A/N – I'm definitely not a vet, no. I enjoyed 12:2, nice full Heartland episode, Amy even talked to a horse, that's twice in two shows. Anyway, thanks so much for all the reviews and love. The PM's with your thoughts are also appreciated. Hope this chapter satisfies all your cravings.

Chapter 41

Walking towards the house they watched JT on Merlin ride off a trail and canter towards the barn waving hello with one hand. There was a young lady's arms wrapped around him.

"That's my boy" Ty said inflating his chest making Amy and Georgie laugh.

"Come on April, let me get you down." Ty said reaching up to the smiling girl as they rode up.

"Thanks Dr. Borden, good to see you again. Gran said I should come back for dinner, GG said we have two new calves that look fine and the other two pregnant cows look good too. We're moving them tomorrow. GG said maybe you'd come and check them when they're all here"

"Take a breath April, I'm sure Ty would love to come by and check them, help JT stall Merlin and we'll see you inside." Amy said smiling.

"Ok Amy, see you soon."

They met Jack and Lisa heading back to their room to get ready to leave.

"We'll head out a little early since we have no idea where to go, the instructions look easy enough." Jack said.

"You won't have an issue and that number to PrivateAir will talk you through if you get turned around. Excellent people and customer service." Amy said.

"Any idea where Wyatt is ?" Georgie asked.

"Library with Trev and Charlie." Betty said. "You can go in. Your sister and mom are in the living room."

"I'll go in a minute, sitting is good for now." Georgie said. "I'm beat."

"You should eat and get some sleep, you too Ty, no telling what will wake us at this point." Amy said walking by and kissing both their heads.

"Well, I'm on overnight at midnight so sleep is definitely coming soon." Georgie added.

"How about I let Wyatt know you're here and Betty will get your dinners and then we'll tuck you both in."

"I've got them Amy, go back and rescue Wyatt."

"Thanks Betty." She answered as Betty laid down two full plates for the Georgie and Ty.

A moment later they both chose beers with their dinner.

"Hey Lou, Katie" Amy said passing though, "gotta break up the boy's club meeting, have you looked around ?"

"We saw the family barn ? Met a young man named Chuck who was very nice showing us around."

"And the house is very cool !" Katie added.

"Thanks Katie, glad you like it. I'll be out in a few for dinner, you ate with Grandpa and Lisa ?"

"Yeah, I figured why have them eat alone." Lou answered.

Walking into the library Amy smiled as all three men rose at her entrance. "My how gallant we all are."

"We were getting up anyway" Charlie said with a smile.

"So what have you three been up to ?"

"Wyatt has expressed an interest in the urban/inner city program so we are going to start him with that and see where it goes." Trev said smiling.

"Oh great I loved that idea, Ty will like it too. Maybe we can get my niece Katie into it, a week in the country might do her good."

"She's not that bad Amy, it's just right after the city trips she's in city mode." Wyatt answered. "Put her on a horse."

"Thanks Wyatt, good to hear, Georgie's eating and then I guess getting some sleep, so now's the time for together."

"We're used to the odd hours," he said heading to the door. "I've bartended, between that and her hours sometimes it's been interesting."

"Where did you take him all day Charlie ?" Amy asked after he left.

"Just around to do some errands with me and then to the office and Trev. Nothing insidious."

"Either of you staying to eat ?"

"I am taking my son for a steak." Charlie said.

"I am going home to Steph." Trev said.

She walked them to the door where they shook hands around the table or nodded and then hugged Amy goodbye.

"You'll get that information for me Wyatt ?"

"Sure thing Charlie, first chance."

When the door closed Amy looked at him.

"It's nothing Amy, transcripts."

Amy nodded and sat down to eat. They talked about the day and plans for the next, ranch and town gossip from both Ithaca and Hudson.

"What's everybody's plan for tonight ?" Amy said looking at the kids as plates were being cleared.

"Not sure mom, hanging downstairs I guess."

