Something jolted Ty out of a deep sleep. He opened one eye, looked at his alarm clock, saw it was 6:45. Still early for a Sunday, he started to sink back into sleep. "My exam! ARGH". He jumped out of bed, dressed quickly, got his books and headed down to the barn.
Still happy from last night, Amy called "Good morning Ty!"
"Morning. Ugh. I overslept. Hopefully traffic will be light and I'll make it in time." Grabbing his backpack off the desk, he hurried out the door leaving behind his phone.
"Good luck on your exam!" Amy yelled.
Jumping into his old truck, Ty started the engine, popped the clutch, pressed the gas and raced to the Heartland gate. As he was driving out, a gray Ford truck was driving in. Out of habit, Ty gave the usual small town wave, two fingers lifted from the steering wheel, acknowledging the passing truck. Matt responded in kind.
"Hey. Good morning Amy."
"Matt, you are early. Good start." She smiled. "Well, Caleb isn't here yet and Ty just headed out, so you got me."
"Okay. Where do we start?"
"Let's head to the ranch first."
"Matt, please meet my grandfather, Jack Bartlett, my sister Lou Fleming-Morris and her husband, Peter Morris. Everyone, this is Matt Davis. He's trying on for size the ranch hand position."
Pleasantries were exchanged.
"I am very pleased to have this opportunity. It's a beautiful ranch. But, Amy, I think Heartland is trying me on for size. Not the other way around."
This made Any laugh. "Grandpa, why don't you give Matt a bit of Heartland history."
"Heartland and it's 600 acres have been in my family..." Jack preached his well rehearsed 15 minute speech on Heartland. "Now tell us about yourself Matt. You from around here?"
"Not much to say. I grew up my family just outside of Hudson. Like I told Amy yesterday, I attended Hudson High through my sophomore year. For the last two years, I lived with my mom in Vancouver. After I graduated, I moved back to live with my dad and sister."
"Know anything about horses?"
"Yes sir. I have been around horses my whole life, event jumping. And, jumped competitively for Vancouver High's equestrian team."
"Do you have a horse?"
"Yes, but my Irish Sport Thunder is in Vancouver. He's a jumper but close to the end of his career. He still has miles in him though."
"Are you any good?"
"Jumping? I have won my fair share of ribbons."
"Got plans for college, trade school?"
"No, not right now."
"You okay cutting hay, mending fences, hauling feed, handling heavy equipment, driving cattle, in addition to mucking stalks, caring and training horses?"
"Yes, sir."
"You any good with hammer, nails, saws? How about engine repair?"
"Fair to hammer, nails, saws. No to engine repair."
"Have you ever built anything?"
"Does a treehouse count?"
"That's something. Well, Matt it's been a pleasure." Jack shook his hand. "Got to get this day started. Bye everyone." He said as he headed out the door.
Walking back to the barn, "Matt, you will generally work with me with horses, however, you will also do work for Grandpa and Lou as needed." she paused. "Okay?" He nodded.
"Let's get started." She showed him around the barn, introducing him to each horse first. They talked about schedules, feed runs, tack, vet care, mature, and client services. She told about her mom and her philosophies, natural remedies, and beliefs.
"Do you know anything about the internet and websites? Especially building a websites?"
"I surf the web including YouTube. I have a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. But I am not real active anymore., kinda a high school thing"
"What about spreadsheets, email, calendars?"
"I can get by... sounds like I am failing business class."
"No worries. Just finding all of your hidden talents." She smiled. "Photography?"
"Nope!"
"Darn!"
Throughout the morning, Amy and Matt worked together to do chores from mucking out the stalls, to feeding and watering, from grooming the horses, to cleaning tack. She talked him through each task, what to do and why. She answered his questions patiently.
After turning out the barn horses, they headed to the Quonset Hut to check on the strays. As they approached building, the two snorted, with the mare's deeper and foal's more high pitched.
"Have you ever had to quarantine a horse before?"
"No."
"Okay. These two horses, a dam and foal, are strays found on a rancher's land. Though they have been vetted, we don't want to risk the health of the other horses. So we quarantine them for 2-3 weeks which is the incubation period for most contagious diseases."
"Okay."
