Chapter 42: Home Again, Home Again
Rich, having hosted so many honeymooning couples, knew that on this last morning when Mitch and Amy would be getting ready to catch a flight, he might need to give them a 'wake-up' knock. Mitch thought he heard a 'tap, tap, tap' but wasn't sure as he slowly came out of his reverie from the night before. He looked at the time on his phone to get his bearings, realized what day it was, and it dawned on him what the noise had been. Rich was again the thoughtful host. Mitch answered through the door, "Thanks, Rich! We appreciate the nudge."
Rich smiled as he turned away to go back downstairs thinking to himself, 'Mitch and Amy have certainly been one of my favorite couples to serve, I'm actually going to miss them!'
Mitch turned to look at Amy who was still soundly asleep. He reached over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear and softly kissed her on the cheek, then said, "Darling, I'm sorry to wake you, but it's time to get up and get ready. Today we head home to soon see our sweet girl," and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
She let out a soft groan and slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Mitch's clear, shining blue eyes looking at her, she said sleepily, "Good morning. I guess we really do have to get up, huh?"
"As much as I'd like to stay like this forever…sadly, we do," and he kissed her on the forehead, then they both rolled out of bed.
They quickly got ready and made sure everything was packed and waiting before they made their way downstairs to breakfast. In a side conversation during the week with Mitch, Rich had learned Amy's favorite colors. He fixed them an extra special farewell breakfast and made sure to have a bouquet of yellow roses and blue forget-me-nots on the table. Amy was delighted when she saw them!
"Rich, how did you know?" she asked appreciatively.
"Oh, a little bird told me," he replied as he gave a side glance and wink to Mitch.
He served them feathery light crêpes with topping choices of Nutella, strawberry or apricot jams, and lemon curd. The recently sizzling bacon was cooked to just the right crispiness. In addition, just in case they wanted to try it, Rich had made a southern specialty of biscuits and sausage gravy. They did, and they loved it! They'd eaten such a breakfast at home before, but not with Rich's special touch of fluffy, buttery layered biscuits and savory gravy.
"Rich, we are certainly going to miss your breakfasts! They, and you, have been amazing!" Mitch praised.
And Amy added, "I will especially miss them since I'm now having to learn to cook more things. Cooking has not been my forté. Thank you for taking such good care of us! You can count on us giving TDH an incredible review!"
"Much appreciated, Amy and Mitch! It has been such a pleasure to have you here. By the way, if you'd like any of the recipes for anything you've had while here, just email me, and I'd be happy to share them."
"That would be wonderful, Rich! Thank you!" Amy replied.
"You're most welcome. I hope, perhaps, you'll return at some point?" Rich queried optimistically.
Mitch and Amy looked at each other reading the other's thoughts as Mitch replied, "Well, we are just starting out our family, and there is much living to be done, but we might keep it in mind for a future anniversary. We have made many memories here in just over a week," and he squeezed Amy's hand as they were momentarily lost in a blue-eyed trance.
This was one of the things Rich most loved about his job – the many couples he got to witness experiencing such love and happiness! And Mitch and Amy's love for each other had been most obvious!
The happy couple finished their breakfast, then returned to the room to brush their teeth and check for anything they may have missed. They did their final zipping up of suitcases, and before leaving, they shared one last passionate kiss in the room where they'd created so many wonderful memories. Then they grabbed their luggage and wistfully panned the room before turning the knob to step out the door one last time.
Doug and Mary were eating breakfast as they got downstairs, so they were able to bid them farewell. Rich handed them a bag of snacks for their flight, and hugs were shared with him before he helped them load their things into the car. Leaving was harder than they'd anticipated, much more so than if they'd stayed at a regular hotel, but it had been so worth it!
Mitch helped Amy into the passenger side, and she scooted across the seat to unlock the door for Mitch. He slid into the driver's seat, and she snuggled by his side as they waved goodbye to Rich standing on the porch to see them off. Traffic had lightened up a bit by the time they headed to the airport. Their direct flight was at 10am, which should put them into Calgary around 4pm their time. If getting their luggage and catching a taxi went smoothly, they'd probably be home about 5:30pm, six at the latest. They wouldn't be picking Lyndy up until she got home from school the next day. They were anxious to see her, but they were also glad they'd planned on having one more night and most of the next day alone with some time to get settled before it was the three of them.
