Chapter 78

"Ok so you're safe for a few months then what ?"

"I don't understand the question, they expect me to make a happy grand return to Hudson and I'm not sure about the happy part or the grand for that matter. If you can't keep up you should lower your rates."

"No need to get snippy Amy, who expects the happy part, surely they understand by now you left under the worst of circumstances, what do you think they expect ?"

"Grandpa expects me to be impressed with what they've done and for me to be thrilled to be back in my ancestral home. Lisa expects to show me off at the club, Ty expects to revisit all our old special spots and relive our romance, Caleb expects me to be evil incarnate, I really don't know or care, I don't feel those things, I took years sitting here to be happy with my life and the decisions I've made and put the past behind me and now I have to go back over all those things, it sucks."

Amy was about 30 minutes into her appointment with her Psychologist, Dr. Barry Porter. They had met initially when Amy was in the process of adopting the kids. They saw a psychologist as well, separate and together as a family. The trauma of the accident and being adopted soon after the child authorities thought it the best. They also thought with the struggle of taking on three injured children she might need an outlet as well. Amy complied and found that over time it worked for her. She liked the idea of being able to confide with someone who wasn't remotely connected to her life, past or present. Some days she just vented and some she looked for guidance, reassurance or confirmation.

She had spent the first 30 minutes or so going over the weekend interactions and festivities. He payed special attention to the conversation with Lisa and Betty about the visit to Alberta. He specifically asked questions regarding Jackson's recovery and rehab while she rattled off her excuses for not being able to visit until Spring at the earliest.

"So Jackson's surgery is the first week in November, he'll come home about a week or 10 days later. Your wedding is the 26th, he'll have casts removed the week later and then still in a wheelchair. Crutches and braces until February or so, so it sounds as if no matter what you wouldn't have been comfortable with the family going over that time but there would really be no problem in say you and Ty heading to Hudson for a couple of days."

"Why would I go to Alberta in the dead of winter, besides I usually don't go far from JT after surgeries."

"So if Ty came to you on one of those frigid Ithaca mornings and said "how about you and I fly down to Miami for the weekend, lay on a beach, hit some night spots for some Latin dance, good Cuban food and hospitality ?"

"I guess we could, I might be persuaded for a weekend, but who goes to Alberta in the dead of winter ?"

"That's not the point Amy."

"It's the point to me."

"Sure if you want to skirt the issue. How's it going with you and Ty, any issues ?"

"We're doing well, he's getting into the family's swing of things, how things work at the ranch, Cornell."

"You're talking, being honest with each other, at least on your end ?"

"I think so, I check with him to see that he's doing ok, ask him about what he's thinking, things that come up between him and the kids, us. Right now the biggest thing for the family and Ty is keeping him in the loop for the things we take for granted, like the cemetery trip."

"That doesn't seem too bad."

"No, we're adapting well."

"Ok seems we're pretty much caught up so why don't you tell me how you'd feel if we were driving from Calgary to Hudson ? That's right ?"

"Calgary to Hudson."

"Anxious, apprehensive ?"

"Big words, you know when I first met you I'd have accepted those words pretty readily from you Amy but you're not that person anymore, I mean you had even changed by the time we first talked and since then you've grown so much."

Amy nodded her thanks rather than say anything.

"So why those words now ?"

"Because they fit how I feel Barry."

"Let's do this, you're being driven from the airport, let's say for arguments sake it's just you and Ty for the weekend. Where are you being taken ?"

"Fairfield probably, Lisa Stillman's ranch, my step Gran."

"Feel anxious or apprehensive about that ?"

"Considering we have a verbal agreement in place that Pegasus is taking Fairfield over, no, but my issues were never really with Lisa. She's the type that's always sort of on your side."

"Fairfield is being fumigated for an ant invasion, you're staying at ?"

"My big ranch in Alberta, White Horse."

