Tuesday
The evening with Mrs. Bell was exactly what Amy needed. She had only planned a short visit, to bring Sugarfoot rice cakes, but Mrs. Bell needed help harvesting herbs, so she stayed longer. The summer evening was lovely, just perfect for work, the temperature was pleasantly warm, daylight lasted until well after 9pm, and the garden was lush and beautiful.
Mrs. Bell was in excellent spirits, talking their way through the massive herb garden, while Amy did the heavy work, pushing the wheeled cart, cutting the flowers and herbs exactly as instructed, hauling the cut bundles. After the harvest, they retired to the herb shed where, under Mrs. Bell's watchful eye, Amy removed the debris, bundled the herbs with twine, then hung most of it on rafter hooks to dry. Mrs. Bell planned to take the remainder of the fresh herbs to town in the morning.
Finishing their work well after 8pm, Mrs. Bell invited Amy to stay for a dinner of zucchini and rosemary soup, salad with lettuces, tomato, onion, cucumber, and rhubarb and strawberry pie, all grown in her vegetable garden. While Amy made the salad, the older woman made the soup, talking about her mother's recipe, how to chop the rosemary, garlic and zucchini, when to remove the seeds, how to know when it's ready.
Seated at her small round kitchen table, covered in a colorful paisley cloth, set with mismatched china, the two were famished, but took their time eating and talking about this and that, nothing heavy or taxing. At Mrs. Bell's side, Sugarfoot contentedly ate his meal from a china bowl, set upon a lower child's table, covered with a table cloth as well.
"Oh. Mrs. Bell. Everything was so good. So fresh and light. Yum." She smacked her lips. "And that pie. Oh my gosh. So sweet, flaky, way better than Saskatoon Berry Pie. Thank you!"
"My dear. You are welcome." She smiled. "I have really enjoyed your company."
"And I have enjoyed yours." She paused, gazed fondly at her host. "Truly."
Mrs. Bell smiled. "We work well together."
"We do!" Amy responded honestly. "I've learned so much tonight. Its been really fun." She squeezed her host's hand, then stood up, carrying their dishes to the sink. "I will do the dishes. You relax."
"I won't argue." Mrs. Bell chuckled, as she stroked Sugarfoot's forelocks.
The sun had set, night sky dark, stars twinkling by the time she washed, dried and put the dishes away. "Gosh. I didn't realize it was so late. I better get going." Amy frowned.
Mrs. Bell shook her head. "Dear. It's much too late to ride home. Stay."
"But, I have to do night check."
"It's a nice night, Spartan will be alright outside tonight. Just feed and water him."
"There are other horses at Heartland that I need to tend."
"Oh. Isn't Spartan your only horse?"
"He is."
"Well. Who owns the others?"
"Let's see. Paint is grandpa's, Phoenix, Checkers are Georgie's, Pal is Shane's, Copper is Mallory's, Dexter is dad's. The Dude Ranch has 6 horses, those are Lou's. And, Harley is Ty's." She tried to remember them all.
"So. Why do you have to do their night check? Why don't the owners check on their own horses?" Mrs. Bell challenged her.
"I guess it was always my job." She explained. "Well, except when I was Europe." She admitted.
"Can't someone at Heartland do that, at least tonight?" She pressed. "Amy. It is too late for you to be riding home." Mrs. Bell was insistent.
"Okay. I will called the house. And, ask." She said.
"My dear. Why do you feel that you have to ask them to take care of their own horses?" She made a good point.
Amy thought about it, nodded, then smiled. "Excuse me."
She stepped outside, call the ranch on her cell phone. Georgie answered. "Hey. Its Amy. I am at Mrs. Bell's house...she's good. Hey. Would you do night check tonight? You will? Good. Thank you. Love you too." Amy smiled, surprised at how easy that was.
Stepping into the house, "Well, looks like you have an overnight guest." Amy smiled.
"Splendid! You will take the guest room. I laid a night gown, toiletries on the dresser for you."
"Thank you...Mind if I take care of Spartan first?"
"Do what you need to do. There is a headlamp there on the hook. Make yourself at home. I am going to bed." She headed toward her room, then turned back.
"Where are my manners? Come. Let me show you around." She motioned for Amy to follow her down the hall. "Here is the guest room where you will stay, and your bath." She opened the doors to both rooms, without turning on the lights.
She paused, pointed down the hall. "The two doors at the end on the right are my room and bath. And that last one on the left is Sugarfoot's room."
