Chapter 34: Preparations and a Snowy Ride
Right after the New Year, Mitch and Amy discussed honeymoon possibilities. They thought about going somewhere in Alberta or the Northern U.S. but also realized the weather would still be quite cold. If they were traveling, they might as well go where it would be warmer. The discussion turned to their love for music, and the thought struck them both at the same time, "Nashville!" They both had always wanted to visit there, so it was decided. They'd start checking into details for going there and were hopeful they could work out being gone at least a week, maybe a few days longer. Mitch knew his passport was still valid. Amy said she'd check the expiration date on hers, but she thought it was still valid from when she went to Mongolia. They also talked about what to do about Lyndy and decided they needed to talk with Jack, Lisa and Lou just to be sure they could make a good plan, especially since she'd still be in school. Mitch suggested that they have them bring most of Lyndy's things over to the ranch a day or two before they were to return from their honeymoon, and they could plan to pick her up at Heartland the day after they got back when she got home from school. Mitch also encouraged that when the time came, if Amy could get everything boxed up that she'd need to move, he could begin moving those things over for her the week of the wedding.
Mitch and Amy had discussed a little more about her business at which time he'd asked her, "Amy, am I assuming correctly that you would like my help with the financial management for your business?"
Amy flashed a sheepish smile at him, knowing that surely was not her area of expertise but obviously one of Mitch's strengths and answered, "I was hoping you would offer." Mitch was most pleased.
So the first Sunday after the New Year when everyone had finished eating lunch, Mitch and Amy asked if they might have a few minutes of everyone's time to discuss an important matter. After all was cleaned up, everyone adjourned to the living room. The group included Jack and Lisa, Lou and Peter, Tim and Jessica, and Katie and Lyndy, though they just sat in to listen.
Mitch began, "Some of you already know that Amy and I have decided to make our home at Saddle Road. We are really excited about that, but we realize that also brings into play what to do about Amy's business. Amy has expressed to me that she feels that for us to have the best chance at building our life together, we need to focus everything where we are. We know that may leave Heartland with a loss of income, so we are coming to you to ask for ideas of how to alleviate that. We figured the more heads to solve the problem, the better," and Mitch paused to see if anyone responded. Of course, for most, it was a new bit of information to ruminate on, but Jack and Lisa had had some time to think on it, now learning for sure that was what Amy had decided about her business.
Jack spoke first, "Lisa and I were aware of Mitch and Amy's decision to live at Saddle Road, and we kind of expected what they've just shared with us. First, Mitch and Amy, we want to express how excited we are for you, and that the problem of how to continue at Heartland is not yours to shoulder. We will, of course, appreciate anything you have to offer, but we don't want you to feel that you need to bear the burden of it. I haven't spoken with Tim about it yet," Jack said looking toward Tim, "but I've long desired for you, Mitch, to rejoin us at Heartland Beef." Surprisingly, Tim nodded his approval. After all, over the last few months, he'd gained a much greater appreciation for Mitch. Mitch noticed his nod and appreciated it more than Tim could ever know. Jack continued, "Mitch, if you are open to it, we'd love to have you and your operation back in the family?"
Mitch looked at Amy, and she gave him a big smile. Mitch didn't have to think long, as he'd always been sad when they had parted ways. "Jack, Tim, I'd be more than happy to be partners again! I've not been looking forward to the prospect of being in competition with you. Perhaps we can sit down together after our honeymoon and hash out the details?" Jack and Tim nodded, and around the room, everyone had smiles on their faces.
Then Lou spoke, "I might also throw out there, Dad, that I've been toying with the idea of exploring opening up a Maggie's in Vancouver. Peter and I have talked about it, and it would be great to have that as a way for me to be able to be in Vancouver more often so that Peter is not always the one having to travel here." This was news to Katie, and though she had enjoyed the times they'd visited her dad in Vancouver, she began wondering just how she would fit into that scenario, but she thought it better to discuss this later with her mom and dad. Lou continued, "Also, if Grandpa is open to it, I thought we could build a third cabin at the Dude Ranch to expand it a bit; I could hire someone to manage it full-time, and Heartland can continue to have a percentage of the proceeds."
Tim responded, "Lou, as your silent partner, I think both of those are great ideas! If everyone gets on-board, my vote would be to go for it."
Jack and Lisa shared a silent look that said to each other they agreed about the additional cabin, and Jack said, "Lou, I think adding another cabin could be a very good thing, so yes, you have my permission, though you really don't need it since that land is yours now anyway."
Lou flashed a loving smile at Jack and mouthed, "Thank you," to him.
