Chapter 8 – The Meeting
Because she couldn't sleep, because she was excited, Georgie was up extra early. She headed to the barn to get a jump on chores and then maybe a quick ride before she had to back in the house. Amy must have been thinking the same thing. It wasn't too long and Amy joined Georgie in the barn. They morning chores done in record time. Before heading back to the house for breakfast, they took Spartan and Phoenix out for a quick ride.
When they got back to the barn, they brushed and turned out the two horses before heading in. They grabbed a bite to eat and then Georgie went to clean up and try to get some schoolwork done before the meeting. Amy headed back out to the barn office. She had wanted to look for something in one of her mom's journals.
Peter and Lou took Katie to school and then stopped at pick up groceries and a couple of other things Peter needed in town. Because of the tension, Lisa had stayed at Fairfield and arrived at Heartland about 9:30. She wanted to have fresh muffins made before John got there. It was quarter to eleven when everyone heard the distinctive sound of a chopper getting close. Everyone made there way to the front of the house and watched the chopper land right in the middle of the yard. As soon as the rotors stopped, the door slide open and out stepped a man just a bit older then Jack. Followed by two gentlemen about Peter's age and a young girl, about Georgie's age.
Lisa stepped forward to greet John and make introductions. Just about that time, Scott pulled up into the yard. He immediately made his way over to the group gathered in front of the house. After greeting John, Lisa walked him over to make introductions and invite everyone in for coffee. Before entering the house, John turned.
"Sorry where are my manners," he apologized. "I would like you guys to meet Nathaniel, my son. Meredith, my granddaughter and Gregory Addison, my lawyer."
After everyone had been properly introduced, they made their way into the house and were seated around the dinning room table. Lou and Lisa got coffee and goodies on the table. It was time to get down to business.
"I hope this hasn't been to intrusive on your lives,"John started. "I truly do want to express my gratitude for all that you have done to help my horse. I can't even begin to think how hard this has been being thrust into the spotlight."
"Not the first time this group has had to adjust," Jack offered.
"Still it must not be easy," John continued. "From what I understand, Georgie you haven't been able to really leave the ranch here much since this happened. I hope that you are doing okay."
"I am starting to get use to it, although, I do want to go back to school and be with my friends," Georgie said tentatively.
"Well part of the reason I want to meet with you was to express my thanks, but the other part was to see how you were all doing," John continued. "I wasn't happy Meredith for posting the video in the first place, but I had no idea how much it would disrupt your lives."
"I'm sorry," Meredith offered.
"Don't worry about it," again Jack offered. "She didn't know all this would happen."
The group continued to talk for the next hour. John wanted to know about Heartland and Amy's business. He also asked more about Scott and Ty and how they liked their work. Finally as John was wrapping up the meeting, he nodded to Gregory, with that Gregory reached down to his bag he had brought.
"I want to start by also expressing my thanks," Gregory started. "John and I have talked and we both felt that you all needed to be compensated for all that you have done."
With that he slide envelopes toward Georgie, Amy, Ty and Scott. He also slide an additional envelope toward Jack. No quite sure what was happening, no one moved. After being encouraged to open the envelopes, Jack started to protest that it was way to much money.
"Please take them, it is nothing compared to disruption you have had to deal with," John encouraged. "I also wanted to ask how you would all feel, if I were to make a statement to the media, about how they need to back off and let you guy get on with your business and lives. I think that it is unfair that you are hounded by the media when you are try to just go about your daily lives."
"Do you think that they will listen," Lisa asked.
"Well, usually the media and I have an understanding, but I have another card that I can play, if they don't want to back off," John answered. "Gregory and I have decided to cut off any access to me, my trainers or my jockeys if they fail to back off."
"Won't that hurt your business," Amy asked.
"Nope, the media needs me more then I need them," John stated plainly. "Losing access to the largest horse breeder in North America and all the money that I provide, will hurt them more then me. Cutting off access, also means pulling my ads from their station or publication."
"Now as for the checks, that you have been given," Gregory started. "I can't tell you how to spend the money given to you, but John's family and I would like to some or all of Georgie's set aside for any future educational needs. We understand, that it is your choice, but please think about it."
