Camping Trip
Early Saturday morning, Ty called Jack at Heartland to let him know things were fine and Amy and he, along with Amy's advisor and husband were going camping overnight.
"Three words for you, separate sleeping bags, Ty... are you listening to me?", Jack said in an almost pleading voice... since he was much to far to so those infamous spot checks he did at Heartland.
"Jack - Amy and I respect each other enough to know our boundaries... believe it or not I am a traditional values kind of guy", declared Ty.
"Besides, Amy challenged me to catch my limit while fly fishing for trout", said Ty, "and then she has to cook them".
Both Jack and Ty laughed a bit.
"Well you two have fun and stay out of trouble... please", said Jack.
"Will do Jack. I'll keep Amy safe."
Jack changed tone and asked Ty, "I wonder if I might confess a little something to you Ty?"
"Sure Jack", Ty was wondering...
"I left a small envelop with something I need you to give Amy; it is in your garment bag... no questions now... just make sure to look and follow my direction", said Jack.
"OK Jack... and I promise to Amy will be safe", Ty restated, "Goodnight."
Ty was in his guest room preparing for the camping trip which included his rod and reel; Ty packed a couple changes of clothing with warm sweater and sleeping bag. As he rummaged around his garment bag, he found an envelope and pulled it out. The handwriting was that of Jack's script and simply said "for Ty - family heirloom".
Ty thought... so Jack is hiding packages in my clothes now... Ty opened the envelope. Ty saw the note first and then a amethyst antique cameo brooch. Ty opened the brooch which shown in the gemstone with a portrait of Jack's only daughter - Marion at an early age. The brooch shown a effervescent purple sheen in the light.
Ty gasped at the family heirloom and with an open mouth showing total surprise, he picked up and read the note.
To Ty - I left this with you so that on the 4th anniversary of Marion's memorial you might give this as a gift to Amy... tell her this gift is from her grandfather on this special day. - Jack.
Ty was touched that Jack would give him the responsibility and privilege of handing down the family heirloom, but Ty had recently felt much more a part of the family.
Ty's thought was broke when the phone rang. "Hi Amy...what is our agenda?", said Ty.
"We will pick you up in 30 minutes and head northwest toward Red Feather", Amy said.
"Alright, I will be on the porch and ready by then. Look forward to seeing you soon."
As the Erhardt's truck and trailer travelled up the road toward Red Feathers, Ty and Amy sat in the back seats chatting.
"I've struggled this last couple days with some biochemistry material in class", said Amy.
"Yea, biochem gave me a headache or two on occasion as well", remembered Ty, "but if you need help, I am more than willing..."
Amy smiled a bit of relief, "Thanks Ty, I will take the help. I owe you."
Ty in typical fashion muttered, "Not a problem... but I hope you didn't bring it along with you..."
Amy laughed, "you said something about romance, not studying biochemistry... so I left the books at home".
Ty smiled as he leaned over and said, "Amy, you're right about studying biochem from the textbook... I was thinking of the practical application of biochemistry as it pertains to romance", and Ty nuzzled Amy's neck a little.
"Ty Borden, you are very debonair in turning a boring science subject into weekend romantic talk... who knew a girl could be swept off her feet with a line like that one..." whispered Amy so as not to let the front seat couple hear.
Brigitta saw the two whispering and trading hushed messages. Loudly she said, "So Ty, I hear you are going to catch us our meals for the weekend..."
Ty and Amy looked at Brigitta and laughed a bit... Amy said, "Sorry about that, I guess we were lost in our own little world".
"Not a problem... so Ty about our meals?", ask Brigitta.
"Well I hope I can catch something this time of year...", Ty said humbly. He had seen many trout slip through the best efforts of Jack.
Ty returned his attention to Amy and said, "And yes, I do like the challenge of helping you with your homework and being part of your family's life".
"Ty - you are so good to me", marveled Amy. It's wonderful the way you treat me like family and know what to say when I feel nervous, down or when I've messed up".
"Amy - we are family in most of the ways that count. We love each other and share common goals. That is why I would do things for you that normal people would see as crazy", explained Ty.
"Well I don't say thanks enough, so... thank you.", said Amy softly with a smile and kissed him on the cheek.
"Your welcome".
Lisa stopped over at Heartland, poured a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen table with Jack.
Jack was finishing reading the morning paper, and said "How is that coffee this morning?" and Lisa nodded, "are you splurging on the good stuff?"
"Well Lou actually let me today...", sighed Jack, "you can't imagine how hard it is to break habits like my favorite coffee or beer".