"Amy." Dr. Porter said with a tired voice. "look we're almost done for today so before you come back on Thursday I want you to write down what you think you would feel driving up to Heartland and how you would feel driving into town. Try to start sorting your feeling into specifics based on specifics, the people and the places so we can start breaking this down. Oh and a little less confrontational would be nice."

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"Don't apologize, I played my part in helping you build those walls and to use that intelligent wit and they've served you well but we need to cut some windows."

Amy texted Trish when she was done and soon they were eating under some trees on a side patio of the medical center.

"How's it going up there ?" Trish asked nodding to somewhere above their heads in the building behind them.

"Nothing so far."

"Nothing, really ?"

"Talking, you know."

"It's all talking Amy, if it's more than talking that's probably inappropriate."

"You know what I'm talking about Trish, we haven't gone deep yet and I have homework."

"Like ?"

"Writing down my thoughts on driving up to Heartland."

"Thoughts huh, so what kind of thoughts have you been having ?"

"The none of your business kind of thoughts that you already know."

"I took off the first two weeks in November."

"You didn't have to do that Trish."

"I know."

Amy smiled and leaned over to head butt Trish gently on the shoulder eliciting a gentle kiss on her head.

"Where are you going from here ?"

"Quick stop at the vet school for the paperwork on three pregnant mares we're taking on at the ranch for use as teaching subjects at Cornell and a stop at the offices for Bridgett and then back to the ranch. You ?"

"Admin meeting, where are we staying for the surgery ?"

"One of the things I'm checking on, I think we have the brownstone by the park."

"Hope the weather stays nice, we can sit on the roof."

"It's nice up there at night."

"So Friday's tests ?"

"Shoshana called last night, Asher was tied up in surgery. Jackson's good to go, virtually no deviation in growth so just the new growth sleeves and adjustments."

"That's still probably 6 hours surgery."

"I know Trish but I don't think they'll be breaking any bones, she said just adjustments and sleeves."

"Save him some pain for sure."

"Not by much but I'll take what we get." Amy said getting up and brushing herself off with Trish's help.

"The other two kids ?"

"Apparently good to go as well, I'll call their folks and touch base this week."

They hugged and split up, Amy to her truck and Trish to the Med Center. After a short 10 minute stop to check in at the offices Amy headed back and arrived at Pegasus just as the press conference looked to be winding down. She drove around back and parked behind the medical barn.

Assuming that Sarah was still out at the press conference she stopped in to see Vi

whom she found working alongside Zach who was busy with a coloring book. Amy walked over and smiled at him and kissed him on the head which he raised for a second to smile back at her.

"Rachel wanted to watch Eli on the stage."

"Fine with me Vi, any word on the incoming ?"

"An hour I think before the mares, they seem to be finishing outside."

"The rescues ?"

"Not long after I hear. We are all ready, blood results from yesterday."

"OK, Katie and Barb should be back soon and Georgie's out there, hopefully the intake will be smooth, I'm going to check medical and rescue, kids should be home soon. I'll see you for late rounds Vi."

Amy walked through rescue and checked the status of the horses as well and signed off on treatment updates and discharges as she passed. The bangarang horses were gone for the most part. Wallace was now Wyatt's and most the rest cared for and trained for their next steps in life where they'll receive specific training on their jobs. She wasn't surprised based on her experience that many of these abused horses trained down as passive. They internalized the love bestowed on them and gave it back to their handlers and trainers in eight horses her girls took on had all been shipped out, most heading southwest to warmer climates this time it seemed.

The last horses she checked on were Crater and Barnum. As always she spent a minute or two with Crater and then dropped some fresh hay into his stall which always seemed to occupy a horse for a few minutes and then she entered Barnum's stall. She stood before the horse who was kept relatively still by his restraints. He was by all indications an excellent patient, who was calm and peaceful in his circumstances. After speaking to him softly, offering a gentle touch and friendly smile and nuzzle she moved her hands over his neck and back and front legs. As she moved past she noticed that Barnum had soiled his stall and immediately scanned the barn for a shovel and refuse can.

