Chapter 12

Lisa sat in the edge of Amy's bed while she brushed out her hair and then changed her jeans and blouse.

"So we'll pick up Lyndy, head over to Maggie's for a snack and to grab Lou and then paint and furniture ?"

"That's the plan for today, I don't expect we'll get to window treatments and area rugs until the final paint choices so we can get swatched. What did you think about the space ?"

Lisa nodded "Pleasantly surprised actually, I didn't know what to expect, nice sized rooms, a guest room slash office, new kitchen, 2 bathrooms."

"I was scared it wouldn't be bright but the windows are nice and big and they face well." Amy said brushing out her hair. She checked herself in the mirror and stood up. "Ok, I'm ready let's head over to the school."

"Lyndy was positively bursting this morning."

"She was, she's very excited, a whole new adventure and she loves hanging out with the center kids."

"You over last night Amy ?" Lisa asked as they sat in the mud room putting on shoes and boots.

Amy pulled on her boot and sat up to look at her "nothing to get over Lisa, it's done and the only thing I want is their good wishes. What about Heartland, seriously, as if Grandpa thought to ever once ask me about Heartland, and I'm just down the road Lisa, Lyndy doesn't even have to change buses. Thank you all for stepping up by the way. I don't know, between Finn and the horses I work with and this."

Lisa reached over and put her hand on Amy's arm "Hey he loves you, sometimes it just comes out this way, he worries about you."

"And there's Ty, I know, you don't have to say it, I'll always love Ty, but he has to let me move on." She sighed and then smiled "Come on or we'll be late, let's go pick out some purple paint."

They took Amy's truck in case they had to transport anything. Amy and the center had more than enough help to paint so they decided to conserve money by buying the paint and what supplies they needed She'd take what they could today and pick up the rest during the week. The furniture would probably have to be ordered.

After picking Lyndy up they sat at Maggie's sharing two slices of Saskatoon pie with coffee for the adults and milk for Lyndy.

Amy swallowed and turned to Lisa "Hear from Jessica today ?"

"A text while she was waiting for her meeting, she'll text when she's done."

"I hope she gets the job whatever the job is."

"Magazine ad for men's soap."

"Men's soap ? What's men's soap ?"

Lisa laughed "I don't know soap with a manly smell I guess."

It was Amy's turn to laugh now "All the me I know smell like livestock and manure most of the time."

Lou laughed at that point "I don't think that's what they're shooting for."

They were done and Amy checked her daughter's face "Lyndy, go get washed up and we'll head over to look at paint and get samples."

"What are samples momma ?"

"They'll give us little can of the paints we like to try on the walls and when we decide they'll make the colors we choose and we'll paint the walls."

"I want purple."

"I know Lyndy but there's going to be 20 or 30 different purples. You can pick three or four and we can paint little squares on the wall in your room and you can choose the one you like most."

"Like a game !"

Lisa smiled "just like a game sweetheart and then you can help with the other rooms."

"Ok, now go wash up."

It was Wednesday before they could head over to paint on the swatches and Amy had promised Lyndy that she could help so Lisa and Jessica met Amy and Lyndy at the center house soon to be Amy's new home.

They had fun painting the squares and waiting for the paint to dry though they'd come back in the morning to make sure that the colors were true. Lyndy, true to her word chose four somewhat light purples for her room. Amy on the other hand chose several shades of greys. They were interesting and tinted with other colors, green for her room, rose for the bathrooms, hallway and kitchen, and blue for the guest bedroom. The house was old and restored rather than redone and one of the features they made sure to keep were the intricate crown moldings which would be painted white along with the window sashes and ceilings.

It was early and dinner would be a small group with the men attending a Foothills Cowboy Association meeting and Lou at some Mayoral event. As such Lisa had declared it a pizza night and everyone, especially Lyndy, was fine with it. They needed half an hour for the paint to dry completely and decided on a walk since Amy wanted to check on the kids, the horses and Mrs. Renata Corazon, the centers' new ranch mother.

"It's really a nice space." Jessica said as the came out of the house.

Amy's response was cut short as a small gas engine kicked off and filled the air with sound. She stopped speaking rather than raise her voice and followed the sound around the corner of the house.

They found Mrs. Corazon and Clint leaning against the chicken wire covered fence post that surrounded what used to be the ranch's vegetable garden watching three of the boys working alongside a fourth who was working a rather large tiller.

Amy smiled and stepped over to stand next to Mrs. Corazon who had turned and smiled at her when she noticed the younger now official facility director walking over.

"Renata, good to see you settling in."

"It's not a ranch without a garden Amy."

