Wednesday
His flight from Europe was scheduled to land at the Calgary International Airport at 3:52pm, just 57 minutes from the moment that Amy put the key in the ignition of Lisa's Porsche SUV. As long as there was no construction, no traffic, and no slow pokes on Highway AB 2 N, she would be on time.
But if her day thus far served as any indication, she would most certainly be very late. Realizing that, she began to worry, moisture began to collect on her upper lip and the nape of her neck. She turned the air conditioning to max, tilting all the air vents directly at her face, in hopes that would help.
The country tunes playing on the radio were mostly drowned out by the whoosh of the cold air being pumped into the cavity of the well appointed vehicle. Tuning out the competing noise, her mind replayed the events of her day that had led her here..sweaty and running late.
It started normally enough, rising early to do morning chores in the barn with Simon. As usual, Spartan called to her as she came down the loft stairs, wanting her attention. She went to him, her loyal companion, greeted him first.
"Hey Spartan. Sleep good?" She asked as he nuzzled her hand, making her giggle. She stroked his forehead, played with his dark forelocks as she told him quietly of the day's plans.
"Hey." A gloved Simon said as he brought wheelbarrow and pitchfork to start mucking.
"Hey Simon."
"What's with Harley?" He asked as he peered into his stall.
"Harley?" So lost in conversation with Spartan, she failed to notice that he did not greet her as usual.
She stepped closer to his stall. Instead of hanging his head over the dutch door, he remained quietly standing against the back wall, staring at the floor.
"Hey Harley. What's going on pretty boy?"
When he didn't look up, she immediately grew worried, entered his box to check him out. Despite stroking his neck and running her fingers through his mane, he remained disinterested, disconnected.
"You okay, Harley? What's going on?" She looked in his feed bucket. "Simon. When did you feed him?"
"About 15 minutes ago."
"Hmm. He ate some. And drank a fair amount of water too." She reported.
He peered over the stall door. "That's good."
She felt his nose for fever. "He doesn't feel hot.. let's check anyway just to be sure...Simon, would you get me a thermometer?"
He nodded. Upon his return, he entered the stall, handing her the device.
"What do you think is wrong?" He asked as he held him steady.
"Don't know." Harley stood perfectly still as she lifted his tail, then inserted the thermometer into his rectum. A few seconds later, she read the temperature.
"100. Perfectly normal. Thank heavens." She screwed up her lips, scrunched up her nose trying to figure it out. "She ran her hand over his body, his belly, down each leg, looking for hot spots and swelling. "His stomach isn't distended. No bumps or bruises either. No hot spots or inflammation. He seemed perfectly fine at last night's check."
"He was okay yesterday too. He and Spartan hung out as usual in the field."
"Let's check his feet. Maybe he stepped on a stone or something. And, bruised a foot."
They checked all four hooves, but found nothing.
"Hmm. The only change in the last few days has been Calpurnia." She frowned. "Is she okay?"
"Seems to be." Simon crossed the barn, checked her food. "She ate everything too."
She gently stroked his neck. "What is it Harley?" Amy glanced at Simon. "Yesterday. I didn't have a chance to ride him or even pony him. Maybe that's it?"
"Maybe." Simon shrugged his shoulder.
"Harley. How about we take a little walk? Just you and me?" He didn't respond.
She put his halter on him, the one she gave Ty after his plane wreck so many years ago. Running her finger across Harley's name on the brass plate on the nose strap, she just stood there, lost in her thoughts, transported back in time.
"Amy? Everything okay?" Simon broke into her daze.
"Yeah. Fine." Amy replied as she attached a lead rope to his halter. "Will you watch his gait please?"
He watched as Amy led him out of the barn. "Looks normal to me." He called to her.
"Good. Okay. We won't be gone long." She continued walking down the dirt road with Harley in step with her. She paid attention to his gait, his pattern of movement. Simon was right, everything seemed normal.
They plodded along until the barn was well out of sight. On an impulse, she swung into Harley's bareback. She leaned forward, her chest and cheek laying on his mane, hugging him around the neck. She whispered in his ear.
"Harley. You are such a good boy. My handsome boy. What's bothering you?" She didn't expect an answer, but hoped for one any way. She took a wild guess. "Do you still miss him?"
Still no response.
"Let's go see mom." She suggested.
They rode slowly, plodded along in an easy walk, through the greening field, tiny flowers, blue eye grass, purple mountain saxifrage, yellow bloodroot, dotted the way. The morning was beautiful, serene.