"Me too" Jackson said.

"I have paperwork, I'll sit with you." Amy added. "Wyatt, care to join us, those two need to sleep."

"Sure, I'll grab my laptop and come back."

"April what are your plans ?"

"Get dropped off I guess."

"How about I take you later and you can stay here for awhile, I can call your mom ?"

"Great !" Jackson answered.

"How does he end up hanging out with his girlfriend ?"

Jackson looked past April at Maddie "She's no" he started and then caught April's look, for that second, for all to see he had become Wyatt and changed in mid sentence, "don't be jealous Mad."

April beamed at him. Apparently at one point while away April decided they were a thing and although Jackson had no earthly idea what that meant it felt good so he went with it. Maybe talk to mom later, or Dr. Borden.

"You Ok Jackson ?" Ty leaned over and whispered.

"Sure, couldn't be better." Jackson answered. "Come on April, let's get washed up and pick a movie."

"Keep the lights on JT" Charlotte said as he passed.

"Funny Charlie, ha ha." JT said as he tugged on her pony tail going by.

Charlie shrieked mockingly "Hey lighten up bro" she called with a laugh.

"Be nicer." Jack called back walking away.

"Sorry JT."

"Me too" Jackson sang out disappearing down the stairs "love you Charlie."

"That'll be enough, all of you, including you Ty, let Jack ponder things out on his own please."

"Sorry mom."

"It's fine Charlie, it's cute, but enough and no one, understand me, no one, measures the distance between the Potter's front door and this one."

"I'm heading to bed" Ty said with a laugh standing and grabbing his plate to the sink.

"Me too." Georgie said, "11:30 wake up comes quick. Mom around ?"

"Check the living room." Amy said.

"I'll walk you two back for my stuff. Oh Amy, Bridget sent some envelopes, they're on the desk in the library."

"Thanks Wyatt, girls, help Gran and I'll meet you downstairs."

After kissing Ty and Georgie good night, Amy headed into the library to gather her work. Lou and Katie were missing from their spots in the living room.

In the library sitting at her desk she glanced up as Betty walked over and sat.

Amy smiled "how's life Gran ?"

"I'll miss Lisa and Jack."

"I know that feeling, you here about dad ?"

"I have him in the small suite upstairs."

"That's what we have, I would have put him in the master guest but he's coming early so he gets what he gets unless he wants one of the lofts."

"Have we ever filled all the guest suites and the cottage ?"

"Not that I remember, even storm parties."

"Later ?"

"I'll stay up to see him settled, you don't have to."

"Fine truth is I'm exhausted, glad Lisa's driving."

"Me too Gran. Anything else ?"

"You tell me."

"Jackson's been talking to the twins about adoption."

"You knew that had to be on the horizon."

"I need a breather Betty."

"You've breathed for six years Amy, time to gasp a little."

"The girls told me your take on the subject."

"I told them the truth and I told him when he got here. Show me the man and he has, sure it hasn't been long but he's stepped up and I find that I like him Amy, he has. A good heart, that's easy to see."

"I'm glad yo feel that way Betty, it means a lot to me. Any idea how the girls will swing ?"

"My guess is they're a yes, how far they push it, who knows."

"Sleep well Betty."

"You too sweetheart."

When they got into the guest house Ty made a beeline for a water bottle and then said goodnight.

"Hold up cowboy, you need to choose." Wyatt said taking out his phone.

"Choose what ?"

"A carriage for your date. The forecast for Sunday evening is clear and 70's, we've chosen a very sporty 1957 Corvette Dual Port Roadster in Black and Grey with a Red interior or a classic 1960 Mercedes 300 Roadster in Midnight Blue with a Saddle Tan interior."

Wyatt handed the phone to Ty "swipe back and forth, you get either for 24 hours."

"They run well, no issues ?"

"Test drove 6 equally amazing cars today Ty, those two are flawless and purr like a lion."

"Wait, I did surgery all day and you drove six vintage sports cars around ?"

