Friday
As soon as Amy's eyes opened, a smile spread across her lips as she gazed across the room. She felt happy.
Finally the day had come, Amy could not be more excited. Soraya was coming home, her best, oldest and really, only true friend.
A twinge shot through her. She used to count Ty as her friend, her other best friend, her soul mate, but that was before. She shook her head to dispel the dismal thought. At least they talked last night, even if it was a little one sided. It was a start. Maybe they could be friends.
She stretched while in bed, then quickly got dressed, brushed her teeth and hair, made her bed, flipped the ON switch on the coffee maker. She opened the window, settled into her chair, opened her notebook to yesterday's list. She accomplished everything on her list. There something very satisfying checking off each item.
"Good Work Amy!...Why thank you!" Conversing with herself out loud, tickling herself with her own silliness.
Turning the page, another blank, "Okay Amy. One day at a time." Continuing the conversation, continuing her new habit. Pen to paper, she started her list.
Friday To Do List: SORAYA!, airport @ 5, Mrs Bell, polo club, Jerry G, Parsnip, Sally Ride, competition, heartland dinner?, night check.
Another busy day! Good.
She heard movement, quiet talking downstairs, so she walked, trying really hard not to run, down the loft stairs, assuming it was Ty.
"Hey." She said, trying to hide her surprise.
"Hey." He said. "Guess you were expecting Ty?" Raising his bushy eyebrows at her.
"Maybe." She shrugged, nonchalant. "Wanna join me for coffee?" She asked him.
"Sure."
"Come on up then." She said, leading the way.
Jack followed her up to the loft, settled at the table in the window as she brought two cups and a single bear claw to share.
"A bear claw?"
"Yes. Mrs. Bell made it yesterday. She said she used June Honey." She smiled just thinking of her gray haired friend.
Jack took a huge bite, talking with a full mouth, "Mmm. This is so good." Sticky honey dripped onto his stubbly chin. Amy took a big bite too, licking her fingers, nodded in agreement.
Taking a sip of coffee, swallowing, "So Grandpa. Are you doing morning chores for Ty now?"
"No. Of course not." He shook his head.
"So. Then. What brings you to the barn Grandpa?"
"Just wanted to see how you are doing."
"I am good. You??"
"Fine. Fine." He paused. "How was your dinner went with Summer?"
"Fun. We really had a nice time. She is a lovely person. I can see why mom liked her so much." She answered.
"Did you talk about your mom or their high school days?"
"Not really. We just spent time getting to know each other. We plan to get together again soon." She wondered what he was really asking, but let it drop.
"Oh." He seemed to want to say something else, but didn't.
Changing the subject, Amy said. "Grandpa. I promised I would keep you informed of my comings and goings. So here goes. This morning I am riding Spartan to Mrs. Bell's. This afternoon I have some errands to run in town, then I am meeting Nick Harwell at the Polo Club." She looked at him to see if he got all that. So added, "I will have my phone. And you have my number."
"Busy day."
"Yes! And, guess what?" She was so excited.
"Can't guess." He said not wanting to play.
"Soraya is coming home today. I'm getting her at the airport."
"Well, that is just wonderful." He stood up, kissed her forehead. "Okay then. I got to get started on my day. Thanks for the coffee."
"Sure." She hesitated. "Um. Grandpa. Did Ty stay at the house last night?"
"No. He didn't."
She sighed. "Oh. I told him it was okay if he stayed in my room."
"Oh. I see." He took a deep breath. "He has things to work out. Staying in your room would not help."
"Did he tell you that?"
"Not in so many words." He smiled. "Give him time." He walked towards the steps. Then added, "The whole poacher situation at the Wildlife Reserve has him upset as well."
"Grandpa. What are you talking about?" Her eyes were wide.
"Well, he stumbled onto poachers at the reserve. They were the ones that beat him up."
"When did that happen? Why didn't anyone tell me?" She was stunned, again left out of family discussions.
"We never see you Amy." He explained it away as being her fault, then shrugged. "Now Amy. Ty is perfectly fine. He worked with RCMP to identify them. So far, they have arrested three guys."
She closed her eyes. "Okay. Thanks Grandpa for the update. I better to get busy."
"Oh. Ty will take care of Harley. He'll just be late." She nodded.
She followed her grandfather down the steps, then started on her chores. She was upset, couldn't believe that Ty didn't say a word last night. Maybe more bothersome was that her own grandfather knew more about her ex-fiancé than she did.
