Chapter 16

Finn stood back and inspected his work. He had just finished the first coat in the kitchen and was checking to make sure he hadn't missed anything or inadvertently smudged the ceiling where it met the walls as the ceilings were freshly painted in the renovation and were fine as they were.

This was the easiest room he was doing today since there were no encumbrances; cabinets, countertops and kitchen fixtures were being installed new over the next few days. All it would need after that was the table and chair set that Amy had ordered having decided to leave the set she and Ty had bought for the loft. She was taking her loft dishes but Lisa and Jessica had ordered her a new set of pots and pans. She'd fill in counter appliances during the next few weeks as she decided what she wanted.

Finn switched off his small speaker, grabbed one of the five-gallon buckets they were using as seats and moved into the hallway along with his thermos, a small bag and phone and poured himself a hot cup of coffee just as his phone rang.

"Hey you." He said as he took a sip and noticed the time. It was 7:30.

"Good morning." Amy said "How's it going over there?"

"Good morning to you too. It's going great, just finished the first coat in the kitchen and stopped for coffee and my breakfast bagel."

"Wow, what time did you start?"

"Not sure exactly, maybe a little before six, I'm an early riser and I'd rather get done before dark, what's your schedule like today?

"I have a client horse coming here because I need the jumps so I'll spend some time with him first thing."

"Hmmm, feel like bringing and having lunch with me?"

"I think that can be arranged, burger and fries OK?"

"And coffee would be perfect."

"Coffee it is, not sure when though, I'll text?"

"I'll be here, hey, uhm, I'm not sure if I mentioned that I love you yesterday."

Amy smiled to herself "hmmmm, well, do you?"

"I do actually."

"Excellent then, all is forgiven, I'll text you later." She said with a chuckle and cut the line.

"Hey." Finn said to himself "what am I chopped liver?"

A second later his phone rang again. "Forget something?"

"I love you too Finn."

She cut the line then and he smiled putting down the phone and bringing the bagel to his mouth.

Later, Amy came up the stairs and followed the music into the master bath where she found Finn standing on a small step ladder just finishing the last wall.

"Nice butt for a painter." She said which stopped him cold.

"You scared the hell out of me Amy and thanks, I've ways thought so."

"You have huh, I texted and called."

Finn smiled climbing down his two steps and reached into his back pocket. "I must have left my phone out there somewhere, sorry."

"No matter, lunch is on the porch, is that Ok, I figured you could use some fresh air."

"Yup, give me a minute in the other bathroom to wash up."

"How's your burger?" Amy asked after they'd settled on one of the porch benches and Finn had taken a bite.

"Still hot, how'd you manage that?"

"Thermal saddle bag, I threw it in the truck before I left."

"Well, thank you for that, this is great."

Amy smiled while chewing.

"You staying for the afternoon?" He asked.

"Yes and no. Yes I'm staying but no, not with you, I'm taking the kids out."

"Trail ride?"

"More like a progress evaluation, see how they're riding."

"For whatever reason, a trail ride is a trail ride."

"True enough, nice day for it too."

Finn nodded while chewing and looking out at the mountain view from the porch. "Nice view, I guess most porches down here face that view huh?"

Amy smiled "They all seem to, it is a nice view, I love the mountains."

"Bring dessert?"

"Apple pie."

Finn smiled "one of my favorites, thanks."

"Is there pie you don't like?"

"Honestly, not too fond of the cream pies, doesn't seem right, like not really pie, y'know?"

"I guess, not too fond of those myself. You uhm, wouldn't want to skip the afternoon's painting and come along?"

"Wouldn't that distract you from your task?"

Now Amy couldn't help her smile "Probably."

"Probably?"

"Yes, probably Finn Cotter, I'm not wholly enamored by you yet."

"Yet is good, I'll take yet."

"Ready for the pie?"

"Yup." He answered shoving his garbage into the paper bag they were packed in.

Finn took the time to fill their coffees while Amy packed away the garbage and pulled out the two slices of pie.

"I really think I'd feel more comfortable getting most of this painting done and ready for the next step. You and I both know things can come up that we have to deal with and right now I'm open for the afternoon."

"No, I get it and you're right."

"Besides, we'll get back and you'll have to go fetch Lyndy and get her settled and I won't want to paint after being out riding for a couple of hours, this is better."

"Later?"

"How about you, me and Lyndy meet up later and grab dinner together?"

"I'd have to check back at Heartland but I can't imagine Lyndy wouldn't love the idea."

"I'll just need to head home, shower and change out of these coveralls. I'll let you know when I'm heading out and you let me know when you're leaving the center later."

"Sounds like a deal though I may stop up if I have time."

"That would be a nice surprise."

Amy smiled as she stood and grabbed the empty bags and Finn followed her inside to the big garbage can in the kitchen. She turned into his arms and he pulled her close as he wrapped them around her waist.

"Hey, do I know you?"

Finn smiled and leaned over catching her lips which turned into a deeper kiss as Amy wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you two necking in my kitchen?" Renata asked coming in through the mud room entrance which let to the door to the back utility porch.

"Sorry Renata." Amy said shifting to stand sided by side with Finn.

The older woman smiled "Nothing to be sorry about Amy, have you both eaten?"

"Amy brought lunch and we ate on the porch."

"They all voted on pizza for lunch and Clint obliged them, Chicken and rice for dinner if either of you are interested."

"We were just discussing dinner out with Lyndy but thanks anyway." Amy answered.

