Chapter 77

Ty opened his eyes as Amy was zipping up a dark blue jeans jumper over a striped white and blue blouse. She wore dark tights and had a pair of saddle tan boots and boots socks in her hand.

"Morning, you let me sleep in." Ty groaned sitting up.

"Good morning sweetheart, nice jeans for the cemetery Ty please."

Ty nodded and ran his hands through his hair.

Amy walked over and leaned in for a kiss. "I'm going to help get breakfast ready for the troops, kids still have chores to do, I'll see you downstairs."

"What time are we leaving ?"

"Probably around 10 I'd say."

Ty joined breakfast as the kids were finishing and almost ready for chores. He made his way around the table for kisses and hugs.

"Morning Pappa" the girls said as he passed.

"Morning Pappa" Jackson said when he reached up to awkwardly hug Ty back.

"Jackson ?"

"Trying it out, no good ?"

"I guess it's fine" he said with a laugh coming around to his seat.

"Morning Ty"

"Jack, Lisa, all good ?"

"Yup, just waiting for Tim and Casey, we're going to the farmers market." Jack answered.

"Sounds like a good morning" Ty said questioningly "uhm Jack, you ever been to a farmer's market ?"

"Yes" he gruffed "Lyndy liked them, we'd go on the road sometimes."

"Just checking."

Amy leaned over and kissed his cheek as she placed a breakfast plate with eggs, potatoes and sliced tomatoes in front of him and then walked past to her seat with her plate.

Maddie was finishing her milk and looked over the top of her glass at Ty and then Amy and then smiled.

"What Mad ?" Amy asked.

"This is nice."

"It is nice" Charlie agreed "but we've got chores."

"Temperature drop this morning kids, you might take a jacket and hat."

"Thanks Gran."

The kids rolled past with their plates, kissed everyone around the table and grabbed boots, jackets and hats before barreling out to the porch. "Morning Grandpas and Grandmas" rang out as they passed Tim and Casey coming up the porch steps.

"Never remember my girls that happy to do their chores." Tim said sitting down and reaching for a cup and the coffee.

"You weren't around for me and they love their horses. If they didn't love them they wouldn't have 13 of them."

"You know somehow that sounds insane when you say it out loud." Betty said softly.

"Well, we've agreed to slow down." Ty said "right ?"

"We have." Amy agreed.

Lou came down with Shane, both carrying suitcases, Katie had brought hers down before with the girls.

"What are you two up to this morning ?" Amy asked.

"We're on a trail ride, Shane, Katie and I. We fly out at 5." Lou answered nodding at Betty who offered eggs.

"I'll wait until you guys are back to head out" Shane said "spend some quality time with Pal."

"I'm glad you came Shane." Amy said walking over and kissing him on the head.

"I am too" Casey said with a smile "I like Grandkids, stepsons, the more the merrier ."

Lily gratefully accepted an invitation to the markets and finally when Nick and Claire joined them they declared that they were heading into Ithaca to scope the town and grab some photos for the kids to see.

So, when the time came and the kids were washed and dressed the family split with the girls in the convertible with Wyatt and Georgie and Betty and Jackson with Amy and Ty in her pickup. They parked along the road near the Grainger Family plot. After the adoption Amy and Betty had the small family plot landscaped and had a bench installed. They gathered at the cars and started down the stone path towards the site in small groupings. Amy had moved up to walk hand in hand with Betty. The girls actually scrunched on either side of Ty and Jackson walked between Georgie and Wyatt, holding hands with Georgie.

They stopped as Betty took Ty by the hand and walked him over to the grave marked James Michael Grainger. They had stopped for flowers at the Carmichael's. Sally grew beautiful ornamentals all along the outside of their farm and had made several bouquets to lay at the graves. She did it for them every year. Country life.

Betty walked to the side of the gravestone and lay the flowers down gently then placed her hand on the stone and closed her eyes. Ty watched from the foot of the grave where she left him. A few seconds later she opened her eyes, smiled and walked back to Ty.