"Just let it go, Amy. He doesn't owe you anything anymore." she muttered to herself, deciding that that she wasn't going to let it bother her. She would just go on to Mrs. Bell's house, drink some tea, eat a scone, talk about zucchini, forget about things for a while.
Chores finished, she was just about to saddle Spartan when Ty walked in the barn.
"Hey." He was in a chipper mood.
"Hey." She responded evenly, but didn't look up.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing is wrong. What could possibly be wrong?" She tried to act calm, unbothered.
"Okay. I know you. Something is wrong." He tried to grab her hand.
She pulled away, looked directly at his eyes. "Everything is just peachy. The poachers are in jail. So everything is right with the world." She said matter of factly, but her hurt seeped out.
"Wait. Jack told you?" Surprised that she already knew.
"It doesn't matter Ty." She started walking away. "You weren't going to tell me anyhow."
"It does matter Amy. I wanted to tell you. I wanted you to hear it from me." He pleaded. "I still do."
"Too late. I already heard it."
"That's it then? You are going to let others speak for me?" He challenged.
"Oh. That's rich, Ty." She rebuked him. "Don't you let others speak for me?"
He exhaled heavily. "Amy. You are right." He conceded. "So. Please."
She stopped, inhaled and exhaled deeply as well. She turned around, softening her tone, but only slightly. "Fine...Tell me."
"Over coffee?" He looked at her with puppy eyes, hoping to get to her. "Please?"
She rolled her eyes, gave in. "Fine."
"Thank you." He said with obvious relief in his voice.
She started up the stairs, didn't look back.
He followed her, paused at the top of the steps, looked around as she poured the coffee. Across from the bed hung a colorful framed print of some type of bird, flowers and butterflies.
He walked closer to get a better look. "Hey. This is new." Ty was interested in the print, but more interested in neutralizing the sour mood.
"Yeah."
"Beautiful. The colors are so bold. When did you get it?"
"My mom's high school friend Summer gave it to me last night. We had dinner." She walked up next to him, handed him his cup.
"Oh wow. Tell me about it. It must have some deeper meaning." He took a sip, pulled her in.
She smiled, "It's named Hummingbird and Butterflies. The artist, Jim Oskineegish, is a First Nation native."
"The style is very bold."
"Yeah. Its Woodland style. I saw it in her office and was mesmerized by it. It just made me happy."
"I can see that."
"Summer told me that the artist's childhood was really bad. He abused by his parents and then by the foster care system." She paused, looked at Ty to make sure he was okay. Seeing that he was unfazed, she proceeded. "But he persevered. Now he creates these happy, beautiful, powerful paintings."
"Wow." He said enthusiastically, sincerely.
"I know, I looked him up. His childhood was really horrible. His art collection is huge. All of them have that same boldness. For me, truly a happy feeling."
"I see strength, harmony." Now he was pulled in.
"Summer said that when she looks at the painting, she feels like no matter the circumstance, she can rise above it."
"Yeah. I can see that too."
She smiled. "I hung it there so every morning when I wake up, it's the first thing I see."
"I really like it." He said honestly.
"Me too." She felt calm. "Come on. Let's sit. Tell me about these infamous poachers." As soon as they settled in their chairs, Amy remembered the bear claw, she stood, crossed the room to get it.
"Here." Handing him the pastry. "Mrs. Bell made it yesterday. It's still pretty fresh."
"Wanna split it?" His mouth started to water, smelling the sweet aroma.
"I am good. I split one with Grandpa already."
"Okay then." He shoved a huge bite into his mouth, honey cling to his lip. She stared at it, wanting to touch it, his lip, him.
She snapped back. "So the poachers?"
"Right. Sorry." He mumbled, mouthful. He licked his lip, swallowed, took a deep breath. "You know that I work, or rather did work, for Bob Grainger at the Wildlife Reserve."
"Yeah."
"Well, I quit yesterday."
"Really? Already?" She was surprised, but then again, he had a habit of quitting, running.
"Yeah, well. So. A few days ago, I found a dead bear on the reserve. It's gall bladder had been removed. Not far away, I also found a feeder to bait bear. So I put up a game camera to kinda patrol things. I told Bob who said he'd call RCMP. But RCMP didn't come. The next day, I found another dead bear, same thing, gall bladder removed."
"That is so horrible."
"It was. Seeing this beautiful bear, killed for no good reason. So I told Bob again. I took the camera chip to the trailer. I was looking at the pictures, when two goons came to the trailer, beat me up. They warned me about getting in their way. Stole my laptop."
"Oh Ty. How scary. Is that why you have been limping, holding your side?" She was concerned, felt scared for him.
