Thanks for continuing to read this story despite my missteps! Somehow I lost 3k words in Chapter 19 so it was much shorter than expected. Darn. I am still learning how the Fanfiction app works. Oh well. This chapter is much longer.
Please know that while Amy and Ty are over the Blair debacle and are much closer, they are still not together. They are the best of friends, though. So hold on tight. More drama to come, more dreams, setbacks, opportunities, early morning rides, night checks. Both characters need to continue to mature and grow.
One more thing. I write each chapter as they pop into my head. No prep or outline. I call it agile writing. You might call it something else :)
I am still having fun. Hope you are too!!
Ps. To Jim, Barbara, Joy48, Anna, ILoveFanFiction08, TkBird98, Vicky, Bethany, Ida, Hals, Sera, Anne, BaseballChick1330, Guests. Thank you so much for your reviews. You spur me on. I read and consider your feedback with every new chapter. So bring it on. Thank You!
Early morning rides were important to Ty and Amy as it gave them a chance to talk, to be together without constant interruption and opinion, known lovingly as Heartland. This morning's ride was a real turning point for them as friends. They both felt a new sense of trust for each other, and it showed in their conversation, their sharing, their touch. As they parted in separate directions, for Amy, to Fairfield and for Ty, to school, they each approached their day with a happiness that they hadn't felt in months.
When Amy got to Fairfield, she made a beeline for her office to make a few phone calls.
"Hi Dr. Young? Hello, this is Amy Fleming. How are you?"
"Just fine, Amy. You? And, please Alicia."
"Thank you, Alicia, I am well. I am calling to accept your invitation to attend your Behaviors class as a guest speaker. "
"Wonderful. I was afraid you'd decline. How does Thursday at 3:00 sound?"
"That works well. I would also like to attend a prior class to get the feeling of the class and students. Will that work?"
"Yes. How about Tuesday also at 3:00?
Good. Thanks."
"By the way, Ty Borden, a first year student, asked to attend the same classes. I understand you know him. Are you okay with this?"
"Absolutely. He is my perpetual cheerleader."
"Always good to have supporters. Boyfriend?"
"Special someone."
"Ah." She paused. "I also understand you are racing in the Timbre Classic tomorrow. Mind if we swing by to watch?"
"That would be wonderful. All proceeds go to Canter Project."
"Worthy organization. See you then."
Next, she called and left a message for Rebecca, the young girl who alerted her to the plight of Silk and Star. She wanted her to know that they were safe at Heartland.
She continued to verify arrangements for Sage's trailing, stabling, and equipment for race day.
Phone calls complete, Amy went to check on Sage in her stable. "Hey Sage. How's my beautiful lady? I see everything is in order in your house!" The horse snorted in response to Amy's voice, then nuzzled Amy's neck. She laughed.
Sage already had her early morning breakfast, which Amy specially formulated with medicinal herbs to boost her immunity system, overall nutrition and readiness for tomorrow's race. Her coat gleamed, her feet sans dirt and stones, and her mane and tail combed from a deep grooming that morning as well. And, of course, her stable was well mucked and neat as a pin. Amy was satisfied.
"You know, tomorrow is the Classic. Are you excited? I sure am. Can't wait to ride full out with you." Amy stroked her mane. "But, today my dear, we are going to take it easy. One slow trot around the track. That's it. Easy does it!"
Once on the track, Sage clearly was excited to run and run fast. Any had to pull her back several times during their easy trot. Back in the stable, cooling her off with a sponge bath, she told the horse "Okay, Old Sweet Sage, just one more day and then you can show everyone what a lady can do!" Sage whinnied.
The Vet came to check on Sage for hot spots, swelling, temperature, respiration issues and found she was in excellent racing form. After a quick cool bath, a little T-touch and another light groom, Amy was done for the morning. "See you at 4, sweet girl. Be good." She rubbed Sage's muzzle and rewarded her with a mint.
Lemonade on the veranda with Lisa was a treat that Amy hoped would become a habit. "How are things going, sweetheart?"
"Very good." Amy began. "Sage was more than ready to race today. I had to work hard to hold her back. Tomorrow she will be the lady to beat. And, I can't wait."