Lisa decided to talk about something else and asked, "So how are Ty and Amy getting along? Have you heard from them?"
Jack nodded in the affirmative, "Ty checks in regularly and work is going fine. Mostly, he is helping with the hay work, but Ty says he has learned to work with a chain saw and do the work of a lumberjack... they are dealing with pine beetle kill trees".
"Well Ty can handle the work. I just hope he is getting some time off work to enjoy his time in Colorado too.", said Lisa who knew Ty, like Jack needed urging to balance there lives work and play.
He and Amy are on a camping trip this weekend... a little break as you say", Jack commented softly as to not raise Lisa's alert.
It did not work!
Lisa's interest peaked, "Oh really...", pausing for a second, "and you're OK with that now? When did your paternal alerts for Ty and Amy drop their guard?"
"I'm learning to trust my family", said Jack. "Besides, its a camping trip and they are traveling with adult supervision so to speak... I think Amy's CSU advisor is along with them.
"Jack, that is very mature of you...", complemented Lisa, "show trust in Ty and Amy".
"I'd like to think that I have made an impression on them growing up", Jack stated.
"So do we have the horses in back of the trailer ready to ride this afternoon?"
Amy said, "Yep, trail riding on a camping trip is mandatory, right?"
Ty answered, "Whenever I can get some time riding horses with you, it always a good thing". Ty's memories were always of fondness for Amy in regard to horses.
The topic of conversation varied throughout the drive to the campsite. Once at Red Feathers, the campsite was arranged and two tents setup with sleeping gear. The horses were taken out of the trailer and water and feed.
At noon, they all had a sandwich and some water. Amy was anxious to start a trail ride and explore the area on horseback. She packed some trail mix from a large container into plastic bags and stored them for the ride.
"I have some water and food stuff packed. Are you ready Ty?", asked Amy.
"Just finishing here. I will be ready in a minute", said Ty.
As Amy worked on her horse's tack, Ty finished a cup of coffee and then readied his stead. Both mounted their respective horses and Amy lead the way out of the campsite up a designated trail that was marked as being 2.4 miles long.
Lisa stayed for lunch with Jack and Lou.
"So Lou, how is the baby doing?" asked Lisa.
"All is going very well and she is gaining weight quickly now", said Lou.
As Jack took the dishes to the kitchen sensing 'girl talk' was going to be the norm for awhile. Jack found a way to sneak out the door to find other things to do.
"So this weekend camping trip of Ty and Amy's ... seems Jack is pretty calm about it all", said Lisa who was fishing for details not yet known to her.
"I am not sure I know more than you Lisa. I mean grandpa and I have in the last couple years butted heads about Amy responsibilities."
"What do you mean?", ask Lisa.
"Well it took grandpa some time to come around to the fact that Amy was holding her own and being responsible for a large portion of Heartland's business", said Lou.
"It's hard for Jack to let his granddaughter grow up at times. Remember that he also looks at Amy's whole well-being", said Lisa. There are times when her horse sense did not always match her ability to handle her relationship with Ty", recalled Lisa.
Lou sighed, "That was true and I did tell Amy that there will be times when 'growing up will suck', but that things have a way of working out."
Lisa shrugged, "well maybe this camping trip is a step in working things out".
The 2.4-mile trail lead through several groves of aspen trees and ended at the fork of a creek that emptied into the Poudre River. Amy and Ty stopped at that point and dismounted to stretch and watch the river. Several whitewater rafters paddled by as Amy ate some trial mix and drank some water.
"The white water rafting looks fun", Amy said, as she watched a couple rafts float by them from their vantage point on shore.
"I think I will stick to motorcycling", Ty said between bites of a granola bar he had pulled out of his riding pouch.
"Well maybe someday when you're more adventuresome", laughed Amy.
"Come on Amy, you have to admit I am pretty adventuresome in my own way", said Ty.
"If you count your solo trips away from Heartland as adventures, that is not saying much." quipped Amy.
OK, I admit those were ill thought out adventures. But what about the time I helped you rescue Spartan at the sale barn from Wes?", asked Ty.
Amy sighed, "That was ill conceived on my part, but courageous, adventuresome and very sweet on you part".
Ty ate his late bite of granola, swished some water in his mouth and swallowed.
"I'm like putty in your hands; that's my defense for doing crazy things for you", Ty smiled as he said the word.
"Putty, hummmm... come here and let me feel that soft putty stuff", Amy teased Ty. Amy put her arms around Ty's neck and kissed him.
After a kiss, both climbed onto their horses and rode back the 2.4-mile trail.