Saturday
In the wee hours of the morning, Amy woke as she fell asleep, laying on her right side, her babies curled up next to her. But, now his body was wrapped around hers, locked together, his arm flung over her side, his hand resting upon her stomach, both heavy with sleep. His legs outlined hers, his knees bent touching the backs of hers. One foot nestled between hers. His breath warmed her neck, the rise and fall of his chest caressing her back, his earthy, clean scent enveloping her.
She couldn't move, nor did she want to. Snuggling closer, he sighed in his sleep.
Then Ruth whimpered with hunger. Though Amy wanted desperately to stay in his embrace, she carefully moved his arm as to not wake him. He spoke in his sleep.
"We lost it."
His words were clear, imparted finality. He turn over onto his back, then fell back into a deep sleep, his breath regular again.
She smiled, sat up, gathered the hungry setter pup to her chest, quieting her cries, and gazed upon him in his slumber. Her eyes caressed every inch of his handsome face, his soft kissable lips, his stubbled chin, his tanned cheeks, perfect nose, his thick eyelashes, smooth forehead, his dark hair. She could feel her heart beat first skipping, then racing in her chest. Her breath quicken too, shallow, urgent. His magnetic pull was on her, as always, too hard to resist. She bent to touch his lips with hers, to inhale him, to taste him, to steal a kiss.
A hunger pang growled from Ruth's stomach, followed by a sharp cry. Kiss interrupted, disappointed she sighed, telling herself that Ty needed his sleep as much as Ruthie needed sustenance. She rose from their warm bed, then tiptoed out of the room, Mouse trailing behind them, chasing every shadow and dustball along the way.
In Mrs. Bell's kitchen Amy opened the white and bright green can of puppy milk replacement, labeled organic goat milk, that she brought. Pouring the milk into the bottle, she juggled the squirming pup, trying her best to keep Ruth's yelps to a minimum. The black and white puppy readily took the nipple in her tiny mouth, grunting happily, sucking and murmuring, settling into contentment while she nursed.
"You are sweet, Little Ruthie. But, I can't wait til you can eat out of a bowl." She told her. "Come on, let's rock."
At the front door, she snatched Mrs. Bell's long woolen coat and headlamp off the hook, putting them on, one at a time, balancing the nursing pup in one arm, then the other. She stepped into her boots, then crept outside shutting the door behind her.
"Geez, it's cold out here." The cold air jolting any remaining sleep from her body.
She pulled the coat tightly around her body, tucking Ruth within its warmth. She sat down in the chair, rocking slowly, as the light scent of rosemary waffled through the air, tickled her nose. She smiled as Mouse chased moths, other flying things that danced in the beam of her headlamp. Once Ruth was finished nursing, the three ventured out into the yard, down the path, through Mrs. Bell's garden.
She remembered walking with Ty, side by side, that magical night, talking, holding hands, swinging on the old wooden swing. Then her mind jumped back to another walk, the day when she told him about her journal.
The wind picked up slightly, ruffling her hair, strands of gold blew across her face, shifting through her headlight beam, into the darkness. A barred owl perched nearby called desperately to its mate. It's sound lonely, haunting, split the night air, again and again. Without any response, the owl gave up, reverted into silence.
"We lost it." Rang in her ears, settled in the forefront of her brain. She could taste sadness.
A biting chill, lonely and cruel, ricocheted through her body. Suddenly, words etched in the recesses of her brain, awoke, spoke, transported her back to the barn that awful morning.
"But sometimes we lose things, and no matter how hard we try to hold on, without even knowing it. We lost it.."
His words, clear as day, stabbed her heart, piercing through its scarred outer layer, haunting her as she stood there, frozen on the path, unable to move forward as her heart fell apart all over again.
"We lost it."
Her heart rose into her throat, a single sob erupted, she squeezed her eyes shut to hold back threatening tears.
