The Proposal
The workweek for Ty finished one a positive note and on Saturday morning, Ty picked up Amy and headed out for the poker run starting location in LaPorte.
"We'll receive a map with 7 destinations. We'll pick up 7 cards and we need to make the best 5 card poker hand possible" Best three hands wins some prizes, but the money goes to charity for the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department", said Ty.
Amy grabbed Ty around the waist as they continued down the road, "Sounds easy enough. Lots of motorcycle miles, some cards and lots of me hugging and tickling you from the back seat".
Ty warned politely, "Careful, you do not want to cause an accident."
Amy recanted, "OK, I'll try to only hug you - no tickling unless the motorcycle is stopped", she teased.
Three hours later and 100 miles of foothill roads and a hand of cards, the best Ty and Amy could muster was a pair of jacks. Ty said, "No winning hands here..."
Amy said, "But the charity wins and that is what counts..."
"This is true enough", conceded Ty.
After a little lunch sandwich, Amy and Ty said their goodbyes and retired to the stable to check on the horses and do a trail ride along the northern trail at Erhardt's property.
"Thanks for the chance to be part of the motorcycle ride this morning Ty."
Amy continued, "Doing activities with you is important to me".
Ty said, "I feel the same... as part of what feels like family to me".
The trail ride concluded and chores were complete as late afternoon come upon the mountain and some rain shower clouds dotted the western sky.
As Ty waited on the loft steps, Amy changed clothes.
Instead of her usual denim jeans and t-shirt, Amy tried on some new clothes she had recently bought downtown, a pair of tan Capri pants and a vivid purple V-neck blouse. Instead of boots, Amy opted for some sandals, which showed feet and toes usually hidden. Amy also put on her amethyst brooch attaching the ribbon behind her neck.
As she come out of the loft bathroom and bounded over to the steps, Ty turned and smiled, a bit stunned, said "Amy?" "You look..."
Amy tried to finish his thought, "amazing?" in a soft voice.
Ty completed his own thought, "I was going to say beautiful actually", as he stood up and took Amy's arm and escorted her down the steps.
Amy felt very special at that moment in time. "So where shall we go for our walk?"
Ty and Amy decided to take a walk down the fire road and cross over to the area where they had earlier seen the waterfall running down the mountain cliff face. The sun was partial blocked by clouds, but it was a warm evening.
Ty and Amy walked hand in hand as they approached the creek bed where the waterfall was located. The splashes they felt as they got closer were from cold mountain snows melting higher up and running down to their point in the canyon.
Ty and Amy sat on a rock outcropping and talked as they held hands.
Amy followed up with Ty's thought, "so you think of grandpa, Lou and I as your family, I know... but it feels like more than just family between us... we are not brother and sister you know Ty".
Ty followed up with his feelings on family, "I realize that Amy! Maybe initially when I met you, I felt protective of you like as sister, based on past experiences in my own family".
Amy interrupted, "and you were sweet to be protective... but our feelings grew to include something more?"
Ty nodded, "right, that snowy day in the field with the jumping ring I built you... that was so very hard for me... not being able to tell you how I felt about my dad and family" Ty was nervous and shaking a bit as he held Amy's hand.
Amy added, "We both knew things were serious back then between us, but could not tell each other how we felt... that first kiss in the barn after you helped me win the Fall Finale... it was special."
Ty followed up, "I did such a poor job of communicating my feelings back then and I felt guilty when I came back". Amy added, "Our attempt at communication as teenagers... not exactly a shining moment was it?"
Ty stopped shaking and finding an inner courage said, "In the past, whether as friends or teenagers who loved each other, we fond a bond... a connection to each other that kept drawing us... and it is something as an adult today that I do not want to lose".
Amy stated, "Well I know it sounds cliche, but you're not just a friend - and not just a part time love interest in my life... and you are definitely not going to lose me"
Amy continued slowly, her eyes fixed on Ty's blue-green eyes, "Ty, you're the friend I have grown to love and respect and now trust..." Amy paused to see Ty smile at her with those blue-green eyes, "we have a future together".
Ty responded with a leaning kiss on Amy's cheek. "You are my best friend and the woman I love and trust... I think that our future is about being together... not just as seasons are counted, but for a lifetime".
As Amy looked down feeling profoundly loved by Ty's words, Ty reached into his leather riding jacket pocket and produced a silver box and opened it. Amy finally looking up and saw a golden ring with a small, but highly polished diamond with the slightest tinge of blue.
Amy squeezed Ty's hand that she held, while putting her other hand to her mouth... in a slight gasp. Ty leaned over to whisper, "As my best friend, my past, present and future love... would you marry me, Amy Fleming?"
As Amy and Ty's foreheads touched and Amy looked at the ring, she simply nodded acceptance, kissed Ty's nose, then his lips... "Yes, Ty Borden... I will marry you, because you are my best friend and the love of my life".
Ty slipped the golden diamond ring on Amy's finger. Both Amy and Ty could see each other's tear filled eyes as they kissed for several minutes - the coldish spray from the rocky waterfall misting them a bit as the wind picked up and a soft gentle warm rain started.
Once separated and realizing they were becoming soaked in rain water, Ty and Amy looked around the mountain scene. "To think that out here, far away from our Canadian homeland and Heartland, we would find the courage in our hearts to become engaged to each other...", said Ty.
"What matters right now Ty is our commitment to our future lives... we've known and dedicated our lives to each other...and no matter where we are in life, that can not be taken away from us".
Amy and Ty walked at a brisk pace back to the stable loft to dry off.
