Chapter 7: Staying Incognito

About a week later, Mitch and Amy had agreed on a place to meet.

"Oh, good morning, Grandpa!"

"Well, you're up awfully early!"

"Yeah, I thought I'd get an early start on checking the fences before I have to get Lyndy to school."

"Well, I don't have anything planned this morning. I can take her for you."

"That would be great, Grandpa! Thank you." 'Perfect, that means I can have more time with Mitch. I'm so excited to learn more about him!'

Fifteen minutes later, she saw Mitch from a distance riding up to where they'd agreed to meet. 'Man, I can't get over how good he looks on a horse! Why had I never noticed before?!'

"Hi!"

"Hi!"

"What a perfect way to start off a morning! I brought us some muffins. Seems I recall you have a soft spot for them? They may not be as good as Lou's or Maggie's, but I hope they are edible." Mitch said as he spread out a blanket for them and pulled out a thermos of coffee.

"Mmmm. They are delicious! Thank you and thank you for remembering. Did you make them?"

"I did."

"Wow, so you cook, too! As you may remember, that's not my forte."

"Well, being single for so long has kind of made it a necessity." Amy nodded in acknowledgement.

"I guess I have an advantage with having so many family members at Heartland. So what shall we talk about first?" Amy queried.

They started to share some more about their childhoods. Mitch shared more about growing up with Zach as they were only a month apart and not only felt like brothers but almost like twins. He spoke about his time in the military briefly, he and Zach joining up together and the pain of losing Zach to suicide, feeling guilty and responsible for his death, and how Jack helped him with that. Amy talked about growing up with a single mom and Grandpa and Lou being away for a part of that time, and the pain of not having a father around, but how glad she was when she and her dad were able to reunite. She also talked more about Ty, and how they were young when they met and had kind of matured together, and their love had just grown so naturally…and then the pain of having their dreams of life together and building a business together dashed so suddenly; and it all happened right after Luke returning to his mom; how it had taken all this time to really feel like she'd gotten her feet under her again. She mentioned how establishing the Equestrian Youth Centre had helped her. They shared possible dreams they each had now – Mitch to build up his ranch but have someone to share it with, and Amy to continue training and teaching Lyndy all she knows, and of course, always working to help troubled horses. They saw how their dreams could really complement each other's, how both their strengths and weaknesses so harmonized. As they recognized that, in such a short time, they'd learned so much about each other, and had a lot of things in common, and realized more and more that they were right for each other, Mitch took both of her hands in his and expressed something he felt he needed to say…

"Amy, Lou and I took things way too fast in the physical area, and as our relationship is growing deeper, it's showing me that it was based more on passion than love. I really regret that, and I don't want to make that mistake with us. I also know that when things don't work out, it makes it all the harder. I want to honor your's and Ty's relationship. I know what you had was so very special. It was so apparent in watching the two of you together. I know I can never replace him, and that he'll always have a place in your heart. I also don't want you to ever hesitate if you should need to or want to talk about him. And I know Lyndy needs to never forget her dad. He should always, always be a part of her life. But I do hope there is room somewhere in there for me – maybe a different part of your heart? That being said, if things go as I hope they do for us, I really don't want us to come together intimately unless we decide you and I together is meant to be. And even then, I'd like us to wait till after we make that lifetime promise to each other before our families, if that's in our future. How do you feel?"

Amy felt really moved by Mitch's concern and respect, but lightened the mood just a bit, "Well, Mitch…I know that would make Grandpa happy! Did Ty ever tell you what Grandpa told him the first day he was here?" Mitch shook his head no. "He said for him to keep ten feet away from Lou and I at all times, or any part of him that crossed that line would be removed." They both chuckled out loud together. "Obviously, Ty gradually won him over. But in all seriousness, I love that you have that respect for me, and for Ty and me, and for us. Though I know it may be harder and harder to do if things progress, I'm totally on board with that, and I'm glad to commit to protecting that with each other." 'He just implied marriage!' Amy was aware of her heart thumping against the back of her chest. There was so much depth to Mitch. 'I wonder if Lou ever really gave him a chance for her to see it. But I can't say I'm sorry if she didn't,' Amy smiled.

In the meantime, Jack had begun to worry that Amy was not back by the time he'd taken Lyndy to school. He decided to ride out to check on her. As he came up over the hill, he spotted her. But 'Who's that she's with? And it's a guy! Wait, that's Mitch?! Well, I'll be! I'd have never thought it, but you know, they are perfect together. And I couldn't be happier! BUT, hmmm, this could get interesting when Lou finds out. I'm just glad things are strong with her and Peter now.' Jack turned around and headed back before they could see him.

As Mitch and Amy gathered their things up, before Mitch turned to mount his horse, he placed a feather-lite kiss on Amy's nose. As she mounted, she still felt the tingle and reached up to touch her nose, savoring the feeling. It felt so good to have her heart feel again!

When Amy rode in to untack Shadow, Grandpa was there.

"So, how were the fences?"

Amy sheepishly replied, "Oh, they were fine. No problems."

"Well, if no problems, what took you so long?" Jack had his back to her, and a grin worked its way across his face.

"Uh, well, it was a beautiful morning for a ride!"

"Are you sure that's all?"

"What are you getting at, Grandpa?"

"Amy, I got worried when you weren't back, so I rode out to check on you. Imagine my surprise when I came over the hill and saw that you were with a guy…and then that it was Mitch!"

Amy's expression turned to shock and a little bit of panic. "Grandpa, please, you can't tell anyone yet!"

"Amy, if that's what you want, your secret is safe with me. But may I say, I couldn't be more pleased."

"I thought you might feel that way," as they gave each other a warm hug, "but we are trying to take it kind of slow and really get to know each other better and where it is heading before we figure out how to tell the family. But Grandpa, I think we really made progress this morning, and I feel like we are getting closer to that time. Now, if I can just figure out the best way to break it to Lou."

"Well, maybe we can think on that together when the time comes," Jack replied truly believing and hoping in his heart that that time would come.

"I have to say, I'm really glad someone knows now, and I'm really glad it's you!" and they gave each other another big hug.

As they headed toward the house, Jack asked, "So how long have you two been seeing each other? I didn't even know Mitch was back in the area…"

A/N: If you are a When Calls the Heart Nathan fan, I like that Mitch knew Ty, and he could show the same respect for his and Amy's relationship that we expected to see from Nathan regarding Elizabeth and Jack's relationship and not being threatened by it (had Hallmark let Nathan and Elizabeth be together).