Chapter 5
"What are you talking about Amy ?"
"Where do you think he is Lisa ? The fishing cabin ? He's on his way here and slowing down the closer he gets because he still doesn't know what to do."
"What do you expect him to do ?"
"Hair, nails and legs Lisa."
"That's it, you expect to have sex with him ?"
"No, I'm hoping for much more but one way or another, happy smiling Amy."
They strolled down the street, stopping here or there to look in a window.
"It's peaceful like Hudson but bigger."
"To be fair there are a lot of students and faculty here during the school year, it's summer."
"Define hoping for much more for me."
"I want him to stay and join me Lisa, I'd gladly hand him the keys to that clinic, he's ready for it."
"And ?"
"And what ? I want him to tell me that he still loves me, has always loved me and wants to spend the rest of his life with me."
"Just like that ?"
"Just like what, I never stopped loving him, I still have his ring."
"You've had boyfriends since Ty Amy. He's had a serious relationship."
"I've had lovers Lisa, we fulfilled a mutual need for a time and moved on by agreements made beforehand. Two people attracted to each other without the time for more. Usually in Europe, a week here or there, once or twice a year if that, and not for the past few, compare that to the human battering ram of women. I've had three lovers in my life one of which is Ty."
"Jack shot that down, he was getting a reputation."
"As always too late for my taste, seriously a KO's waitress ? It was gross. He tried to convince himself he was having a serious relationship, twice actually, who was it Stacey and Helena, and walked away both times, not counting me. Did you actually hear him ever say I love you to either of them ?"
"Well no, you'd have to ask Jack how he felt, Ty's never really, I'm sorry Amy, it's, you're not the same Amy I knew 8 years ago, kind of hard to keep up."
"I can't be what I was then Lisa, I'm all grown up and all haired over, but I am the same Amy I was, except now with real responsibilities, people who depend on me, a family to raise, I don't have time for the bullshit anymore. I want Ty back in my life."
"I know how that feels."
"Look, his problem has always been that somehow I could be this famous person that somehow he would hold back by his mere association with me. That he couldn't deal with it. That it needed me to sacrifice my soul, Well, it hasn't, and it's done, the most famous equine facility in the the US, basked in secrecy, no one in the world knows who the fuck I am. I'm not evil, I'm a good mother, a good boss and lonely, I miss my best friend."
"And his inevitable problem with the money ?"
"What about it ? Grandpa lives with your money doesn't he or is you living at Heartland now just a shield for him ? Am I not spending my money fast enough, those documents I signed transferred 1.2 million dollars of my own money, so that kids can touch and connect with a horse just for this summer and I sign those quarterly, though not usually that much. Every horse we send is trained to purpose, special needs, trail rides, used to being touched, hugged, loved. They're sent with stable mates and caregivers in our trailers. We pay for everything. Much of that price paid for by the work I do, my so called gift, my surgeon's and staff's so called gifts. What the hell difference does it make that I refuse to fly with hundreds of other people, wait on line like cattle and prefer some peace when I travel. You know what they put Jackson through since his leg lights up that machine like a pin ball game. My money is earned honestly, isn't it ? We did pay that vet clinic he's a partner in $30000 to fix Spartan didn't we ?"
"You have 6 motorcycles sweetheart."
"Lisa, I run a facility and corporation that billed 59 million dollars last year and chair a foundation that collects millions in donations, I fixed the horse that won the triple crown, I'm not living in a castle, dining out or traveling the world. I work up close with horses, on my knees in their muck. Yes, I have my creature comforts and I refuse to apologize for them. Money isn't evil, it's cost what most people would consider a fortune for JT's surgeries, what would have happened to him, my sweet baby boy."
"How bad has it been ?"
"He's so strong and his spirit is, well you see it, full of life but his surgeries are hard his pain is real and I refuse to let them just drug him to oblivion and he hates it. He cried in my arms after his first surgery for 14 straight hours, pain killers and all, he whimpers in his sleep. He punishes himself to push through rehab and listening to him struggle for one more step makes me so proud of him. He had at most a 15% chance of ever walking on his own Lisa. Look at him, he's a miracle. The girls stay with him through his hospital PT's cheering him on when they can, they're all so perfect to me."
"It's nice to see and they're beautiful and wonderful children Amy and a reflection of you. It's obvious you're everything to them."