"You're gonna catch your death out here." The white haired woman appeared, bent down, scooped up Mouse as the miniature Appaloosa trotted past her.
"Mrs. Bell." Amy shuttered.
"What in the world are you doing out here? Just standing in the middle of my garden. Come in the house." She hooked Amy's arm in hers and guided her back into the warmth.
Inside, the wood burning stove cast heat as the orange flames rolled, licked the sooted window. Mrs. Bell settled her onto the couch with Mouse and Ruth, wrapping them in an old quilt to warm her. She busied herself in the kitchen, then returned handing her a cup of camomile tea.
"Drink this dear. It will warm and calm your insides."
Amy did as she was told, then muttered. "Thank you."
"You are welcome." The two of them sipped from old faded china cups.
"Ty's here." Amy confessed.
"Yes, he came in late after his shift." She said without surprise. "He's been staying here since my supposed spell. He thinks I'm old or something." She chuckled.
"He loves you."
"And I him." She patted her knee. "He is my adopted grandson after all." She squeezed her knee. "Just as I love you."
"I love you too Mrs. Bell."
They sat in silence, tending to their own thoughts, mesmerized by the curling flames breathing in and out streaming ribbons of glowing color.
Mrs. Bell spoke after a time. "Something on your mind, dear? You look like you're fretting."
She pursed her lips. "It's probably stupid."
"Not stupid if it's upsetting you, dear."
"He said...We lost it...in his sleep. That's what he said to me when he broke off our engagement."
"I see." She pressed her lips, contemplating before she spoke again. "Sleep is a wondrous thing. It helps our brains rest and make sense of events, emotions and problems encountered during our waking hours. You should ask him in the morning. No sense in speculating."
Amy nodded.
"I find my dreams silly." Mrs. Bell went on a tangent. "Like the one with Sugarfoot and me wearing roller skates in the garden. It's all fun and games until we got stuck in the mud." She smiled.
"Hmmmf." Amy imaged the ridiculous sight.
"Then." She paused dramatically, her brows furrowed, seemingly trying to remember its details. "We wanted to take off our muddy skates, but we couldn't find the key. We looked and looked everywhere. We lost it."
Mrs. Bell glanced back at Amy. "Have any idea what my dream means?" She asked not expecting an answer.
"Maybe I am making too much out of it." Amy conceded.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Ask him."
Sugarfoot pushed against Mrs. Bell's leg, nudging her to take notice.
"Well dear, Sugarfoot says it's time to go back to bed."
"Mind if I stay here on the couch. The fire feels nice." She asked.
"Of course, dear." She leaned over, kissed Amy's forehead, then petted both the kitten and setter. "Sleep well." After taking their empty cups to the kitchen, the odd pair, the white haired lady and her pony, headed to bed.
Morning came quickly. She awoke before the others, quickly dressed, wrote a note of thanks, then left quietly closing the door behind her. The 21 minute drive up highway 2-A from Hudson to Okotoks was awash in thoughts and plans for the day, though his words uttered in his sleep still played on her mind.
Without much fanfare, Brian, Ashland and Amy tackled morning chores efficiently, without consternation much to Amy's relief. As she saddled Spartan for his morning ride, she felt him standing behind her.
"Hey." He said quietly.
She turned to face him. "Hey." Pausing, she noticed his serious expression. "Um. What are you doing here? Thought you were moving today."
"You left without saying goodbye." He stated.
"Ty. I didn't want to wake you. You needed your sleep." She explained.
He didn't respond, his eyes were fixed on her.
"Did Mrs. Bell say something?" She asked.
He held up a paper bag. "She only said that I needed to bring you blueberry scones."
"Oh."
She nodded, then looked to Ashland and Brian. "Hey. Ty and I are going upstairs for a bit."
"What am I supposed to do?" Ashland remarked.
"You could exercise your horses." Amy suggested.
"By myself?" She complained.
"I can help." Brian offered.
"No. I don't want your help." Ashland snapped back.
