(A/N – The next chapter took on a life of it's own and needs to be split but there aren't any great places to do that so I chose a spot that was a natural end but I'm not thrilled with it. Anyway, the rest will be split into two I guess so this one and two other will be published over the next week or so. Hope you like them and keep up with the reviews, I love getting and reading them.)
Chapter 79
Amy stretched towards her night table and after knocking her watch off grabbed for her phone only to be pulled back by Ty.
"Ty what are you doing" she giggled falling back into his arms with no idea what time it was.
"I just want to see the time."
"It's early" he mumbled nibbling at her neck.
"So this is agenda driven." She said turning onto her back.
He leaned over her face balancing on his elbow, that impish grin on his face, the perfect sexy stubble on his face and that forelock of hair that hung down over her face "Hmmmm ?"
"Come on, use it or lose it lover boy."
"I always dreamed of a woman who talked dirty."
"Yeah, we can muck out a stall later."
"God, you're sexy." He said leaning over as Amy giggled and drew him down to her.
Later, it was a full house for breakfast so they sat in the dining room.
"So how's this going to work ?" Ty asked after a sip of coffee to clear his mouth.
"We're hoping Mrs. Spelts is punctual, word is she stayed in Ithaca last night." Amy said.
"And how do we know that ?" Betty asked.
"She ate dinner at Moosewood, she's a vegetarian."
"So spies in Ithaca and Hudson, do you trust no one Amy ?" Lisa asked with a laugh.
"I trust everyone and you don't need me to tell you that information is leverage." She said to Lisa and then looked to Betty "She'll be right on time, maybe early, I would be, she'll drive herself and I'm willing to bet she'll be in slacks or jeans, let her bring up the bid, don't even mention it, we'll touch base through the day."
"Sounds intriguing." Maddie said ominously.
"We're gonna get it right ?"
"Leave it to us Jackson." Ty said.
"And Uncle Nick will design us a cross country course." Charlie added.
"Excellent" Maddie agreed.
"We'll see." Ty said.
"Maddie I didn't have time to say last night, actually to both of you, Brin and Bobby are wonderful and both so talented." Lily said. "oh and April is a darling Jackson."
"Thank you Grandma" all three answered with smiles.
The girl's birthday, being a school day, started like most others with the exception of the big birthday hugs and waffles for breakfast, the girls favorite. That and Amy and Ty's gift of new black leather riding jackets fitted with appropriate padding and matching gloves. They could be worn under their club vests so that wasn't an issue.
"It's considerably colder riding north of here, these are thermal lined, they'll keep you warm." Amy said as they put them on and preened for the crowd.
"They're awesome" they both said.
"Thank you mom" came with big hugs for Amy and "Thank you Poppa" for Ty which made him blush.
They rushed out to get their chores done and tend to their horses, birthday or not it was their job. Amy knew at least Chuck would be waiting to help them today and as it turned out Georgie and Bryce were there as well. Wyatt was off to school early. Georgie would be heading in with Amy and Ty.
After school, the four teens rode the bus home together and had snacks with JT and April while 4 grandmothers fussed over dinner. After homework, Ty took Jackson and April for some fishing while the teens rode off for some alone birthday time.
Amy sat on the porch with Jack and Tim and watched the couples ride off.
"Say it dad, let's get it over with ?"
"They're your kids Amy and I wasn't there to do this with you or Lou really."
"Grandpa, did dad fall from a horse ?"
"I think it's Casey's doing Amy" he laughed.
"I don't think either you or Lou were like them." Tim said "that independent, sure of themselves the way they are. You were tough when it dealt with a horse and not so tough with life."
"Part of that is the twin thing dad, as much as I've tried to instill and give them the freedom and support to have a separate identity, their independence is tied up in that deep connection, like having yourself there to always have your back if that makes sense."
"Makes perfect sense." Tim said drawing his gaze back. "And I guess you were 15 and dating."
"I was and survived to tell the long drawn out tale. Well, I have horses to see and pregnant mares to smile at, feel like a walk either of you ?"
Amy's iPad led the way to every horse she had to see on rounds, Jack and Tim followed along commenting on this and that. Ultimately, she led them to isolation where they found Sarah holding court with the mares.
"Have they told you their life stories yet Sarah ?" Amy asked laughing walking around the first one in her stall and checking the tablet as she went.
"We've been getting to know each other." Sarah drawled. "that one's going first I think."
"Is there a pool ?" Amy asked.
"Not for the likes of you or me, witches and whisperers need not apply."
"But vets ?" Tim asked.
"Don't make me laugh." Sarah muttered "vets heh, be happy they come when they're called."
"Oh you be nice." Amy answered laughing along with the other two.
Amy moved on with her contingent and checked each of the new rescues.