Jessica interjected at this point, "Lou, if you need an investor for opening in Vancouver, as long as Tim agrees, I'd be glad to be that for you. It seems the logical investment since he's already partnered with you. Think it over, and we can talk more about it." Lou did want to think about it and talk with Peter, but she really appreciated Jessica's offer. Having worked together so closely years back, they already knew the other's work ethic. And Tim appreciated Jessica's support for Lou.
Mitch realized another aspect, but before he could say anything, Amy spoke up, "If Lou does decide to proceed with her ideas, that will create a hole for overseeing the financial end of Heartland Beef. Mitch has obviously been trained in this area with his Ranch Management degree. So you might want to consider taking advantage of his expertise for Heartland," Amy stated proudly, which at the same time made Mitch feel so supported.
As no one else really had the expertise, other than Lou or Jessica for doing this, Jack and Tim looked at each other and nodded agreement, and Jack asked, "Mitch, would you be open to that?"
Mitch replied, "I'd certainly be open to taking on that task for Heartland if everyone agrees. Lou, I'd already hoped to get some time for us to sit down and have you show me how you've been handling the finances for Amy's business for me to get a feel for what's been involved. We could do the same for Heartland Beef and how, going forward, it can be built upon."
"I'd be happy to do that, Mitch." In fact, all this discussion gave Lou an idea for who she might ask to help her with managing the Dude Ranch and the current Maggie's…Jessica would be perfect! She'd approach her if her plans for both began to come to fruition to see if she would be open to the idea. As organized as Jessica was, Lou knew she could still handle it and continue with her photography as well. And she knew Jessica had been longing for a place to really fit into the family, so it could be a win-win. The discussion left everyone with their minds spinning with all the new possibilities. There was a lot to dream about!
However, it had left Katie with her questions, so later that afternoon, she approached her parents. They assured her that any decisions they made affecting her would be discussed with her to consider her desires before finalizing anything. That helped put her mind at ease a bit, though she would still wonder what lay ahead.
As Amy walked Mitch out that evening, she said, "By the way, I checked, and my passport is still valid, so we are good to go. And I was able to get a plan worked out for Lyndy, tentative with what our final honeymoon dates are, but everyone agreed they'd work out whatever was needed."
"That's great! Two more things we can check off our list," Mitch replied.
As they began their goodbye, Mitch took her in his arms and said, "Amy, thank you so much for your support and confidence in me in front of your family. It means so much!"
"Well, I hope you know that I'm very proud of you, Mr. Ranch Manager! You are so talented, yet so humble about it. I want the rest of my family to see what I see!"
At that, Mitch kissed her with gratefulness, tenderness and passion all at once leaving Amy swooning. The love this man could convey through his lips never ceased to fill her with wonder! They were able to say goodbye to each other that evening much more at peace with the decisions they'd made and with everyone's support of Mitch and their plans.
The next months were filled with many activities. The invitations came in, so Mitch and Amy got a head-start on hand-addressing and stamping them to have them ready to go out when March arrived. They enjoyed the times they got to spend together working on them at Heartland's dining room table and just hanging out with the family around them. It especially meant a lot to Mitch since he'd missed the feeling of being a part of Heartland's family, and until a few months ago, it would have never entered his mind that he might ever be a part of it again. It was good to be able to get to know Peter better as a future brother-in-law and tease with Lou and for all four to become comfortable being around each other in their new roles. Much of the awkwardness had gradually disappeared and been replaced by relaxed brother-sister relationships. And Jack and Lisa were pleased as punch with how the family was melding together.
At the end of the last 'addressing session,' Mitch asked Amy if they could get some time to scope out his barn together to determine what she would need for her business. She was more than happy to comply! They met the next day at Mitch's to look more closely at what Mitch already had and what might be needed. Near the main barn was a calving barn with a small arena to the side. The calving barn could easily be converted to extra temporary stalls when not in calving season should they be needed anytime. There was also a cattle chute and a good set of working pens. In between the barn and the house was a nice sized Quonset hut that housed a tractor, horse trailer and regular flat-bed trailer, bailing equipment and a shop area well-supplied with tools. The main, red barn already had four stalls, two on either side, with a nice U-shaped loft above the stalls.
They decided to add a good-sized, one-story room on one end of the barn for an office for Amy with a large tack room beside it. The current tack room would be turned into an additional stall. Mitch knew he wanted to put extra insulation in the office area for warmth to make sure Amy would be comfortable when working there. Though it would certainly not be the same as what she'd had with Ty being a Vet, Mitch was very grateful that they would be able to work together, and he would do anything he could to help. He would be sure there was enough space in the office for two desks, two computers, plenty of bookshelf space for Amy's journals and all her herbs and concoctions, a small fridge for anything that might need to be kept cold, and he would need to get Wi-Fi connected so that they'd have that when needed. He also planned to build some ledge shelves above the bookcases for trophies and awards she'd already received and any future ones for the family including the ones from the Hudson Rodeo.