She smiled, turned and kissed her on the cheek, surprising her. "Amy. I don't remember the last time I had such a lovely evening. Thank you."
"Me too." She hugged her. "Mrs. Bell. I have an early morning appointment. So I have to leave at 5 or so. I will try not to disturb you."
"Oh heavens to Betsy. I will be up no later than 4:30. We can have breakfast together. Night night." With that she headed down the hallway with Sugarfoot, disappearing into the pony's bedroom.
Outside, Spartan greeted her as she approached. He had been tied up for several hours and needed a bit of exercise before he bedded down. Under the moonlight and glistening stars, guided by headlamp on her forehead, she led him up and down the wide grassy paths around Mrs. Bell's house.
The garden was magical at night. The headlamp illuminated the dew formed on spider webs like crystals. Moths and other winged creatures darted in and out of the light, fluttering, swooping. Two beady eyes belonging to some twilight creature stared at her before scampering across their path. A lemony scent waffled through the air, released by the night blooming primrose, showy with yellow flowers. Fireflies danced, twinkled, appearing here and there. Chatting all the while were tree frogs, cicadas, crickets and owls. She was truly relaxed, happy.
Once in the house, she went straight into the guest room, undressed, slipped on the pretty white cotton and lace gown, climbed under the covers. Cradled by the soft mattress, she immediately fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Before sun up, before her eyes opened, Amy heard Mrs. Bell moving about the kitchen, talking quietly to Sugarfoot before opening the front door to let him out. Inhaling. Exhaling. Stretching. Amy slowly opened her eyes, surveyed the room. The cozy room was pretty in a grandmotherly way, clean and smelled of lavender. The ceiling was high, maybe 10 or 12 feet, though it hard to tell for sure laying in bed. Wallpaper, flowery and faded, covered every inch of wall space. Heavy curtains, floor to ceiling, hung and draped around each tall window. The white iron bed was comfortable, soft, buried under old faded quilts and soft cotton sheets. The dresser, tallboy, and night stand were mismatched, but shared simple straight lines, in a dark wood, maybe walnut. At the bed's foot was a cedar hope chest, low and long.
Amy climbed out of bed, gathered the toiletries, went to the bathroom. Just like the bedroom, the bath was vintage, clean, complete with the claw foot tub, patterned tiled floor and pedestal sink.
Returning to the room, freshly showered, she dressed, made the bed, looked at herself in the ornate mirror hanging above the dresser. Streaks of the oxidized silver backing made her reflection appear dreamlike, old timey.
Finding Mrs. Bell on the porch rocking, Amy sat on the porch swing. "Sleep well?" Asked the elder.
"Like a kitten. Thank you." Amy said, then asked. "You?"
"Like a baby...tea and scones?" She offered.
Amy nodded, "Yes, please." They chatted about their plans for the day, the weather, Sugarfoot. Nothing of consequence.
"Mrs. Bell. That dressing gown, that you lent to me, is just beautiful. And, the lace is so delicate and intricate. Does it have a story?"
"It does indeed. My grandmother made me that gown for my 16th birthday. She crocheted the lace with tiny hooks and fine threads." She smiled, as she reminisced.
"Well. It's just lovely. I can't imagine how long it took to make it, especially the lace."
"It took her a year. She started on my 15th birthday."
"Incredible."
They chatted a bit more, until Amy had to leave. Hugging Mrs. Bell, thanking her profusely, Amy promised that she'd be back soon.
As Scott pulled up to the ranch house, Jack came out to the front porch. "Well, hello Dr. Cardinal! What brings you to Heartland so bright and early?"
"Hey Jack. I'm here to pick up Amy. We're headed to a field call off the west side of Bow River."
"Did you check in the barn? I'll walk over there with you." Jack suggested. "I haven't seen Amy this morning, she missed breakfast."
"Oh. Maybe we can stop on the way." Scott's stomach started to growl.
"Might be a good idea." Jack chuckled. "So how's things?"
"Well, things are hectic. Glad that Amy is willing to help me out today. I really needed the extra hands."
"Guess Ty taking the job at the wildlife reserve didn't help."
"It didn't hurt either. He wasn't pulling his weight." Scott said honestly.
"A lot of things have been thrown his way." Jack added. "Amy and that prince thing."
Scott shook his head. "Ty is the one doing the throwing." Then he paused. "Amy has nothing to do with it."
"What do you mean?" He surprised.