Typically, unless it was serious you wouldn't stop what you were doing to muck a stall but in medical and often rescue you were dealing with horses who were given very little movement or whose immune systems were fighting something infectious. As such the general rule was that nobody ignored a possible irritant or source of disease, so you stopped to muck. Everyone did it, Amy, Bert, Ty, the seconds, everyone. Anything that could in any way impact on the recuperation of a horse was dealt with as quickly and with as little trauma to the horse as possible.

Amy shoveled, swept and disinfected the soiled part of the stall, gently checked Barnum's hind legs and hooves and went to fetch bedding to lay. As she spread the fresh bedding she noticed a man with two cameras wander into the barn.

"I'm sorry, this area is restricted, you'll have to leave."

"I just wanted a quick couple of shots, that's Barnum right."

Amy smiled and leaned on the rake she held. "My understanding is that we approved a press pool photographer."

"It'll only take a minute."

"It won't even take that" Amy said walking out and towards the man blocking the camera as she moved. "I asked you to leave and that's without pictures, this is a medical facility."

"And you are ?" He asked taking a small step back but not leaving.

"What difference does that make, leave, now, please."

"It's really only a few seconds, how about ?" He asked reaching into his pocket and pulled out some money.

Amy's face changed as she determinedly closed the distance between her and the photographer and then she exploded "GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY BARN NOW OR I WILL HAVE YOU SHOT !"

She also didn't stop when she reached him but put up her arms and shoved. Ordinarily a shove from a 5'5" woman might not have had much impact but Amy was fairly used to pushing around 1000 lb. horses and was decidedly in good shape so he backed up a few steps which wasn't enough for his pursuer who was right there to shove him again. This time he lost his balance and after trying to catch himself while moving backwards he fell on his butt, His cameras banging to the floor on his side, right in front of a small crowd heading into medical including Ty, Bert, Georgie, Sarah, Rachel, Eli and Chuck.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU LADY, WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ? BITCH !" He yelled as he started to get up which is when Chuck grabbed him by the vest he was wearing and lifted him the rest of the way rather violently and with seemingly very little effort.

"WATCH IT YOU IDIOT !" He snarled in Chuck's face a second before he was down and out like a light. It seems Chuck knew how to throw a punch with meaning.

"Easy Chuck" Bert said walking over quickly and getting his hand on Chuck's shoulder to get his attention from the scene. "Someone get Lonnie please and call Trevor."

Lonnie Martin, Sandra's husband was an Ithaca Police Officer and when Pegasus needed one, Lonnie was usually sent. They requested an officer for the event. Lonnie checked credentials at the entrance. 2 NYS Troopers were also sent over from the barracks at their request. For this, Lonnie was the clear choice.

"Sarah, wake this guy up and make sure he'll live please, Georgie get Chuck to the ranch house and make sure Betty knows what's going on." Ty said walking over to Amy and wrapping his arms around her.

"Come on Chuck, let's find Gran and get some ice on that hand."

"Ok Georgie." He said turning and walking with her to the ranch house.

"You Ok, Ames ?" Ty asked softly.

"I asked him to leave nicely, twice, maybe three times, I sort of lost it when he tried to bribe me."

"It's fine, they were all given the rules, I should have put someone at the doors."

"Whatever, we shouldn't have to, I guess next time we'll keep some ranch hands around. I'm fine Ty, go check on Chuck please, I have to finish Barnum."

"I'll get someone to do it."

"I'll finish Ty, I'm fine, please go make sure Chuck is Ok."

Amy watched Ty stop and talk to Bert for a second. The photographer was sitting on a stool. Sarah was with him and Lonnie, who was talking to him with his pad out. Ed stayed as well and Rachel came over to her.

"He's with Vi in potions Rach."

"You Ok Amy ?"

"I'm fine, how's he ?"

"He'll have a hell of a shiner, Chuck put him right down."

"I guess Charlie and I will have to talk to him about that."

"Don't be too hard on him, he loves you Amy."