"They don't look half bad for rescues, just some fattening up." Jack mentioned reaching over to one.
"No, this group was well cared for, just overload." Amy agreed without looking up "We're happy to take them. A few weeks of easy living and good diet and we'll train them out. Let me just check medical and we can head back."
There were 4 horses in medical stalls aside from Barnum and after checking each she stopped and watched Barnum getting an adjustment from Dr. Schaefer the "staff" chiropractor.
"Richard, all good ?"
"Great, his exercise and massage regimen is on line, when are we moving him ?"
"Friday I think."
"I'll leave my notes and I'm checking the pregnant mares ?"
"Make sure they're nice and comfy."
"I will and I'll see you Thursday."
"Thanks Richard."
"Always glad to help Amy."
"He works for you ?" Tim asked as they walked towards the house.
"He teaches at the school in my department and has his own practice but he's on staff here so I'm not sure technically, I tend to look at everyone as works with us I guess."
"So always glad to help ?"
"Comes with a bill dad, but to be fair he's there for us and charges us reasonably, we refer to him and him to us so it's equitable. Same with all our outside partners."
"So how many vets do you employ Amy ?"
"Good question Grandpa, lets's see, here, Bert, Ty, Cass and Alex, there are two in Montana, two in Arizona and Scott, Cassandra and a vet to be named at a later date in Hudson soon as that's sealed up. We also have two floaters that travel to Pegasus Centers, emergencies and sometimes to check on possible cases. So that would be 13 I guess. I can't imagine how many vet techs and the like we have on staff."
Back at the house, Amy excused herself to the library until dinner, Jack and Tim remained outside on the porch. She went through her snail mail and emails and was working on a stack when Nick knocked at the door.
"Hey friend, come on in, what's up ? Help yourself to a drink."
Nick walked over and poured himself a couple fingers of bourbon, grabbed a water for Amy without her asking, dropped it next to her and came to sit in a big padded chair off to the side.
"What's up with you Amy ?"
"What do you mean Nick ?"
"I mean you're not sitting out there with your family, it's not like you."
"I have work to do."
"No, I don't think so, Claire doesn't think so and Bryce and Roberta don't think so."
"She's not thrilled with the idea of going back to Alberta and being haunted by her past." Trish said coming in and walking over to Amy for a quick squeeze and hug. She did the same with Nick and headed to the bar for a ginger ale.
"Thanks Trish."
"Come on Amy, it's Nick and I don't imagine Claire hasn't noticed."
"They expect me to go back and I don't know what, reminisce or glory in the past. The past sucked, I don't want to relive it and I'd rather glory in my present. Look, don't get me wrong, I have good memories of Hudson and Heartland but in the end, what happened, how I felt when I left, brought back all the unfulfilled potential, bad life decisions, I don't know, Nick, I don't, I'm seeing someone and talking it out."
"I get it Amy, Claire and I do everything we can not to go back. That polo business in Hudson almost destroyed me, us. The folks don't mind coming to us and we send them the kids when when we can. Our folks though retired to communities near Calgary so when we go back, we stay close to them. When Claire's folks still had the farm I think we went once for a wedding. Not the same for you."
"I'll deal with it Nick, I have time, help and bigger fish to fry right now."
"Here you are." Meg said as she, Erma and Sally came in. "The birthday girls are coming down the hill, almost done here ?"
"All done Margaret, your older namesake about ?" Amy asked, closing the drawer after sliding her folders in their slots and thumbing the lock.
"Went to track down Bert and see Barrett and Browning." Erma said."Come outside, it's a beautiful fall day, I assume Ty and that gang should be back soon. Betty said we're all set for dinner."
The group wandered outside where a full porch waited and Amy headed down to the small lawn chair area on the lawn. Mid September was generally cool and the sun not terribly oppressive in the late afternoon. Besides the sunsets were always beautiful.
She saw Meg Koenig come out of the family barn as Ty and the kids rode up. Bert stayed it seemed to help them settle. Meg was followed out by the teens a moment later and then waited as they caught up to her. They waved to the porch and walked towards Amy and the moms.
"Where's Steph Meg ?" Amy asked after getting her hug.
"On her way, civil case she was translating for ran late, Spanish and Portuguese, sounds like a riot."
"Nick, Bert tells me you and Claire are joining our little community ?"
"Seems that way Meg" Claire said having caught the gist while coming to join Nick on his chair.
"Nice, I love watching the jumpers, can't wait."
The teens sat down in the middle of the seated adults after their hellos.
"Girls is there a plan for after dinner ?" Amy asked.
"Bobby and I have a song" Brin said quietly looking down.
"A song ?" Charlotte asked looking at Bobby who smiled.
"Bina ?"
"Just a song Mad, you know, for you two."
