The next morning, as Mitch was throwing some hay over the fence to the Dude Ranch's horses he had just turned out, he noticed Lisa walking back to her SUV after delivering the guests their breakfast. The man brushed his gloves against one another thoughtfully and after a while strode to Lisa before she could head out.
"Morning", he said as Lisa was just about to get into her vehicle. The woman turned around to look at him.
"Morning", Lisa said, adding a smile to her appearance at the end of the sentence.
"You know... I could have done and delivered the breakfasts too", he said and pointed toward the box Lisa had just placed inside the car. Mitch had gotten a text message from Lisa earlier about her taking over the guest responsibilities again now that she was back home where as he had been prepared to look after the visitors for the next few days.
Lisa looked a little confused. "Oh, why?"
"Well, you know, if you needed some time with Jack or something. If he needs help", Mitch explained.
"Oh, right. Well, I just kind of want to go back to normal - or as normal as I can", she explained. "Jack has Amy and Jade close-by, so he's not alone. I feel like he might appreciate a little space for himself after the last couple of days he has had. He doesn't want to be "babied", as he puts it." An absent smile came across Lisa's face. "And I mean, the doctor said he can do things himself too, but he just has to take it easy."
Even though Jack now knew Lisa was only being worried because she cared, Lisa also recognized Jack's need for independence. He might have had to slow down from his usual pace, but that didn't mean he would slow down altogether, and Lisa was going to respect that.
"Of course, makes sense", Mitch admitted, nodding. "So... he's retiring, huh?" He continued, wondering what that would mean for the ranch and family overall. "Amy told me", he added when Lisa looked surprised.
"Oh. Yeah..." Lisa nodded thoughtfully. They had talked about it, but nothing had been put into place yet. "I think he might struggle with the decision at first, but I feel like eventually, when he gets into that rhythm, he will see it will be for the best. If you ask me, it's a good decision and I'm glad he has finally made it. - To be honest, it has made me think about changing my lifestyle as well."
"Really?"
"Yes. I do love Fairfield and I'm proud of what I have done with my business, especially this past year..." She sighed. "It was a struggle and I can tell it has taken a toll on me physically and mentally, but I'm thankful I was able to get it back to its feet after everything. I couldn't have lived with myself if I had given up on it. I mean, in so many ways, that place is my baby. I want to see it blossom. But that has also made me realize just how badly I need a change in my life", Lisa said, looking like she was more ready to retire than Jack. "I mean, how long can I keep something like this going on, you know."
Mitch nodded, understanding, seeing the exhaustion from Lisa's eyes.
"I see", he said. "So, do you have something in mind already? Travelling, maybe?" he suggested with a smile, knowing Lisa to be someone who enjoyed visiting other countries. "Just to shake off the dust of Alberta."
"Maybe, but... we'll see", Lisa said, liking the idea of travelling, but at the same time feeling like she should stay home for now, until things were more figured out. There was a beat, but Mitch could tell there was more to come, so he waited. "There is something else actually that I have kind of thought about... I have not really said this out loud before, but doing this, helping Lou with the Dude Ranch, it's actually been kind of therapeutic. It's so different from what I do at Fairfield. It's not just about the money, it's about the experience. Giving people that pause they need. And when you said that thing about that cow and the whole Western experience aspect, my mind started running with ideas. This kind of environment inspires me, it's nicer to be outdoors and not just stuck on inside that much. I feel awakened in some way."
"Well, I can definitely relate", Mitch admitted, looking around with dreamy eyes. "It's why I keep coming back to this, despite living in Calgary for a while. There's nothing like Hudson. I've done some travelling, but I can truly say that this is still where my heart lies."
Lisa could relate to that as well. She loved France, in particular, but deep down, this was where her home was. "I'm glad. And I can tell you really love this job. It seems like your calling, in a way."
"I guess it kind of is. There's still some ideas of what I would like to do down the road, maybe build a house and use my skills from engineering to that, but... we'll see", he shrugged with a smirk. Who knew what his life could turn into.
Lisa nodded. She then remembered something.
"Oh, I don't think I had an opportunity to thank you yet for what you did. You know, the way you helped Jack, well, helped all of us to be honest during that... whole thing." She still got a little choked up just thinking about Jack's heart attack.
"Please, you don't have to thank me", he shrugged it off. "I just did what anyone would have done."
"That's the thing - we all froze. You were the one who kept us all moving so we could help Jack", Lisa noted. "Don't underestimate that for one minute."
Mitch sensed Lisa's sincerity and nodded, taken back by her compliment. He had not even thought about it like that, he had just followed his instincts.
"I'm glad he's okay", Mitch added. "And that he was able to get help so fast."
"So am I. So glad", Lisa sighed with a relief. "Anyway. I think I better get going. I'll see you later. You're coming to the dinner, right?"
