Chapter 11
Amy looked up from her bucket and brush when she heard the green pick-up truck making it's way down the newly poured gravel driveway.
"Logan, any idea who that is ?"
"Nope, should I go check ?
"No, I'll go, you stay with these guys. Once they're washed they need to be walked dry." Then in a louder voice "talk to your horses people, they love listening. It's all part of building a relationship."
She smiled when on the way down to the truck the mysterious occupant stepped around and she saw Finn smiling at her.
"Hey you, what brings you by and whose pretty green truck ?"
He didn't say anything until they were close and he kissed her to the hoots and catcalls of the assembled teenagers at the barn.
"Hey, I thought we talked about this !" She called out to the group.
The teens had been at the facility for a week 4 boys and four girls, all fosters. One of the myriad of talks Amy and others had with the group was the disclosure that Amy and Finn were dating and that continued staring, whistling and the rest were cute but somewhat annoying though the couple couldn't help but smile and really didn't mind that much. What they did decide was that it they needed to calm it down or it would certainly get old in due course and told the teens exactly that.
"What do you think ?" Finn asked. "I could make this my pretty green truck."
"Story ?" Amy said taking his hand and walking around the truck with him. It was big, a RAM 2500 Crew Cab Heavy fitted for a trailer and a plow. Forest green on the outside with a dark grey interior. It looked clean on the inside when Amy opened the driver's side door and peeked inside and dent free and unscratched on the outside.
"It's nice Finn, where's it from ?"
"I guess Grandpa mentioned my looking to the neighbors and last night one stopped by and mentioned that he'd rather it go to me than a stranger. His son basically drove it to college everyday and they thought it could do double duty at the ranch but he really wants a car which would be easier to park and pay for so they'd like to sell it and are willing to take a deposit and hold the paper with monthly payments. Two years old, mostly highway driven and a decent deal. What do you think ?"
Amy looked at him for a second "Well, I like it and love the color, I'd say if you like it and can live with the deal then you should buy it."
"Ok, want a test drive ?"
"Uh sure, if it'll make you feel better."
"It's not going to make me feel anything Amy, I just thought you'd think it strange if I were to just show up and say I bought this truck I hope you like it. I mean I understand that we're not engaged but we are a couple, somewhat serious about each other. I'd like your honest opinion, I wouldn't feel comfortable otherwise."
"I'm sorry Finn it's just….." She started and then stopped before looking up into his eyes and smiling, leaned in to kiss him and take the keys from his hand.
"Back in 10 Logan !" She called out. He waved back with a smile and Finn ran around to the passenger side and getting in.
"I'm sorry if you feel this is weird Amy, it didn't feel right without your opinion."
"Diesel, another plus" Amy said after starting it up and pulling out.
"Want to talk about it ?" Finn said seeing Amy working through something as she waited to turn out of the center.
She blew out slowly as she brought the truck up to speed "Ty and I never seemed to click on the whole buying a truck thing. When that whole Europe story happened he showed up soon after I got back with a new truck having cut a deal to get rid of his old truck."
"The one at the barn, the old GMC."
"Right, which still runs by the way. There are a lot of memories in that truck but really, we were engaged to be married in a few months, who spends that kind of money and makes that kind of arrangement without even talking to your wife. I really think he bought it out of some need to prove something. Anyway, after a fight I guess he took it back. Well, after Lyndy was born we borrowed Lou's SUV because she was away all the time in NY but we needed our own 4 door for the baby seat and we were shopping for one when he just up and bought one he saw for sale on the road. Black with a tan lining, not my first choice."
"Tan lining for a ranch truck is probably not the best choice." Finn muttered.
"No and it was a lemon to boot which caused a problem in the return, never mind the consequence of that. The truck I drive now was his third time showing up with a truck without showing me or asking. Thankfully it turned out fine but it just rubbed me the wrong way. Should we try a logging road ?"
"He said put it through its' paces so go for it."
Amy smiled and took a hard right onto a road fairly adjacent to the center and laughed as they hit some bumps that shook them but that the truck took well. Seeing a meadow where she could pull off and turn around she did, made a big turn back towards the way she came and stopped.
"What's up Amy ?" He asked as she stared out the window.
"Nothing really, just sorting out the memory." She checked to make sure she was in park and reached over to take his hand. "I think I'm going to move to the center."
"Does that mean you are or ?"
"95 percent."
"And the other 5 ?"
"Welcome to the world of Amy Fleming."
