behind his back. He grinned. "Will you help me find her?"
Amy laughed. "Oh you."
Then she stepped up to him, looked into his eyes, and kissed him sweetly on the lips. She whispered. "Thank you."
"My pleasure."
"Let's tack up and ride out then."
As they rode Spartan and Harley slowly, side by side, they held hands. Amy talked about her hopes, her worries, her insecurities, none of which had to do with Blair. Ty listened, really listened.