A/N - Change of season colds suck and I have one. I hope you like this chapter. Keep the reviews coming and of course your lovely PM's. Production for season 13 started this week with lots of reports which was nice. More as soon as I can.

Chapter 68

"Ty have you ever driven this much live weight ?" Amy asked

"You have to let Amy drive dude, especially through the mountains." Bryce added "I'll teach you but you really have to have done it, the hydraulics and air brakes, that's a lot of weight, Amy's done it plenty of times."

"16000 pounds Ty, you can't jam on the brakes, the horses."

"Here, take the keys." Ty said laughing "I'll sit shotgun and watch."

"When are we leaving ?" Jackson called out from the screen door.

"Bryce is going to turn the trailer and we'll load up the horses, all the suitcases and gear stowed ?"

"Yup, I'll get everyone."

"Think he remembered the tackle ?" Ty asked putting his arm around Amy's waist and turning with her to follow the truck and trailer.

"I think so", she chuckled "we haven't spent a lot of time together lately, this will be nice."

"I've been missing our time together."

"It's been a hectic couple weeks Ty, I'm sorry."

"This is definitely not something you have to apologize for Ames, I just look forward to a ride and a hand hold, that's it."

"Maybe some time in the hot tub later ?" She answered reaching her arm around him.

"That's definitely going to happen."

"Hey Georgie."

"Morning Ty, Amy, heading out ?"

"We are, you sure you don't want to follow Georgie ?"

"Thanks Amy but we're set for the weekend. I'm getting on call time in, I can get the prep stuff for you done, and I get to ride my boys. Wyatt and Bryce are getting the Mustang ready and looking over old blue. Maybe we'll go dancing or out for a drink, town's filling up."

"You have the dogs ?"

"I have the dogs Amy."

"Thanks Georgie."

"Have fun Georgie." Ty said as the twins and JT came up.

"Get your mounts kids and load your tack." Amy said. "Ty grab Lyric for Betty please and I'll get Spartan and Harley out."

They loaded the horses, Spartan, Harley, Lyric, Merlin, Colton and Barclay, counted off saddles as they loaded them in the racks. Loaded the oats and feed, water for the trip and a couple bales hay in case and closed up.

After picking up Betty and a cooler full of meat at the house they headed out.

"Waze says 3 hours." Charlie said.

"Tell Waze we have 6 horses and an 8000 pound trailer with computerized air brakes."

"And a monster truck to pull it."

"Not a monster Mad but she's big enough. I think we'll probably be a half hour or so behind that estimate."

"So what's the schedule ?"

"All business Jackson, I like that" Ty said turning and smiling at him.

"First we'll get the horses stalls settled and them into a paddock for a while while we unpack and get settled. We can explore the house and the outbuildings. Spend the day looking around, let the horses acclimate a little. Tomorrow we'll ride out first thing and have a look at the property, we have permission to look at the proposed conservator land parcels. Check the river and lake."

"Maybe stop and float a line ?"

"We'll see Jackson, for sure we'll pick a spot and head out first thing Sunday."

"Deal, can we swim ?"

"About that, they offered but it seemed so wasteful to fill and empty a pool just for one weekend."

"No definitely." Jt agreed. "Just a waste."

"I'm glad you understand Jackson."

"The sun still works though."

"Feel free to bake in the sun Mad, with sunscreen please."

"I know mom, I know."

"I'm gonna explore." Jackson announced.

"Please explore at the compound and not in the woods until we get our bearings Jackson, there was bear and moose sign when I was here a few weeks ago and I'd like to know how close they get and see if we deal at all with coyotes or wolves."

"Guess we're not in Ithaca anymore."

"No Betty, we're part of the West Canada Wilderness Preserve, more like Alberta than Ithaca. We just need to figure things out before we strike out exploring. If we do this and get the Nature Rescue and Research set up, that should push most predators around us. The rest is learning how to deal."

"I'll stay close by the house."

"Your mom and I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with one of the NYS Conservation Officers, we'll get more info then."

The ride up took a little longer than 4 hours. TY spent a lot of time watching Amy work the truck and trailer. The truck had a powerful manual transmission 6 speed that Amy worked up and down though hills and turns. He noticed after a while that the downshifting coincided with the strain the truck felt from the trailer. It also seemed somewhat of a ballet when the trailer's air brakes kicked in to sync the truck with the braking that kicked in on steep hills and wide turns.

"The object is to keep the trailer's ride as smooth as possible. It's not hard to learn but it's easier starting off with this thing empty and then adding weight, a full load is weird, when it shifts and then the trailer brakes cut in you need to even it out."

"Glad you're driving this one then, it's way more complicated than I thought actually."

"It's not hard, it's just getting used to it."

"Who's teaching us to drive ?"

"You don't know how to drive Charlie ?"

"Well, some Doc, hay truck on the ranch but not out here."

"Ty taught me to drive, manual and automatic." Amy added.

"Glad that's settled" Betty said.

"I'll be doing it Charlie"

"Thanks Doc or should we call you LG ?"

"LG ?"

"Legal guardian JT."

"I'm not doing that."

"Eye's on the prize sweet boy ?" Amy asked.

"I don't know what that means, but I'm making one change, Doc to Dad."

"So that's your vote JT ? Dad ?"

"Sure what's wrong with dad ?"

"We were thinking Papa."

"Papa ?" Ty asked turning to Charlie.

"Pop ?" Maddie added.

"Pop is soda in Alberta Mad."

"You're pretty bubbly doc."

"Ha ha, poppa or dad will work, is that a yes girls ?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves Dr. Borden, you two aren't even engaged yet." Charlie said with a smile.

It was a wide turn into the property but Amy was slow and made the turn fine. They pulled up past the small road to the house and drove past it towards the barns following Ty's directions. They were met by Jonathan who came out smiling and walked over to Ty to shake his hand. Ty introduced him to the family who were already waiting to get their horses. Amy walked into the barn quickly and looked around to see that the stalls were prepared, there was a load of hay waiting against a wall and there were two bales opened in a paddock across from the entrance.

