Amy scanned the loft, checking everything they'd set up in preparation for their new arrival. The old cradle sat at the foot of the bed; new sheets covered the cradle mattress, and a small toy horse sat in the middle. The chest of drawers, filled with tiny clothes, and the changing table rested against the furthest wall. Everything was ready, but Amy wondered if she was.
"Ty, do you think we're really ready for a baby?" Amy asked, shooting him an anxious glance.
Ty wrapped his arms around her. "I know this is new for us, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared. But we can do this."
Amy's hand went automatically to her round belly when she felt the baby kicking. "It won't be long before we get to meet you, little one," she said softly.
Ty looked down at Amy with a small smile. He loved watching her talk to their baby. There was something so special about the interaction.
The baby gave another kick, this time into Amy's ribs. "Ouch! You have to stop kicking me there. It hurts!" she said with a chuckle.
Ty gently placed his hands on Amy's abdomen. "Don't you know that hurts?"
Amy smiled wryly. "I seriously doubt it."
"Hang on. I have an idea," Ty said suddenly. He dashed over to his vet bag and dug out the stethoscope.
Amy raised her eyebrows. "What're you doing?"
"Hang on. You'll see." Ty walked back over to Amy. He went down on one knee and lifted the hem of her shirt before placing the stethoscope on her belly. Amy let out a little giggle.
"Oh, wow," he whispered.
"Ty?" Amy asked, her own voice going quiet.
Ty looked up, delight written all over his face. "I can hear the baby's heart." He pulled the stethoscope from his ears and held it out to her. "Sit down, and we'll see if you can too."
Amy dropped into the closest chair, excitement running through her at the thought of being able to hear her baby outside of doctor's appointments. After some shuffling around, she managed to get the stethoscope in the right spot. She looked up with shock and joy. "I can hear the heartbeat! That's amazing, Ty!"
A phone rang, but she didn't want to get up. Ty reached for the phone and answered. With the sound of her baby's heartbeat in her ears, Amy couldn't hear the conversation. When Ty walked over to her, she pulled the stethoscope from her ears.
"There's a horse abandoned on a ranch. The caller wants you to take a look at it."
"Do you have any other information?"
"Apart from giving me the address, that was all they said."
Amy set the stethoscope on the side table. "Well, we'd better go and have a look at the horse."
Ty opened his mouth to argue but shut it after half a second. Amy had that stubborn look in her eyes that let him know any arguments would be useless. "Come on. Let's go let everybody know where we'll be."
Ty held out a hand to help Amy to her feet. Usually she would reject the offer, but this time she just accepted his hand with a grateful smile. Tasks like getting up from a chair were becoming nearly impossible for her.
"I feel like a whale," Amy grumbled as she shuffled down the loft stairs.
"Well, you're a very cute whale."
Amy scowled at him, and Ty wished he'd kept his comment to himself.
When they reached the ranch house, they told the others about the call. Tim crossed his arms. "So you're going to an abandoned farm to check on a horse, and all you have is the address? That sounds like a terrible idea."
"I agree—" Lou started.
"But Dad, Ty's going with me, and I have to—"
Tim raised his eyebrows. "Which is why I'm going with you."
Ty and Amy shot each other looks but didn't say anything.
Lou nodded. "I guess that makes me feel better."
Jack stood up from the table. "I'll go and hitch up the trailer."
Tim moved toward the door. "I have my trailer hitched up already. We can just use that one."
"Just be careful, Amy," Lou called, but Amy was already halfway out the door.
The ranch was located about half an hour away from Heartland. Amy and Ty travelled in the old truck, and Tim followed behind with the trailer. The road wound through mountains, with rocky cliffs jutting out on either side. It was a beautiful ride.
Ty glanced over at Amy. "You know, soon we won't be able to just hop in the truck and go help horses. We won't even be able to use the truck much."
"We'd better make the most of this, then." Amy smiled softly, rubbing her swollen belly.
"You don't feel sick, do you?"
Amy shook her head. They reached the ranch not long after. There was no one around. Long grass surrounded a small house. Everything was so muffled that it seemed like there was no sound: no wind, no people, no horses—nothing.
Amy walked toward the house, wondering if someone would be inside, when she heard the stamp of feet. It sounded like it came from behind the house.
Edited version of Everything Will Change chapter 1.
Sorry for the confusion. From now on everything will be posted on this account. :)
