Chapter 5: Thinking of Lyndy

Mitch was organizing in his workshop one day soon after his and Amy's Pho date when he came across the saddle he had when he was about Lyndy's age. 'This would be perfect for Lyndy,' he thought. He decided to clean it up and polish it. As the day was a fairly free day for him, he worked on it all afternoon, and then texted Amy that he had something he'd like to show her and asked if she would be able to come by his ranch the next day. She replied yes, so he sent her directions.

The next morning after getting Lyndy to school, Amy headed to Saddle Road Ranch. As she turned into Mitch's driveway, her eyes took in a beautiful ranch house, somewhat similar to Heartland's, with an open porch on the front, screened-in side porches, a stone chimney and some obvious 2nd story rooms. It was easy to imagine Mitch growing up there with lots of room to roam.

Mitch was watching for her and met her when she parked. They shared a quick hug, and he said, "Would you like a tour?"

"Of course, I would!"

He opened the door for Amy and led her in. She was impressed. It was a very comfortable home that his parents had obviously filled with a lot of warmth. There was a mudroom leading into a kitchen about the same size as Heartland's, a master bedroom and guest room downstairs, and three bedrooms upstairs, both a downstairs and upstairs bathroom, and a large living area that had a picture window on one side that took up almost the entire wall and looked out onto a gorgeous mountain scene. On the outside wall was a fireplace. To the side of the fireplace was a sliding glass door leading to a stone patio with a fireplace that backed up to the one in the living room, and it also had a built-in serving area for entertaining. Amy loved the home. She noticed that it was very neat, everything in its place which she surmised was a result of Mitch's military training. She also found herself imagining, 'And it has a lot of growing room! Hmmm, where did that thought come from?!' Her cheeks grew a little warm at her thought, and she quickly refocused, "Mitch, it's a wonderful, cozy home. I love it! And I love that it's so open!"

Mitch smiled, "I'm so glad you do! Mom and Dad put a lot of work into it, and I've had to do some repairs since moving back in, but I've loved doing them. The couple that bought it from them ended up barely being here, as they bought it more as a vacation property but decided the upkeep was more than they bargained for. As a result, since they didn't change much, there's still a lot of the original furnishings other than the few things that Mom and Dad took to their condo with them. Come this way with me." And with his hand at the small of her back, he led her out through the backyard to his workshop that was several yards from the main house. Amy also noticed a bunkhouse about 50 feet from the workshop, and on the way, she made note of a large tree with a swing. She could imagine seeing Mitch as a young boy swinging on it. 'And if…Lyndy would love it, too! Amy, where is your mind going?!'

As they walked into the workshop, Amy saw all kinds of woodworking projects. "Mitch, are these things that you are making?" Mitch modestly ducked his head and nodded yes. "Mitch, you are really good! Is there anything you can't do?"

Mitch was really pleased at Amy's compliment, and said, "Oh, I'm sure you'll learn there's plenty if you stick around me long enough. But come see what I want to show you." Mitch took Amy's hand and led her over to the saddle. Though they both felt a tingle, both tried to ignore it, and Amy asked, "What's this, Mitch?"

"Well, I was cleaning up in here and came across this old saddle. It is one I had when I was about Lyndy's age, and if you think she'd like it, I'd love for her to have it. If that would be ok with you? You could decide when would be best to give it to her."

"Mitch, it's beautiful! It looks almost new!"

"I just cleaned it up and polished it yesterday."

"You did a great job! I think Lyndy would love this! But are you sure you want to give it up?"

"I really don't have any use for it as I don't have any nieces or nephews, and it's just going to waste sitting here. And, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have use it!"

"Thanks so much, Mitch. Maybe we wait a while and see how things progress, and perhaps at a future time when you two can get reacquainted, we could decide on an appropriate time. But I so appreciate your thoughtfulness in thinking of Lyndy."

"Well, it was pretty easy to do." His eyes raised to meet Amy's, and Mitch held her gaze long enough that she saw something escaping from deep within that conveyed hurt, longing and perhaps hope from those ocean-blues. Amy knew there was something that Mitch was holding back unsaid, but she didn't want to press him. She figured he would tell her when he was ready. She recalled something he said when they first ran into each other those weeks ago and wondered… 'Might it have to do with what he mentioned about wanting children?'

They came back out of the workshop, and Amy took off running for the swing she saw on the way in. Mitch chased after her. She sat in the swing as he caught it and pulled her back to push her. "Higher, higher!" she laughed. He was so attracted to her joyful abandon. It was so good to see her happy! Each time she swung back, Mitch got a whiff of the woodsy herbal scent of her flowing blonde hair wafting to him on the breeze. His breath caught, and he knew he was falling hard. 'Mitch, be patient. Don't move too fast. Give her time. She's been through so much!'

After a while, Amy realized she needed to get back. Mitch thanked her for coming and walked her back out front. He reached up to brush a whisp of hair off her face and with a hint of rasp in his voice said, "Until next time?"

Amy repeated, "Until next time" as she reached up to touch his cheek for one brief moment, turned to get in her truck and drove away with Mitch watching til she was out of sight.