Chapter 9
Amy woke at 5:10 and rolled out of bed straight into a hot shower. At 5:40 she sat down with her iPad and was handed a cup of coffee.
"Good Morning Betty what's up today ?"
"Morning Amy, same, same I guess. Horses coming, horses going."
"Could be worse."
They sat and had coffee together, Amy ate and by 6:15 she had answered her pressing emails and been through the family barn. At 7:00 she was at the track having a second cup at a trainers meeting before they exercised the thoroughbreds. Today was a breezing day, easy runs to tone but not strain muscles. They'd be bathed and massaged later and then left to meadow and relax before being stalled again.
They had 12 horses to breeze and since they bantered and took their time it wasn't a speedy process. Amy was an understanding boss who loved her employees. They were loyal and hard working and there was no reason work on a horse ranch had to be grueling. When push came to shove they worked 25 hour days. For all she accomplished, Amy was never a type A personality. It wasn't odd to see the group in September sitting under one of the ranch's apple trees enjoying the fallen spoils of war as if they all didn't have something else more pressing. She often sent her interns off on on trail rides and her hands were always welcome to have their families use the ranch for rides, fishing or swimming. Maybe this itself was part of Pegasus' success.
Lisa walked over when they were almost done and smiling at her riding clothes Amy offered her a run. "Take Tucker's Comet, he's great."
"Santa Anita Stakes ?"
"Yup, it's like the Disneyland of stables Mrs Stillman, who would ever quit a job like this ? You get one maybe two champs in a lifetime if you're lucky. We have 18 multiple race winners here right now just for tune-ups. Diet and regimen. We rotate them by racing season, it's amazing."
"Here, put this on" he said taking off his vest and grabbing a helmet from the rack.
"Thank you Bryce, and it's Lisa please, I would have taken you more for the quarter horse type."
"Why limit yourself, truth is Amy got me into the speed, even my wife Roberta has a Harley now. Just a stretch today Lisa, limit his extension."
Lisa nodded and turned Tucker.
"Have fun Lisa !" Amy called out.
The girls walked over in jumping gear a moment later "Hey is that Lisa ?"
"It is Maddie, no kisses ?"
The girls both kissed and hugged her, "you almost ready mom, should we warm them up ?"
"Go ahead Charlotte, I can be done anytime."
Amy watched as Lisa ran her thoroughbred, her smile evident even from across the track. When she walked Amy over to the jumping ring a few minutes later, the smile never left her face. "I can't imagine what it's like to run those horses everyday. 18 champions."
"Not including those in medical or Cloister."
"I envy you Amy."
"I weigh my success with my sacrifice. Grandpa's gotten older."
"JT and your girls seem to have stirred something in him, and seeing you again. We've all gotten older Amy, tell me about these magnificent horses."
Rocky and Baggins were Dutch Warmbloods that Amy hand picked as 4 year olds and trained for her girls. She didn't set out for them to look so much alike, but they did and she did think it was cute considering. Without numbers at a competition no one except close family and friends would be able to tell them apart. Amy had the girls train them under her direction. Now 8 they were finally jumping and in the youth of their prime. Her girls were wonderful on them. Jumping in the states was different than in Canada and 14 was really the youngest you could be to actually compete and her girls were tearing up the circuit in their age group and making a name for their teamwork and spirit. They rode either of their horses chosen at random by short straw, they had a cute ceremony congratulating each other and always insisted that the official picture had both of them in it. The truth is they jumped for fun and lived for the dances and hanging out with their friends.
The Saratoga event was for charity and they threw a nice party. It was very exciting because Brin had been away and would be at Saratoga for the weekend with her folks. They'd have dinner together Friday and probably Saturday night.
It's funny how Amy had always known about Maddie, she just acted and reacted differently to some things like kissing on TV and in the movies than Charlotte did. One day out of the blue Charlotte mentioned something about a couple kissing in a movie and Maddie just said "sorry you two but I don't think I could ever do that."
"Do what ?" Charlotte asked.
"Kissing a boy, it looks gross."
"I think we all just kind of figured you'd kiss a girl Mad." Charlotte said.
"Oh Ok, that's cool." Just like that.
Amy's phone buzzed at 9:05 and the text was rather breathtaking.
"Mom you Ok ?" Maddie asked. "Earth to mom"
"Fine Mad, you ready ?" She said staring at the message a last time and thumbing it closed.
