A/N– Ok, I know that Amy was really different in the last chapter. The Amy of the books wouldn't go to a party like that and get drunk. And neither does mine, usually. Amy usually does the 'swapping cups' thing, but in the last chapter Ty really got her...emotional...and so she drank. So my Amy is practically the same as Lauren Brooke's, just a teensy bit more...adventurous. And this chapter is for the annoying Akers2:)
Disclaimer: This story is loosely based on characters, and events made and owned by Lauren Brooke. But I own the characters, and events in which did not appear in the books, so please don't copy:)
Chapter 3
Sunday Morning:
I woke up to my alarm clock blaring in my ear. My hand groped along my side table, and upon finding the clock, my hand slammed down over it, shutting it off.
15 minutes later my alarm clock once again rung annoyingly into my ear. I groaned and sleepily hit snooze once again.
15 minutes later my alarm clock blared, louder than before, making me jump.
"Just let me sleep," I insisted, finally pressing the correct button to turn off the alarm. I groggily wiped my eyes of the blurriness that comes along with a hangover. (No clue if that's true.) I internally cursed myself for drinking the night before. I was about to fall back into my pillows when I heard the screen door bang shut with a resounding crash. I covered my ears as they rung from the impact of the door. It was like hangovers gave you superhuman hearing.
As the ringing faded I gradually took my hands from my ears. I attempted to stand up, and was instantly dizzy. I grabbed my bedpost for support until the world stopped spinning. I put one foot in front of the other, grabbing my thighs to move them. They felt as though they were made of lead. I pulled my way into the bathroom and somehow managed to strip myself of the clothes in which I had worn to the party, and never taken off. As each cloth fell to the floor I felt lighter and lighter, finally I stepped into the bathtub. I ran the water, and before I could chicken out, pulled the shower lever. Freezing cold water burst from the depths of the shower head, and pounded into my sore body. I gasped while trying to hold in a reflexive scream. I stood there for a few minutes, shivering badly, my teeth clanking together as I tried to stay warm. Finally, when I felt some of the haze around my mind clear I turned the water to warm, sighing as my cold skin reveled in the waterfall of warm water.
After many minutes of trying to get the shampoo and conditioner open, and trying to keep the soap from slipping out of my uncoordinated hands, I stepped out of the shower. I shuffled over to the towel rack, not caring that I was trailing water the whole way. I gently, yet quickly, dried myself off. I walked into my room and to my closet. I slipped into a pair of old jeans that felt as though they were a second skin they were so comfortable. And then I pulled over my a head a champagne colored turtleneck that felt as though it were a piece of heaven. I sighed, Thank god for comfortable clothes.
I walked back into the bathroom glancing at my reflection. I idly twirled a piece of hair around my finger while arguing with myself on whether or not I cared how I looked today.
My hangover won. I threw my hair up into a loose ponytail, letting it fall wherever. I then rubbed some moisturizer into my face and then slipped into my sneakers. Working with a hangover. What fun.
After a few minutes standing in front of my bed, deciding on whether or not getting in trouble was worth another hour of sleep, I trudged down the stairs. My slippered feet slid across the kitchen floor. I poured myself a glass of milk and then sank into the hard wooden kitchen chairs. From there I could here Lou in the adjoining office. Listening in, it sounded as though she were making an appointment of some kind. I waited until I heard her say goodbye and then I went over to her office, leaning against the door frame,
"Morning," I said quietly.
Lou jumped, startled by my appearance, "Hey, sleepy head. Finally decided to get up, huh?" she seemed tired for some reason...even more tired than usual, with her being pregnant and all.
"Yeah, well..." I blushed. Lou didn't know that I had drank before, let alone got drunk. That wasn't like me, and it embarrassed me to know I let someone get the best of me.
"Partied hard?" she smiled knowingly, I bit my lip, "Don't worry Amy. I know you don't do it often. Plus its not like I never had fun as a teenager." she smiled brightly and I laughed,
"Lou Fleming, you bad girl!" we both laughed and after a few minutes I calmed down, "So what was that about?" I asked gesturing at the phone.
She looked at me dumbly, like I should know what it was about, then something dawned on her, "Oh, I forgot you don't know yet do you?" I shook my head, confused, "You know how Ben is leaving to work for Nick?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Well we thought we'd be fine with just you and Joni," I nodded, getting frustrated, "Well Joni found out her mom was diagnosed with Leukemia," I gasped.
