"Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes I wilL
You've got a friend
You've got a friend.."
Ty stood on the loft stairs listening to Amy sing their song to Spartan. He thought she sounded like an angel. Thinking about their moment in the living room in front of the fireplace the night before, he couldn't help but smile. He wanted to kiss her again. He took a deep breath, told himself "Best Friends."
He came up behind her and whispered in her ear. "Hey. Horsey Girl."
She turned around with a big smile. "Hey Ty. Today's my first day of college. Can you believe it?" She said excitedly, barely able to stand still.
Her excitement was infectious. "I know! I am so proud of you!" He teased, "Did you pick out your outfit yet? I did! We should coordinate!"
"Funny har-har!" She said indignantly. Then laughed. "Okay, yes, I did! Or rather Lou did. You know me too well!"
As he bear-hugged her, he glanced over her shoulder. Clearly the barn, office and even blackboard had been cleaned and reorganized since he went to bed. "Hey, what time did you get up?"
"Three. I couldn't sleep, I was too excited!"
"Is that coffee and donuts? Can we expect this every morning?" She laughed still in his embrace.
"Hey Amy, Ty. Looks like things have already started this morning!" He raised his eyebrow.
"Good morning, Matt." Amy pulled away, blushed, trying to be professional.
"Hey Matt." Ty responded flatly.
"Hey! The gang's all here!" Caleb added as he walked in. "Are those donuts?" He made a beeline for the table with a box of donuts, coffee and juice.
"Hey Caleb." She laughed. "Thanks guys for coming so early. Does everyone have a charged cell phone?"
Everyone nodded.
"Great. So, a few things. Ty and I will be in Calgary this afternoon. So Caleb and Matt, you will be responsible to get the afternoon chores done. I put the list on the chalk board. Okay?"
"Got it boss!" Said Caleb.
"Funny. But, I kinda like the ring of that!" She laughed. "For morning chores. Caleb, you're on trail horses, Matt, you're on barn horses, and Ty, we're on stray horses in the Quonset Hut. Then a quick breakfast at the ranch. Caleb and Matt, supply run. I will work with Silk and Star. When you get back, I'll help unload. Questions?"
"Where's the list of things we need to pick up?" Asked Matt.
"Come into the office."
They followed her. "We keep a running list in the whiteboard of our needs." She pointed to it on the wall to the right of the door.
"If we are out of something or are running low, write it on the board."
Caleb walked over and wrote "Bear claws." "We're almost out.."
"Good. You get the concept then!" She smirched.
"So every Tuesday morning, I will enter the whiteboard list into the laptop and send the order to Maggie's. The list is also printed and put on this clipboard which hangs in this hook right below the whiteboard." She hung it up.
"When you go on the run, take it with you. Check off each item as they are loaded onto the truck. Check brand, quantity, size, whatever. Make sure you get everything ordered as ordered. Put the receipt with the clipboard."
"Why are you changing things Amy?"
"I know Caleb. Until I learn this business, I am going to have to take a few more steps. Unfortunately, that means you will too. Okay?"
"Yeah, whatever you say boss!" He smiled broadly.
"We got you covered Amy." Matt added.
"Thanks. When you get back, call me. I'll help you unload."
They nodded. "That should do it. See at the ranch for breakfast."
As they headed to the Quonset Hut, Amy inquired. "Ty, what's your schedule today?"
"I have to meet Scott at 9 to do some field work. But, I'll be back at 1:30 to get you for your first college class."
"Is that enough time? I mean, I don't want to be late."
"It's only an hour to uni so we'll have plenty of time."
Entering the hut, they peered into the stall. The mare was standing patiently, swooshing slowly her tail side to side, as her offspring nursed, making thirsty sucking noises. "Ah look Ty...hey baby, hey mama. Getting a good breakfast?" She sighed, she never grew tired of seeing a foal with her mom.
Satiated, the filly laid down in the straw as the mare gently nuzzled and licked her, further establishing their bond. Quietly, Amy and Ty went about their work, replenishing the grain, herbal supplements and water, cleaning the stall, doing checks and recording the results. Though it had only been a few days, the strays were doing well, adjusting to ranch life, beginning to fill out. They showed had no signs of any ailment.