"You were right Georgie, this, is an amazing job." Wyatt answered grinning ear to ear.

"I'm going to bed, alone, kiss me and please don't wake me later."

Wyatt leaned over and kissed her, he laid his hand on her cheek and held it for a second longer than necessary, kissed her softly again and then smiled at her.

When she came away she smiled back, all dimples and all melted, "I'm glad you had a good time today Wyatt. I love you."

"Thanks G, I love you too. Well Ty ?"

"Gotta be the 'vette dude, I just can't resist."

"I figured, the Benz is classier but the 'vette is definitely cherry sweet." Wyatt agreed.

"Ok then, I'm off to sleep."

"I'll let Charlie know Ty, rest well."

"Thanks Wyatt."

Amy joined the kids, Wyatt, Lou and Katie in the basement and settled in to read and sign, read and initial. She made some notes setting some things aside for clarification.

The girls worked on flies, chatting with each other and the occasional skype with a significant other. Jackson and April settled in watching a show he found on satellite about fly fishing bass, every now and then one of the girls looked over and said something about a fish or fly or technique on the screen.

Katie sat scrunched on the couch with her phone although every now and then the conversation broke through and Katie joined. She wasn't lost in it all, like all the Heartland kids she too had spent her time fishing at the pond with GG and even a few trips to the fishing cabin through the years. Her dad also fly fished and she and Georgie had done the BC fly fishing weekends with Peter over the years as well.

Wyatt sat on the floor between the girls and Jackson with his laptop reading an on line car magazine.

Lou sat across from Amy with her laptop but could not take her eyes off of her sister for very long.

"Question Lou ?" Amy asked looking up.

"What is all that ?"

"White is the foundation, Red is Cornell, blue is family, green is the ranch which means everything else."

"So that top one on the green stack."

"Final alpaca shearing sales for Pegasus and White Horse. We have two to go, Montana and Arizona."

"Is that a good business ?"

"I need a cup of tea Lou, walk with me ?"

"Sure, Katie you Ok ?"

"Yup." She answered not looking up.

Up in the kitchen Amy grabbed a mug "tea Lou ?"

"Sure, herbal though."

"Same here, caffeine at night drives me nuts now. Mint Ok ?"

"Perfect, no money in front of the kids ?"

"We try, they're not stupid but numbers can be confusing, strange as it seems we try not to make an issue of it."

"This year our herds should gross around $3,000,000 and net about 2 mil, give or take. We're building an indoor facility so we'll use that. Generally we use the alpacas to fund construction projects, trusts and bonuses. That's an amazing shear so far, we expected 2.5. Bonuses will be good I think."

"Trusts ?"

"Family trusts, employee benefit trusts for education and medical emergency, atypical employer stuff I'm told. Once that's done we divvy up the rest for bonuses."

"You have an education trust ?"

"Yes with a commitment to any Pegasus endeavor for a specific time depending on the degree."

"Explain that."

"We will pay for your or your child's education if they commit to 6 years of working for Pegasus including the time they're in school as interns. Typically it's 3 or 4 years of school followed by 3 or 2 years work after."

"That's very generous."

"Our experience is that many stay on after their commitment. Our turnover at major facilities is single digits. I really love our employees, it's good work for a good cause."

"I can imagine, they certainly seem happy enough. Georgie's in her element for sure."

"Yeah, it's been a real treat reconnecting with her."

"Amy, Georgie and I haven't really connected for the past few years."

"What does that mean Lou ?"

"I didn't, like, well agree with her path, her decisions, giving up jumping and trick riding and Wyatt, moving out of Heartland, engaged, it's been hard for her."

"Fix it."

"It's not that easy."

"Sure it is, are either of you actually happy about it you think ?"

"I'm not."

"She probably isn't either, fix it, just fix it. Say what has to be said, be completely honest and move on, you have common ground, you want her back and she wants you."

"Is that your secret ?"