Jonathan watched as they got the horses out and walked them around acclimating them before letting them graze in the paddock set up for them.

"It's been a while since there were horses here. I always like having them around." Jonathan said looking at the paddock. "They look like fine animals."

"Sort of our family business" Ty said. "You have a few minutes to talk Jonathan, I just want to get the kids in."

"Sure thing Dr. Borden, whatever you need."

"Call me Ty, that'll be better."

"Thanks Ty, prefer it myself. How about I get the tack out and hung up, the saddles on the rack and I'll meet you inside ?"

"That's fine Jonathan, thanks."

"No problem, all that kitchen stuff and food got delivered this morning and put away, there's an inventory on the kitchen counter."

"That's great, I'll meet you inside in 20 minutes ?"

Ty came up the stairs from the lower level where he had come in and found Betty going through the kitchen.

"You should unpack Betty, this stuff will keep."

"I know, force of habit I guess, this is all fine, come on I'll walk you up."

Ty put his arm around her waist which made her smile. "Assuming this all works out, thank you Gran."

"You're sweet Ty, but I think by know you know where all this money actually stems from."

"Still, I'm going to always think of it as your gift to us."

"Here you both are, having a moment are we ?" Amy asked smiling.

"Just thanking Gran here for her generosity."

"Well we don't do that near enough, thank you Betty."

"Stop both of you, which is my room ?"

"Come on we'll find it" Amy said "Ty I unpacked us."

Betty's room was the first in the hallway, a large king size bed and a small seating area with an open hearth stove.

"This is cozy" Betty said, "nice view"

There were two large windows facing the back of the house and the side view of the lake and the mountains behind. Some of the leaves were already changing. Between the two windows were French Doors opening onto a balcony with a chaise lounge and a small table and chair.

"Fall will be beautiful." She added walking out and up to the rail.

"We'll let you settle in and maybe rest a little."

"I don't need a rest Amy."

"How about just a sit for a while, maybe rest your eyes." Ty added.

"What a sweet talker, go check on the kids please."

They found the girls in the fishing room with Jackson. They had pulled down several shadowboxes with fishing flies and were looking at them.

"They're not much different JT, I bet our regular flies would work."

"Work on what Mad ?"

"Lake fishing, JT read about lake trout and bass on flies."

"No reason we couldn't try but we'd need to use a boat to start. We'll need a list of things to ask about." Ty said.

"Hello upstairs !" Jonathan's voice came up.

"Oh, I forgot Jonathan, I needed to ask about some stuff and predators, we're a lot quieter on horseback. John and I rode quads."

"I'll come" Amy said "you all unpacked ?"

"And hungry."

"I'll get some food ready Jackson, Gran might be resting. Come down in a little while and we can eat."

Ty apologized as he came down with Amy.

"No need, I have kids, 20 minutes goes by in 30."

"Come sit while I get some lunch ready and we can talk Jonathan."

"Sure thing uhm, Ms. Fleming is it ?"

"Amy please and I assume it'll remain Fleming even after I'm married."

"Amy then, thank you, how can I help ?"

"Tell me what you do here Jonathan ?" Amy pulled out several cans of tuna and a tub of mayo, celery and some veggies.

"Oh, I'm groundskeeper and caretaker of the main compound and the buildings, mechanical, the geo well, heat and like that. I also make sure the trails are clear. My wife and her sister keep the house up."

"And you do this full time ?"

"Oh no, my son and I run a plow business, snow removal, trenching, leveling. I'm a diesel mechanic by trade, I do side work in that too."

"Who takes care of the rest of the property ?" Ty asked.

"We're lodged between state land and the lake. Nothing really to care for."

"Any need to worry about predators ?"

"Ah, kids and horses."

"And dogs next time" Amy added.

"Well before I answer I would close the barn doors at night. There are a few bears that travel around here. I've never seen one near the compound. A few years ago there was a pair of Eastern Coyote that came closer but they moved on. Haven't ever seen a wolf but I hear they're in the North, No cats, foxes, grey and red but they're not a worry. That's about it. They are around and move freely. Bear spray and blast horns in the tack room. The Spelts had side cases made for their saddles. There's a gun safe in the master."

"I don't recall seeing a safe"

"It's behind a wooden panel, you need to know about it."

"Any other hidden panels ?" Ty asked.

"Not that I know of. You saw the regular safe in the closet ?"

"I did, I assume the combination can be changed ?"

"I have the safe company's contact info same for the gun safe."

"Are you interested in staying on Jonathan ?"

"We would be Amy."

"Coffee ?"

"Yes please, black."

"Ty ?"

"Why not. "

The kids came down then and were more formerly introduced to Jonathan who insisted on Jonathan.

"Set the table girls, Jackson drinks please."

They chatted while having their coffee. There were moose in the area and at least two nesting Bald Eagle pairs. He also described their choice of three small towns nearby, all quaint and all fine for what the family needed.

"Joining us for lunch Jonathan ?"

"No thanks Amy, have to get home, if you need anything or have any other questions, I've lived in the area all my life just text. It was nice meeting you all."

"You too Jonathan, thanks." Ty got up to see him to the door.

"I'll be here at 1:00 tomorrow for the conservation officer's meeting." Jonathan said shaking Ty's hand. "Nice family Ty, I hope you get the place."

"I'm going up to check on Gran, you all get started." Amy said walking by and kissing Ty on her way to the stairs.

"I say after we clean up from lunch we check the outer buildings, get the horses squared away and do the house top to bottom. We'll pick an order."

"Sounds Ok to us Doc, is Gran ok ?"

"I assume she's fine Mad that doesn't mean it's easy to keep up with us, a little rest every now and then couldn't hurt." Ty said walking past behind her and kissing her head. "Don't worry about Gran sweetheart."