"I think it was the idiot between you and me but that just might have been the straw that broke the camel's back. We'll have our talk over ice cream sundaes, the guy was in the wrong and clearly trespassing."

"Well, I need to get Zach back, maybe he'll nap."

A few minutes later "Amy ?" Lonnie said coming in to the barn and over to the stall where she was finishing up. "Run your side past me quick."

"I was mucking out Barnum, I looked up he was there I told him it was a restricted area and to please leave. When he didn't I came out and asked him again and a third time. Then I yelled at him and shoved him, I guess twice until he was outside, he fell, lost his balance backwards on the second shove."

"Did you threaten to shoot him ?"

"Possibly to have him shot, I was pretty pissed." She answered smiling.

"Thanks Amy, Ok, well, he's willing to not press charges and let bygones be bygones."

"That's nice Lonnie, I'm not, I'd like to verify that there aren't any unauthorized pictures on those cameras and I want a written apology from him and his publisher."

"Okay, well is that something you want me for or Trev who's just pulling up at the house ?"

"Stay until Trev gets the story if you can, he can check the pictures and ask for the apology."

"He pissed you off huh ?"

"What pisses me off is that if I was a man I don't think I would have had to ask three times. One quick look around and anyone with half a brain would recognize this as a medical facility, to just walk in and challenge someone like that ?"

"It's what these photographers do Amy, you know that."

"Not here Lonnie."

Trevor and Charlie walked in as Lonnie turned away. They spoke for a few minutes while Amy finished checking Barnum. Eli rolled up a minute later.

"You Ok ?"

"I'm fine Eli, he's all mucked out, he seems fine, we're going to start some deep massage on his front legs this week, we have to keep those muscles toned."

"Bert mentioned it."

"Ok, let me finish with Trev and I have kids to see. Rachel took Zach back for a hopeful nap I think."

Eli nodded and reached over to open the stall, Amy watched him wheel himself in and she stepped up to close the gate behind him. He maneuvered to where Barnum could reach down to him for comfort when he needed and Eli pulled out his book, reached up with one hand to stroke his friend and glanced down to read.

Trev and Charlie were still with Lonnie and the photographer so Amy backed out to the rescue barn and through to isolation where she found Sarah checking the stalls.

"All good Sarah ?"

"Oh fine Amy, you Ok ?"

"I'm fine, word on the mares ?"

"Any time now and the others soon behind."

"Ok, I'll be back, I need to check the house."

Amy walked along the back edge of the barns to the house and came in the back door by the small parking lot. She walked straight through to the kitchen where she found Betty, Casey, Lily and Lisa in the kitchen with Chuck who sat between two Apple pies.

Amy smiled and walked behind and reached her arms around Chuck to hug him.

"I'm trying to concentrate Amy."

"What are you concentrating on sweetheart ?" She asked kissing his head and standing up.

"Judging wedding pies."

"You don't have to Chuck but I appreciate the effort, I want different pies and literature. And warm cider donuts when they leave."

"So a promotional event for the apple council ?" Lisa asked.

"Well no but there's no reason not to highlight local food and drink."

"And Heartland beef." Lisa added.

"And Heartland beef." Amy agreed smiling.

"Can I still finish ?"

"Yes, finish." She answered gently.

"Amy" he said softly, "I'm sorry."

"I know you are sweetie, we'll talk later."

"With dad ?"

"With dad, we're not mad Chuck, Ty probably would have hit him."

"Is the man Ok ?"

"He's fine Chuck, finish up and get back to work." She said with one last kiss eliciting a big smile from him.

"Kids upstairs ?"

"And Ty." Lily added.

"Let me check in, those mares should be here any minute."

Upstairs Amy started with Jackson where she found her son at his desk working on a match sheet while Ty sat on a chair off to the side reading. She leaned over Jackson for a hug and a kiss "Everything Ok sweetheart, good day at school ?"

"Yup, great day, almost done."

"I see you have a homework buddy ?"

