Chapter 14

Ty had borrowed Tim's 5th wheel and Jacks flat bed truck to haul as many panels as he could. He arrived in Pike River about noon. Amy heard the old familiar sound of grandpas truck and rushed out. She stands at the top of the stairs with her hands on her hips, waiting for Ty to come into range. As he approaches the bottom step Amy takes a step and leaps into his arm and raps her legs around him. The kissing then began. Neither of them cared who was watching. They were in their moment so to speak. When they finally parted Amy asked, "Ty did you happen to get that box I had asked for?"

" Yes I did, and are you sure you want to do this." Was Ty's reply.

"Never more sure, but it could wait till after lunch. I do believe I just heard your stomach growl." Amy said with a smile.

As they walked in Amy noticed Tom and Edith and took Ty over to introduce him.. A few moments later Joanna came and welcome Ty. Amy and Ty joined Tom and Edith for lunch. Edith saw the deep love they had for one another. Their eyes sparkled when they looked at each other. She saw the strength of their love in those eyes an knew in her heart Amy was fine.

After lunch Amy asked Ty if he wanted to go for a walk or head to her room. "Lets walk for a spell." Ty tells her.

They walk hand in hand neither having to say a word. Ty is the first to speak. "That flood sure changed the course of this river didn't it." There was silence again. Ty motions for Amy to sit. As Amy sits he stands in front of her and goes to his knees. "Amy, I want you to know how proud I am of you. You have changed but only for the better. Thank you for asking me to partner up with you on this, it means the world to me, just as you do."

Amy reaches out with her hands and cradles Ty's face as she gives him a soft kiss. "Ty, the last few day have taught me what my biggest problem was, I was afraid to sell out to you. Well, I'm here to tell you I'm 100% all yours. I believe over the years I will show you that every day. Remember when you picked me up at Victor's years ago and I told you I just knew deep down that we would be okay. I'm more sure for that now, than ever before. Mrs. Bell always told us we made a wonderful team. Ty, I'm so sorry for all the terrible things I have put you through."

"Amy, we each put the other through rough times but that is all in the past and lets keep it there. Okay. We have control of your lives now so what do you say we take the bull by the horns and kick some butt."

"Sound good to me," Amy tells him and they lock up the deal with a kiss. "Lets head to my room now, we have one other way we need to seal this deal." Amy told him with a devilish grin.

Around 4:30 as Tom and Edith were sitting by the river reading Edith noticed Amy and Ty leave the motel and head to Joanna's. A big smile came across Edith face, for she could see by the spring in Amy's step and the afterglow about her, that she had given her all to Ty. Edith leans over, reaches for Tom's chin and turns him toward her and lays one hell of a kiss on him.

"Thank you!" Tom told her. "Was there a special reason I was honored with that sweetness."

"Yes Tom, I just very grateful I have you in my life and thought you deserved that. Now how about we head in for dinner. I saw Ty and Amy head in and I'll like to spend this evening with her because tomorrow she will be out at Will's for a while and I'm not sure when she'll be back before we head back home."

Ty and Amy left around 7am for Will's place the next morning. They spent the next 6 days doing set up and riding out to check the herd. Amy was content with the set up and thankful Ty was there with her. On one of there early morning rides Amy asked, "So Ty what do you think of the herd?" She was hoping Ty also saw what she saw in them.

"They are by far some of the best looking wild horses I've ever seem. They all look very healthy and in great shape, Amy. I do see a couple that are up there in age and maybe a couple that look from here to be pregnant." Ty told her as he continued looking over the herd. "I also like the way you have the setup back at Will's. You want them to come to you don't you. That's why you had us put all the cut hay at the far end of the corals while the other ends had 3 panel opening for the herd to enter. It seems you have thought of everything Amy. Is there anything else we can do?"

"To be honest Ty I'm concerned with the round pens. Did you ever wonder, why the round pen at Heartland is built the way it is? Its taller and the rails are so much closer. I read in one of my mother's journals the reason is so the horse can't be easily distracted. The reason I put dads 5th wheel in between them was to block the view of each horse that is being worked but the rest of the round pen is exposed to the rest of the herd and will distract the horses. I don't know what to do about that yet."

"So what you need is a blind of some kind, right ?" Ty asked

"Yes and by that look in those beautiful green eyes you have thought of something, haven't you?" Amy could read Ty's looks most of the time.

"Yes I think I might have the answer. Will have to get to town and call Lou to see if she can order it. I was out on a call last week at a plant nursery. They had this inner woven nylon fabric on the ground. The owner said it was the toughest fabric he had ever seen. He said they use it mostly in rock garden so weeds don't grow and it's allows water to run right through it. We could strap some 8ft. PVC to the panels and attach the fabric to that. He told me where to get it in Calgary so maybe Lou can get some it time."

"We sure work good as a team don't we?" Amy said as she leans in for a kiss.

"Yes we do. Now lets head back to Will's and get into town." Ty said as they got back on their horses for the ride back.

It was the night before grandpa and Amy's new trainees were to show up that Edith asked Amy if they could talk a bit after dinner. "Please Edith, I love that. I have been so busy with the setup and Ty, I didn't mean to ignore you." Amy said with a concerned tone.

"You have done exactly what you should of done and don't you worry about me. Tom and I spent a lot more time in our room, if you catch my drift." Edith told her with a grin.

After dinner Ty went to the church to call Scott and Jack to make sure tomorrow was a go. Edith and Amy went to their big rock by the river to talk.

"How are you feeling about tomorrow, Amy?" Edith asked.

"If you mean about seeing Tara. I'm good. Ty and I have grown together so much since he got here. I'm not afraid in any way. I did like you said and sold out to him and to us. Besides I got to thinking , Tara and I saw each other a couple of times after that weekend at different functions and we were both just acted normal when we talked. I don't believe there will be a problem." Amy proclaimed.

"That warms my heart Amy. Now here is my card. I'm not sure with all that you have going for you if we will have time to really chat again before Tom and I leave. I want you to feel free to call me at anytime. Now I mean that Amy. I'd like for Tom and I to come out and watch you and your team once you get everything up and running. Would that be okay?"

"Of course Edith. You and Tom are welcome to come and watch as a matter of fact, the morning this all kicks off after I explain everything to the ranchers I'm going to show them what they will be doing. I will do a join-up with Molly I call her. She is the lead mare. I want them to see what is expected of them and how it is done." Amy explained.

"Thank you Amy. I do have one slight request if I may ask? Edith tells her. Joan our daughter is coming for a visit in 2 months. Could Tom and I bring her to Heartland to meet you and see how you are doing with the mustangs?"

Amy with a big smile replied "If you don't then you and Tom are not invited to our wedding." Amy told her.

To be continued