"Jim was a straight shooter, a lot like Jack I guess, he was also a big fan of of minding his own business or as your mom said, not my monkey, not my problem. He worked for Budweiser 32 years, loved the job, hated the beer. I think he would have liked you Ty."

"I'm sorry I didn't get the chance Betty."

"So am I son, come on, meet the kids."

Ty walked over and stood in front of the two graves alongside Betty. He looked over at the girls and held out his hand. They walked over, one to each side and both took one of his hands in theirs.

"So this is weird." Maddie said.

"Who's doing this ?" Charlie whispered.

"Hey mom, dad" Maddie started, "we're doing good, really good."

"Mom, uh Amy, is getting married and this is Dr. Borden, uhm, Ty." Charlie said squeezing his hand.

"He's a good man, I think you would have liked him." Maddie continued. "He's kind and sweet and lovable and it's pretty obvious he loves us."

"And we love him too." Charlie added nodding as they always seemed to do when the other spoke.

"So, we've been calling him Pappa" Maddie went on, tears had formed and she found it hard to continue "and if you've been watching I guess you know how much we love him and how hard it's been because we love you two so much."

Charlie nodded "so just like with mom and gran" she said crying also "we love you both but there's room for more."

"Girls this is getting morbid, get on with it." Betty whispered sniffing.

"Ok" Maddie said with a giggle "well, it's official with me and Brin, I guess you know I'm a lesbian but I don't think I'd ever mentioned it."

"And Bobby and I, well I guess you knew that was coming too. So I guess that's it, we're good and we miss you and think about you both."

They both looked over at Betty who nodded and then motioned with her head. The girls smiled and each leaned up to kiss Ty and then headed over to Jim's grave for a second where they nodded. As they walked from the grave Amy went to step forward, there was only so much room in the plot, but Jackson stopped her.

"I want to go." He whispered.

"You sure Jackson ?" She asked leaning over. He had never made a move towards the graves at all, he had always stood stock still and under the hand of either herself or Betty. Amy seemed to always leave her talk with Gloria for the end.

He nodded and then surprisingly reached up to take Georgie and Wyatt's hands and walked forward.

The family stood and waited for a couple of moments and watched JT swallow.

"Uh, hey, uh, mom and dad, I'm Jackson, I guess you know that, I'm named after my mom's grandpa. I guess you probably wouldn't have called me that. Oh, this is Georgie and Wyatt, they're our cousins who live with us now at the ranch. They're great. Oh, and my leg is almost perfect and almost never bothers me anymore so you don't have to worry. Georgie explained that maybe I should tell you that because you might blame yourself because of the accident. She also said that maybe I blamed you a little and maybe that I was a little guilty because you were taking me home when, well. I guess it all worked out the way it was supposed to so I just wanted to say I love you and you know, thanks for being my parents. Oh and just like mom just because Dr. Borden is gonna be my dad doesn't mean you're not my dad too. So I guess that's it."

He stood for a second and then looked up at Georgie who smiled "Good job Jackson"

"Let's go buddy" Wyatt said letting go of his hand and placing his palm gently against Jackson's back.

He got back to the group and Ty lifted him into his arms as Amy walked over to the graves and did what the others hadn't, knelt at Gloria's grave and bowed her head. She remained that way for a few minutes and then lay her palm gently against the ground before standing and turning for a moment to Jim's grave. When she turned to return to the group she had tears on her cheeks and she immediately rejoined Betty arm in arm.

They were quiet heading back to the cars and all stopped to hug and get a smile back on before leaving. On the way to the diner they passed a large farmer's market set up in a school yard and Amy pulled over followed by the Mustang.

"Do we need something ?" Georgie asked.

"No, let's just take a few minutes and see, not ready for the Sunday diner scene yet." Amy said.

"Like Maggie's ?"

"Larger Georgie, twice, at least, it's a madhouse with a 12 page menu." Amy answered stopping to taste some jam at a table. "Good sandwiches and breakfasts though just loud."

"Try the peach Amy." Betty said holding out a small spoon.

"It's good, get some."

