Chapter 2

Amy came out of Lyndy's bedroom following her daughter who was all ready for school. This was her second week as a kindergartner, the second week of Amy putting her on a bus and sending her away. She was still getting rid of the weirdness she felt at doing it. It became easier by the day though listening to her little girl go through her day as she ate her after school snack while Amy had coffee and listened enraptured by her voice and the happiness it held. Lyndy loved her teacher Ms. Margaret and in the few minutes Amy had spent with her she could understand why, Ms. Margaret clearly loved her job, she was young, pretty, exuberant and compelling.

"Good morning Grandpa, I didn't expect to see you here, everything Ok ?"

"Good morning Amy and good morning to you my little munchkin." Jack crowed snuggling her arms around Lyndy and squeezing a little which made the little girl giggle.

"Good morning GG." Lindy giggled back.

"What can I get you for breakfast sweetheart, how about an egg and a piece of toast ?" Jack asked leaning over as Amy grabbed a cup of coffee and stopped for a yogurt at the fridge.

"Cheesy Egg." Lyndy answered.

"I can get her breakfast Grandpa."

"That's Ok Amy there's nothing to it and I need to ask for a favor."

"And what's that ?"

Jack turned and lit a small fire under the frying pan on the stove and walking over to grab an egg and a slice of cheese. Butter and bread were already on the counter and Amy had already poured Lyndy's milk into her cup.

'Lisa got an early call, they're down two trainers with some kind of stomach thing and she was wondering if you could give her a few hours with some new horses they took in."

"And that's why she's not here." Amy said to herself "I can give her a few hours Grandpa if you'll deal with our brood. Just let me get Lyndy to the bus."

"They've already been fed and I'll get them outside before I ride over to check the herd."

Amy drove Lyndy up to the bus stop and hugged and kissed her off before heading over to Fairfield. She parked next to Lisa's Porsche and was surprised to see Jessica's BMW on the other side.

"Good morning ladies, Jessica, I didn't expect to see you this morning."

"Good morning Amy, just having a cup of coffee with Lisa, I'm going to take some pictures of this place for a new brochure Lisa has been thinking about."

"Join us ?" Lisa asked standing with an empty mug in her hand.

It took Amy about a second to decide and sit for her second cup of the day. Lisa smiled and pushed a now filled mug over.

"Tell me what you need Lisa."

"Basically we have some new horses and I just really need you to keep them calm while they're vetted and they get checked by the farrier. Cass should be by any minute."

"And ?" Amy asked swallowing a sip and then looking over at Jessica and then Lisa.

"And Finn." Jessica added with a grin.

"What are you two up to ?"

"We are not up to anything, when I called Finn I made it very clear that these horses are new to Fairfield and he asked if I could lend him someone to keep an eye on them while he worked."

"Why do I think that's not all that was said ?"

"Well, he did ask after you and Cass did as well which brought you to mind and then I found myself somewhat short handed so it worked out."

"He's very handsome Amy."

Amy looked at Jessica for a second "Jessica, I….."

"Ok stop, just for a second Amy and hear me out."

"Fine go ahead."

"He's, well, he's gorgeous Amy, muscular, his smile, I mean come on aren't you the least bit …."

"The least bit what ?"

"Interested." Lisa cut in.

Jessica looked at Lisa and laughed "Interested my ass, let's not beat around the bush, horny Amy, it's been almost three years, you need to get out there and he's clearly interested."

"Seriously."

"Yes seriously Amy." Lisa said. "Look I'm, we're not setting you up but you two are obviously, uhm, attracted to each other. Lyndy went on and on about your trail ride and I do need those horses dealt with."

"Besides, Cass will be there."

As if on cue they heard her distinctive bubbly voice from down the hall 'Knock, knock !"

"Speak of the devil, come on in Cass, have a cup of coffee with us."

Cass turned the corner into Fairfield's spacious kitchen and walked over to kiss Lisa's cheek, grab a mug of coffee, wave to Jessica and seat herself next to Amy. "Hey girl, long time no see, how have you been and my luscious god daughter."

Amy smiled as they leaned over to peck each other's cheek. "We're good, she loves school. How's Carson ?"

"He's great, always smiling and a ball of energy."

"Potty ?"