"We keep their hay, grain, equipment, buckets, mature carts, pastures, everything completely separate during this time. We wash and change clothes after we interact with them as to not transfer any germs."
Turning her attention to the horses, "Hey mama, hey baby girl! How did you sleep last night? Hope your first night at Heartland was comfortable. This is Matt. You'll be seeing him a lot."
Matt awkwardly waved to the horses.
Amy kept up the running conversation. "Let's do your health check. Let see. Temps look good, no swelling, no nose discharge, eyes bright. You pass!" She showed Matt how to do each check and why. On the clip board hanging by the stall, she recorded each horse's vital data and made other notes.
"Do you always talk like that to the horses?"
"Yes, don't you?"
"Mostly, I talk to Thunder when we ride, not so much in the stall."
"Well, here you'll need to do...a lot. With so many horses coming and going, steady communication will help ease their anxiety, create a bond. They are intelligent beings and they like to hear voices. Always be calm, kind as you stroke and pet them. Your turn."
"Okay girls, how about we get you into the empty paddock for a little exercise." He rubbed their noses, baby's first. "Hey, mama and baby! Do they have names?"
"They didn't come with names. So we'll see what they tell us." Both horses shook their heads. "See?" She smiled.
"Hmm. Well. Okay. What ever you say." He looked at her doubtfully.
Morning chores in the hut completed, Amy instructed. "Come, let's take them out to the empty paddock so they can get some fresh air and exercise."
Despite the cooing and petting, the mare was still a bit skittish. So Amy and Matt had to work together to harness her. "I will add some valerian root and chamomile to their grain tonight. That should help settle them both." She proceeded to tell him about the properties and virtues of the two herbs and how she would administer those.
As they led the mare out, she said "The baby will follow her mama so no need to harness her." Just as predicted, the foal stuck close to her mom.
Once in the paddock, the mare, with baby in tow, began to trot around the pen on their own accord while Amy stood in the middle. With a little encouragement, they picked up their pace but staying close to the rail. Not wanting to overtire either, she stoped after several rounds. Matt just observed.
"Fill up their water trough, please." As she climbed up and sat on the pen rail. The two horses came to a standstill opposite of her and stared. Matt joined her on the rail.
"What's next?"
"Stay here. I am going to try something." Climbing into the pen, she took a few steps forward, then slowly folded herself into a crossed legged, lotus seated position on the ground. The mare took notice, one ear swiveling forward and back, but standing firm.
Time passed, maybe 20 minutes, when the colt, grew impatient and took two steps toward Amy. She pulled out a mint, crinkled the wrapper. Catching the spearmint scent, the colt could no longer resist, hesitantly walked up to get the mint reward and a pet. "Good girl." Amy cooed.
"That's pretty cool."
The mare then sounded and the colt ran away. "Well that was some good progress. Let's go get cleaned up and have lunch at the ranch. Hope you brought extra clothes."
"Actually I didn't."
"Well, maybe Grandpa or Ty have some you can borrow. Make sure you always have an extra set or two in your truck. Boots too."
"Who is Ty?" Matt asked as they removed their boots in the foyer.
Before Amy could answer, "Ty is Amy's sweetheart, or sometime sweetheart. Depends on the day." Mallory offered.
"Mallory." Amy blushed. "Mallory, this is Matt, our ranch hand applicant. Matt, this is Mallory, our long time friend and neighbor." she sighed. "Ty is also one of our ranch hands but he's in vet school now." She said with a hint of pride, opening the refrigerator to get the orange juice. "Want some?"
Matt shook his head NO.
"Speak of the devil! Look who just drove up!" Lou said as she looked out the kitchen window above the sink. "Grandpa and Caleb are here too."
The three men walked together laughing about some ridiculous comment Caleb made. Ty and Caleb stopped when they saw Matt.
"Ty and Caleb, please meet Matt Davis. He may be our new ranch hand. Matt, Ty Borden and Caleb O'Dell." Jack making the introductions. They all shook hands.
"I didn't know we needed another ranch hand." Caleb said flatly.
"You are going to Italy for a month. Can't wait that long to muck out the stalls." Jack offered.
"And, Ty is busy with school." Lou added.