"School, rescuing coyotes, wildlife reserve, horse business, you name it. He's scattered. Not very reliable." Scott paused, added. "He's gonna be a great vet, no doubt...but I can't depend on him."
"Hmm." Jack rubbed his forehead. "I will talk to him."
"Don't do it on my behalf. He's not my issue any more." Scott was adamant.
"Well..." Jack stopped, didn't finish his thought.
Amy walked out of the barn, smiling, carrying a bag, thermos and two coffee cups. "Hey Scott, Grandpa. Ready to go?"
"Yep. Truck is parked at the house." He smiled. "Is that breakfast?"
"Coffee, water, apples. And scones." She smiled. "The scones are amazing."
"Amy. You're hired. No other assistant has ever brought breakfast!"
"I may take you up on your offer." Amy laughed.
"Amy. Missed you at dinner." Jack stated.
"Grandpa. Had to take supplies to Ms. Bell. I told Georgie. Guess she didn't tell you. Sorry. I'll do better next time." He nodded. She kissed his cheek, then headed to Scott's truck.
Soon after Scott and Amy drove off, Ty pulled up in his truck, got out. "Hey Jack."
"Hey Ty."
"Was that Scott and Amy?"
"Yeah. She's helping him with some field work west of here."
"Oh." Ty said, flatly. "Um. Is Georgie here? Need to talk to her about that wolf pup."
"No. She's off somewhere. Trick riding, maybe. She'll be back around 4 or 5."
"Okay. I'll come back then."
"Good. Stay for dinner?"
"Sure. Why not?"
Jack paused, motioned to Ty to take a seat on the bench. "Have a minute?"
"A couple. What's up?" Ty took a seat.
"Ty. How's the wildlife reserve going?" Jack eased into the topic.
"It's great. I really like working there." Ty grinned.
"Good to hear." Jack paused, probed further. "Do you think that will be a long term, full time gig?"
"Long term? Full time?" Ty rubbed his chin, chucked a bit. "Well. The reserve work is part time right now. I have school and the business with Caleb. So I'm pretty busy." He inhaled, exhaled deeply. "Long term? That's kinda far down the road."
"Oh I see." Pushing further. "So, what do you want to do after you graduate? It's just a year away, fast tracking and all."
"Jack. What's with all the questions?" Ty pushed back.
Jack tried to soften the message. "Scott tells me that you will make great vet."
"Well that's good to hear." Knowing something else was around the corner.
"He mentioned that you've taken on a lot, maybe too much. Those activities affected your dependability."
"Jack. I quit because he couldn't guarantee me a job. I had another offer. Something more challenging than run of the mill dogs, cats and cattle." Ty explained defensively.
"Well, I hope you didn't burn the bridge with Scott."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ty. You've walked away twice. He might not give you another chance."
He shrugged his shoulders. "That's fine. I don't need another chance. I don't want to go back." Ty said a little snarky. "He's just mad that I quit."
"Well. You could be right." Trying to dispel Ty's anger.
They both sat, for a moment without talking, looking out over the yard, to the mountains beyond.
"Hey Jack. I have a favor to ask." Ty breaking the silence.
"What's that?"
"Water isn't working at the trailer. Caleb didn't fix it. Wondering if I could stay in the loft for a few days. Until he does."
"No can do. It's occupied."
Surprised. "Oh really. New ranch hand?"
"Nope. Amy."
"Huh. Really? Well. Okay." He said. "I'll figure it out." He paused. "How is she?"
"Real busy. We never see her. Not even for meals."
"Hmm...she spending time with Ahmed?"
"Not that know of." Jack offered no more.
He blinked several times, trying process the information. "Um. Well. I best be going. I have a bunch to do myself." He patted Jack on the back. "See you this afternoon."
Jack watched him walk away, climb into his truck, wave, drive off.
Blue skies, mild temperatures, stunning vistas accompanied Scott and Amy to a tributary of Bow River just west of the Rockies, nestled in the foothills. Travel conversation between the two friends was light, enjoyable.
"So Scott. What we're doing today?"
"Should be fairly straight forward. Vaccinate with the usual, West Nile, rabies, tetanus. Collect health data."
"Health data?"
"Yeah. General stuff, gender, age, coloring, weight, teeth, hoof, that basic stuff. We're working with HAWS today."
"HAWS?"
"Yeah. Hear about that wild filly that got stuck in a muskeg in south Sundre last week?" He asked.
"Oh yeah." Amy recalling the story.
"HAWS volunteers did that rescue."