"Actually coming along, we spend a lot of time sitting with him. He's got it, the rest is tacking on 10 percent for being Caleb's kid. I know, I know and I love him like crazy and he's a great dad but…."

Amy laughed "So when's the last time we spent any real time together ?"

"It's got to be a month, we ran into each other at Maggie's and had lunch that time."

"Well," she continued "I'll be having more time now, Scott and I hired a vet and a tech, they start Monday. They'll handle a lot of the office work which will give Scott and I more time with livestock and some really needed time off."

She glanced over at Amy whose face changed a little "Don't do that Amy, our being busy is not your or Ty's fault, it's been over two years and we procrastinated finding the right people."

Amy smiled and nodded while Cass continued. "So what are we here for, this is my only stop until after lunch, Lisa, you have new horses ?"

"We have recent blood work so a general check-up before they mix and a farrier check, cleaning and probably some shoes."

"So Doug Henshaw ?"

"Finn Cotter, Amy's friend." Lisa corrected.

"I met him last week at the Carmichael ranch, he's cute. Amy's friend huh ?"

"That was terrible, you're all in on this."

"All in on what Amy, you think Lisa bought 6 horses just to get you and Finn together ?"

"It is definitely not out of the realm of possibility Jessica." Amy muttered.

Lisa smiled "well I didn't, but I needed a farrier and my granddaughter asked me to give some work to a young farrier and I did."

"Well, thank you for that, and I'm sure Finn thanks you." She said finishing her mug off and getting up to rinse it.

"They're in the small barn Amy, stalls 1 to 6."

Lisa had arranged it so that Finn was scheduled with enough time to have Cass check a couple horses first so that he wouldn't have to wait before he started and so that he could work straight through.

Amy smiled when she saw Finn's work truck stop at the house, he was early and she and Cass had just started working. She recalled the last time they had spoken he was telling her that he was looking for another truck so that he didn't have to use it for his day to day travels as well. It was ridiculously heavy with his tools and the small work furnace he traveled with and cost a fortune in gas. She saw Lisa stop out and point and caught him looking over to where her finger pointed. She though she caught a smile when he realized it was her.

"Hey Amy, Dr. Odell, good to see you both." He said getting out of his truck with a bright smile.

"Hey Finn, how's business ?"

"Well Amy, seems your recommendation actually means something around here so pretty good actually, how about you, getting back in the swing of things ?"

"Actually I am, with Lyndy in school and then an after school program, both of which she loves I've taken on some clients and I'm starting a waiting list, things are good Finn."

"She likes school, you had mentioned being a little iffy, you doing OK so far ?"

"The first couple of days I was a wreck but she's been so happy so that's gone."

"Excellent, good to hear, let me get set up and I'll be back with you both and ready to go."

Fairfield's small barn held 16 horses, 8 spacious stalls on each side and a considerable amount of space between sides to work on the horses. Lisa used this barn if they had to isolate some horses for whatever reason they needed to be separated fro her normal stock. Through the morning Amy moved from horse to horse as she was needed. Since Finn preferred working in the sun and needed his tools and truck nearby he took the first slot close to the doors. Cass was fine where she was.

For the most part the horses were cooperative as thoroughbreds usually are. Amy was there when they acted up a little and she moved back and forth calming them or helping as she was needed. Both Cass and Finn did their jobs well and they worked smoothly together with horses going from Cass to Finn by way of Amy.

Cass checked each horse, noted their vitals, did a cursory check of their osteo health, checked their eyes, teeth, legs and hooves, along with their bloodwork. Since Finn was there she mentioned anything other than disease on their hooves just to make sure Finn dealt with it. She also noted that several were on the cusp of needing shoe changes which would mean she would be done before him and figured she would check with Amy when Cass was on her last horse and she was close by and out of earshot.

"You OK alone, I'm done."

"Alone how Cass, with a single male ?"

"We'll, he seems pretty chummy so if you're uncomfortable."

Amy turned and looked towards the front of the barn and Finn caught her and smiled which widened hers considerably. Cass noticed but didn't react where Amy would have noticed.

"Cass, tell me the truth, are you a part of this Lisa Jessica thing ?"

"What thing Amy ?"

She said it looking pretty surprised or confused would be a better description and Amy watched her for a few seconds.

"Getting me and Finn together."

"Wait, what ?"

"Don't make me repeat it Cass."

"Is that why you're here ?

