Chapter 127
Ty pulled his truck up to the house followed almost immediately by Betty in hers. He turned and saw Georgie pull her truck and trailer past the house towards the back where they'd disconnect her empty trailer, the horses having joined the others in the commercial Pegasus transport that morning for the trip home.
"Mom's sleeping."
"I'll wake her in a second Jackson, get the dogs out and get their water bowl on the porch filled. Quietly please."
Jackson nodded and put his finger on his mouth showing that he understood.
Ty leaned over and gently took Amy's hand in his lifting it slightly to put his lips against her curled fingers "Ames, we're home sweetheart, time to get up."
He felt her hand turn and squeeze his before she was hitching up in her seat and moaning as her neck straightened.
"I'm sorry Ty, I must have fallen asleep."
"You never have to apologize for napping Amy especially 4 months pregnant with twins. You haven't slept well since Wednesday."
"I slept better last night and the nap was nice. I'm fine, I promise."
"Problem ?"
"No problem Gran, I was napping."
Betty nodded and looked at Ty before turning back to Amy "naps are good. What next ?" She asked stepping out and holding out her hand for Amy to take while getting out of the truck.
"I'd like to see my horses. Chuck how are my horses ?" She asked the young man who had walked over and was waiting next to Betty.
"They're all fine and they missed you."
Amy smiled and lay her hand on his cheek "Let me get changed and unpacked sweetheart and then you can take me around."
Chuck smiled proudly and nodded "and please tell the kids it's not my job to get their horses in from the meadow and brush them down now that they're back."
"I'll send them out as soon as they're changed Chuck" Ty said with a grin "Is Bert around ?"
"Oh right, Uncle Bert said uhm, late rounds have been switched to 4:00 and you're in charge, he's out riding with Aunt Meg and they're stopping for a picnic. Oh, and he said have fun."
Amy headed up the stairs with Betty and giggled "I'll do them with you Ty."
Betty stopped in the kitchen to put away the perishable food they brought back with them while Amy headed up to her bedroom followed by the kids.
Ty followed the group and stopped in the hallway past the kitchen "Need any help Betty ?"
"A word ?"
"About what ?"
"How's Amy doing ?"
"She's tossed and turned for the past two nights and blamed the babies."
"I wondered how that was going. She spent the day Thursday talking about Alberta with Ruth and Colleen. She always gets a bit moody doing that. It's good she napped, she'll forget about it now that she's home, too many other things to deal with."
Ty nodded, he had an inkling that was it but wasn't sure how to deal with it "I figured that was it and really didn't know if talking about it would make it worse or better."
"Best leave it as it is for now, this place and teaching will drive it from her mind. You better go up before she starts heaving suitcases around."
Ty got upstairs and found Amy changed from dress to work jeans and shirt. She was dumping a load that she had separated down the laundry chute.
"Tell me you didn't lift those suitcases by yourself."
"I didn't lift the suitcases at all, they're still on the floor. Come here you." She said pulling him gently to face her. "Kiss me."
Ty smiled and leaned over to gently touch his lips to hers, Amy had other ideas and soon was slightly raised on tiptoe.
Amy saw a flash of movement to her left and pulled away leaning her head against Ty's chest, his arms safely around her.
"Don't stop on our account." Maddie called from down the hall as Charlie knocked on JT's door. "Come on Jax, critter time."
"Coming !" He called from inside before opening the door.
"I just have to put away what I brought back kids, I'll be down in a few minutes." Amy said smiling as the kids passed.
"What's going on ?" Jackson asked stopping alongside his parents.
"Nothing's going on Jackson, go with your sisters." Ty said shifting so that he stood along Amy, his right arm still around her waist.
Jackson shrugged, lost in the mystery "ok, see you downstairs, fishing tomorrow ?"
"Just have to check with Bert but your sister's are going."
Amy noted Jackson's expression "Don't make a face sweetheart I'm sure the worst will be Ty having to be back for morning rounds which on Sunday can easily be 11:00. Go on see to the animals.'
Amy sat down and put her feet up on an ottoman waiting for Ty to change into work clothes which didn't take long. She had picked up a stack of mail and threw most of it in the trash bin alongside her chair while laying the mail she needed to see on the small table on the opposite side.
"That filled up fast." Ty said laughing when he glanced at the wastebasket from the edge of the bed where he was tying his boots.
"It's about 5 percent of that stack and that's with Bridgette and Sandra taking what's theirs."
"I have a mini stack myself. I'm going to end up with that aren't I ?"
"Maybe not as much as me for a while, but yeah, it's endless and seems to grow each year, it's mostly crap. Ready ?"
Chuck had moved the horses from the trailer to what was called the family meadow behind the barns and so Amy and Ty headed that way assuming that the horses were being brought in one by one for brush downs and feedings.
Knowing that all the family horses were being well cared for Amy was most interested in seeing and interacting with Isabelle her newest and one of only two horses she had ever claimed as her own.