"Perhaps it would be best if we keep all the Serenity Stables' business within the barn office, and I can do any of the ranch business from the house as I have been, though with adding Heartland in, I may need to designate a little larger space for it. It may be easier to keep the two businesses separate that way, and it would make it easier for at least one of us to be inside with Lyndy and any future Cuttys when needed," he teased as he raised an eyebrow.
With that statement, Amy walked into his arms for that now familiar hug that left her feeling so secure. They stood that way for several moments before Mitch said, "So now let's figure out what we need to do about building on a few more stalls, and we may need to expand the corral, or perhaps add an additional one."
He'd planned ahead by bringing graph paper and drafting instruments and started drawing a draft plan as they tried to think of what would be needed for future growth.
With all the plans they were making, Amy began to worry, "Mitch, I so appreciate all the ways you are planning ahead for us, but how are we going to afford all this? I mean, we've got the wedding expenses, our honeymoon, and meshing our households…."
As Amy paused for a breath, Mitch drew her close and put his finger to her lips to shush her. "Amy, for the last however many years, it's only been me. I made a really nice profit when I sold Aspen beef and that property, way more than I needed to buy back this ranch, and I've been saving for years, so you have nothing to worry about in us doing the things we need to give your…our business the best chance possible. Plus, to cut down on expenses, I had a lot of building experience in the military, and there's a lot I can do myself with the help of Zeke and Charlie. And I may even ask Dad and Mom to come for a while. Mom will want to prepare meals for us while we work. If we can get all the materials we'll need ordered and delivered, we should be able to start work the beginning of March, provided the weather cooperates. Please put your worries to rest. We've got this!"
Amy was overcome with the generosity of this man who stood before her. Layers continued to peel away showing the heart that had been there all along yet had virtually gone unnoticed by so many due to his unassuming way. She looked up at him with adoration and proclaimed, "Mitch Cutty, I love you so much! I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together!"
They again enveloped each other in an embrace as their lips sought each other's out to express the love that grew deeper by the day. As love's passionate kiss drew them close to a consuming edge, Mitch pulled them back. "I think we'd better step back from each other and continue drawing our plans." Amy knew he was right. They wanted to protect their promise to each other.
As they continued to plan, they talked of fencing in a large area of the meadow near the barn for a good-sized arena where Amy could work with jumpers or any other horses with show, rodeo or special needs.
"Oh, and we may not be able to make this happen before the wedding, but come summer, I want to enclose the arena so you'll be able to comfortably put it to use in the cold weather," Mitch said excitedly.
Amy had a look of surprised delight on her face exclaiming, "Wow, Mitch, that would be a dream come true!" and her eyes twinkled with joy.
Then Mitch said, "With combining Saddle...Whispering Meadows Beef" he said with a smile and a wink correcting himself "and Heartland Beef, I know we are going to need to hire more help, especially with Jack getting older and Tim not always being available because of the rodeo school. But since the bunkhouse is able to house at least six occupants right now, I think we'll be fine. And we could always add a couple more bunks if needed. I can talk with Zeke and Charlie to see if they have any recommendations for others who might be good hands. And I'll run it by Jack and Tim to get their input."
"Darling, are you going to be ok with the beef business being Heartland rather than establishing your own brand?" Amy queried.
Mitch looked at Amy with appreciation for the concern in her eyes, and responded, "Sweetheart, considering that being a partner with Heartland Beef was something I wanted several years ago, and with it appearing that Tim finally respects me, and with him and Jack recognizing the skills I have in the financial area of the business, I'm completely ok with it! And besides that, Heartland Beef is already a well-established brand, so it will take a lot of pressure off us in trying to build up a new brand. But most importantly of all, Heartland is what originally brought us together," he said as he wrapped an arm around Amy and drew her close to his side, kissing the top of her head, "so yes, I'm perfectly ok with it."
Amy turned into his complete embrace and gave him a proper kiss. When they parted, Mitch said, "Ok, you're going to have to stop distracting me, or we're never going to get these plans finished!" and he flashed that mischievous crooked grin that always caused a flutter in her heart!
