Chapter 9
A few seconds later Amy raised her arms around Finn's neck. As the kiss ended Finn kept his hands on Amy's waist, her left arm dropped to his chest and her right lingered on his cheek. She could not take her eyes off his.
"Good answer ?" Finn whispered.
Amy sighed as her right hand moved to his chest as well "very good answer."
Neither moved but Amy smiled when Katie's so what giggly voice came through from the open kitchen window breaking the mood "errr, sorry Amy, again, GG needs the platter."
"On the way Katie !" Amy called out reaching for the large plate.
Lyndy chose between them so they sat that way. Jack and Tim at the ends, Amy and Lisa across from each other with Lyndy next to Amy, then Finn and Jessica who sat across from Lou and to her left Katie and Peter.
It was Peter who asked the question which made most of them laugh "So Finn, how does one decide to be a farrier, I mean is there a school ?"
Hearing the laughter Peter smiled "I'm sorry did you all go through this already ?"
Finn nodded and swallowed "I did so I'll give you the condensed version." And without waiting for a real response ran through college, his part time work, apprenticeship, school and partnership.
"College and farrier school is an interesting path."
"It is Lou, mom's a teacher, there was no getting out of college. To be fair, farrier came along in college. This is a great steak Jack, you folks raise some fine beef."
Jack smiled "well thank you Finn, we'd like to think so."
"Maybe Amy could take me out to see the herd one day, I've done that too in a pinch. Rope, pull fence, cut, vaccinate, some of everything. No rodeoing though, I'm more a jack of all trades, master of just a few."
"So the center officially opens tomorrow Amy, nervous ?"
Amy nodded "Excited and terrified dad, Clint's around for a few weeks which helps but how the kids react to me and the program is all up in the air."
"Well, it'll probably be rocky to start with but you'll do great, they'll love you ?" Finn said looking over. "I have faith in the, mirac, ooops, in you Amy."
"It's nice to know, besides, you Caleb and Jade will be along to help through the day which will be great."
"Horses ?"
"We'll have 5 to start, Spartan, Shadow, Trouble and Checkers of ours and Night courtesy of Finn. Caleb's picking up 8 horses on Wednesday for the kids. We'll officially start on them on Thursday."
"Saddles and all that ?"
"We're working on it, I think we'll have about a dozen useable western saddles by Friday, all donated. Smithbilt is sending their truck by on Thursday afternoon and fitting the kids with hats as a donation. Clint went in to speak with them a few weeks ago about a discount and they donated instead, they're a great bunch and loved the idea of the center. We're working on boots but the kids all have sturdy shoes and cowboy boots aren't for everyone. The embroidery shop is donating two dozen center caps, I think we're good for now."
"Well, if you need some help wrangling I can free up some time."
"Thank you Grandpa."
"Count me in on that too."
"Thanks Dad."
"And you Finn, what's your connection to the center ?"
"For starters I'll be teaching the kids how to care for horses from the leg down. We're trained to spot a lot even though hoofs are our specialty. Sort of like barber school teaches them to spot irregularities, medical issues on the scalp, something no one else might notice like skin cancer covered up by hair. I'll be able to help with the rescues and hopefully I might get an apprentice or two along the way, teach the trade and pass it on."
"And be near Amy."
"That certainly a perk Katie."
"I like the passing it on part." Jack agreed
Finn nodded "so do I and the truth is it made me a better farrier working with an experienced one, there are tips and tricks you learn from a seasoned pro that you never get in school."
When dinner wound down Lisa was adamant that Amy not help as she had a guest and insisted that she and Finn head outside onto the porch and that she'd put up a fresh pot of coffee.
"Go enjoy the evening Amy, Jess and I'll get the dishes."
They both insisted on at least helping to clear along with everyone else before heading outside with Lyndy and Katie to start and joined soon enough by Jack, Tim, Peter and Lou who was also shooed away.
"Looks like we should get a few more chairs out here."
"Finn and I'll fetch the bench from around the other side Grandpa, it's fine though a swing for two would be nice."
Jack laughed "We had one years ago, it squeaked in the wind which was fine but it was off key and drove your grandmother crazy. It's buried in the Quonset, I'll look for it during the week."
"We can probably figure a way to lock it in place when it's windy Jack, how complicated could it be ?" Finn said backing up with the bench they had fetched.