"I swear Amy I have no part in that, unless of course you need me for something. So are you Ok ?"

I'm fine Cass, we've been alone before."

Cass nodded "OK then. Well, I need more, so after dinner we'll talk ?"

"This is not public yet, especially Caleb."

"I'll send him in to give Carson a bath and get him to sleep. Good for you Amy."

"I like him Cass, I'm serious about not going public yet."

"Ok Amy but if you like him."

"I'm going slow and he knows I'm going slow and is fine with it. We've had coffee a few times, oh and a trail ride with Lyndy."

"So what's next ?" Cass said putting her tools into one of her small leather satchels.

"Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and coffee." Finn said standing behind Amy which made her startle for a second and made Cass stand a little too quickly and off balance. Finn reached out to steady Amy, caught her shoulder and pulled her backwards against him.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

Cass stood and watched what came next. First Amy laughed but didn't immediately pull away, then she smiled and playfully swatted Finn on his chest before she stepped forward a touch and turned again "Ok, we're not going to be doing a lot of that."

Finn smiled and shook his head no while crossing his heart and saying the words simultaneously "no, cross my heart."

After they said goodbye, Amy walked Cass out to the vet truck leaving Finn behind at the next horse in his line up. They were back out of earshot and Amy helped her lift her bags into the back.

"Ok, I have to say this, Caleb's been hanging out with that guy Sam who bought Tim's place, he may have a thing for you."

"Sam Langston ?"

"That's it."

Amy was quiet for a second and and looked up at Cass and shrugged "can't say that ever gave me a twitch Cass, zero interest at all."

Cass nodded "I've met him a few times, no vibe at all honestly, not with you for sure. I'll try to lead Caleb off that path."

"I'm glad you're going to get some time away from the practice."

"I'll be by for a trail ride soon enough."

"I'll look forward to it Cass and to tonight's call. Text me when it's getting close and. I'll free up my time."

"I sure will Amy, have a good afternoon."

Amy walked back into the barn entrance and stopped by Finn who was rubbing a horse named Truck's muzzle.

"Hey, what are we up to ?"

"Truck here is fine and needs his stall."

"I'll do that and what's next ?"

"Hand washing and PBJ's." He answered untying his apron as Amy led Truck away to an empty stall. "We'll finish after lunch."

Amy washed first as Finn's hands would take longer and in the interim she separated two hay bales from a stack and set them up facing each other over a third that was placed as a small table. Finn joined her a few minutes later with a large steel thermos in one hand and an old fashioned steel lunchbox in the other. He put them down on the center hay bale and moved the bale that was his seat, next to rather than across from Amy.

She smiled and watched as he turned back to his truck and pulled a thermal mug out of one of his cubby holes. She patted the bale next to her and he joined her.

"Strawberry or apricot ?" He said reaching for his lunchbox.

'Smooth or crunchy ?"

He chuckled "does it matter ?"

She smiled back "not really, Lyndy hates crunchy, how about we go halfsies ?"

"Halfsies would be great" he said pulling out a baggie and slipping half a sandwich out while Amy spread two napkins she saw sitting in the box.

"Coffee ?" He asked.

"Of course."

He poured and handed her the mug as opposed to the thermos lid and they tapped them together before sipping.

"Sorry if it's strong, grandad's into cowboy coffee."

"I have one of those grandpa's too and my dad, it's fine." Amy said followed by taking a bite and another sip. "You're a good cook, just the right amount of of peanut butter."

He laughed "Truth is Amy Fleming I am actually a competent cook, you ?"

"I've learned, Lyndy likes my cooking."

"So is this like a lunch date ?" Finn asked glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Lunch date huh, as opposed to PBJ's on a hay bale ?"

"As opposed to meeting for coffee, a lunch date would be moving forward so …"

"Kind of a cheap date don't you think ?"

"Well, it's name brand peanut butter and I get the jam from Schrader's Farm Stand so not as cheap as you think."

"So Cass knows and we're on a lunch date, hmmm, this is a big day for you Finn Cotter."

"Considering I didn't expect you to be here, let alone us spending the day together, it's a pretty special day regardless Amy."

Amy smiled, Finn was a sweet talker, she liked it. "We've been set up Finn."

"Set up ?"

"Apparently, Lisa and Jessica think we'd make a good couple."

"And ?"

"And I think they're right."