Ty carried the big plate of sandwiches out to the deck outside the kitchen where he had eaten with John. The girls brought plates and all helped with drinks and sides. Amy and Betty joined them just as they sat down.

"This is lovely" Betty said looking out over the trees.

It was by all accounts a warm day in the low 80's but a cool breeze coming across the lake and through the trees keep the deck comfortable.

"It's quiet." JT said.

"It's quiet in Ithaca too Jackson, we just have a lot of people and stuff going on at the ranch."

"I guess, still quiet out here."

It's quiet JT, kind of nice actually not really having a list of things to do, I never noticed that the trees had these green things on them and they make noise in the wind."

"Cut it out Charlie." JT said smiling.

After lunch they began exploring. Down on the lower level their first stop was the bedroom set up.

"This is a nice space, sitting area, bedroom, bathroom and small kitchen set-up. What do you think Amy ?"

"It would make a nice small guest suite, pull out the kitchen, expand the bathroom a little, make it nice. The view isn't all that but you can see the paddocks and there's woods."

"When the other 8 are full, and the guest cottage, this'll be nice." Maddie said.

"Ok, Ok, we get it." Amy said laughing, "let's move on."

The next room was the gym which was set up nicely. No hot tub but a shower and a side by side small sauna and steam. Universal set-up, two treadmills and several other stations including a leg press set-up, free weights and exercise bikes.

"We getting an endless mom ?"

"Don't know Charlie, just looking for now. JT, what do you think ?"

"Well, they're great but we have a pool, like a real one."

"I know, that's my thinking but there's winter and if we get two rainy weeks in the summer and cold snaps."

"I guess we can talk about it though I don't see room in here," Ty said "John suggested making the big one an indoor pool or somehow both, I don't know."

"Let's move on" Betty said "we can talk about major changes after we actually buy it."

They moved on to the theatre next. Ty showed them the panel he discovered that worked the lights and surprisingly a retractable stage that came out. The screen went up and down. The system was computer driven as was the sound system. As of three years prior it was state of the art. Certainly good enough for them. They noted the hot dog, popcorn and combination peanut and pretzel carts around the room. There was also a small counter over refrigerators stocked with assorted drinks. The girls went through the files on the system and determined that there were more that 10000 different movies and shows available through the streaming service.

"Are we actually going to start doing this now, sitting for movies ?" Betty asked.

Amy smiled "It could help when the weather's bad Betty but I agree, we've never been those people but we are here to relax, no harm in a movie every now and then."

"We like movies." The twins said together.

"Especially with Brin and Bobby" Ty added smiling "regardless it's here and I doubt we'll be tearing it out. I like a movie every now and then too."

"Especially with mom." Maddie added under her breath.

Amy giggled and blushed. They glanced at the power room and the laundry which boasted two large washers and dryers, a sink, ironing boards and a steaming press. "Kind of overkill for the middle of nowhere, what would we steam press out here ?" Betty asked incredulously.

"Maybe they dress for dinner ?" Amy suggested.

"They don't seem the type from what I've read." Betty answered "whatever."

One of the major pluses in the house to Amy's point of view was the heating and hot water set-ups and the air cooler.

"So there's no air conditioning unit, the pump provides constant 53 degree or 74 degree water. The colder goes to sinks and the air cooler and the warmer into the on demand heaters and distributed to radiant heat and hot water. It's very efficient and we've got substantial solar energy coming in as well and the outbuildings are also partially solar powered. Jonathan told me there was a plan for a water wheel at one point that they dropped and they were looking at some wind power but were concerned for the birds."

"A water wheel might be a nice feature, I like that sound." Betty said.

The "saloon" family room was last and quite large. There were large windows covered in part by dark gingham curtains and dark stained glass windows. With the curtains pulled back there was a nice view and sufficient light from the outside but the room rubbed Amy wrong.

"Well, I hate this" Amy said walking around "seriously, it's dark and it looks like it should smell worse. This has got to go."

"What do you suggest ?"

"Well I've got a line of most of an old tackle shop which looks homey, some nice leather couches, switch the bar for something more family friendly. Brighten that pool table area at least a little and though I love the player piano we really need something for Sabrina if she comes for longer than a short stay. I'll talk to Meg. This is just not a family space in my head."

"We don't like it either" Charlie said.

"I like tackle shops though." JT said brightening a bit. "We could put fly tying stuff there and decorate with Fly's and our gear."

"There you go, JT's got my number. We'll figure something out."

"Well at least some beer and adult beverages."

"Of course Ty but a whole bar setup seems ridiculous. We'll do something nice for adult beverages."

"So we keep talking about this place as if we have it, is that a thing, have we decided ?"

"Well Mad, so far so good, short of Godzilla coming out the woods I haven't yet seen a reason not to, any of you ?" Amy asked.

"Let's continue on." Betty suggested and they moved on to the second level.

"How do we like the kitchen Betty ?" Amy asked sitting at a stool.

"No complaints, considering the space and what we'll be doing I doubt I would change anything and I love the outdoor kitchen and that eating area outside. We can feed the extended easy enough in the space and it's got a wood fired brick lined bread oven built in to that fireplace so pizza with Potter Farms Fresh Mozz."

Ty walked over behind the counter and reached down to pull a handle which opened a door in the floor. A light above the door immediately turned on as did lights running down a circular staircase. He stepped down a few steps and whistled. "It's full of wine. Do we get this ?"

"Is it good wine Ty ?"

"I'm not that guy Betty, hold on." Ty went down a few more steps and randomly grabbed a bottle. When he pulled it the bottle was immediately replaced by another from behind.

Coming up the stairs he turned and closed the hatch behind him. "We need a retractable gate on both sides of this counter that we can close off before we open this. It's just a big hole for a toddler to wander into."

"We up to toddlers Ty ?"

"We've already got Kimmie, the Watson kids, we can hide the gates. Here pulled at random."