She spotted Isabelle along with Spartan, Harley and Dot, Robin's horse, somewhat apart from the other horses the kids hadn't taken in yet and and smiled at the closeness this small group exhibited.
"Look at her, part of our herd, she's doing so well."
"She certainly looks happy."
Spartan moved towards them first but Isabelle moved along side him and Amy reached for them both. She rubbed and nuzzled both for a few seconds before telling Spartan to head back and relax for a little while longer, with a gentle shove he was gone followed by Dot.
"I'm going to check in on medical, it shouldn't be too long, leave Harley for me. Any messages ?"
"Sarah's on today and I texted her, she'll be by to chat."
"Hi Amy !' Robin said with a brief hug as they met between the stables. "Hiya Belle !" She added running her hand up the horses nose to her forehead for a scratch. "I think you're right, she likes it better if she's clipped in her stall so Chuck rearranged stuff to give her more room. I'm gonna get Dot."
Amy noticed that the girls had already groomed part of their mini herd by the time she had gotten in while leading Belle to her stall alongside Spartan's. Wyatt was there grooming Trouble and Amy smiled at him.
"Georgie's in medical, she'll be back for Phoenix and Checkers."
"I'm not taking attendance Wyatt, Ty just went to check in as well. Harley awaits his attention."
"I still got Turq after Jasper but I could start Harley after."
"I think your dad would rather spend some time with Harley JT but if you're done I'm sure Spartan wouldn't mind and you'd be helping me."
Amy noticed the clips set up in the stall and smiled "Rob ?"
"Hmmm ?"
"Why the clips in the stall ?"
"I think she likes them, you know, being like all the other horses."
"You know you're very good at this Robin, sure you don't want to come work here ?"
"Then Chuck would be my boss, I don't think so."
"Technically you'd work for me but I see your point."
"I like the office, it's important, I love talking to and meeting all the people."
"You should do what you want and love Robin, if you're happy then I'm happy."
Sarah walked up as Amy was doing T-touch on Isabelle's forehead which was drooped and close to Amy's. She had clipped the horse off and ran her hands around her flanks and up and down her legs just making a connection and letting Belle know she was back before focusing on her forehead.
"She's adapting well, eating good too." Sarah drawled from behind her.
"She looks well Sarah, grab a brush and tell me what I need to know."
"First tell me how you're feeling and how those bairns are doing."
"I'm fine, maybe a little tired and my feet ache after a while, heartburn seems to have calmed for now, it's good. The boys are fine as far as I can tell." She said patting her belly.
Sarah began talking about what she called her horses, the rescues, which were her first purview, though she seemed to usually know exactly what was gong on in medical the same way it seemed Violet, who handled the medical side of things, knew what was going on in the rescue barn. Amy handled most of the thoroughbred diets, their real bread and butter. The split worked well for them, Amy was in charge and there was never any push back but as Amy's responsibilities pulled her away Sarah naturally seemed to make rescues her responsibility while Violet seemed to fit well into medical. Sarah was usually Amy's contact as Violet also had research she was involved with at Cornell.
What she loved about both Sarah and Violet was that they understood what she didn't need to know meaning there were horses that really didn't need her attention. They had long come up with standard procedures for horses that didn't need specific care. Diets for many of the rescues and medical horses were based simply on their blood work. A horse showing a specific deficiency in say Vitamin C was treated with rose hips, B-complex deficiencies with specific greens added to their feed. What Amy got in these talks were specifics on horses whose issues were not easily resolved or were proving difficult. Everything else came to her in reports she checked off line so to speak.
Ordinarily they sat and went over the problem cases as a group. Sarah, Violet and Amy would often meet early with coffee and breakfast, go through them one by one and throw ideas out until they formulated a plan. It was also at the meetings where they would run through the thoroughbreds blood work and performance reports to tweak their diets. At least once a week Benny joined the thoroughbred part of the meetings.
This wasn't an official meeting per se, they were on the calendar for Monday morning breakfast but something was nagging at Amy and she wanted Sarah's opinion on whether they should be searching for a fourth naturopath to handle the increased load of the jumpers and Amy's having to step back as her pregnancy advanced and the twins coming along.
So when Sarah assured her that there were no real problems amongst the rescues and that Sandra was in the process of finding homes for a large portion of them Amy proposed the question, should they be looking for a fourth to join them.
"How long you think that's gonna take ?"
Amy shrugged putting her brush up on a shelf and seeing that Sarah was done unclipping her side with Sarah mimicking that action on the opposite side.
"I don't know, I'll call around and see if anyone knows of a naturopath that'll fit in but I''m thinking someone First Nations, give us a new perspective in the group."
'Victor and June seemed to know a fair amount."
"I'll call Victor and ask Alex and Cass, I'll also check the Onondaga Nation if they have someone, I have a contact there."
