Chapter 6 – A New Reality

Monday morning dawned and as usual Amy and Georgie were up really early doing chores. Ty came down when he heard the girls. Once all the horses had been fed and those needed turned out. They trio when to the house for breakfast. As she walked into the house, Georgie, caught sight of Peter and ran to give him a huge hug. After breakfast, Georgie went to her room to work on schoolwork, Lou got Katie ready for school and took her in herself. Amy decided to go for a trail ride and Ty went back to sleep for a few hours before having to be at the clinic. Peter and Lisa both decided to set up shop at the dinning room table, while Jack tended to things in the shop.

Georgie was having a hard time staying focused on schoolwork, there was a constant stream of messages from schoolmates wondering where she was or commenting about the video. Finally after about two hours, she wondered downstairs to find Peter and Lisa working at the table.

"Lou's out in the barn office," Peter said when he heard Georgie.

"Okay," Georgie signed.

"What is wrong," Peter asked turning to his daughter.

"Everything and everyone is weird. I can't focus," Georgie finally offered after sitting down and picking at the papers spread out.

"I have an idea," Peter suggested, turning his full attention to Georgie. "How about you go say hi to Lou, then see if Amy needs help, she said something about working with a couple client horses."

"I really, shouldn't I being doing schoolwork." Georgie questioned.

"I think a break would do you some good," Lisa agreed.

After sitting with Lisa and Peter for a bit, Georgie when back up her room. She grabbed her cell phone, which she had switched off and flannel before coming back down and pulling her boots on to head outside. Her first stop was the barn office to say hi to Lou.

"Hey sweetie, I thought you were doing schoolwork," Lou said looking up when she heard Georgie come in.

"Can't focus, Dad suggested a break," Georgie said.

"Sounds good, I think Amy is upstairs," Lou said, seemingly lost in what she was doing.

Lou barely noticed when Georgie finally got up and left the office to head up to the loft. Part way up the stairs, Georgie called out Amy's name. She knew that Ty and Amy were up there together and didn't want to walk in on anything.

"It's okay," Ty answered.

"What's up," Amy asked as Georgie finished up the stairs.

"Dad said I could use a break, maybe help you with a client horse," Georgie said slightly distracted.

"Well, if you are going to help me, you need a clear head," Amy replied.

Sitting on the ledge of the loft's open doors, Georgie let out a huge sigh and then turned as tears started to roll down her cheek. Amy figured she knew what was happening, having been through similar events.

"How about you come over here and talk first," Amy said sensing what Georgie really needed was comfort.

"What is there to talk about," Georgie sighed.

"Yeah, you forget I sort of know what it is like to be where you are," Amy reminded her.

"Amy can help, and maybe so can I," Ty offered.

Georgie sat staring out into the distance for a little longer, before going over to Ty and Amy. The trio sat and talk until Ty's phone beeped reminding him her needed to leave for work. He quietly excused himself and left the girls to finish talking. About an hour later, Georgie and Amy emerged from the loft, Georgie feeling better and both ready to work with some horses. It was felt different working with Amy on what should have been a school day for Georgie.

The next few days continued much the same, Lou taking Katie to school, Georgie doing a couple hours of school in the morning and then helping Amy. Depending on what Georgie and Katie had going on in the afternoon, either Peter or Lou would take them. Jack continued to work around the ranch, checking on the cattle and fixing things around the shop. Lisa would be back and forth between Heartland and Fairfield.

Everything changed again on Thursday afternoon. Lisa was in the kitchen getting some snacks ready for Georgie and Katie as well as a head start on supper. The phone rang and Lisa picked it up instead of letting it go to message as they had most of the last few day.

"Hello, Heartland. How can I help you," Lisa politely greeted other party.

"I am looking for Lisa Stillman." the voice quickly replied.

"Speaking," was all Lisa could manage.

"Hello, this is John Russell," he offered. "I was wondering if there would be a chance to meet with you and your amazing grand and great granddaughters."

"That can be arranged, Georgie and Amy have been pretty much staying on the ranch here to avoid the craziness of the press," Lisa explained.

"Is there a place to land a chopper there?" John questioned.

"Yes, there is a spot just past the jumping ring in the front yard," Lisa replied.

"Good, I will be there about 11am tomorrow," John stated flatly. "Don't worry, I will have the RCMP push any press back at least a mile from the ranch. If you could also possible arrange for the two vets that helped to be there, that would be great."

"Okay, we will see you tomorrow," Lisa replied slightly stunned.

After hanging up the phone, she walked outside to see Jack near Amy and Georgie over in the paddock. Not sure where anyone else was, she walked over there to join Jack. Upon reaching Jack's side, she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"You will never believe what just happened," Lisa managed still stunned.

"Everything okay," Jack asked starting to worry.

"Everything is more then okay," Lisa started as regained her normal calm. "I just got off the phone with John Russell and he will arriving here tomorrow by 11am by chopper."

"We need to tell the girls," was all Jack could manage.

Jack and Lisa quickly agreed that it would be better to tell everyone together. With that Lisa went back to the house to finish preparing food, as well as make something for the next day. About that time, Peter pulled into the yard, he had been in Calgary for most of the day. Jack turned and saw that Lou and Katie were with him decided maybe this was a good time.

"Amy, do you know where Ty is?" Jack questioned.

"In the loft," Amy replied without losing focus on with the horse she was working with.

"Will you get him and then will you three join us all in the house," Jack stated pointedly.

Neither Georgie or Amy use to the tone that Jack had taken, quickly turned out the horse that they had been working with and grabbed Ty before heading to the house. Once everyone was inside and Katie had been excused to play in her room, one could almost feel the tension in the room. Not sure what was happening, Georgie was the first to find her voice.

"What is going on, what happened, everyone okay," Georgie questioned in rapid fire.

"Slow down and take a breath, Georgie," Lisa said, placing her hand on Georgie's shoulder.

"Let's all sit down," Jack suggested.

Once everyone was seated around the table with something to drink and snacks in the middle of the table, all eyes were on Jack. Not knowing where to start, he looked at Lisa. Realizing that Ty, Amy and Georgie were completely out of the loop, they would have to back track.