He nodded. "Yeah. But I'm okay."
"Ty. You always say that." She added. "Why do you always have to be the tough guy?"
He shrugged his shoulders, sighed. "I told Bob about the goons. He didn't seem too surprised. Then he told me to not stir up things. That he had worked too hard to get the reserve going."
"That's weird."
"So to keep the reserve running, he was turning a blind eye to the poaching."
"Wow."
"So, when the RCMP came to the ranch the other night, I told them. They got the Fish and Wildlife folks involved. So when I went to work yesterday, I wore a wire, got Bob to confess to his involvement."
"Huh. Things are fitting together."
"What do you mean?"
"Officer Rodriguez tailed me on my ride to Mrs. Bell's house yesterday. When I told him I was worried about you, he said RCMP knew about the assault, threats and illegal activity. They were monitoring you. That you were safe." She paused. "I thought he was talking about Ahmed, but I guess he was talking about Bob and the poachers."
"Yeah. They told me not to say anything until they arrested the poachers. They didn't want to jeopardize anything. So I didn't. Jack was there though last night after night check, he heard."
"He told me this morning."
"Right. They arrested them early this morning. I asked Jack to tell you that I would be late but would take care of Harley."
"He told me that part. But not why you were late."
"I had to identify the poachers from the line-up."
"Wow." She grinned at him. "What happens now?"
"Trial, sentencing, hopefully, long prison time."
"I sure hope so. I am really proud of you."
"Hope that pays because I am out of a job. Bob will be in jail. Scott told Jack that he was done with me."
"Really? That doesn't sound like Scott."
"I guess I don't blame him. I have quit more than once."
"True." She shrugged. "Have you tried begging?"
"Not yet. That's next." He sounded a bit down.
She nodded. "Well, I am glad you told me. Thank you." Not sure what to do or say next.
"Amy." He said quietly.
"Yeah."
"I miss you. I miss this. Talking." He looked at her, hopeful.
"Me too. I miss you too." She said honestly, without hesitation. Not sure what to say next, there was an awkward silence.
"Um. I need to get a move on though. It's looks like rain. And, I need to see Mrs. Bell.
"Yeah. I should go too. I have class."
But neither moved, neither wanted the moment to end.
"Ty. Will I see you at night check?"
"Yeah. I will be there."
"Good." She said quietly, then stood, collected the cups, moved them to her cleaning station.
"Amy." She turned to him. "Thanks."
She nodded. "Be careful."
"You too." As he turned toward the stairs.
"Oh. Almost forgot. Soraya will be in town."
"Good. Know you are excited."
"I can't wait. So it might be late when I get home."
"Text me then."
As Amy rode toward Mrs Bell's house, the sky grew gray, then dark, she could smell the rain before seeing it driving across horizon, across the valley. By the time she reached the house, she was soaked to the bone. Mrs. Bell was sitting on the front porch swing crocheting.
"Well. Amy. I see you brought the rain with you. Good thing, my garden was thirsty."
Amy tied Spartan under a tree for shelter, ran for the front porch, then stood there, dripping, shivering, her arms wrapped around herself for warmth.
"Amy. There are some old clothes in your room. Go change before you catch pneumonia."
Returning, Amy was dressed in a plaid shirt, overalls, fuzzy socks, a lambswool sweater, her wet hair braided into two pigtails.
"Splendid. You look like a regular farm girl." She patted the spot next to her on the swing. "Have some hot tea and a scone. Made them this morning."
Amy smiled, sat down next to her, snuggled into one of pillows. "Thank you." she said as she took a sip of tea, a bite of the scone. "Hmmm. Hot tea hit the spot."
"So what news did you bring me today?" Mrs. Bell asked.
"Where do I start?"
"Why don't you start with you? How are you?"
"I am good." She said.
"Well I know you are good. Tell me something I don't know."
Amy laughed. "Well. I had dinner with my mom's high school friend Summer Flower last night. We had a nice time."
"Oh I remember Summer. Very smart girl. Very strong. Tragic really."
"Why do you say that Mrs. Bell?" Her curiosity peaked.
"I don't remember the details, but I do know she emancipated herself from her family."
"Wow. That must have been really hard."
"I'll say. A very private thing became very public. And ugly. Lots of rumors, opinions. Everyone took a side. It was not pretty."
"She didn't tell me anything about that."
"A person could learn a lot from her." She paused. "She always remained true to herself."
Mrs. Bell went back to her handiwork. "What are you working on?" Amy asked.