"I'll check with Truman at home but I'd have heard, who knows."
"And we'll have Sandra start a professional search, in the meantime we'll make do."
"Annabelle can help."
"I think I'd rather keep Annabelle of some special projects, she seems to prefer that. Maybe she can get a taste when she's around."
"She does seem to love the whole planning, planting and watching things grow part. Not bad for us, I don't have the patience. Who's running the jumping facility ?"
"We haven't officially announced yet but my old partners Nick and Claire Harwell are coming in from Belgium in June, as soon as school's out for summer."
"I met them when they were here, Ty introduced us, nice couple."
Jackson stood looking at Amy for a second and waited until she was done and looked down at him.
"Dad's not back yet, should I start Harley ?"
Amy shrugged "Why not, I don't know what's keeping him and bring Spartan back too please ?"
"Sure thing mom." He said already making his way to the door.
"He idolizes that husband of your'n."
Amy smiled "seems that way Sarah, you know maybe Georgie can help with the jumper diets at the beginning if we need her."
"Need me for what ?"
"Oh hey Georgie." Amy said as Georgie made her way through leading Phoenix "jumper nutrition."
"We just checked Phoenix's blood work and he's dead on at or above every indicator so if we run his results against our four team jumper's numbers we can come up with a starting diet."
"Well" Amy responded "we'll, uhm, ok let's see how that goes, we'll run each horse we take in just like we do to the thoroughbreds, blood and a general exam based on their intake work. Start them on whatever diet we come up with based on our collective jumpers and check the results."
"So Georgie, you'll be joining us once you're back from your honeymoon ?"
"I'd love it Sarah."
"Georgie where is Ty and did you see JT, he was supposed to bring us a horse ?"
"We're here mom, sorry, I waited for dad and he got a phone call."
"Help him with Harley and Sarah and I will get Spartan brushed down. Hello husband." Amy said leaning up for a gentle kiss.
"I'm sorry Ames, I got caught up with Barb and then Bert called. Do we have plans for later ?"
"Cars and April are coming for a sleep over."
"I know Jackson, girls plans ?"
"Brin and I have a party."
"Charlotte ?"
"Movie with my guy."
"Mad what party are you two attending that your sister isn't ?" Amy asked.
"End of term at Ithaca, music school, you know, levels done."
"Madelyn."
"It's business mom."
Amy laughed "Alpaca enthusiasts ?"
"They want Brin there mom and she asked."
"I heard from Meg before Mad, it's fine, I just thought you were all going is all, it's not typical that you four split up, I trust you."
Charlie smiled moving around a horse with a brush "it's gotta happen mom, Bobby's a farmer and Brin's, well Brin, more and more we're just not gonna be invited to everything."
"What movie Charlie ?"
"No idea, I told Bobby I'll call after we settle the horses."
"How is everyone going ?"
"Meg is taking us and stopping in for a few minutes and we'll Uber home." Maddie piped in.
"I think Bobby is driving us with either Tom or Sal and then I don't know, maybe Uber maybe parent ? I guess it depends if we're coming straight home or walking or grabbing a bite, I guess we'll see."
"Midnight ?"
"Definitely for us." Charlie said.
"I'll call if that changes mom but probably."
"Thank you Madelyn."
"I can pick either of you up if you need." Ty added.
"Thanks Pappa, if there's an issue we'll call, Uber should be fine or we'll call the car service."
"That's fine Mad, I don't mind."
"Oh and I think Erma is bringing April and Cars early for dinner and then either Tom or Sally is coming back to take us to town." Charlie added.
As they finished, the groups went their separate ways. Ty, Amy, Sarah and Georgie were heading to rounds, Wyatt was off to study and get their dinner in the oven while everyone else headed to the house to get ready for their evening. They had decided even before they left the Adirondacks that they'd order out and once home decided on Vietnamese from Saigon Kitchen in town.
As always with just the family and April and Cars, Amy had a great time glancing down the table and seeing Ty, with Jackson and April on his right and Cars directly across from Jackson on his left. She had to admit that he was great with them, patient and loving. She wasn't sure how he got to eat though since at least Cars and JT had to be constantly reminded to not speak with food in their mouths and neither of the three actually ever stopped their running commentary and conversation.
After dinner Betty had some business to take care of in the library, the girls went off to change, the kids headed to Jackson's room for a game followed by working on Jackson's current puzzle, this one a medieval castle with a mote while Amy and Ty settled in the bedroom.
Amy had to get out of her maternity jeans and bra which became hot and restricting late in the day. She locked the door and a few minutes later she sighed, sat down on the edge of the bed and rubbed her belly. Ty finished changing into his sweat pants and scooted up behind her to rub the marks on her shoulders.
"Mmmmmmm, thank you my love, I think I need to adjust this bra again or move on to the next size."
"I don't like seeing you in pain or uncomfortable."
