Chapter 10

At Heartland the four look at each other and shrugged their shoulders. "I think its a great way for Amy to get back to what she loves the most." Lou states.

"I agree. Caleb I'm sure will want some of the stock. Specially since Amy is starting the horses. Look at it this way Jack, Once Amy has a horse broke to ride she could sell it for at least $5,000.00 if not much more. You consider 25 head, that good money for 6 months work."

"That just a lot of horses in that short of time, for one person."

"She won't be alone grandpa. We'll all be here to help."

Ty had turned so they wouldn't see the tears of pure joy welding up in his eyes. His heart was elated when Amy asked him to partner with her. It had been their dream for many years to work together. Then he realized the last big thing they had done together was at Pike River also.

...

After dinner , Amy helped Joanna with the dishes then excused herself and said good night. Walking toward the motel Amy sees Edith sitting alone by the river and decides to join her.

"May I join you?" Amy asks.

"Please Amy sit. I was hoping you'd come join me. I told you we were a lot alike. You couldn't resist helping those horses could you?"

" No I couldn't. Last night Edith I didn't get into detail about everything that happened in Europe."

" I didn't think you did and to be perfectly honest Amy, I didn't want you to. Let me explain, there are things in each person life that need to be kept to one's self. Like in a lock box, that only they have a key for. Some times, that key needs to be thrown away. The box never to be opened again. Let me give you an example. My father was a drinker. There were times he would get very verbal to anyone or anything. At times he would lash out at those in the family. Those are thing I keep to myself. I draw off them at times only because of the work that I do. I don't go around talking about them nor do I think about them. Some of those memories I've thrown the key away. I don't wish to draw or think about them again. All of what I just said goes for pleasant memories as well. Before meeting Tom, I went out with a young man a few times who took me out ballroom dancing. Those are very pleasant memories that I keep to myself. Tom doesn't need to know. Hypothetically lets say a person has a one night stand with someone and their each single. They enjoyed that time together very much. The two never see each other again. That something that they might want to keep and toss away the key."

"What if you saw that person again and they brought something up that happened and didn't want to let it go?" Amy asked in a soft voice.

Edith looked at Amy wondering where that question came from but answered "That would depend on the circumstances if you'd have to open that box or not. One always should be honest with oneself. Now Amy, in being honest with oneself we need to think of others also. Example, I'm sure you didn't tell Ty everything that went on in Europe. By that I mean at anytime did Ahmed brush up against you where he might of touched your breast or your ass unintentionally? Or a man on the dance floor. Maybe even a women. You don't need to mention those to anyone. Now if someone did that on a regular bases and you had told them to stop and they didn't then you open that box and deal with it."

Edith can see that Amy is getting a concerned look about her. Something has triggered that reaction. "Amy when Ahmed kissed you that night you got fearful and put it in a box and locked it in your mind and threw away the key. It might not of been until you were in the loft with Ty that first night that you realized that it was wrong to have thrown the key away. Your conscience got to you. That's when the fear of the consequences took over. In your mind it I'm sure, was like quicksand. Things got even worse in a hurry when you learned it was on video and Lou had shown you. You learned a lesson the hard way. The wonderful thing is everything is now out in the opened about that box and your came out smelling pretty good. Amy, I can tell something is still brothering you. Do you wish to talk about it?"

"I understand most of what you were just telling me. The big question I have to myself is, would I ever of told Ty about the kiss. I don't have that answer yet and I need that answered." Amy answered with frustration.

Edith could see she needed to calm Amy's mind down. "At the right time I believe you would of Amy. Your conscience would of won out. It may of hurt but I do believe you'd of told him."

"You might be right Edith on that. I would like to know in my heart I would."

" Second guessing oneself is not a good habit to get into. It is out in the open now. The now is what is most important. Don't you think?"

"Yes." Amy replies.

"I'm not going to tell you what to do or what to think Amy. I do have a question however. Does this key involve Ahmed?"

"No, it doesn't."

"Good. Now what are your plans for tomorrow?" Edith asks hoping they could talk more then.

" I plan on sleeping in for one thing. Amy says with a smile. Then thought I'd buy lunch for you and Tom."

"Sounds like a good plan to me. Maybe after that we could talk some more. What do you think?"

"Sounds like even a better plan to me. Thank you Edith for spending this time with me."

"I'm here for you Amy."

They both stand and give each other a mother, daughter type hug. Then walk toward the motel in silence.

They say their good nights as they head to their rooms.

Amy showed and while sitting on the edge of her bed, she thought of what Edith said about the now is what is important. Amy thought back to all the times grandpa told her whats done is done, time to move on. In her heart she knew they were both right but knew she still had work to do.

It was near 10 am before Amy's eyes saw the light of day. She put her arms out to the side and stretched, then sat up. She get to the bathroom and did the usual with her hair and make up, brushing her teeth last.

As Amy sat at the counter, Joanna commented "looks like someone had a rough night."

"I've had better." Amy said as she yawned.

"Dad sure is excited about tomorrow night. He checked and told me to tell you he has 15 panels and a gate." As Joanna told Amy her mind went back to the Christmas when she had first meet Amy and Ty. What an undertaking those two took on. Joanna knew all about Amy determination and was also excited about what was soon going to take place here in Pike River.

" Thats good. Now I need to get hold of a notebook so I can organize the who, what and where's." In Amy's mind the layout was set and a schedule was somewhat figured out. She needed to know how many ranchers and how many horses they would be need to finalize that part.

"I have one in the back Amy, I'll be right back. Oh before I forget, the church steps is the best area in town for a cell signal. That's figures right."

"Thanks." Amy calls out as Joanna goes to the back. Maybe I should call Ty. No I'll text him he could be working or sleeping, Amy thinks.

"Here you go Amy, I even brought a couple of pencils for ya. So whats your plan for whats left of the day?" Joanna asks with a laugh.

"Very funny." Amy come back with a big grin. "I asked Edith and Tom to have lunch with me. Afterwards, Edith and I are going for a walk along the river to talk."

"They are such beautiful people. They have been coming here every summer for near 20 years. They even sent a thousand dollars to help after the flood."

" When my husband died that winter, Edith came up and spent a week with me and the others who had lost someone. I'm not sure I'd of made it, if it wasn't for her." Joanna told Amy with tears ready to flow down her cheeks. She takes her hand and wipes the moisture way. "Their good people!"

Amy get ups and gives Joanna a hug. "You're good people too" Amy tells her as she starts to leave.

Amy goes to her room and grabs her cell phone. As she walks to the church the thoughts of last night come back. Amy's logic is telling her not to worry. But she's not totally convinced. She sits on the steps of the church and low and behold she has 3 bars. Ty is the first one she sends a message to then Lou. Before she could put her phone back in her back pocket Ty texts her back.

Ty tells her how he is looking forward to working with her and that it's been awhile. She agrees it will be good working side by side again. They each text there good bye for now. Ty had to get to work and Amy wanted to get to the diner.

On her way to meet Tom and Edith, Amy decides to talk to Edith more about the lock box.

To be continued