A/N – Thanks for all the reviews and messages, they're awesome.
Chapter 22
It was the perfect day for a jumping event and the Saratoga Raceway Complex was beautiful. Manicured flower beds, lawns and meadows in the distance. It was hot but there was a lot of shade. The jumping field would be roasting though, they'd have water for the jumpers and horses and the crowd would hang in the shade.
Jack looked handsome in his new straw hat, tweed jacket, jeans and a crisp white shirt. He also wore his matching Heartland bolo and belt set.
"That's a sharp belt Ty, come with a story ?"
"Comes with a ranch Jack."
"Well, you sort of knew that was coming."
"Jack a week ago I just needed to see her face and thought that maybe she'd shoot me on sight."
"Glad it didn't go that way son."
"Not wearing your jumping slacks Grandpa, yeah Scott made sure I got that picture. You look pretty slick by the way."
"I appreciate that prominently displayed in your office by the way. I have to say this outfit is way more comfortable with the jeans."
"Nice jeans are a thing these days, I hope it stays, I like men in jeans."
"Amy, can we talk about the watch ?"
Lisa came over then. She was smiling and agreed to be on the jumping field with the kids and as such was wearing a Pegasus outfit similar to Amy's. Betty wore slacks and a tweed jacket over a silk ruffled blouse. She proudly wore a diamond Pegasus Brooch on her lapel and a diamond Rolex on her wrist.
Bobby and the Carmichaels came over as did Brin's folks. They were going to be a sight standing on the buses but Amy didn't care.
"Grandpa, you took care of me from when I was 5 until I was 23. You made sure I was strong enough to do this. You taught me, fed me, clothed me and kept me safe. That watch is a gift that doesn't come close to repaying any of that. You are the best Grandfather I could ever have hoped for and you should wear the best watch on earth. It's guaranteed for life, wear it in good health and for many many years to come, besides, it's engraved, I can't return it."
"Well, thank you for that, and the clothes and the hats. This all costs a fortune doesn't it ?"
"Grandpa it doesn't cost a fortune to me. I didn't have to sell my calves for it. Please can we not talk about the money anymore." She had a tear in her eye and sniffed before turning away and walking off to the Carmichaels and Caldwells.
Betty looked at the men "Jack, did you miss the gentleman's class on graciously accepting a gift. She's telling you that she couldn't have done this without you, she wants you to share in her success. I know you both consider yourself somewhat modern men but this macho I have to be the breadwinner bullshit is never going to happen. You both knew this going in so I fail to see why you're all surprised about it now. Ty, to her, your love and your first surgery will be payment enough for your half. Jack I can't imagine your love hasn't paid for your share of whatever Lisa has either or a few gifts from Amy."
"More than paid for it Betty" Lisa said putting her arm through his.
Amy walked back over, "it's 1:30 let's get up top. Bryce has the horses at the jumping field."
"Amy ?" Jack said looking at her.
"Yes Grandpa ?"
Jack took a step and reached his arms around her, "I'm sorry for how I acted a moment ago, I'll cherish this watch, thank you for everything."
Amy hugged him back "I'm sorry too Grandpa, for everything, I love you so much."
They climbed up the ladders carefully and into the sun. Ty and Jack helping from below were the last up. There was a mostly clear view from the bus tops but Jackson moved around and back and forth trying to get a perfect vantage until Ty grabbed him and hoisted him up onto his shoulders. "That's much better, thanks Dr. Borden."
"Anytime Jackson. The day will end much better without you falling off a bus, ok buddy ?" Ty said with an air of authority he didn't think he deserved the second he said it and was surprised by JT's chastised response.
"Yes sir."
Amy smiled and snaked her right arm around him. Ty had his left hand on Jackson's thigh holding him steady and Amy ran her hand down over his watch and onto his hand intertwining her fingers in his. Jackson looked down and smiling put his hand over theirs. Ty's face changed for a second feeling the small warm hand on theirs. Betty turned away and Lisa handed her a hankie.
Tom Carmichael hoisted Cars up as well and the group gazed down Broadway where a rumble was getting closer.
At about the same time that Amy and the family were coming out after dressing, the three girls were sitting in their jumping outfits without their jackets which were left with Bryce. They wore tight grey jumping slacks and white silk ruffled blouses, high black leather jumping boots and makeup. They looked odd but very comfortable hanging around and joking with several bikers in a group of hundreds.