"Well that's good because I don't like being in pain or uncomfortable but this is what it is Ty, new bra for the pain and childbirth for the uncomfortable part with a little pain at the end I guess." She leaned forward and got up as Ty righted himself and pulled up to sit alongside where she was standing and reaching for her sweatpants. She smiled as he put his hand against her back to steady when she slipped her feet in. "Thank you my love."
They kissed gently and Ty headed to his chair and settled before reaching down for his leather satchel with tonight's rounds to sign off on and his next series of surgeries to read up on. Amy headed straight to the bathroom and returned a few minutes later. She looked at her bag sitting alongside her chair, made a face and walked over to Ty, taking his iPad from his hands as he looked up. "What ?"
"Nuthin'"Amy said as she fit herself across his lap. "I love you."
"I love you too Ames. And this ?" He said nudging slightly at her sitting across his lap as she started kissing his neck.
"Kissing first ?"
Ty smiled and pulled her in as their lips met. They needed no prompting to continue and only stopped reluctantly when they heard Betty sitting down and the two dogs that had followed her started nosing at Amy's leg.
Amy sighed getting up and took a second to straighten. She lay her right hand on her belly which had become a habit it seemed "Ok, I'm up, I guess I'll check on the game players."
"I can do that Ames."
"No, sit and do your work, oh Betty, arrangements for the first wedding planning squad all set ?"
"Yes and you should call Lisa tonight or tomorrow, Jack's going in for tests next week, apparently Dr., what's her name, Jade's mom ?"
"Trish Verani, tests for what ?" Ty answered and asked.
"Lisa thinks it's his heart he's been running out of breath and not sleeping well. The cardiologist thinks he might need a stent and ordered an angioplasty. And they'll also check his carotid arteries. Jen and Lou are coming Tuesday afternoon and she's staying with Jack, his procedure is Wednesday."
Amy frowned "Which means I have to be here for Georgie, Ty you have to go be with her."
"You should go Ames."
"No, I have to be here for Georgie, that was Lisa's job. Betty, mind going with them for final fittings ? I can't fly into the city."
"I'm fine with it, I'll put together a list for Pat to pick-up."
"I don't get it, what do you think's going to happen with Georgie."
"I have no idea but she needs someone to step in, stand by her and be on her side no matter what."
Betty nodded "I agree, I guess I could go but it should really be you son."
"I'm going to check on the kids and then call Lisa for details."
"Should I call Bert, that won't be fun."
"You can call after we get the details, he won't have a problem with your going Ty, it's family. We'll tell the kids once we know the details, no need to freak anyone out at this point."
"By the way, what if Lisa or Jack for that matter say don't come ?"
"We'll tell them too bad." Betty answered.
"Right !" Amy agreed heading into the hallway, "we'll tell them too bad."
"Hello Amy, how are the babies ?"
"Hi April, as far as I now they're fine, I'll see the doctor next week."
"Gonna get another picture ?"
"Always getting another picture sweetheart. How's the puzzle going ?"
"We almost have the outside done." Cars said looking at the pile of flat edged pieces.
"PJ's in 30 minutes, who's sleeping where ?"
"April gets the bed, and me and Cars will sleep on the air mattresses."
Amy nodded "sounds like a plan. I'll see you all for goodnight kisses."
The girls were still behind closed doors and she let the be returning to the bedroom and reaching for her phone before dropping into her chair and putting her feet up on the ottoman now reserved for her though Betty's feet often joined hers.
"Hi Lisa, it's Amy, is this a good time to talk ?"
"It's fine, we just finished dinner, it's Amy Jack."
"Tell her it's not a big thing."
Amy smiled "Tell him I can judge for myself."
"He's had some episodes of shortness of breath, possibly some minor chest pains. Trish sent him to his cardiologist who wants a cardio angioplasty to check for blockages and a carotid artery check just to be on the safe side. They'll do them one after the other before, carotid first since it's non invasive and then the angioplasty and if he needs some stents near his heart they'll do that while he's under. If it's the carotids that's a separate more serious procedure for another day. If both are negative, more tests."
"Is this overnight ?"
"If they do the stents they will keep him for the night just to be safe if they don't find anything same thing for a nuclear stress test."
"This is Wednesday into Thursday or longer ?"
"Yes, he goes in at 9:00 AM Wednesday, we have to be at the hospital at 7:00."
"She doesn't need to come." Jack called into the phone.
"Tell him I won't come, Ty's coming Tuesday, I'll stay for Georgie."
"She's not coming." Lisa told Jack. "Go sit by the fire I'll be in soon."
"Should I worry Lisa ?"
"I'm worried, feel free to join in."
"Any indications from the doctor ?"
"His last stress test and echocardiogram were fine, he really thinks there's a minor blockage or two, the symptoms fit."
"And the carotids ?"
"He really thinks it's the heart, he said there would be more symptoms if it was the carotids. Trish agrees."
"Ok how's everything else going ?"