When the two arrived at the family cemetery at the top of the hill, she dismounted, loosely tying Harley to the low iron fence around the plot. She picked a few flowers, blues and yellows, entered the sacred resting place. Kneeling at her mother's headstone, her fingers touched her mother's name, tracing the engraving of every letter as she spoke.
"Hey Mom." she said aloud. "The spring flowers are starting to bloom. I picked some for you. Aren't they so pretty?"
Though twelve years had passed since her mother's death, Amy's heart still stung with sadness, her blue eyes still blurred when she visited her mother's headstone.
"I'm sorry that I haven't visited in a while. I have so many things to tell you."
She proceeded to tell her mother about starting school on Monday, her summer classes, her plan to become a vet, meeting with the Drs. Singh and working with Scott.
"Mom. You know Scott is a great vet. But he's also an amazing mentor. He has this way of challenging me, getting me to think. He makes me feel like I can do anything. Plus, it's fun."
Then she talked about meeting Michael, hearing Ty's name, seeing him on TV releasing the eagles.
"You would be proud of him Mom." She admitted quietly. "I am."
She sat quietly, trying to form her next words. "You know Mom, I always thought you brought him here just for me." She confessed. "He really was my best friend."
A crow flew high overhead, cawing loudly, taunting, mocking. She watched him briefly.
"But it wasn't meant to be. I am meant to be here, at Heartland. Doing what I know, working with horses. Like you. I know that now." She tried to smile. "And. Ty is meant to roam free. Guess that's why he and Ghost were so bonded."
She rested her forehead against the cold stone for a time. Than she sat up, pushed away a strand of hair that had blown across her face.
"Time to let him go." She nodded, pressed her lips as though to acknowledge her decision, to cement it.
"Andrew is coming in from France today. It will be good to see him. I have really missed him, his friendship since he's been gone. I plan to tell him about staying here, about vet school. I just don't want to hurt him..."
Her phone rang, it was Simon.
"Hey Simon."
"Thank god. Amy. Are you okay? Where is Harley? Is Harley hurt?" Exasperated, his voice cracked as he shot questions at her.
"Simon. Of course, we are fine. Harley and I are together. Remember I told you. We went for a walk." She was perplexed.
"I've been trying to call you." His voice still strained. "You didn't pick up."
"Guess I was out of range." She explained calmly.
"You've been gone more than two hours." Simon sounded a little miffed. "It's after 8:30."
She looked at her phone, checked the time. "Oh shoot. I lost track of time." She was surprised that so much time had passed. "We'll head back now.
"Lisa is looking for you too. Something about Thunderstruck."
"Oh. Okay. I'll call her."
After she talked with Lisa, she dialed Scott's number.
"Hey Amy."
"Scott. Something is wrong with Harley today. Could you come by and see him?"
"Maybe. What's going on?"
"Nothing really. He didn't greet me this morning. He was standing in the back of his stall, tail not moving, head down. He won't even look at me. We've gone for a walk, but he has no interest, really. He's just off."
"Any other symptoms?"
"Not really. No fever, no hot spots, no swelling, no foot issues, no drainage, or no gait problems, nothing."
"Did he have water?"
"Yes. And food."
"Maybe he just got out of the wrong side of the hay bed this morning."
"Scott I'm serious."
"Me too. Horses can have an off day just like people."
When she didn't respond, he said. "What do you think the issue is?"
"I don't know."
"Think like a vet, Amy."
"You'll think it's stupid."
"Doubtful."
"Okay." She hesitated, then admitted. "Well. I think he's depressed."
"Why?"
"Um. I think he misses Ty."
"Maybe." He let that sink in. "But, unlikely. He's been gone for years now." He didn't say his name. "Amy. Maybe...something is going on with you."
"Me?" She was surprised.
"You're Harley's owner, and have been for years. He's bonded to you. He could be picking up something from you."
"So, you're a horse therapist now?" She said sarcastically.
"I learned from watching the best." Then he added. "Look. I'll come by Heartland around noon."
"Thanks Scott."
An hour later, Amy was at Fairfield Stables with Aaron in Thunderstruck's stall. Lisa was standing just outside his door, petting the bay colt's black mane.
"Well, the swelling hasn't subsided." Aaron said. "It may actually be worse."
Entering his stall, Amy talked to the horse as her hand inched their way down the body of the horse, then down his leg.