"Just mind that there will always be enough for you three to join us."

"One of the many things I'll be looking forward to Renata, less than a month to go I'd say."

"I guess you're off to ride with them." She said nodding to the outside and meaning the kids.

"I am and Finn here's getting back to painting."

"And how's that all coming Finn?"

"Second coats in the kitchen, and the two bathrooms today, touch ups tomorrow and then the craftsman come in for a few days for cabinets, fixtures and hook ups. Hopefully we can finish painting the rest over the weekend. After that the furniture will trickle in."

"Well if you need me to look out for something or any help just let me know."

Amy nodded "We sure will Renata, thanks."

"No need, I figure my real job is just that, to be where I'm needed."

"Just like a mom."

"Lot of kids around here to not have a mom."

"Then you're perfect Renata, don't change."

"I'm too old to change Amy, now you two get on so I can get my work done."

Finn walked Amy out onto the porch and turned her to face him one last time before they went their separate ways for the afternoon.

"You be careful."

"I'm always careful Finn, I'll see you later. Love you."

"I love you too Amy." He said grabbing one last kiss before watching her head down the stairs and catch her backwards wave.

Hours later while rinsing the painting supplies at the tub in the small bathroom he heard Lyndy's attempt to sneak up the stairs and he smiled.

"Surprise!"

"Hey Lyndy, I didn't expect you."

"Momma was late and was waiting at the bus stop with her truck and I asked. Is my room painted?"

"Sorry sweetheart." Finn started while standing and grabbing a towel to dry his hands. "Only the kitchen, this bathroom and the one in Momma's room. Go look."

Amy came up while Lyndy was scooting from room to room and Finn leaned over for a kiss. "So this was not an option I recall from before."

Yeah, I ended up running late and once we were in the truck and discussed dinner she wanted to personally make her request. Lyndy come tell Finn where you want to go."

"The Chinese restaurant."

He glanced past her for a second where he saw Amy nod yes and without missing a beat "That's a wonderful idea Lyndy, Chinese it is."

"Yay!" She cried out smiling "Is my room still white?"

"White and taped, I'm not sure anyone's even been in there since we left it. How about you and me painting your room first thing Saturday morning?"

"I'd like that."

"Then we'll make it happen." Then he said looking over to Amy. "Now, plans for tonight?"

"We have to go back to Heartland, Lyndy's got some homework, I should check the horses and we need to wash and change."

"How about I just pick you two up at 6:00?"

"That would be great, OK with you Lyndy?"

Lyndy smiled and nodded "Bye Finn."

"Goodbye sweetheart, I'll see you later."

He leaned over and kissed Amy and then watched them head down the stairs before heading back in and finishing his cleanup in the tub.

Just before 6 Finn pulled up and parked next to Jack's truck. He noted the line of vehicles and realized that it was a full house.

Coming in he found Lisa, Jessica and Lou each getting a different dinner task ready. Lisa at the stove, Jess at the table cutting a salad and Lou clearing out whatever dishes were in the sink.

"Good evening Finn, how's the apartment coming?"

"On schedule Jessica, the kitchen and both bathrooms are ready for cabinets, appliances and fixtures. By Friday afternoon all those will be ready and we can paint the rest over the weekend."

"Hey." Amy said coming into the kitchen and immediately leaning up to kiss Finn. "Salmon for dinner here and Katie's not the biggest fan, mind if she tags along?"

Finn shrugged "Nope, love to have her, maybe we can arrange another date night if you're game."

"Great, Lyndy, Katie lets hit the road. And to you," She said facing Finn again "I loved our date but I can't imagine how much that set you back, something local and easy this time, how about Maggie's and a movie maybe?"

"Something local and simple then, I'll check around."

"Ready!" Lyndy announced having pulled on her boots and grabbed her hat. Katie was already wearing her runners.

Amy smiled "Are we all ready?" She asked prompting the kids to say their goodbyes and head out onto the porch followed by her and Finn.

"My truck?" Amy asked, "it has Lyndy's booster."

"I picked one up so we don't have to bother."

"You didn't have to do that but I appreciate it."

"I saw one at a porch sale, same model as yours and it was pretty cheap."

Leaving the truck back at Heartland after dinner, having arranged Katie as a babysitter for the following weekend, she also volunteered to get Lyndy ready for bed so that Amy and Finn could have some alone time on the porch, Katie grabbed the doggie bag for the fridge and followed Lyndy inside.

The couple settled into their normal spots on the porch. On the bench, their hats to their sides, Finn's arm around Amy and her leaning against him.

"What's your schedule for tomorrow?"

"Get Lyndy off to school, check the horses and work my new client horse some. That'll determine whether to bring him to the center or not. I'm not sure I want any really problematic animals there and near the kids. Either way I'll probably have lunch with the group and spend the afternoon. Lisa and Jessica said they'll be here for Lyndy when she gets off the bus. You?"

"I have two clients in the morning and then I want to check the apartment, make sure there aren't any spots to touch up and then it's teaching at the center. Maybe I'll join you for lunch. If it's easier for you, you can ride that horse over and I'll drop you home after."

"Works for me, I'll text to let you know either way, I'd better get in and say goodnight to Lyndy. Kiss?"

Finn leaned forward and they both shifted their bodies to where they could wrap their arms around each other. Their kiss was short but sweet and was followed by Amy laying her head against his chest and getting a last kiss on her head.