Saturday
"Beep! Beep! Beep!" The alarm screamed bloody murder at 5:00 am jarring Amy out of a deep sleep. Turning it off, she sat up, rubbed her eyes, tried to remember where she was, what day it was.
"Oh yeah...it's Saturday." She said aloud, stretching her arms overhead, twisting her back, trying to workout the kinks. "Competition Day." she added.
She gazed across the room, toward the Hummingbird print, its colorful wings outstretched, flying boldly amongst the butterflies, the flowers. She saw happiness, Ty saw strength and harmony. She smiled, adopting his view, adding it to hers.
But thinking of him, brought back his rejection, her hurt too, her smile faded. As thoughts often do, one morphed into another, a stream of unspoken consciousness. His rejection reminded her of Ahmed and the European tour, then Syed came to mind, then the man at the airport. Her mind focused on him, she began to fret, obsess. "What does he want?" She said aloud. Then she wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her, maybe that guy at the airport wasn't the guy at Ahmed's party after all. She sighed.
Slowly her mind shifted to Soraya, her best friend, her confidante. The evening before settled into focus. Sharing her doubts, mistakes, confession with Soraya last night was exhausting, cathartic, draining but the real conversation, the one that truly counted, the one with Ty, was yet to be. She knew it needed to happen, but wasn't really sure he was ready to hear it. She wasn't ready to tell it, honestly. She decided to think about that another day. She exhaled heavily.
Nevertheless, she had to get move on the day, she dressed, made her bed, flipped the coffee maker on. Got her notebook, looked at yesterday's To Do list. Everything but Heartland dinner was accomplished. Yes, she and Soraya had dinner in the loft last night, but she considered the loft, her new home somehow separate, maybe emancipated from Heartland. In the end, she decided to give herself half credit, like she was taking some kind of exam. She passed, that's all that counted.
Turning to another blank page, she repeated her new mantra, "One day at a time."
She wrote. Saturday To Do List:
Morning chores, prep and trailer Sally Ride, pack tools/equipment, Okotoks at 10/meet Nick, Parsnip, Midnight (maybe), Mrs. Bell, night check.
Another busy day.
Morning chores would be a chore, so to speak, more to do than usual. So she hurried with Spartan and Parsnip so she could do a thorough grooming of Sally Ride. She needed to be perfect for competition, coat well brushed, gleaming, mane and tail braided. She gave her a bath, with her homemade soap and conditioner, scented with lavender, of course, then hand dried her coat to give it smoothness. She then walked her around the grounds to let her air dry, get a bit of exercise, relief, so to speak.
In her stall, Sally Ride's mane and tail were braided, coat brushed, crazy hairs trimmed, hooves picked and polished. Morning chores and grooming done by 6:30, Amy was sitting in her office checking emails, competition schedule when Ty came into the barn.
"Hey!" He grinned, in that cute way he does.
"Hey back!" She matched his mood.
"Sleep good?"
"Descent enough. You?" Trying not to give away too much.
"Not so much." He confessed, shrugging his shoulders.
"Oh sorry to hear." She said, "Did you sleep at the trailer?"
"Yeah. Seems like I hear more noises than I used to." He frowned.
"Poachers will do that to you." She said sarcastically, then added. "There is still an empty bed in the house, you know."
Shrugging, he changed the subject. "Looks like Sally Ride is ready for the competition."
"Mostly. I still gotta pack the trailer and get ready myself. But getting there...Up for some coffee?"
"Thought you'd never ask."
"Come on then." They both headed upstairs.
"You sit. Let me get the coffee today." He suggested, becoming more comfortable in her space.
"Deal." She took a seat. "Hey Ty. Don't forget the scones on the shelf there, in a ziplock bag."
He brought the cups and pastries to the table, took a seat. "Aside from the jump competition, what's on your agenda?" He took a big gulp from his cup.
"That's the biggest part of the day." But she added. "Let's see. Sell Sally Ride, fingers crossed...trailer Midnight back here, work with Parsnip, see Mrs. Bell." She blew out a bunch of air through an open mouth, "Whew...You?"
He took a bite of his scone, so couldn't answer right away. He smiled as he chewed, "Mmmm, good."
Swallowed, then responded. "Guess morning chores. Do remember that I am Jack's new hand?" He grinned.