For the most part Ty, Georgie and Wyatt watched the family move from stall to stall. Amy and Betty were both firm believers in supporting local farms and businesses and since they seemed to feed a huge amount of people they bought pretty freely. The kids who all seemed to eat just like Amy, constantly being the key point, had a ball picking at the different samples laid out.

Ty commented on the variety of cultures represented at the market. Korean and Vietnamese farmers, French and Danish bakers, German sausage purveyors and a West African man who sold what Ty thought was the best peanut brittle he had ever tasted and took two pounds. There were also two local breweries and a distillery from further North. After tasting the Limoncello and the Orangecello with Betty, Ty took three bottles of each. The girls chose profiteroles from the French baker and Jackson chose Linzer tarts from the Danes. Georgie and Wyatt picked up a pound of coffee freshly roasted in the area, half a dozen ripe peaches and two six packs from local brewers.

Betty made the day of a local farmer with fresh lamb to sell that he packed into a cooler Amy kept in the locked bin in the pickup, the twins found a seller with baby bok choy, Brin's absolute favorite and freshly cut Thai Basil which meant they could officially ask Gran to make Pho. Lastly as they couldn't resist the smell they grabbed a tray of strawberries, their odor lingering in the truck for days after.

At the diner after checking in with the manager, they sat with the Mustang and the truck while they waited the 20 minutes for a table. Amy had asked if possible to get a table against the wall and they lucked out. They ordered standard diner fair, the kids chose burgers and the adults sandwiches. As promised it was loud and they had a good time together.

When the food came they all took some time to get settled and the conversation died down to everyone talking quietly to those that could hear rather than loud enough. What was odd about the moment was that ordinarily, Jackson never stopped.

Maddie leaned over to him "awful quiet there bud, everything Ok ?"

"I didn't tell 'em about April."

Amy looked over and smiled at Maddie.

Maddie leaned over a little closer "you know they're not really down there right jack, you can tell them anytime."

"You think ?"

"I know Jackson."

"Now Ok ?"

"Go for it."

"Ok well mom and dad, I meant to tell you that I have a girlfriend too, her names April, they live on the farm next door and we ride together and stuff."

"That's probably fine for now Jax." Maddie said interrupting him from what would have been at least a 10 minute jag.

"Right Ok, you ever just talk to them Mad ?"

"Charlie and I keep journals and I kind of feel that I'm writing to her so yeah, I guess so. Mom said how close she feels to Grandma Marion when she writes, it's not exactly the same thing but that's when I think of her of them both, both moms."

"Ok. You ever tell her about me ?"

"All the time sweetie, she knows all about you."

"That's good." He said leaning over to fill his mouth with a huge bite of his burger.

"You know that's gross right, don't answer" Maddie finished leaning over for a more controlled bite.

"Do I have to do this press conference tomorrow ? Why is it on my schedule ?"

"You were part of the team on the ground Georgie, yes you have to be there."

"Will you be there ?"

"I was on vacation so nooooooo" Amy answered with a smile.

"I have to be at Cornell for a few hours then back home for the new arrivals. We're getting three pregnant mares so we can birth them for the class if possible and they can work with a pregnant horse and a newborn. Girls, it's time for you to spend some time in the maternity wing, I'll have Sandra schedule a few hours a week, we'll be flexible."

"With you mom ?" Charlie asked.

"Sarah and I, I couldn't keep her away from them if I tried."

"She loves the little ones." Betty said "never saw anyone bridle a foal faster, including you Amy."

"And the mares love her" Amy agreed.

"Girls ? Tuesday ?" Ty asked.

"We're gonna pass Pappa, we want to spend our time with Brin and Bobby, we can wait."

"You sure Mad ?"

"Yup."

"Charlie ?"

"Hive mind."

"It's a good choice girls" Amy said "We'll make sure we get in a good day of riding while we can."

"Dinner ?" Betty asked.

"Thai Basil and baby bok choy."

"Pho, well I have a big bag of lamb bones and there's a good sized bag of beef bones home so I'd say ok, gotta start today though."

"It'll be fine." Amy added "we can put the beef in frozen, probably better off."