"Hiding for a few minutes" Ty said as she walked over and sat down on his lap for a kiss.

"I just came to check in, mares due pretty soon."

"We're all coming down as soon as homework's done. Chuck Ok ?"

"He's fine, stuffed with pie and surrounded by grandmothers."

"Trev texted", Ty told her "after convincing him that he'd never win anything anywhere considering he was trying to get in to see Barnum, it's all good, the photographer works for a local Albany paper,. Trev offered to get the NYS Trooper Commandant on the phone if he wanted to discuss trespassing and posing a threat."

"I figured as much." Amy answered before leaning in for a more thorough kiss. "Let me go see the girls."

The girls were also at their desks and also seemed to be working on math.

"Hey mom" Maddie said when Amy reached down to hug her "have a good day ?"

"So far Mad, 12 horses coming in."

Amy then shifted to Charlie. "You both Ok ? I'm going to find Sarah."

"We're good, who did Chuck hit ?"

"How ?"

"We came in and he was icing his hand waiting to eat pie." Charlie answered.

"Mouthy photographer, it's done. I'll see you both outside."

The four horse trailer pulled down the road and straight to Medical for unloading. For most of the horses brought in it just make sense to be as close to the medical barn as possible. Chuck was out to throw the latch and open the first door, Amy unlocked the other side and swung it open as Sarah climbed in a second before she did.

"This one looks fine." Sarah said.

"These two as well" Amy answered form between the two other mares. They were driven up from a Virginia rescue facility that picked up 4 pregnant mares somewhat underfed. They had the facility to deal with one and were thrilled to ship the others to Pegasus.

Amy looked up to see Georgie standing there waiting for Sarah to lead the first off and then back to isolation. Amy followed Georgie through rescue and back to the isolation stalls. Katie and Barb were waiting as were her girls and Ty. They had recent blood work so teams of two charted their arrival vitals, settled them and fed them. They were fully vaccinated in Virginia and appeared none the worse for wear after the easy 3 day journey north.

"Two trailers 20 minutes out Amy." Sandra said walking over and cooing at the first mare. "Hello sweetheart" she cooed reaching over the mare who turned her head to Sandra as she reached up to scratch her behind her ear.

"Bert ?" Ty asked.

"Around somewhere."

Ty nodded and walked with the group back through rescue to the front where as always they milled about joking while waiting for their charges to arrive. He noticed Amy standing with her hands on Jackson's shoulders. The Grans were on the porch with Claire and Nick, Jack and Tim walked over.

Georgie came over and leaned against Amy. "I always get excited when new horses come, here, same at Heartland."

"Yeah, new beginnings. I like watching them reflect the love, they're usually so fragile. I think these were more a matter of neglect, I think the rescue was called."

"Seen plenty of those, money gets tight, they try their best and then we get them when the owners realize their animals are suffering."

"It's a confusing thing, there's a vicious cycle that goes on as a farm fails. They try to hold on and do their best, they cut back until the choice is feeding yourselves or your livestock. By then you might already have the trappings of malnutrition focusing more on cheaper feeds and hay. You may treat them at home rather than call a vet. They mostly all start off in a loving home Georgie. The whippings and abuse are atypical."

"That part's good to hear and I do understand the cycle."

Bert and Ty stood back as the trailers rode up, Charlie swung open both doors, Amy and Sarah were first in. "Mine look good Amy, 'cept for some food and exercise."

"These are up and ready to go, Mad, Charlie out and back, we'll vet them in isolation." Amy said as each of the girls took a horse. Georgie stepped up next.

"Can I walk one mom ?" Jackson asked.

Amy looked over and Georgie spoke up. "How about you take this one JT and I'll walk with you."

Jackson looked at Amy who smiled at Georgie and nodded. "go ahead."

Escorts volunteered themselves including Ty and Bert, Amy and Sarah were last with the remaining two.

"I like days like this" Amy said walking behind Sarah.