"Pretty much, after admitting that your life apart isn't complete what else is there, we can't change the past Lou only the future."

"Boy have you changed."

"I guess, I don't feel changed that much, my perspective has been altered as Meg Koenig likes to say."

"So, is Georgie staying here ?"

"Talk to your daughter Lou, Georgie and my professional relationship with her doesn't extend to you and you know that. Both her and Wyatt have been offered a place here."

"A girl can try."

"I've missed you Lou. We need to get back downstairs. You should send Katie out with the kids to help with the rescues tomorrow, get her on a horse."

"I'll deal with it."

Amy walked past the kids and April and Jackson were watching another bass show.

"What do think Jax ?" Amy asked.

"We'll need a bass boat, floaters and a kayak." JT said.

"Yeah mom and a pair of jet skis." Maddie chimed in.

"Ooh yeah, a jet ski." Jackson agreed.

"Nothing until we have a place and then we will see." Amy explained. "We will have beds before boats."

"I'll mention the boat and jet ski and stuff to Dr. Borden though." Jackson said.

"You do that JT."

Lou had moved over a little and Amy was showing her a few foundation proposals they were considering. Wyatt joined when they talked about the inner city youth programs they were considering.

"You know Wyatt I've spoken with Clint Riley in Alberta and we're considering White Horse for a camp. That would give you and Georgie some opportunity to travel back so you can spend time with your family. I know that's a concern of yours."

"I've met him actually, Clint, we had lunch with him and Georgie at UC one day. Ran into him on campus. That sounds great actually, mom sounded a bit down when we talked about all this. She's thrilled at the opportunity and Mitch thinks it's great but I think she'd like to know we'll have the time to come back."

"How about you coming back to Alberta ?" Lou asked.

"I'll come when things settle Lou, Ty's going to need to go back and forth a bunch and we have school and JT's last surgery to contend with, it'll happen."

"Well my emails point to a trip to Nashville next week, maybe mid week."

"We'll get you where you need to be Lou." Amy assured her.

"You know mom Georgie's staying another week and then going to Hudson, maybe I could stay and come home with her."

"That would be great Katie, we were thinking of an overnight at the river, you could come. Kace and Piper are coming back next week."

"Kace and Piper ?" Lou asked.

"Our wildlife vets, Alex and Cassidy have a son and daughter who were with grandparents for a month in Alberta, they live at the nature center. In between the girls and Jax."

"So can I mom ?, Nashville's boring."

"Well, I guess I don't see why not, I thought we'd be together but it's Ok if it's Ok with Amy of course."

"We'd love to have her, I'm sure Georgie wouldn't mind having her along going home."

"Then I guess that's settled." Lou said somewhat subdued.

"April it's time to get you home sweetie, Jax coming for the ride ?" Amy asked.

"Yup."

"Ok, runners on, and get ready while I finish my tea."

"Sneakers mom."

"I know, sorry."

They were ready a few minutes later.

"Girls we'll be back in 15 minutes."

Erma came out to meet Amy's truck and hugged her. "There are blondies inside, you may each have one and some milk."

"Need to talk to Amy mom ?"

"Blondies, little miss nosy." Erma said giving April a little pat to get her going.

"What's up Erma ?" Amy asked when the kids disappeared inside.

"He's coming tonight and no one knows ?"

"Apparently you know."

"Well, Trev told Steph who called Trish who called me."

"What Erma ?"

"You Ok ?"

"I'm fine, it's late, I'm showing him his room and crawling into bed with Ty. Besides Grandpa and Lisa are bringing him and Lou's home."

"Well, I'll be with Jack and the kids in the morning moving the cows. We'll pick them up first thing and drop Kimmie at the Carmichael's, but expect Trish and Meg hanging around."

"My first defensive line, I have no idea what you all think will happen."

"That you'll freak out Amy, you get all weird when you think about him and then."

"You know Erma, now that it's here, I'm not that bothered anymore. I have Ty with me, both of my families, Betty and the kids, I'm good."

