Committment and an Heirloom
Later that afternoon, Ty was casting a line into the river looking for trout. After multiple fishing trips with Jack, his technique was refined and smooth. Ty had learned patience and peace in fishing.
Amy decided to help out by preparing some potato salad ahead of time and catch up on leisure reading, which was a rare occurrence since summer school had started up.
As the afternoon wore on, Ty managed to catch a couple medium sized trout and placed them in this holding bucket for cleaning later on. Ty smirked and thought to himself, "wonder how Amy will hold up her end of the deal cleaning and cooking them..."
Brigitta interrupt Ty from the shoreline, "Hey there Ty, how's supper coming along?"
Ty said, "Your welcome to take back the two trout I have there", pointing to the container at her feet. "Tell Amy she better get started on cleaning those two".
Brigitta laughed, "Amy says she was waiting on you... but it looks like she needs to get to work now".
Ty just then felt the fishing line grow taunt and the rod bend to slightly. "I think Amy should plan on one more trout... see you in 15 minutes at camp", smiled Ty.
Five minutes later, Ty walked toward the camp; he smiled broadly at the third trout hanging on the line. Eating supper with fresh fish over a campfire... the thought made Ty's mouth water.
From behind Ty, there came a voice... somewhat familiar... from the recent past. "I see you hooked a fine catch there". As Ty turned, he saw the female figure of Katie - Amy's short-term roommate at CSU. But what was she doing here?
"I am surprised to see you here... you don't seem to be the outdoor type", said Ty.
Katie made it obvious why she was following Ty. "Call me spontaneous, but I followed your caravan here just to steal a moment with you".
Ty had seen this before and his personal defenses came up quickly.
"What kind of girl pursues a guy who has already made it clear... that he is not available?" asked Ty rhetorically.
Katie answer, "A girl who always gets what she wants".
"Sorry your efforts will be for nothing today. My heart and mind belong to Amy."
Amy had decided to find Ty prior to starting to clean and cook the trout. On the way back up the trail, she heard a familiar voice... Katie. A lump formed in Amy's throat. She moved cautiously forward to see Ty and hear Katie say, "you know the cowgirl you are with is a little naive, don't you think?"
Ty confidently said, "That cowgirl has been earning a living on her family ranch since the age of 16. We're all a little naive at times, but Amy's the strongest person I know when it comes to her passion for horses and family".
Amy smiled as Ty defended her. She decided to lend some support to Ty.
Katie struck back, "you country folk are all a bit unsophisticated... but perhaps you would consider upgrading yourself to my level".
Ty turned to leave for camp, then turned back and said "you know, I've heard it all before... and I've learned to listen to my heart... Amy and I share a love for helping animals, the outdoors, helping people and special love for each other".
Katie scoffed, "How quaint... and simple...".
Ty concluded, "Our simple life is a good one for Amy and myself... and I would never betray it after these years with her".
Amy called out stepping forward, "besides, how many society girls like yourself Katie, can clean and cook trout for supper? or muck out a horse stall?"
Katie was aghast. "How long have you been listening?"
Amy said, "I just walked up and saw you speaking to Ty..."
Amy continued, "You know Katie, trust is something that is earned, not stolen away with sophisticated maneuvering".
Ty smiled as Katie turned on her heel and walked away in disgust.
Amy and Ty held hands as they walked to camp, one more trout ready to add to their evening meal.
"Ty -", said Amy, "Do you think we could make a life for ourselves that is as simple as our love for each other?"
Ty responded, "Amy, that's my life plan... my question back to you is this... is that a life plan you might consider for us?" Amy smiled in thought to life with this young man she walked hand in hand with...
The evening as the camp fire crackled in the fire pit, Amy and Ty were warming themselves sitting in chairs next to each other and with a blanket covering their legs from the waist down. Ty had helped Amy clean the trout and Amy cooked the fish with a flare of an experience outdoor chef.
"A job well done, Amy", said Brigitta. Amy smiled.
"Its official, this girl can cook... she is a keeper", bragged Ty, as he helped do the dishes in a bucket of warm water that was heated by the fire. Amy gave him a rare punch in the arm, like the old days.
Amy said, "well I had some good teachers", thinking of her mom and grandfather.
As they finished, they sat around the fire and toasted some marshmallows and were finishing eating them when Ty began to say, "this is a special day for you Amy, right?".
Amy looked at Ty, and then stared into the fire, "it's a day that is hard to forget this time of year... but one that is easier to look back on in remembrance of my mom".