"My old night gown got me thinking about my granny. And thinking about granny made me think about crocheting. So here I am crocheting."
"What are you going to make?"
"A night gown for you."
"Really? That is so nice!" She was truly touched.
"Yes. Really." She smiled as Amy kissed her cheek.
"Thank you."
"Do you want to learn?" Mrs. Bell asked.
"Yes."
"Okay. First go wash your hands. Clean hands make a clean product."
Amy smiled, did as she was told. They spent the next hour, huddled up on the porch swing with Mrs. Bell teaching her to crochet. As they worked, they shared about their day thus far, and plans for the day.
When the rain let up, she said goodbye, promised to be back the next day, then rode Spartan home. Just barely outside of Mrs. Bell's property, a RCMP Officer was waiting for her.
"Ms. Fleming? I'm Matthew Baldwin. Officer Rodriguez asked me to accompany you home."
"Oh he did, huh? Officer Baldwin, I really do not need or want to be accompanied. By you or anybody. I am quite fine on my own." She was adamant.
"Please call me Matt. Ms. Fleming. I am a new RCMP Officer. I am just trying to do my job. I do not want to get fired." He smiled shyly at her, trying to get her to change her mind. Matt was not much older than her. Though he was wearing a cap, hints of blonde curly hair peeked out.
Amy felt bad for her tone, he was just trying to do his job. "Okay Matt, let's head back to Heartland together. But, you have to call me Amy."
"As you say Amy." Together they rode back to Heartland without a word between them. Just inside the gate, Matt pulled up.
"This is where I end." Matt said. "Thank you for helping me keep my job for another day."
She smiled. "And, thank you for keeping me safe for another day." She said somewhat sarcastically, turning Spartan toward the barn. Then she turned back. "What have you heard about Ahmed or Syed Kalb?"
"We have verified that Mr. Kalb is staying at Hillhurst. We are keeping tabs on him." He paused. "We are still on the search for the prince. Though there is some evidence that he has left for Lexington, Kentucky for a horse auction."
"Do you think you could arrange a meeting between myself and Syed?" She asked boldly.
"Possibly. Why?"
"Syed was my driver in Europe. We became friendly. Maybe he can tell me what Ahmed's intentions are." She reasoned.
"Let me check with my superiors. Please do not try to contact him yourself." Matt warned.
"Thanks." She said simply, clearly not agreeing to not contact Syed. Then she signaled for Spartan to head toward the barn.
Amy changed up her routine, with Parsnip and Sally Ride. She led both into the jump arena. She spoke to both about her plans, positioning Sally Ride to free jump the chute first. Parsnip was positioned to her right just outside of the chute. She signaled for them to run, Sally Ride jumped the fences perfectly, per usual, and Parsnip ran along her side outside the fences.
Next she lowered all the rails, then walked Parsnip through the chute. Sally Ride followed behind. She praised them both before she let Parsnip free jump on her own first then Sally Ride. To her delight, neither hit a single rail. So she raised, just slightly, the rails adding difficulty. Sally Ride went first, then Parsnip. Though Parsnip cleared the rails, she was a bit off center.
Another adjustment to the rails, she arranged them in a cross pattern to encourage Parsnip to jump in the center of the fence. Parsnip ran first, then Sally Ride. Both ran perfectly.
Last adjustment, she raised the rails another 6 inches. She had no doubt that Sally Ride would handle them, she was less sure with Parsnip. Sally Ride ran without hesitation, with grace, confidence and beauty. She was ready for competition tomorrow.
Parsnip was less confident, hesitated as she entered the chute. The first fence she clipped the rail, just barely with her front right hoof, as was her habit. But, Amy cheered her on, praised her anyhow. The horse seemed to gain some confidence, some momentum, then sailed over the next fence, just barely, but she did. Amy hooted and hollered praise. The third and forth rail, she jumped well, clearing nicely.
After her run, she joined Sally Ride and Amy for more praise. Then she led both back to the barn, for treats, grooming, then stabling, side by side. Sally Ride was clearly ready for competition, Parsnip needed more time but was making good progress.
In the office, she made a few calls, ate a peanut butter sandwich, then headed to the ranch house to shower and get ready for her afternoon. As she headed out the door, Lou called to her from the kitchen. "Amy. Hold up. Come talk with me." She commanded.
"Hey Lou. I didn't see you there."
"Well. Here I am."
Amy sat at the kitchen table with her. "What's up?"
"I haven't seen you in a couple of days. Are you avoiding me?" She asked point blank.