Amy nodded "I agree 100 percent, we should get some chickens also. Where'd the tiller come from ?"

"Borrowed from the Potter's next door, very nice people."

"Little late to be planting."

"For a lot but we can still plant late season greens and get a harvest."

"And a good start for next year I guess."

"Hello Renata."

The middle aged woman looked down between herself and Amy and then leaned over with open arms. A moment later she stood with Lyndy arms around her neck.

"How are you today Lyndy ?"

"Good, we're waiting for the paint to dry and then we're having pizza."

"Pizza huh, that sounds good, I'm making tacos for dinner."

"I like tacos."

"Then I will make them for you when you have start sharing dinner with us."

"And lasagna."

Renata laughed "I remember the lasagna and burgers and the stew sweetheart."

"And it's not just Renata's job to cook for us Lyndy but for everyone at the center."

"I know."

One of the perks to Amy, would be that she and Lyndy would eat dinner with the group, a family dinner around a very large oak table in the oversized dining room on the first floor of the center house. They'd have breakfast upstairs in the apartment and lunch would go either way. For most of the year that would mean Lyndy having lunch at school.

"Lyndy, how about you introduce Renata to your grandmothers ?"

Lyndy nodded and Renata turned and let her down onto the ground.

"This is Grandma Jessica and this is Grandma Lisa but she's really Great Grandma. This is Renata."

They both smiled and introduced themselves formally and with handshakes as Jessica Cook and Lisa Stillman as did Renata in return.

"So you'll be taking care of our girls from now on I guess."

"Soon enough, that's my job but Amy's being stubborn about it so I promise to do my best."

Lisa laughed "just make her chocolate chip cookies."

"I like chocolate chip cookies." Lyndy piped up.

Jessica leaned over to kiss her head "I can't imagine why."

"I don't think it's being stubborn to clean my own living space Renata."

"It is when your job is 7 days a week and basically 24 hours a day."

Amy's answer was waylaid by her phone which she checked. Everyone saw her smile before her "excuse me".

"Hey you, all done ?"

"And on the way, I'll be in Hudson by 6 or so, think I can take you and Lyndy to dinner ?"

"Nope but you can pick up two pizzas and two dozen garlic knots and bring them to the house. Grandpa and dad are telling tall tales tonight."

"So the coast is clear ?"

"This has nothing to do with you Finn."

"And ?"

Amy laughed "the coast is clear."

"Then I'll text when I'm at the pizza shop."

"Finn ?" Jessica asked when Amy turned back.

"On his way home and picking up our pizzas. How about you three look around, I should check in with Logan or Michelle and I'll find you in 5 minutes."

"You won't find them Amy; Michelle, Logan and the girls are out exercising the horses. I'll have one of them check in with you when they're back.

Amy nodded "thank you Renata, I'll talk to you after dinner. I guess we'll check the paint and head back to Heartland. Clint you need me for something ?"

Clint smiled "for everything but tomorrow will do."

Amy smiled back "Call if you need me and I'll see you in the morning."

Katie was waiting when they got back to Heartland and was happy to watch over Lyndy while Amy got some work done with the horses. Amy assumed Jack was out at the herd

and felt a little guilty that she felt relieved they wouldn't have to talk about Finn again. She sighed when after an hour she glanced up from the round pen where she was working and saw him and her dad coming over the rise.

"How did everything go today Amy ?"

Amy stopped and turned "It went good dad, I'll double check the colors in the morning and place the paint order so hopefully we'll get that done over the weekend."

"So what do you think, a month ?"

"I guess thereabouts, it really depends on the furniture and appliances for now."

"Tim, can we get these horses settled so I can shower ?"

"Yes Jack, in a minute."

"Amy, everything Ok ?"

Amy nodded "All good Grandpa."

Tim turned towards Champ and then stopped again "let me know if you need help with anything Amy."

"Thanks Dad."

Guiltily she waited until her dad and grandfather were done with their horses before leading Farraj, the horse she had been working with into the barn to brush him down.

She watched her dad head upstairs to the loft and her grandfather walk to the entrance and stop.

"Count me in for the help too Amy."

"You mean that Grandpa ?" Amy asked stopping a couple meters from him.

"Of course I do."

"Well then thank you and I'll let you know."

"Need help now ?"

Amy smiled "I'm good Grandpa, you should go get ready or you'll be late for the tall tales."

Jack laughed "it's not just tall tales Amy."

"I know, there's drinking, back slapping and food that's definitely bad for you."

"Ok, Ok." Jack chuckled "I'll see you inside."

"I'll be in soon."