She was more quiet than usual. "Amy, something bothering you?"
"I really don't want to be late, walk in and have every one stare."
"We won't be late. I promise."
"This is going to sound stupid. But I'm kinda nervous about class. I don't know what to expect. I mean. I really don't belong there."
"Of course you belong there. Dr. Young invited you."
"Yeah." Unconvinced.
"Hey" he touched her arm. She looked at him. "Don't worry. We're in this together. You won't be alone." Though she nodded, he could see that she was still worried.
"Okay. I have a confession to make. On my first day, I was nervous, like really sweaty nervous." He scrunched his nose. "But, once I sat down, and class started, I completely forgot about anything but the lecture."
"Tell me what it's like?"
"You mean class?" She nodded. "Well, every class is different as is every professor. I hear that her class is fairly small, 20 or so students. And that she is really good teacher. She'll probably lecture some, probably have some open discussion."
"Should I bring a notebook to take notes?"
"Sure. Most students do."
"What do the other students wear?"
"Thought you had already picked your outfit?"
"I don't want to look stupid."
"You could never look stupid. You always look very smart and very beautiful." He kissed her cheek.
"What will you wear?"
"Clean jeans and a clean shirt."
"Tyler Borden. You are not helpful." She laughed and bumped into his shoulder.
"Any other questions?"
"Will we sit in the front or the back? In the middle of the row or on the end?"
"Dang. You really have been worrying about this." He smiled at her. "Well, I usually sit in the second or third row towards the middle."
"Why?"
"Well first row is for the gunners. You know the kids who think they are super smart, want to impress the professor, always raising their hand. And, the last row are for the kids that partied the night before. So they sleep."
"Now, who has really put thought into the seating chart?" She laughed. "Go on."
"So I sit where I can hear and see everything that the professor says and does. It's nothing like high school."
"Okay then. Second or third row towards the middle." She was absentmindedly rubbed the foal's nose up to her forelock and down her neck. She whinnied in appreciation.
"Round pen or pasture?" He asked when the inside chores were done.
"Round pen." As she picked up a long lunge. I want to get them moving a bit."
"Whatever you say boss" mimicking Caleb.
Ty sat on the fence rail, while Amy encouraged the pair to trot around the pen in a wide circle, gently with her voice and a swinging lunge tapping the ground behind the horses. The long, smooth strides and gait of the mare were in stark contrast to the foal's clumsy movements, part play, part dance, part spastic, as she tried to keep up.
Amy had them change direction, change speed. They responded but did not draw any closer to her.
She watched for the telltale signs, rotating ears, licking lips, but the mare showed no interest. The filly, though in step with her mother's haunch, intently watched Amy. Her whiskered muzzle twitching as she licked her lips, ears rotating between her bloodline and the possibility of another mint. Amy took an early chance, stopped and turned her back in the pair. In a flash, the foal was behind her, nibbling her hair. "Good girl!" She patted her nose. Took out a mint and rewarded her.
Then she took a few steps forward, the foal followed. She turned to the right, the foal acquiesced. She took a few steps to the left, expecting to feel the tickle of the little one's nose. Instead the mare trotted up, snorted blowing her hair. "Good mama!" She gave the mare her mint.
"Where's your baby?" She turned, the foal was jumping, bucking and running, frolicking in the pen. Catching the filly's eye, she, on cue, whinnied. Amy laughed. "You two are such the pair! What will we call you?"
"Haven't you named them yet?" Ty jumped down from the rail. "Good work by the way."
"Thanks. No names yet. They haven't told me yet."
"Let's get them in the small pasture. I need to get a shower and meet up with Scott."
"Me too. You can take your shower first."
The rest of the morning and early afternoon went as Amy planned. Star and Silk were worked separately as she was alone. Caleb and Matt picked up and unloaded the supplies without incident. Though she wanted to help unload the full truck bed, they waved her off, a welcomed gesture. Between working the two horses, a new client called about her horse who had become stable sour after the owner had a lengthy illness. She made an appointment to bring the horse to Heartland early Friday for Amy to assess.
But, that was the morning.