"I wish them more often, took a call before to run through 2 abandoned 2 year olds. The rescue was confident though, young woman named Tina, knew her stuff too."

"They have money ?"

"I asked, don't worry, they're good but thought it kindly we inquired."

Again they broke into small groups. Amy noticed that Ty's group consisted of him, Georgie and Jackson. Amy and Sarah took two each with the twins, Vi and Katie and Barb and Robert who Amy had not seen. They paired off on their own and Amy watched them walk across to one of the free horses.

"That's a thing to those who ain't blind, which you're obviously not one of" Sarah drawled.

"Definitely some kissy face going on with those two." Charlie added while digging a screwdriver into the horses hoof for a deep clean.

"Hmmmm, should we do something about him ?"

"Like hire him ?" Sarah asked "He's a good kid, good with the horses."

"Good rider too" Maddie said "and Star's a nice horse."

"Ok well nobody say anything and I'll talk to Bert and Ty."

"And Georgie, get the real goods, that can float either way." Sarah added nodding at the couple in question.

"Hey you" Charlie said leaning over to kiss Bobby "what a pleasant surprise."

"Amy." Tom Carmichael said walking over. "We have a counter so I figured I'd drop it off, Bobby is along for the ride. Who gets it ?"

"Ty ?" Amy called out and walked to meet him off to the side with Tom.

"The counter is $6,350."

"A million off." Amy pondered. "Let's leave it with Betty for now, no counter until Wednesday I think. Her price is dependent on us, this will be an emotional decision for her. Her counter is our passing the first hurdle, the reports on us are good."

"I tend to agree" Tom said "Trev and I have a meeting next week with NYS about a conservatorship and the research/rescue center, start the ball rolling, of course we need the house before anything gets serious."

"Let's sit down with Betty and Lisa and come up with a strategy for Wednesday, we'll call Tom and fill you in." Amy said turning back to the horses.

"Bobby, let's go" Tom said turning to the door and waiting.

Bobby put his brush down and leaned over to say goodbye to Charlie with a small kiss.

"That was nice." Charlie said when they left the barn.

"So do you girls have a plan for tomorrow ?"

"Not really Mom, Brin and Bobby will come here from school, we'll get our homework done and go for a ride." Maddie said

"Dinner and hanging out, maybe we'll do music."

"Music would be nice Charlie, maybe we can get GG to sing along a few old ones." Amy agreed.

As they finished they moved on and separated lending a hand where they could getting the horses settled.

Dinner was all family, the Grands had all irrevocably bonded over the few days, even Lily, her fitting in had worried Ty at first. Tim, Jack and Ty were talking about the herd back home and Amy sat with Nick and Claire. The kids chatted together. Georgie and Wyatt were eating in the loft, Georgie was on overnight.

After dinner Ty offered drinks in the library and the kids went upstairs to get ready for bed and joined the family in evening wear.

Ty served cognac to those that wanted and offered water or juice around. As it turned out Casey and Lily sat with the kids, both Jack and Tim opted to turn in. Sitting with Betty, Lisa, Ty, Nick and Claire, Amy took out the counter and passed it to Betty.

"$6,350, that's a nice drop, what are we shooting for ?" Betty asked looking over to Amy and Ty.

"After talking with Charlie we think $5.5 is fair but then again Charlie added would we really bolt for $5,850." Ty said "I can't even believe I'm using numbers like this."

"You should have seen us that first year in Belgium" Claire laughed. "One day I was sitting there going over bills and realized that we had a million euro in our checking account. We were so busy nobody even paid attention."

"I was so tired that night it didn't hit me until I was sipping coffee in the morning." Amy joined her in laughing.

"Consider doing it here ?" Nick asked.

"Here in Ithaca ?"

"And Fairfield." Nick added glancing at Lisa.

"Have you two been plotting ?" Amy asked looking at Nick and Lisa.

"Not plotting but talking." Lisa said "talking like the Alpacas."

"You two are pretty gung ho about all this" Ty said laughing.