She watched through them running their circuits and was happy, they each had a sloppy turn and Amy had them run through them again. They switched horses halfway through the runs. Lisa stood at the rail the entire time and was joined by Jack towards the end.
When they were done and the girls were dealing with their mounts Amy started back towards the house with Jack and Lisa. "Betty's not around, where's JT Amy ?"
"Betty's in town I think and JT's in PT. Come on, I was going to check on him anyway."
Amy took a path around the house and through a small section of woods to a lovely cottage with a storybook front nestled in a copse of trees which hid its actual size.
"Oh Amy, it's lovely, what is this ?"
"Our guest house Lisa and I'm sorry you're not in it, next time hopefully though."
Amy opened the door to a beautifully designed family room done in what could only be called Alberta modern. Cushy leather chairs, couches and cushions designed around a large stone fireplace. The cottage had two large bedrooms each with an en suite and a seating area. The kitchen was small but modern and stocked. The gym was off to one side and contained a sauna, steam room, weights, treadmill, stationary bike, assorted arm bars, a whirlpool and an endless pool. When Amy opened the door JT was on the weight bench, Phyllis his therapist was adjusting the set up.
"Hey guys, I'm almost done, 15 lbs mom !"
"I knew you could do it sweetheart."
"He's pushing Amy, he'll be sore tonight."
"I'll be fine."
"Ok JT, 5 more reps and we're done."
"I could do 10."
"5 JT you can injure yourself as well."
"8"
"7 and that's it, you're impossible. I don't know how you live with him Amy."
"It's a burden we bear Phyl. Come on champ, let's see."
JT clamped his arms on the bars and lifted his leg slowly, it was a a struggle but he was steady. By the 5th he was sweating and shaking on the 6th.
"That's enough JT."
"I can do it Phylis, give me a second."
"No JT, you're struggling."
"But" he said tightening his grip.
"Jackson, you were told no, enough please." Amy snapped.
"Ok, sorry mom."
"I'm proud of you sweetheart so proud, but this showing off doesn't help anybody." Her voice was softer but still had an edge to it.
"I know, I get caught up I guess."
"Get showered and changed and I'll see you inside." Her tone had already changed and she smiled before asking, "are you staying for lunch Phyl ?"
"No thanks, I have another client in 45 minutes, busy day today. I'll get him in and see you Friday Amy."
"Early please we have a trip."
"Betty mentioned it, I'll be here at 9, no problem."
Amy had tears in her eyes seconds after they left the room. Lisa took her hand as she took a deep breath to get her control back. "I'm sorry, I hate snapping at him but he's reckless and sometimes he just doesn't get it."
Jack looked over for a second and decided to change the subject. "The large tub in the room with the whirlpool Amy ?"
"Swimming is great exercise for him because it's a zero resistance tool unlike say weights. He loves to swim, he doesn't limp when he swims. With his friends he's always been just like them in the water. That tub is called an endless pool Grandpa. There's a pump that creates a current against you so you can swim in place. JT loves it and it can be used in all seasons and doesn't take up near any space."
"I'll be, swimming in place like a treadmill in the water. What's one of those go for ?"
"That one because it's heated was about $22000 installed. That's American."
"How does a family afford something like this ?"
"They don't Grandpa, all indications at the time were for amputation and progressive prosthesis. There's a wonder of prosthetics these days, some work almost perfectly but several doctors said they could rebuild his leg but that the insurance would probably balk. They set up a program of surgical plans, we looked them over, talked to other orthopedists and we started. I stopped counting at a million. We're also sponsoring two other candidates for a progressive surgery with the team, one from Toronto and one from Kansas. Since we're bringing in the surgeon and his team and we have the operating theatre, they're doing their part for those families pro bono and we're, well, I'm covering transportation and housing for the families and patients."
"And bringing in the surgical team and paying for that and your surgery."
"Yes Lisa, they asked and I can't turn those people away, it only costs once to bring the team, the hospital is also donating their time and facilities. The children need their families for support and I can certainly do that. JT wants to help, he's been on line with the kids, it's important to him. This is the third time we've sponsored other surgeries."
"Jackson's a very special young man. I can't believe he's 6."
"He'll be seven soon enough Grandpa and the girls 15, all born in September, I'll expect you both here for birthdays."