Well before 1:30, Amy was more than ready to go to Calgary. With Lou's advice, she wore a simple but fitted black sheath dress, nipped at the waist, ending several inches above the knee, showing her 'a off well toned legs. Her finely knit cropped sweater was the same hue as her taupe suede ankle boots. Her golden locks were gathered into a soft, wavy ponytail on her left side spilling onto her chest over her heart. She looked studious, but still youthful and flirty.
"Perfect. Your stylist is a genius." Lou gushed "Ready for your college debut?"
"You do have good taste and a great closet, Lou. Thanks."
"And, huge clothes expenditures to prove it!" Peter teased. "Amy, you do look really nice."
"Thanks. But we're gonna be late if Ty doesn't get here soon."
At 1:40, she was antsy, pacing back and forth on the front porch. "A watched pot never boils." Jack said as he settled into the porch bench. "Come sit, Amy."
Head on his shoulder, she looked out over the ranch land, a golden brown, swaying in the autumn coolness, and beyond to the mountains jagged against the bright blue sky. "Amy. I am so very proud of you and all that you are doing." He paused.
"Thanks Grandpa."
"No matter how busy you get, it's always good to stop and smell the roses every once in a while."
"Yeah." She perked up as the old blue truck raced to the house. Ty jumped out and ran to the porch, backpack in hand.
"Sorry Amy. Ralph Souden's bull had a nasty abscess that needed to be drained. It took longer than expected."
She stood up, ready to go. "Okay. Let's go."
"I got to shower first. I have that stuff all over me." She followed him as he went inside.
"Ty!!" She whined.
"Five minutes. Just give me five minutes." Closing himself in the bathroom.
Eight minutes later he came out, hair wet but neatly dressed. She was already in the truck, furious, nervous. "Sorry Amy. Promise we can make up the time." As he started the truck.
She said nothing. "Please don't be mad." He put his hand on her knee, gently rubbing the silky, smoothness her skin. "Your skin is so soft." he whispered. She returned his shy smile as she finally looked him.
The radio was playing low, "Oh I love this song!" As he turned it up.
"Who is this?"
"Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, of course. It's "Learning to Fly"." Then he started to sing along, a little off key, but with great gusto.
Well, I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still
I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Well, the good old days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings (Learning to fly)
Coming down (Learning to fly)
Is the hardest thing (Learning to fly)
Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where I guess I'll know when I get there
"I know this song!" And she joined him in the chorus, first quietly, building to loudness.
I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
Around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly, learning to fly)
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly, learning to fly)
(Learning to fly, learning to fly)
By the end of the song, they both were laughing, both in a better mood. Ty talked about his morning and she hers.
Running to the building, they made it to the classroom with one minute to spare. A sign was posted on the door: Dr. Young's 3:00 Tuesday class has moved to room 328. "Can you believe our luck?" Amy deflated.
"Come on Amy. We're almost there." When they finally got to the new room they could hear Dr. Young lecturing.
"Maybe we should just forget it. We're so late."
"What? Skip your first college class? You can't." Ty slowly opened the door, hoping not to disturb the class. Stepping in, they were surprised at the sheer size of lecture hall, packed with people, almost all 100 some odd seats taken. They both gasped in disbelief.
"Ms Fleming, Mr. Borden. You found us. Please come on in and join us down front." Dr. Young, standing at a podium on stage, motioned for them to join her and Dr. Jackson.
Ty and Amy looked at each other, on the verge of fleeing. She quipped. "Can't be worse than that abscess on Mr. Souden's bull."
"True that." He laughed, grabbed her hand and headed down the steps to the stage.
Once on stage, Dr. Young directed them to stand together at a single podium, center front, between the two professors.
"Class please welcome Ms. Amy Fleming, trainer and jockey of Old Sweet Sage and winner of the Timbre Classic last weekend." Announced Dr. Young. The class started clapping and hollering.
When the applause died down, Dr. Jackson cleared his throat. "And, class please welcome Mr. Ty Borden, your classmate and my very talented veterinary assistant for the Timbre Classic. Last weekend." Again, the clapping and hollering ensued.
"When I invited Ms. Fleming to audit my animal behavior class today, little did I know that she would go on to train and ride the winning horse in the Classic." Dr. Young started.
"And, little did I know that my students would skip my lecture to attend Dr. Young's lecture." Dr. Jackson lamented. The class laughed.
