Chapter 3

After dinner they settled in the living room with Lyndy crawled up on Lisa's lap while they looked at a fashion magazine together. Amy loved watching them turn pages and Lyndy's exclamations of how beautiful the dresses and the models were. It always made her smile when she exclaimed that none were as beautiful as her mama. Jack had the Hudson Times open and folded so that he could read an article. Lou had still not gotten back from a meeting in town, Katie was finishing a project for school and was staying over with Parker at her house.

"You two Ok together ?" Amy asked Lisa and Lyndy "I'm going to sit on the porch and give Cass a call, we really didn't get a chance to catch up today."

"We're just fine, aren't we sweetheart ?" Lisa asked getting a nod and smile from Lyndy.

"I'm going to make a cup of tea first, anyone want anything ?"

Hearing a no all around Amy fixed herself a cup of chai which she favored these days, grabbed her long porch sweater and headed out into the cool evening.

"Perfect timing, Caleb's off for at least an hour, so, tell me, tell me." Cass started excitedly.

Amy smiled and took a sip of tea, she missed having her friend to talk to but understood how busy Cass was between work and motherhood. She looked forward to her having more time with her friend.

'Ok, well, you know about how we met and the whole Spartan thing so I guess I'll start with the surprise trail ride."

"What's a surprise trail ride ?"

This was another memory that in the telling brought a smile to her face.

"That's very cute Amy and Lyndy seems to be Ok with him ?"

"She's actually talked about him which I take as a good sign. He was good with her."

"And since then ?"

"Ok, this nobody knows, we've met 3 times for coffee, and walks, I have to go slow Cass."

"Girl, you do what you have to do, were they, I can't believe I'm even asking this, official dates ?"

Amy laughed, it was a bit silly, "we met outside Maggie's one day by coincidence , I was picking up a feed order and he was stopping for coffee, I had some time so he got two coffees while they filled the truck and we met at the park, walked, sat, talked, sipped, it was nice Cass."

"And he texted one day and asked if I was free for a little while for coffee so we met by the field near Stumpy's, past the fishing hole and had coffee and talked. When we split up we agreed to keep meeting and I had to head to town to pickup Lyndy for a check up a couple days later so I called and he was free so we had coffee a third time until today when we added PBJ's to the mix."

"Sounds like you're pretty close to dating Amy. He's Ok with your speed."

"He's fine and very sweet. Anyway, I'm going to Okotoks Friday afternoon, picking up a restless horse from Isaac Fraser and I asked Finn if he would come with me to help and meet Isaac. We're having lunch on the way. We're pretty much officially dating Cass."

"Isaac's a good connection for him too, so, that's good. You know you really have to let the cat out of the bag Amy."

"I know, so as a first step I was thinking of asking Lisa if she would mind my inviting Finn to Sunday dinner. If he can make it i'll let them all know at Friday night dinner and it's done. Actually, maybe a trail ride with Lyndy before dinner would be nice, set the mood."

"So, uhm, have you two had any, what's a good word here …."

"Contact ?"

"Ok."

"We held hands on our last walk and hugs. We haven't made out."

"And ?"

Amy smiled "I think he's holding back waiting for me. It's hard to talk about my life without Ty and we've talked a lot. I'm sure I've gone overboard. I took his hand when we were walking the last time and I'm hoping he'll get the hint that I'd like to be kissed."

"Well, so logistically speaking neither of you live alone, you don't even have the loft anymore."

Amy sighed loudly "I never thought I'd ever be in this situation Cass, something will shake loose, not sure what, but….. I don't know."

"Where there's a will there's a way Amy, you'll find it. I'll let you go and just to see how everything's going I'll call Saturday for sure."

"I'll text when I know anything, but a call would be nice, or better, stop by if you have some time."

Like most mornings this particular Friday was no different, Amy and Lyndy came out Lyndy's room holding hands and headed to the kitchen where she knew she'd find Lisa doing her thing.

"Good morning Amy and Lyndy." Jessica said sitting at the small table nursing a cup of coffee.

"Ladies." Amy said walking past to the fridge to get Lyndy her milk as the little girl climbed onto a chair.

"Good morning Grandma , Good morning Grandma Lisa."

