Chapter 15

Amy turned hearing someone coming up and smiled as Finn hit the top step.

"Hey you, I was just bragging about our date."

He smiled seeing her so happy and before anything put his hands on her waist and pulled her closer for a kiss. "Sorry about this morning."

"I can't be upset about your helping a horse."

"Caleb and Cass should be here soon I guess, Caleb left the rodeo grounds with me and went straight to pick up Cass."

"She texted that she's on the way. Guest bedroom and bathroom are all taped. Grandpa and my dad will start on the kitchen next I think."

"Hi Finn !"

He turned and smiled putting his arms out for her "Hey Lyndy, are you helping?" He asked lifting her up and perching her on his arm.

"I was helping Katie, we did the whole bottom by the floor and up the sides of the doors and windows until Katie couldn't reach anymore."

"That's awesome, how about I help you two get the rest done after lunch?"

"Are you allowed to climb on the ladder?"

Finn smiled "I absolutely am but you need to help with tape and Katie needs to hold the ladder."

"I can help."

"Excellent, hungry?"

Both he and Amy smiled when she nodded.

"Well then young lady, best get your hands washed. There's soap and a towel in the bathroom."

"Ok Momma." She said as Finn lowered her to the ground and found Katie waiting with her hand out. "Come on Lyndy bug, let's get washed."

Amy smiled "thank you Katie, we'll eat downstairs at the table."

"I took tomorrow off."

"You didn't have to do that Finn."

"I'm not a fan of painting at night, I'll get the kitchen done for the cabinets and the two bathrooms for the plumber. Paint tomorrow and touch up Tuesday morning, it's not a problem and I have a 4-hour class Tuesday afternoon so I have to be here anyway. We can get the rest painted next weekend."

"Thank you." Amy said leaning in to kiss him.

"Food !" Caleb called up from the foot of the stairs.

"Stay down there Caleb, we'll eat in the big dining room."

They settled around the table downstairs. It was old, oval, oak and huge. They had it restored which was basically lightly sanded and refinished.

"So Finn, what was your big emergency?" Tim called out from down the table.

It was Caleb who answered "Hell Driver threw a shoe and drove one of the nails up into foot. Pretty nasty."

"Pretty nasty for sure." Finn repeated "I called Scott to get him numb and double check the wound and then we dressed it. I think he'll be fine but he won't be bucking for a few weeks at least."

"I'm glad you were able to help him." Amy added leaning over to kiss his cheek.

Tim watched the both of them and before he was able to say anything Jack spoke first. "I'm glad too, that's the kind of thing they put broncs down for, still might if he won't buck."

"We'll take him before that happens, Caleb keep an ear out please and tell the owner."

"I'll let him and Scott know Amy. I'll be checking him through the next couple of weeks when I'm at the rodeo grounds." Finn added.

"So what are we doing for the rest of the day? Should Jack and I start painting what's taped?"

"I think we should get it all taped Dad, Finn's gonna paint the kitchen and master bath tomorrow and Tuesday for the plumber and the cabinets and we can finish painting the rest next weekend. Most of the furniture we ordered is coming the following week and then we'll move whatever's coming from Heartland once that's done."

"So about a month or so before moving?"

"Sounds about right Lou."

"And then we can have a party !"

Amy smiled at Lyndy "should we have a party sweetheart?"

"With hot dogs and cupcakes !"

"Good afternoon everybody."

"Hi Renata !"

"Hello Lyndy my sweet, are you having a good day?"

Lyndy nodded "we're moving in about a month." She said next repeating what she had just heard.

"I can't wait."

"We're going to have a party with hot dogs and cupcakes."

"Sounds lovely."

"Do you need me for something Renata?"

The older woman smiled "I do not and being Sunday the kids have voted pizza for dinner. How's it going upstairs?"

"Taping today, painting starting tomorrow."

"Can't say I don't look forward to your two smiles brightening my days."

"We both can't wait to be here Renata, plans for today?" Amy answered flashing her smile.

"It's a nice day, I guess I'll spend some time in the garden, then room inspection, kids are cleaning today and since I don't have to make dinner maybe some reading and a nap or join the kids on a ride later, unless you need something?"

"We're great, you enjoy your day."

"She always seems so nice, I'm glad she's here with you."

"So am I Lou, she's great and so far loves it here."

"Does she come with a story, I mean I can't believe there are that many ranch moms around."

"An interesting, somewhat sad story but perfect for us. She spent 25 years as a high school guidance counselor in Red Deer, no kids of her own. Her husband was a mason, you know, steps, fireplaces like that and they both retired when she did. They had bought a small parcel of land outside town and built a small house to retire to and do some traveling and the like. Anyway, he unfortunately passed the second year. After a while being alone didn't really appeal to her and she thought that maybe doing some volunteer work with CPS would be good for her and started doing some foster care work where she met Clint at one point and he asked if she'd be interested in doing this and she jumped at it."