"Is she ok? Oh my God that's horrible," my hand was resting over my mouth in shock.
Lou nodded, "Joni is holding up the best she can, but she's going home, she called grandpa last night to tell him. She's leaving tonight. You were gone when she called and grandpa called me," I nodded, still in shock, "I immediately made some flyers for a replacement, grandpa came and picked them up on his way to Nancy's and hung them up around town. I did the same this morning when I went shopping, and, well, we've already gotten some calls from interested people."
"Oh, how many?"
"Four so far, two have interviews today, the other two are," she glanced at a paper in front of her, "Monday morning, you'll be at school, and one Monday night."
"Today! When?"
She looked at me, "Well the first is in an hour, around 9:30. The other is at noon." I nodded, dreading the upcoming day...especially with a hangover.
"Well if you talk to Joni tell her I'm really sorry about her mom, and that I'll miss her...ok?" Lou nodded, "Alright well I'm going out, see you later."
I walked out the front door and shuffled my way half way across the yard before I realized I was still in slippers, "What a great impression that would make Amy," I muttered to myself as I slipped back in the door and switched my slippers for my yard boots. I then walked back outside and to the feed room, work here I come!
An hour later I wiped my hand across my jeans as I finished grooming the last horse in the front barn. I glanced at my watch and groaned. I had about 5 minutes to tack up Sundance and dirty up Calico and Apollo. (Yes im using Sundance like Lauren Brooke did in the books when they hired Joni)
I ran to the tack room and went straight to Sunny's hook. I piled everything into my arms and walked as fast as I could to Sunny's stall. I tacked him up as fast as I could without messing up. When I was done I was relieved to find the interviewee hadn't showed up yet. I ran to the adjoining stall, Calico's, and took dirt from off the ground and hay and threw it over her, making sure not to get it in her ears or eyes. I then ran to the back barn and did the sam to Apollo. There.
"Im so stupid!" I groaned as I realized I shouldn't have tacked Sunny up, that I should have left it for the person. I ran back, seeing a truck entering the drive, and I un-tacked Sunny faster than ever before.
I was finally done, and leaned down and rested my hands on my thighs, trying to catch a breath. When I looked up I was face to face with a twenty something woman. She had long blonde hair that frizzed unnaturally, but wasn't so much that it shadowed her pretty face. She had dark brown eyes and radiant skin. I sighed, "Hello, I'm Amy Fleming, this is my farm. Nice to meet you, you must be..." I waited,
"Kiley," she smiled.
I smiled back, "Well, nice to meet you Kiley," she nodded.
"Ok, well straight to it I guess. This is Sunny, my pony." she walked up to Sunny with an almost arrogant air, she patted him right on the face, making Sunny back away, "I want you to tack him up, he's already groomed, and then lead him to the working ring, and ride him over a few jumps. And then evaluate his problem and what I should do for him." Kiley nodded, apparently ready for everything that was flung at her.
She unbolted Sunny's door and slipped in. Sunny shied away from her, but that didn't faze her. She walked right up to him with the his bridle and lead rope. She went to slip it over his head when Sunny lashed out, teeth gleaming. She swerved out of his way and then brought her hand down on his neck, hard.
"Hey!" I yelled, at both of them, "Sunny you stop that, and Kiley we don't hit horses here, please don't do that again," I gritted my teeth in anger. To me she was already off the list of employee possibilities, but Lou would want me to finish the interview.
For the next 20 minutes I had her ride Sunny. When done she told me that the reason he had been tough about going over the jumps was because she needed a crop, and that she wasn't good without one. Also that he was just a mean horse, and possibly even rogue. I didn't even bother with the second part of the interview, grooming Calico, and seeing if she knew anything about remedies. I thanked her and told her we'd call her when we had made a decision.
"Lou, how was she even a possible candidate!" I screeched as I sat down in the kitchen. Lou glanced up from the stove where she was cooking lunch,
"Why? What happened?" I explained over lunch how the interview went and Lou frowned at all the right parts, even gasping when she heard about the slap and about the rogue horse.
"I'm sorry Amy, her resume looked good. I guess credentials aren't what its really about. The next one looked pretty good, he should be here in about," she looked at the wall clock, "30 minutes."