"Race days are always fun. I love them. Beautiful horses, stylish ladies in pretty hats, handsome men in dapper suits, fancy foods, champagne. Tomorrow will be extra special for the Canter Project too. Hope we raise a bunch." Lisa smiled. "Winning, of course, is just icing on the cake."
They both laughed touching their lemonade glasses together. "Cheers! To a successful race day tomorrow!"
"So, tell me about plans for trailering and for the track?" Lisa asked.
"I've made arrangements to have Sage and the trailer ready this afternoon. I'll be at the barn at 4pm to load her up. You are welcome to join. She should be stabled and ready for a light dinner, herb infused of course, by 5 then lights out, so to speak, for her. It will be a very early morning for everyone. No later than 4." Amy switched gears. "Will you be at Heartland for dinner tonight?"
"Yes, I plan on it."
"Good. I am hoping to convince Ty to go with me to the track after dinner to do last minute prep." She paused, "I understand many trainers and jockeys spend the night with their horses."
"Honey. You need to get your sleep before the big day. And, like you said, 4 comes early. You will sleep in your own bed. I will arrange an overnight and race day groom and stablehand for our Sweet Sage."
"Thanks. I appreciate that, Lisa. Race day will be hectic so we need to keep Sage calm and rested between things. So here's the agenda. First, light power breakfast, track jog, groom, vet check, ice bath, weigh in, vet check, paddock, walking ring, light jog/canter, gate, and, finally, race time." Amy paused. "Do you mind if I muzzle her periodically in the morning to keep her from over grazing? We'll have some Timothy hay there for her."
"No, that's our normal protocol."
"Good. We will be sure that she gets proper water and nutrients as needed in the morning. We'll stop well before the race so she does not suffer from an overfull bladder or an exercise induced pulmonary bleed."
"Very good. You know, it was common for owners to use Lasix as a diuretic for that in the past. I appreciate that you are taking a natural route instead."
"Sure. Mom always thought nature was best for the horse's health." She smiled and continued. "Of course, after the race agenda includes include vet check, ice bath, feed and food and rest. I plan to keep her at the track one more night instead of trailering back after the busy day. So we'll need a groom to stay with her tomorrow night too. Is that okay?"
"Yep, sounds like you have it all covered Amy. Excellent work."
"You are welcome. I'll email you the detailed agenda later today. I need to make a couple of adjustments for race time. Still at 3?"
"Great. Yes, 3. Thanks honey."
Lisa paused, then said with utter pride. "Amy. My dear. I couldn't be prouder of you. You've solved Sage's dirty secret." She giggled at her own pun. "And, now we know her likes and dislikes. You've improved her overall health, diet, nutrition and temperament through natural methods. You've exercised and trained her leading up to the Timbre Grand. And tomorrow you are going to race her. You've taken on so much and did it with grace and professionalism. Oh Amy! Please know, win or lose, I am so very proud of you!" She rose from her seat to hug Amy and kiss her cheek. "Thank you."
Equally emotional, Any said, "This has been an amazing opportunity, Lisa. I have learned so much from you and throughout this process. If I have shown any grace or professionalism, it's because of you. Your advice, your example, your love. You inspire me. Thank you!"
Lisa got choked up a bit. "Well Amy." Lisa grinned. "So, I have a little something for you." She handed large box wrapped in silver fabric with an enormous satin blue bow.
"For me?"
Lisa squealed. "Open it!" She clapped her hands together excitedly.
Amy torn into the box. "Oh my gosh, Lisa. This is incredible! Are these Fairfield's official silks?" She pulled out a silk azure blue, white and lime green color blocked silk jacket with the Fairfield emblem on the chest. Her name was stitched above that. "Oh Lisa, this is beautiful." Amy's eyes were shining. Next, she pulled out of the box, a matching helmet, white breeches had the Fairfield emblem, and white gloves. "Oh Lisa. Thank you."
"Okay, we're not done." She laughed and pulled out another box wrapped similarly.
"Oh Lisa this is too much."
"Don't be silly sweetheart. Open it. You are representing Fairfield. The silks inform the press and public who you are riding for. You need to look just so."
