Getting Advice
After chores on Monday evening, Ty was cleaning up for dinner at the Richards. Coming out into the dining room, Ann said, "there is a letter for you on the table. It came today in the mail".
Ty found the letter and looking at the handwriting, noticing it was from an old and dear friend in the Heartland area... his honorary grandmother, Mrs. Bell. He opened the letter and unfolded it. Enclosed were some twenty-dollar bills in American currency. Ty smiled saying under his breath, "She is always spoiling me like a real grandson".
The letter read:
Dear Ty -
I've been thinking of you and Amy since you left this past month - working away from Heartland. Please know I am in your corner, so keep up the good fight we both know you have in you. How are Amy and you pulling together as a team while away from Heartland? Remember what I said, you and Amy are a great team together. Cherish the times you have and make it last a lifetime. Stay safe and see you soon as university starts this autumn.
Your grandmother, Mrs. Bell
Ty smiled warmly at the letter. Ty wanted to grab hold of what he had for a lifetime.
Inside the letter was a check made out to Ty for what Mrs. Bell called 'a special gift'.
Wednesday held a new challenge for Ty. Haying was ahead of schedule thanks to Ty. Mr. Thompson down the canyon requested help with his llamas. Each August, the llamas needed sheared and extra laborers were needed to assist. A middle-aged man from Australia, Trevor Foster came down from Laramie and sheared the animals, while hired help did the rest.
Knowing Amy's interest in all animals, Ty left her a handwriting note on her loft door while she was still at CSU for the day with classes. In the note, Ty asked Amy to visit the llama farm when she came home.
An hour later, Ty was finding shearing llamas a new experience that was unique.
"WOW", said Ty, "this is a completely different experience... but really neat".
Trevor commented in his Australian accent, "Well mate, its for sure an experience worth getting one's hand dirty with..."
Trevor explained how the trick was to get the llama to lay on its belly and since that was not easily done, a series of leg restrains and bungee cables attached were used along with a sheet of plywood.
Trevor said, "We attach a soft collar around the one back leg and one front leg of the llama and then the attached nylon cable on the pulley system is run tight to cause the animal to loose balance and lay on its belly".
Ty guessed the rest, "the plywood is slick, making it easier for the animal's hooves to slide..."
"Correct", said Trevor, "then I roll the llama to one side, start the shearing and roll the animal over to its other side continuing to shear the wool".
"You almost get a single large piece of wool from what I can see of your shearing", notice Ty, "you must have done this thousands of time".
"Well for the last 15 years anyway", said Trevor.
With about 16 of 22 llama sheared, Amy drove up and got out of the Jeep she was driving to come over and lean against the barn fence and watch in amazement at the llama shearing process.
"Want to give this a try Amy?", as Ty pointed to the nylon pulley rope.
"Looks like you're doing just fine Ty, besides if you get to close to one, it might spit on you", warned Amy.
Ty said, "Been there already...now I'm more careful".
Amy helped herd the remaining llamas to a holding pen and watched Ty and Trevor, along with Mr. Thompson finish the remaining llamas.
"Thanks Ty", said Mr. Thompson, as he and Amy got into her Jeep.
"No problem... it was a great experience for me", said Ty.
Ty turned to Amy and asked, "How about taking me down to LaPorte for some burgers, after we go to the stable and ranch for chores?"
Amy's eyes showed excitement and she said, "You're on there llama cowboy".
Ty was about to get out of the Jeep, when he turned and leaned over to kiss Amy. Then he reached inside his pocket and pulled out Mrs. Bell's letter and handed it to Amy.
"Here, its a letter from Mrs. Bell. I thought since it contained advise about both of us, you should read it as well..." said Ty.
"OK, you want me to read it now?", asked Amy.
"I'll let you read it alone... see you in an hour to go down for dinner", Ty said as he climbed out of the Jeep.
Ty climbed on his motorcycle and kicked is over and quickly speed away. Amy watched as he disappeared from view on the canyon road. Ty seemed closer to her, yet something was eating at his heart. Amy's concern for Ty's well being had her thinking. "Is this what a deep love feels like... to share in all of Ty's moods and concern? to worry alongside him?" Amy wanted to reach out and tell Ty things were all right.
Ty finished his chores and changes clothes for town, as did Amy. Amy took a few minutes and sat on her hideaway bed to read Mrs. Bell's letter to Ty. As Amy finished the letter, a tear fell down her face... not a tear of sadness, but one of joy in how much friends loved and supported both Ty and Amy.