She spent longer in the barn than she had planned on deciding to check on the rest of the horses and take care of the worst of the stalls. It would make night check easier. That time translated into her walking back with Tim who was on his way to grab Jack for the meeting and waited for her.

"Excited about moving ?"

"And nervous, thanks for the other night by the way."

"I think this might actually be best for you Amy. Jess is sure of it."

"I have to try." Amy answered softly.

"I'm sure you'll do better than try."

"Thanks dad."

"When does Finn get back ?"

"Soon, he's bringing the pizza."

Tim smiled and held the door open for her.

Finn's text came as Tim's truck backed away. Lisa, Jessica, Amy and Lyndy were sitting on the porch.

"Hey, where are you ?"

"Just pulling in, I assume there's an order ready ?"

"Under Fleming, all paid for, 2 pies and garlic knots, add anything you want."

"See you in uh 10 – 15 minutes ? And Amy could you put up a pot of coffee please ?"

"Right now, drive safe."

When she saw the green truck pull up Amy went out to meet Finn and help him with the food. She grabbed the two bags he was carrying and left the pizza in his hands. She leaned up and kissed him.

"Good trip ?" She asked as they walked up the steps to where Lisa was holding open the door to the house.

"It was, you, the paint and furniture ?"

"It was good, I'd like you to look."

"My only schedule tomorrow is working with the kids at the center in the afternoon so just let me know."

The big surprise of the evening was Finn adding zeppoles to the mix. Lyndy had never had one and immediately fell in love with the small warm and crisp fried dough balls covered in confectioners sugar and was quickly covered in the white powder. She was allowed two and promised one for an after camp snack the next day.

Once done she was whisked off by Katie who volunteered to get her cleaned up and changed for bed. With dinner away they settled on the porch with coffee where Amy and Finn took the bench and where Lyndy joined them with a book for Amy to read to her. Her second yawn was the signal for bed and Amy excused herself to get her into bed after a round of hugs and a nose kiss from Katie.

Jessica sipped her coffee and savored the swallow "I guess we won't be seeing you around much longer Finn."

"I'll be around Jessica."

"Around the center though."

"Well yeah I doubt I'll be showing up with pizza if Amy's living there."

"Maybe just some zeppoles every now and again ?"

Finn laughed "Maybe Lisa, how are things going at Fairfield ?"

"Nothing much different except Platinum Bow relaxing rather than traveling. The stone bruise seems to be healing well."

"That's good, have them keep an eye on it though, they can be tricky."

"What can be tricky ?" Amy asked coming out.

"Stone bruises, Amy could you take a look ?"

"Platinum Bow ?"

Lisa nodded.

"I'll talk to Scott and come by, of course."

"And bring Finn ?" Lisa asked with a smile.

"That shouldn't be too hard."

"I should get home, how about we meet at Fairfield in the morning and you can head to the center from there ?"

"9 Ok ?"

"9 is fine, I've gotta pay for the truck at 11 so we're good."

"I'll walk you down."

Finn said goodnight to Lisa, Jessica and Katie who was occupying her normal spot on the stairs and took Amy's hand when they stepped to the ground. They stood behind the open door and he slipped his hands onto her waist.

"I missed you."

Amy smiled "I missed you too, weird huh ?"

"It's good to hear though, see ya in morning ?"

"You gonna kiss me in front of an audience of admirers Finn Cotter ?"

"We don't want to disappoint them."

Amy smiled and nodded no while mouthing "no we don't" and leaned against him raising her lips to his as he pulled her gently closer. When their lips pulled apart she dropped her head to his chest and felt his hand move to the small of her back. She sighed when she felt him relax his hands back to her hips.

They had both heard Lou pulling up in her SUV and smiled when she called out "Ok, break it up you two."

"Sleep well Amy Fleming."

"See you in the morning Finn."

Amy followed Lou up to the porch where Katie was actually waiting to say goodnight.

"Any coffee left ?" Lou asked after Katie made the goodnight rounds on the porch and headed up to her room.

"Should be a couple cups, I'll split what's left with you lou, come on, how was your meeting ?" Amy asked walking into the kitchen.

"Not as exciting as that kiss." Lou said softy "Have you two ?"

"Lou !" Amy hissed.

"What Amy, it's just a question that I guess is a no or you'd be blushing."

"It's a no but it's, I don't know, fine for now, it hasn't been an issue."

"As long as you're both fine with it, has he ?"

"We're good Lou."

"So when's the big date, this Saturday right ?"

"Saturday night though we went to KO's this past Saturday with Cass and Caleb. Want to see my outfit ?"

Lou smiled "Of course, let's say good night on the porch first."

"I'm not trying it on."

Laugh smiled "Of course you're trying it on, come on."