"Ty, I need a minute with Ashland." She led her outside, out of earshot of Brian and Ty.
"Look. I don't know what's going on with you. But, Ashland...Brian offered to help you. And, instead of being thankful, you were just plain rude." Amy was direct, but her tone gentle.
Ashland hung her head. "Sorry." She said almost inaudibly.
"You need to apologize to Brian, not to me. Okay? Make it right with him." She lectured.
Head still lowered, she nodded, shrunk slightly as she dropped her shoulders.
Amy suddenly saw something else. She touched the young girl's hand, hanging by her side.
"Ashland, is everything okay?" Her tone was tender.
She shrugged.
Amy asked. "Want to talk?"
Ashland shook her head, No.
She squeezed her hand. "Look. Ashland. I need to talk to Ty. Then we can ride together. We'll talk. Okay?"
Ashland nodded.
Upstairs in Amy's apartment, he sat at the kitchen counter, watching as she made the coffee, her back to him.
"Amy."
"Hmmm?" She didn't turn around.
"What's bothering you?"
She turned around, looked at him from across the counter. "Nothing."
"Did you have another dream?" He asked.
"No. I didn't." She responded.
He tilted his head, trying to understand. "Amy come on. Talk to me. We promised."
"You did." She finally said.
"I did what?" He voiced his confusion.
"You had a dream. You talked in your sleep. Last night."
"I did? I don't remember. What did I say?"
"We lost it." She said, surveying his face.
"We lost it?" He narrowed his eyes, wrinkled his nose, trying to remember. "I don't remember dreaming about anything. Or saying anything."
"Ty. Don't you remember?"
"No I don't."
"That's what you said when you broke off our engagement. We lost it." She turned her back to him. Busied herself with the coffee marker and getting two cups out of the cabinet.
"Amy. Please don't shut me out." He sighed. "I have no idea why I said that."
She didn't respond.
He came around the counter, stood behind her. "Amy."
"I can't do it again. Ty. I can't." Her voice cracked.
"What? What can't you do?" He asked.
A sniffle escaped. Her eyes filled quickly. She looked up, blinked repeatedly, bit her bottom lip, trying to keep her tears at bay.
"Watch you walk away again."
"Amy." He leaned in as he spoke. "I am not going anywhere."
She swallowed hard, closed her eyes, tried to control her breath.
"Amy. I promise."
Suddenly, she turned to face him, their bodies, just inches apart. He did not move, his eyes caught hers. She gazed into his eyes, searching.
He leaned in, his warm lips touched her trembling lips. He withdrew, just barely. Their eyes met again. She leaned in, hers touched his again. Just once.
As her forehead fell into his chest, his arms encircled her, cradled her, held her. His hand touched her hair, his fingers played with the silky strands.
Her arms slipped around his waist, then she rested her head on his shoulder. They pulled each other closer, clung to the other. Stood in the kitchen, swaying, unable, unwilling to let go.
"Amy." He whispered in her ear. "I love you."
"I love you too." She whispered back. A loud gurgle sounded from her stomach, making them both chuckle.
"Hungry Horsey Girl?" His boyish smile teased her.
"Yes. Didn't you bring scones?" She tilted her head, looked at him from the corner of his eye.
"Have a seat. I'll pour the coffee."
As they sat side by side, sipping on coffee, nibbling on scones, they talked about their yesterday and upcoming day. She showed him the scissors Mrs. Bell gave her and he shared pictures of the clinic. They even confirmed their plans for the evening. But, not once did they mention his words uttered in deep sleep, they were forgotten.
At her open door, Ty kissed her forehead, whispered. "I'll see you tonight."
Then he turned, headed down the stairs, out of sight. She stood there, leaning against the doorframe, smiling.
After a moment she ran down to the barn to find Ashland.
Hello Readers.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Special shout-out to DebMo and to all the English and Language Teachers out there. We wouldn't be reading and writing Fanfiction without them.
SBR