"You're full of shit" Erma said with a smile "Jax, let's go, your mom's got to get home." She called out.

"Good night Erma."

"Night Amy" she answered reaching around for a hug.

On the way home JT was quiet and looking out the window. It wasn't more than a 5 minute drive, the Potters were just up the road. It was unusual for Jackson though.

"You Ok JT ?"

"Oh yeah mom, sure, just tired."

"Can I ask you to help your sisters with the rescues tomorrow afternoon. I have to head out early to the thoroughbred stables and have some stuff in the afternoon."

"Sure mom, no problem, moving the cows won't take that long with all of us, I'll bring April. Uh, Mom ?"

"Yes sweetheart ?" Amy pulled up to the porch and put her truck in park. "Want to talk on the porch for a minute ?"

"Ok" Jack said and came around to meet her at the steps, he took her hand on the way up.

Amy sat on the big rocker and pulled Jackson up onto her lap.

"Talk to me bud, what's up, is this about April ?"

"April, no, uhm, why is everyone so nervous about your dad coming ?"

"Hmmm, well, when I left Heartland it was because Ty and I, well, I guess we weren't ready to be married."

"Like you are now." Jackson asked matter of factly.

Amy smiled and hugged him, "Right, like we are now, we were much younger then and things in our lives happened and were confusing to us. Some of those confusing things involved my dad and at, well, what was to me a very bad time for me, and I needed him, my dad went away and even a few months later hadn't come back."

"Like when you were a little girl ? Was he sick ?"

"No sweetheart, maybe he was scared or embarrassed about those confusing things. I really don't know. I think everyone's nervous because first, I'm not happy with him for leaving me when I needed him."

"Ok, I'd be angry too." Jack agreed.

"It seems he also blames Ty that I left. You see when he came back he didn't know I'd gone and blamed Ty."

"Why ?"

"He couldn't accept that I had left on my own, that it was my decision so he needed someone to be mad at."

"So you don't want to have a big fight."

"Well that's part of it but there's another part. You see my dad, sometimes he tends to act out, be impetuous, speak first and think later and he's been known to raise his voice and make demands."

"He sounds horrible."

"No sweetheart, no, you must never think that of your grandfather, he has a good heart and I know he loves me and he'll love you."

"He's a handful and sometimes does things without thinking them through. Like me."

"Exactly sweetie, sometimes my dad acts just like a 6 year old."

"Almost 7." Jack added.

"Him too I guess, go get ready for bed JT and I'll check on the girls."

In the end it was Lou and Amy sitting on the porch in Alpaca sweaters and booties waiting.

"Explain Nashville to me Lou ?"

"How so ?"

"Why Nashville ? Why not Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary ?"

"Oh, some of my partners thought it would be a good spot, the city's nice, very country, good fit."

"And you ?"

"It does have it's pluses like we'll be able to have a tack shop like the original."

"I guess a tack shop didn't fit Manhattan. You're good spending all that time in Nashville though ?"

"Well, we're having issues with financing so it may never come. What's with the interest ?"

"It just seems so far like you're pushing to just be further arbitrarily. You plan on moving Katie down there ?"

"Haven't gotten anywhere near that far yet but I'd like to keep her in Hudson."

"And if Georgie stays here ?"

"That'll make Hudson harder, she helps a lot with Katie, even living off the ranch, she makes the time. Got a suggestion ?"

"Build closer to home."

"Like Vancouver ?"

"Or Calgary."

"You mean really closer to home."

"I mean home Lou, Heartland."

"Yeah, I don't know that Calgary is in my partners plans."

"Find a new partner."

She said it as the Pegasus truck finally came into view coming down the road and drove up to the house to park, Lou looked over and watched Amy close her eyes and take a deep breath.

"Ready ?" Lou asked putting out her hand "Hey, you're filthy rich, he can't bitch about that."

"Should we say $20 bucks ?"

Lou smiled "come on Amy, he has changed a little since that scare a few years ago."