Sensing that Matt was uncomfortable with the exchange, Amy asked, "Grandpa, do you have an extra set of clothes that Matt can borrow? We have been with the quarantined horses."
"Sure. Matt come with me."
"I am going to go wash-up myself." Amy excused herself, heading to her room.
At soon as they were out of earshot,
"Wow! A new ranch hand? That was quick."
"Yeah, we have a lot of work and you two have other plans." Lou laying it all out.
"So, where did you find Matt?" Ty questioned Lou.
"Amy did. He's Shawn Davis's son."
"Oh. Seems young." Ty, a little bothered.
"Just graduated high school. Same age as Amy. Same age as you when you started."
Ty just nodded. "Know anything about horses?"
"Yea. He was on the equestrian team at Vancouver High."
"Wow. Really? That school pumps out lots of Olympian riders." Caleb adding to Ty's bad mood.
"Mallory, could you set the table for 8? We're just having sandwiches, potato salad, chips." she nodded.
"I'll help." Ty offered getting the plates out of the cabinet.
Returning freshly showered and sporting a black pencil skirt, white silken blouse, short gray cropped blazer and black boots, Amy had her hair pulled back into a loose bun. She was stunning, very much the professional woman. "Anything I can do Lou?"
Lou turned, "Wow, Amy, you sure know how to clean-up!" Amy blushed. "My god, I love those clothes. So chic and professional!"
"Thanks Lou. Glad you love your clothes!" They both laughed.
Ty stared, smiled at her. "Amy.."
Preempting Ty, Matt entered right behind her. "You look really pretty, Amy. You planning to muck in that outfit?" He grinned.
"I am not, but you are in your grandpa clothes!" She giggled.
Ty somewhat annoyed at their banter, he still leaned over to Amy and whispered, "You really do look beautiful."
"Thanks."
The front door opened and Lisa walked in. "Hello Everyone!"
"Well. Hey Lis! So glad you could make it on such short notice." Jack grinned then he kissed her lips.
"Happy to see you too!" She beamed. Turning to Matt and holding out her hand, "Hi. I'm Lisa Stillman."
Jack added, "Lisa. This is Matt Davis. He may become our new ranch hand in the horse business."
"Pleased to meet you!" He paused for a moment,"Pardon me, but the Lisa Stillman and Fairfield Stables? Owner of Old Sweet Sage?"
"The one and, thankfully, only!" Lisa laughed.
She whispered to Amy, "You look lovely. Ready for the horse business?" Amy smiled then added another plate to the table.
Settling into chairs around the table, food was passed without much conversation. Plates full, Jack broke the silence. "Matt, we welcome you to our table. We hope that you find a good fit here at Heartland."
"Thank you Jack." He nodded towards Jack. "So far, so good. I like working for Amy. She is a great teacher. Hope she keeps me."
Ty looked at Amy. She smiled uncomfortably.
"As everyone is here, I'd like to announce some changes here at Heartland that Lou, Amy and I made last night. Due to some unforeseen circumstances that requires us to change, Amy has devised an excellent plan to separate the horse business from the Dude Ranch and Cattle businesses."
"Amy has successfully continued her mom's legacy of horse healing and expanded it over the last 3 years. As of this afternoon, she rightfully will become the owner of Heartland Equestrian Natural Rehabilitation and Therapy. Or HEaRT for short. She has more than earned this, she has built this. We are headed to the bank and lawyer office right after lunch to make it all official."
"Please lift your glass and toast Amy. To Amy!"
"Amy congratulations!" Lisa winked at her. "I am so proud of you."
"Here! Here! Congratulations Amy!" They raised their glasses to her. She beamed.
"That's great Amy." Ty said. Seeing Matt smiling at Amy, he leaned over, kissed her cheek.
"Tell us what that means?"
"I will assume all financial and operational aspects of the horse business from Lou. Of course I will seek her and Lisa's advice going forward. In addition to client horses, all horses on the ranch will be managed by HeaRT."
"That's a lot of work to take on." Caleb added.
"No kidding." Mallory mumbled.
"Yes. That's why the horse business needs its own ranch hand. Matt is our first candidate who applied. He will be with me this week, but also learning from everyone around the table." Explained Amy.