"Saw that they used winches to get her out. The rescue was incredible. They were real heroes to that horse." She commented, then asked. "What does HAWS stand for?"
"Help Alberta Wildies Society. It's a bunch of volunteers who want to keep wild horses in the wild."
"Sounds like a good group."
"Yeah. They don't sterilize, cull, capture or rehome wild horses like other groups. They track several bands, check on herd health, resolve issues, like that rescue, but do everything in the wild."
"Oh. So how many horses did they pen?"
"None yet."
"We're going help pen them today?" She was surprised.
He grinned. "Sort of. HAWS has been tracking this band. They don't pen them until the last possible moment."
"Well this should be interesting. We don't have our horses." Even more surprised.
"Don't need them. They'll take care of that."
"Good." She was relieved. "Tell me about this band of horses." Amy curiously asked.
"Well, this particular herd is about 15 to 20 horses, the lead mare is about 20 years old, the main stallion is a little older. The rest are various ages."
"Main stallion?"
"Yeah. That's a problem. A younger stallion joined recently, causing a bit of challenge to the band and the volunteers."
"I bet."
"The mare has been DNA tested native as opposed to feral. They want to test the stallions and offspring this time around."
"So she's protected under the Canadian government as opposed Alberta laws?"
"Yeah." He smiled. "Hopefully the others will be native and protected too."
Arriving at the designated location, well off the paved road, down several logging dirt road, Amy and Scott were glad to be out of the truck, ready to work. Susan Elm, group's leader, environmentalist and photographer welcomed them. Middle aged, short with an athletic build, she had a ready smile, clipboard in her arms, a camera with a wide angle lens around her neck.
"Scott, Amy. Thank you for coming. Our volunteer vet has the flu. So we appreciate that you came on such short notice." She shook their hands, introduced the other volunteers, then laid out their plans to get the work done. The big pen and shoot for vet work was already set up. Fresh feed, hay and water were placed strategically around the pen.
"We're gonna round them up in the pen. Let them get comfortable, eat, drink, rest up for a while. During that time, record what you can. Many of the youngsters had never been documented. After an hour or so, you can start vet process."
"Sounds good." Scott replied.
"What about the Stallions?" Amy asked.
"We will separate them into different pens, away from the rest." Susan answered.
"Scott, I will check out the stallions." Amy suggested. Scott agreed.
"The younger stallion will be our hardest patient." Susan remarked.
The round up proceeded as planned. Amy recorded the health data quickly on the stallions, then stood quietly in the pen with the young stallion. He was muscular, with a mostly midnight black coat, mane and tail, with a white freckled stripe around his midsection.
"Hey Boy. You look like an Oreo cookie!" Amy said aloud, in a kind, cooing voice.
The stallion did not take kindly to her remark. He glared at her, repositioning himself, almost in a face off about 30 feet in front of her. He was rigid, muscles tensed, almost quivering in agitation. His head was held high, eyes staring, hoof pawing the ground.
Amy did not move. She stood her ground, but in a non-confrontational stance, a soft expression on her face, with a slight smile.
The horse stomped the ground, erupting dust, dirt around his hooves, like smoke from a fire. He leaned forward, asserting an even more aggressive stance.
Amy did not flinch, did not show emotion or fear. Scott and the volunteers took notice.
In an attempt to challenge Amy, the stallion dropped his head slightly and broke into a dead run towards her. She stood still, held her ground. Within ten feet of her, Amy raised her hand, arm up straight, palm open facing the charging horse.
The observers gasped, held their breath.
The horse pulled up, halted in front of Amy. Looked at her, then gazed into her eyes.
She lowered her hand, palm up, so he could investigate, smell her scent. Lowering his nose and mouth to her palm, he inhaled, exhaled, touched her. Satisfied, he raised his head slightly, licked his lips, his ears rotated toward her.
"Good boy. Very good boy." She spoke to him in a gentle, even voice. "You are among friends. We will not hurt you or the other horses. You have my word."
She raised her other hand, full of fresh hay, herbs. Again he smelled her offering, then nibbled it clean.
She walked to the shoot where Scott stood with his equipment. The horse followed a few steps behind, entered the shoot, stood calmly as the checks and vaccines were performed. Volunteers were amazed.
Scott estimated that young stallion, dubbed now as Oreo in the record, was only 18 years old. He went further to say, given his massive size, sheer strength, and excellent health, the young stud would be worthy opponent to the main stallion.