"Maddie and I are getting serenaded after dinner mom." Charlie said with a big smile and then leaned over to kiss Bobby.
"I like singing nights." April piped in walking over and getting pulled in for a hug by Erma.
Jackson came over for the same treatment with Amy as did Carson with Sally.
Amy saw Ty who was joined by John go over to greet Charlie Rodgers who had just parked.
"What are they cooking up ?"
"I have no idea Trish, something over the top if Charlie's in it." Amy answered. Looking around she noticed August apparently talking shop with Jack and Tim and Tom and Sam sitting with the Grans and laughing about something.
"It's 90 minutes from here, then 40 minutes to Geneva and about 40 minutes home. We'll all get there early and get seated before you.
"And after ?" Ty asked.
"Belhurst sound good John ?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, separate room, those restaurants are noisy if I remember."
"I'll have Bridget call." Charlie said, "It's called Belhurst Castle Ty, hotel, spa and restaurants but they have private rooms for dining and it's nice. On the way too, in Geneva."
"I was in Geneva, nice town. I'll mention it to Lisa, my mom and Wade will be here anyway. I'll have Lisa deal with Lou and Tim."
"We good ? I need a few minutes with Amy, Chuck wants to get in on the wedding fever."
"Congrats buddy." John said.
"They actually talked about it, Amy and Chuck." Ty added.
"He mentioned it, oh and I need Wyatt for a minute too, I'm heading out right after dinner, a call I can't get out of, let me just grab Wyatt now."
Soon Betty signaled Amy from the porch and she gathered those on the lawn inside for dinner which again spanned two tables in the kitchen and dining room.
Amy and Ty sat at the dining room table with the kids while their friends and the others filled that table and overflowed into the kitchen.
"So kids, we've decided on three years ?" Betty asked.
"And then we'll decide again and the two shows a year." Maddie added.
"What have we decided ?" Amy asked.
"The LGBTQ art initiative for the Central New York Arts and Crafts Guild." Charlie answered.
"More ?" Amy asked.
"Their proposal called for a three year plan to fund the group without having to worry about a voted budget from their board, they also looked for funding for two art shows a year." Betty explained.
"We're gonna do it, who cares who they like. Artists are important" Jackson said looking at April, his favorite artist.
"I'm sure they'll appreciate it, the goddess knows we do need more artists in the world." Amy agreed. "I approve, that's a nice birthday gift kids."
"That's the last vote" Charlie said.
"I'll get a trio together to play at the shows." Brin said.
Maddie smiled, "thank you Bina."
Sabrina's smile lit the room.
After dinner several couples excused themselves from the after dinner activities and Charlie asked for a minute of Amy's time.
While the family finished clearing and people made their way to the entertainment room which they called the music room Amy settled across the hall in the library with Charlie who poured himself a small drink.
"Chuck talked to you ?" Amy asked.
"He did, I know you approve, any idea how to handle it ?"
"I think you and Chuck need to speak with the Pressman's, I can't imagine it hasn't crossed their minds Charlie."
"So ?"
"Call and talk to her folks and explain it to them and then bring Chuck to speak with them, you're his wingman Charlie. They approve and we move on to the proposal phase."
And uh you ?"
"If you or he would be more comfortable with me there of course. She'll say yes and I don't think they'll have an issue, they love Chuck and Robin loves him. She'll be moving onto your property, she works for the foundation, she'll be taken care of and loved forever."
"I guess it's like a dream come true for all of us, imagine, look how far he's come."
"Look how far they've both come, you've done well Charlie, something to really be proud of."
"Ring ?"
"Nothing extravagant, we'll get something nice."
"I can leave that with you ?"
"I'll talk to him." Amy said getting up "staying for some music ?"
"No unfortunately, I have a conference call, old business."
Amy and he hugged and she kissed him goodbye at the door, "look at us marrying off a son."
"I think I'll visit Trudy tomorrow and have a talk."
"Wish her my love Charlie."
Amy joined those in the music room and found a seat near Meg Koenig, Steph and Trish. Sabrina was tooling around at the piano sitting with Mad.
"Go over there Mad, Bobby come on." Sabrina said smiling. Maddie leaned over for a kiss and then turned and walked over to sit with Charlie. Bobby got up and started blushing looking back at Charlie who was smiling ear to ear. Amy looked over at Meg and Sally sitting with Erma who both smiled and raised their hands in ignorance.
Bobby sat down next to Brin on the piano bench as she started to play, she had no music and it seemed to Ty that she just strung an elaborate set of notes into what seemed a familiar tune with a strong ragtime beat, there was an iPad on the Piano that clearly only had words. As soon as Brin nodded to Bobby and they started,
virtually everyone in the room knew the song and smiled.