"Jen and Lou are a mess worrying. Lou especially between Jack and Georgie she almost changed her flight to be here but Jack went ballistic."
"And you ?"
"I'm a mess worrying too and I was fine with Lou going but it will be nice having Ty here. The procedure shouldn't take longer than 3 hours. Lou said not to tell Georgie, she doesn't want her to worry."
"I'm not going to lie to her Lisa besides, Ty's flying out Tuesday, she'll have to know, she's not a child, tell Lou to talk her daughter."
"I agree, you'll text the details ?"
"Someone will and we'll have a truck for Ty at the airport so don't worry, should I get a limo for the hospital ?"
"One of us can drive Amy."
"Limo it is then, anything else ? The girls are heading in for date inspection and good nights."
"You have a good night Amy, send my love and thanks to everyone, I'll stay in touch."
"Good night Lisa, probably a good idea to let him know Ty's coming."
"I'll tell him now, he'll grumble but he'll appreciate it, bye Amy."
"Bye Lisa."
"You going to Heartland Pappa ?"
"I am Charlie, GG's having some tests and I'm going to be with Lisa."
"What kind of tests ?"
Ty looked at Amy who took over "basically an angioplasty."
"Oh, we know people who've had them, actually Mr. Stegman at school had one on a Friday and was back to school I think on Tuesday."
Maddie nodded "and Stephanie Proctor's dad, same deal."
"I'll be happy when it's done." Amy said in the same tone she used when talking about Jackson. "Madelyn that green is definitely your color, is that blouse new ?"
"How'd you say it ?" Madelyn asked her sister "new to me mom, thrift shop in Soho."
"The pants and jacket I recognize and dancing shoes I see."
"Looking forward to the dancing."
"It's still pretty cold out there Mad."
"My blue woolen with the hoodie is downstairs."
Amy nodded satisfied and looked at Charlotte who smiled and swung around.
"Very pretty and those Kime Ranch jeans really fit you girls well."
Along with the jeans Charlotte was wearing a soft cotton long sleeved blouse with embroidered flowers and cowboy boots. She carried a long alpaca jacket sweater.
"What are you going to see Charlie ?"
"The new DiCaprio movie, New York Confidential Pappa, it's supposed to be good."
"I've heard of it. Either of you need a ride later just call."
"We'll be fine Pappa, but thanks." Maddie answered "Meg's pulling in, we gotta go, she's dropping Charlie and Bobby off at the movies, change of plans."
"Have fun kids, don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Is there something you wouldn't do Gran ? Woodstock, really ?"
They all laughed "You know what I mean Maddie."
Maddie smiled and leaned over to kiss Betty before moving on to the rest.
Charlie started with Ty and then kissed and hugged Amy "don't obsess over GG mom, wasted energy."
Amy smiled at her as she was replaced by Madelyn, "what she said."
"Text if you'll be late please."
"We will mom, love you all."
It was an hour of Amy and Betty finishing the sort out the mail backup and Ty letting Bert know he would be away and getting back to reviewing cases and surgeries.
"Bert's bark is definitely worse than his bite, he's got no problem with my going."
"Family comes first here Ty, always has and always will." Betty said while texting Bridgette about the unplanned trip to Calgary, transport to Heartland and to and from the hospital.
Sunday was a fishing morning and Ty put his foot down and called for an 8 AM ride out time which disappointed at least JT and Cars but with the girls out on dates and the long day on Saturday Ty wanted to at least not have to rush out in the morning.
They had decided that Ty would let JT know about the Calgary trip in the morning so as not to get an argument or at least involved in a long discussion while they were getting to sleep so Amy and Ty waited for the kids to settle in bed and sleeping bags before good nights. Betty had said her good nights and excused herself to bed minutes earlier.
Back in the room Amy walked straight to the bed and sat down and kicked off her slippers while reaching for her small glass container of homemade moisturizer. This was a ritual Ty had now seen every night since the second night he'd been there. Her leg up to her knees and and hands up to her elbows before climbing under the quilt.
"You going to sleep Ames ?"
"I am officially getting off my feet and onto my back, after that que sera sera." She said it reaching for her iPad. After setting it on her lap she looked up at Ty and patted the bed beside her.
"Give me a couple minutes, should I start a fire ?"
"Take your time and I'm not cold so either way on the fire is fine by me."
Ty sat down and packed his work bag. He smiled because he knew the dogs were watching and when he lay the bag against his chair and headed to bed they jumped from the couch and headed to Amy's side of the bed and lay down.
He climbed under the covers and centered himself "you think they'll ever choose my side of the bed ?"
Amy laughed "nope."
Ty propped some pillows up close to Amy, grabbed his iPad and shifted himself over.
"What are you reading ?"
"An article Cass sent over, combining acupuncture and soaking treatments for muscle strain from Colorado State, it's interesting, I'll have Georgie look into it." Finishing her sentence with a yawn.