"Of course not. I've just been very busy." She quickly updated her with things. "Hey. Did Georgie say anything to you about the free jump competition tomorrow in Okotoks?"
"She did."
"Can she go with me?" Amy asked.
"Amy. No. I think with the whole Ahmed thing, I just don't want to risk Georgie's safety." Lou was clear.
"I understand. RCMP Officer Baldwin told me this morning that they think Ahmed is in the states." Hoping that would sway her.
"He's kinda cute." Lou said with a gush in her voice.
"Who is?" Amy asked, somewhat confused.
"Matt Baldwin. He came by this morning to introduce himself."
"Oh. Honestly Lou? I did not notice." She said truthfully, she really only had eyes for Ty despite everything.
"Maybe a RCMP Officer could go with you."
"No. Absolutely not." Then she added. "Would it help if Nick Harwell was there?"
"Nick?" Lou's interest peaked.
"Yes. We are partnering in the two Warmbloods out in the barn. So he'll be at the competition with us."
"I had no idea that you were working with him." She paused. "Maybe Katie and I can go with you and Georgie."
"Sure. The more the merrier." She paused. "Where is Katie?"
"She's at her friend Abraham's house...why?"
"Just curious." Then she added. "I'm going to the Gordon's house. Jerry is working in a logo for my trailer. I would love your opinion."
"You're not going to use the Heartland logo?"
"Not sure what he has in store for me. Wanna come?"
"Sure. Why not?"
Arriving at the Gordon's brick ranch house in the truck pulling the trailer, Amy and Lou were greeted by cheerful Marnie who hugged them both and invited them inside. "Wait til you see what my Jerry designed for you."
"Hey ladies. Come see." He could help but smile.
Jerry had designed three logos, a Heartland logo, a Amy Fleming logo without any indication of Heartland and the last one was a combination. He laid them out in the table for them to view.
Amy immediately was drawn to the third one, as luckily was Lou. The logo was round with the Heartland sun and mountain motif in the middle. Amy Fleming was written around the top part of the circle. Heartland was written around the bottom.
"This one is perfect." Amy pointed to the combo logo.
"I agree." Said Lou.
"Good. I knew you'd pick that one. So I made your business card, stationary and decals." He grinned like a Cheshire Cat.
"What if I had picked on if the others?" Amy asked.
"Guess I'd have wasted my time." He smiled. "Wanna put it on your trailer and truck?"
"Yeah. On the truck too?" She was excited.
"I figured why not? You could always say No."
Jerry was right. The black logo on the Barbie Pink was striking. The logo on the white truck was just effective but much more subtle. Amy was thrilled.
After dropping Lou and the trailer back at Heartland, Amy headed north to the Calgary Polo club to meet up with Nick. Once inside the Ranch House, she spied him sitting in the lobby in an overstuffed leather chair, reading the latest copy of Blood Horse. As she approached him, he rose from his chair, smiled, then kissed her cheek. "Hello Amy!"
"Nick. How are you?" He waited for her to take a seat, then sat himself. She appreciated his gentlemanly manners.
"Good, good. How are you, my friend?" He smiled at her.
"I am well. Thank you." Amy returned his smile.
"So you have good news for me?" He was anxious to hear.
"I do. Sally Ride is an amazing free jumper. She is beauty in motion. So graceful, fluid, perfectly positioned, consistent." Animated, she gushed. "An absolute joy to watch."
"That's great! Wonderful." He caught her excitement. "What was her problem?"
"My guess is that her last owner didn't understand her jumping style, imposed their own, probably confused her." Then she added. "Sally Ride is a people pleaser."
"So you think tomorrow's competition will bring out a buyer."
"Wait til you see her jump. Absolutely." She was beaming.
"I trust you." He then asked about Parsnip.
"I think that she needs more work, a bit more practice, positive reinforcement. She needs more confidence. But she definitely has talent. I think there may have been some negative reinforcement when she clipped her hoof on the rail."
"Okay. You need more time then. How long?"
"At least a week." She looked at him. "You have another horse, don't you?"
"I do. It's a Irish Sport Horse Stallion show jumper. Midnight black. 16 1/2. He's beautiful. Named Midnight, go figure!"
"Tell me about his issues."
"He rushes the fences." He paused. "And he bites."
"Ugh. A biter." She frowned.
As they continued to discuss the horse, a young girl, maybe 16 or so, approached hesitantly. "Coach Harwell. Sorry to interrupt." She said apologetically.
"Hello Cassidy. It's okay. Please meet Amy Fleming." He smiled kindly at the young girl.