Oreo was released in the wild as soon as the checks finished, then ran to the surrounding tree line where he watched for some time, then disappeared.
The elder stallion was processed next, without incident, then the lead mare, and lastly, the remainder of the herd. The entire band was released together to the wild with volunteers, Scott and Amy cheering, pleased.
Soon after, they packed up their truck, bid their new friends goodbye and headed southeast back to Hudson.
"Good work out there today, Amy."
"Thanks. You too." She replied. "It's always fun to work with wild horses. And you. Keep me in mind for your next wild round up."
"You know it."
Exhausted, both fell into a comfortable silence, admiring the scenery, intermixed with conversation, rehashing their day. Halfway to their final destination, Scott's cell rang. "Hello Harry...Gem?..Oh, for 2 hours. Right, I agree. Okay. I am out about 20 minutes. Bye."
Turning to her, he said. "Amy. I really need to swing by Setters Ranch. Their champion setter, Gem, is in labor distress. She's already had strong contractions for 2 hours."
"No problem." She texted Nick to let him know that she may be late.
"Is this called Dystocia?" She asked.
"Yes. How do you know that?"
"I remember Ty telling me that Kit Bailey's horse had Dystocia. The colt was born dead."
"Hopefully we'll have a better outcome, this time." Scott said flatly.
"Hope so." She changed the subject. "So. Tell me about Setters Ranch."
"Well, it's a breeding and training outfit for English Setters, specifically the smaller field trial or hunting type, the Llewellin. Their setter stock hails from champion bloodlines. Gem is one of their best dogs, both in breeding and hunting."
"Are English Setters those bird dogs that have longish feathered tails, legs and ears?"
"Yep." He kinda chucked. "They are often born pure white but will develop ticking or spots in lemon or black. Sometimes it's called freckles."
"Like a Dalmatian?"
"The spots are usually smaller, but yes." He smiled.
"I love puppies." She smiled.
"You'll love these even more." He grinned. "They hunt with them as they ride horseback."
"Really?"
"A Llewellin or pair working a field, pointing, flushing and fetching a bird are incredible to watch." Scott mused. "Maybe you'll get a demonstration."
Setters Ranch was not much different from Heartland. The vast property was situated on a hilltop with a ranch house, barn, Quonset hut, horse pens, but also dog kennels and quail coops.
After quick introductions, Harry led Scott and Amy straight to the side barn where Gem, a beautiful, heavily black freckled setter with long feathers, was bedded in straw, laying in her side, panting, exhausted, eyes closed. She was no longer straining to whelp her pups.
"Amy. Try to keep Gem calm. I am going to have to go in." He donned long latex gloves, examined the dog through its vagina.
"Ah. Here's the problem."
"What?" Amy asked as she petted Gem's nose and ears.
"This first one is stuck in the canal, it's turned sideways." He said, then pulled a mostly white pup with pink feet, black and pink ears and black patches over both eyes. "It's breathing. It's a girl!"
"Oh. She's precious." Amy giggled. "Now. I want one!"
"Well if she has more than 5 pups, she's yours." Harry offered.
Almost as soon as the first one was out, 5 more pups came quickly. In all, 4 males and 2 female, healthy, and immediately began to suckle Gem.
Scott injected Gem with saline and electrolytes to help with her recovery. After giving the rancher post birth instructions, the three headed out of the barn.
Outside Harry's daughter, Kim, was training a young setter with reddish brown ticking. With a fishing pole, she cast weighted feathers out a few yards. On command, the dog crept, almost cat like, toward the feathers, then froze. Within a foot or two of the feathers, the dog slowly lifted its tail, straight and stiff as an arrow, then lifted its front paw into a perfect set and point.
"Wow!" Amy whispered.
On command again, the dog flushed, fetched the feathers back to Kim, as a gift. She praised the young setter with lots of pets and kind words.
"Kim. That was incredible."
"Truthfully. That's just Reilly's a natural ability. I am just honing him and his skill with commands and praise." She laughed as the dog barked happily at her, wanting to play more.
Back in the truck, Scott made good time on the trip back to Hudson, getting Amy back to Heartland with plenty of time to spare before Nick showed up at 5. She quickly checked on the horses in the barn and those that had been turned out. Calling once to Spartan, he came running to her from the far field. He stopped directly in front of her, clearly distracted by the scent of unfamiliar horses and dogs on his girl.