"Fading ?"
She smiled "seems that way." She said turning off her iPad and leaning back with her eyes closed.
Amy opened her eyes and glanced at her watch on the nightstand, 6:30. She looked up when the shower turned on and smiled. The good mornings came between the glass wall of the shower, the lovemaking in the shower came a few minutes later.
While Ty dressed Amy picked up a nail file and started on her nails.
"You coming down ?"
"I'll be down before you leave. Text if you need help."
"I heard Betty go by with the Jax and crew so I'm sure they're out doing chores."
"The girls ?"
"No idea, should I knock ?"
"You can but they're probably out in the barn already."
She heard him knock and then she heard him head downstairs. When she saw him next he was pulling on a light toque and wearing his spring and fall fishing jacket.
"Breakfast sweetheart ?" Betty asked.
Amy smiled "fiber and dried fruit Gran."
"Buckwheat or oatmeal ?"
"Oatmeal's fine, thank you."
"Come say goodbye" Ty told her holding the door open.
Amy got back to the table where Betty put down a glass of milk and a cup of tea before returning to the small sauce pan on the stove.
"How's your day looking Amy ?"
"It started pleasantly actually but I'm about to get one of those phone calls."
"From ?"
"Grandpa if Ty's following the phone off rules."
"You can bet Jackson will remind him before they pass the medical building."
A few minutes later a bowl of steaming oatmeal covered in dates, dried apricots and figs slid under Amy's iPad which she immediately lay down on the table and watched Betty slide in next to her with a cup of coffee.
"How about you Gran ?"
"Straighten up, check in with the troops, maybe go into town for awhile, normal Sunday."
Amy was on her second mug of tea when the phone rang and Jack's picture came up on the screen.
"Good morning Grandpa how's Alberta ?"
"Actually supposed to be a pretty nice day today, look I can't get Ty on the phone, he really doesn't have to come for me, the doctor says it's a very standard procedure."
"Ty's fishing with the kids, no phone."
"I should have realized, that's a good rule by the way."
"It is and he's not coming for you Grandpa, he's coming to hold Lisa's hand and I've got to be here to hold Georgie's. He can also see the construction so that will take a load off my mind."
"I've looked into the house, it's going well, they're a good crew. Lou's coming for Georgie."
"Lou's got opinions Grandpa, I don't, it's Georgie's wedding."
"I can't stop this can I ?"
"No Grandpa Ty will be in Alberta on Tuesday and a limo will be at Lisa's disposal on Wednesday until she doesn't need it anymore. We'll rent a truck for Ty to use while he's there."
"Ok, ok, for Lisa's sake. This was never going the other way was it ?"
"Nope. Grandpa ?"
"What ?"
"Please try to take it easy until Wednesday, if something needs doing ask for help."
"Already read the riot act by Lisa, I'll be tying flies and trail riding for the time being."
"Thank you Grandpa, I'll have Ty call this afternoon and you'll probably hear from the kids."
"Don't scare them Amy."
"The girls know what an angioplasty is and Jackson doesn't need to be told that every surgery comes with it's share of risk, we'll be encouraging."
"I know you will, I think Lou told Georgie this morning and Katie knows, can we keep the list short ?"
"For now Bert knows which means Meg will know but I'll speak with them. They'll all notice Ty gone though."
Jack sighed "ok well at least I'm not there."
"Count your blessings, tell Lisa we'll talk later."
"I sure will Amy, send my love."
"I promise, we all love you too Grandpa."
Betty had cleared away while Amy spoke to Jack. "That didn't sound too bad ?"
"I think he's realized I've grown up and deep down he wants Ty there. I've got to see my horses. Take out a few quarts of soup for lunch, they'll be cold."
"Sounds good, and we have those two breads we brought back, maybe garlic bread."
Amy popped her hat on her head after pulling on her coat. "Later Gran."
It was a nice crisp morning, the kind Amy loved the sun was up but had not started peeking over the ranch and heating it up. She missed the mountains, she loved her ranch with every fiber of her being. She built it, she may not have cleared the land, and it cost her a million dollars, but she built it into what it was, she had lots of help but this was her heart, still, she missed the mountains.
"Hey Amy !"
"Good morning Robin, going for a ride with Chuck ?"
"And Wyatt and Georgie. I was going to take Belle, is that Ok ?"
"More than Ok sweetie, how's she doing on the trail ?"
"She's great if she can see other horses she knows."
Amy nodded, "that's a trust thing, it makes sense but I need to see how she does alone, have you tried that ?"
"No, I don't know Amy, you know how to teach her."
"You're a good rider Rob, there she is, hi Belle !"
Amy stepped up and Belle brought her face close enough for Amy to hug her. The horse took a second with Amy before switching up to let Robin rub his muzzle.
"Anyway, you're a good rider Robin but you need to be comfortable, Belle will learn by doing. It's up to you, how's she with Georgie ?"