"If media don't leave you alone, or if there is anything else that you need, Lisa knows how to get in touch with," John said standing up from the table. "We have taken up enough of your time, I know that you are all busy."
"The RCMP will stay as long as you feel they are needed, and don't worry we have that covered," Gregory added.
"Lastly, Scott do you think that you would be able to bring Treasure here, once you think that he is safe to start rehab," John added. "I would like Amy and Georgie to work with him, until he is ready to be turned out to the stud farm. Please send us a bill for your time, and the cost of boarding him here."
"Absolutely," Amy said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
The group made their way outside and said goodbye to each other. John, Nathaniel and Gregory climbed back in to the chopper and within minutes, the rotors roared to life and was lifting off. The group on the ground covered their eyes for a few seconds and then turned to wave.
"I am sorry, I have to be getting back to the clinic," Scott said. "Ty, I could use you this afternoon, if you are up to coming in."
"I will be there shortly, need to change and I want to say goodbye to Amy," Ty told Scott.
"Don't be long, there are a number of field calls that need to be tended to," Scott replied.
As Scott left, the group minus, Ty and Amy returned to the house. Ty and Amy walked back to the barn, where she gave him quick kiss before reminding him that Scott would be waiting. She then turned and headed to the house herself.
Later that afternoon, the family had been informed that in no uncertain terms, the media was to leave the people of Heartland alone. If someone had legitimate business with the family, outside about talking about him and his horse then it would be up to the family to decide whether they wanted to engage. John also add that he would know if the media didn't back off and included his threat about cutting any station/publication off that crossed him. Additional, he encouraged those who really needed help with a troubled horse to check out Heartland and see if they were able to work with them.
The family was grateful, the John had asked the media to back off and were going to wait a few more days before seeing if the RCMP could leave. After the media announcement, Tim came over and was angry, that he had been shut out of the meeting. Lisa and Jack defended their position that it was not his place to be there, nor to demand to be included or anything else. Despite the tension, Tim and Shane stayed for a nice family supper, since Shane would be returning to Winnipeg in next day. Tim and Miranda had decided that he would return to finish the last couple weeks of school and then he could return to Hudson for the summer and maybe longer.
The week after John's visit, things slowly started to find a new normal. Georgie and Katie went back to riding the bus to school, the RCMP no longer guarded the gates, Peter returned to Vancouver and Amy had started to determine what horses that her and Georgie would work with. It had also been decided that a new account would be set up for business. When Georgie directly helped with a horses rehab at least fifty percent of the time it was at Heartland, that money would be put into the new account. That account would be split equally between Georgie and Amy.
The client list picked up and Amy had to approve each horse as it came, taking into time and space. She also had to factor in how much time both her and Georgie had. It was a little crazy for a bit, but they fell into a nice routine between client horses, show jumping and trick riding, since Amy coached or helped with both activities.
Scott and Ty also fell back into a nice routine with clinic. Ty was made a partner right after graduation. He was grateful for all the opportunities Scott had given him. Also, since Ty had graduated and the craziness had died down, Ty and Amy turned to planning a wedding and their future together.
Once school finished, as promised, Shane returned for the summer. He stayed at Big River, but spent most of his days between helping at Heartland and at the rodeo school. When he was at Heartland, he helped exercise the horses as well as mucking out. At the rodeo school, he helped Tim as needed and was able to practice his own roping and riding.
It turned into a busy summer with jumping events, rodeos and client horses, as well as the normal ranch work. Everyone seemed to enjoy the business. Tim was even able to convince both Georgie and Shane to enter the youth division of the local team roping jackpot. Amy even teamed up with former ranch hand Caleb once again for the team roping jackpot. Georgie and Shane finished in the top five for youth, while Caleb and Amy were able win the event.
Since Shane was fifteen almost sixteen, he could chose where he wanted to live. He chose to stay in Hudson and at Big River. Since he had gone to an advanced private school while he had been in Moosejaw, he entered his senior year at Hudson. He had never really given much thought about what he wanted to do after he finished high school. Peter and Ty were able to convince him to apply to the University of Calgary and at least get some generals done before he had to pick a major. He was looking into English, business and equine science.