"You guys really do it up. I spent 4 months in Vietnam and one of the families I stayed with made it, it was like a whole family and extended family event. They butchered a side of beef amongst the family and the leavings became this amazing Pho tended by the grandmothers. It was a weekend event."

"Sounds like fun." Charlie said.

"I have pictures from my trips back at the house on a disc, I'll dig them out later."

"Well, we have a surprise for Amy as well, mom sent the family albums to get digitized a few years ago. They're waiting back at the house." Georgie told them.

"You have mom's baby pictures ?"

"We do Charlie and all the growing up pictures with Grandma Marion and Great Grandma Lyndy, and rodeo pictures, Marion's pictures growing up, it's fun to look at."

Back at the house, Betty stayed to get some things ready and get the pho bones into the oven for slow roasting. The rest changed, Wyatt up to their loft to check emails and get some stuff ready for the afternoon. Amy, Georgie and Ty headed in for a quick check of the horses in medical and the preparations for Monday's horses and the press conference while Jackson and the girls checked the family barn.

As people were finishing whatever they were out for they seemed to gather near Amy who was standing in front of the almost completed surgical facility. She had come out earlier and watched as the sign company employees polished the blacked out brass lettering.

The Marion Bartlett Fleming Equine

Surgical Center

"Bread may feed the body, but a horse feeds the soul"

-Author lost to time-

Seeing the crowd forming, the rest of the family who were all back at the ranch house wandered over as well and Amy walked over and put her arms around Jack's waist.

"Think she'd like it Grandpa ?"

"I think she'd love it Amy and is so proud of you."

"Now all we have to do is pay for it, we must have a plan for that, I'll look into it."

Jack laughed and they turned towards the rest of the family. Amy shifted to Ty and Lisa took her place with Jack.

Both Lou and Tim came over to hug her.

"Mom would be so proud Amy."

"She would have thought this was amazing Amy, all of this and those kids."

"So what now ?" Ty asked

"Memories ?" Betty asked looking at Amy.

"Let's go, where ?"

"Basement might be easiest."

They still had about an hour before Lou and Katie were leaving to the airport. Shane would leave on his drive north at the same time. Jack, Lisa, Lilly, Tim and Casey were leaving early Wednesday. They were staying for the girls official birthday and dinner on Tuesday. Betty grabbed the girls for the few albums that were still photos. They too had converted a lot of their stuff to digital including the videos the Graingers took while the girls were young.

It took a few minutes for the various files to be uploaded onto the Pegasus server for access by all and with iPads in tow they broke off into groups visiting the past.

The girls and Jackson went straight to the pictures of Amy and Lou as girls and Jack and Tim as much younger men. They sat with Amy, Lou, Tim, Shane and Jack sliding pictures along of Amy as a young girl running amongst the horses, going to parties, her first days of school, riding sugarbush and then copper as young horse.

Lisa, Lily and Georgie sat with Betty looking at pictures of the Graingers of when the girls were growing up in Cortland and reveled at the two of them riding on a mule, getting dressed up, playing as little girls with their dad and helping their mom. Betty talked lovingly to them about Mitch her son and Gloria whom Betty learned to love as well and of course her Jim, whom she loved since the day they met.

Ty sat off to the side and leafed through a huge picture folder labeled Pegasus on his iPad. The initial pictures of the ranch didn't look anything like this ranch, the one he drove into a few months earlier. There was a small barn and a few paddocks clearly needing upkeep, the house was much smaller, the rescue barn, medical barn and the surgical building were meadow.

The pictures obviously in some order told the tales and he was fascinated by them. First there were pictures of the small 12 stall barn and Spartan, very quickly they became her, Bryce and a pregnant Roberta. A picture of a circular they handed out and posted, ads in the local papers and brochures for vets and assorted treatment centers. Soon there were several horses and Amy standing on a huge pile of lumber with a big smile on her face. Their first tractor that they got cheap and Bryce and Amy worked over to get running. A very pregnant Erma and and equally pregnant Sally with April and Cars and then pictures of them holding the babies. Pictures of Charlie, Trudy and a teenaged Chuck on a horse. Trevor and Steph and Bert and Meg. Then the kids and it seemed to Ty that from then on for many pictures Amy and Jackson. Yes there were the girls and Betty but as far as he could tell, where she went, Jackson went.