"Yes, this is a trial week for me. Hopefully I'll meet Amy's expectations."
"And, vice versa. Of course." Amy added.
"Good luck man." Caleb laughed. "How's it been so far? I see she hasn't killed you yet. Amy can be a real taskmaster."
"True that!" Amy laughed. "Caleb, Ty, specifically. I want you to spend time with Matt and let him know what he's getting into. Be honest."
"You want us to tell him everything?" He asked.
"Stick to the Heartland horse business, Caleb. You don't have to discuss your latest escapades at KO." Jack advised.
Everyone chuckled.
"Caleb, after lunch, could you take Matt to the Dude Ranch, show him the trail horses, equipment, schedule, trails? Take them on a trail ride, pony 4 of them. Please."
"You got it." He smiled.
"Ty, do you have some time this afternoon to spend with Matt?"
"Unfortunately, not today. Wednesday maybe?"
"Wednesday will work. Thanks." Changing the subject, Amy asked. "So, how was your exam, by the way?"
"Well, thankfully traffic was light so I made it just as the professor was closing the door. But, I think I did pretty well. I find out in a couple of days."
"Good to hear."
"Amy, remember that we are auditing Prof Young's animal behaviors class tomorrow afternoon."
"I know. I am so excited." Amy squealed.
"Me too!"
"Animal behaviors class?" Matt asked.
"Ty and I been invited to attend the class at the University of Calgary Vet School tomorrow and Thursday."
"Are you teaching?"
"Heavens, no just learning and maybe, contributing to the conversation."
"Amy is the guest speaker on Thursday. Quite an honor." Jack clarified. "We are very proud of her." Amy blushed.
"That's great. Congrats!" Matt genuinely remarked. "Big week! Winning the Timbre Classic, assuming ownership of the Heartland horse business and teaching at University."
"Truthfully, our horse business does focus on animal behaviors and what our horses are telling us. So I have a lot to learn." Amy smiled.
"You seemed to be pretty advanced in your understanding of horse behaviors." Matt complimented.
After Lou and Jack went to get ready and everyone else scattered, Ty and Amy did the lunch dishes side by side. Quiet, Ty was focused on scrubbing a single glass. "What's up Ty?"
"Nothing."
"Ty. Tell me."
"How come you didn't tell me about all this last night?" Ty inquired.
"We were focused on other things." She laughed bumping into his shoulder.
"Amy. I'm serious. That was big. You should have told me." He was miffed.
She considered his reaction, nodding. "I understand, it is a big change, for everyone really. Jack, Lou and I made the decision last night after dinner. Guess it really didn't sink in until this morning when Matt showed up."
"About that, you didn't even tell me that you hired a ranch hand either."
She sighed. "Ty. You said we needed another ranch hand. Things just fell into place last night. Plus, Matt hasn't been hired yet."
"But you will. You two seem already seem to be chummy."
"Wow. Ty. I'm not sure how to respond." she stopped before emotions got the best of her.
"I have to go do homework." He was out the door quickly leaving Amy dumbfounded.
"So, trouble in paradise?" Lou asked interrupting Amy's thoughts.
"Ugh. I have no idea what just happened."
"What is named Matt."
"Huh?"
"Amy, come on. Matt is a good looking guy, tall, athletic, nice hair, good with horses. And, he's gonna spend every day with you."
"Nice hair?"
"Yes. Ty, unfortunately, is jealous. Why do you think he kissed you at lunch?"
"Congratulating me?"
"Maybe. But, Ty was also letting Matt know that you are his."
"You are kidding, right?"
"Ty was blindsided a bit. He wasn't expecting all these changes. Just talk to him."
"Why can't he be happy for me?"
"He is. He's just feeling replaced, and rather quickly, about now."
"Rrrr."
"Think about when Blair came. You were blindsided, you weren't expecting him to show up with a girl."
"Not the same. This is work."
"You are right. It's not the same but the feelings are."
"Okay, Okay. I stink at reading people."
"So true."
"Lou, I need 10 minutes before we head to the lawyer's office, okay?"
"Yes, hurry."
"Be a step ahead of my emotions." Amy muttered out loud as she entered the barn.