"They're my life Lisa." Amy checked her phone screen after hearing the ringtone, "Bryce sees the jet, we should get back soon."
"I'm proud of you Amy."
"Thank you Lisa, you have no idea how much that means to me."
"It humbles me that you consider me a mentor, what you've done here is amazing Amy. You would never have been able to do this at Heartland, this required risk, a gamble made with foresight and vision, a singleminded determination. I hope you get what you want from Ty sweetheart and I hope this isn't too much for him. The truth is he may have been right all along, staying at Heartland and with him may very well have stopped you from doing all of this."
"And now it's done and no longer something to fear."
"I hope for your sake he see's it that way."
"I hope for his sake Lisa, because I swear, if he turns me down, I'll kill him." Amy chuckled.
Lisa laughed as well, "I know that feeling too Amy, believe me I do. Those two are peas in a pod."
"Hey you got yours in 7, I tip my hat to you."
"What the hell is wrong with us ?" Lisa laughed.
"Was it worth it, catching him at 75 ?"
"Absolutely !"
"Then catching mine at 33 will be well worth the wait."
"You have a plan ?"
"Sex first, talk later."
"That just might work, and the kids ?"
"We'll see Ty's demons at one point or another Lisa. The money, the kids, I'm hoping he let's his desires lead him, it's time we both stopped running, I'm an open book, I'm not ashamed of anything, I will answer every question and do my best to lay aside any fear he may have but I'm willing to give him half, not give it up."
They had wandered quite a distance in town and it was almost an hour before they got back to Pegasus and by then Jack was sitting on the porch with Betty and the girls, JT was on his great grandfather's lap.
Jack stood after setting JT down and walked over to the stairs.
Amy pulled up and kicked down the stand. "Like it Grandpa ?" She said pulling off her helmet and stepping over after Lisa was clear.
"Nice bike Amy, you look good."
"It's good to see you, you want me to get you one of these, Lisa seems to like it ?"
"Maybe a ride later, think I can get a hug ?"
"I think that can be arranged" she was crying as he was when they reached each other.
They hugged for a long time and when they broke apart they both smiled. "Some spread you've got here Amy."
She laid her head back on his chest and he put his hand on it and ran it down her hair "Wait'll you see my herd Grandpa." She whispered and he kissed her head.
"I can't wait." He whispered back and then Amy took a deep breath and changed as she wiped a tear from her eye. Lisa marveled at her strength and maturity.
"I guess you met my merry brood and that one" Amy said nodding at Betty.
"I have, you have a beautiful family Amy."
She smiled at them and turned to the door "Come on gang, Mom's hungry."
"About time" Maddie whispered getting up with a smile.
They came in and Jack stood back as Amy took her seat at the head of the table across from Betty. "Come sit here by me Grandpa" Amy patted a chair and nodded to Lisa to sit across from him. "You three adapt."
Jack immediately sat down next to his namesake and the girls next to Lisa.
"Go ahead Jackson, you're closest." Betty said and JT smiled and scooped two big scoops of Mac and Cheese on his plate.
"Here you go great grandpa, help yourself and pass it down, Gran's Mac and Cheese is the best."
"Thank you Jackson, Lisa, enjoy that ride ?"
"It was exhilarating Jack."
"How long you staying for great grandpa ?" JT asked his mouth half full.
"JT, eat like a human please." Charlotte said.
"I eat like mom, she's human."
"Mom's half horse at least." Maddie said giggling.
"Use GG, JT, it's easier on the time and tongue than great grandpa" Amy said laughing.
"We can go fishing in the morning if you can help me saddle my horse GG."
"Well, I'm all for it JT, we'll stay at least for that."
"We can all go." Maddie added "I've got a new dragonfly I made that'll kill 'em for sure."
"Won't make a bit of difference the way you bounce those flies around." Charlotte answered.
"It's a dragonfly Charlie, it's supposed to bounce."
"You coming too Gran ?"
"I'll think about it Maddie, let's see what or whom the day brings."
"You've got at least today Betty, tomorrow's even iffy, he's a pain in the ass."
"Are you expecting company Amy, Lisa and I could."
"You'll be fine Grandpa, we have a nice little guest cottage for Ty."
"Excuse me ?"