They switched verses back and forth, some solo and some together as well as together for the refrains.
(The song is "How Sweet it is (to be loved by you)" by Marvin Gaye, I should insert that the version I know is James Taylor's and until this story, I always thought Taylor wrote it.)
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
Bobby: Ooh baby, I needed the shelter of someone's arms
And there you were;
Brin: I needed someone to understand my ups and downs
And there you were;
Bobby: With sweet love and devotion;
Brin: Deeply touching my emotion;
Together: I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you, ba-a-a-a by,
How sweet it is to be loved by you, oh baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you, yes it is;
Brin: I close my eyes at night,
And wonder what would I be without you in my life;
Bobby: Everything was just a bore
All the things I did, seems I've done 'em before
Then they finished together: But you brightened up all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop (stop) and thank you baby
I want to stop (stop) and thank you ba-a-aby, yeah
How sweet it is to be loved by you, oh, yes, it is
How sweet it is to be loved by you, yes it is baby
You were better to me than I've been to myself
For me, there's you and nobody else
Stop (stop) and thank you baby
I want to stop (stop) and thank you ba-a-a-aby
Oh, how sweet it is to be loved by you, tell the truth baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you, well, it's like sugar in my soul
How sweet it is to be loved by you, oh yes it is
Brin finished with an elaborate ending as they hummed the song closed. The applause was raucous and well deserved and the couples kissed and hugged. Bobby's blush never left his face and Brin eventually returned to her more staid and shy self as if she reserved her outward emotions for her music and Maddie.
The twins played next and Jack joined them for some of Lyndy's songs as did the kids.
Steph leaned over to Amy "what's going on with Chuck ?"
"We need a ring and a pow wow with the Pressman's, Chuck wants to marry Robin."
"Oh my" Meg said with sniff.
"Yeah, Charlie's going to see Trudy tomorrow, he's so proud."
"And you Momma ?"
"Me too Trish, I want every good thing in life for him." She answered tearing up as well.
All four were wiping their eyes soon, John who was sitting with Ty, Bert and Trev looked over. "What's going on over there ?"
The other three turned and saw their other halves crying and watched for a second before Ty offered "that's probably Chuck talk, he wants to marry Robin."
"Oh, that's what this is," Trev said" I've heard the rumor, apparently he and Robin talked about it and she mentioned it at work, water cooler gossip."
"Charlie was talking to Amy before so I don't know what they've come up with." Ty added.
Soon their conversation turned back to Ty and Bert discussing the next few weeks. John and Trev drifting off into something else.
Amy was called to join in some songs and Jack as well. Everyone blended well and sang reasonably on key, the kids being the most off. Ty noted that April had a very sweet voice.
Eventually as it got a little later they played with harmonies and while Brin played, Amy, Jack, the twins and Bobby worked out their last song.
(The next song is Seven Bridges Road by the Eagles. This song was sung in part by Kevin McGarry, Amber Marshall and Shaun Johnston during production shooting on S13 and released as a video)
There are stars in the southern sky
Southward as you go
There is moonlight and moss in the trees
Down the Seven Bridges Road
Now I have loved you like a baby
Like some lonesome child
And I have loved you in a tame way
And I have loved you wild
Sometimes there's a part of me
Has to turn from here and go
Running like a child from these warm stars
Down the Seven Bridges Road
There are stars in the southern sky
And if ever you decide you should go
There is a taste of thyme sweet and honey
Down the Seven Bridges Road
By this time in the night the applause had become softer, Steph, Ted, Trish and John had bowed out as had Georgie and Wyatt who had early mornings.
When they stood they all saw the kids sleeping against the couch and Bobby reached down to hoist Cars up to his chest and look over at his folks who were walking over. Soon August scooped up April and Ty grabbed Jackson. They made their quiet goodbyes at the staircase.
While Ty saw Jackson to bed, Amy and sundry did a quick clean up while the twins said their goodbyes in the relative peace of the porch.
Waiting for Mrs. Spelts, Amy and a large group of grandmothers and guests sat on the porch with coffee in hand. Ty had an early appointment in Cornell and was on his way back.
"Amy" Lisa said watching a wine colored pick-up truck make it's way down the road with what appeared to be a single occupant.
"She checked into the hotel in that truck, I'm going to assume she drove herself down."
"You're something else" Lisa whispered as Amy got up to go down the stairs.
She was waiting with her signature smile attached when the door opened and Amy helped a spry, she assumed 5"5" woman with grey hair pulled back into a bun. She wore a black jeans jacket over black jeans and a light sweater. She wore very little make-up and before turning grabbed a baseball cap with the words "Central New York Apples are Life"
Amy decided to like her on the spot. "Welcome to Pegasus Mrs. Spelts, I'm Amy Fleming."