Amy heard Ty's Norton coming up the fire road and she wiped her tear away, looked in the mirror and put on a brave face. She smiled as she looked at the photo of Ty and her baby niece that was now stuck to the mirror.
Ty rode his Norton up to the stable to pickup Amy and they headed down the canyon, weaving through the turns. Ty pulled over about 3 miles from the canyon entrance, and pointed to a small waterfall that trickled over the south rock face about 100 feet above them.
"Sometimes it is the little things I notice that make this time we spend together special", said Ty.
"I wonder what it would be like to see it in the winter... a frozen waterfall...", speculated Amy.
"We'll have to come back and find out someday", hinted Ty.
Amy's mind went back to the letter. "You know Ty, I read the letter from Mrs. Bell".
Ty replied, "and what are your thoughts?"
Amy's emotions gripped her again as she said, "I think Mrs. Bell is right. We are a team. We work well together... and I want to keep working as a team as long as possible."
Ty notices a tear, "I'm not sure its something to cry over..." trying to relieve some tension. Amy laughed a little...
"You guys sometimes just don't get us gals... my tears are ones of joy - not sadness", explained Amy.
"Maybe sometimes I know that, but want you to be a bit vulnerable, so I can step up and be your emotional anchor", offered Ty.
Amy looked at Ty and said, "Ah... well I could use you as an anchor this time", and Amy hugged Ty and then kissed him.
Ty started down the remainder of the canyon road to LaPorte and stopped the Norton by the roadside concrete block building painted sandy colors.
"Can I get 2 burgers and a large chocolate milk shake with two straws to share?", asked Ty of the waitress.
Ty paid and Amy and he sat down at a small circular table awaiting the food order. They listened as a couple of guitar performers played their folk tunes, lending voices to the music.
"After a hard day of work, it is nice to get away and relax for an hour. Thanks for coming along Amy", Ty said with warm feeling.
"I always love being with you Ty, whether it's work or recreation...", cooed Amy.
The food had arrived, and both Ty and Amy ate their burgers and sipped their shake, listening to the music.
As they finished the last of their chocolate shake, Amy took a napkin and wiped a drip of the milk shake off Ty's chin. "Do you always need someone to clean you up Ty?"
Ty frowned at his lack of personal hygiene, and said, "You would think my mom taught me better at table manners..."
Amy smiled, "Well I do not mind filling in on the role - just don't make it a habit".
Ty got serious for a moment, then said, "Amy - I know we joke around sometimes about family moments... but seriously, sometimes I see us down the road as a family... Am I being silly to think and hope for such a thing?"
"Absolutely not", came Amy's quick reply, "I have those same wishes and dreams from time to time... more so now".
Amy and Ty let the seriousness of the moment pass without further words.
Ty disposed of the paper plates and their trash from the meal. "Hey, you interested in a ride up on top the Horsetooth Reservoir road?"
"I would love it!", said Amy.
As Ty and Amy were getting ready for their ride, the man who had invited Ty to the poker run this coming Saturday greeted them. "Hey, there is the man with the Norton... I see you're getting a ride in this evening. Nice evening for a ride..."
Ty shook his hand... "Thanks. My name is Ty Borden and this is my girlfriend, Amy Fleming."
"Good to know you both... my name is Dan Parkins. I'll be running the charity poker run this weekend. Still hope you can make it."
Ty looked at Amy and they both nodded in agreement, "Looks like we can be here and do the run". Amy added, "It should be a fun ride through the mountains".
Dan said, "Look forward to seeing you then". Dan was about to turn back when he mentioned to Ty, "hey, Ty - knowing your love for old motorcycles - I thought I would let you know that my brother in Helena, Montana has some old Triumph cycles he might be ready to sell..."
Ty smiled his excitement, "Really, well I might just be ready for that challenge someday. I do have a dear friend - actually Amy's grandfather, who would love to get back to his Triumph days".
Dan said, "Well here is his contact info on this business card. When you are ready, give him a call".
Ty said his thanks and
Amy and Ty put on their helmets - waved goodbye and took off on the Norton. At Bellevue, Ty took a left turn and continued straight up the irrigation side of the north dam of Horsetooth Reservoir.
Jack took Dean Richards' phone call about 7 pm in that evening.
"So how are things there in Colorado, Dean?" asked Jack.
"Very well thank you Jack", commented Dean, "Haying is getting close to done here and I want to thank you for lending me your hired hand for these last weeks".
"Not a problem", stated Jack, "but we will look forward to his return home".
"Well that will be fine... I'll let Ty know things are fine there...", said Dean.
"So how is Ty doing otherwise...", asked Jack, trying to learn more.