Finn laughed "Ok well, I'll be away Sunday and get back on Wednesday sometime. I'm heading to Saskatchewan to sign the papers which will more than cover the down payment on this truck."
"You sure you can make the payments."
"Not a problem."
"Then I'll miss you and you should buy this truck." She said letting go of his hand so she could put the truck in gear.
"Hey." He said before she could shift and leaned over to kiss her. "Whatever you want to do is fine with me, make the decision for you and Lyndy."
"I can't help but include you Finn."
Finn reached up and touched her cheek before kissing her softly. When he pulled away her smile was as radiant as his. They were still for a minute before she spoke "I have to get back."
"Me too or they'll think I stole this truck."
"Really ?"
"No, not really" he chuckled "I have it until tomorrow or keep it for the trip and pay him when I get back."
"Not a bad test drive."
"It was his suggestion, like I said, nice neighbor."
They pulled up to the center house and both got out.
"I'll pick you up at 7:15 ?"
"I'll pick you up Finn and then Cass and Caleb, I don't drink."
"You're pretty perfect Amy Fleming."
"Kiss, I've really got to get back to the kids."
"And I've got to switch trucks and get to work. Text me when you're on the way."
Logan smiled when she got back "you've been gone a while."
"You too ? Wasn't gone near long enough and this is a conversation you and I will never have young man."
"You're in love Amy."
"Whether I am or not is none of your business and you should keep it under your hat cowboy, now come on, where are my horses ?"
Amy checked herself in the mirror one last time and reached for her brush.
"Enough already." Lisa laughed watching her from the edge of the bed "You look fine Amy."
"I know, I don't know what's wrong with me. I guess you know, we haven't really been seen as a couple yet."
"And ?"
"And nothing Lisa, Ok, I've got to say good night to Lyndy and get going."
As she expected after texting, a smiling Finn was waiting on his grandfather's porch and waved as she pulled up. She watched him grab his hat and head over to the passenger door. As he got there the screen door opened and Al his grandfather popped his head out and waved. Amy smiled and waved back as Finn got in. When she turned he leaned over and kissed her gently.
"Ready to start the approval tour ?"
"Ok, well, more like the Caleb approval tour, Cass is on board."
"Any advice ?"
"I can't imagine, just act yourself. Look, on some bizarre level Caleb, well, he was Ty's best friend and has a knight in shining armor thing in his head."
"Soooooooo what does that mean exactly ?"
Amy laughed as she turned into the O'Dell's driveway, "Just be your lovable self Finn."
"Lovable self, got it."
The pickup was uneventful, a beep pulling up came with a wave and a smile by Carson in his PJ's out the screen door and a wave and a smile back by Amy while Cass and Caleb came down the stairs. Once inside Finn said hello to Cass with a smile and turned to shake Caleb's hand.
"How's business Amy ?" Caleb asked as Amy turned the truck around.
"Business is going well Caleb, there never seems to be a shortage of horses needing help."
"You've had slow times before Amy."
"Mostly my doing though."
"Or Ty's or someone else's as I recall." Cass added.
"My business, my problem Cass."
"Not always your business alone alone Amy, anyway enough of this, business is good and you're on salary."
"Absolutely, business is good and I'm on salary."
"And you Finn, you're a farrier right ?"
"I am Caleb and business is picking up, and there never seems to be a shortage of horses with hooves."
It was still relatively early for the Saturday night KO's crowd so it wasn't hard for them to find an open 4 top table on the more quiet end of the two level hang out spot. Cass smiled when Finn held Amy's chair for her before sitting himself.
"Evening folks, I'm Ellen, here for dinner ? Drinks ? Apps ?"
"Let's start with drinks and menus I guess ?" Amy said to the group.
Cass nodded "Sounds good to me, I'll have a gin and tonic."
"Amy ?" Finn asked.
"Cranberry, lime and soda please Ellen."
The waitress nodded and moved on to Finn who smiled "I guess a pint." He answered looking at the board over the bar "Floating Barn looks fine."
Caleb smiled as well "Labatt bottle and a tequila shot, join me in a shot Finn ?"
Finn smiled "Yeah, I'm not much of a drinker Caleb, I'll be fine with the beer."
"Water all around ?"
"Yes please." Amy answered "and we'll run a tab."
"Not a problem." Ellen answered with a smile "I'll get these in for you all."
"What time Monday Amy ?" Cass asked as Ellen returned with their drinks.
Amy took a sip of her drink "Anytime up until like 1:30 so I can get back to Heartland for Lyndy's drop off."