Then there were trailers and construction shots, the house and rescue barn, medical, the thoroughbred stables, the horses doubled and tripled. The arrival of the Alpacas, pictures with Haddie, Amy standing next to six brand new trucks, the race track and wealthy owners. There were pictures of the opening of the foundation offices and eventually Amy at Cornell. All accomplished it seemed as a huge family, Amy, the kids, Betty and everyone else, Bryce, Sandy, Charlie, Bert, Trev, Bridgett, Benny, John, Trish, all behind her.

There were pictures of Pegasus centers being built and opened, land charts of the ranches in Arizona and Montana and absolutely stunning aerial shots of White Horse, complete with a long hidden waterfall tucked away on the property Ty hadn't known about. White horse was absolutely pristine, tucked away in the foothills and surrounded by Provincial protected lands, it was beautiful.

He studied the pictures of Jackson as a helpless crippled infant, many shots of him crying or in discomfort. Pictures of going to and coming from surgeries, always in Amy's arms. His first steps where he could see her tears and the joy and love in them. The girls walking with him slowly, egging him forward and then grabbing him for tickles and laughs. As he and the family grew there were pictures of him in casts with crutches, canes, poles, wheelchairs and leg braces which sometimes covered his waist for support. After each a respite with pictures of him in rehab, his family or extended family always there for encouragement and then pictures of him riding and running and playing until the next surgery.

He was going through a sub folder marked "Brothers and Sisters" and looking at pictures of Carson and April growing up with Jackson. Many of them when they were still babies, 2 and 3 years old, Usually them sitting on the porch with the moms playing. Often Maddie and Charlie were off to the side or on the lawn in front with Bobby and then eventually Brin as the Caldwell's moved in later. There were pictures of them in various groupings and with different parents, on trips at Disney, the Baseball Hall Of Fame, Niagara Falls and the like. There were literally hundred of pictures on horses, lots of horses and then eventually the work; reining, liberty, jumping, cross country, trail riding and finally them working the rescues. Add to those a battery of fishing pictures starting with Amy and Betty teaching and eventually Bryce, some ranch hands and finally as he neared the end of each folder, himself, Ty Borden, pappa.

Jackson had snuck away from the other group and walked over to Ty. "Watcha lookin' at ?"

"A file called Pegasus, lot of pictures of you. Want to look with me ?"

Jackson smiled and slid in behind the iPad and Ty lifted him onto his lap where Jackson sort of leaned over close against him. He turned and kissed Jackson on his head which elicited a smile from the boy before they both turned back to the iPad, looked at pictures, whispered and giggled together.

Eventually it was time for Lou, Katie and Shane to head north. Jack and Tim were driving Lou and Katie to Syracuse for their flight and Shane was driving back to Ottawa.

Those leaving said goodbye to Shane first. Lou and Shane hugged for a long time, Katie and Shane kissed and Jack and he shook hands. Tim and Amy walked Shane to his car.

"Nice car. New ?" Tim asked.

"Birthday gift, last winter."

"Your mom ?"

"My uhm sister actually."

Tim looked over at Amy who smiled and shrugged.

"Well, we've exchanged numbers and I promise to call your mom and touch base and to stay in touch with you ?"

"I'd like that dad. And I'd like you to meet Jackie, I uhm told Amy, I'm going to propose over Thanksgiving, Canadian, so a few weeks, maybe a trip to Alberta but no promises."

"Well one way or another, here, Ottawa or Alberta, I'd like to meet her and if you need anything, I know, I haven't been there but."

"It's fine dad and thanks" then he leaned over and whispered "Really, I have a rich sister."

Tim nodded and turned away. When the truck had left people gathered to say goodbye to Shane. As Amy passed Betty handed her a small bag and Amy walked him to the car. His small suitcase was already in the back and Amy tossed the bag she carried into the back seat.