The flight home went smoothly, though it took a little longer to get their luggage than they'd hoped for. However, they were able to catch a taxi rather quickly to be on their way. It was nice not to have to do the driving and to have that hour just to enjoy being close to each other in the back seat. Amy took a short nap on Mitch's shoulder for part of the way. As they pulled into Whispering Meadows, it felt good to see their signs again. Zeke and Charlie were in the barn and heard them drive up, so they came out to greet them, welcoming them home and helping them carry their luggage.
Once inside, they reported to Mitch and Amy on how things had been going and about riding the property with Jack and Tim to assess the herd. This just brought it home that they really were back to reality. Zeke also mentioned that they'd traded off days between riding their horses, Beau and Luna, with riding Sapphire and Maverick, but they could tell that Mitch's horses were ready for him to be the one riding them again. Mitch thanked them and assured them that as soon as they could get Spartan, Shadow and Harley moved over, they would be sure to get them all out on a ride. Zeke and Charlie then excused themselves. Mitch took note that he should at least go say hi to his steeds after he and Amy ate something.
As they came into the kitchen, the first thing they noticed was the beautiful bouquet. They both looked at each other and agreed at the same time, "Lisa!" They began to rummage the cabinets for what they might have for a quick meal, and when Mitch opened the fridge, he saw the casserole. He also discovered Lisa had stocked them up on a few essentials like milk, eggs, butter, some bacon, lettuce, a few tomatoes, and he discovered a loaf of bread in the freezer, so he put it into the bread box. He knew they would need to make a grocery run the following day, but once more, Lisa had come through with her thoughtfulness. Upon seeing the casserole Mitch set out of the fridge, Amy smiled and said, "Of course, Lisa again!"
She walked over to the oven to start it preheating. Mitch carried their luggage to the bedroom, and Amy followed to start unpacking their things. They both noticed Lisa's touch of the chocolates and smiled at each other knowingly. As Amy was putting things away, Mitch walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, and said, "Welcome home, Mrs. Cutty!"
"Mmmm, I like the sound of that, Mr. Cutty," and she turned in his arms to invite the kiss he was hoping for. It was a good one – long and passionate.
As they slowly broke apart, Amy pointed out, "You know, love, there will be time for this later, but right now, how about you let me finish putting things away, and you go put the casserole in the oven to heat?"
Hesitantly, Mitch agreed and headed to the kitchen. Amy continued to return things to their place, and her thoughts suddenly turned to Lyndy. She realized she'd done nothing to get her room ready for her. She hurriedly finished unpacking. In the meantime, Mitch had started back toward the bedroom, and as he saw Amy come out and head toward the stairs, he started to panic and raced toward her saying, "Wh-Where are you going?"
"I was just heading up to take a look at what I may need to do to get Lyndy's room ready for her."
Mitch quickly blocked her way as he thought to himself, 'I've managed to keep Lyndy's secret all this time and NOW it may get ruined?!' Planting himself firmly in front of her, and taking Amy by the shoulders, he said, "Sweetheart, I'm afraid I can't let you do that."
Amy laughed and said, "And why is that?"
In his mind, he fumbled for words, but then swiftly begged, "There's nothing you need to do. Please, just trust me on this, and don't go upstairs until after Lyndy is home tomorrow. I promise, you'll be glad you waited."
Amy was bewildered, but past experience told her that trusting Mitch had always been to her advantage, so she answered, "Ok, you really have my curiosity up now, but I promise to wait."
She observed Mitch breathe a deep sigh of relief, and he directed them toward the kitchen. Mitch texted his parents, and Amy texted Jack and Lou, just to let them know that they were safely back home. Shortly after her text, Amy got a call from Grandpa telling her about Spartan's eating issue. That told her that getting the horses moved over might need to happen earlier the next day than they'd planned, which had been to do it when they picked up Lyndy. When she got off the phone, she told Mitch what was happening with Spartan. So while they were waiting for the casserole to heat, they began making a list of all they needed to get done. They decided they'd have a simple breakfast the next morning of oatmeal and toast, and then make the grocery run first thing. Once they got the groceries home and put them away, they planned to hook up the horse trailer so they could transport Spartan, Shadow and Harley to Whispering Meadows and get them settled. When Amy was unpacking, she'd also laid out the gifts they'd purchased so they could bag them up to take to the family when they went back to Heartland to pick up Lyndy. Mitch added to the list planning a time to talk with Jack and Tim about the business and about hiring some hands. And he needed to meet with Lou about finances. Amy wanted to start getting word out that she was ready to receive clients again. And once they could get somewhat settled into a routine, Mitch would start the plans for the indoor arena. They could tell this was only the beginning of so many things to be done. The rest of April and May were going to be busy weeks.