Amy continued, "For me it also marks the time of year when you came into our family's lives and into my life in particular", as she fought against the emotions.
"Well I was blessed to be called into your family by your mom, though I can never thank her personally", said Ty.
Ty continued, feeling the timing was right to give Amy her gift, "Amy - your family is very special to me... and prior to my coming a month ago to Colorado, your grandfather gave me a special gift to give to you".
Amy was set on edge by the possibilities. "Ty, what is it?".
Ty slowly extended his right hand, while at the same time taking and holding Amy's hand in his left hand. Ty dropped the brooch and dangled it in the firelight in front of Amy's eyes.
"It's beautiful Ty", whispered Amy, "can I have a closer look".
"Certainly, it's your family heirloom" said Ty, and he handed it to Amy.
"Viewing it in the firelight is amazing", Amy marveled at the glowing colors in shades of purple. "There is a magical look to the brooch in this light".
Ty urged Amy, "open the brooch and see what's inside".
Amy handled the delicate brooch lid with care, opening it and looking inside. In the light of fire, Amy could see the silhouette of her mother's face when she was much younger. The tears started to flow in quick succession.
"Ty, this is such a wonderful surprise." Amy grabbed a quick tearful breathe between each sentence. "Thank you for being the one to share it with me. You and grandpa are wonderful."
Ty asked, "Would you like me to help put the brooch around your neck?"
Amy wiped another tear from her eye, "please". Amy undid the latch and put the ribbon around her neck and Ty reached around and fastened the latch for Amy.
"There you go sweetheart", and Ty gave Amy a kiss on the back of the neck.
Amy had a slight shiver down her neck and turned her face to meet Ty's lips. The kiss lasted several seconds until both sighed and giggled a bit. They hugged for a long time as Amy's emotions continued to be expressed in soft tears.
After awhile the shared hug was broken "We better start thinking of calling it an evening", said Ty. "You may go ahead and get ready first in the tent... I'll slip in after the fire has been tended too for the evening".
Amy said, "That's fine... but I want to stay out here by the fire for a while with you". Ty nodded and sitting next to Amy, he put his arm around her waist and hugged her. Amy lay he head on Ty's chest and enjoyed the warmth of the fire, happy to have found the person she was sure could make her happy for life.
Amy looked up at Ty and said, "You know... I'd say you have passed the romance test". Ty just smiled and then kissed Amy goodnight.
Ty awoke the next morning in his sleeping bag, with Amy's nose right in front of him, her breathe on his face. Amy had moved her sleeping bag closer to his during the night to be closer to him, which was fine with Ty on this cool morning.
"Tickle, tickle", Ty said as he did an Eskimo kiss nose to nose. Amy backed away... "Ty you know I hate it when you get close to me with my morning breathe".
Ty said, "It's really no problem Amy. Besides you are the one who moved close to me last night". Amy was over sensitive about Ty seeing her early in the morning before cleaning up, but the truth be told, Ty did not care about a little morning breathe. Amy looked fine most mornings and not artificial like other girls seemed to look and act.
Ty continued kidding with Amy, "Time to get up... want me to give you a bath in the river?" Ty grabbed Amy's sleeping bag and was preparing to lift it with Amy inside.
Amy sat up, "Not on your life Ty... you know how cold that river water is?"
They both laughed and Ty got up and left the tent for Amy to get ready with a little privacy. Amy lectured Ty, "No peeking young man..."
Ty laughed, "Yea right... someday".
Secretly Amy held onto that thought... someday, but when? At 19, Amy was of a different thought pattern in regards to family than others her age. She could see herself married at a younger age than her sister Lou, who had different aspirations about business and work after college.
Ty started the coffee brewing and soon everyone was up eating breakfast and cleaning up. They broke camp about 9 am and headed down the road for Fort Collins and home.
Amy played with the heirloom brooch on the drive back toward Rist Canyon, day dreaming a bit about the future.
Ty interrupted by saying, "I know this week, we'll be busy, but there is a motorcycle ride this next weekend - what is called a poker run. Do you think you would want to ride along?"
Amy said yes almost immediately, "I am not sure how the poker game will work on motorcycles, but sounds like a good time. I'll be with you and that is what matters most".
Ty said, "OK, well I will pick you up about 8:45 am Saturday morning to head down to LaPorte to start the motorcycle ride".
Amy nodded, "Sounds good. That gives me time to do chores and get ready."