Space in My Heart For You
Nugget #6: A Sweet Send-Off
Lou raises her glass with Jack and Nathan around the Heartland kitchen table. "Here's to a successful cattle drive," she says and they all clink their glasses together.
"To a successful cattle drive without Tim," Jack sips his wine. "Thanks for stepping up, Lou."
Lou takes the compliment with a smile and turns to Nathan, "And thanks for joining us, Nathan."
"Happy to help," Nathan replies. He raises his glass to his lips, but when he hears heals clicking on the wood floor, he reconsiders. When Amy enters the kitchen, dressed up in a beautiful green dress with her hair rolled neatly in a tight bun, he manages to lower his glass to the table, unaware of his jaw-dropping at the sight of her.
"Oh, honey," Jack says with adoration. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks, Grandpa." Amy adjusts her purse strap and looks back at Lyndy's room and then at Lou. "Okay, Lou, Lyndy went down pretty easily so hopefully she won't wake up."
"I'm on it. Don't worry about it, Amy." Lou examines her up and down as only a big sister would. "Will Clint be there?"
"He said he would be."
"Good…You have your speech? "
"Yes—" Amy checks her purse. "Yup. Got it."
"Speech?" Nathan speaks up.
"It's just for a local fundraiser." Amy shakes her head slightly, trying to brush off its importance. "It's nothing."
"Honey, it's not nothing." Jack reminds her. "It's for Ty's Center–"
"Logan and Mandy are outside waiting for me," she speaks over Jack, hoping Nathan misses the mention of Ty. "I have to go."
"Good luck," Lou calls as Amy rushes out the door. "Have fun!"
Nathan watches Amy walk to Logan's car and tries to think quickly of an excuse to follow her. When it comes to him, words blur together as he gives an excuse to leave. "You know I forgot to tell Logan something the other day when he was here, I'll be right back."
He runs out to meet Amy. He catches her on the side of the car hidden from the Heartland kitchen window. "Amy," he reaches out for her elbow and tugs her gently to face him. "Hey. You look really beautiful."
Amy adjusts her purse strap again before looking up at him. "Thank you."
Nathan tries his luck for more information. "Where exactly are you guys going?"
Amy searches his gaze only to find genuine curiosity. She sighs, "It's a fundraiser for a Foster Youth Equine Center I support."
Nathan raises a hand to her shoulder, his thumb stroking its rounded corner. "It's for Ty's Center."
Amy freezes. "Yeah."
Instead of accusations, she finds compassion on his face. "You could have told me that."
"Yeah," she agrees and looks down, hoping to avoid a longer conversation.
Nathan brings a finger to her chin to raise her face up to him. When he has her attention, he says softly. "I would have liked to come."
Amy's face brightens, her eyes shine in the moonlight. "Really?"
"Of course," he promises. "I told you–I really want to know you. Besides, your family isn't coming and I mean…look at you." He motions to her hair and her dress. "It would have been the perfect opportunity to see you shine and meet some of your friends–"
Amy cuts him off with a kiss, surprising him. In heels, she doesn't have to reach up to him. She enjoys the equal footing, tilting her head slightly for a more meaningful moment before pulling away. As they part, their eyes met. "Thank you," she says with sincerity. "For being so kind."
His hand runs down her arm to squeeze her hand. "I mean it, you know."
She nods. "We have these fundraisers three or four times a year." She squeezes his hand back. "Next time, okay?"
Amy surprises him by leaning in for a kiss. He meets her gently as a thanks and a send-off.
A/N: A short one for today! The shortest in the series. Don't worry, SCR, there are several more 'get to know you' scenes coming up, one or two things need to happen first, all in good time. Thanks to Guest, Martha, and SCR for their kind reviews.