"What?" Ty didn't even look up as he was searching for something on the desk.
"Are you looking for your phone? You left it behind this morning." Amy said as she pulled it from the pencil holder. She noticed that Blair had texted him, "CALL ME!", before she handed to Ty.
Ty glanced at the texts knowing that Amy saw them too.
"Um. I wanted to check with you before I left. I was hoping we could ride Spartan and Harley when I get back."
"Okay" he didn't look at her.
"Promise, I'll tell you all about the details of the new business. Does 4:30ish work?"
"Sure."
"Ty, we have to trust each other." She touched his arm and looked into his eyes. "Okay?"
"Okay."
She started walking out, when Ty called, "Amy?"
"Yeah?"
"Blair has been texting me."
"Look. It's none of my business, Ty."
With that, she headed towards the ranch but ran into Caleb and Matt. "Heading out to the Dude Ranch?"
"Yeah. Shortly."
"So Matt, Caleb is going to tell you all my deep dark secrets."
"Yes. Yes, I will." Caleb and Matt laughed.
"Just take take them with a pinch of salt and a cup of sugar."
They both laughed again.
"Good. After your done with the trail horses, please exercise all the barn horses but Spartan and Harley."
"Why not those two?" Asked Matt.
"Spartan's my horse and Harley's Ty's. We ride every day."
"Good to know."
"I need to head to town with Lou, Grandpa and Lisa. See you later."
4:30 o'clock rolled around quickly. Ty and Amy had the two horses tacked up when Caleb and Matt rode up on Dexter and Copper. "Matt, before you head out, would you stable mama and baby in the Quonset Hut? Remember to go through all the checks and record those. Don't touch any other horses or equipment after that, please! You can head home after that."
"Sure thing. Have a good night."
"Thanks. Ty and I will untack these two. Good work today, by the way. See you tomorrow."
Clipping Dexter and Cooper, Ty and Amy quickly groomed the two horses. "So, are you going to hire Matt?"
"It's only been one day. But, he seems promising."
"Oh."
"Ty?"
"Wish he was old and ugly."
Amy burst out laughing. "Seriously?"
"I am sorry. I was an ass. I was jealous."
"Was? Does that mean no more?"
"Can't help it. I don't trust other guys."
"You don't have to. Trust me."
Ty nodded.
As they were heading out side by side on Spartan and Harley, hand in hand, Matt drove by and waved.
Once they reached the ridge, they settled on the plaid blanket and overlooked the valley beyond. It was another beautiful day, but the wind was cold. "Tell me about your horse business." Ty put his arm around Amy to warm her.
"Gosh, where do I start? You know that we are doing this because of dad, mostly."
"Nah. Jack and Lou recognize that you are the Heartland horse business. You are the one that made it successful."
"Thanks." She thought about that then proceeded. "Its all very exciting. First, we went to the lawyer and drew up papers for the separate businesses. The horse business will be called HEaRT for Heartland Equestrian Natural Rehabilitation and Therapy, like grandpa said. Can you believe it, I am the owner?! Lisa will be my advisor and on the board."
"Love the name! Fitting."
"I know, right?" She laughed. "The surprise was that dad showed up at the lawyer's office. Grandpa talked with him yesterday. Anyhow, he signed Dexter and trail horses over to me! Shocker, huh?"
"No kidding. That is a huge shocker. What did he say?"
"He said that he was truly sorry. That he didn't know about the buzzer but that he should have and was taking responsibility. And that he loved me." A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Wow. What did you say?"
"I told him that I loved him too. And thank you."
"Wow. Real life is stranger than fiction."
"No kidding." She sighed deeply. "Then we went to the bank. We set up a separate bank account, then moved horse business balance. So, there you have it."
"Well, congratulations."
"So you manage all the ranch and trail horses, how does that work?"
"The cattle and dude ranch are now like any other client and they pay for HEaRT service. So they will pay a retainer monthly to HEaRT to stable, feed and care them. The retainer covers cost plus a little margin."
"Where will you put all the client horses? There are no more stalls."
"So, the barn has been moved under HEaRT as well. So, I plan to build 12 more stalls and a few other things."
"Wait! So, you are my landlord?"
"It appears so." She grinned.