Claire smiled widely "It's grown on us over the few days, the kids would love it here, the town is young and exciting, the neighbors are the best what's not to be gung ho about. Some light at the end of the tunnel is welcome at this stage."

"So the counter ?" Betty asked bringing the conversation back around.

"I was thinking this might be best hashed out between you and Mrs. Spelts, matriarch to matriarch. Both Ty and I have classes, we'll be here up front and then at 3:00 or so along with the kids. We'll walk her around a bit and then hand her to you, or all of you."

Betty nodded and looked at Lisa "From all we've heard she seems fairly down to earth, I'm sure we'll do fine and I think you may be right that this is best hashed out amongst us."

"Does she ride Amy ?"

"Well Lisa, wouldn't that be perfect, a ride out to the rescue and the preserve might swing her our way."

"Let's hope for the best then" Betty said looking up as Maddie came over.

"JT's out, should we wake him ?"

"I've got him Mad, I need a shower and some sleep, busy day tomorrow." Ty said. "I'll see you upstairs."

She nodded and hugged all around followed by Charlie. Amy also wished everyone a good night and waited as Ty lifted Jackson who stirred, opened his eyes a second and lay his head back down on Ty's shoulder with a deep sigh, fast asleep again. They were followed a moment later by Nick and Claire leaving the four grandmothers.

Lily watched as the family made their way back up the stairs. There were tears in her eyes when she turned back.

"Oh Lily, what's this ?" Lisa said leaning over.

"I'm sorry, over the past few years, Helena and after I thought well, that I had broken him so much he'd never find peace. Watching him and Jackson just now might be the most peaceful I've ever seen him. I should go call Wade and head to bed myself."

After getting Jackson tucked in and checking on the girls they met Betty on the landing heading to her room.

"Does it feel especially busy lately or is it just me" Betty asked sighing.

"I was thinking that the other day" Amy agreed "I don't know."

"I know one thing" Betty added "that house will do us a world of good. Goodnight kids."

"Night gran" Ty said leaning over to kiss her cheek.

They both sighed in the shower massaging stiff muscles, standing under the strong hot jets of water and then the gentle rainfall.

"Well, I can tell you this, there haven't been many days in Hudson when I felt this wiped. Does it ever let up ?"

"Let up is tough, it gets more routine I think, you learn to sort of roll with it and move on. Family and friends take up a lot of our lives which adds to the hectic but that's where all the laughter is. I'm hectic with Georgie 3 or 4 hours a day now that school has started, you know how amazing that is for me ?"

"How about 3 or 4 hours hectic with me ?" He asked with a smirk as they wiped off and grabbed PJ's.

"Yeah, those are pretty amazing." She whispered leaning up to touch lips "now let me brush out my hair."

"What happens if you just go to sleep like that ?"

"I wake up knotted which is close to the worst thing in the world I think."

"Then let's not do that." He answered laughing heading into the bedroom.

Amy lay spooned in Ty's arms a few minutes later. She sighed when he kissed her shoulder.

"How did it go with Dr. Porter today or am I not allowed to ask ?"

"You can ask, of course." She answered and then hesitated a second.

"It generally takes us a few sessions to size each other up." She said laughing. "I'm not the easiest patient, I tend towards snarky sometimes in session."

"I can definitely see that."

"Hey what's that supposed to mean ?"

"Nothing at all, so ?"

"Well, you know when I said I wanted to go to all those places at Heartland with you ?"

"I think it comes to mind."

"Maybe, really not so much right now, I've got some issues to work through. I didn't lie, I do want to, it's just."

"I get it Ames, we didn't make it easy for you, I think we all get that."

"And I played my part in that, this is good that I'm talking about it, I kind of built up these walls when the kids came because there wasn't any looking back at that point and I had to change, they needed a strong parent to lean on and learn to love."

"You've done an amazing job and it sounds like these sessions help."

"Goodnight my love."

"Mmmm" Ty murmured and shifted slightly so that Amy fell back just a touch closer.