Dean surmised Jack was inquiring about Ty and Amy. "The weekend camping trip was a good one according to Ty... I know he puts his chores first before time off..."
Jack laughed a bit, "That sounds like Ty... I would bet his motorcycle is getting a workout too".
"Yes, in fact he and Amy went down to grab some burgers this evening after Ty spent the afternoon trying his hand as llama wool shearing...", Dean informed Jack.
"Now that is something new... shearing llamas", mused Jack over the phone.
Dean said, "I really appreciate Ty's help... that young man tried to help out in every way imaginable here".
Jack humbly said, "Well tell Ty I said hello and have him call when time avails itself..."
Dean said, "Will do that Jack... have a good night."
Amy rose the next morning to do chores in the stables before classes.
Amy's thoughts lingered about the night before and spending time with Ty on the Horsetooth ridge overlooking the man-made lake to the west and the city of Fort Collins to the east. Both views were wonderful in the setting sun light as the city streetlight began to flicker to life.
Ty has said to her, "I can not help think how serenity must look something like this", referring to the view and the calming affect on his emotions. Amy agreed, "A wonderful place to reflect on life".
Amy and Ty had sat for more than an hour watching the sunset and lights reflect off the water of the reservoir. Ty had been extremely quiet and in the past this might have worried Amy a bit. However, Amy knew it meant Ty was reflecting about them and their lives together, not something else.
As her mind drifted back to the present, Amy knew she had at times in the past read to much into Ty's quiet reflective moods.
Over the past week or so Ty has been visited some evenings and helped her with chores and then homework, but on occasion had gone to Fort Collins to run errands. In the past, Amy might have become suspicious about Ty's activities, but her level of trust had increased with her maturing these past 10 months.
She pushed an lingering thoughts about Ty's activities from her mind, trusting her past experience with Ty and she prepared for the day ahead.
That evening, Ty finished his work and called Jack from the Richards' house after supper.
"Hi Jack", Ty said excitedly over the phone.
"Ty, I assume your camping trip went well and the gift was given to Amy?", asked Jack.
"Amy was very happy with the brooch as a gift; we are on her good side", said Ty.
"I would never had thought else wise...", Jack said a bit nervously.
"Any other surprise for me Jack?, I mean brooches now and what, pearl necklaces later?", said Ty in a likable mocking manner.
"No, that's not in the plan smart guy", Jack said in a ribbing way to Ty. "So I am looking forward to you two being back to work soon... think that is doable?"
"Well Jack, things should wrap up at the end of the month... then we can be back for the start of university classes after Labor Day", was Ty's response.
"Alright, well let us know if anything changes...", said Jack.
"Jack - ", Ty paused, "you know Mrs. Bell sent a letter to me... and she said some things to me that she has said several times in the past".
"Well, Ty... I have found her advice to be usually pretty darn good", Jack told Ty truthfully. "Would the things she said have anything to do with Amy and you?"
"Jack, you know I am sorry I bothered you...", quipped Ty, not knowing how to speak to Jack about his feelings for his granddaughter.
"Ty - you know your like a son to me... if something is bothering you or you need advise... I'm happy to listen and help out...", said Jack showing his paternal side to Ty.
Ty had initially disliked Jack when coming to Heartland 4 years earlier, but within a few weeks could see Jack guiding him life a father figure. Jack's paternal guidance of Ty also manifest itself as Amy's grandfather... a delicate balance with Ty and Amy having developed a close relationship over this time.
"I appreciate that a lot Jack; your respect mean more to me than you know.", started Ty.
"So can I help you with what is eating at you?"
"Jack - Amy and I are getting along well... not just well..." Ty paused... "but we are talking about our future lives, school and work... ...am I making any sense Jack?"
"You two are in love and thinking about getting married; that is what you can't find the words to say Ty...", Jack said trying to get the subject out in the open for Ty.
Ty, initially shocked at Jack's insight and ease of saying what was on his mind, sighed in great relief! "WOW Jack... you know how to bring things to a point quickly."
Ty continued, "Amy and I are definitely in love and growing closer each day. I know I am ready to marry Amy... but how do I know the right time to ask her Jack... maybe, maybe Amy is not ready".
Jack felt some of Ty's apprehension and worded his next sentence careful. "Ty, for two people in love like Amy and you, there is no perfect moment to decide to marry. But be assured... I am convinced if you asked my granddaughter to marry you - she would never say no to you".
"Thanks Jack... those words really mean a lot...".
"Now for the big question from me... do you want to keep this a secret from everyone else for awhile?", asked Jack, though he full well knew the answer.
Ty and Jack said their good nights.