Chapter 3: First "Date"
A couple of weeks passed, as Amy and Mitch both got busy with life again, and one morning, Amy suddenly got a text: "Amy, how about that ride? Are you available right now? I've got some time. There's a gate on your property that Jack was repairing when we met the first time that opens onto the road not far from my place. Do you know the one I'm talking about?"
"Yes, I've got a little while, and I do know where you are talking about. Meet you in twenty!"
Amy found a way to safely head out on a ride without anyone suspecting anything. As she came over the hill, she saw Mitch wave to her from atop Sapphire. 'He really is a beautiful horse with such a rare color. Mitch looks mighty good on him!' They headed out on Shadow and Sapphire. They talked about why Mitch chose to return to school; Amy related to him the story of the centre for troubled kids, Ty's gift she found that was going to be for their 6th wedding anniversary (Mitch was really touched by this), and the dedication of "Stronger Together Dr. Ty Borden Equestrian Youth Centre," how much Lyndy had grown and changed, and how Jack and Lisa and the rest of the family had been doing. Amy purposely avoided talking about Lou this time. They decided to give the horses a break and a drink and sat on a large log for a while by the stream.
As they spoke of times at Heartland, Mitch wasn't sure why he found himself pouring out his heart to Amy. He asked if Jack or Lou ever told her about his cousin Zach that he lost who was like a brother to him? She answered no and said she was so sorry for his loss. In the process of sharing this with her, he told her about them growing up together, splashing in the Mr. Turtle pool, and riding the bus together. Then he laid bare his heart in telling her that he didn't realize how much his cousin's death and his military experience were still affecting him until he froze the day that he and Jack were hunting the wolf that had been killing the cattle, and he had put Jack in danger by not being able to shoot at the wolf. He suddenly realized what this may have triggered in Amy and reached over to gently hold her arm with pain in his eyes as he apologized. That was their first real touch, other than the initial hug at seeing each other, and again, they both felt the electricity wash through them, though neither said anything. Amy assured him there was no need to apologize and used it as an opportunity to let him know that other than Jack and Lou just a little, she'd not really talked with many about what it was like to lose Ty. "But Mitch, for whatever reason, I find it very easy to talk with you about it." That really helped put Mitch at ease and made him desire more than ever to reveal his whole self to Amy as they were getting to know each other on a deeper level.
"Mitch, do you remember when I had an attitude toward you when we first met, and I thought you were just being selfish and had deserted Maverick to go travel? It totally changed my view of you when you told me that you'd been away because of being in the military. I don't think I ever told you how much I admired you because of learning that."
"Well, I appreciate that, Amy. But I was pretty private about that part of my life then. There was a lot I was still sorting out. Thankfully, Maverick helped me see where I needed to be for that time in my life."
"Yes, that join up* that day and his reaction to you leaving was one of the most amazing things I've seen in my years of working with horses! One I'll never forget. And I'm grateful you stayed, and that now we can pick up where we left off and not be starting from scratch."
"Yes, that is a plus for us," Mitch said flashing that adorable, crooked smile that so drew Amy in.
As it got close to lunch time, they decided they'd better head back. It had been a really encouraging time for them both after so much heartbreak in their lives. They hugged each other before they mounted their horses to go their separate ways and promised to meet again soon!
A/N: This chapter is short, but I promise, the next one is longer.
*The join up - if you haven't watched Heartland, or if you want to go back and re-watch the join up, it is Season 9, Episode 14.