Amy walked over to the back door as it opened "Hey Dad, welcome to Pegasus."

He looked at her for a second before she put her arms around him and her head against his chest. It took about a second for his arms to reach around her.

"It's good to see you Amy."

"It's good to see you too Dad."

He reached in and grabbed his bag and then stood there for a second. "Casey's with the rodeo so, maybe next time ?"

"For sure, how long you plan on staying ?"

"I don't know that I've gotten that far."

"Fair enough, let's get you inside and settled."

"I guess everyone's sleeping."

"Pretty much, life starts early around here."

"Life runs 24 hours a day here" Jack said. "Sit on the porch for awhile and Georgie will be headed to work."

"It is a bit hectic" Lisa said with a chuckle.

"Oh Lisa, I'm heading up to the thoroughbreds in the morning if you'd like, Grandpa's moving the herd."

"Betty said the Syracuse Farmer's Market is not to be missed."

"It isn't, have a great time but those thimbles of distillery delights add up so watch each other please."

"Yes ma'am." Lisa said smiling. She had already hear about the area where the various distilleries and breweries showed up to hawk their newest creations.

Amy insisted on carrying Tim's bag after saying goodnight to Jack and Lisa downstairs.

When she opened the door to his suite Tim whistled. "Is this your room ?"

"No dad, we call this the small guest suite. That's my room at the end but Ty and I have been in the guest cottage. Now with Georgie and Wyatt."

"Together."

"Well Georgie and Wyatt have their own room."

"I figured that."

"Yes, Ty and I in one room and Georgie and Wyatt in the other. You did speak with Grandpa and Lisa right ?"

"I'm just confirming facts Amy, you and Ty are together and are planning to get married."

"Well, that's the idea, I expect a proposal, but I think that's a little further down the road."

"And how is Georgie working here, what about her school ?"

"We're working it out."

"Lou ?"

"Georgie and Wyatt have to make their own decisions dad, we're going to have to both get used to it."

"And the general ?" Tim said it and then glanced at Amy's face "sorry Ok, Peter."

"Remember it dad."

"I will, I'll try."

Lou nodded then continued "Peter's the same way, they have chosen to be a couple, they're adults and they have to decide on their own future."

Amy showed him around, the small seating area "want a fire dad ?"

"No I'm good."

She moved to the extensive but small bathroom, closets, remote for the TV which shocked Tim by coming out of a piece of furniture when Amy hit the on switch.

"You settled enough Dad, I've been up since 5:00."

"Go ahead Amy, I'll stay a little." Lou said.

"Ok great, just head downstairs in the morning Dad and there will be people around. Ask anyone where I am if you need me."

"Goodnight Amy."

Amy walked over and hugged him and then kissed his cheek. "We'll introduce you to your grandchildren tomorrow."

"I can't wait."

Amy kissed Lou and a moment later was down the stairs.

"Lou what the hell is going on ?"

"You're going to have to be more specific Dad, unpack and we'll talk."

"Is this thing actually hers ?"

"Seems that way dad, everyone calls her boss."

"This house is nice."

"Amy's pretty successful it seems."

"You mean rich."

"I think we could say that."

"You've met her kids ?"

"They're nice, and well, a lot like Georgie was or Amy for that matter and some Mallory thrown in actually."

"Sounds like a nightmare."

"Dad, they're not and by all accounts and the time I've spent with them they are great kids."

"So this meeting is tomorrow night ?"

"Yes dad, they've taken in a few dozen rescues in the past few days, it's been busy. I hardly saw Georgie today, they've cleared schedules for tomorrow night and arranged for the kids to be away for a few hours."

"Ok, you're probably beat too Lou. Let me get some sleep and we'll talk tomorrow."

"Good night dad."

Amy climbed into bed and smiled when Ty reached for her and pulled her close. He was exhausted and she knew it but appreciated the nuzzles and his sweet whispers to her as he dozed back off and she followed him soon after.