Inside the box were a pair of soft leather tall boots. "Oh, oh. These boots are gorgeous. Thank you." Amy jumped up, hugged Lisa tight and kissed her.
"Cheers! To looking lovely at the races!" They clinked their glasses and laughed.
Pleased with Amy's reaction, Lisa's eyes shone with happiness. They both sat back in their chairs feeling very elated.
After some time, Lisa slightly grimaced, "Hate to bring this up, but I must. I am worried about you." Lisa said. "Jack called me this morning and told me of your nightmare last night. He was very worried. How are you doing?"
"Honestly Lisa, it was horrible, just awful and it felt so real. But, Jack, Lou and Ty all talked me through it. I'm actually really good now."
"Ty?"
"Yeah." She blushed. "He stayed with me all night, we talked. A lot. We, mostly I, talked about the dream, about Blair, about me and about Ty. He helped me through some of my feelings surrounding the whole Blair debacle."
"Just talked?"
"Yes. Well, and cuddled. We are still just best friends."
Lisa smiled. "Good. Glad he was there for you. That's what best friends do."
They looked at each and nodded. "Cheers! To best friends!" They again clicked their glasses to toast friendship.
Amy told Lisa about her call with Dr. Young and being guest speaker in her class the following week.
"Oh Amy. I am so proud of you. Know it took a bit of courage to say Yes. So here's to you!"
They clinked their glasses together again. "Cheers! To Amy and finding her courage!
After goodbyes, Amy headed to heartland as Silk and Star were waiting for her to get started. Now that they had been vetted, fed and had time to settle in, she wanted to evaluate them. As she drove in the gate, a young girl in braids was standing on the fence rail with Jack and another man. They were watching Silk and Star who were on the opposite side looking at them warily.
Amy joined them. Jack made introductions. "Amy, please meet Shawn Davis and his daughter, Rebecca." Amy and Shawn shook hands.
"Pleased to meet you both. Rebecca, are you the hero who put the whole rescue in motion?"
Rebecca excitedly nodded. "I watched them from the bus every day. When it looked like they weren't getting fed, I called you. Heartland heals horses."
Amy smiled at the young girl's enthusiasm. "So, you decided to come to the ranch to meet them then?"
"Yes, we are going to buy them." She said confidently.
Her dad interrupted. "Well Rebecca, you know we are only here to visit. No one said anything about buying them."
"Rebecca, truthfully, neither you nor I, can keep or buy these horses until we talk with Mr. Harris' daughter Valerie. She should be here a bit latter. In the meanwhile, let's see what we have here." Rebecca nodded.
With that Amy opened the pen gate, carrying a long lunge line, and walked toward the horses. They eyed her, but did not move. She talked to them, clicked her tongue and took her position in the pen center. She was about to perform a classic join-up, a method used to bond horse to human through body language and positioning. But, this time she had two horses, she wasn't sure that this would work.
Swinging her lunge line close to their hind legs, she began to drive the horses to the outside of the pen, moving them to run in a counter-clockwise circle. Silk led Star but neither showed much interest in approaching her.
Amy kept driving them, changing direction just to push them more. After 45 minutes, Amy began to doubt that a join-up would work with two. At 52 minutes, she saw Star begin to look toward Amy and lick her lips. Silk did not appear to be ready.
With Star showing the telltale signs, Amy did not want to miss the chance to join up with at least one of the horses. So she turned her back to the horses.
Star walked up immediately, made a loud noise that blew her hair. "Oh good girl! You decided to join me, wonderful." Amy padded her neck, played with her mane, and gave Star a mint.
She kept cooing to Star, laughing in response to Star noises and movements. She took a few steps away from Star to test the strength of their bond.
Out of the corner of her eye, Amy could see Silk standing back, cautiously eyeing them. Amy asked Star"Think we can convince Silk to come play with us?" With that, she unwrapped slowly another mint, crinkling the cellophane wrapper between her fingers. The noise pricked Silks ears.