"Yeah. Maybe a tad worse. For sure no better. Is he still on Devil's Claw?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. Let's do the hydro pool again, let's increase to 15 minutes, now and again this afternoon. That will give him a break from standing on that leg. Let's keep on Devil's Claw. Hopefully, that will help him turn the corner."
"Okay."
She frowned. "If that doesn't do the trick and the swelling has not improved by morning, let's switch to Bute, as Scott suggested. It's been a few days even though the scan showed nothing."
Nearly noon, Amy knocked on the open door of her office. "Hey."
"Hey sweetheart. Come on in." Lisa was sitting behind her desk. "How did the aqua therapy go?"
"Well, it appears that the longer session actually helped. Swelling seems to have gone down some. Aaron will do another session later today."
"Good to hear."
"Yeah." Amy lingered at the door. "So, all set for France?"
"Yep. All packed and ready to go. It's kinda old hat really. Now, your grandfather is a different story."
"Anything I can do? Drive you two to the airport?"
"No. But, thanks. I'll help him pack tonight after dinner. We'll stay here tonight so we can catch an early cab to the airport."
"Oh. Okay..."
Lisa took off her readers. "Hey. Have a seat? Everything okay?"
Amy sat down in one of two leather chairs across from her. "Harley seems out of sorts this morning. Not sure what's going on."
"Did you call Scott?"
"Yeah. He's coming by at noon." She chuckled ironically. "Funny. Scott thought that maybe he got out of the wrong side of the hay bed this morning."
Lisa looked dubious. "Interesting. Well, between the two of you, you'll figure it out."
"Hope so."
"So. All set for Andrew's visit?"
"Yes. I'm leaving at 2:00 to pick him up. It will be good to see him."
"What are your plans?"
"Dinner at Heartland tonight. Thank you for that by the way. Andrew is really looking forward to seeing everyone." Amy smiled.
"Don't mention it...it will be fun." She grinned like the Cheshire Cat.
"It will! Hopefully dad will be in his best behavior."
"I hope so too...what else do you have planned?"
"Let's see. Tomorrow, we'll go for a ride. Maybe have a picnic. Tomorrow night. We'll attend that fundraiser at UC."
"Oh good. I was hoping you'd say that." She opened her desk draw, pulled out an envelope, handed it to her. "Here's the tickets. Not sure who will be at your table."
"Thanks."
"There's also silent and live auctions. Those are always fun. You're all set-up with a bid number. It's for a great cause so bid on whatever you like."
"Okay. Thanks." Then she continued. "Um. Friday, we'll go to Calgary so I can show him around UC. I have to buy books too. Beyond that, not much. Probably riding, talking."
"Amy. You don't seem very excited."
"I am. Really." A somber smile touched her lips.
"Vet school weighing on your mind?" Lisa pinpointed that.
"Yes. A lot. I don't know how or when I'll tell him." She swallowed. "I don't want to upset him."
"It's better to nip it in the bud. But, I understand your hesitancy." Then added. "Regardless. Andrew won't hear it from us."
"Thanks Lisa." Amy nodded, sighed. "I better get a move on."
"Yep. I'll walk you out."
The two chatted as they walked side by side to her truck. Amy hugged Lisa, then climbed into Old Blue. She turned the key, but nothing happened, no catch, no click, no nothing. She tried again, but this time gave it a little gas. Still, Old Blue would not start. She moved the gear shift on the column through the three speeds, reverse, then back to neutral, then tried again. Nothing. She rolled down her window, "Just my luck."
"Hey. Take my car. I'll have one of the guys take a look at your truck."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely. Jack was going to pick me up anyhow."
By the time, she arrived in Lisa's Porsche at Heartland, Scott was already in the barn talking with Simon.
"Hey Scott. Sorry I'm late. Old Blue refused to cooperate."
"No worries. You are just about to get started." He smiled and handed her the stethoscope.
"Well okay. Where do I start?"
Scott guided her through the exam, first his chest and abdominal auscultation, then heart and respiratory rate with the stethoscope. She retook his temperature. She checked his teeth, gums. She tested his digital pulses in all four legs. She looked in his nostrils and ears. She watched his movement and gait as Simon walked him around. He even showed her how to examine his waste.
"Well?"
"He seems physically fine. He just seems tired. Should we do blood work?"
"Normally I would wait 24 hours in cases like this. but let's do that. Here put a new pair of these on." He handed her a pair of blue latex gloves.