"And, little did I know that Ms. Fleming's escort would be none other than Dr. Jackson's racetrack veterinary assistant at that same race." Dr. Young returned. The students clapped.
"And, little did I know that Dr. Young would try to steal my thunder and my veterinary assistant." Dr. Jackson teased.
"So we decided to join our classes, thus the change in venue." Dr. Jackson explained. "Unfortunately, we did not tell our gracious star guests. Aren't we terrible hosts?" The class booed and laughed.
"So, if Ms. Fleming and Mr. Borden are the forgiving sorts and are game, we'd like to do a QA where we ask all the questions and they answer." Dr. Young continued. "So, Ms. Fleming and Mr. Borden, do you want to play along with us?"
The students started chanting, "Play! Play!"
Amy and Ty looked at each, shrugged their shoulders. Ty and Amy said together, "We're game." They laughed as they really had no choice.
"Excellent! Before we start, we are going to show a video of the race." The lights in the hall dimmed, and the video started. The hall went wild, cheering first for Amy and Sage in the paddock and loading, then for Ty at the starter gate, next for Amy and Sage winning with Dexter tying, and lastly, for Amy, Ty and Dexter in the winners circle.
"Wow! What an exciting race! And, our two young, but very talented guests were right in the thick of things!" Dr. Jackson exclaimed.
"Congratulations to Ms Fleming on your win!" Said Dr. Young. The audience cheered to which Amy smiled and waved.
When the applause died down, "Congratulations to Mr Borden for a Vet job well done!" Said Dr. Jackson. The vet students went wild much to Ty's embarrassment.
"First question. Ms. Fleming. We understand that Old Sweet Sage had a problem with men. What was the problem, and how did you fix her?"
"It's true that Sage had a problem, but it wasn't with men as it turned out. She is a special lady, who wanted her suitors to be considerate of her and her sensibilities. But, then don't we all?" She received a big laugh. She went on to describe the supposed issue with men, conversation with past jockey and trainer, and then the solution.
"Horses are very intelligent animals. As Ms. Fleming explained taking the time to listen to and understand them is beneficial to the animal as the well as the owner, jockey or in this case, suitor." Added Dr. Young.
"Mr Borden, can you tell us about your day as a racetrack vet tech?"
"The day with Dr. Jackson was long and challenging, ..." The students started hooting.
Slightly embarrassed, Ty recovered. "Ah, let me rephrase that. The day with Dr. Jackson was an experience of a lifetime." The students laughed.
"So as Mr. Burden proclaimed, I am an experience of a lifetime. So be sure to sign-up for Vet Tech duties." Dr. Jackson showed them the sign-up list. "This will be hanging on my office door!"
He laughed. "Please continue Mr. Borden."
"Well, you, Dr. Jackson, provided lots of detail on the race day exam process. There were 17 horses at the Classic and 4 exams to be done in all: Stable Walk, Vitals, Walk Out and PostRace. That's a lot of exams to do in a short amount of time. The responsibility to determine correctly if a horse is fit to race is both empowering and stressful."
"To me, the entire day proved just how important a race track veterinarian and race day exams and checks are in protecting the health and welfare of the horses."
"What was your favorite exam and why?
"The post race check was my favorite. It gave me a chance to put my vet tech experience and skills to work. The real test was with Lightening Dexter, recognizing heat exhaustion, treating it quickly and preventing it from escalating. I worked a bit with Dexter prior to the race, he's a great horse. Glad he recovered."
"Mr. Borden really did an excellent job diagnosing the issue and administering treatment. He likely save Lightening Dexter from possible irreparable harm."
"Any other favorite parts?"
"I also liked meeting and talking with the jockeys." He smiled at Amy. The students started doing catcalls. Amy blushed and bumped Ty's shoulder.
"I hear the gala was pretty good too!" some one in the audience shouted.
"That was my favorite part!" Amy retorted, but quickly made her cheeks turn pink. Ty beamed, grabbed her hand behind the podium.
"Ms. Fleming. What's it like to jockey a winning horse?"
"Riding Sage was incredible, fantastic dream. She has a lovely, long, smooth stride. She clearly wanted to win, so I didn't even use a riding crop. I just held on for dear life."