Betty took the bottle "at random ? It's a 2007 Cardinale Reserve Cabernet, well thought of vineyard." She took her phone and and called up an app, "$289. Does the cellar come with the house ? We'd need to have this appraised."

"Do we want it ?" Amy asked.

"You don't want it Amy, buy your own house. I'll start a list of questions starting with the vehicles."

Ty was laughing at Betty's comment "can you imagine having to face Lisa with the news that you've just turned down a random selection of prime wine."

"Just checking, appraise away but I would check if we get the contents, put it on the list. As to this space, I like it, the lighting, the seating at the counter for 8 is wonderful. We'll get a bigger dining room table and a larger buffet. Nice sized fireplace to cozy up a winter night dinner. We'll need to add a light over a bigger table though, shouldn't be that bad."

The space on this level was absolutely enormous, from the exterior counter balanced and stained glass loaded entry doors to the large entry foyer, the soaring ceilings with exposed rafters, several floor to ceiling windows with large windows between them. There were 3 seating areas between the dining area and the official living room area which surrounded a spectacular stone fireplace. Amy liked the furniture though she would switch to leather, with the dogs and kids it just wore better and she liked the way it aged rather than frayed.

"So, we'd recover these but I like the pieces. That's where I think those new glass art will go." Amy said pointing to a seating area next to a floor to ceiling window. "A pedestal and then a small table setting with that bowl and maybe something else we'll get from him, a nice multi leveled grouping getting all that changing light. This wall needs something. Family pictures and a nice center piece, maybe horses."

"Horses, really, that'll be different." Charlie chuckled along with the rest.

"How come you can buy stuff for the house we don't have and I can't claim a room ?"

"You really need me to answer that Jackson ?" Amy said with a smile.

"Well no, but really yeah."

"I think we all agree that the fishing room is yours Jackson, the difference is we own the glass whether we buy the house or not. We can't give you a fishing room until we really own it."

"Seriously Doctor Borden, look at her, Godzilla would actually have to drag her away from this house kicking and screaming." Maddie said laughing "Do we have film of that auction ?"

"Oh stop Mad" Amy said but it was too late they were all laughing. "The fishing room is yours sweetheart."

"Official, that's what I like. Thanks mom."

Amy leaned over and kissed his head. "Is there a dumb waiter for wood ?"

"Electric actually, you load these small shelves with cut wood and then bring it up as you need it." Ty explained walking over and popping a wooden cabinet open to reveal a shelf of wood. "There's another load just like this one right underneath so when this one's empty you just hit the up switch and the next shelf moves up."

"And when the electric is out ?" Amy asked

"You mean in the event the four generators crap out ? There's cables to do it manually."

"Four generators ?"

"For the house, the barn complex has it's own as does the guest house, all geo thermal driven with fuel backup. They've thought of everything, we could stay here forever."

"Like in the Walking Dead." Charlie said.

"We'd need walls and vantage points." Maddie added.

"And pikes." Jackson said.

"Ok enough, no Godzillas and no zombies." Ty said laughing. "Let's move to the other side and then I think we should check on the horses before the upstairs and our bedroom. Pikes Jackson seriously ?"

"Sure, pikes are awesome I read all about them when we got Wallace. He used them to beat the British."

Ty scooped Jackson up "how am I every going to keep up with you Jackson ?"

"We're a team Doc, I'll let you know about stuff like pikes and you can teach me to be a vet and build a truck."

"Plan on being a vet JT ?" Mad asked with a smile.

"It's pretty cool, I helped at the clinic and you get to make all these people and animals happy."

"Sometimes it's not so happy Jackson."

"Oh sure I get that, it's like rescue but mostly we help."

"Mostly we help kiddo."

With JY back on the ground they walked around and past the master bedroom. The next was the office library suite it seemed. They had removed most of the books which wasn't an issue for Amy, she didn't mind buying them ever. "It's good sized for two desks. We'll set it up like home and get a screen away back there."

"Like home ?"

"Ty we can't just forget Pegasus when we're here or Cornell for that matter. I go away for a weekend I still need to be able to work and you'll find yourself coming up with diagnoses to deal with and patients who need you back home."

"I guess, no, I get it, just don't like hearing it."

"I'll get them behind cabinets so we can at least close them off Ty."

"Thank you Betty."

"This is a high ceilinged room, what's above us ?"

"No idea Ames, we bid and send in the engineers."

"And meet the Spelts apparently, I really wonder what that's all about."

"Guess we'll find out, sounds like we're bidding." Betty said. "What are we having for dinner ?"

"Burgers." Jackson said.

"Works for me." Amy agreed.

"Ok, I really don't have to prep for that. What's the next room ?"

"Bathroom and closets I think."

Ty remembered correctly there was a large closet with shelves next to the office and a large well turned out bathroom.

"Let's grab a drink and head out to see the horses and the barn area, we'll come back, do the master and then upstairs" Ty suggested.

The barn had 16 well appointed and good sized stalls a nice sized tack room and feed room. Tools were well maintained and the barn was clean. The doors were electric and the barn was heated and air cooled. Along one side was a small apartment that they seemed to use as storage and a makeshift office they assumed was Jonathans'.

The working utility garage had a large plow, three snow machines, 2 small bobcat plows, 6 quads and 4 golf carts.

"Whoa, look at all that stuff, do we get those ?"

"I have no idea Jackson but my understanding is that what's here is ours with the property." Ty said.

In the back there was an all purpose wood and metal shop and more storage.

Their next stop was the guest house down a well maintained brick path with the last of the summer blooms fading from the sides.

"It's nicely groomed, not too ostentatious." Amy said.

"It's all very homey."

"That's a good word for it Charlie, not easy to do with something this size. I think I'll enjoy meeting Mrs. Spelt."

