A/N: One of my reviewers and fellow author caught a blooper in my writing of the time for sunset in Alberta in July. So if you've already read the original posting of this chapter, that mistake has now been corrected and slightly re-written.
Chapter 10: A Perfect Day
As they got on the road, Amy started to sing 'You are My Sunshine' with Lyndy. Mitch joined in, and Amy looked over at him with surprise as she picked up that he had a beautiful tenor voice! "Mitch, you worked at Heartland all that time, and I never knew you could sing? You have a beautiful voice! Singing together is going to be fun!" Mitch grinned a little sheepishly but was also very grateful that this was something else they had in common that would be such a shared joy! "Guess there just never was an opportunity for it to be known. I also play a little guitar." Amy loved hearing that!
As they drove, when Amy was sure that Lyndy was distracted playing with a toy she'd brought along, she kept her voice low and said to Mitch, "I believe it's time that I tell Lou about us before she hears it from Lyndy, or we chance anyone else finding out, especially with Lyndy being with us today. Here's what I'm thinking. If Lou is home when I get back, I'll ask Grandpa or Lisa to do something with Lyndy, and I'll ask Lou if we can talk. Or I'll do this the first chance she and I have to be together. And I don't know any other way to do it than to just say it. What do you think, or do you have any other ideas?"
"No, I think you're right. And as much as I want to be there to support you, I'm sure it will be less of a shock to her if it comes from just the two of you talking first before we visually spring 'us' on her. You did say that she and Peter are solid now, so maybe we are concerned for nothing. It may not even phase her. After all, she's the one that broke it off with us, but in hindsight, I'm so glad she did. I had no idea at the time when my heart was crushed that something so much better than I could dream of was around the corner. A long way around the corner, but here we are now!" And Mitch reached over to give Amy's hand a gentle squeeze emphasizing his feelings.
"Amy, since it will take us at least an hour to drive back by the time we get around and out of fair traffic, what time should we plan on leaving to head home today? I want to be sure that you have all the time you need to work out talking with Lou tonight and that you can get Lyndy to bed at a decent hour."
"Well, we've gotten an early start. I'm thinking we get there, have Lyndy pick out about 3 rides for us to go on, take in a few of the activities, have lunch, maybe catch the petting zoo, and then head back around 3pm or so. What do you think?"
"That sounds like a plan."
"And Mitch, thank you for being concerned about our timeline and Lyndy's welfare."
"You're welcome," Mitch said with a smile appreciating her acknowledgement.
Amy turned to Lyndy and said, "Sweetheart, when we get to the fair, you can pick out 3 rides for us to go on. Any idea which ones you'd like them to be? Or what things you might like to do? There will be a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, maybe teacups, or places to win prizes."
"Hmmm…" Lyndy said as she tapped her finger on her chin and thought about it. "I know I want to do the merry-go-round, and I'd like to try the Ferris Wheel, if you go with me, and I'm not sure what other one yet. But I'd like to win something, too! Oh! And can we get cotton candy?"
"I think we can do that…AFTER we have some lunch," Amy smiled. Lyndy clapped her hands together with glee!
As they drove, every so often, Mitch stole a glance at Amy and wanted to pinch himself to be sure he was not dreaming all this was happening. And every so often, Amy stole a glance at Mitch and wondered at the turn of events that had happened in both their lives to bring about this unlikely pairing. Sad and deep hurts in both their lives that neither would have ever wished for the other were now turning a special friendship into much more. 'And how can I have been so blessed to have had two such strong, thoughtful, loving and amazing (not to mention very handsome) men in my life!' She was really looking forward to continuing this day together!
As they arrived and parked, Mitch got out and opened the door for "his" girls, 'Am I already thinking that way?!,' and he grabbed the backpack that Amy had packed their snacks in. Then off they headed to the midway. Lyndy held both their hands and said, "Swing!" So Mitch and Amy said, "1-2-3 Swing" lifting her up and swinging her several times until Lyndy spotted the carousel. "Mama, there's the merry-go-round!"
"Yes, it is! First, we need to buy some tickets." So off Mitch went to purchase tickets for their rides. When he returned, they headed to the carousel, and Lyndy picked out a horse that looked a lot like Harley. Amy took the one beside it, and Mitch stood by Lyndy ready to steady her just in case. Amy loved his protectiveness over her little girl. She'd always thought he'd make a wonderful father! It just seemed so poignantly ironic that it was beginning to feel like it might end up being with her.
After the carousel, they saw a batting cage. Mitch offered to try it to win a stuffed animal for Lyndy. He set his stance and swung. Crack! And three times in a row, he square-on hit the ball. Lyndy was delighted and squealed with joy! They all laughed, and she picked out, of course, a horse.
Next Lyndy saw the bumper cars. They looked a little scary but also looked like a lot of fun. She slipped her little hand in Mitch's, looked up at him and said, "Mitch, would you help me ride a bumper car?"
Mitch looked down at her beaming, "Lyndy, I'd love to ride a bumper car with you!" Amy was more than pleased that she'd chosen Mitch to do this with her. "Here, let me take our things, and I'll watch and cheer you on." So off they went to jump in one of the cars after the ticket man let them in. Amy had not seen Lyndy show so much joy and laughter since playing with Ty. And Mitch was thoroughly enjoying this new experience for him!