Katie sat down on the top step and stretched her legs down the angle. "Lyndy, if you grab a book you can sit with me and we can read it together."
"So Finn, any hobbies ? How do you occupy your time when you're not working ?"
"Same as a lot of folks Lisa. Reading, playing guitar, listening to music, watching sunsets, walks, riding, hockey, I think that covers it."
"Playing hockey or watching ?"
"These days Tim, watching, I played in high school and I was never good enough."
Amy laughed "Ty showed up with a guitar when he got here, he was terrible. I'm not sure what happened to it. Are you better than terrible ?"
"I had a band in high school so I guess yeah, better than terrible."
"A band ?"
"It's how I got girls to notice me."
"Honest answer." Peter said "how did that work out ?"
"They got close and noticed the pimples and that I'm a lot thinner on stage."
"You're pretty thin and in pretty good shape from what I can see Finn."
"Thanks Peter but I didn't literally pound steel until college and outside the movies I've never seen a fat farrier or blacksmith."
"I guess that would do it." Peter agreed.
"Guess it's getting close to bedtime Lyndy, start saying goodnight." Amy said softly.
"I can do it Amy."
"You know Katie, how about Amy does it and you and I can take care of night check and we'll get done together."
"You sure Finn, you're a guest."
"I'm sure Amy besides, Katie and I have business to transact."
"You do ?" She asked.
"We do ?" Katie asked.
"Yes, to both of you, nothing insidious, a straight business transaction."
"Er, Finn ?"
"Babysitting Lou, I'm hiring her as a babysitter so I can take Amy to dinner, you know a proper date."
"We're all here at home nights Finn, you don't have to do that."
"I know Jessica but I don't want Amy thinking about the whole imposition thing and the guilt that comes with it, if we pay Katie we're good and you all are backup. It's perfect actually."
"Absolutely good." Katie agreed.
"Finn ?"
"A week from Saturday good for you Amy ? You'll need a dress."
Amy looked at him for a second before answering "A week from Saturday will be fine, uh, thank you Finn, dinner would be nice."
Finn nodded "Katie, let's get to shoveling and negotiating, maybe we can work out a long term contract after a trial period."
"Goodnight Finn." Lyndy said holding out her hands.
He smiled and bent over to hug her "Goodnight sweetheart." He whispered.
Katie leaned over and hugged her as well before rubbing noses "goodnight Lyndy bug."
While Lyndy kissed everyone else goodnight Amy watched Finn and Katie walk towards the barn. Katie giggled as then went through the doors and disappeared.
"I'll be back soon." Amy said opening the screen door for Lyndy and following her inside.
They were quiet for a few minutes taking in the evening. They could barely hear Amy and Lyndy in the background.
"He's got game, that's for sure." Lou said.
"I like him." Lisa added. "He's sweet and funny."
"And handsome." Lou murmured.
"He is that." Jessica agreed.
"Ok, nobody's perfect you know and we hardly know the guy."
"So far he's pretty perfect dad and you need to stay out of it."
"I'm just saying Lou."
"Leave it Tim, Amy's a grown woman."
"That's rich coming from you Jack."
"Well, I think it's something we're all going to have to accept, she doesn't need our permission and no matter what she decides about her life and the center I'd like to think we aren't chasing her away."
"Thank you Jack, well said." Lisa agreed.
Finn and Katie walked quietly over to the barn leaving the voices they could no longer make out behind them.
"You a horsey girl Katie ?"
She laughed, "not on Amy or Georgie's level but I do love them and I love to ride. I don't know if horses or ranching will be my life, who knows, maybe the bug will bite."
"Well, you're young enough to think it through and decide. I was destined to logging and the lumber business and went another way."
"So did my mom."
"Amy told me about Lou, I've got a lot of everybody's past I think. We've spent a lot of time just talking."
"But that sounds nice, really getting to know each other."
"I've never done it before honestly, gotten that close too someone."
"Sounds like Amy's special then."
"Amy is definitely special Katie, so how much do you charge ?"
Amy came out onto the porch and looked around for a few seconds before putting her baby monitor on the porch rail and adjusting the sound. You could faintly hear Lyndy's breathing.
"So you have a date, what are you going to wear ?"
"I'm not sure Lou, still trying to wrap my head around a dinner date. It's been a while since I dressed up for a date."