"He's on his way Grandpa, I guess you sent him that picture Lisa, the one with me and Cloister you thought I didn't see, the staff mentioned it, we don't allow unapproved pictures especially of me or Cloister."
Lisa looked over blushing.
"I'd say that's a yes mom, who's Ty ?"
"Well Charlotte, Ty is technically my fiancé. We were supposed to be married 8 years ago but we've been on a bit of a break deciding."
"Come on Mom, if you were engaged you'd have a ring." Maddie said laughing.
Amy reached into her blouse and pulled out a chain that had two rings on it. "This is my mom's high school ring that my dad gave me for good luck and this is my engagement ring, they have always been here on this chain, close to my heart."
"Amy, what are you talking about ?" Jack asked looking at the ring and her expression when she held it in her hand.
Amy got up and walked off for a second and then returned with the folder she had received at the foundation office. "Let's see, last night Ty ate at the Homestead Diner, paid $13.00 for dinner and checked into the Wesleyan Motel in Trico, PA a few hours later. He must have filled up and used cash for breakfast or it'll show up later."
"How can you know that ?"
"His credit card hasn't changed, it's still his first, he got it with me after we got engaged. It probably still has my name on the bill he gets. I could have had people track him, but this is easier."
"You know mom, that's a lot of money, why can't I get an iPhone ?"
"First, put that down" she said putting the financials back in the folder and closing them. "Don't be a busy body JT and you know that the reason you don't have an iPhone is because you are 6 and 6 year olds need to keep their eyes on the world around them and their lungs full of fresh air and not on an 8 inch screen pressed to their face in the house. It's disgusting. You have horses, dogs, alpacas and bunnies, a nice room, food, a house with 4 bathrooms and your health."
"Maddie and Charlie"
"Are 14 in High school and still restricted using those damn things."
"Everybody else."
"Jackson Timothy that's enough, I'm tired of this conversation." She sounded more tired than angry and JT knew he'd pushed too far.
"Sorry mom."
"Forget it JT, go show GG around while the girls jump, the Classic is this weekend."
"We're ready mom, who's jumping whom Saturday ?"
"Straws at the event, sanctioned or not Mad."
"Lisa, you want to come, Saratoga is great in the summer and we all get dressed up for a big party after the event, there's a band and dancing and we're performing." Maddie asked.
"And Brin Caldwell." Charlotte said tweaking her sister.
Maddie blushed and smiled "back on Thursday."
"And Bobby Carmichael." Maddie said smiling at her "we'll see how he behaves when he takes third." Charlotte answered.
"Brin's taking third Charlie."
"Brin's really pretty."
"So is your sister JT, and none of this is your business either. You both make very nice couples. And the jumps will choose their winners."
"Anyway Lisa," Amy continued, it's the Saratoga Classic, big hoopity doo up here and I have to be there, it's a charity event that's important to me and you heard them, very important social event, bonfires."
"I'd love to watch you jump girls, but clothes for an after event ?"
"We're going shopping Wednesday Lisa, you can come."
"Nice shopping around here Maddie ?"
"It's not Antwerp, excellent shopping, but we're going into the city which is just as good clothes wise, Mom's got game."
"I see, Antwerp huh, how long is the drive into Manhattan ?"
Jack giggled "mom drive to the city, that's funny."
"I don't understand."
"At 7:00 AM a chopper will land on that field over there and fly you to Manhattan where a limo will drop you on 5th Avenue and remain at your beck and call all day. You'll be sipping Latte's by 9:00, 9:15 at the latest." Betty said with a smile. "Amy took the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan once and reached back for a shotgun half a dozen times by the time she parked. Thankfully Bryce pulled the gun out before we left. This is safer for all concerned and cheaper than her temper. We don't let her drive far these days."
"Another small creature comfort ?"
Amy blushed "I'm not a good traveler, I'm going to spoil you rotten Lisa."
"You'll love Sebastian and Mathilde Lisa." Maddie said.
"Who ?"
"Mom's designers, Chateau Devereux, they make all mom's stuff, ours too." Charlotte added.
"And Christy brings me stuff too." Jack added.
"Christy ?"
"She's a professional shopper and fashion coordinator, she'll get a rack of stuff for JT from wherever and we'll pick. Give Betty Grandpa's sizes, you'll need a suit Grandpa, Armani I think, they actually have this Texas oilman thing that's pretty cowboy if you ask me. You can get boots and a hat in town here or a hat in the city, I assume Ty is still a 40 42 Jacket and 36 slacks, we'll have him measured."