"Oh, Georgie's rode her with me on Phoenix, she was good."
"You two work it out but someone's got to do it before I can."
"That's for sure." Robin laughed. "We had fun at the other house, I like the mountains."
"Me too, I was just thinking about them."
"Good morning Amy." Chuck said coming around the corner "Do you need something we were going to go for a ride."
"No sweetheart, I'm good, you all go for your ride."
"Georgie, did you speak to your mom."
"And Lisa after, Ty's going ?"
"Tuesday morning, hopefully he'll be home by the end of the week but we'll play it by ear."
"What do you think ?"
"Sounds like they caught it early, hopefully it's nothing more than a couple of stents but he's got to mind his age."
"You Ok with us going out ?"
"Fine, you all have fun, good morning Wyatt."
"Good morning Amy, sorry to hear about Jack."
Amy nodded "thanks Wyatt and Georgie, arrange your wedding stuff around my class schedule so I can be there with you."
Georgie smiled "I was hoping you'd say that."
"You alright taking Belle out solo Georgie ?"
"I'll work her in the round pen a few times and then give it shot, sure."
"Heavy on the legs Georgie."
"We'll figure it out Amy, don't worry and I'll keep you in the loop."
"Great, who's around ?"
"Barb and Violet, Annabelle's with her."
"I'll come across them somewhere, have fun you all."
Dinner was just the family, something they hadn't had in a while and it was nice.
"So what time you going on Tuesday Dad ?"
"He flies out Tuesday at 8 in the morning out of Syracuse Jackson, sorry Ty, it made the most sense. Someone will drive you up. There'll be a truck waiting in Calgary. You're tentatively coming back Saturday morning, 10 o'clock flight."
"Think about GG and Grande Mare bro, it's important Pappa goes to be there with them."
"I know Mad. GG'll be alright though, I know what tenta-uh-tent u tivley means."
"We're all certainly hoping GG will be fine Jackson but you know how these things go, there are no promises." Amy said gently "there's always the speech."
"April said she's gonna draw a picture for GG's hospital room like she does when I'm there. Hey we could send a picture with dad, of all us kids, we have lots of those."
Betty smiled "that's a wonderful idea Jackson, you and the girls pick one after dinner and I'll get a frame tomorrow in town."
"Everyone ready for school tomorrow ?" Amy asked looking around the table.
Everybody laughed when there were 4 simultaneous yes's including Ty's.
"How about you mom, you ready ?"
"I am JT, if I wasn't Georgie would have told me. Weather's getting nicer we're getting about a dozen rescues over the next two weeks according to Violette."
"You getting into the round pen mom ?"
"I think so Charlie, let's see what we get."
"Ames."
"Ty, we've talked about this alone and with Miriam, I promised to be careful and take it easy, not pull up a chair on the porch."
"We'll all keep an eye on her Pappa." Charlie said "but if you're worried mention in to Chuck and you're good."
"Thanks Charlie and that's an awesome idea. I'll talk to Chuck tomorrow."
"Ty."
"Just to keep an eye out Amy, humor us."
"Whatever, reminds me though, the guy who reworked our paddocks and the round pens, I need to talk to him, Betty, could you get his name and number from Sandra please."
'I'll get it, I remember that young man, he did a good job, no nonsense. What are we doing ?"
"We need to reconfigure the Adirondack house for a jumping ring, 2 round pens and 2 decent sized side paddocks."
"We don't have the room for that." Ty said.
"We are definitely clearing some trees Ty but we need to be able to work horses when we're away we can't just shut down and take all our trainers to hang by the pool for the summer."
"And we do need to jump." Maddie added.
"Maybe a hunter jumper ring in the meantime too."
"Let's see what all this entails Charlie and get a time frame."
"For all that he'll have to go to the house, I don't think he can work off the land map exclusively." Betty said.
"I'll give him Jonathan's number first let's see if he wants the job."
Amy had two lectures on Monday with office hours separating them. Her second lecture was followed by a department meeting where "Acky" had a tentative first schedule to get around Amy's hopefully 6 month absence for her pregnancy. This was a group 100 percent on her side, they had all worked with her, adopted most of her methods as part of their individual curricula and generally liked her as a person. She got home as late afternoon rounds were starting and joined the group which included Sarah in her absence about half way through the horses housed in the medical tent having missed the more serious cases in the surgical building. Georgie handed her an iPad and hung back for a few minutes to run through what she'd missed.
"How's Jack doing ?" Bert asked as they left the horses for a few minutes to pass from the medical barn to the rescue barn which was now about half empty waiting for a cleaning and new arrivals.
"My grandfather doesn't like to discuss these things. Lisa said both his doctors said to wait and see, it doesn't seem that his symptoms are severe enough to warrant it. It's an angioplasty, not open heart surgery."
"How's Lisa ?"
"Keeping a stiff upper lip but I know she's worried as hell. Ty's gong more for her than him."