I nodded, "I better go get ready. See you later," I sighed as I slipped my work boots back on, my head pounding.
I walked to the barn and went to Calico's stall. I glanced at her, "Time to get clean, baby," I groomed Calico and then went into the house and into the bathroom, washing my face off from where Calico had rubbed against it as she'd groomed her legs. When done I walked back out to the yard and across to the barn. I un-tacked Sunny quickly and then went to groom some of the back barn horses. After about 10 minutes I head Lou call me,
"Amy!" I sighed, another interview. I walked out to the front yard, looking down as I brushed my hands across my jeans, trying to clean them off a little. I got to about 10 feet away when I glanced up and stopped in shock, there, talking with my sister, stood Ty.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I gasped. Ty finally looked up at me, his eyes showing instant surprise and confusion.
"I could ask you the same thing," he scowled.
"I live here. This is my farm," I snapped. He looked at Lou for confirmation, and she nodded. He then looked back at me,
"I'm here for an interview," he stated, his voice hard as usual.
"A...an...interview!" I sputtered out, and then burst out laughing, "What...do...you...need...a...job...for?" I spoke between gasps. I happened to know his family was quite well off. His father a big time lawyer, his mother a psychiatrist.
His eyes narrowed, "I you must know, I need the money. I wouldn't have come if I knew you worked here," my laughing fit finally halted,
"Money for what?"
"Well at the party two guys got into a fight on their way out, one threw the other and the guy landed on my windshield and it broke," he paused, "He also puked while in there, ruining my seats." my lips perked on either side and I tried to hold in a mean laugh.
"Oh, well, you can leave now." my lips finally broke out in a smile, but not a nice one. I waved my hand, gesturing he should leave.
"No." he answered, I choked.
"No?"
"No. Im not leaving. I need a job. My parents refused to pay for the damage. Something about me not respecting them lately. So I need a job, and this is the best one around."
"Oh come one. Like you even know what a horse looks like, let alone how to work with one." I sputtered.
"I thought I told you not to judge me," his eyes searched mine. Yes, he had told me that.
Lou, who had been watching us converse, finally stepped in, "Amy, apparently, you don't like him for some reason, and he seems to feel the same, but he should have a fair chance. Just like everyone else," I sighed, seeing her point
"Fine," I gave in, "Come with me." He smirked in victory and followed me as I walked towards the barn, I pointed at Sunny, "That's Sunny. I want you to tack him up, lead him out, ride him, evaluate his problem, and tell me how I should try and fix it." I explained quickly, wanting him to fail and just leave.
He didn't look back at me as he nodded. He took Sunny's bridle and lead rope and slipped into his stall. He slowly, holding his hand out, walked towards Sunny. Sunny stretched his neck out and nudged at Ty's hand, Ty smiled and slipped the bridle over his head, clipping the lead rope on.
I stood gaping, totally stunned he was able to do it. I closed my open mouth and looked at him. Lucky.
Ty then led Sunny out of the stall and down the long aisle towards the door. He turned him towards the paddock I numbly pointed at. I smirked as Sunny pulled away from him, being difficult. But Ty talked to him softly and finally got Sunny to walk without complaint. I closed the gate behind them as Ty led Sunny to the middle of the paddock. I saw him muttering to Sunny as he rubbed down his neck.
I gasped. Ty was massaging Sunny. His fingers moved in little circles, moving to where Sunny shifted his weight. Ty knew T-touch. I couldn't pry my eyes away as Sunny finally sighed, and Ty patted him one last time before mounting. He sat there for a second, letting Sunny be ok with him there, then started to walk, then trot, then canter around the ring.
"Jump him," I shouted. Ty nodded. He leaned low on Sunny's neck, slowing their pace, and pointing him towards a jump. I saw Sunny not complying with what Ty wanted and smiled again. Maybe Ty didn't know what he was doing.
But Ty leaned down lower and whispered into Sunny's ears. I watched in shock as Sunny calmed down enough to sail over the jump, and the ones after it. When done Ty pulled up alongside the gate where I sat and jumped down from Sunny.