He instructed her on how to prepare the syringe and needle, how to insert the needle into the jugular vein, to attach the tube and to draw the blood. She performed each task well, and he told her so.
"You are a natural." He smiled, she blushed. "Want to run this sample with me?"
"Sure! Should I follow you in Lisa's SUV?"
"Nope. Ride with me."
Amy rode shotgun in Scott's truck to the clinic.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"About Harley? He seems physically fine. It's just so odd for him. In all these years, I have never seen him off. Spartan, yes. But Harley is just so easy going."
"So why do you think he's off?"
"I didn't ride or pony him yesterday. But. I did today. He did whatever I asked but he just wasn't in to it."
"Why did you think it had something to do with Ty?"
She shrugged.
"Does it have something to do with Dr. Singh mentioning him?" Then he surprised her. "Or. Did you see Ty on the news?"
She nodded. "Guess you did too."
"Yeah." He nodded. "Do you think that has anything to do with Harley's mood? Or more importantly yours?"
"Oh my gosh!" Her hand flew to her mouth. She looked down, her eyes filled with tears as she quietly admitted. "This is all my fault. I have been talking about moving on, thinking about selling Harley and Old Blue. Harley must sense that."
Scott didn't respond.
"How could I be so stupid?" Her shoulders sagged under the weight of her guilt.
"No. Not stupid." He said tenderly, patted her knee. "You were just being human."
"I'm supposed to be this girl who can listen to horses. Clearly I didn't listen to Harley."
"Don't be so hard on yourself." He said as the pulled up to the Hudson Vet Clinic. "Come on. Let's run those tests and see if anything else is troubling him."
Scott dropped her off at Heartland at almost two. She ran into the barn yelling his name, with excitement in her voice.
"Harley! Where are you, my handsome boy?" She grinned as she stepped up to his stall. "There you are my pretty boy. Come on!"
His ears perked up, his nose lifted, his brown eyes watched her.
"Harley. You are right as rain. Nothing wrong with you that I can't fix. Now. Let me be clear Harley. And, you are mine now and forever more." She held her hand out to him.
He stepped forward, cautiously in his first step. After a few moments, he took a couple more. He nuzzled her ear while she petted him, and hummed softly to him.
Jack interrupted her. "Amy. When is Andrew's flight due to arrive?"
"Around 4:00." She said without much concern.
"You better get on the road then. You know how 2A has tons of construction." He bent his cowboy hat toward her. "It's almost 2:30."
"Oh shoot! I've lost track of time again. I have been running late all day." She ran up the loft stairs to get ready.
Amy eased the black Porsche between the white lines outlining the space in parking deck at Calgary's International Airport at 3:50pm, just minutes before Andrew's flight was scheduled to land. She opened the lighted mirror in the sun visor to check her hair, mascara, then reapplied her lipstick. The color, the lightest of pinks, almost nude, was called chatterbox for some unknown reason. The name always made Amy smile, for the irony of it. Putting it on always made her feel more shy, coy, reserved.
She pushed her hair behind her ear, ends still damp from her quick shower, as she exited the cocoon of the SUV, entered into the echoing noise of the airport, people talking, tires squealing, airplanes roaring overhead. The city always seemed to jar her sensibilities, and today was no different.
Amy was dressed no differently than most days, with a slight step up. She wore her dress jeans, good boots, favorite silver buckle, new white cotton shirt. She was hatless. And, she wore her mom's fringed leather jacket as she wanted her close, to be comforted. She inhaled deeply propelling herself from the side of the SUV into the sputtering stream of people headed to or from the airport.
As she fell in line, she thought she heard her name, but dismissed it.
"Amy Fleming?"
She heard her name again, stopped and turned toward the voice.
"I thought that was you. How are you Amy?" He grinned. He was handsome, dressed in pressed jeans and plaid long sleeved shirt, leather belt, and a cowboy hat. In his hand, he held a small leather carryon bag.
She recognized him immediately. "Oh my gosh! Michael! How are you?" She smiled, then gave him a quick hug that took her by surprise.
He returned her brief hug. "Nice ride. I almost did not recognize you without Old Blue."
She laughed. "Yeah. Well. You'll be surprised to know that Blue was not cooperating today." She pushed out her bottom lip in a pouted for effect. "So I had to borrow Lisa's car. Um. She's my step-grandmother."
"You could do worse."