"What is that ?"

"Nothing." She said with a smile.

"Amy" he started.

"iPads, two, one for each of you, the family pictures are all loaded on and the data is on the Pegasus account."

"Amy"

"Stop, we have dozens."

"Still, you can't keep me."

"I'm not keeping you Shane, what a thing to say, now, kiss your mom and David for me and Jackie and be sure to call me and send a picture when she says yes. The ring is beautiful."

"I promise if you'll promise not to go nuts with wedding gifts."

"I don't know what that means, make sure to stop on the way home, it's not a race."

"And text you when I'm home, I got it, I'm not 12 anymore you know."

"I know, if you were 12 you'd be hitch hiking, now give me a hug and go."

They swayed as they held each other and then kissed. "I love you sis."

"Back at you little brother."

She stood there as he backed up and drove off waving through the sunroof. Amy waved as well and then turned to head back.

"That was a good surprise" Jackson said.

"You like your Uncle JT ?"

"Oh yeah, he's great and he has funny stories about being a teacher."

"Snacks team ? I could go for a cup of coffee and one of those Linzer Tarts."

While Lisa and Betty volunteered to get the snacks ready, Amy had the kids grab the iPads from the basement so they could continue upstairs and they settled in the living room. Amy was never one for formality and the living room to her was just that, careful snacks were fine and accidents happen.

As expected soon after they settled upstairs the Carmichaels dropped off Bobby, Brin, Cars and April. The parents would come for dinner which was as every year, leftovers from the day before, usually eaten outside on the porch or lawn. Some others would probably show up as well, she was sure Chuck was on for leftover BBQ.

The kids were all interested in seeing pictures of Amy when she was a kid and before she came to Ithaca so they gathered in a group. Ty remained with the Pegasus file and opened a folder labeled Birthdays.

"Hi Ty." April said standing in front of him with her hands behind her back.

"Hello April, having a good day ?"

"Sure am, what are you looking at ?"

"Pictures from Pegasus when the kids were growing up. These are birthday pictures."

"I like birthdays."

"Want to look with me ?"

She smiled and nodded.

Amy glanced up for a second and smiled watching Ty engrossed in a conversation with April sitting on his lap.

"Think he's Ok ?"

"He's in heaven Mad, he thinks she's adorable."

"See April, that's you and Cars and Jackson"

"We're so small."

"Like Kimmie and one day Kimmie will sit here and look at pictures of yesterday's party and see herself as a baby."

"She's starting to toddle. Do you have pictures of you when you were a baby ?"

Lily, who was sitting with Betty and Lisa looked over.

"Actually yes, birthdays too though not this many, people used cameras back then mostly. We're going to send them in and do this so we can all look, but I have these two with me she said reaching for her bag and her wallet.

Ty took them and looked then showed April.

"You're a baby in this one and a toddler in this." April said. "We'll look at the rest the next time."

They heard the timer for the coffee urn go off and Lisa and Lily went to move the pot and bring in the snacks and plates. Betty grabbed juice and milk and soon they were commenting on the pastries and cookies.

Jackson and Carson joined Ty and April on the couch. She had moved over for her snack.

"I talked to my parents today." JT said to his friends.

"So I talk to my parents everyday" Cars said biting into a profiterole.

"No, not these parents" he said the lower "my other parents."

"Oh" April said.

"I uhm told them about you April." He said softly.

She smiled at him "Thanks Jax."

He smiled back and nodded, his mouth already full of Linzer Tart and his lips covered in powdered sugar.

"Jackson, mom or not, we have got to work on your eating skills." Ty said.

"What ?" He asked indignantly his mouth half full.

April leaned over "It's pretty nasty Jax, you should chew with your mouth closed and not speak until your mouth is empty."

Jackson turned and looked at April who took a normal bite and chewed, mouth closed

He finished chewing and swallowed, "Ok, I'll try."

"Try using a napkin as well." Ty added handing him one.

Jackson turned to him and before he could speak Ty cut him off "just nod yes JT and wipe your mouth please."

"Anyone up for a ride ?" Maddie asked laughing.