"Sunny doesn't have anything wrong with him," I shook my head, "I mean physically or mentally. He's just...difficult. He has an attitude, like he wants to be in charge. All you have to do is show him that your there with him and that your not taking total control, but that you do have the overall power." he paused, "I know you guys use herbal remedies, so I googled some. The Bach Flower remedies seem like a good idea for him."
"How did you do that," I blurted out.
He smiled, overjoyed at my surprise, "Well tacking up and riding was easy. I rode for 2 years when I was younger."
I shook my head, "You can't learn that at lessons," he looked confused, "You knew how to do T-touch, and soothe him, and make him feel..good."
"T-touch?"
"Yeah. That massage you were using on him before you mounted,"
He shook his head, "I didn't know it had a name, I've just always done it. I had a pony at my stable when I was younger and he always got jumpy before I rode him, and that was the only thing that seemed to soothe him," he suddenly stopped, I think realizing he was actually having a conversation with me, "Whatever, anyways, is that all?" he seemed bored now.
"No, two more things." I led him towards the back barn and into Apollo's stall, Ty raised his eyebrows at the sight of the filthy horse, "He's this dirty on purpose," he nodded, "I want you to groom him, and then from these remedies," I held out a pail containing 10 remedies, "I want you to choose the one you think will work best," he frowned but once again nodded.
He walked into Apollo's stall and held out his palm like he had with Sunny. Apollo, quicker than Sunny had, walked up to Ty's outstretched hand. Ty started to do T-touch on Apollo, but only for a moment, and then he opened the groom box on the ground. He then preceded to groom Apollo..
After awhile Ty stood back and admired his work. Apollo stood, almost dozing on his feet, shining magnificently. Ty had actually taken less time than I usually take, and yet his result was almost as good as mine, but not quite. Ty then picked up the pail full of remedies and lines then on the wall of the stall. He took one and smelled it, he sniffed it a few times and then stood pensively with the bottle still in front of his nose. Right when I was about to say something he moved. He unscrewed all the caps on the bottles and then took one by one and let Apollo sniff them. Apollo didn't react to any until the 5th bottle, I shook my head in disbelief. I had found out which one Apollo liked best earlier, and at this point I wasn't even surprised Ty had gotten it correct. I was wrong about Ty twice now.
1- Thinking he might have been a good guy at the gas station.
And,
2- Thinking Ty had absolutely no clue what he was doing with horses...he was a natural.
Ty went through the rest of the remedies, and when Apollo only reacted to the 5th bottle Ty handed it to me.
"Thanks," I muttered, totally astonished by how well he'd done. Dammit, he was good, and I couldn't deny that. But I didn't want him working with me. He was an asshole who had an effect on me that noone had ever had before. I barely knew him and he made my knees go weak that day at the gas station, and today he made my heart melt as I saw him working T-touch with Sunny. I'd never seen him so sentimental. But through all that he was a cruel asshole. There was no denying that either.
"Is that all?" he asked, a mocking expression on his face.
"Why?"
"Why what?" he frowned.
"Why did you come here? Why did you apply for this job? Was it to torture me, to make me hate you?"
He laughed, "Look Amy I told you why I came here and applied for the job. I want my car back I had no clue you worked here...or lived here, whatever. I didn't do this to torture you, or make you hate me," he smiled cruelly, "That's just an added bonus."
"Fuck you,"
"I'd rather not,"
I rolled my eyes at him, "Look, we'll call you when we make our decision. You can leave now."
He winced, but regained his composure, "Fine, bye."
He walked towards the SUV in the driveway, apparently one of his parents or a rental, and climbed in, driving quickly down the driveway.
A week later: Sunday
I cringed as I picked up the phone. I couldn't be doing this, no, no, no.
"Call Amy," Lou prodded.
"Fine!" I moaned. I dialed in the number from the sheet of paper in front of me. I sat idly twirling the phone cord between my fingers as the phone rang.
Finally a familiar voice answered, "Ty speaking,"
"Ty? Its Amy."
"Oh, Hi."
"Hi, um..." I clenched my eyes tightly shut, "I'm calling because we've interviewed everyone interested, and we've decided you're the best for the job," I sighed, releasing the breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Really? When do I start?"
"Tomorrow after school, if that ok with you."
"Perfect." I hung up the phone and opened my eyes. I cant believe I just did that.
Lou smiled at me smugly and left the room.
A/N– There yah go everyone. So?