"I was tired last night, but not that tired. I remember." She paused. "You okay with that?"
"For now. It's temporary. I need the money."
She nodded, took her first bite of the scone. "You are right, this is good. Yum." Then she said aloud, but really to herself "Hmm. I need to ask Mrs. Bell to teach me how to make these things."
"You?" He smirked.
"I will have you know that I made squash soup and salad from scratch this week." She smiled, then joked. "No one died."
"Really?"
"Yes, really!" She knew he was doubting her with legitimate reason. "Ask Lou. She thought it was good."
"Well, how about that!"
She slapped at his arm playfully, "Shut Up!"
He laughed.
"So what else is on your agenda?" She continued.
"Study. Maybe call Scott."
"Why, maybe?"
"I hate to grovel."
"Who does? Just say you are sorry, move on."
"Easier said than done."
"True." They looked at each other, wanting to say something more, but the moment passed.
She drained her cup, "Want another?" She asked.
"Yeah. That would be great." She brought the coffee pot over, poured him another cup.
"You know, this is nice." He sighed.
"Yeah."
"Why didn't we ever do this when I lived up here?" He wondered out loud.
"You didn't have a coffee pot up here." She said. "Plus, we had breakfast in the house." She took her cup and pot back to the coffee area.
"Yeah, I guess." He lamented. "I like this better."
"Less chaotic, for sure."
She started washing her cup, when he brought his over to her. "Amy?"
She turned to him, their faces were just inches apart. "Whoops!" She said, startled.
"Ah. Um. Well." Then he seemed to change his line. "Well. Good luck today." He meant it.
"Thanks. I'm gonna need it." She took his cup, dunked it in the water, washing it. He stood there, watching, almost frozen.
"Well, that's done. Got to go pack the trailer." She dried her hands.
"Need help?" He offered.
"Thanks! But, I got it." She said gratefully, then heading down to the barn. She quickly packed the trailer chests with her grooming tools, jumping gear, then threw in her English saddle, for good measure, just in case a buyer wanted to see Sally Ride saddled, ridden. She took the beautiful gray horse around the yard a couple more times, to relax her. Then put her back in her stall.
She checked her watch, 8:15 am. With only forty-five minutes to get showered and ready, she ran to the house. She hoped that Georgie, Lou and Katie were ready to go.
Walking in the front door, she spied the two girls in their pjs eating cereal, slumped over their bowls at the kitchen table.
"Morning Girls!" Amy said sing songy, trying to mask her disappointment.
"Hey." They both said sleepily, like they just rolled out of bed.
"Are you both still going to the jump competition?"
They both nodded. "We're waiting for mom to get out of the bathroom."
"Oh. Has she been in there long?" Amy sighed, looking at her watch again, 8:20.
They shrugged.
Amy knocked on the bathroom door, "Lou, everything okay?"
"Yep. I almost done."
"Okay. If you could hurry just a little..." Amy didn't finish her sentence. Instead she went to her room, searched her closet, dresser, for her white breeches, black riding boots, black fitted blazer, white high collared shirt and riding helmet. By the time she assembled her riding clothes, Georgie had slipped into the bathroom while Lou dressed. Watch said 8:30.
"Oh Geez." Trying to stay calm, gazed into the mirror, brushing her long blonde hair into a low ponytail, braiding it, rolling it into a bun, of sorts, at the nape of her neck, polishing her look.
Then she noticed them, on her dresser, her promise and engagement rings, just where she left them. Their engagement picture had been moved, no longer face down, but sitting up right. Smiles as big as the valley, eyes shining bright. She looked at herself, Ty. Her heart hurt, so she turned her back, stepped away. She checked her watch, 8:40.
Katie was in the shower. She calmly knocked in the bathroom door, "Katie, please hurry. We have to leave in 20 minutes. I still have to take a shower."
Lou exited her room, she was absolutely gorgeous. Her dark hair was curled in soft waves around her face, her make-up highlighted her light green eyes. Her a slim fitting emerald dress hugged her toned body, deepened the color of her eyes, showed off her shapely legs. She wore strappy sandals with a 2 inch heel.
"Wow. You look beautiful, Lou." Amy gushed.
"Too much?" Lou worried.