"I have pancake batter all ready Lyndy, want a pancake ?"

"Yes please, with syrup please."

"The syrup is on the table Lyndy."

"Plans today Amy ?"

"Heading to Okotoks to pick up a restless horse from Isaak Fraser."

"He must be a good client."

Amy thought for a second and figured this was as good as it was going to get. "He is and he never argues about the price and pays as quick as the bill arrives, I'm introducing him to Finn."

"Today ?"

"Picking him up on the way, we'll stop for lunch in Oketoks and then head over to Isaak's place."

Amy handed Lyndy her milk and then grabbed a mug she filled with coffee and sat down across from Lyndy who was waiting to get her school clothes bib tied on. The rule of course being is that if she was wearing her school clothes she needed to at least get to school clean. So as soon as Amy put her up down Lyndy held her hands over her head with the two ends for Amy to tie. While she certainly tied her shoes on her own, behind the neck was a bit of a challenge.

Next came the pancake which had to be cut before getting any syrup and no butter. Lyndy had her standards and her reasons. As Lyndy's fork jabbed down into the first piece of pancake Amy took a long pull on her coffee which came with a gulp and a wince for the heat. To her the best feeling in the world followed closely by hot tea.

The room was quiet so Amy pushed her advantage. "Lisa, it would be Ok if I invited Finn for dinner Sunday ? I was thinking that I would invite him on Lyndy and my Sunday afternoon trail ride. Lyndy would that be Ok with you ?"

"I like Finn."

"Then it's settled, Lisa ?"

Lisa stared at her for a second and then glanced to Jessica. Amy knew she had her and smiled. "Lisa ? Sunday ?"

"Er, Sunday dinner, sure fine sweetheart, you know you really don't have to ask."

"Unless there's an ulterior motive." Amy whispered. She watched Lyndy pop the last piece of pancake into her mouth and reach for her cup of milk to finish in one last gulp.

"Go get washed up sweetheart, how about a ride up to the bus since Katie spent the night at Parker's house, I'll go grab Harley."

"Ok, I'll hurry."

"I didn't say hurry, do a good job on your teeth and wash off all that syrup, go on."

"Amy ?"

Amy smiled "brew a fresh pot Lisa, I'll be back soon, you two busybodies can suffer until I get back. One of you help Lyndy with her coat and make sure she takes her lunch please."

Jessica was waiting with Lyndy on the porch as Amy pulled up riding an unsaddled Harley. Lyndy came down the short stairs and through the fence where Amy reached down and with practiced assurance grabbed hold of Lyndy's outstretched arm and hoisted her up in front of her as her free hand wrapped around the little girl and her backpack. After getting Lyndy's ready nod Amy's legs shifted and Harley turned at the unspoken command and went from a walk to a canter in the direction of the Heartland gate where they'd wait for the bus.

Amy waited alongside Harley and waved to Lyndy as the bus pulled away and then decided to get the horse out into the meadow rather that just tie him off at the house. The schemers would just stew a bit longer wondering how they went from their clever ruse to have Amy and Finn work together to announcing she was bringing him to Sunday dinner following a trail ride two days later, there was a significance to Sunday dinner. It wasn't religious, that wasn't part of their lives to any great extent, they didn't go to church, belong to a church, say grace or thank god too often, hell, they didn't even baptize their kids. Amy was actually more in line spiritually with First Nation beliefs than anything else. The significance of Sunday dinner was the almost hard guarantee that every family member in the vicinity would be there. Amy inviting Finn meant something.

Both Lisa and Jessica were sitting in the kitchen when the door opened and Amy stopped to hang her coat and hat before walking past them to fill her mug with the fresh steaming coffee.

"Should we do this in the living room ?"

"Amy."

"Yes, yes Lisa, let's at least be comfortable." She said walking past leaving no choice for the other two but to follow her.

They each settled with coasters for their coffees, Amy took Jack's chair, Lisa hers and Jessica took the coach.

Amy took a sip and smiled "so what do you all want to talk about ?"

"Well obviously the joke's on us, care to fill in the gaps ?" Lisa asked.

"Have you two gone out together ?" Jessica added.