As they approached the guest cottage Amy stopped and smiled. Sort of like an Alberta home. The house was wrapped in a nice porch with rockers, a swing and nice benches Coming inside they were surprised at the size, vaulted ceilings like a miniature of the main house. This area was open, the kitchen to the right was tiled and large including an island with breakfast seating. Satin stainless appliances and beautiful cabinets and counters. A dining room table was next and there was a large stone fireplace opposite in the living room section.

"I thought our cottage was over the top, look at this place." Ty said.

"We have an endless pool." JT said.

"Four bedrooms Amy ?" Betty asked

"Four that can be separated two and two. A family and two couple or four couples. Come on." The bedrooms were nice sized there were no seating areas like a Pegasus but a nice trade for the four bedroom setup. There were two bathrooms that had to be shared but the assumption was family or friends, this wasn't a hotel. There was also a bathroom off the dining room for use from the communal area.

"We could have the Carmichaels, Potters and Caldwells all here with some kids in the house. It's really a nice setup."

There was a nice patio with a beautiful view and a large grill and hosting area, tables, chairs and loungers.

The same path that led to the cottage led further down to the boat house. There were four slips that were empty, obviously the outboards had been removed and JT could care less because over the slips were two rowboats and 2 canoes. Against the walls 4 kayaks, two 1 person and 2 doubles. Lined up against one wall in a rack was a row of trolling motors.

"Awesome but what happened to the other boats ?"

"Sorry Jackson I should have mentioned it, the conservation authorities restricted the use of large engines a few years ago, 2 or 3 horsepower trolling motors are fine, no jet ski's either though. It was one of the exceptions to the property, the family took the boats, they had sentimental value to them."

"But we can use these so that's Ok. Can we swim ?"

"We'll ask Jonathan and the Conservation Officer tomorrow, Betty add it to the list please ?"

"What's upstairs Ty ?"

"No idea Ames, let's look, I saw a staircase up the side."

The large room above the boathouse was also a timber and post room with an 8 foot ceiling. The were two center posts and two windows on each of the walls. For the most part the room was empty, coils of rope, winches, pulleys, oars and several rowboat anchors.

"Looks like a nice view, we could outfit this like the other house in the videos. Make these half walls, nice lights, tables and a serving area. Maybe for cocktails or something before dinner."

"Raise the roof a few feet." Betty added.

"We should ask about the bug problem down by the water."

"I'll put it on the list Amy."

They walked back around the house and stopped at the front. They hadn't examined this view when they arrived and Amy stopped and walked back up the path to take it in. The mid afternoon sun shone down on the front of the house and splayed an interesting set of colors along the angled windows.

"It's really designed very artistically and I can't imagine it's not intentional. Look how the sunlight refracts off the shaped edges of some of the windows and then down onto the wood."

"It's pretty" Maddie said "it's almost soft."

"That's the wood Mad, those rounded edges. This path is heated ?"

"Sure is, all the way to the parking area."

The porch was a solid structure with skylights cut in to allow sunlight into the lower level. The rockers were comfy as was the swing. Amy had stopped at the doors and looked at the stained glass.

"You don't like it." Charlie said looking over.

"I do but it's not us."

The stained glass depicted a forest of trees with snow capped mountains beyond. It was sort of reminiscent of Alberta but Amy thought it just didn't look right or represent the family.

"Horses ?" Ty asked.

"I like the mountains but I'd also like horses, for now it's fine."

They continued around the house to the pool area which was accessible by a rock staircase from the side of the house.

"It's heated, what does that mean ?" JT asked

"You could probably do laps an extra month and a half on either side. Stay in the water later when it gets a little chilly." Amy said "I'm not really sure sweetie, I've never owned a heated pool."

"Not winter ?"

"I don't think so Jackson." Ty answered. "John said he remembered seeing some sort of structure that could go up in the fall and help keep the area swimmable. I'm like you all, no idea. For now I would think the pool as it is will be fine and we'll see about what we can do. Besides, I have no idea how much winter time we'll actually spend here. Put weather and snow on the list Betty, I assume Jonathan clears."

"It's a nice pool." JT said.

"Let's leave it at that." Amy said putting her arm around JT's shoulder. "Come on, we'll get a snack and see the rest of the house."

Back inside after bathroom runs the kids and Betty sat outside while Amy and Ty gathered fruits into a bowl and cut some cheeses onto a platter. Ty walked past and ran his hand around Amy's waist. She smiled and made a quick half turn. She ran her hand up his arm and reached behind his head pulling him down into a passionate kiss.

"You happy Amy ?" Ty whispered, their faces close, breath heavy.

"I'm happy to be here with you my love."

Ty carried out a pitcher of water and a handful of glasses and Amy followed with the platter of fruit and cheese.

"Still really quiet." Jackson said chewing on an apple.

"Come out at night and listen." Ty said "the noises at night can be pretty wild and it's fun to figure out what you're hearing."

"Sunrise too JT, all the daytime animals get up and the night prowlers bed down." Amy said.

They cleared off and made their way to the double doors leading to the first level of the Master bedroom. Each level was about the same as the master at Pegasus which was just under 40 ft by 40 ft. There was a fireplace against one wall and two closets. The open circular staircase ran up along the glass wall that spanned both levels and gave enough light to both. Bookcases opposite framed two desks. There was a nice seating area near the fireplace, a long side table on the wall by the doors.

"What here Amy ?" Betty asked.

"The chandelier has to go and no desks, the art will be changed but the rest can stay for now."

"Really, this stuff isn't you mom." Maddie said "what's up ?"

"Nothing Mad, kind of hoping this would be a nursery."

"Awww, that's so sweet." Charlie said coming over to hug her joined a second later by Maddie.

"Let's move outside." Betty said with a sniff.

"Come on Betty" Ty said putting his arm around her and walking over to the sliding panels built into the window.

"So you really can't see this from anywhere huh ?" Maddie asked looking around.

"I assume if you worked at it you could," Ty answered thoughtfully looking around "really long lens or a chopper attack, maybe a balloon."