"No kidding. Um. Mind if we walk? I am picking up someone. I am afraid that I am late."
"International flight?"
"Yep. France. You?"
"Headed to Vancouver for a vet conference." He hesitated then added. "I'm staying with Ty."
"Well. Tell him hello and congratulations." She smiled. "We saw him on TV."
"The eagle release?"
Suddenly her phone rang, she stopped to answer it. "Excuse me, I need to take this."
She turned away, answered the call. "Andrew! Have you landed?...Oh? Already? Okay. Baggage claim? Yes. Me too. I can't wait either. Bye."
"Sorry about that, Michael. I really need to hurry."
"Understand. Let's walk together."
"Sounds good."
Reaching terminal, they said their goodbyes, parted ways, Michael to check into his Vancouver flight and Amy to baggage claim.
In the baggage claim area, she saw him standing there, alone, his leather suitcase in one hand, his phone in the other. He didn't see her, his eyes were glued to his phone.
Amy stopped several yards away, to take him in. Andrew was every bit as handsome as the first day she saw him splayed out in the hay, sleeping in Dandy's stall. Tall, blonde wavy hair, brown eyes, perfect white teeth, his tanned skin. He was dressed in pressed dark jeans, open collared white shirt, heathered blue sport coat, all tailored, all fit to accentuate his athletic build. He looked every bit the famous athlete and Equestrian, that he was. She waited for him to look up, notice her.
Amy watched as a couple of young girls, maybe in their late teens, noticed him, whispered, giggled, then whispered some more. They built up their courage, then descended upon him for autographs and pictures. He was kind, gracious and smiled for a few selfies with them. Then he noticed her, smiled just for her. He immediately excused himself, strode straight to her, grinning.
"Bébé!" He said as he wrapped his arms around her, kissed her on each cheek, then kissed her lips. Once then again a bit longer. "I've missed you so very much."
"Me too." She smiled shyly, enjoying his warm embrace, his attention.
"Let's get out of here." He suggested, pulling away from their hug.
She nodded. "This way." She pointed to the parking deck. His stride was long, graceful, Amy quickened her step to stay in sync with his.
As he drove Lisa's SUV back to Hudson and Calgary, she peppered him with questions about Dandy, the team, coach, completions, travels. He filled her in with great detail much to her delight. They stopped at a floral to pick up a bunch of delicate orchids, white embellished with deep plum, for Lisa.
Several pick-up trucks were lined up, nice and neat, in front of the ranch when they arrived. He parked Lisa's SUV next to Jack's then cut the engine.
"Wait." He turned to face her, touching her arm. "Before we go in.." He didn't finish.
Cocking her head, she looked at him. "Yes?" She asked softly.
He didn't immediately respond. She tried to read his eyes, but couldn't.
"Andrew? Everything okay?" She grew concerned.
"Yes. Of course." He took her hand in his, leaned toward her. "Amy. Being separated from you for these months has been hard. Really hard. I've missed you so much."
"I missed you too." She murmured.
"I can't even begin to imagine my life without you in it. I don't want to try." He confessed. "But, I know you don't want to run a ski lodge. Especially in Bromont. Any idiot can see that..even me."
"Andrew. It's not that." She tried to deny it.
"It's okay Amy. I understand. Running the ski lodge isn't your cup of tea. Mine neither." He squeezed her hand. "I just want you to be happy. Doing what you love. Working with horses. Going to school. Whatever you desire. But with me."
She smiled, lean forward, kissed his lips. "Thank you."
"I want us to be together. We make such a good team." He reached up, played with a lock of her hair that spilled over her shoulder.
"We do." She agreed as looked up at him through her eyelashes.
"I just wanted you to know that before we go in."
"Ok. But why?" Amy was puzzled. "What's going to happen in there?"
"Only good stuff." He shook his head. "Promise."
"Andrew. Tell me."
"Oh Bébé. Sweet Amy. Be patient." He kissed her nose, smiled. "Come on. They are waiting." He opened his door, exited. Opening the back door, he pulled a bottle of red wine from his luggage.
As she waited in the passenger seat, watching him walk around to her side of the vehicle, a sinking feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. He liked to open doors for her, pull out her chair, stand when she stood, he was religious about being a gentleman, respectful, chivalrous. She had always loved that about him. Suddenly Amy wanted to do it herself, exert a tiny bit of independence. She opened her door and got out before he could assist.