"Nice to meet you, Cassidy." Amy said as they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Fleming." Then she turned back to Nick. "Coach. Have you found a new instructor for our class yet?" She said hopefully.
"No. I am still looking."
"Dad says that maybe we should offer more."
"Oh he did?" Nick raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah. He thought if each girl paid fifty, we could find someone."
"Well, that may work. I'll put it in the bulletin."
"Thanks Coach. Nice to meet you and. Fleming." She said to Amy, she walked away.
"How many girls, Nick?" Amy asked.
"Six."
"So three hundred a session." She calculated.
"Amy. What are you thinking?" He eyed her, grinning.
"I might know someone." She smiled. "Is this the Monday thru Friday 4 to 6 class?"
"Yep."
"Why did the last coach leave?"
"He started dating his wife again." He grinned.
"You were the coach?" She asked incredulously.
"Guilty." He added. "They are actually a pretty good group. I just wanted to have a bit more freedom. Interested?"
"Well. 1500 a week isn't exactly chump change."
"Nope."
"I will think about it. Will some of the girls be there tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Good. Lou and her two daughters are coming with me. We'll see how things go."
"Lou, huh?" He smiled. "How is she?"
"She's busy. Two girls, Georgie, 13, and Katie, 6. Georgie is a talented jumper. Plus, Lou's running the dude ranch and Maggie's."
"She sounds busy. Peter, that's her husband, right?"
"Yes, Peter. They have separated. You should ask her tomorrow."
"Why?"
"It's just better to hear directly from the horse's mouth, so to speak." Then she laughed. "Not that Lou is a horse." She shook her head at her poor choice of words.
"Of course not." He smiled.
"Can you ask you something?" She changed the subject. "You can say No."
"Go ahead."
"Did being with Polo Team, traveling, and stuff, did it change you?" She tilted her head. "You seem like the same old Nick to me."
"Is that a good thing? The same old Nick?"
"Well, I like the Nick sitting right in front of me."
"Good save Amy." She blushed. "Well, interesting question. I think every new experience, adventure changes us. If nothing else it makes us more experienced, knowledgeable, more worldly, maybe."
"So how did it change you? How did that change affected Claire?"
"Oh. Are we moving into personal advice realm now?"
She blushed. "Maybe. You don't have to answer."
He smiled. "Yes. Of course. I changed. Some good, some bad."
He continued. "You know. I loved the challenge, I loved the travel. The horses were amazing. The owner had deep pockets, so everything was top notch. I loved winning. The money was very good."
"But. How did it change you?"
"I learned to focus, juggle, be organized. I learned to network. I think I became a bit more confident." He laughed. "My bank account grew. A lot!"
"All good things."
He paused. "Not so good things too." He lamented. "The winning, the money, the game became everything. If it wasn't high end, lucrative, or at least challenging, I wasn't interested, I was bored. Even the stuff I used to love seemed ho hum. I got caught up in that life style. I didn't make time for what was important." He shook his head.
"So in the end?"
"Looking back, the experience was good for me. If I hadn't done it, I would have always wondered. But, I realized that life wasn't for me. I realized what makes me happy. Claire for one. She is my first love. And, you already know that I am working on that."
She nodded.
"How about you? How did Europe change you?"
"Like you said, the challenge, travel, horses, winning, money were great. For me, it was my first time on my own. The first time in so many ways. I found my voice, my confidence. Ahmed empowered me to decide, to direct. And, he paid handsomely for my work. I helped to guide the team in winning the games in jumping."
"So. Good changes."
"But. The experience also made me question everything that I left behind in Hudson." She admitted. "Including Ty."
"Yeah. Those kind of experiences will do that."
"Even though I came back, my family and Ty don't necessarily think that the changes are good." She sighed. "Just the opposite. They think I have become some callous person who only wants to service rich people's horses, make a lot of money and change things at Heartland."
"Change happens. You can't stop it no matter hard you try." Then he added. "And now?"
"I want my family and Ty back, but I don't want to go back to Wallflower Amy. So I have to chose." She sighed. "Unfortunately."
"You don't have to chose. You are perfect the way you are. Just be you. They will come around."
"You are too kind."
"I just call them as I see them." He smiled.
She glanced at her watch. "Shoot. I hate to leave good company but I have to pick up my friend at the airport." She gathered her things, stood up. "Remember Soraya Duval?"
"From Maggie's?" He said as they walked through the lobby to the front door.
"Yeah. That's her. She studying at Oxford."
"Impressive."