This patios was designed for privacy. It seemed to be carved out of rock on both sides although it clearly wasn't, stones were used to create the concave effect that shielded the area from casual observation from either side.

"A balloon ?" Jackson asked laughing "that would be funny."

"You can't even see it from the upstairs balcony." Amy said looking up.

"You have a nice little kitchen here." Betty said "it is really like a small apartment. It's even covered in normal rain, no good in the winter though, I guess that's what this is" she said pointing to a a series of panels off to the sides on a track, "closes it off to the weather."

The deck itself was covered with bluestone in a nice rounded pattern. There were planters along the side and a stone wall across the edge. Two seating areas were set up, one under a small pergola with a fire table in the center and one out before a larger fire pit. The built in hot tub was off to the side.

"The stars must be amazing out here." Jackson said.

"I guess we'll see about that JT, supposed to be a clear night. Let's head upstairs." Amy said again shuffling them out and onward.

The bedroom had a king sized bed. Jonathan had told them that all the mattresses were new and never slept on. At the time both Amy and Ty had the same thought, what happens if someone else comes to say, slept on only for a weekend ?

There were two huge walk in closets and a very well appointed bathroom, large pedestal tub with a skylight, open stone shower with a glass block wall similar to the treehouse. The commode sat along a bidet in a separate room closed by a pocket door. Two sinks and a large linen closet completed the room.

The bedroom furniture was a light oak with darker inlays. Amy liked it. She might move some pieces around and recover the seating area but overall it was nice.

"I like this stuff" she said, "looks like good work, I should find out who made it."

"Do we need more of it ?" Ty asked.

"I'm hoping we'll need a nursery" Amy whispered back. "I like the inlay work, we can get nice colorful stuff for kids for the downstairs and join the levels that way."

"Ok, Ok but not this afternoon." Ty said laughing, "let's move on and then we'll relax for a while and get dinner together."

They stopped at the three rooms not being used. Two were larger rooms like Betty's with small seating areas window's but no balconies. They each had a nice bathroom, not huge but not cramped. The third bedroom didn't have the sitting area but did have a balcony with a really nice view.

"So there are actually nine bedrooms in the house plus the cottage." Betty said "that's nice."

JT's room was next and Amy loved it. It was decorated with fishing flies displayed in shadow box cases and there were several vintage rods and reels hung in racks. The room got plenty of light and had a connecting balcony to the next room which was the girls. His bathroom only had a shower but he was fine with that, Jackson was a shower kid as were the girls. There was a small seating area where Ty had thought to put the big chair. They could talk about it. The bed was obviously hand made and bent and was the shape of a rowboat. Two captains draws with curved fronts pulled out from each side for storage. It was pretty cool, all agreed. There was also a sea chest at the foot for quilts and linens.

"This is a great room JT."

"Thanks Mad, I like it."

The girls rooms were almost exactly like their rooms at Pegasus. For the time being they chose one room and slept together in the Queen sized bed but they would move things around. The bathroom was also not as fancy as home but none of them were.

"We'll get the furniture moved and some comfy lounge stuff for the other room. Nice porch though and it joins Jackson's." Amy said opening the door and looking out. "We'll need to do a little safety work for the dogs and toddlers on all of these I guess."

The last room was Betty's, it was perfect for her, small private balcony, a place to sit and a bed.

They came out into the large sitting room hallway. The stone fireplace surrounded by comfortable chairs and love seats. "This is interesting, it fits the whole get away vibe but I can't see ever going this way at say a ranch. It's just too, hang out and not work." Amy said.

It gives you the option of family time without invading bedroom spaces, neutral ground for guests." Betty said looking at the twins.

"It's nice, some blankets in the winter and cocoa and stuff." Charlie said.

"Well, I could use a sit down." Betty said.

"Calling Brin."

"Bobby"

"If I can borrow an iPad, I want to look at these flies again."

"Take mine JT"

"Thanks Gran."

"I guess Amy and I'll check in at Pegasus."

"We'll get dinner together at 6 ?"

"Fine Betty, meet you in the kitchen. We'll be up here, just knock" Amy said pointing at the door.

"Ok, so the master is equipped with voice commands that aren't set for us." Ty said "but there's a remote by the bedside."

"Voice commands huh, we didn't do that at Pegasus."

"Whatever, it's only this room Ames. So here are the locks. Hit both and.."

Ty pressed the control and they heard both upstairs and downstairs doors to the suite lock as well as the door to the outside. Ty watched as three lights turned green on the remote, flash twice and turn off. "We're locked in."

"Sounds dangerous" Amy said wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Hello you." Ty said looking down and moving to join his lips to hers.

"Hey yourself, so we buying this place ?"

"Looks that way, that is if we pass muster."

"I can't imagine we wouldn't Ty, what could they possibly want."

Amy walked into the bathroom and started the sink. She took off her button down to her tank top and leaned over to wash. In a moment Ty was at the second sink.

Amy settled in a big leather chair and pulled out her phone. After checking her messages and emails she dialed and leaned back.

"Hey Sarah."

"How's your weekend going Amy, is the house nice ?"

"It's very nice Sarah, how's everything on your side ?"

"It's good, Boxer seems used to that patch for the time being. We got a good mix to keep him calm so you can let Ty know. Had him out for a walk around and a stop in the sun, he seemed to appreciate that. His rider will be here Tuesday."

"The rest, Brighton ?"

"Stretching out, that's going well, The girls have him in hand. Hey Georgie, you need something ?"

"No Turq picked up a pebble on our run this morning I just need a soak before I let JT know I broke his jumper."

"Tell Amy, and that bin there's got what you need."

Sarah put the phone on speaker "Listen to Georgie Amy."

"Hi Georgie !"

"Hey Amy, how's the house ?"

"Great what's up ?"

"Turq picked up a pebble on the course this morning, it's out, just want to give him a soak. Sarah, please have them throw in a scoop of chamomile in his next two feeds and I guess up his bergamot please."

"I'll take care of it Georgie."