"It does sound perfect for this place." Jessica added "I mean, high school guidance counselor seems a perfect fit."

Amy nodded "she's great with the kids , she has a knack for listening and getting them to open up. The kids love her, really a great mom figure to have around."

"I love Renata." Lyndy said before adding "done Momma."

"Carry your plate to the sink then and get washed up."

"C'mon Lyndy, I'll go up with you and we can plan out getting your room finished."

"Ok Finn" she answered reaching for his hand "c'mon Katie, we need you to help."

Katie smiled and cleared her place "You go ahead with Finn sweetie and I'll be right behind you."

"Let me know if she gets to be too much Katie, Finn indulges her."

"Don't worry Amy, I'll be a taskmaster." She answered with a smile as she turned onto the staircase and headed up.

Lou and Amy were the last and each took a job to straighten up and wipe down the kitchen and dining room table.

"So Finn and Lyndy seem to be getting along."

Amy smiled as she was loading the dishwasher "Yeah, they're cute together, he's pretty patient."

"And you two?"

"He's pretty patient with me too."

"Ty?"

"We've talked about him and he hears Lyndy's questions when I remember a story to her about something we're doing that reminded me of hm."

"Probably not that hard on a ranch."

"No, everything reminds me of him."

"And Finn?"

"He understands, like I said, patient."

Lou laughed "You know, come to think of it, farriers are a pretty calm bunch."

"Either that or get the business end of a horse's hoof in your face."

"Back to you two, have you uhm?"

"Lou?"

"Well, it was worth a shot."

Amy smiled at her sister "Not yet but it's come up, off-handedly."

"Off-handedly?"

"You know, sometimes as joke or with a play on words, a smirk. Patience Lou, patience, he gets it, we're good."

"If it works for you guys who am I too argue."

"Besides, we don't have a place."

Lou smiled "You're building a place Amy."

Amy smiled again and gave her sister a loving bump against her arm. "I think it's crossed both our minds Lou."

"Then I guess we should get back to it then." Lou answered bumping her back.

With the groups split up to their individual tasks after about an hour Amy excused herself to check on the others and stopped to lean against the door in Lyndy's room and smiled at her on Finn's shoulders taping up the side of one of her windows while Katie fed her strips of blue tape.

"Ladder broken?" She asked.

Finn turned with a smile "More fun this way."

"So I see."

"I'm doing a good job."

"You sure are baby girl, not tiring Finn out are you?"

"Finn's really strong mom."

"I'm fine Amy, nothing to worry about, the windows are the last of it."

"Katie, we good?"

"Just perfect Amy."

"Then I'll move on and check on the others, looks like we're coming to an end."

By now and with the taping winding down, Lou left to check on Maggies and Lisa and Jessica left to start dinner at Heartland, the remaining crew finished up and met again in the kitchen to inspect their work.

"Looks like we're done." Tim said from his spot sitting on a 5-gallon bucket of paint.

"I'm ready for a shower and dinner." Jack added from his spot leaning against a wall.

"Coming to dinner Finn?"

"I don't think so Jack, maybe I'll stop by later. I'm going to give this place a nice sweep and maybe a quick mop before I go, head home, wash up, check on Grandpa and grab a bite. I'll start painting early."

"Oh, I could stay and help you finish." Amy said a little surprised at Finn's comment.

"There's really not a lot to do and you should get Lyndy home and squared away, I'll be fine."

"You sure?"

"I'm definitely sure Amy and as I said I might pop over later depending on how things go at home and how tired I am."

"Ok then, call either way?"

"I'll call for sure."

Amy loaded Lyndy into the truck while the others headed out to Heartland. Finn had come down to see them off and waited. She smiled at him when she shut the back door and walked over to where he was leaning against the truck.

"Sick of me already?"

He smiled as his hands moved to her waist and he pulled her close against him. "Not sick of you at all Amy Fleming." He said before kissing her lightly.

"Thanks for this all."

"Hey, it's really nothing and I had a great time with Lyndy and Katie."

"How's the back?"

"She weighs like nothing Amy and I'm a pretty strong guy."

Amy smiled moving her hands up to his biceps, "Yeah, I guess."

"Say goodnight Amy."

She frowned "What happened to later?"

"Let's see how I feel after my shower."

"Fair enough but call."

"I promise to call ether way now give me a kiss please and get that girl home before she falls asleep."

Amy leaned forward and kissed him gently and then laid her head on his chest for a second as his hands moved up to hug her before letting her go. "Go shoo."

"I'm going, I'm going." She said walking around to the driver's side as he walked up the steps to the porch.

He could see Lyndy waving as the truck started and waved back to the both of them as Amy's hand reached over the top and waved at him.