The crowd got quiet when John came out of the club room and asked for the girls. Inside the clubhouse the Presidents or highest ranking member of each area club and the den mothers present today stood in the circle while Brin helped Maddie and Charlie on with their vests. She was told to hold them up before the twins so that they could see their new patches. On the right side of each vest under the words
Member
Central New York – Ithaca
Original Chapter
Mechanic
Oathkeeper
They had added a patch right under Mechanic that read "Oathkeeper" one of the highest honors the club gave.
Brin was grinning as wide as she could when she helped Charlie on with hers and then hugged her and kissed her cheek. She had tears in her eyes when she showed Maddie hers. Trish had taken Brin back to sew Maddie's on herself. While the hug was the same Brin locked on to Maddie's lips and wrapped her arms around her to the cheers and hoots of the bikers in the room, when it made John uncomfortable which was quickly he stepped up.
"Ahem, ladies, we're holding up traffic." John was smiling and all three girls hugged and kissed him before heading out of the clubhouse. The girls squealed and hugged him again when they came out and found their Harley's sitting in front.
John laughed "Well, whose bikes did you think you'd be riding, some of the guys drove them up last night. Come on let's do this, Brin uh, your behind Mad."
"Really ?"
"Go ahead, one of your mom's will kill me later, maybe both."
"This will be epic." Maddie said when Brin reached around her and tightened her grip around Maddie's waist. "Who hoo, I've got a biker chic !"
Everyone who heard laughed and the girls kicked on their bikes followed by the roar of almost 300 more.
Before pulling out Maddie turned and lifted her visor and then turned her head to Brin who did the same. Maddie smiled and kissed Brin who tightened her grip. "I love you Bina" she whispered. "I love you so much Mad" Brin whispered back.
JT shouted when he saw the first of the bikes coming down Broadway.
The roar was tremendous, they rode down in two columns on either side of the street, people along Broadway stopped to watch the parade of motorcycles. The Saratoga Chapter led the way and stopped at the edge of the entrance and turned their bikes inward towards the center line, the column on either side was almost ¼ mile long. When all the bikes had stopped the Ithaca Club rode down the center aisle between the parked bikes. Maddie and Charlie leading the way with Brin behind Maddie and followed by all 24 other members behind John and Trish.
"How the hell did they get their bikes here ?" Amy asked.
"Is Brin behind Maddie, Amy did you know about this ?"
"No I did not Meg."
"Sam you need to have a talk with that man."
"Sure Meg, I'll get right on that, it's like yelling at the world's biggest puppy."
Ty laughed, "he was going to hold me over the falls."
"He has a special place in his heart for Amy Ty, I'd stay on your toes." Betty said patting him on the arm laughing.
They watched as the girls rode up even to the Saratoga club and stopped. Then like a wave, the bikers on the outside revved their engines into a deafening roar and then pulled out passing on either side of the stopped Ithaca club in tribute and then on down the road.
As the girls turned into the complex the Pegasus camp scurried off the bus top and made their way to greet the girls arriving at the jumping ring.
Amy walked up smiling and stood up front as the girls rode up on their bikes and set the stands.
Bobby walked over to Charlie immediately to kiss her "when do I get to do that ?"
Amy hugged Charlie as she came over and then Maddie and lastly Brin. The girls laid their vests on their bikes and walked into the ring to stand by their horses. Lisa helped them with their coats and helmets.
Amy noticed Meg walking over to John, she also noticed when she elbowed him in his side and his mock pain. Then she laughed when John grabbed her into a hug and made her squeal.
The girls left the horses with Lisa and walked over to Amy and in full view of everyone, each reached out to take a piece of hay from her hand, check it's length and then walk to their horses. Baggins short straw and Rocky long. Amy then went to the judges to fill in the last part of the form, who rode whom.
This was a charity event and there were 18 mixed age and class jumpers between 14 and 18 years old. The Pegasus 4 drew 3 for Maddie, 6 for Bobby, 8 for Brin and 14 for Charlie. The course was long and set for 2 and ½ minutes. It was a tough course and a non point event. The event was scheduled for 90 minutes which should work without a problem.