Amy and Ty looked at each other as they arrived back at the stable. They went upstairs and each took a towel to dry off. "You know, our time in Colorado is coming to an end in a few weeks..." said Ty, "how do we tell the family?"
Amy winked at Ty, "so we have some crossroads to look at... is that what you are saying?"
Ty held Amy's hand tightly as they talked about revealing their engagement. Ty said, "I think now that we have our minds made up and we are getting married, we need not be stealth in our affections toward each other".
"So crossroads number one, how do we tell my family that we are getting married Ty?"
Ty said, "I think we need to do it together in a unified way; Jack - he's been dropping hints for months to us, so I'm almost sure he is going to be fine".
Amy grinned, "Yea, I can tell him we are no longer circling each other..."
Ty laughed, "and I can tell Jack I am not kissing and running again".
Amy looked at Ty quizzically, "grandpa actually said that to you?" Amy said, "Oh Ty, the things I am going to be finding out now". Both Amy and Ty laughed.
Ty came up behind Amy and whispered in her ear, "oh trust me, you will find out lots of things embarrassing about the two of us as we get closer to our wedding day..."
Amy turned to face Ty blushing a bit, "and our next crossroad... we need to set a wedding date".
"Well let's not worry ourselves sick already - half an hour after our engagement...", Ty continued, "but speaking on the matter of a wedding... I would like to talk to you about something we have not talked about much these past four years..." Ty seemed nervous again...
Amy a bit perplexed said, "Don't worry Ty... what is your thoughts on the wedding? I want this to be an event we plan together".
Ty nervously started... "Amy, you know from my past that my spiritual life has been lackluster and confused... but when I was a young boy and before Wade came into the picture, by mom tried to do the right thing for me spiritually by taking me to a church".
Amy smiled, "Well, I think it is obvious we will have a wedding in a church... right?"
Ty looked at Amy and said, "Yes, but I want to be sure we are respecting the marriage ceremony and know that not only are we sharing vows before each other, but before... well, before God".
Ty continued, "I know we have never talked about spiritual matters in regard to church, and I'll understand if you think I'm being silly... but it is important to me".
Amy stood amazed at the depth of Ty's commitment to her. He was not only concerned that their vows be to each other, but to a higher power. Amy said, "you're commitment before God makes me realize this wedding is a serious matter for you - I also intend to honor our vows."
Ty said, "You are a true blessing Amy Fleming...", and he kissed her
Kissing Ty back, Amy said, "and so are you Ty Borden..."
"Let's plan to call grandpa tomorrow and tell the family the good news..." said Amy.
"And can we plan to attend church with the Richards in the morning?" asked Ty. "We'll step into this slowly..."
"Sure thing Ty", was the response.
Ty awoke from his sleep in his guest room feeling refreshed and confident in a future, which included Amy as his bride to be...
Dean knocked on Ty's door and Ty answered, "Come in".
Dean cracked the door and handed Ty a cup of coffee, "we'll leave for church around 7:30 if that is OK?"
"I'll grab my shower and be ready.", announced Ty as he sipped his coffee.
Amy rolled over in her hideaway bed and stretched her arms as she woke up. The alarm beeped softly and she reached over to turn the alarm off. She noted with a smile the shining diamond ring on her left hand.
Amy quickly jogged over to her bathroom and started the shower and then turned on the coffee maker. Back in the shower, Amy let her thoughts wonder to what a future married life with Ty would be like.
Amy dried off and searched her closet for the black knee long dress for church. Finding it, she next looked for her green floral button down blouse and slipped it on. Not much for worrying about her hair during a workday, Amy paid attention to using a curling iron this morning and applying some blush and eye shadow.
As Amy finished up, a knock came at the lower level loft door. Putting on her sandals quickly, she walked down the loft steps and opened the door. Ty stood their in a pair of pleated Dockers pants and his purple button up shirt.
"I see you are ready to go.", commented Ty, "you look lovely this morning". Amy smiled at Ty noticing...
"And I think being seen with you in public this morning should turn a few heads", Amy complimented Ty.
Ty opened the SUV back seat door and taking Amy's hand, helped her into the Richards' vehicle. "Thank you", said Amy.
Ty climbed in next to Amy and they were off down the canyon.
As the church service came to a conclusion, the Richards along with Amy and Ty were ushered from their seats and shook hands with the pastor at the doorway.
Dean and Ann introduced their guests as their summer helpers from Alberta Canada. The pastor shook their hands and noted Amy's ring.
The pastor said, "Ah, I see you two are engaged... congratulations". Amy and Ty smiled shyly. "Thank you", they both said in unison.
Ann, having overhead the congratulations, stood beaming in a start-struck look of surprise. Dean noticed and said, "What is wrong dear?"
"Do you notice something on Amy's hand that is different?", asked Ann.
Dean saw Ty take Amy's left hand and saw the ring. A smile spread across the friendly face of Dean Richards. "That is why Ty was so happy this morning..."
Ann and Dean shook the pastor's hand and continued to follow Amy and Ty outside. When they had walked to the parking lot of the church, Dean and Ann stopped and gave their congratulations and hugs to the young couple.
"Let's celebrate a bit on this special day. Would you two object to eating out before heading back up the canyon and home?" asked Dean.
Amy and Ty concurred that dinner out on the town sounded great.
Ty said, "Thank you both for taking us to church today... my memories are vague from childhood, but comforting.."
Amy added, "As we look forward to planning our wedding, we hope you'll know how much Ty and I appreciate your support of us this summer..."
Ann and Dean simply smiled at the young couple, "you are very welcome".