Chapter 9

As Will pulled into his yard Amy asked, "Will, are those all your horses?"

"No. Thats a wild herd that grazes here now and then. Aren't they beautiful!"

"They sure are." Amy told him as she gets out of the truck. "I'm going down to have a closer look."

" You be careful Amy. They are a little leery. As Will walks away, he calls to her over his shoulder "I'll go saddle Lucky for ya."

Looking over the herd, Amy is wanting to she if she can spot the lead mare. It didn't take her long. As she picks her way toward the mare Amy never allowed their eyes to meet, she didn't want the mare is see her as a threat. The name Molly popped into her head. Thats what I'll call you then, Amy thought. Once Amy got to where she needed to be, she sat facing her target. Molly didn't take her eyes and ears off Amy as she grazed. It was near 30 minutes before the mare took her first steps toward Amy. It wasn't much but a start. When Molly moved again this time her head was down, ears forward and walking right toward Amy. Amy held out her hand, the one that held a mint to the mare as she stood. Just then a man on a quad came riding toward the herd and they spooked.

When the man shut off the quad Amy lit into him "What do you think you're doing? You could of got me killed!"

"Sorry, I didn't see you and who the hell are you anyway?"

"She's my guest Matt. I've told you before not to drive that thing in my fields. What do you want anyway?"

"I came to let you know, me and some of the other ranchers are meeting to discuss those horses. The meeting is at Joanna's grill in two nights. I'm going to push for a cull, Will. Those damn horses need to go." Matt not having anything more to say, starts the quad and leaves.

"We can't let that happen, Will."Amy tells him with a concerned look.

"Unless someone comes up with a good plan Amy, I don't know that we can stop them."

"I'll figure out something. I'm going to get Lucky and go for that ride. Should be back by 3:30. Is that good with you?"

"Sure, have fun and be careful."

Amy headed to the tree line were the herd had gone. She had hoped to get a chance at Molly again. That wasn't to be the case. She started to think back to last night but she stopped herself. Stopping that cull needed to be dealt with first, she thought . In her mind a plan started to form.

Having put Lucky back in her stall Amy joined Will for some tea. "I have a plan Will, but need to ask a couple a of questions first."

"Sure Amy. What do you need to know?"

" If I had a way to relocate that herd, would that please you?"

"How can you do that?"

"What I have planed will benefit all concerned. Can you live with that""

"If you can do that, yes I can"

"Okay, do you know how many head are in the herd?"

"38 including the stallion."

"Good. Do you think any of the ranchers need or want good stock horses or breeding stock?"

"Of course, but why do you want to know that?"

"Lets head to town and I'll fill you in."

Upon arriving at Joanna's, Amy looks at Will, "What do you think?" she asks.

"Do you really think you can do all that Amy?"

"If they give me the time I can," Amy proclaims as they enter the grill.

"Well, did you two have a good day?" Joanna asks as the two sat down at Will's favorite table.

"Yes we did, except for when Matt Pincher came riding that quad through my fields again. The bad part, Amy, was right there with the wild herd when he did that and of course they spooked. He tried to say he didn't see her . Amy wasn't buying that and fed him the riot act." Will said with a big grin.

"I suppose he was there to tell you about the meeting concerning those wild horses."

" Yes. But Joanna, I think Amy here has a plan that will make everyone happy."

Joanna looks at Amy and smiles. " Sure hope so. Diner is running about 20 minutes late. Is elk stew okay with you two?" Will and Amy nod in approval.

Tom and Edith walked through the doors, Amy asked Will if they could join them for dinner, "of course" he said.

Amy greets them and invites them over. Tom and Edith had been coming to pike River for many years and knew Will and Joanna quite well. As they were chatting the pay phone rang. As Amy got up to answer it, she told them she had sent Lou that number so she'd call her tonight. The cell reception was spotty in Piker River to say the least.

"Amy...Amy is that you?"

"Yes Lou its me."

"I'm in the barn Amy, grandpa, Ty and Scott are here also. Look I'm going to put it on

speaker so everyone can hear. Is that okay?"

Lou puts it on speaker before Amy even had a chance to answer. They all heard her say, "sure Lou."After all the greetings and miss you were done Amy told them she needed to talk to the four of them about something important.

"I have something too Amy and I'll make it quick. The restraining order is in place. Mr. William's has located Ahmed attorney and informed him, of the pending charges if he contacts you again in any way."

"That's great Lou. I'll sleep better tonight knowing that." Amy pauses taking in a deep breath. Look everyone, I was out at Will's place today and it seems a herd of wild horses loves to come and visit his fields. While I was out sitting, trying to get the lead mare to come to me a man drives up on a quad spooking them. It turned out to be Will's neighbor coming to informs him of a meeting. The ranchers in this area want to cull that herd. The meeting takes place in two nights. Now I have a plan."

Amy could hear ,of course you do coming from Ty and grandpa almost in unison.

"I heard that you two!"

"What's you plan Amy?"

"Well grandpa I plan on seeing if any of the rancher want or need any working or breeding stock. If they do, I will help them break and train them."

"You're taking on the big project there Amy!"

"I have it covered Grandpa. Scott, that stallion will make a super addition to any herd. What do you think about putting him with the one by your granddad's place?"

"I'll check on that Amy. I don't see why not."

"Thanks Scott."

"I afraid to ask Amy, but what's your plan for the rest of those horses?"

"I'm hoping that the ranchers are willing to take a dozen and the rest well, you know."

"You plan to bring 25 wild horses here to Heartland?"

" They will be halter broke before they get that far and I'll handle all the expenses, Grandpa. Trust me."

"Ty, hope you don't think I have forgotten you?"

"No Amy. I know you better than that. I've just been enjoying watching the expressions on Jack's and Lou's faces as you have been laying out your plan. What do you need me to do?"

"I need you and Scott here to vet them. Then I could use your help breaking the ones going to Heartland. I'd like you to be my partner in this little venture. What do you think?"

" I'm game Amy but I just started back to work with Scott, today."

Scott speaks up and said, "Thats fine Ty, those horses are more important right now."

"Okay then. Once the meeting is over I'll call and give you the list of what I'll need."

"Amy, why don't you give me a hint of what you need. I could at least get a head start."

"Well Grandpa. The biggest thing is panels. I'll need two round pens and three holding paddocks about 32x48. A chute setup for the vetting and at least six gates. Now before you panic I'm sure the rancher can supply some of what's needed."

" Joanna just set dinner on the table so Love all of you. I'll call once the meeting is over . Bye."

to be continued