"Impatient I see." He chided her, chuckled then offered her his arm to take. She pretended not to notice, opted instead to walk unaided, the orchids in her hand.
Opening the weathered front door of the ranch, with Andrew in her heels, the warmth and smells of home rushed to meet them.
"Amy!" She rushed her, arms wide open.
"Lou? Oh my gosh!" She laughed in surprise and delight, rocking in her sister's embrace. "What are you doing here?"
"Andrew flew us in." Amy looked over Lou's shoulder. Peter, Georgie and Katie were standing there, grinning.
"Oh my gosh!" Amy turned to Andrew, grinning, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thank you Andrew. This is such a wonderful surprise." She kissed his cheek.
"It's just the start." He said cryptically.
Jack stepped up, grasped Andrew's right hand in his for a firm shake, pulled him just a bit closer.
"Andrew. Welcome." Patted firmly his shoulder.
"Thanks Jack." Andrew met Jack's eye, both showing respect for the other. "It's good to be here. I've missed everyone." He handled him bottle of wine. "Enjoy! It's from the Alsace region in France."
Upon releasing Jack's hand, he stepped forward, hugged Lisa. "And Lisa. Lovely as usual. So good to see you." He presented her with the orchids. "Thank you for everything."
"Welcome. And, it's good to see you too Andrew. Hope you are hungry. We have all your favorites." She beamed.
"Thank you." He replied. "I am starved."
Tim hung back a bit, waiting for Andrew to approach him. To address him.
"Tim. Good see you." Andrew knew Tim's weaknesses, ego. He stepped toward Tim, extended his hand to him. Tim looked at it, hesitated, delayed extending his own hand, thus making everyone feel slightly uncomfortable.
Except Andrew, who just laughed. "Glad to see you haven't changed Tim."
Tim grinned, laughed with him, then shook his hand firmly.
"Andrew. My man. Welcome back!" Slapping him on the back like an old friend.
"Thank you Tim. It is so good to be back."
The greetings continued until Jack announced, "Well, the food is on the table. Everyone...let's eat!"
"Wash hands first!" Lisa reminded everyone.
To accommodate twelve, the old dining room table was extended with three leaves, covered with a pretty tablecloth and set with the good dishes. Andrew's favorites, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and fresh home baked rolls were piled high on platters and bowls. The table hosted a feast.
Jack sat at the head of the table with Lisa to his left, Andrew to his right and Tim at his opposite. Next to Andrew was Amy, Simon, Ralph and Susan. On the other side next to Lisa was Peter, Lou, Katie and Georgie. Twelve in total, a big crowd by Heartland dinners of late.
Jack cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Ahem. I'd like to make a toast." He announced, wobbled his head just a bit. "I am so very happy to see this old table overflowing with loved ones." He nodded to Andrew, raised his glass of red wine. "To family." His voice cracked with emotion.
"To family! Cheers!" Everyone rejoiced, toasted, clinked glasses.
Tim wasted no time in his interrogation. "Andrew, tell us what brings you back to Heartland."
He put his arm around Amy's shoulders, pulling her into him. "To see my sweet Amy. Plain and simple." She blushed, smiled as he kissed her cheek.
"Come on. You didn't have to fly everyone here just to see Amy." Tim pushed. "What's up your sleeve?"
"Tim. Can't pull the wool over your eyes." He said to placate him.
Tim raised his chin slightly. "I knew it."
Jack rolled his eyes.
Andrew twisted in his chair, pulled his wallet out of his back pocket, put it on the table. He grinned as he looked at her.
"Amy, bébé, would you please accompany to me World Equestrian Games in Mill Spring, North Carolina in August?"
Before she could answer, Simon asked, concerned. "Amy, won't you still be in school then?"
Andrew jumped in. "Actually. The competition is August 30th through September 1st. Amy's summer semester ends August 27th so she won't miss a thing." Andrew corrected Simon.
"Oh wow. Um." Amy lost her words.
"And, I got you two tickets, flights, hotel, everything so you can bring a friend...maybe Georgie.." He pulled the two tickets out of his wallet, handed them to her.
"Oh my god. Yes! I would love that." Georgie squealed, bounced in her chair. "Mom, can I go? Please?"
"You'll have to ask Amy...first."
"Amy. Can I go with you? Plleeaasseee?" Georgie begged.
"Georgie, won't you be back in school then?" Amy asked knowing the answer.