"Ok, I'm in !" Lisa said excitedly.
"I don't know if I can stay here that long Lis and that stuff sounds pretty expensive."
"I didn't ask for money Grandpa and I can't have my children dressed better than my Grandparents, what will people think ? It's not a hotel, we camp for the weekend, campfires, singing. As to the time you have, is it because fishing with your great grandchildren and sitting with JT on the porch getting to know each other is somehow not as enticing as sitting on your porch at home, alone and miserable?"
"We have a ranch that needs dealing with."
Amy sighed took out her phone and hit a button. "Hey Bryce, I may need to send two hands to Alberta for two weeks, nothing firm yet."
"I'll think on it boss, is this a pick up or drop ?"
"Neither, taking care of a small ranch for me, you'll be replacing someone who barks orders and sits on the porch all day, there may or may not be a 12 year old to frown at, it's a fly up to Calgary, they can take turns barking and pouring the coffee."
"Why don't we just send Betty ?"
The table tore up laughing at that, "I'll remember that Bryce Watson."
"Sorry Betty, seemed to fit, that is your job right ? Let me know Amy."
"This place would fall apart in a week without me."
"Jack feels the same way about Heartland Betty."
"Lisa, I do a little more than just sit and bark orders."
"Don't forget the coffee Grandpa." Amy added with a smile.
"It's going to be a while before I can be mad at you I think Amy."
"They really don't appreciate the world of experience we pass down Jack."
"You two should teach us a lesson and retire, we'll do our best to flounder along without you." Amy said with a smile at Lisa.
"Grandpa, those young guys, your partners, you know, Caleb, Mitch, Ty, I have a funny feeling they understand their jobs; vet, feed, exercise, clean, repeat, sell, buy, repeat. You're on the short side of 90 Grandpa, take some time to enjoy that."
"Well, I have horses to deal with after lunch troop, how about you take Grandpa and Lisa out and show them the ranch and our herd after jumping and Jack's tour. Have Grandpa ride Spartan please."
"You run white face Amy ?"
Maddie laughed, "we run puffballs GG, we do have some cows, mom insists."
"Puffballs ?"
"Alpacas Jack, Amy has a herd of Alpacas."
"They seem to be all over."
"The ones at the compound are pets Grandpa, rescues we took in, the actual herd is on the other end on the ranch."
"How big is this place ?"
"Pegasus itself is 1200 Acres outright but in agreement with New York State and the US Forestry service we control 6700."
"Acres ?"
"Yup, 5500 as a preserve."
"Well I can't wait to see that."
"Lisa, with me ? A nap ? Watching the girls ?" Amy asked.
"Bingo" she said on the third choice with a smile. "Every second I can with these three."
The girls both smiled at her.
"Is Lou in NY ?"
"Nashville I think she said Amy." Jack answered.
"Oh well, would've been nice to see her and Katie Wednesday."
"I'll call." Lisa said.
"Don't bother, we'll see them soon enough I guess, I can't wait to see Georgie and meet Wyatt. Lou will take time to come around. We can do this in stages before we get to the screamers. This has actually been nice so far."
"Lou's missed you Amy."
"She missed the old Amy, not this one, this" she said holding up the folder "is going to be an issue Grandpa, for Lou and Dad."
"She'll be happy for you Amy and proud."
"She'll stay up half the night asking herself with all her hard work how come I'm more famous and have more than she does."
"I think she'll be just happy to see you."
"I hope so Grandpa."
"Go get changed girls, I'll be in the medical barn. I'll check in on you."
"3 sets each mom ?" Charlotte asked.
"5 and change on 3 and 5 please. Switch horses."
"Ok coach."
"Come on GG, I'll show you my horses." JT said leading Jack down the porch steps.
"How many you have Jack ?"
"Just 2, I'll get a Hunter Jumper next spring though after my last surgery."
"Just 2 huh ?"
"One ranch horse, Merlin and my performance horse, I rein. Jasper's his name, you can ride him tomorrow."
"And the girls ?"
"4 each because they jump. One ranch, one hunter, one performance, they both do Liberty like mom and the warmbloods."
"And your mom ?"
"Mom has Spartan."
Jack laughed "All she's ever needed I guess."