"What about Harley?"
She laughed. "I'm not kicking either of you out!"
"Thank goodness...but seriously Amy, this is a ton of work."
"Yes. That's why I need a ranch hand. Plus, my old ranch hand apparently decided to quit to go to vet school." She grinned.
"Haha."
"I will also need to manage all expenses associated with feed, hay, vet, tack, ranch hand. That will be a change for me."
"Yeah."
"Plus, marketing, scheduling, client relations, billing, everything."
"Wow. You'll be busy." Ty added. "Lisa. What she going to do?"
"She will have lots of roles but primarily advise me. She will also be one of my clients too. I will likely travel with her a evaluate horses before she purchases occasionally."
"Travel?"
"Some short trips. Nothing planned yet."
"Oh."
"Maybe you can join me on occasion?" He said nothing. "Ty?"
"Amy. I am happy for you." He reached over and grabbed her hand. "I am so very proud of you!"
"Thank you." He kissed her cheek.
"Ty. I want to talk to you about Matt, and every other Tom, Dick and Harry."
"I know Matt, who are the others?" He grinned.
"Funny." She turned to face him, her face very close to his. "Ty. I love you. And, only you. You are my best friend, my someone special. We made a pact that we would not date anyone else. I am sticking with you and the pact. Forget about Matt, and every other Tom, Dick and Harry. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Ty. We both have lost a lot and been hurt badly. Trusting is not easy for us. But, we have to try. We need to learn to trust the other."
He nodded.
She wrapped her arms around him And pulled him close. He folded into her. His insecurities ran deep as did hers. For her, the best remedy was a heartfelt long hug and she was going to do her best to give him one. Cradling his head, she kissed its crown. She felt him relax as she started to slowly rock him.
"Amy?"
"Hmm?"
"You haven't asked about Blair and her texts."
"No I haven't. But let me ask you one. Do you want to be with Blair or me?"
"You."
"Then I don't care to hear about Blair. She just another Tom, Dick or Harry."
He smiled.
After untacking and grooming the horses, Amy and Ty headed to the ranch house for dinner. A note taped to the refrigerator let them know that Jack and Lisa went to a charity function in Calgary and Lou and Peter went to Maggie's. The house was theirs.
"What do you want for dinner?" Ty looked in the cabinet and refrigerator.
"I really don't care." Amy said stretch out in front of the fireplace. "I'm beat."
"Grilled cheese?"
"Hmm. Sounds good."
By the time the sandwiches were done, Amy was fast asleep. Ty ate his sandwich, sitting next to her, watching the fire.
When he was done, he cleaned up the kitchen. Coming back to the living room, he looked lovingly at her, so peaceful in her sleep. Without opening her eyes, "Hey you, what are you staring at?"
He laugh. "My horsey girl." He rushed in to tickle her, and she fought back finding his weak spots.
"Give up?" Screaming, laughing, arms, legs filling the quiet.
"Never!" Giggling.
"Truce?" Hard breathing.
"Deal!" More laughing.
He sat down in the couch, exhausted but happy from their horse play. She snuggled up to him, feet tucked under her, with her head on his shoulder. Automatically, his arm went around her shoulder. She looked up and smiled.
"Amy?
"Yeah."
"I really, really want to kiss you."
She said nothing, but moved so she was sitting, straddled his lap facing him, her face just inches from his. Her eyes searched his. Her breath hot, rapid but sweet on his lips. Her hair falling over her face, across his shoulder. Her heart beating fast. Her hands cupping his face, prickly from the long day. Forehead to forehead. She hesitated, but lowered her lips so they barely touched his. She pulled back. Looked again at his green eyes, searching him for meaning, love, desire.
Then his arms encircled her, pulled her in hard, lips against lips, bruising, exploring, wanting. Then lips parted, tongue, teeth, gnashing. Fingers grabbed locks of hair. The frustrated, pent up, burning desire was unleashed, exploded, then slowly eased into a slow, sweet kiss. They parted, not sure what happened. They simply looked at each other, smiled. She dismounted him. Folded back into his side, head on his shoulder, his arm around hers. Contented.
They heard Peter's car drive up. "Night check?" She whispered.
"Yeah, let's go."