"How'd he do otherwise ?"

"He's a good jumper Amy, a touch anxious but he'll learn, he's still young. He's got a nice steady gait, he's strong, with the right rider I think he'd do well."

"I'll tell JT Georgie and I'll let him call if he wants to."

"That's fine Amy, he's fine, I'll keep an eye on him."

"Is Bert there ?"

"Cornell."

"I'll talk to him later, did you do rounds ?"

"I did."

"Talk to Ty then."

"Hey Georgie." Ty said and then walked over to his briefcase to pull some folders and his iPad.

Amy grabbed her iPad and flopped down into a chair. She scanned her emails again, answered what needed to be answered and moved on to horses records she had to check and approve. She then sent a request to Sandra and Benny so that she could get a schedule of thoroughbreds being shipped out and an update on when construction would start only anything. She then called up jockeys reports on runs and sent a few questions to Benny.

She laid aside her iPad when she was done and lay her head back. Her eyes closed and she breathed deeply. Ty walked behind her and ran his hands down her shoulders and back. He began massaging her neck gently and smiled when she groaned and leaned back.

"Mmmmmmm." She moaned when he exerted some pressure. "If I knew you came with massages I would have looked you up sooner Ty."

"I come with more than that Ames' Ty whispered leaning down to kiss he neck.

"Oh Ty" Amy sighed "we can't" she started when the light knock came "do this."

"Because we have kids and we love them." Ty sighed.

Amy smiled and got up to walk to the door. Jackson was standing outside when Amy pulled it open.

"Enough alone time for you sweetheart ?" Amy asked.

"I was gonna go check on the horses if that was ok ?"

"Well come inside, I was coming to find you anyway."

"What's up" he said as Amy sat down and pulled him into her lap.

"Nothing bad, Georgie took Turq cross country and he picked up a stone. He's fine but she wanted you to know. She's very impressed with him Jackson."

"He's Ok though ?"

"Georgie's taking care of him, he'll be fine."

"Ok, I trust Georgie, can I go see the horses ?"

"I'll go with you Jackson, I'm done here and mom will be helping Gran with dinner soon."

Ty leaned over and gently kissed Amy twice while Jackson looked on smiling.

"What's with the grinning Jackson ?"

"We're just going to the barn Doc."

"I like kissing your mom Ok ?"

"Me too." He said walking over and hugging Amy then kissing her cheek.

"So loved, what's a girl to do." Amy said positively glowing.

"We'll be back soon Ames."

"Are we really going to come here a lot ?" Jackson asked as they walked the path to the barns.

"An honest answer to that would be it depends on what you consider a lot Jackson, part of what's happening is that I'm going to take over for Uncle Bert over the next few years. The surgery building opens in a month. We're opening the jumping facility next year so part of the reason to have this is to be able to break away from all that every now and then. We live on the front lines, the only way to take a break I think is to do this. I know none of that answers your question but your mom and I are committed to try and use this place as often as we can. I doubt we'll come for the summer but it's pretty close so here's hoping it's a lot."

The horses were calm in their stalls. Ty and Jackson topped off their hay and spent a minute or two with each of them. The water delivery was automatic so the troughs were good. "Well do a late check and lock up later Jackson. Let's head back."

"So we're riding out tomorrow ?" JT asked.

"We'll check the close property in the morning and the marked river spots, head to property edge on the lakeside. After we meet with the conservation officer we'll go further out in the afternoon onto the conservation land."

Ty's phone vibrated and he reached for it. "Hey Jonathan, didn't expect to hear from you, what's up ?"

"Oh, that might go over well, how far ?"

"Sure, how about I text you ?"

"As soon as we're all gathered. You got it, thanks."

"What's up ?" Jackson asked.

"We've been invited to meet Jonathan's family at the local ice cream place called Lakeside Licks after dinner."

"I'm all for ice cream."

"We'll talk at the house."

They found Betty and Amy getting dinner ready. Burgers were just laid on the outside grill, sides and fixings were laid out. Ty was sitting at the counter and Betty reached down under the counter and grabbed a glass to fill with wine. "This is exceptional wine Ty, good choice."

Ty raised his glass and tapped it to Betty's and then sipped. He heard the girls coming downstairs and smiled when a pair of hands hugged him. He turned and saw Charlie smiling back at him.

"What's going on ?" Amy said. Ty looked over and Maddie had her arms around her.

"They want something." JT said. "Looks big."

"Cross country." Maddie whispered in Amy's ear.

"Oh yeah." JT said. "Definitely."

"What are we talking about ?" Ty asked.

"We need a cross country course, hunter jumper."

"We have one at Pegasus Charlie."

"We need one here." Maddie added "it's perfect."

"What does this entail ?"

"It costs a fortune Ty." Amy said.

"A fortune ?" He asked eyebrows raised.

"A $100,000 dollars."

"Why ?"

"Planning, cutting grading, water."

"A 100 grand ?"

"At most" Betty said, "at most."

"Please Papa" the girls said together.

"Oh, that's low." Ty exclaimed. "I know absolutely nothing about hunter jumper courses, this is all your mom's decision."

"Mom ? Nick's coming, he could look." Charlie asked questioningly.

"No harm in looking." Maddie added. "You could always say no."

"And break our hearts." JT added.

"Jackson Fleming, really ?" Amy exclaimed "this is getting out of hand you three."

"Before we go further we may have restrictions here that didn't exist on the original Pegasus property." Ty said "We can ask and then talk to Nick, why Nick ?"

"This was a side business of his, like designing golf courses, Nick designs jumping courses. Not a lot of these are done." Amy explained.

They had moved outside and Betty was flipping the burgers.

"Tell 'em about the ice cream."

"Oh right" Ty nodded "we've been invited to join Jonathan's family after dinner at the local ice cream joint, Lakeside Licks, it's about 20 minutes away."

"I'd love that" Amy said nodding and looking for confirmation which was received.