He waited with her while the valet went to get her truck. As he pulled up with her new truck, sporting her new logo, he was surprised. "Well. Check that out. A new truck, Amy?"
"Well, new to me. I got a great deal. Wait until you see my trailer."
"Why? Fancy?"
"That's one word. You'll just have to wait and see." She laughed. "So what time should I meet you?"
"Let's say 10."
"See you then." They hugged, she climbed in the truck, waved, headed north to the airport.
Soraya's plane was late, but instead of waiting in her truck, she decided to wait in the lobby of the airport, people watch. Seemed everywhere, couples of all sorts were reuniting, happily, displaying immense public affection, kissing, laughing, hugging, swooning. Their happiness only intensified her loneliness, emptiness.
As she sat there feeling sorry for herself, she noticed him. He looked familiar, but she couldn't place him. About thirty years old, he was fairly nondescript, brown hair, clean shaven, average build. He wore jeans, a gray shirt, sneakers. Nothing extraordinary.
She pretended to headed toward the Women's restroom, just so she could get a better look. As she passed by him, he was engrossed in his phone. Then she remembered. She had only seen him once. He was a part of the press at Ahmed's party. He took their picture several times. Heart beating hard and fast, she ducked into the Women's bathroom, deciding to stay there until Soraya's plane landed.
When she exited the bathroom, he was gone. Relieved, she saw her best friend, ran to her, hugged her. Tears, happy and scared, started to flow uncontrollably. "Soraya. I have missed you so much."
"Amy. I have missed you too." Soraya said laughing, hugging her back. Pulling slightly away, she added softly. "Amy. Don't cry. We're gonna have tons of fun."
Feeling unsettled, she asked, a bit unsure. "Do you mind if we have dinner at Heartland?"
"I'd love that." She was surprised, maybe Amy had a breakthrough with her family, Ty. Then she added. "It doesn't matter where. We just need to get caught up on everything."
Amy walked quickly to her new truck, Soraya hurried to keep up. "Come on. Get in. We can pick up some take out once we get to Hudson." She said.
She relaxed once that made it through the Heartland gate, parked at the barn.
"Why are we here instead of the house?" Soraya asked.
"Oh. Forgot to tell you. I moved into the loft. It suits me better." She paused.
"Oh?" Was all Soraya could say. Amy dragged Soraya's suitcase up the loft steps, and her best friend followed with their Chinese take out.
Food spread out bed, their backs against the headboard, Soraya broached the elephants in the room, Ty, the loft, her family, Ahmed.
"Amy. Tell me everything."
"Where should I start?"
"How about why you aren't wearing your engagement ring?"
"Ty wanted a break after he saw that stupid video. I really don't blame him. But. He would not talk to me, listen to me or even look at me. Actually, he looked right through me. But he and my family kept going like nothing happened. He was here for dinner, to see Georgie, Grandpa. To vet Paint. I was unwelcome by everyone. I was a leper, invisible. I had to accept their punishment. I had no say."
"So you took off your ring so you could have a say?"
She nodded. "Stupid, Huh? I didn't want to break our engagement. But I didn't want to be in limbo, purgatory while everyone else judged me for fitness, for worthiness to be his fiancé either." She paused. "Am I crazy?"
"No. You wanted some control. Sounds like your ring was the only thing you felt control over." She looked at her. "Is the loft the same thing?"
Amy nodded.
"Amy. Other than the kiss with Ahmed, did anything else happen?"
She sighed. She nodded slowly.
"What Amy? Did Ahmed do anything else?"
"It's not what you think."
"Tell me then."
She closed her eyes, a tear rolled out.
"It's okay Amy. I will not judge you."
"I knew for a long time, maybe not consciously, but I knew. Ahmed had been trailing me, bugging me, even before I left for Europe. He seemed to know where I was, what discussions Ty and I had, even our fights. He used that to his advantage."
"Oh Amy."
"I asked him. But he denied it." She sighed. "I didn't press him on it. But, it lingered in the back of my brain."
"Okay."
"He seemed to know that the whole Charger thing was a point of contention with Ty and me. He also probably knew that we needed money to buy that ranch. I never thought that he would trail and spy on everyone else but as it turns out he did."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. RCMP found spyware on everyone's phone. Even Georgie's phone. And our computers and laptops."
"How could he do that?"
"Well apparently it's very easy. If he or anyone really sent me a text with a url that was infected, and I sent that text to everyone else. As long as they click on that link, their electronics will become infected with the spyware. All sorts of apps do that these days."
"Scary."
"Yeah." She groaned.