"Yeah. But. Who cares?" She said, shrugging her shoulders.
"I do." Said Lou. "Georgie you can't miss school, honey."
"Mom. You won't let me do anything." She pouted, clearly frustrated.
"Sorry Georgie. So, Amy what do you say?" Andrew asked again.
"Thank you Andrew. You are very sweet." Her smile was genuine as she hesitated with her answer.
His hopeful expression started to fade as he awaited her answer.
"If I can arrange my schedule...and that's a big IF...yes, I'd love to go." She kissed his cheek.
"Oh excellent." He kissed her cheek, relieved. "It means so much to me for you to be there."
"I'd like to invite Alicia to come along. We have been planning a trip together for some time."
"Of course. Bébé, this is for you!" Andrew replied.
"Thank you." She patted his knee.
"How exciting for you both." Lisa said.
"Well, that is great." Jack added.
Tim leaned back in his chair. "Amy, this trip is your opportunity to reconnect with the prince and all those bigwigs you met during your tour."
"Dad. If I go, this trip will not be about me. My only goal would be to support and cheer on Andrew, Dandy and his team in the competition." Amy was adamant, but not prickly.
"At least Andrew can introduce you to even more." Tim suggested.
"Absolutely." Andrew agreed. "Amy. I can introduce you to the best coaches and riders."
"See. That's what I'm talking about. Amy, you could really increase your business and make some real money. Not like at Fairfield or those broken down horses here at Heartland." He began rubbing his thumb over the tip of the index finger and middle finger indicating Money.
"Tim. Fairfield is doing very well, thank you." Lisa said calmly in her defense.
"Ha." Tim smirked, causing Lisa to move her chair back from the table. Jack patted her hand, glanced lovingly at her from the corner of his eye, reassuring her. Pressed lips, she sighed, then nodded.
"Fairfield is clearly a very successful operation in the every sense." He spoke directly to Lisa.
"Thank you Andrew."
"And, Amy working with me at Fairfield is the only reason that I am in big dance."
"But, Tim does make a good point. There are a ton of fantastic opportunities out there for someone of your talent and caliber, Amy." Andrew added, trying to play the middle.
"See Amy, while you are there..." Tim continued to push.
Andrew interrupted. "Well, there's one more bit of news." He put his arm around her shoulder.
"Oh?" Amy asked.
"Our coach, Eric Lamont, announced his retirement at the end of the games. The team suggested you as his replacement. Isn't that fantastic?" He grinned.
Amy was speechless as were others except Tim who enthusiastically slapped the table.
"I knew it. Andrew you did have something up your sleeve." He was clearly elated. "You are good."
Finally Amy stuttered out a response. "Ah..Um..I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll consider it. I mean, you'd have to be selected, of course, but I think you have an amazing shot." Andrew reasoned.
"Of course, she'll consider it..." Tim spoke for her. "...if the price is right." He let out a clipped laugh.
Amy turned to Andrew. "Thank you. Andrew for thinking of me...But I am not interested in coaching the Canadian team...or any team or rider at that level again."
"What do you mean not interested? What else do you having going on?" Tim just kept on.
"Dad. Stop pushing." Amy said sternly. "I said that I am not interested."
"Amy, honey.." He changed his tone, his tact. "I only want what's best for you."
"Tim. That's more than enough." Jack spoke up. "Amy is capable of making her own decisions about her life."
"Jack.." Tim replied.
"I mean it Tim." Jack glared at him.
"Could we just change the subject? Please." Amy pleaded.
Everyone around the table was quiet, most looking at their plates, pushing food around.
"I have some news." Simon offered.
"What's that?" Lisa asked.
"Well. I heard back from the North American Bird Banding Program about that eagle Amy and I saw on Sunday."
"Oh really." Jack remarked leaning in.
"Yeah. I sent them the picture and some other information."
"Could they tell where the bird originated?"
"Well, they speculated that he came from BC, most likely Vancouver. That's where most eagles in Canada reside. And, it's the only area with an active banding program."
"You don't say."
"They thought it was a recent banding based upon the color and style of band, but they couldn't be sure. They did know it was a male though."
Jack looked at Lisa, who raised her eyebrows with a half smile.
"Bet Scott will be interested to know." Lisa commented.
"I already told him when he came over to check on Harley."
"Harley? What's wrong with Harley?" Georgie grew concerned.
"Turns out he is physically fine. He just having an off day." Amy reported.
