Chapter 7

At dinner that night, Amy informs everyone about her going to Pike River for a few days. She could see the concern in their faces and simply asked them to trust her, which they all agreed to do. After dinner Ty and Amy were doing night check on the horses when Jack walked up and asked if things were okay now with the two of them. "Much better Jack," Ty tells him. "We have both come a long way since the other day. We are confident that things will only get better."

"Good to hear that." Jack tells them as he heads back to the house.

When done with the nightly chores, Amy motions to the stairs of the loft. "Are you game?" And head up the stairs. Ty right on her tail. It didn't take them long to be wrapped in each other arms. The moaning could have been heard if anyone was in the area of the barn. Amy had Ty's shirt off and was rubbing little circles on his chest. Ty fell asleep within minutes. Amy reached over and covered them both. They each had a quiet night's rest.

Around 8 am they awoke with a start. The covers were being pulled from their bodies. The first thing they heard was "its a good thing you both are dressed cause somebody just might of lost a body part!" Jack was laughing as he left the loft. Ty and Amy looked at each other and broke out in laughter. After a very passionate kiss ,Amy buttoned up her shirt. They headed to the house for coffee and breakfast.

As Amy was packing up a few things, Ty asks if she could give him a ride home. He grabs the few things he had along with his books which he hadn't even looked at while there and puts them in Amy's truck. Amy says her good byes. On the way to Ty's place he slides over next to Amy. He moves her hair off her neck and starts kissing and nibbling her neck . Amy quickly pulls over and says "Ty I'm driving and you doing that is distracting me too much"

"Well, haven't I told you that. But you don't stop. I thought fair is fair."

"But Ty, you're a man. You are supposed to handle those things!" Amy tells him with a sheepish looking grin.

"Okay. But I do have to admit it's kind of hot too. So from now on, you can do it to me. But you have to keep your hand off my crotch. Get it?"

Amy still with that sheepish grin says , "sure I'll try and do that" as she gets back on the road.

" I didn't say try, Amy."

Amy turns to him and sticks her tongue out at him. Then smiles.

She turns into Ty's driveway and they both get out. "I haven't been here since the poachers were here. I don't know what it is like on the inside." As he unlocks the door. Peaking in, he could tell they had messed the place up a little. All in all it wasn't too bad.

Amy was concerned. She asked if he needed any help. She told him that maybe he should stay at Heartland until the poachers are caught.

"I'll be just fine Amy." They caught me off guard last time. Ill be fine. Ty pulls her in close. He holds her head in his palms and kisses her like never before. As they come up for a breath, Amy looks at him with wonder "How can you expect me to leave after a kiss like that?"

"That was just a reminder of what is waiting here for you."

"You're mean"

"No Amy. I"m just in love!"

"Good" she tells him and gives him a quick kiss and heads to her truck.

"I'll call or text you when I get there. Love you, Ty."

The drive was uneventful but filling at the same time. She had plenty to think back on. About her relationship with Ty. The more she did, the more it became apparent that she either caused or made something out of nothing and blew things out of proportion throughout their relationship. Ty had been right all along. Amy's heart was getting overwhelmed with thankfulness. She had to pull off the road to get her composure back. Tears of thankfulness wouldn't be stopped. She was so thankful that the man she had loved and dreamed about those many years, still loved her. She regained her composure and drove on to Pike River with an understanding she hadn't had before.

It was around 3 pm when Amy pulled into Pike River. She was heartbroken to see the damage the flood had done to this quaint little place. As she walked into Joanna's Bar n Grill, Amy spots Joanna chatting with a customer. As she stands behind the counter Joanna looks up as she hears the door open to see who just came in and a big smile came upon her face. She couldn't seem to get around the counter fast enough to give her old friend a welcoming hug. "Amy, what a wonderful surprise!"

"Really nice to see you too, Joanna."

"Here sit. Can I get you anything, Amy? Oh, its good to see you again."

"I'd like to know if you have a room I could rent for a week are so?"

"Yes I do. Just got the motel up and running 2 weeks ago. Are you by yourself, Amy?"

"Yes. I needed some time to sort a few things out in my heart and mind. If you know what I mean"

"Of course I do. So, when you're ready, I'll show you to your room."

"I'd like to get unpacked and come back for some tea. I'm ready when you are"

"Let me get your key and I'll be right with you."

Amy grabs her duffel bag and and the small shoulder bag that has her glock in it and follows Joanna to Room 5. "Here's your key, Amy. Dad comes down at 5 for his dinner so you must join us. He will be so pleased to see you."

"Thanks Joanna. I'll be there."

Amy unpacks her bag and sits on the edge of her bed .Looking at her phone to see the time, she has just over an hour before she is to meet Will and Joanna. Amy sends texts to Ty and Lou to let them know she has arrived. She then decides to go for a walk along the river. Amy thinks about taking BB, the name Ty gave her glock when they went out shooting. It was short for Big Bertha. She thought better of it and placed it under her pillow.

It was a beautiful early summer afternoon as Amy made her way to the river. Her mind went back to what Ty had told her just before the break. Amy you have changed, kept going thru her mind then …..."look out young lady" someone yells. Amy stopped in her tracks. She then realized she is only inches from walking into a tree. The older gentleman who yelled out comes over to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes I'm fine. I was just in my own mind too deeply I guess. I don't even remember walking this far. The last thing I remember was stopping and seeing the river when I left the motel. I don't remember anything after that."

"Don't worry yourself young lady we all do that now and then. I should know, I teach psychology at the University of Calgary." He said with a chuckle.

"Well thank you for shouting out. I have had a few too many things on my plate lately. By the way I'm Amy Fleming," and offers her hand to formalize the introduction.

" I'm Professor Tom Renard and that lady coming over here is my wife, Edith."

"I know who you are. Tom this is the Amy Fleming. Joan used to talk about you all the time a few years back. The Miracle Girl and the young lady that won The Ring of Fire. Like her mom did."

"Oh yes I remember. Its an honor to meet you, Ms. Fleming."

"Our daughter is a big fan of yours. She saw you and that other fellow do a clinic in Hudson once. She learned a lot from watching you."

"Please call me Amy, and the true honor is mine."

"Are you staying here at the motel, Amy?"

"Yes. I haven't been here in a while, but like I said, I have things on my plate that need to be dealt with before I can really move on with my life." Amy told them with a look they had seen before.

"Amy, if you need someone to help either by listening or just bouncing things off of, please don't hesitate to ask Tom or myself. We are here for you."

Amy gave them each a gentle hug. She thanked them, as she headed to the bar & grill.

To be continued