"Did you take any of her animal behaviors into consideration during training or racing?"
Sweet Sage is a lady. She does not like dirt. She does not like sweat. She does not like smelly things. As you can guess, riding behind another horse can be disgusting. So I raced Sage straight up the middle right out of the gate. Once we were well up front, it was easy to stay head."
"When did you find out about Dexter crossing the finish line?"
"I felt a horse coming up from behind. I was too focused forward to look back. I caught Dexter's nose from the corner of my eye on my right. I truly expected a photo finish."
"Mr Borden, we understand you saved Lightening Dexter's life that day in the track. What were the signs and what did you do?"
"As you know, Dexter ran, without a jockey, and did extra half mile before he was caught. And, he was just coming off an injury. His symptoms were heat exhaustion bordering on stroke. White foamy sweat, shaking, unsteady gait, heat hung low, heart rate racing, high body temp."
"So what did you do?"
"Well, we iced him down fast to lower his temp. Amy kept him walking to prevent blood and sweeping to settle. We gave him water and electrolytes in small doses. Rest and sleep after temp returned to normal. He's doing great."
"Good work." Amy beamed with pride for him.
The questions and answer session continued well past the hour long class. at the end, Drs. Young and Jackson thanked them both profusely for being good sports and the class gave them a standing ovation. After class several students came up to ask for their autograph In their picture at the gala.
Any and Ty were in their element reliving race day with such a responsive audience and gregarious emcees. So, naturally, after it was all over, they were riding high. As the walked down the hall, Ty stopped, almost tripping her, and pull her into a side hallway where he kissed her. She kissed him back. "How was your first day of college?"
"Best day ever!"
"Let's celebrate! Let's hit go dinner at Maggie's."
"Great idea."
Once in the truck, Amy and Ty relived every moment of the one hour interview, laughing hysterically at the absurdity and fun of the whole thing.
"Dr. Jackson and Dr. Young should really take their comedy show in the road!" Amy remarked.
"No kidding. Can you imagine how boring that would have been without them to orchestrate it?"
"Speak for yourself, I thought I was pretty engaging!"
"Yes. Ms. Fleming, you were very good."
"Why thank you, Mr Borden. You, too were very good. Would you do it again?"
"No way. Not knowingly. Would you?"
"Maybe!"
Exhausted from the excitement, the rest of the ride home was very quiet, except for the radio playing an endless stream of broken hearted country tunes. Amy didn't last long before she was curled up asleep with her head against the window. Her booted feet on the seat between them, his hand on her calf, still so soft.
As they drove into Hudson, he decided to go straight to Heartland and skip Maggie's. Pulling up to the ranch house at 6, Ty looked at her, still asleep. "Amy? Amy, we're home. Come on wake up." He coaxed softly. She didn't stir.
Carrying her in his arms to the porch, Jack opened the door. "How was it?"
"She did great, but she's exhausted. She got up at 3:00 am."
"Why don't you take her to her room? Then come have dinner with us."
He laid her gently on the bed, taking off her boots, covering her with the quilt from the footboard. "Ty?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for taking care of me."
"Always."
"Ty?"
"Hmm?
"We did great together, didn't we?"
"Yep. We always do."
She took a long breath, in and out, sleep settling across her face. He moved a strand of hair away from her cheek, leaned down and kissed her nose. She scrunched up her nose, barely opened her eyes. "Is that my goodnight kiss?"
"Do you prefer something else?" He smiled. He kissed her forehead.
"Hmm. Colder"
"Oh." He kissed her ear, ticking her with his warm breath.
"Hmmm, nice. Warmer."
"How about here?" He kissed her neck.
"Very nice. Warmer." She said lazily.
"How about here?" He kissed her throat.
"Hmm. Ah. Very Warm." She purred.
"How about here?" Her stroked her bottom lip with his finger, then kissed it.
"Hmm. Very nice. Hot." she sighed.
"How about here? He touched her top lip, kissed her gently.
She groaned. "Very hot. Hmm." She reached around his neck, pulled closer and kissed him. "Oh Ty..."
A knock at the door. "Ty, Amyl! Want some dinner?"
"Yes, I'm hungry!" She giggled. She kissed him again for good measure. "Let's go!"
"Ugh, no fair!"