"Oh. That's good." Georgie said. "I'll go visit him after dinner."
"Georgie. Amy did all the vetting... everything. Scott is teaching her. She even drew blood."
Amy jumped in. "Scott's really snowed under with Cass being out in maternity leave." She tried to explained. "I was just trying to help out."
"Why are you keeping that horse? Clearly, he's worthless. Even Ty didn't want him." Tim said caustically.
"Dad. Harley is my horse. He has an even temperament, he's healthy, strong and young, and he's a good solid all round horse."
"Amy. Face facts. You don't ride him. No one does. Mostly you just pony him around. He just costs us money." Tim added.
"Dad. You don't contribute anything to my horse business. So Harley does not cost you one red cent. Excuse me." Amy pushed her chair back. "I need some fresh air."
Her intent was to just go outside, sit on the front porch, cool off. But, once out the door, Amy just kept walking until she found herself sitting on the overturned row boat by the pond. Her emotions were flying everywhere, anger, frustration, sadness, guilt.
"Hey Sis." Lou said as she walked up. "Mind if I join you?"
"Hey Lou. Please sit with me."
Lou sat as close as she could, putting her arm around her sister's shoulders.
"I am so glad you are here. I have missed you." Amy snaked her arms around her sister.
"Me too."
After sitting in silence for some time, Amy began. "Lou. Things have been so weird lately."
"How so?"
"It seems like every day there's some new reminder of Ty. It's been so long since he left and there was nothing. Now all of a sudden.."
"Like what?"
Amy told her about meeting Michael while touring campus, seeing Ty on TV, seeing the banded eagle, meeting with Drs. Singh, and the trouble with Harley and Old Blue. Her decision to stay in Hudson.
"Everything is jumbled together." Amy concluded.
"Amy. Why did Ty leave?" She boldly asked.
"Remember he got that externship with UC and Vets without Borders and moved to Calgary?"
"Yeah."
"Lou, he just never came back."
"Really?"
Amy sighed. "Yeah. He fell head over heels in love with that work. Saving wild animals, the adventure, the travel, the risk. That's all he could talk about. He was so excited." She laughed, then sniffled. "He kept promising that he would come home for the weekend so I'd make big plans for us. But something always came up, something more exciting. So he just didn't come home."
"Amy, he was in school. That externship was his job."
"I know. And I was excited for him. I really was." Her lips trembled, her eyes closed. "Then that last weekend. He promised that he would be here. But when he didn't show up, I called him. He said that someone asked him to go to Nova Scotia at the last minute. When I told him that he could have said No, he didn't have an answer."
"I remember."
"Dad was all over me about Ty having another Blair with him."
"He can be so maddening."
"That night going to do night check, I saw Ghost. So I called him to make sure he was okay. When he answered, he sounded like he had been asleep. I could hear a woman in the background calling him to come back to bed. He hung up on me. I called back and she answered."
"Oh Amy. No. He didn't. I had no idea."
She nodded. "You know what? I texted him that I was moving on. Good luck with his life. That I didn't want him to contact me any more."
"You didn't? Who breaks up by text?" Lou questioned her.
"Me, I guess." She chuckled. "Like a bad teen movie...huh?"
"Yeah. But it must have been hard."
"It was. I didn't want anyone to know about the woman. Especially grandpa."
"Or dad. Can you imagine?" Lou surmised.
"Right. Maybe I was childish. But, then he never tried to call, even on the house line. He never came by. I figured he finally felt free to follow his dreams. Did you ever hear from him?"
"No. I didn't. It was weird. I called his cell, left messages, but he never returned my calls."
"Grandpa said the same thing. I am truly glad he found his passion. He honestly looked happy on TV."
"So how is all this jumbled with Andrew?"
"Seeing Ty follow his dreams makes me want to have my own goals. To stop letting others decide for me. And I am excited about my plans for school and becoming a vet."
"And, Andrew?"
"He is so good to me. And, I do love him. But. I don't want to move to Bromont, I don't want to be a coach. I don't want to run a ski lift. I don't want to ignore my own goals."
"I completely understand. It was like I was in Dubai with Peter. I loved Peter, obviously, but I hated everything about that life." She hesitated. "Talk to him. Be honest. Promise."
Amy nodded. "I will. Promise."
"I love you Amy."
"Love you too. You're my favorite sister." They both laughed.
Dear Readers.
Another long one. Hope you enjoyed it. Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you all.
SBR