"So. Continue."
"Charger was a big point of contention for me. Ty bought him with his school money without telling me. Then when they couldn't get him to run the barrels, they wanted me to fix him. And, get a load of this, when I won 100k, they didn't even offer to pay me."
"Are you serious?"
"Ty was treating me the same way my family treated me. I was just an indentured servant. I do the horse work, but they really don't pay me. I get an allowance Soraya. I will never be able to leave Heartland. With Ahmed, he actually paid me. I actually got money for the work I did." A tear rolled down. "It sounds so bad, so mercenary. But. Making money, that I could call my own, became so important to me."
"Amy. You should be paid for your work. That is not a bad thing. Nobody works for free, nor should they." She held her hand. "So. What happened next?"
"When Ahmed invited me to go to Europe, I couldn't say No. Things weren't good with Ty, or my family. And, at that point, he was my only client really." She shrugged. "So I went without hesitation."
"Understandable."
"So. On the very first day, Syed Kalb became my driver. I saw him every day, multiple times a day, sometimes for hours. Everyone else was standoffish, mean really. I didn't even see Ahmed as much as I saw Syed. So he became my friend. He was like a father figure to me. He had 4 daughters so he would give me advice, listen to me, ask me questions."
"It's good that you had someone to talk to."
"But Soraya. Looking back, the car was bugged. No matter what I said, somehow Ahmed used it to his advantage."
"What did you say?
"Here's my mistake. On the very first ride, he asked me about Ty, being engaged, how it must have been so hard to leave him."
"And?"
"I told him about Charger. About being upset. About how I needed a break. How I wasn't sure about whether Ty was the right one for me."
"Oh."
"See I never said those things to Ahmed. I always wore my ring. I always told him how much I missed Ty. Loved him. And I do and did."
"But you revealed your reservations with Syed?"
"Yes. So looking back, I led Ahmed on. He heard my thoughts, my words. He was just waiting for his turn. Our phones were bugged too. So he heard our conversations and the strains, especially as time went on."
"So now you are at home. Reservations still?"
"No. I really do love Ty. I really want to be married to him. He knows me better than anyone."
"But?"
"Too much hurt, distrust, too much water under the bridge. He said I changed. Hell everyone says that. And I have. I like me, at least for the most part. I need to go forward, on my own. I think." She started sobbing.
"Amy. You are one amazing woman. Never forget that. I will always be here for you." She cried harder. "Amy. It's okay." She hugged her, rocked her, let her cry until there were no more tears.
"Hey."
"Hey." She sounded tired.
"You okay?" Ty asked, a bit worried.
"Yeah. Just a very long day."
"A good one? Nice visit with Soraya?"
"Yes good. Very good." She smiled, as best she could. But didn't offer any details.
"I saw your new logo. I really like it."
"Yes. You noticed. Jerry finished it today. I love it. I have new business cards too."
"Can I have one?"
"Sure." She went into the office and grabbed one for him. "You get the first one."
"Thanks.
"How was your day?"
"Okay. Class was good. And I got a job."
"Great. With Scott?"
"No. With Jack. Ranch hand."
"Oh."
"It's temporary. I need some cash for rent and tuition. Bob didn't pay me for the last couple of weeks."
"Did you ask Scott?"
"Not yet."
"Well. One in the hand is worth two in the bush."
"Yeah. I guess." He shrugged. "Tell me about your day."
"My day was good. I had a nice visit with Mrs. Bell. She's teaching me to crochet." She said. "It's kind of fun."
"That's good."
"She gave me a couple of scones for breakfast."
"Our breakfast?"
"Sure. You and me."
"I like the sound of that."
"Me too. It's got to be early though. I have to be in Okotoks at 10. Sally Ride is in a free jump competition."
"Really?" He seemed interested.
"I am hoping that she wins so we can rehome her. I mean, sell her. I'd like to find the right owner." She smiled. "She really is an amazing horse."
"Tell me about her."
"Remember Nick Harwell?"
"Of course."
"She is a Canadian Warmblood, show jumper. He bought her cheap because she was not doing well in show jumping. I worked with her."
"Kind of what Caleb and I do?"
"Yes, I suppose so." Then she asked. "Are you still doing that?"
"For now."
"Good for you."
"You seem tired. Why don't you head upstairs and go to bed. I'll finish up." He offered.
"Nah. I'm almost done. Thanks though." She finished her work silently, mostly. When she was done, she bid him good night, and headed upstairs.
Another chapter. Hope you are still enjoying it. Send a review. Love those things.
SBR