They made a salad, set the table, and fixed their drinks. By that time, the casserole was ready. They felt especially grateful for Lisa's forethought as their heads were spinning. They moved the food to the table and sat down. Amy automatically reached for Mitch's hand, and they bowed their heads as Mitch began…
"Dear heavenly Father, thank you for our safe journey home, and for all the family and friends who have served us over these last weeks. Thank you again for Rich and his wonderful hospitality. Please continue to bless him as he looks after his guests so graciously.
Father, we are feeling slightly overwhelmed at the moment with all that lies ahead to be done, but we know you will be with us just as you have in the past. And we are ever so grateful that we get to do all of it together.
Thank you for this food that Lisa so lovingly prepared for us. We know it is going to be delicious! And Father, bless this last night of calm restfulness before we begin living as a family of three with a ranch and business to run. You have blessed us so richly, and we want it all to be pleasing to you.
In Jesus name, Amen."
As Mitch's custom was becoming, he lifted Amy's hand to brush her fingers with a gentle kiss, and they began to eat. After the first bite, Amy exclaimed, "Lisa has really outdone herself. This really hits the spot!"
Mitch leaned back rubbing his belly as he agreed, "It is delicious!" And Amy chuckled at his antics.
They enjoyed their meal together and talked again about some of their honeymoon memories, ideas for establishing a routine with Lyndy, and a schedule for both their businesses. After they finished, they cleaned up, and Mitch suggested, "Sweetheart, how about you go ahead and shower while I go out and check on the horses, then I can shower when I get back?"
"That sounds good. Take whatever time you need, and I'll be waiting for you," Amy said in such a way that it inspired anticipation in Mitch.
When Mitch walked into the barn, Maverick and Sapphire whinnied at him welcoming him home. Mitch answered back as he walked over to them and petted each one gently on their necks, "Hi, beautiful boys! Did you miss me?" Each reacted by nudging Mitch softly with their noses. "Tell you what, tomorrow, you are going to have company, and soon, we'll be sure to go riding." Mitch was glad that the horses had all been around each other before so that perhaps the new arrangement wouldn't be completely strange to them. Mitch checked to make sure their stalls were clean and that they had plenty of water. It was obvious that Zeke and Charlie had been taking good care of all four. Then he locked up and headed back to the house with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye as he envisioned the evening with his beautiful bride.
Amy showered, picked out what to wear, slipped it on, and enjoyed a few moments at her dressing table as she combed out her wet hair and dabbed on just a smidgeon of perfume. Then she made a few preparations.
Music greeted Mitch as he walked through the front door, and as he crossed the bedroom threshold, Amy did not disappoint. She stood there, in the glow of a candlelit room, adorned in one of her most alluring negligees. She took his breath away. He longed to reach out and touch her, but he wanted to clean up first. So he held up a finger and teased, "Wait right there; don't go anywhere. I'll be back in a jiffy!" and adding a wink, he hastily grabbed a pair of boxers and headed to the bathroom.
Amy settled on the bed and picked up Mitch's Bible. As she cracked it open, the page fell on Psalms 90:14. This was a new book to her, but she read…
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work appear to your servants,
your glory to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us.
Establish the work of our hands for us.
Yes, establish the work of our hands.*
She sat for a while contemplating what she'd just read, and said to herself, "'Establish the work of our hands.' Yes, please, God. I'm starting to see that all we have comes from You. I desire that our plans are what You want and that you guide us in them," Amy prayed.
About that time, Mitch walked shirtless back into the room 'in a jiffy' with his dark brown, slicked back hair that looked black when wet, and the one curl hanging over his forehead, all sending Amy's heart aflutter. He walked over to her as he extended his hand and said, "My angel, my love, may I have this dance?"
She slipped her hand into his welcoming grasp and felt the ripple of his muscles as he pulled her close, and they began swaying to the music. He twirled her around, then dipped her and soundly kissed her. Raising her back up to the sound of Amy's laughter, he engulfed her in a warm embrace, swaying once again. Mitch then slowed their pace. He lovingly cupped her face in his hands as he sweetly kissed her. Then his fingers slowly traced downward and slipped the spaghetti straps off her shoulders, dropping her translucent negligee to the floor, sending chills down Amy's spine, and Mitch took his bride to their bed. They were going to treasure this last night together before the reality of everyday life hit with full force.
A/N: Psalm 90:14-17 from the World English Bible (WEB); name is trademarked, and version is Public Domain.