"Between the trail ride with Lyndy and yesterday, we've met for coffee a few times, and had some very enjoyable long talks and walks."

Lisa laughed "well , Sunday dinner is not gonna fit the Heartland mold of keeping your relationship a secret until it blows up."

Amy nodded as she and Jessica both laughed as well "Maybe it's time that mold gets broken. I don't want the secrets and I'm really not interested in sneaking around. Just get it out in the open."

Jessica nodded, she was all smiles "So, what's the plan ?"

"For now, I've got horses to deal and get out into a meadow and a trailer to hook up."

"You're picking him up ?"

"Yup, on the way, makes the most sense. He'll come back with me and I'll get him back home when we're done."

"How about dinner tonight then ?" Lisa asked.

"Nope, Sunday, when everyone's here, tear the bandage off, deal with the crap and move on."

"I'm going to have to mention it to your grandfather you know."

"Yup, and I guess Jess should probably mention it to dad and maybe Lou, that would really soften the blow. Excellent."

"So this was the plan all along."

"Well Grandma I kind of figured you'd start with an apology but otherwise it's worked out well, don't you think ?"

"Well granddaughter I'm not apologizing for you having a day with your best friend and a man you're happy to spend time while paying you all for the pleasure."

"Fair enough, I should be home in time for Lyndy, but …."

"One of us will be here." Jessica finished for her "don't hurry on our account."

"I'll be back to wash up and change before I go."

Lisa grinned "must be nice to have someone to get changed for."

"I'm going to lunch in a restaurant and to see a man who owns a couple hundred horses, going with Finn's the bonus. We like each other Lisa, I enjoy just being with him. We're going slow for my sake."

"Take all the time you need sweetheart."

Jessica nodded and reached out to take her hand "We're here for you Amy and we're on your side."

Amy smiled and got up to rinse her mug and drop it in the dishwasher. "Hopefully we won't have to choose sides and wage war Jess, it's just dinner. I'll be back, in the meantime you two can, I don't know, maybe find Katie a guy ?"

"Well, I guess our work here is done." Jessica said laughing when she heard Amy's boots leave the steps "they've been dating all along."

"Yeah, not really with the whole job thing, you haven't seen the adult male reaction to the men Fleming women bring home and I'm not going to put up with it anymore."

"What am I missing here ?"

"They'll think it's their place to approve as if Amy's 15, it's, it's, I don't know Jess, it's misguided, condescending and frankly sexist."

"I'm not sure I get it, Amy's what 32 ?"

"There's nothing to get Jess, it's just macho male bullshit. Anyway, I won't put up with it anymore, she my granddaughter too."

"Maybe it won't go that way."

"Well miracles do happen, how about that ride ?"

"I'm game, let me change and grab a camera. Meet me in the barn ?"

"Sure will, 15 minutes ?"

Lisa nodded as they both stood.

Amy was just finishing up hooking the trailer to her truck when Lisa walked past glancing in the barn before looking around. "No horses ?"

"I'm sorry Lisa I put them all out, Cinders and Venus are closest, I'll grab them for you."

"I'll come with you Amy let me just call up to Jess, we're going for a ride."

"They're out in the meadow behind the barn, I'll meet you."

Amy left them saddling their horses and turned to see them walk out of the barn as she went up the stairs to the house. 15 minutes later she locked the door behind her and headed over to her truck. She checked the trailer hitch even though it was one of the last things she did before heading to the house. Trailer hitches were like saddle cinches as far as she was concerned, they took a second to check and that wariness is what kept you safe.

With the trailer slowing her down a bit and using the GPS it took her about 20 minutes to get to Al's place and was surprised that is was larger than she thought it would be with a barn, several outbuildings and some fenced in meadows. She caught sight of several horses milling around in the field, some larger horses, none Butch, that she was sure were for Al's business and a few that looked like straight up ranch horses. She spotted Night immediately and a circle drive up to the nice porched house where she spotted a lone cowboy sitting and sipping coffee, his hat by his side.

She leaned across when she stopped the truck and leaned across to the open window on the passenger side, and called out "Hey handsome, looking for some company ?"

She tried to hide her excitement at just seeing him but failed miserably, especially when he patted the bench next to where he was sitting and smiled back.