Recognizing his confusion, Amy talked with him. "Hey Spartan. My good boy. My only boy." She offered her hand to him to investigate, smell. When he was ready, he stepped closer, tickled her hands with his whiskers, then. Nuzzled her neck. She giggled in delight. "Good boy!" She patted and rubbed his neck. "You are my one and only."
Nick drove up in his silver Ford-250 and matching 4 horse Sundown Sportman, both prominently labeled with the Nick Harwell blue and silver logo. He jumped out of his truck, wearing a huge grin. "Hey Amy!
"Well hey Nick. Someone is awful happy this afternoon." She grinned, stretched out her hand to shake his.
"Just glad that you didn't bail on me." He winked at her.
"Well I wouldn't do that. Or at least not on purpose. You'll be glad to know that Gem had 6 gorgeous pups, all healthy." She smiled thinking about her new pup.
"Good. Good."
"Well let's see what you brought me." They walked to the back of the trailer, Nick undid the latch and opened the doors. Each lead a horse out of the trailer and into the round pen. "Nick, they are both beautiful horses. Tell me their stories."
As the two were leaning over the rail, neither noticed Ty pulled up in his truck, enter the ranch house.
He was met by Lou right inside. "Hey Ty. What's up?" She kissed his cheek.
"Not much. How are you, Lou?" He grinned at her.
"I'm good except kids and Maggie's are running me ragged." She replied, pretending to wipe the sweat off her forehead.
"Well if anyone can handle it, you can."
"Thanks!" She smiled at him.
"Hey. Who's Amy working with? I don't recognize the truck or trailer." He asked, trying to be nonchalant.
They both walked to the kitchen window to look. "Hmm. I don't know." Then she added. "Maybe a new client."
"Yeah. Probably."
"You know. I haven't seen her much. She's been busy. She hasn't joined us for meals for a few days."
"Oh. Spending time with Ahmed?"
"Not that I know." She turned to him, feeling funny talking about her sister. "You should ask her yourself."
He shrugged, with no intention to do that. "Well, I'm really here to see Georgie. Is she here?"
"Yep. She's putting away the laundry. She's in one of the rooms." Lou started pulling out things for dinner. "You staying for dinner?"
"Yes. Thanks." Ty headed toward the bedrooms, "Georgie?" he called.
"Hey Ty. I'm in here."
He followed the sound of her voice down the hall, peeked in the open door of Amy's room. Georgie was sitting on the bed, clearly upset.
"Hey Georgie. Everything okay?" He sat next to her on the bed.
"No. This is all my fault." A tear rolled down her cheek.
"What's your fault?" He draped his arm loosely around her shoulders.
She showed him Amy's engagement ring. "I found it on her dresser with your engagement picture facedown."
Ty wasn't prepared or expecting her response. He wanted a break from Amy, not to break off their engagement. Caleb was right, there was no difference between a break and a breakup.
"Ty. I am so sorry. This is my fault."
"Um. Georgie. It's okay. It's not your fault. This is Amy and me. Just us. We are responsible. Not you. Okay?"
"Ty. Are you sure?" She looked at him, her dark eyes worried. Her world was falling apart. Her mom and dad. Amy and Ty.
"Yeah. Georgie. I don't blame you. Either does Amy." He tried to reassure her.
"Are you staying for dinner?"
"Not tonight."
"Oh." She was disappointed. "Um. How's the wolf pup?"
"Oh, good, really good. He was united successfully with another wolf family." He smiled. "You did good."
"Thanks." She smiled.
"I gotta go." He pushed her shoulder. He realized she was as lost as he was, unmoored.
He left the room, went to the kitchen. "Lou. I can't stay for dinner after all. Bob texted. I'm needed at the reserve." He fibbed
"You sure? I made plenty."
"Yeah. Gotta go. Please tell Jack." She nodded.
Outside, he looked across the yard, the truck and trailer were gone. Amy was riding yet another high end horse through a series of jumps. He climbed into his truck, drove away, dismayed.
She didn't notice, she was focused on the horse beneath her. Amy had already been thrown off once, when the horse hesitated slightly, just prior to takeoff, but then jumped anyhow, his front leg hitting the cross bar. She didn't want it to happen again.
She worked intensely with the horse until 7, missing dinner again. After untacking and stabling both horses, she was exhausted. She did night check, spending some extra time with Spartan. As she ascending the loft steps, she started to undress. She climbed into bed, fell into a deep sleep almost before her head hit the pillow.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please post a review, they motivate me to write.
Be Safe,Stay Healthy
SBR