"Can't be that different than dating Ty Amy."
"I don't know Grandpa, Ty and I never really did this kind of dating. I've never done this kind of dating. I mean adult dating with real money. Sure Maggie's and a movie stuff but dinner out, dressed, not really, even on our honeymoon we stayed with the local cafes or cooked ourselves."
Ty had taken her out on two fancier dates before he had proposed but both ended up being disasters. She had expected him to propose, both times and they never came. Silently she shook her head, another just all around weird time in her life. She'd call Cass in the morning and head out shopping one day this week with enough time for some alterations.
"Maybe some shopping in your future Amy."
"Yeah, I was just thinking that Jess, I'll call Cass in the morning. How long have they been gone ?" She said looking towards the barn.
"Not that long, they should be done soon." Jack soothed.
"Well, it's getting time for us to head to the loft, I have the herd first thing." Tim said looking at Jess. "Guess that's my cue as well." Jessica said taking Tim's hand and standing. "Coffee in the morning Lisa ?"
"I'll be here." Lisa said "Ready Jack ?"
Jack groaned a bit pushing himself up from his chair, "yeah, I'm ready to get horizontal and here comes Katie and Finn, perfect timing."
Jessica and Tim said their goodnights at the foot of the porch steps followed by Jack and Lisa when they reached the porch. Katie moved on to say goodnight to her folks and Amy a second later and excused herself inside as well.
"Why don't we head inside also, leave these two the porch for some alone time. I have an early flight." Peter said, mostly to Lou. "I'm game, back to Rick and being Mayor tomorrow for me." Lou agreed leaning over to hug and kiss Amy.
"Goodnight Amy."
Goodnight Peter, rest well."
Peter stopped to shake Finn's hand and Lou smiled and gave him a hug.
"Sit for a little ?" Amy asked.
"A little, I have an early start tomorrow too."
"What time should I expect you at the center ?"
"I assume by 1, I'll text if I'm running late but I'm free all afternoon to help out."
"Thanks, I assume it'll be a bit hectic, unpacking and tours, meeting each other, setting out the rules and meeting you and the others they'll see on a regular basis."
"Sorry about the dinner date surprise."
Amy smiled at him and moved her hand to his which turned and opened for hers. "It was fine, don't worry."
"Happy ?"
"Well yes, of course but nervous too, just a little."
"It's just dinner, maybe a little dancing."
"Dancing huh ?"
"Slow dancing Amy, almost like standing still."
She giggled "I'm not worried about dancing Finn, especially slow, Ty and I really never did that stuff."
"You were young, dinner out is not a teenager thing."
"We weren't always teenagers, we got married, we were adults, I guess we always just shied away from it because it wasn't us. I don't know."
"We don't have to if you're uncomfortable Amy, I just thought it would be nice."
"No, no, no." Amy said sweetly and firmly, "no backing out now, besides I get to splurge on a dress and new shoes, maybe an excuse to get my hair cut and done."
Finn let go of Amy's hand and slipped his arm around her back. She layq against him and raised her head for a second to see him look back and smile then lower his head to touch his lips to hers. "I should get going."
"I'll walk you down." She said
Finn grabbed his hat from where he had hung it before dinner and took Amy's hand as they walked to the truck.
"Good night ?"
Amy smiled "no yelling at the table, no major disagreements and no punches thrown, I'd say it was good."
Finn laughed leaning against his door holding both of her hands in front of them "is that a warning or a premonition ?"
"Hopefully neither." She said moving closer to him. They naturally let go of their hands and his dropped to her waist. Her right hand moved up to brush a stray hair off his forehead.
"Barber before our date I think."
"You don't have to do that for me."
"I'm not, it actually gets into the way when I work."
"Text when you get home please."
"I will." He said leaning over to kiss her. "I can get used to that."
Her arms wrapped around his neck and they kissed again before she leaned her head against his chest.
"See you tomorrow Amy."
"Good night Finn." She said backing away from him, to give Jim room for getting in and rolling down his window.
"Sleep well." Finn said and Amy leaned in for another quick kiss.
She held up her hand as he carefully backed away and turned. His hand shot up in a final goodbye as he pulled away.
Actually not as weird as I thought it would be was what ran through her head as she closed the door and threw the latch.