The Pegasus jumpers beat the field by 3 seconds, the next fastest time 2:27 after Brin. Maddie (2:21), Bobby (2:23) and Brin (2:24) set the bar high. The most interesting jumpers in the first round, were Charlie who also ran a (2:21) to tie her sister, and Chris Jaeger. This was the boy who Brin had the issue with and unbeknownst to anyone including several exasperated event coordinators, when he was set and mounted, 4 girls and a boy, all jumpers walked out into the jumping ring and held up signs. On the far left the sign was a hand drawn eye held by the boy, the other four held signs that read I Am a Witness. The symbol representing a well known anti-bullying logo and slogan. They held it up at him and then turned 360 degrees flashing the signs at all the spectators. They stopped then and tipped their helmets at the Pegasus Group and then surprisingly at the Ithaca Marauders who all stood to acknowledge their nod.
When all had jumped they called 15 minutes so that Charlie and Maddie could get ready for their jump off. As always they went off by themselves to talk and then walked over to Amy who was standing with Ty.
"You two remind me of watching your mom jump when she was your age."
"Thanks Dr. Borden."
Brin came over, "I lost by one second, what is that ?"
"It's luck of the course Brin, you know that, you all out jumped the field and are within 3 seconds of each other."
"I know Amy, whatever, it's been a special weekend and I got to do the whole girl on the back of the bike thing, that was pretty awesome."
"And the dance."
"Pretty psyched about the dance."
"You don't care at all about winning do you ?"
"Not really, I mean ribbons are great, but we like the hanging out part."
Brin wandered off with Maddie for a few minutes.
"Ready Charlie ?"
"Yeah, Mom, you trust us right ?"
"Where did that come from, but yes, you know I trust you both."
"Cool, thanks mom." She said it with a smile and then wandered off to join the other three.
"What was that about ?" Betty asked.
"I have no idea."
They had the girls choose and Maddie was to ride first. She sat on Baggins and chatted with Charlie who held for her. Amy knew it looked odd for competitors but what did people expect, they were identical twins and Baggins belonged to both of them as did Rocky.
When she got the signal Amy saw Charlie pat Maddie's leg and heard her very clearly, "2:21 Mad." What the hell were they up to ? She watched as Maddie jumped and broke at least one cardinal rule, she checked the clock at several turns.
"What the hell is she doing ?"
"Hush Betty" Amy said fascinated as Maddie rode past the meter and the clock stopped at 2:21. Amy saw Maddie glance over and smile. Charlotte was already on Rocky with Lisa holding and got a high 5 from Maddie as she went by.
"2:21" Amy said as Maddie got down.
"Not bad huh ?" Maddie said and then sidled away to Brin where they held hands.
Amy watched as Charlie set out and was floored as she too checked the clock around turns.
"What's going on Amy ?"
"I can't believe it, why are they doing this ?"
"What are they doing ?" Ty asked with Lisa and Jack leaning in for an answer.
They watched as Charlie made her last jump and headed towards the line a clear second ahead of Maddie and then at the last second Rocky's head pulled to the side, he broke stride for one second and crossed the line at exactly 2:21. The crowd exploded in cheers, they had tied again.
"I should check Rocky, looks like he stumbled."
"He's fine Ty, she made it look like a stumble."
"What ?"
"She pulled his rein, no one watches the horses legs and everyone would have thought stumble. She threw the race, they made up to tie, they're trained not to look at the clock but why ?" Then Amy smiled, Maddie was beside herself smiling and looking at Brin. "so that Brin could take third" she whispered in awe.
"And so shines a good deed in a weary world." Betty whispered and patted her on the shoulder.
"Come on Ty, we'll need you, play along."
Ty followed Amy over to the judges while the others stayed back.
"Betty ?"
"Three spots 4 jumpers Lisa, someone's always last jumper out. This is a charity event. The girls are hoping Amy won't let them jump a third round."
"How does that help ?"
"Watch."
"Amy, quite the team you have there, would 20 minutes be enough, it'll take us over but what can you do ?"
"Ty check them please, we really didn't expect this much of a workout, they're still young Harold."
"How about you girls, doing alright ?"
"Kind of hot in these silks Mom."
"Dr. Borden ?" Amy asked
"I guess they could do another."