Smelling the mint, Silk showed even more interest, swiveling his forward and back. Amy whispered his name, "Silk, you are such a good boy." She held the mint out so he could see it. He took a step forward and stopped, unsure. Star neighed and nodded her head. Silk licked his lips then stepped closer to investigate. And stopped, and looked away.
Star snorted, almost calling him. Giving in, silk walked up to Amy and smelled her hair. Patting his snout, she laughed, "Good boy, Silk. So glad that you joined us." She gave him the mint as his reward.
As Amy moved around the pen, the horses followed. She stopped, turned and faced the two. She talked to them softly and their gaze was solely on her.
Everyone was excited and clapped. Amy was thrilled, the join-up complete.
Amy then noticed another watching the join-up, so she walk over to the group. The horses followed her. "Hi there. I'm Amy Fleming. You must be Valerie Harris."
"Yes, I am. Nice to meet you."
"Thank you so much for coming to Heartland. Please accept our condolences in the passing of your father."
"Thank you."
"Valerie, I'd like you to meet my grandfather, Jack Bartlett, and Shawn and Rebecca Davis. Rebecca called me yesterday about that horses."
"Nice to meet you all" Valerie paused. "Hello Rebecca, how old are you?"
Star and Silk were leaning over the fence toward Rebecca. In turn, she was loving on them, petting their noses and kissing them. Rebecca smiling said, "I am 12. I love Star and Silk. I told Amy that they were hungry."
"Well, Star and Silk apparently love you. You know, you remind me of my little sister. She loved horses too."
Valerie turned to Amy, "Amy what you did out there was really incredible. Just beautiful." Tears filled her eyes.
"Join-up can be very dramatic. This is the first time I have done it with two horses." Amy smiled.
"Daddy, look!! Star and Silk really like me!" Rebecca Squealed as Star nuzzled her ear.
"They sure do! They seem very happy."
"Here Rebecca" Amy handed her two mints. "Give each horse one. They love mints."
Valerie smiled. "Yes, they do. My sister, Stephanie used to do liberty work with these two. She always gave them a mint after a work session."
"Liberty work? Did she perform in horse shows? Dr. Scott Cardinal thought that to be the case."
"Yes, she did. She was incredible. Liberty is like dancing with horses. Stephanie, Star and Silk dancing together was incredible, mesmerizing and beautiful to watch. The bond that she built with them was tremendous. Even as a teenager, she had the gift. And, yes, she performed all over Canada and the states to sold out crowds." She stopped and looked at the horses.
"She was on tour two years ago. There was a terrible accident. All that ended. She's a paraplegic now, bound to a wheelchair."
"Oh Valerie." Amy whispered. "I am so sorry."
"Thank you. It's been a rough few years in our family. First my sister's accident, my mom's early onset dementia and now my dad's death." Valerie sighed. "It's been really, really hard."
"And, Star and Silk? What happened to them?"
"After the accident, they were retired, so to speak. Dad took care of them, but he didn't have time or desire to work them or to do much of anything with them."
"That's understandable. But, horses are very smart and sensitive. When they build a bond, like they did with Stephanie, it's truly for life. I am certain that they missed her and all of you."
"We just didn't have the heart for them. It was too hard. Seeing them reminded us of the accident." Valerie admitted.
"I can't imagine. Have you thought what you'll do with Star and Silk? It would be ideal if they could stay together."
"I have no idea. I live in Calgary, with my husband and our two sons. They are both at university. Mom and Stephanie live in the same nursing facility. I visit them both daily." She added. "We don't live on a farm and aren't really horse people. So, I really don't how Star and Silk could fit in our lives."
"Valerie, we understand that this a tough decision at a really difficult time. Take your time. Star and Silk can stay at Heartland until you decide. And, when you decide, whether it be to keep or rehome them, we will help."
"Thank you. Could you board and work with them over the next month or so until I decide? I'd like to talk with my sister first. Of course, I will pay your fees."
"Yes, absolutely. In the meanwhile, we will continue to work with them so that they remain healthy and happy."
"Can I help?" Begged Rebecca.
Amy smiled, "Rebecca. Let's talk with your dad first. But, if he agrees, I would love your help."