"You look great. Don't change a thing." Amy reassured her, Lou relaxed.
"Good. Maybe you'll introduce me to some handsome, rich single guys?"
Amy laughed. "Maybe. But, I wouldn't count on it. I don't know any."
At 8:50, Katie finally emerged from the bathroom in her robe, a noticeable billow of steam and humidity followed her into the hall.
"Did you leave me any hot water?"
Katie ignored her. Amy rushed in, took a very short, very cold shower. She scrambled into her bedroom, in only a towel, hurriedly got dressed.
Amy glanced around her reflection in the mirror. She dressed every bit the part of a show jumper, from bottom to top. Her tall black boots, purchased in France, were polished to a high shine. Off-white skin tight breeches were tucked into her boots, hugged her thighs, taunt behind. A black fitted riding blazer cove a high collared bright white fitted cotton shirt. "Okay Amy." She mumbled.
She quickly put on some mascara, lip gloss and a small spray of lavender. She grabbed her helmet and glove, left the room. Her watch showed 9:00.
Georgie walked Sally Ride one more time, before they loaded her in the trailer. Katie squealed her excitement over the trailer's pinkness, even more so when she learned it was Barbie Pink. Georgie expressed her embarrassment, by grimacing, but was silent on the matter.
At 9:20, the truck and trailer finally pulled out the Heartland gate, then headed north. Though she said nothing, the three passengers sensed Amy's irritation, likewise remained quiet. A droplet of perspiration collected at the nape of her neck, trickled down her back, adding to the dampness, adding to her mounting irritation. She tried to fan herself with her hand, with no relief.
"Why don't you turn on the air conditioning?" Lou asked, breaking the stifling silence.
"Don't need it." She snapped back.
Lou simply reached over, turned on the air conditioning full blast. "You have it, might as well use it Amy!"
"Fine." She griped, but inwardly glad for the cool breeze.
"You sound like grandpa." Lou gave her a hard time, as only a sister could. Amy huffed, then rolled her eyes.
"Yeah. I guess I do." She hesitantly admitted.
Amy took a couple of deep breaths, adjusted her mindset, then asked. "What is everyone looking forward to seeing at the completion?"
Katie yelled out, "Lots of pretty horses."
"The jump competition." Georgie answered.
Lou added barely audible, "Good looking stallions." The two sisters made eye contact, both surprised at her comment, started giggling.
"What's so funny?" Katie demanded to know.
"Your mom wants to see pretty horses, just like you." Amy recovered, responded smiling, cut her eyes at Lou. The mood in the truck lifted, conversation, laughter began to flow.
Nick was waiting at their trailer spot when they pulled up. Parked, Amy got out, greeted him. "Hey Nick. Sorry that we are so late."
"Hey Amy. No worries." He gave her a hug. Then he noticed the trailer, did a doubled take, shook his head with a huge grin. "Seriously? Pink? Amy, what in the world!"
"Nick. Its not pink, it's Barbie Pink." She said with a straight face.
"Well, I stand corrected." He tried to match her straight face, then they both broke out in laughter.
"Yeah, well. I would not have picked it. But. It was a great deal so I couldn't pass it up." Amy laughed as she explained. "But, hey, doesn't the logo really pop!"
"Yeah. It actually does."
"I hear it's a great marketing technique." Handing him a business card. Turning to Georgie, "Hey, let's get Sally Ride out and situated."
Just then Lou walked around the truck. "Well, hey Lou! How are you?" He smiled.
"Hey Nick. I'm good. You?" Lou smooth her dress, walked up hugged him.
"I'm good." He hesitated, then added quietly. "Heard about you and Peter. I am sorry." He said sincerely.
She nodded, "Heard you and Claire are dating."
"Yeah. It's nice." He smiled.
"Good to hear...so you and Amy in business together?"
"Yeah. We make a good team. Today will definitely be our first test though."
"Coach?" She said as she walked up. "Excuse me."
"Hey Cassidy." Nick introduced Lou.
"Nice to meet you." Cassidy said politely.
"And, very nice to meet you Cassidy." Lou smiled, shook the dark headed, freckled teenager's hand.
"So Cassidy. Jumping today?" Nick asked.
"Yeah, I guess...um, did you find a coach yet?" She hoped.