"Yes please." Charlie said.

Jackson, chewing another bite looked at Ty and raised his hand. April and Cars did as well.

"I should get my case studies ready for school tomorrow" Wyatt said.

"I have vet duties to attend to for an hour or so." Ty said.

"I'm with Ty and on call tonight so I need to sit with Carlo and get updates." Georgie said.

"I have paperwork to go through."

"No you don't, it's birthday weekend we have to go for a ride." Charlie said.

"Yeah mom, birthday weekend."

Amy looked at JT and nodded. "fine, riding it is."

Maddie walked over to Lily "Grandma, come ride with us."

"Oh Maddie, I uh, well, I don't, I've never."

"You've never ridden a horse ?"

"No Charlie."

"You should definitely come Grandma" JT said "we'll teach you, you can ride Merlin, he's perfect for new riders, calm as a butterfly."

"I uh."

"You don't have to mom, kids a little less pressure please."

Lily looked at Lisa and Betty and then Casey spoke up.

"We'll all go" she said standing "we're having leftovers."

"Awesome" Jackson said "let's ride"

"This I've got to see, my mother on a horse."

"You're never too old to get on a horse." Amy said "come on Lily, I'm proud of you."

The crowd met Nick, Claire, Bryce and Roberta brushing down four horses they had out for most of the day.

"Roberta, I had no idea you were here." Amy said looking up at her.

"Sorry sweetie, you were out and we were invited to lunch with the Castro's and I wanted to visit with Nick and Claire. My sister's home with the kids."

"I'll come by this week and visit" Amy said reaching over to hug her.

Chuck and the girls were sorting horses for riders. Ty made Amy promise to get him when his mom was on a horse "Chuck come ride with me."

"I'm working Amy."

"You're fired, come on, we haven't ridden or talked in awhile."

"Ok, I'll saddle Petey."

Merlin was a calm ride, he was trained initially to carry a disabled child and he was trained by Amy Fleming. Jackson was always willing to lend Merlin for new riders, he was proud of his horse. He stood stock still as Lily got settled under the careful instructions of the twins.

"You stay as comfortable as you can settle yourself Grandma and let Merlin do his job for now." Charlie said calmly.

"Just hold the reins and move with him, he's a good steady ride." Maddie intoned from her other side.

"Ok girls, where will you be ?"

"On either side of you, keeping you nice and safe."

"Ok." Lily said with some confidence though it was clear there was no way anyone but these kids could have gotten her to do this.

"I've got it all on video Lily" Brin said "you can show all your friends."

"Thank you Brin."

When they were ready to walk Amy texted Ty who came out with Georgie to see. Ty was thrilled to see Lily on a horse.

"Way to go mom." Ty called up, took pictures and stood there watching until Amy and Chuck passed. They rode last.

It was a chatty bunch with different conversations going on between groups of riders.

"The horses are happy with all the attention."

"We're all about the happy horses Chuck. How about you, happy ?"

"Always happy."

"Robin ?"

"Robin's happy."

"Good to know."

"Shane's getting married, he showed me the ring."

"He showed it to me also, I helped him pick it, it's a pretty ring, I think Jackie will love it. Got you to thinking sweetheart ?"

"A little, Shane was saying that they have good jobs and a place to live and saving for a house and they love each other."

"And ?" Amy prompted with a smile.

"And well I already have a house, and a good job."

"And you love each other."

"Well you know that."

"I also know you have a house and a good job."

"Oh yeah so what do you think ?"

"What do I think about what sweetheart ?"

"Should I marry Robin ?" He answered somewhat exasperated and a little louder than the rest of their conversation.

"Absolutely." Maddie called back "Go for it Chuck !"

"I wasn't asking you Mad."

"Sorry Chuck, it sounded like a vote up here."

"If you love her then you should marry her Chuck" April called back.

"Wisdom out of the mouths of babes" Betty commented.

"Great" Chuck sighed.

"What's wrong Chuck, everyone who loves you thinks it's a good idea." Amy then leaned over and whispered "your dad is sort of expecting it."