Ty and Amy walked into the ranch for dinner together. He had just returned from a long day of classes and vet calls with Scott whereas Amy had spent the last hour with Sage getting her loaded and trailered to the race track. Both were tired but in good spirits.
Lou had made corned beef, cabbage and mashed potatoes, Peter's favorite. Jack, Lou, Ty, Amy and Lisa sat down to eat. Peter was still in Dubai.
"Seems strange to have corned beef without Peter", remarked Ty. "It is his favorite after all."
"He'll be back next week, and I wanted to practice." Lou explained.
"You don't need practice Lou. It's really good." added Amy.
Lisa spoke up, "I want to make a toast tonight to Amy. She taken on some new challenges At Fairfield that we should celebrate."
"So, cheers to Amy for fixing, training and tomorrow riding Old Sweet Sage in the Tembre Classic tomorrow!"
"To Amy!" They toasted her together.
"Thanks! everyone. Tomorrow will be fun but it got a worthy charity so come and spend lots of money!" She said laughing.
"Plus, you'll get to see me riding Sage in Fairfield's snazzy silks and jockey clothes!" She winked at Lisa and mouthed, "Thank you."
"Here, Here!"
Ty stood then, surprising everyone. "I want to make a toast too." He raised his glass. "This toast is for Amy too! Amy was invited by Dr. Alicia Young, Department Director at Calgary's Vet School, to be the guest speaker in her Animal Behaviors class next week. Amy has accepted. I am so proud of her!"
Everyone starting talking at once. Amy started laughing. "Thank you! I am excited and scared out of my mind!"
"You will be great!" Said Jack, "I couldn't be more proud."
"Oh Amy! This is so wonderful. Congratulations." Said Lou. "Will she pay you?" Everyone laughed.
Ty continued. "So, let's raise our glasses. Cheers to Amy!"
"Here, Here! Cheers!" Glasses started clinking and the conversation grew exciting and celebratory.
"Ty, I assume that you'll be at the races tomorrow?" Asked Lisa.
"Yep, probably won't be as early as Amy but definitely most of the day."
"Well, I have an opportunity for you."
"Oh?"
"The track vet, Stuart Jackson, mentioned that he's in need of a vet tech tomorrow. Interested?"
"Yes!"
"His normal tech broke her arm falling off a horse. Interested in helping him? He is paying top dollar, he's desperate."
"Even better. "
"Good. I'll give him your cell. Unfortunately, you'll have to get there at 4. Just like Amy."
"So much for sleeping in!"
Towards the end of the meal, Amy mentioned that she had to head to the track to check on Sage. "Ty, would you like to join me? I will only stay an hour or so. We both have an early morning wake-up call."
"Okay, sounds good."
After a bit of wandering around the track stables, they finally found Sage's stable. She was settled in and almost more importantly, her stable was clean and tidy. "Hey pretty girl!" Sage neighed and nodded her head. Both Ty and Amy petted her neck and rubbed her forehead. She seemed very relaxed.
Sitting in a hay bale, Ty and Amy talked about tomorrow's race and each of their duties. Both bemoaned having to get up so early.
"Hey Ty. How did you know that I had accepted Dr. Young's invite?"
"She called me and invited me to her Tuesday and Thursday class. She said something about being a special cheerleader."
She laughed.
"I wanted to ask her if she was sending a short bus to pick me up!"
Amy laughed so hard she snorted. Ty laughed too, "My crazy horsey girl. You're beginning to sound like a horse too!" She bumped his shoulder with his.
"Hey. I am so proud of you! Amy. I am." Looking into her deep blue eyes. She smiled back and touched his hand. He felt himself melting a bit.
Then he thought for a second. "Hey, is it okay if I am in the class with you? I don't want to make you nervous or anything." He said seriously.
"You better be there sitting in the seat next to me!" They both smiled.
"Hey Amy! How's it going? Oh Hey Ty! I didn't expect to see you here." Said Andy, he was wearing his Fairfield groomer uniform.
"Hey Andy! You going to be Sage's groomer?"
"Yep. Lisa sent out a request yesterday and I volunteered. I am staying here through Sunday."
Ty felt a twinge in his gut.