A/N: I'm posting the next two chapters today. We will be traveling soon and visiting family all next week, so I may not be as quick to respond to any reviews. I hope to post at least two more chapters next week but will have to see how schedules go. Hope all of you have a Happy New Year!

Some drama is brewing...hope you enjoy your read!

Chapter 15: Reunion Dinner

As 5:00 neared, Lyndy was watching from the porch for Mitch to arrive. Amy had been peeking from time-to-time from inside. Mitch drove up to this familiar place, got out of the truck and was heading toward the house when he spied Lyndy rushing toward him. She jumped from the porch into his waiting arms, and he swung her around as she laughed with joy. Amy saw it all happen and smiled as her heart warmed. A very small flash of sadness swept over her for just an instant as she envisioned 'That's what it would have been like.' But she quickly recovered and just enjoyed being in the present moment. She stepped out the door, and she and Mitch hugged and shared a quick kiss and "Hi!"

"Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Mitch replied.

In the three of them walked with Lyndy still in his arms, and Jack came over…"Well hello, Mitch! It's so good to see you again!" And they shook hands firmly as Jack drew him into a father/son hug with Lyndy still in the middle. Mitch recognized how genuinely pleased Jack was as his heart filled with gratefulness to be near this man again. As he tweaked Lyndy's nose making her laugh, he set her down.

Lisa hugged Mitch; Tim stepped forward and shook his hand saying, "Hello again, Trooper." Mitch smiled remembering Jack's explanation of what it meant when Tim used that name for him. Jessica said hi, and Katie gave him a hug remembering back to when Mitch created the ice-skating rink on the pond and got her hockey skates for her birthday.* She was glad to see him again. Peter extended his hand and said, "Hi Mitch. Welcome back." Lou was at the sink drying some dishes and turned with the dishtowel in her hand and said, "Hi Mitch. It's good to see you again. What a surprise all this has been! We are glad you are able to join us for dinner." Mitch and Amy both exchanged a glance that said, 'So glad we are getting past this first awkward moment with seeming ease.' And Mitch genuinely sensed being welcome. It felt so great to be accepted into the Bartlett-Fleming-Morris-Borden clan again! Or so he thought.

"Well, everyone come on in. Dinner is on the table," Lisa invited. Mitch helped seat Lyndy and Amy and took his seat beside Amy. A new era was just beginning for this incredible family. And after so much loss, it was a welcome time in everyone's mind, though Tim was still holding back in suspicion. He kept his eye on them all evening.

Dinner was a success with lots of conversation. As often as possible, Mitch and Amy found each other's hand under the table. Everyone caught up on the latest news—Tim and Jessica's marriage, how business was going with the cattle business, the Dude Ranch and Maggie's. They also caught up on the latest with Georgie and Quinn as she was doing amazingly in competitions with the goal still in sight of going to the Olympics. They were still in Florida but hoped to visit at Thanksgiving. As everyone was busy chatting, Jack was contemplating when might be a future time to approach Mitch about partnering with them again in Heartland Beef. Of course, he'd have to get over the hurdle of Tim before that might happen. But he could not be more at peace about Amy and Mitch finding each other again and their becoming more than friends. He still missed Ty terribly, but Mitch had been fast becoming like a second son to him before the breakup. That had been not only a hard loss for Mitch and Lou but for him as well. All was seeming right again in the Bartlett household. Or so Jack thought until…

"So Mitch, what are your plans for your ranch? Planning on keeping it a family ranch or do you have ambitions to go bigger?" Tim asked Mitch. Amy looked at her dad a little puzzled by his question.

"Well, Tim, I have my hands full right now just getting things off the ground with what I have. I haven't really given much thought beyond that yet."

' Yet,' Tim thought. Jack was eyeing Tim and trying to figure out what he was up to.

After dinner, everyone pitched in to clean up, and they retired to the living room where Jack picked up his guitar. Amy and Mitch looked at each other knowing the secret they shared that the rest of the family had never known was about to be revealed. Jack said, "Amy, how about 'Seven Bridges Road?,'** and Amy started harmonizing with Jack on the introduction to it as Mitch joined in with a third harmony. When Mitch joined, everyone including Jack had a surprised look on their faces that turned into big smiles as they enjoyed the beautiful harmonies. As they completed the intro, Jack began to add the guitar.

When the song ended, it was Lou that first spoke, "Wow!" she exclaimed! "How did I never know you could sing, Mitch?"

Mitch just kind of shrugged his shoulders as his cheeks turned ruddy. Everyone else was clapping. "More, more, more!"

They all sang several more songs, and then realized it was getting kind of late.

Amy said, "Lyndy, we need to get you to bed."

"Mama, can Mitch tell me a story and tuck me in?" Amy looked at Mitch questioningly. He nodded his head with approval. "Lyndy, I'd love to tell you a story!" Everyone took notice of the ease with which he and Lyndy were falling into a relationship, and their hearts were touched. Yet Tim's thoughts were in a different direction, 'He's even worming his way into Lyndy's heart!'

Tim had had enough for the night and walked over and gave Amy a hug, and he and Jessica said their goodnights and headed to the loft. Lou, Peter and Katie retired as well.

Amy said, "Let's go get you changed, and we'll call Mitch when you are ready." They hurried off to take care of business.

Jack looked over at Mitch and said, "I'm really impressed, Mitch! Do you play an instrument as well?"

"I do. I play a little guitar." Jack realized there was still much to be explored about Mitch that had previously lain hidden. He obviously had never been one to brag (unless it was about grilling steaks), and Jack smiled at that memory. "Well, I look forward to more opportunities to jam!" Mitch happily agreed. That was going to be another welcomed way for them to grow even closer in their relationship.

Soon Lyndy returned and took Mitch by the hand to pull him to her bedroom where Amy was waiting. Mitch felt really privileged and loved. They pulled back the covers to tuck her legs in as she sat leaning against the headboard. Mitch sat down by her and pulled her close to cuddle as he started to tell a story. Amy sat on the end of the bed taking it all in. Mitch used several different voices and many facial expressions as he weaved a story about a Miracle Girl who stopped a charging horse and went on to help many other horses and riders who needed help. Once the story had ended, Lyndy put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. They both finished tucking her in, gave her kisses goodnight and wished her sweet dreams. She turned over on her side as she watched them leave and quickly fell into a peaceful sleep.

A/N: *The ice-skating pond and hockey skates were in Season 14, Episode 9, which was Mitch's next to the last episode on Heartland.

** 'Seven Bridges Road' – Written by American musician Steve Young for his 'Rock Salt & Nails' album, 1969. I recommend listening to the version by The Eagles on YouTube as you imagine Jack, Amy and Mitch singing together.

This part of the story was inspired by the 'Heartland - Trailer Sessions' on YouTube of Amber Marshall, Shaun Johnston and Kevin McGarry singing a very short portion of the song together behind the scenes.

And for the technical minutia and history of the song's recordings, if you are a member of Kevin McGarry Fan Page Home of #McGarries and SuspendersUnbuttoned Podcast, Nathan Grant Fanfiction! Home of Sunday Night Serge, or The Heartie Analyzers: All things Kevin McGarry, KEVLA and WCTH on Facebook, I'll post the link to it there.

Going forward, any songs I make reference to in the story will likely be posted on those three groups. Also, on occasion, photos that may be applicable to the story will be posted there. In fact, I did post photos already of Sapphire from Chapter 2 and Mitch's ranch house from Chapter 5.