"Really ?" He whispered back.

"You should talk to him about it."

"Ok, boy a lot to think about huh ?"

"Tough growing up sweetheart."

"I'll say, how do you pick a ring ?"

"Dad and I will help when the time comes, first talk to dad."

"Ok, maybe we should rest these guys and get them some water."

"Good idea" Amy agreed, "Girls, the meadow past the track has some nice apples and that easy trough."

"Ok mom, we'll swing around."

"Lily all good up there ?"

"Oh great Amy, it's actually nice and your ranch is beautiful."

"Thank you Lily, we're proud."

They tied the horses off at the long trough against the fence and they drank. Everyone followed the kid's lead and scrounged the ground for apples to give the horses for snacks after the kids rinsed them. The trees on the ranch were organic but they were sprayed with dormant oils before winter and spring for a variety of pests. They had a tree service from Cornell care for them.

Cars climbed one of the trees and tossed down apples for the humans who were happier with apples from the tree as opposed to the ground.

"So Lily, trading in the car for a horse ?" Amy asked.

"I doubt he would be happy in our small yard but it is a nice feeling and very relaxing."

"Well you'll be a little sore tomorrow, we have a salve I make that should help if you put it on before bed."

"I'll show you Lily." Betty told her.

Ty joined them back at the barns when the riders made their way back and helped his mom get Merlin settled.

"You seem happy Ty, I haven't seen that spark in your eyes in quite a while."

"It's been awhile I guess."

"It's been 8 years Ty." Lily said softly.

"Number 4." Ty muttered and moved around to brush out Merlin's tail.

Jack and Tim were back from the airport and also wandered in to help.

The girls asked Casey if she'd watch them practice with the barrels after school on Monday and she was thrilled at the prospect. They had sent her videos of some of the workouts they did with Amy doing her best as their coach. She'd won one barrel race in her life and she knew she owed that to an exceptional horse and a trick more than anything but she knew the rules and had seen enough barrel racing to at least get them started.

Back at the house everyone split up to get washed and relax for a bit before dinner. Amy washed up and settled in her chair, feet up, and a dog under each palm.

She slowly scratched their heads until they settled to the floor. Ty found her like that with her eyes closed.

"You look tired."

"The quiet is nice, are we set up for tomorrow ?" She said opening her eyes.

"All set, stalls ready, if they're all like the charts indicate it won't be that bad, these seem to have been cared well but were just overwhelming to some smaller rescues. The mares none the least, they always take a lot of work before and after."

"Well it used to be that the students only got to see mares and foals as 1st and 2nd years when available figuring that at one point in the 4 they would get the chance. I think it's ridiculous so when not available from the Ag center I find some. Last year we were lucky that a farm on the other side of Ithaca had 2 mares ready and was thrilled to let us handle the births at the school."

"How was my mom on the trail ?"

"She was great, the girls had her."

"I wondered how they would treat her considering what I told them."

"They got that cue from you, you were happy to see her, they were happy to meet her. She's in my book, not quite sure how to tell her."

"Book ?"

"She's the sympathetic personality introduced to Alcatraz Run, they passed a hurdle together back then. Both unsure of the human race and both recovering from addiction and abuse. She allowed him to trust her, she overcame to do that."

"I didn't put the two and two together. I think she'd be proud."

"I'll tell her before they go. Come on I hear the troops heading down."

They were back in the room a few hours later. Dinner was fun and Ty and Amy spent it with Nick and Claire.

"So you Ok with Pappa ?" Amy asked as they washed up side by side getting ready for bed.

"You know I don't remember really thinking about it, the name I mean, I guess I always thought Dad. Pappa's fine and I can see the girls being more comfortable with it."

"And Jackson ?"

"Jackson, yeah, I told him once that no matter what he or his sisters called me I hear dad anyway."

"That was sweet, you're pretty good at this."

"I second guess everything."

"Part of the job sweetheart."

"Bed ?"

"Whatcha got in mind ?" Amy asked playfully walking past and running her hand across his butt.

He smiled and grabbed for her as she ran to her side of the bed "hive mind."