"We wouldn't miss it Amy."
"Grandpa ?"
"We'll be here or you'll send people in to tend my ranch."
"I may just send them anyway old man."
"Amy, I'm really fine."
"That doesn't mean you can't spend a week or two with Lisa in France. You can be fine and take time off."
"I hate flying."
"So do I and I have a solution."
"About that by the way" he said stepping into the house after Amy.
"You want to fly commercial like cattle that's fine Grandpa but I'm sending Lisa home in the style and luxury she deserves. I hope you like traveling alone."
"Thank you Amy."
"You're very welcome Lisa and if you time it right I'll send the girls with you to France and you can leave this old fart behind."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"To what ?" Charlotte asked coming in.
"You two going with Lisa for a few weeks to her villa in Toulon near the sea."
"Awesome, I can deal with a winter tan on the Mediterranean."
"Can Brin come ?"
"We need to talk about this stuff Mad, your girlfriend can travel with you but you two are not bunking together."
"Told you Mad." Charlotte chided.
"I still don't think it's the same thing" Maddie pouted.
"What's going on ?" JT asked coming in.
"Nothing" four voices said in unison and then broke out laughing.
"Great, like I believe that."
"Girls, go help Lisa fix lunch, Gran's in town, there's deli for sandwiches and salads that are ready, I have to get changed."
"Where you heading mom ?"
"I'm going to meet Ty and lead him home Mad."
"Meet him where ?"
"He left Erie at 9:00 with instructions to be here by 1:00 or else. Coming by bike he'll be on 13, I'll pull up near Horseheads."
Amy trotted off and was back 15 minutes later.
"That'll bring him home Mom, what happened to leaving something for later ?"
"Hush Charlie, nothing in this package Dr. Borden hasn't seen before, this is just to jog his memory."
"You go girl" Maddie added.
"You go out in that outfit Amy ? Jack asked.
"You don't like it Grandpa ?"
"Where do you possibly keep your license ?"
"It's safely tucked away don't you worry."
Amy was wearing matte dark black skin tight leather pants and a matching skin tight light leather jacket, buckled black biker boots up to her knees. Her hair was down, her eyes and face done lightly as was her way.
She pulled up behind the Horseheads turn off and into the Forestdale Preserve where she parked to wait at 11:40. She checked emails and texts on her phone and answered a few quickly. At about 12:10 she heard the rumble that could only be Ty's Norton. He had driven hard and probably did nothing but check fluids before the ride and it had a rough timbre to it. She was excited when he barreled past oblivious that she was there and a second later she kicked her scout on and slowly rode down to the main road.
It wasn't hard catching up and she stayed behind for a ways admiring the view, she had always loved his butt since the first time she glimpsed it in the loft all those years ago. The thought still took her breath away. They travelled like that for about a mile until he pulled up at a stop sign and pulled out his phone. She watched him tuck it back in and pull out a map. She pulled up beside him.
He glanced over at her full helmet and then down at the body covered in tight smooth leather and finally at the bike and smiled appreciatively behind his mask. He had no idea it was her. She leaned over and tapped his helmet and yelled "need help ?"
He pointed to a small circle on the map and lifted his visor. She took the map and looked at it and then let it go in the wind.
"Hey what the hell's wrong with you I need that ?"
She revved her engine and raised her visor. "All you need to do is keep up Dr. Borden, if you catch me, you can have me."
He stared at her smiling flushed face and a heartbeat later she flopped her visor down and tore off down the road. He was struck dumb for a few seconds as she pulled over farther up the road and looked back. "Come on Ty, just a little further." She whispered to herself and then smiled when he headed up after her. She saw him slow to pull up and she tore out again. She let him pull up alongside her and toyed with him a while over the miles. His bike was no match for the Scout which was built and designed for speed and her pride and joy but she let him play. She knew he was smiling and could see that boyish grin on his face in her mind through his black out mask. When she hit the last 10 mile stretch she was done playing and pulled back. "Let's see what you've got old man !"
She knew he was loving this when he tore out before her. She rode along with him for a while, hit the gas and passed him at 70 as if he was standing still and a mile later when he came over a rise he saw her patiently waiting at a turnoff and followed her down a long road and through the same gates Lisa had found and all the way up to the house where a crowd was sitting on the porch.