As they returned to their planning, they decided to add at least six more stalls on the back end of the barn and additional loft space above them. That part of the loft, they would enclose and have a stairway accessing it. Who knew? They might need a place one day for another 'boy in the loft.' Amy was pretty sure that Mitch had a similar heart to Ty's and her mom's for troubled kids. Even though the Equestrian Centre was helping in that area a lot now, there could be special needs that might arise. In fact, even though Logan was living at the Centre for the time being, if someone else was groomed to take his place there, she might approach the subject of asking him to be her official Assistant and moving into the loft to make it easier for them to continue working together with the horses. She'd talk it over with Clint first, of course, but she wanted to maintain her relationship with Logan and the training she was doing with him honing his natural abilities.
For a few moments, Amy's mind wandered, 'I never thought I could ever feel this kind of happiness again,' as she watched Mitch's enthusiasm and the care with which he was drawing up plans. 'I'm one blessed woman!'
One Saturday when Amy had a full plate, Lisa offered to take care of Lyndy and take her on an outing. It was, of course, an excuse to take Lyndy to Mitch's to start planning her room. Mitch was off tending the cattle, but he made sure to leave the door unlocked for them and asked them to make themselves at home. As they entered, Lisa slipped something into the refrigerator. Then they headed upstairs and got to work brainstorming. They decided on painting the room a light gray because Lyndy would then be able to put anything with it, especially should she want to change things up as she got older. Lyndy said she wanted a canopy bed and liked pink and purple.
However, Lisa tried to redirect her, "Yes, canopy beds are really pretty, but you know, Lyndy, the four bedposts make them kind of hard to make up. What would you think of a draped headboard of soft pink and lavender sheer material? We could look through these magazines and catalogs I brought for ideas."
Lyndy liked the sound of Lisa's idea, and they would look for wallpaper to go on at least one wall in blending colors, perhaps in a delicate floral. As they looked through the books, they came upon an idea that caught both their attention right away, and Lyndy say, "Ohhhh! I love this one!"*
Lisa said, "Oh Lyndy, I do, too! This would be so fun to create! And we can come up with our own color scheme in the pinks and purples, along with drapes for the two tall windows on either side of the bed."
The idea used thin tree branches with twinkling lights on the branches against a sheer curtain. It would give an outdoor feel yet with a touch of elegance. Lyndy was getting so excited as they planned! They also surveyed the empty closet and determined there would be room for a couple of shoe racks and a place to put a chest of drawers giving her more space in her actual living area. Lisa, of course, kept secret the dressing table Mitch was planning. Lyndy decided on whitewashed oak wood for the headboard** and furniture to keep the room light. This helped Lisa know the direction to go with her dressing table. She also picked out a nice winged-back chair with an ottoman*** to have in a corner of the room. It seemed Lyndy's taste leaned toward the old-fashioned tinged with modern. And Lisa reminded her that she would need a desk and chair, so they browsed the catalog finding one that would fit perfectly with what they'd planned. It was a very successful couple of hours for them.
Lisa suggested they head downstairs and asked, "What would you think about us making some cookies to leave for Mitch before we go?"
Lyndy loved that idea, so Lisa got out the cookie dough she'd stowed in the fridge, pre-heated the oven and found Mitch's cookie sheets and cooling racks, and within just over an hour, they had packed the cookies into his cookie jar and prepared a sweet note for him from Lyndy.
Dear Mitch,
Thank you so much for the room that will soon be mine!
Lisa and I thought you might enjoy some cookies, so don't forget to check your cookie jar!
Love,
Lyndy
P.S. I think Mama will like our surprise! I promise to keep it our secret. ;-)
Then she and Lisa sat down long enough to have a couple of cookies and milk. After that, they decided to go to town to do some window shopping and have some lunch and ice cream so Lyndy had something she could tell her mom when she was inevitably asked about her day.
Having been there a few times now, Lisa had been able to come up with ideas for making the home and Master special for the wedding night. She was so pleased to be able to help Mitch with that. She also needed to run by him all she and Lyndy had planned to be sure they were within budget. She wanted to ask Jack if maybe they could help out with expenses for Lyndy's room. She approached him once she got home, and he agreed. She also needed to shop for the two dressing tables. At least now she knew dark wood to match the Master bedroom suit and whitewashed oak for Lyndy. She wanted to get them ordered and in soon, as Mitch had a little extra work he wanted to perform on them.
On Sunday afternoon, Mitch and Amy decided to take a ride together at Heartland. A light snow had fallen the night before, but it was perfect for riding. Amy rode Spartan and Mitch rode Shadow. They both loved the quite stillness and hearing the crunch of the snow beneath the horse's hooves. They'd been out for about thirty minutes, and as they neared home, though the sun was still shining, a light snow began to fall. Mitch pulled Shadow to a stop. Amy noticed and slowed Spartan as well. Mitch got down off the horse and walked over to her reaching up for her to let him help her down. She looked at him puzzled, but she slid off into his arms. He wrapped her in an embrace, lifting her off the ground as he sometimes did and passionately kissed her, then sat her back down.