"Uh, we'll see", Mitch said, knowing Lou would attend it too. Maybe it would be awkward. Then again, he would have to face her again at some point.
"Okay, well, we're gonna set you a plate, just so you know", Lisa said as she climbed into her car. "Bye."
"Bye", Mitch said, waving his hand up and backing away from the vehicle.
Lisa's words made him wonder why he was able to take control in a situation where someone's life was threatened but then panicked during a New Year's firework show where there really was no real threat, no matter what his head tried to tell him. It was like when he was focused on someone else, he was more capable than when it was about himself.
Couple hours later, Mitch rode Maverick to Heartland as a form of warming up. He kept the pace slow and let the reins be loose as they reached the ranch, allowing the horse get his muscles working before he would have his training session with Amy.
When they walked in front of the barn, Mitch saw a familiar truck parked outside. It seemed like Bryce was visiting. Even though Amy had been the one who had introduced him to Bryce in the first place, he now felt like Bryce was a big part of his life too and seeing him here without knowing he would come and visit almost felt strange. But he didn't mind it as Bryce was a good friend and it was always nice to catch up with him.
As he slid down from the saddle and moved the reins over Maverick's neck, Mitch noticed Amy and Bryce coming outside from the barn. They couldn't help but notice him too.
"Just in time", Amy noted with a smile. Seeing Mitch now made her feel the butterflies even though she was trying to act cool. After all, they still had to figure out what this situation between them was and they weren't about to announce it to anyone before things had been dealt with. Still, Amy couldn't help her feelings, but at least she could try to control her reaction.
"Hey", he said to both of them, but his eyes lingered on Amy for a little longer. "Surprised to see you here, man", he continued and gave Bryce a nod.
"Sick of my face?" Bryce joked, since they saw each other once a week in the support group and now he was here at the ranch which would make it two times a week this week.
"Kind of", Mitch joked back, making a face.
Bryce laughed. "I get it; it can't be easy to remember you're not as handsome as me and have that constant reminder in front of your eyes."
"Exactly..." Mitch scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Amy listened their banter and shook her head with amusement, then feeling like she should probably explain why Bryce was paying them a visit.
"I was thinking that Bryce might be able to help us with Maverick. I told him what you had in mind. Maverick's not used to chairs, right?" Amy explained.
"No, don't think so", Mitch admitted, looking at the horse next to him. He hadn't even thought about that - but of course Amy had. That's why she was the professional, and he was here to learn.
"Some horses don't mind them, some freak out", Bryce could tell from his own experience. "Not to mention, it's one thing for him to trust you to mount him while laying down, it's another thing for him to let someone else do that. And even though he might know your mother, it might not be that simple under these new circumstances. We are hoping to challenge him in that and hopefully make him safe for your mother to ride."
Mitch nodded along Bryce's speech, understanding that having him around with his experience would be really helpful to make sure the surprise for his mother would go smoothly. The last thing he wanted was her mom to get hurt.
"So, why don't we take him to the pen, let him run around few times so you can strengthen your connection before we start the work", Amy said. "It's important the ground work has been done before we move onto phase two."
"Okay. So I'll take the tack off first", Mitch said out loud.
"Yeah. I'll get the halter and the lead", Amy said, getting back to the barn.
As Mitch started taking away the saddle and placed it on the wooden barrier in front of the barn, Bryce was looking at the horse, trying to read his cues already.
"It's a nice thing you're trying to do", Bryce commented, "showing your mother nothing can stop her even if she's using a chair. But just a heads up, she might not like the idea. I mean, I didn't when Amy first introduced me to it. Just don't take it personally."
"Really...?" Mitch asked, knowing how much Bryce loved riding.
"Yeah. I mean, it's not the same for everyone, but for me, I was stuck in this mindset that I was somehow less now that I was using my chair", Bryce explained, "that me on a horse would look ridiculous somehow since I couldn't use my legs. But Amy encouraged me, and eventually I decided to give it a try and now I can't imagine letting anything stop me from getting on a saddle. I had to realize I wasn't just my legs or my disability, as ridiculous as that might sound. It was a process I needed to get through."
Mitch nodded, understanding that, then thinking how it would be for his mother. "Okay, maybe I should ask her first if she wants to do this", he admitted. "I don't want to ruin her anniversary."
"Hey, it could still be a surprise for your dad", Bryce introduced a new point of view. "Seeing his bride walk down on a horse. That's pretty special."
Mitch smiled. "That's true."
"At least we'll get Maverick ready for that chance, if that ends up happening", Bryce said.
"Yeah. Thanks for helping out", Mitch said, appreciating Bryce's point of view.
Bryce shrugged. "That's what us Pains-in-the-Asses are for."