"What's Monday ?" Caleb asked.
"Amy's showing me the house at the center."
"It's a nice space." Finn added.
"So you're really moving ?"
"I'm going on 32 and living in my childhood bedroom Caleb, one bathroom, seven sometimes 8 people, no privacy, everyone in my business 24/7, and frankly, it's exhausting."
"Wait are you at 100 percent ?" Cass asked.
Amy smiled "Well, still at 95 until I make the announcement."
"You're impossible Amy."
Finn smiled and took Amy's hand lifted it to his lips and kissed it "Leave her be Cass, she's perfect."
Amy smiled and leaned into the side of Finn's body for a second as his arm wrapped around her waist. "You're prejudiced."
'Guilty as charged."
"Have an opinion Finn ?" Cass asked.
"I think Amy needs to decide on her own, it's a big step forward for her and Lyndy and she needs to be sure it's what she wants."
"Ok, enough about my decision, can we talk about something else ?"
"You a pool player Finn ?"
"Sorry Caleb, again, not really my game, I mean I've played but never enough to get good at it. I played darts in college."
"Yeah, they got rid of the darts a couple years ago after a fight. So how do you relax ?"
"Walking, reading, riding and lately, sitting on a porch and watching the sunset over the mountains."
"Sounds kind of boring."
"It's all in the company Caleb." Finn answered moving his hand to take Amy's which made her smile.
"How's Jack and Tim feel about that ?"
"Surprisingly my dad's been Ok with it, Grandpa grumbled a bit."
"How do they feel about your getting your own place ?'
Amy sighed "they'll get used to it."
"And what happens to Heartland ?"
"It's not my decision Caleb, it's never been my decision."
"Have you talked it over with Jack ?"
"He offered and I said no, it's not his decision."
"Well Heartland's your home Amy."
"In some ways it always will be and most probably will be again but now is not that time."
"Ty always felt Heartland was his home."
"Ty felt a lot of things Caleb and for all I know Grandpa was more open with him than me about the ranch but for now I feel the need to head on down the road a bit, literally I guess, I need some distance."
Finn could see Amy getting uncomfortable and changed the subject picking up his menu "never been here, what's good ?"
"The burgers are good, I like the steak sandwich myself." Caleb answered.
"Burger it is."
"That's what I'm getting." Cass said more to the menu that the group.
Amy put her menu down and smiled 'Yeah burger's fine."
Caleb waved at their server who came over with a smile "all ready ?" She asked and then looked at Cass. "Cheddar Burger deluxe, medium rare."
"Me too." Amy said as she turned to her, "oh and no onions please."
"Same for me." Finn said with a smile.
"Onions ?"
"Uhm, no onions thanks."
Amy smiled and whispered "you can get onions Finn."
Finn put on his biggest smile "My dad didn't raise no fool, I'll gladly forgo onions for kisses."
Cass smiled "good choice."
With Caleb ordering the steak sandwich and another beer the waitress checked other drinks and seeing them still good smiled again "I'll go put these in, it shouldn't be long."
"So you two, how long has this been going on ?" Caleb asked.
"I guess pretty much since the lumberjack competition." Amy answered glancing at Finn.
"I went back to Saskatchewan for awhile before coming back and I'm actually heading back Sunday, errr, tomorrow I guess, to finish business things up and get a check."
"Nothing like getting a check." Caleb said reaching for the beer that the waitress dropped a moment before. "So when would you move Amy ?"
"Once I give the Ok they'll finish the kitchen with the appliances and cabinets and we can paint, figure a month, 3 weeks, it'll depend on deliveries. Clint will stay in the trailer until I or we move in."
"And furniture, that can take time." Cass asked.
"Ok, just between us I spent some time with Jessica at the center house and then going through the loft and she's ordered replacements for everything I want to take and a new mattress for the bed. We need furniture for Lyndy's room that we'll order and appliances. The stipend for furniture will be more than enough to handle what we need for Lyndy and incidentals and Jess is paying for the appliances and keeping the loft stuff. We'll put the rest in a maintenance fund."
"Sounds like you're doing this Amy."
"I'm doing it Cass I just haven't made it official."
"You just made it official."
"No Caleb which is why I said just between us."
"That's it, I'm meeting you tomorrow and you can tell the family at Sunday dinner."
Amy sighed "Fine."
"I'll be away."
Cass reached across and patted Finn's hand just as the food came "probably better off you miss this one Finn."