Bert put his hand reassuring on her shoulder "Well, don't worry about us, plenty of vets around while school's in session and don't worry about school."
"I'm not worried about either Bert but thanks for the assurance."
They heard the Norton pulling down the road followed by the garage door. Charlotte and Jackson were setting the table for dinner and Maddie was cutting salad. Betty had just lifted an herbed roasted chicken out of the oven and was reaching in for a baking dish with roasted garlic potatoes.
"Charlotte, leave Jackson to finish and go fetch your mom from the library, she's probably closed her eyes by now."
Amy was propped up in what had become her favorite armchair, her stocking feet up on the ottoman. Charlotte sat down on the armrest and leaned over laying her hand gently on Amy's shoulder.
"Hmmmm ?" Amy hummed softly and questioningly.
"Pappa's home mom, time for dinner.''
Amy sat up and moved her feet to the floor. "Ok,Charlie, I'm up, I'm just going to run upstairs, wash up and run a brush through my hair, I'll be down in a few minutes."
She found everyone waiting patiently for her and chatting which before dinner at least was usually focused around Jackson's endless stream of vocalizing. She walked down the side where Ty had begun shifting himself on nights when they were just family rather than sitting opposite Amy on the end with huge gaps in the family and empty seats. They now sat with Amy at the head next to the kitchen with, by luck of the draw it seems, Charlotte and Madelyn to her right and Betty, Jackson and Ty to her left.
She stopped and leaned over for a kiss and soft caress from Ty as she made her way past and to the kitchen where Betty joined her to carry food to the table.
"It smells wonderful Betty." Ty said helping to settle the platter of chicken on the table, "I hope you didn't do all this for my sake."
"I would be lying if I didn't say that you were certainly on my mind when I chose son but this was no harder to make than anything else."
"It's not like it's your last meal Pappa."
Ty laughed "I get that Mad, I guess I've always been subconscious about stuff like this."
"Will we see you in the morning, how early are you leaving."
"8 o'clock flight so I have to be at the airport I guess by 7:00 so leave here at 6:00 since we're driving to Syracuse. School morning so I assume everyone will be up. Did you all have a chance to talk to GG ?"
"We called before and told GG we love him and not to worry."
'I'm sure he appreciated that JT."
"It's hard not to worry though."
"I know Jackson, but I think GG appreciates knowing he's got you all rooting for him."
"You'll text when it's done ?"
"I'll call your mom first thing Mad and she'll let you all know if you're still in school."
After dinner Jackson ended up sitting with Ty because he wanted to see what was "wrong" with GG. Ty had found a short film of YouTube that explained it in simple terms compared with a car and they ran through it as simply as they could. A tube with a small camera would be inserted in GG's groin and pushed up to near his heart If they could see a blockage in one of the arteries they could fix they would expand a small balloon followed by a stent or small tube which is left behind that would allow the blood to flow more freely. It was simple enough and done often with the only real problem being Jack's age.
"What if they can't ?"
"Then they decide on either leaving it and treating it with medicine or they could decide on a way more serious procedure of replacing the artery or arteries. We''re hoping that the angioplasty works."
"Then that's what I'll root for."
"That's what we'll all root for bro." Charlotte said smiling.
They all tried their best to get a good night's rest considering the procedure was still a day away but it only turned out well for Jackson and his innate ability to put things aside for sleep. The rest all slept but were uneasy and most tossed and turned so that by morning thing moved a bit slower and Amy actually said her goodbye in the bedroom.
"Text me when you land."
"I'll do that and you try to get some rest when you have some time today please."
"I'll certainly try Ty, only one class today and tomorrow so that should help. Tell them I'll be down in a little while, I'm getting up now."
The kids were waiting for their goodbye's as Bryce pulled up to drive Ty to Syracuse for his flight. He decided he'd eat breakfast on the flight but Betty had a travel container full of black coffee to tide him over. She handed it to him along with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. The kids walked him out to the truck. He got big hugs from the girls, the admonition that he'd better keep in touch and promises that they would watch over Jackson and their mom. Jackson got hoisted up into his arms for the short walk to Bryce's truck which came with a promise to not be too much of a pain in exchange for Ty's promise to say hi to everyone for him.
Seven hours later and five hours on the clock for the time change Ty held Lisa in his arms as she obviously let go of pent up emotions in a giant vocal gasp of release. It was all Ty needed to hear and know that this is where he belonged.
"Where's Jack ?"
"Probably on his way, they got a few horses late yesterday and he went over to see them and talk with Scott and Mitch. Coffee ?"
"Coffee would be great Lisa." He said as the porch door opened. Ty smiled and shook both Scott and Mitch's hands but stopped and wrapped his arms around Jack who surprisingly reciprocated. What was even more surprising was that rather than what Ty expected, an admonition for coming what he got was a simple, "thanks for coming son."