"They're tired mom, couldn't we just share 1st ?"
"You know, that's an excellent idea Charlie, how about it Harold, in the spirit of the day, the girls will share first and Bobby second. Oh, that leaves third, "Sabrina sweetheart, get Chester over here for his ribbon."
Amy watched Brin's face light up as she got up with Lisa's help and got in line. Harold Bergman the Chairman of the Saratoga Race Association made a grand announcement which everyone cheered. It was hot as blazes on the field and the camps, refreshments and gathering areas were all in the cooler spots under the trees and canopies. The Twins would share first with second going to Bobby Carmichael and Third to Sabrina Caldwell all jumping for the Pegasus Equestrian team.
When the announcement was made the twins went though their routine and gave each other a high five while riding by each other on their horses followed by a hug they leaned over for. The crowd ate it up.
The girls came over to the group as Bryce and 2 hands led the horses away. The jumpers would follow soon after to care for them. Those were the rules.
"Here you go Doc, you're first first !" Maddie said handing Ty the blue ribbon leaning over to kiss his cheek followed by Charlie.
Sabrina took her third place yellow the other direction and handed it to Rocket. "here you go big guy" she said and then reached up to kiss his cheek and hug him.
"Thanks Brin, we'll hang it in the clubhouse."
She smiled "got to get back to Mad."
After all the congratulations and pictures for the organizers and the Saratoga Gazette the 4 teens headed over to the stable area to care for their horses while everyone headed back for snacks at the camp. The girls asked the photographer for two special pictures, one of Brin and Maddie and one of Bobby and Charlie. He promised prints when they were done.
"Come get changed when you're done kids."
"We will mom."
"I'm proud of you all, it's an honor to be your coach."
They all smiled at her before they left.
"Not like you and Ashley huh ?"
"No Ash and I made up, you know that, we're good now."
"You talk to Ashley ?"
"I called her years ago and we've kept in touch."
"You know what Jesse did right ?"
"Yes Ty, I do, he goaded you into a fight, which is when I called Ashley again, from Belgium and caught up, if that assault charge would have gone through to trial Ashley would have volunteered to second chair your attorney or act as a character witness for you."
"Jack took care of that with Val."
"I know, had that happened a few years later I would have dropped on Jesse like a thunderstorm. At the time, Ashley was what I could get."
"Wouldn't that have been something though ?"
"Let's be glad it didn't happen."
They joined the group at the camp and each grabbed a water.
"Schedule's up Amy, apparently Dr. Borden is officially on staff, well done Ty, I'm proud of you son." She then walked over, reached up, kissed his cheek and wiped the lipstick off with her thumb.
Ty grinned and pulled away like a schoolboy "Thanks Betty. I'll try to keep doing that."
"Come inside Ty, let's cool off and we can talk. I have to change anyway." Amy said walking towards the trailer.
Inside Ty took off his jacket and rolled his sleeves a bit. Amy had gone by and into the bedroom. She took her hair out of a bun and brushed it out. She smiled when she looked in the mirror and then took off her blouse and bra. After she put her blouse back on and tucked it in unbuttoned, arranged her hair and leaned on the doorway.
"Top 5 ?" Amy asked.
Ty looked up and smiled. Leaning against the doorway, one booted leg up, her silk blouse unbuttoned and half open, no bra, those skin tight slacks, he just stared. "Cool off, really ?"
"Think you can help me with my boots Ty ?"
"I think that can be arranged." He was moving towards her when he said it and didn't stop until his lips were kissing her neck and he had lifted her against the door frame. He didn't let up, his kisses and lips tracing her neck and then down onto her shoulder and across her chest.
Amy was panting, her booted legs around his waist as she frantically pulled his pants open. When his slacks dropped and knowing she couldn't possibly get hers off she dug her fingers into the seam of her crotch to rip them open. Ty sucked in breath hearing the sound, "I can't get it" she moaned and he shifted her slightly, grabbed hold of the torn fabric and pulled as it tore open. When he turned to move towards the bed she whispered, "no, no, go back" she was gasping and shuddered when her back hit the frame and the cold metal lay flat against her back. Getting control she reached down to guide him passed her panties and shredded slacks then tightened her booted legs around him. Both of the them moaned gutturally when their bodies and lips joined.
