Chapter 16: What's Up with Dad

As Tim and Jessica returned to their loft, Jessica asked him how he was feeling. They sat down on the couch. Tim ran his fingers through his hair and turned to her, "You know, I was watching them all night, and I just don't trust Mitch. He tried to take business from us with Garland, and I just wonder if this whole thing is a ploy to get a piece of Heartland Beef now."

Jessica looked shocked, and said, "Tim, why would you think that? I didn't get that from Mitch at all. In fact, from what I saw, he and Amy seem to genuinely care for each other. You might want to keep your opinion to yourself for now."

Tim looked at her and said, "Maybe, but for now, we'll just have to agree to disagree."

Jessica didn't like Tim's distrust, but she decided to let it slide for now.

Back at the house, Jack and Lisa were getting ready for bed. Lisa said, "I thought tonight went really well, except for Tim's question to Mitch. What was that all about?"

"I don't know, but I intend to find out. I surely hope Tim doesn't go causing trouble. I, for one, am very happy for Amy and Mitch. You know, it dawned on me tonight that even though Mitch and Lou had a thing, I don't remember ever seeing him look at Lou with the adoration I saw tonight when he looked at Amy. There is something different with them. And I think it's very good. Admittedly, the situation is all a little strange, but it seems very real with them. And the way he was with Lyndy…it reminded me so much of her's and Ty's relationship. If they get to that point, he will be a great dad to Lyndy, and I also think Ty would approve. I'm hopeful for Amy, and it looks like this might really stick this time for Mitch, and I couldn't be happier if it does!"

Lisa reached up to give him a kiss and said, "I'm really happy for them, too. I hope everything progresses well for them. Amy so deserves happiness again. They both do." Then she and Jack both climbed into bed and kissed each other goodnight as he gathered Lisa comfortably into his arms.

Amy walked Mitch out where they sat on the bench for a while just enjoying the night stars and the cool summer breeze. Amy began to tell him how the night before had unfolded for her and Lou and how Grandpa had been so great in helping her pull it off. Mitch was so happy they had had such a great sister interaction and that those worries were behind them. However, then he asked Amy, "But what was that question from Tim about?"

"Yeah, that was weird. I guess it was just Dad being Dad. But hey, why did he call you Trooper?"*

Mitch smiled and said, "Oh, you don't know that story? It started after he tested me when Lou and I were dating. I had to stack hay at the Dude Ranch, and he sabotaged the tractor I was going to use to haul it, so we had to stack it by hand. I think he thought it would break me and that I would quit. I didn't until we got to the point of tarping the hay, and he insulted me so much that I finally left. But I came back with water for him and helped him finish, and we had a pretty good talk which included me letting him know that I don't run away from my problems. I also told him that I saw how he came back to be a part of your lives and how much that meant to you and Lou. That's when he called me Trooper. I mentioned it later to Jack, and he told me 'Trooper was a mean old bronc that used to be on the circuit; Tim rode him lots of times.' He said that Tim respected that horse, that he was tough, that he never gave up, but he 'sure hated him though.'"

They both laughed, and Amy said, "Yeah, that sounds like Dad."

They sat for a little while longer just enjoying being close, then Amy turned to him and said, "Mitch, this is so much more than I ever dreamed of! Ty and I had so many dreams yet to be lived, and I felt so broken when…," and her voice caught and trailed off as a tear escaped her eye. It pained Mitch that Amy's heart was still hurting, and he put his arm around her, drew her into a warm comforting embrace and wiped her tear with his thumb. She looked up at him, "But tonight, singing together, seeing you with Lyndy in a father's role, and it all is happening so naturally…we have so much to be thankful for! I have so much to be thankful for! You are such an amazing man!"

Mitch cupped her chin and tilted her head to face him. He gently leaned in as their slightly parted lips met and their kiss was as sweet as honey. As they broke the kiss, Mitch still held her close and said, "I don't know what I did to deserve you!"

After holding each other for a while, and Amy recovering from the emotion she'd just expressed, she said, "Oh, I wanted to tell you what Lyndy said last night. But before I do, I should also tell you why it meant so much. After Ty passed, for quite a while, she had a hard time sleeping by herself. I'd wake every morning to find her in bed with me. I was finally able to solve it by letting her sleep with Ty's leather jacket. That was the first full night's sleep either of us had in such a long time. Anyway, last night, she asked me why we had to keep you a secret until today, and I explained that you and her Auntie Lou used to like each other, but now that she and I like you, I needed to be sure Auntie Lou was ok with it. Well, as she hugged me goodnight, she whispered in my ear, 'And Mama, I think Da-da would be ok with us liking Mitch, too.' It brought tears to my eyes," as it did once again. And as she looked at Mitch, his were misty, too. "It was a very precious and treasured moment."

Mitch's eyes pooled deep blue, and as he looked into her eyes with so much affection, he said, "I so don't want tonight to end. Everything went so much better than I'd anticipated. This all feels too good to be true. But I look at you, and I know it is true, Amy. I don't know why things happened like they did in both our lives, but I'm so grateful we found our way to each other!"

"Me, too!"

They sat in silence a little longer, then Mitch reluctantly said, "Well, I do have work to do tomorrow, so I guess I'd better get on my way. Is there anything you need help with tomorrow? I could carve out some time."

"Thank you for offering. I do have a horse to work with that's been skittish. I'd love for you to help! Could you be here around 10:00?"

"I can do that. Til tomorrow, my angel," he said as he gently touched her cheek lingering for a moment. Amy loved his term of endearment! With that, they stood up as Mitch enveloped her in one last hug and heart-skipping kiss before slowly walking to his truck. Before getting in, he flashed that gorgeous smile and blew her a kiss. Amy tarried on the porch to watch him drive off and floated back inside. Thankfully, everyone else had retired for the night so she could just head to bed to continue in her revery.

A/N: *Trooper – This scene takes place in Heartland, Season 10, Episode 16.