Chapter 2: A "Chance" Meeting

About nine months later…

Mitch Cutty's parents' property, the Saddle Road Ranch, was on the market again! As Mitch had finished his degree in Ranch Management because he found he loved it so much more than engineering, Mitch bought back his parents' ranch and found himself a neighbor of Heartland Ranch. As Maverick was getting on up in years, he determined he needed a good cattle horse. He ended up at Calgary Saddlery for a horse sale. As he began his search, he spied a familiar looking head of blonde hair peeking through the crowd. He headed toward her only to realize it really was "Amy?"

"Mitch!"

"It's so good to see you!" they said together as they hugged. As they stepped back from each other, Mitch was surprised at the shiver that shot through his body, 'I know I've always respected Amy and liked her a lot, but…was that a spark? Could it be more?'

Amy, surprised by her reaction thought, 'I know I've always respected Mitch and liked him a lot, but…was that a spark? Nah! Or was it? Could it be more? I did think I felt something when I got that letter from him.'

"What are you doing here?" Amy asked.

"Well, I finished school. Got my degree in Ranch Management from the U of C, and I bought back my parents' ranch that came up for sale again. I'm here looking to buy a good cattle horse. Care to help me look…if you have the time?"

"I've got a little time. Do you still have Maverick?"

"Yes, I do. We are still great buddies, but he's getting a little old for herding cattle. Don't want to push him that hard. I'd like to keep him around as long as I can. And Spartan…still with you?

"He is, though he spends his days now mostly in the pasture. I do still ride him enough to keep him in shape, and we still do occasional liberty work together, just at a slower pace. However, he is in good enough shape that we won a 50-mile endurance race a while back."

"That's pretty amazing! And what are you doing here?"

"A guy from here in Calgary had a horse that's been giving him trouble that he wanted me to look at, and it was convenient for him to meet me here. We just finished our session. Ever since that article from a year or so ago, people have been contacting me from all over. By the way, thank you so much for sending the copy of the article and for your sweet letter." Amy felt slightly embarrassed that she'd called it sweet (which did not go unnoticed by Mitch), so Amy quickly changed the subject, "Hey, let's go look for you a good horse. So if I remember right, you had a little trouble picking out a good horse in the past."

They both laughed, and Mitch said, "Yeah, I guess I may never live down buying a mare pregnant with twins! But in my defense, Georgie had me under her spell." They both laughed.

"Ok, so do you know what you are looking for?"

"Uh, I just know I need a good cattle horse."

"Well, actually you need not just a good cattle horse, but a good ranch horse, since there are so many kinds of work it will be asked to do. May I suggest?"

"Of course! You're the expert."

"So you need to find a strong horse, physically fit with good stamina and a big heart."

"A big heart? There you go with that 'feelings' talk again," Mitch teased.

"Yes, you want to have a horse you can really bond with. One who will be your partner on the ranch. And I think you'll find it will become even more than a partner, but also a friend. A relationship like you and Maverick have."

"Wow, Amy, I'd have never thought about all those things! I'm so glad we happened upon each other for you to guide me in this."

They spent an hour or so looking over several horses, and they finally saw a beautiful blue roan horse that, after examining and spending a little bit of time with him, took right to Mitch and seemed to be the perfect ranch horse for him. And the owner offered him at a great price.

"Amy, thank you so much! I could have never chosen such a great horse today without you! May I buy you lunch?"

"I'd like that."

Over lunch, Amy asked him, "Mitch, how are you really doing?" He told her that he'd been able to move on. Amy asked him what exactly happened with Lou. He hesitated for a moment, but he thought Amy had a right to know, so he let himself be vulnerable with her and told her that Peter was always in the background of their relationship, and Lou began realizing that she still had feelings for Peter. But ultimately, it came down to the fact that he wanted to have a child of his own, and Lou didn't want to have any more. That became the deal breaker. They realized they desired totally different paths in their lives. It was hard, but he'd come to realize that having a relationship with Lou was always hard and a roller coaster. He knew now that he needed someone who loves him for who he is, is less up and down, and wants the same things in life. Amy was intrigued and liked what she heard. She also thought back to when she told Lou he was "easy on the eyes." 'That was certainly still true!'

Mitch asked Amy about Lyndy. She showed him a picture and let him know that she was finishing up 1st grade and was now almost seven.

"She's so beautiful, Amy! I can't believe she's the baby I held and the tiny girl I ice-skated with! Seems like yesterday. I can see both you and Ty in her. The last few years must have been hard for you."

Amy shifted her eyes down for a moment, but since Mitch had been so open with her about Lou and him, she felt she could trust him, and she decided to allow herself to be vulnerable as well…"They have been. I've had to take things a day at a time. I wasn't sure it was ever going to quit hurting every minute of every day. Grandpa has really been there as my rock and helped me through so many of the hardest times. One of the particularly helpful things he shared with me was that eventually my memories of Ty would quit haunting me, and they'd come to be a comfort and bring me joy. I've found that to be true."

"Jack seems to always know what's needed. I really miss that guy! I'm glad you've been able to get to a better place. Ty was an amazing man. I really appreciated the passion and example I saw in him, and how he loved you and Lyndy. Amy, I'm so sorry that I was unable to be at the remembrance ride you had for Ty. Maybe, someday, you could take me to the place for me to pay my respects to Ty?"

Amy looked at him, a little surprised at his request, but pleased by his thoughtfulness and wanting to honor Ty himself. "Let me think about that and get back to you. I'm just not sure I'm ready to go back up there yet. But I can let you know when that time may come. And when it does, I'd be glad to take you."

"I'd appreciate that."

Mitch got up to take their trash to a bin, and when he returned, he shuffled his feet a bit and said, "Well, I guess I'd better get my new horse trailered. Do you have time to hang out with me while I do that?"

"Sure."

As they were trailering the horse, Mitch asked, "What do you think about the name Sapphire for him?"

"Sapphire…I like that! It fits him, especially with his beautiful color!" Mitch smiled at Amy's response.

"So where are you parked? May I walk you?'

"Would you?" Mitch motioned for her to lead the way, and Amy felt glad he had asked. As they walked together and neared her truck, Mitch slowed down, turned to her and said, "Amy, I've always respected you so much. I'd love to see you again. Want to meet and go for a ride sometime? I mean, we are neighbors now."

"You know, I think I'd like that. Maybe we just keep it between us for now."

"Agreed."

As they reached the truck, he looked up, smiled and said, "I see you're still driving the blue truck that I sold to you and Ty."

"Yes, it's a good one. Thank you again for rescuing us when we needed a new vehicle."

"Glad the timing worked out. Bye for now, Amy. It's been so great to see you again. I look forward to that ride!"

"Me, too!"