As they came off the bumper cars still laughing and holding hands, Lyndy spied the Ferris Wheel. They hurried to get in line. Fortunately, it was not a long line at the time. As they sat on the Ferris Wheel bench with Lyndy between them, Amy held her close with one arm, and when Mitch placed his arm around them, Amy reached up with her other hand only to have it enveloped by Mitch's strong, slightly rough, yet simultaneously soft, warm grasp. It just felt right, and they both smiled at each other getting lost in the other's eyes. Lyndy broke their gaze as she squealed, "Wheeeee! This is fun!" They were all happy that her first time to ride one was with the three of them. Secretly, Amy thought, 'If her first time couldn't be with Ty, I'm really glad it is Mitch who gets to share it.' The wheel circled about five times before the ride stopped, and Mitch and Amy both felt reluctant for it to end.
As they stepped away from the Ferris Wheel and were a bit jostled in the crowd that had begun to grow, they came face-to-face with…Caleb, Cass and Carson! They all looked at each other with absolute surprise on their faces! As Mitch and Amy both thought, 'Oh no!' Caleb and Cass exclaimed, "Mitch? Amy? What are you doing here?" Needless to say, they had to find a place to sit down for a while and explain what was going on while Lyndy entertained Carson. Though quite surprised, Caleb and Cass were both happy for them and agreed to keep quiet until Amy let them know it was ok to talk openly about them now being a couple. They could certainly understand that Mitch and Amy faced a bit of a dilemma. They chatted a little longer and then said their, "See ya laters," and Caleb, Cass and Carson went on their way.
By this time, the potential little family was getting hungry, so they found a vendor with Chili Cheese Fries for Mitch and Amy and Deep-Fried Mac and Cheese for Lyndy; and of course, they also had to have Corn on the Cob drenched in butter! With very full tummies, they decided to find the petting zoo where Lyndy thoroughly enjoyed the precious baby lambs, goats, soft rabbits, Alpacas, and of course, the miniature horses like Monty.
It had been a full day packed into a few hours, and now it was time for the promised cotton candy! This would be their last stop before taking a final restroom break and heading back toward Hudson. They all shared a couple of sticks of the fluffy pink clouds of sugar that melted on their tongues, and then packed their things and themselves back into the truck to make the journey home. They'd not been on the road more than five minutes when an exhausted but very contented little girl was sound asleep. That was Amy's cue to act on an impulse. She unbuckled, slid from the passenger seat to the middle of the truck, buckled in, kissed Mitch on the cheek and snuggled against his side. He looked a little surprised, but extremely pleased as he drew her close. The fit was perfect, and they just enjoyed the first half of the trip relishing in that closeness and the comfortable silence they felt with each other.
After a while, Amy looked up at Mitch and said, "Thank you for a most wonderful day!" Mitch's endearing smile that turned up one corner of his mouth flashed as he said, "You are so welcome!" Then Mitch looked contemplative and asked, "How are you feeling about talking with Lou?"
"I can't lie, I'm nervous, but I know that I need to be really honest with her and can wait no longer to face her, whatever that means. I just hope she and Peter are as solid in their relationship now as I believe they are." They discussed a little more about how Amy might approach the subject with Lou and the time passed quickly.
They arrived back at Saddle Road with Lyndy still sleeping. Mitch turned off the truck, turned toward Amy and took her in his arms. They held each other in a warm embrace, then drew back a little to look in each other's eyes.
"Amy, I have fallen so in love with you! And I'm so in love with that precious little girl in the back seat! I'm constantly feeling like I need to pinch myself to believe this is really happening." Amy reached over to pinch him lightly.* "Ouch!" He looked at her and asked, what was that for?"
"I just wanted you to know it's not a dream," she teased.
"Ha, ha," Mitch replied, but grew serious again and continued, "I was so broken over the last couple of years, and your love is healing me and helping me to trust again. This has been such a perfect day, something I hadn't even realized I was missing but that I've needed for so long. You and Lyndy are filling a hole in my heart that has been there for such a very long time."
"Oh Mitch, I never thought I could ever love anyone the way I loved Ty, or ever find anyone that could love me and Lyndy the way he did, but you have opened my heart again. I love your strength, your thoughtfulness, your tenderness, your protectiveness, and the way you are with Lyndy. I don't know how I could be so very blessed a second time. I love you, Mitch Cutty!"
And with that declaration, their lips sought each other out in a deep and passionate kiss that set them afire. They gave in to the intensity of this growing desire for a few moments and then drew back…Mitch took the lead, "I think it may be time that we get a little space between us," he grinned. Amy let out a soft chuckle and agreed.
Mitch got out and softly opened the back door to gently and quietly unfasten Lyndy intact in her car seat so as not to wake her. Amy had already gathered things up and opened her truck for Mitch to buckle Lyndy safely into the back seat. Then he turned to Amy again. "I'll be saying a prayer about how your talk with Lou goes. Do you need anything before you go? Water, bathroom, one last kiss?" as he teasingly grinned that adorable, crooked smile. And with that, Amy fell into his arms once more as he gently lifted her off the ground and lovingly caressed her lips with an ever-so-sweet 'til later' kiss. As he set her back down, she felt a little weak in the knees and stumbled a bit as Mitch held her up. 'What was it about those kisses?!' About that time, Lyndy stirred and wanted to tell Mitch good-bye, so he climbed into the back seat to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it as he exited. His heart melted.
As Amy drove away and Mitch turned to go inside, they were both floating on that feeling you only get when your heart belongs to someone else. Lyndy said, "Mama this was the best day ever!" Amy had to agree! She'd not had a day that felt like this since Ty. She had plenty to keep her mind occupied driving back to Heartland, especially the anticipation of telling Lou.
A/N: *Inspired by a scene between Tess and Nick in McLeod's daughters.