They pulled into the original Lakeside Licks in Spectator, NY at about 10 minutes to 8:00 PM and walked over to the tables area where Ty scanned the crowd to find Jonathan waving from a double table along the fence.

They made formal introductions and met the Grayzel's, Jonathan's family. His wife Rosemary, sone Kent 13 and daughter Patricia 15. They also met Rosemary's youngest sister Penny Winn.

The split into groups, Amy and Betty stayed with Rosemary and Penny while Ty and Jonathan took the kids. Jonathan and Rosemary were in their late 30's, Penny was 23 a late in life baby for the Winn family. Penny was single and apparently unencumbered at the moment.

When they were all back and eating the kids had all introduced themselves. Patricia was fascinated that both the twins had "others" and that they lived on a horse ranch. She had friends with horses and loved riding when she could and with Amy's permission promised to have her ride if they bought the house. Kent loved fishing as did Jonathan but they were conventional fisherman not fly fisherman. Kent was interested and started asking JT questions. Soon the conversations diverged as the parents left the kids to their own devices.

"So what do you all think of the home ?" Penny asked matter of factly.

"Penny, that's not our business." Rosemary chided.

"It's fine" Amy said. "We like it but we have questions."

"Can I help ?"

"I don't know Jonathan, what do you know ?"

"Our family has been watching over that property since my grandfather took the job in the 1940's. My dad and Mrs. Spelts were friends growing up."

"The wine cellar ?" Betty asked.

"What about it ?" Jonathan asked.

"It's full of wine."

"I know Ty, my assumption is it'll stay that way. The vehicles, boats as they are, all part of the deal."

"Why ?" Amy asked.

"So that she could find someone to actually take care of the property, she doesn't trust her kids or grandkids."

"Why build the house ?" Amy asked.

"It's the right kind of house, sustainable, she used sustainable lumber, paid a fortune to have it replanted. The geothermal well, solar panels, the plans for the wind turbines, the water wheel, it's all her."

"What's she like ?"

"Well, she's pretty straight forward, not pretentious at all, I actually don't think the money means anything to her." Rosemary said.

"The few times she stayed she stripped her beds, put the bedding and the towels into the washer after wiping down the bathroom. Cooked and did her own dishes and sat and had coffee with Rosemary and me." Penny answered.

"She came alone ?" Amy asked.

"She did and stayed in that first bedroom upstairs with the balcony, not the master." Rosemary confirmed.

"So you folks run a horse ranch of some sort ?"

"Of a sort Jonathan, we're involved in rescue, training, we're a veterinary facility, Ty and I are faculty at Cornell Vet school."

"And these Pegasus centers I saw on-line ?"

"That's our charity foundation, making horses available and accessible for many reasons but most notably to help those challenged and their families cope with a hard life better."

"It's nice, we have close friends with a Down syndrome boy. He loves animals, relates to them."

"That's our experience as well Rosemary." Betty said."One of our head wranglers was born with Down's."

"Really, that's wonderful." Penny said enthusiastically.

"I guess we'll see what Mrs. Spelt wants, if we bid we'll see if we past muster."

"I think she'll like you both Amy." Jonathan said.

They stopped at the barn when they returned to the house, after checking on the horses and securing the barn doors they headed upstairs and split to get ready for bed. After changing to home clothes Amy and Ty started on the end and stopped in to Jackson's room. He had showered and was in bed with a fishing catalog.

"Did you have a good day Jackson ?" Ty asked sitting on the bed while Amy folded his clothes a bit neater than the pile on the chair.

"Sure did, I like it here, it'll be fun. Kent fishes with a spinner."

"You could teach him to fly fish." Amy suggested.

"We'll see, he's older."

"Hey buddy, you Ok here ?" Ty asked.

"Oh sure, I'll be fine, besides everyone's down the hall."

"Well we're just at the end of the hall."

"I know mom."

"Good night Jackson" Ty said leaning over for a hug and kiss.

Amy kissed and hugged him as well and they turned off the overhead light. He still had a small table lamp next to him.

"Not much longer JT."

Jackson nodded and smiled as they backed out. The girls were in bed reading, they had already talked to Brin and Bobby. They hugged and kissed Ty and Amy who left closing the door behind them. Amy knocked on Betty's door and went in alone for a moment.

"She ok ?" Ty asked as he slipped his arm around Amy's waist and led her to their doors.

"Tired, she's fine, reading a little before bed."

Inside their room Ty locked the doors and then turned to the windows.

"What are we supposed to do in the morning with these windows ?"

Ty looked down at the remote "we hit this button marked opaque and"

"They get darker." Amy whispered "that's so cool."

"It is cool for sure, hot tub ?"

"You read my mind Ty" she said turning to him and leaning up for a kiss. "Let me wash up and get a robe on."

"I'll join you in a second, just need to check the night rounds report."

"Check my email for anything important."

Ty nodded and watched Amy walk to the bathroom.

Amy lowered herself into the hot tub and into Ty's arms. She sighed and then looked up. "Wow."

"Pretty amazing huh ?"

"It's beautiful." She said. The sky was full of stars as clear as a bell and the moon, almost full, shone down on the terrace's bluestone making it almost luminesce. He had kept the jets and air pressure on a low setting and the hot water felt great, soothing and relaxing as it rolled across their bodies.

Ty nuzzled at Amy's neck and she snuggled closer against him, turning slightly and kissing his neck. The lay quietly staring up at the stars, touching gently and then holding hands. Amy yawned and lay her head back against his chest.

"Come to bed Ames."

"Mmmmm" she murmured. "Ok, I'm tired."

"I'll tuck you in."

"I'm sorry Ty, I'm so sleepy."

"Shhh, come on I'll help you up the stairs."

Moments after laying her head on the pillow she was fast asleep, Ty lay down and turned to her kissing her cheek and putting his arm over her waist pulling her gently closer. He smiled when Amy murmured what he thought was I love you and snuggled back against him.