"I've always wanted to know what it was like to kiss in falling snow," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Amy laughed aloud and said, "Well, my handsome cowboy…now you know!"
Before she turned to mount again, she quickly bent down and scooped up some snow, and before Mitch could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck and dropped it in his collar, then quickly mounted Spartan and took off at a gallop. Mitch yelled after her, "I won't forget that!" and laughed as he mounted Shadow to chase her fully appreciating her playfulness. They galloped the rest of the way home, and when they came into the corral area, Mitch jumped down and pulled her off her horse and began tickling her, finally turning her around in his arms and kissing her breathless. As Amy caught her breath, she mused, 'Life together with this man is going to be such a joy!'
At the end of January, Mitch and Amy started to plan out the music for the wedding, though Mitch had a surprise planned. They decided to compile a playlist of their favorite songs to play as guests were gathering and being seated. Then they wanted a song for the parents to enter on, for the attendants, Amy's aisle song, a song to play as they presented roses to their parents (to include Doc & Ginny, Tim & Jessica, and Lisa, though they'd also give Jack a hug since he'd already be standing up with them), and a recessional song. After that, they needed to decide on songs for the first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dance, and Amy wanted one with her grandpa, too. Mitch suggested one for him and Lyndy that he already had in mind thinking back to the dog Lyndy had noticed when they'd ice skated in Calgary. And finally, they wanted a playlist of favorite songs to continue for all the guests to dance to if they chose to. It took quite a while to figure out the songs, and a couple of them, they still wanted to think about, but for the most part, they were able to select most all the music.
January turned into February. The beginning of February, Mitch made a trip to Calgary to pick up the wedding band**** to go with Amy's engagement ring. It would fit perfectly into one of the swirls snugly against the diamond solitaire. He was very glad that Amy had been pleased with its simplicity for her lifestyle. While there, he took advantage of the opportunity to select a wedding gift for Amy.
Amy also made her own secret trip, ironically to the same jeweler, to pick out Mitch's band and to look for a wedding gift for him. For his ring, she decided on a simple, brushed platinum band***** to cut down on possible scratches showing. They both had a very practical side to them. And unbeknownst to either of them, they'd chosen the same inscription inside their bands – 'My Home.'
Materials for the barn additions were ordered in early February and started arriving a couple of weeks later. Lisa and Lyndy managed to steal away a couple more times as items for Lyndy's room were delivered, and they had so much fun working together to get it just right. Lyndy was so pleased with how it turned out and was looking forward to when she could actually move in. Mitch appreciated the financial help from Jack and Lisa toward the room make-over.
Mitch talked to his parents about coming for as much of March as they could to help with the build. They were more than happy to have been asked to help and jumped at the chance to spend the time back at the ranch. As he spoke with them on the phone, he also made sure that they were ok with them re-naming the ranch. They agreed it would be a special touch to them starting their life together.
Lou and Cass started planning Amy's bridal shower and bachelorette party. They were also able to reach Soraya and Mallory to invite them to be there for both events whether they could manage attending both or not. Mallory was beyond thrilled to learn that Amy was marrying 'Mitch Cutie!' Jack, Tim and Peter were tasked with planning the bachelor party, but knowing Mitch, they decided to plan a baseball game and cookout at Sam's.
Mid-February, Mitch and Amy picked out attendant gifts and chose their cakes. For Mitch's cake, they would have a simple chocolate sheet cake with chocolate icing. The wedding cake would be carrot cake with buttercream icing and only the top layer would be a cake that would sit on the top of a three-tiered stand, and the other two tiers would be filled with individual cupcakes in both chocolate and carrot cake. Additional cupcakes would be held back just in case they needed more. Both cakes would be decorated in turquoise and yellow. And the cake topper would be a three sectioned fence stand forming a triangle holding atop it a stiffened, knotted rope with turquoise and yellow flecks with the rope flowing into a heart-shape symbolizing how their relationship had grown from friendship to love. There was still a lot to do, but it seemed that things were coming together nicely.
A/N: *, **, ***, ****, ***** Photos/links of Lyndy's tree branch background on sheer, headboard, winged back chair, and Amy's and Mitch's wedding rings will be posted on the following three Facebook groups: Kevin McGarry Fan Page Home of #McGarries and SuspendersUnbuttoned Podcast; Nathan Grant Fanfiction! Home of Sunday Night Serge; and The Heartie Analyzers: All things Kevin McGarry, KEVLA and WCTH.