"No. But I did put it in the bulletin." He hesitated, eyes cut to Amy and back as she walked up. "I may have a lead though." He smiled.
"Really?" She brightened. "That would be great."
"Hey Cassidy." Amy said. "Did I hear you are jumping today? I would love to watch you."
"Hey Ms Fleming. Maybe you shouldn't today." She sounded down.
"Why would you say that?"
"Without a coach, I haven't had much practice." She lamented.
"Don't count yourself out. Nick is a great coach. Just remember what he taught you. You'll do well." Amy reassured her, touching her shoulder.
Just then Georgie walked up with Sally Ride.
Cassidy smiled appreciatively at the horse. "May I pet her?" Georgie nodded. First, she held her hand out to let Sally Ride sniff her. "You are such a pretty girl." Cassidy cooed. Sally Ride nickered in response, lowered her head, nuzzled here ear, delighting the young girl.
She looked at Georgie, "What's her name?" She asked. "She's so beautiful."
Georgie answered authoritatively. "Sally Ride. Just like the first female astronaut in the states. She's famous."
"Is she yours?" Staring at the horse, stroking her muzzle.
"I wish. But I helped Amy train her." Georgie said, then added. "You should see her. She is amazing. Amy says she is a perfect jumper. She just flies over the fences. All by herself." Hearing that, Amy smiled.
"Are you riding her today?" Cassidy asked Georgie.
"Nope. Just doing the trainer thing, you know watch her win. She's in the free jump event." She said confidently.
"Oh really. So she's really good?"
"Absolutely. I'm Georgie by the way."
"Cassidy."
"Hi Cassidy. Wanna sit with us and watch her jump?"
"I'm in the jumping event later. But I can sit with you during the free jump competition. I need to tell my dad first."
"Okay. Let's exchange numbers."
The free jump competition had a field of 9 horses, Sally Ride was number 8. The chute was composed of just three jumps in progressively higher and harder jumps. There were three rounds, so just 9 jumps in all. The trainer was in the ring but did not run with their horse. Instead, each horse ran the jumps essentially on its own, challenging their form, skill, confidence.
Cassidy and her dad, Walter Anderson, joined Nick, Lou, Georgie, and Katie soon after the first round was about half over. The adults sat together, with Lou in the middle between the two men, in one row, the three youngsters in the row below them. Walter excepted, they cheered loudly for Sally Ride after her first round run.
Walter didn't pay much attention to the free jump event. He was decidedly more interested in discussing polo club business with Nick, including Lou occasionally in the conversation.
As Amy predicted, Sally Ride consistently demonstrated perfect jumps. She was quick to leave the ground, attack the fence, elongating her neck, raising her front knees and hooves well above the top rail, gliding over with her back legs, then landing gracefully. After her run, Sally Ride ran to Amy for praise and pets.
At the end of the second round, she was tied for first with a pure white warmblood gelding named Cloud. Each horse had executed the jumps with same precision. Sally Ride's entourage grew even more excited, loud as they cheered after her second run. Even Walter began to take notice. Sally Ride was only interested in Amy's approval, love.
At the end of the third round, Cloud and Sally Ride were still tied, with many points far ahead of the other horses. The three girls were standing on their feet, jumping up and down, screaming for Sally Ride. Even the adults were standing, cheering.
The officials called for a jump off between the top four horses, Sally Ride, Cloud, Damsel, and Spirit.
The fences in the run were distanced several more feet apart and each raised six inches, making the last jump higher than any Amy had practiced with Sally Ride.
In fourth place, Spirit, a beautiful, smaller bay, with a black mane and tail, was first in the jump off chute. She headed down the run, making the first two without issue. Unfortunately, she clipped the last rail with her front left hoof, knocking it to the ground.
Next up was Damsel, a chestnut mare, taller and more muscular than the bay. She made the first jump clean, clipped the second rail, regained her footing but clipped the last one too. Both rails wobbled, but remained in place.
Cloud was third to run. As he was led to the chute head, Sally Ride's group stood silently with the girls crossing their fingers and arms across their chests. He started strong, clearing the first rail with plenty of air. He headed for the second rail, again clearing with what seemed like little effort. For the last rail, he took off clean, neck extended, front knees high, sailed over easily. As his front legs stretched for the ground, his right back hoof just barely touched the rail, wobbling it just ever so slightly.
The group still on their feet, didn't cheer or scream as decorum dictated but their eyes were wide open, hands over mouths. Sally Ride was next, last up. She had to score perfectly to win.
Amy led her to the chute opening, giving her words of encouragement, a final rub on her neck. "Good girl Sally Ride. Have fun. See you at the end." With that she took off, sailed clear over the first fence, graceful and sure. The second rail was no different. The third and final rail, she took off early, stretched her neck long, pulled her front legs in, at least six inches above the rail. Back legs followed suit. She landed strong, ran directly to Amy, who was laughing. "Good girl. You are amazing!" She kissed her muzzle, rubbed her neck. "I am so proud of you girl!"
The crowd went wild with her personal fan club leading the way. The girls were jumping up and down, hugging each other. Nick and Lou hugged, Walter and Nick shook hands.
During the ribbon ceremony, Sally Ride stood proudly next to Amy who accepted the first place bold red ribbon. Several press types were taking pictures, asking questions, bring back memories of her last night in Europe,
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him, the guy from Ahmed's party. But when she searched the crowd, she did not see him again. She wondered if she had imagined it.
Putting it out of her mind, Amy and Sally Ride greeted the other horses and their trainer wishing them the best and thanking them for the good competition.
Her fan club gathered around, congratulating the winners. Nick hugged Amy excitedly, lifting her off her feet. He kissed her cheek. "Amy, that was incredible." He couldn't contain his excitement. "Wow!"
"I know. I told you she is a perfect jumper. Her confidence, form, style, height. I could have not been more proud of her. With the right rider, she can't be stopped." Amy grinned, they hugged again.
Walter approached them. Nick introduced the two. "Amy, I'd like you to meet Walter Anderson, Cassidy's father. And, Walter this is Amy Fleming, Sally Ride's very talented trainer." They shook hands, exchanged pleasantries.
"Well, Ms. Fleming.." Walter started.
"Please call me Amy."
"Only if you call me Walter."
She smiled, nodded. "Deal."
He continued. "That was some excellent loose jumping. And a fine looking horse. Cassidy is very impressed."
"Your daughter has a good eye. Sally Ride is one of the best jumpers I have ever seen."
"My daughter is smitten with Sally Ride. No doubt. But she is young, not yet experienced with horses. You are young, Amy. Maybe not as experienced as you think." Then he added, condescendingly. "In my years of experience, a good free jumper is not always a good show jumper."
"I think Sally Ride is both." Amy said confidently.
"Nick tells me that you plan to sell Sally Ride."
"Yes, we would consider selling her to the right buyer."
"Tell you what Amy. I am willing to buy Sally Ride from you for my daughter for 25k."
"Walter. Thank you for the offer. I would have to discuss with Nick, my partner first. Of course." Amy said professionally, without a hint of emotion.
"I have one caveat though."
"What's that?"
"You and Sally Ride must enter and win the jump competition today."
"I am not registered in the competition."
"Not a problem. You accept the challenge, your place is reserved."
"And, if we do not win?"
"Deal off."
"Walter. Please excuse Nick and me for a moment." He nodded.
Nick and Amy stepped away, conferred. Nick mostly nodded while Amy talked.
They returned. "Walter. We appreciate your offer, we cannot accept." She said confidently. "We have a counter."
"Let's hear it."
"We would win the jump competition, no doubt." She paused. "We also have no doubt that Sally Ride will be the perfect horse for Cassidy." Then she countered. "Her price is 35k. I do not plan on entering the competition."
"That's pretty steep."
"Its actually a bargain. We would sell her at that price because I like Cassidy. We both do. Very much actually." She smiled. "But. Make no mistake, Walter. I know my horses. We both do." She said. "Maybe Nick mentioned that I was the head trainer for the winning team in the World Equestrian Games this year."
"He did not."
"Your call Walter." She smiled. "Now if you will excuse me, Sally Ride is in need of a good bath and rub down. She deserves that."
As she turned to walk away, he approached her, taking her by complete surprise, rendering her speechless.
"Hello Ms. Fleming." He said in his formal manner.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please be so kind and review. I love your reviews.
Be safe, stay healthy. SBR