A/N – Thanks again for the reviews, I'm glad so many of you like the story.
Chapter 18
"This bus is bigger than my house Amy."
"Why did you buy that anyway, I was surprised when Scott told me. I thought for the time being you'd be more of a condo man ?"
"The whole living back in the loft was too strange, first, it was supposed to be for us, you left the money we used to build it, then bringing women to the ranch, Lisa watching them leave, the look on her face, ugh and I wasn't going back to the trailer. I thought about a condo but I figured the small land and house would keep me home, tending or fixing."
"I guess, you coming to shower ?"
"Trailer shower, won't we just elbow each other to death ?"
"My entire life now has been carefully arranged without the discomforts of my youth Ty, the trailer shower included, come on, let's have some fun."
The master shower wasn't huge but definitely enough for two with granite walls and a rain shower head which Amy seemed to prefer. The unit had a living room with an expanding dining room table and a large separate bedroom. When expanded there was another smaller bedroom. The kitchen though small looked complete. Stainless appliances and granite counters. They had satellite TV, a stereo, broadcast wi-fi and satellite dish. It was also designed in Amy's style, she had all the metal glitz ripped out and replaced with wood, shiny leather replaced with muted saddle tans and browns. There were throw blankets and comfy pillows on the couches and chairs, comfort food in the cabinets and a stocked fridge.
Their time in the shower was fun and felt great after more than 5 hours on the road. They washed and massaged each other's shoulders and backs, gentle touches and kisses spending the time together they never really had when they were younger when everything was rushed.
Amy loosely braided her hair and dressed in a beautiful blue sundress with a floral print. She wore on a pair of nice dark saddle tan boots with a stitched white and blue pattern and grabbed a white straw hat. Ty wore black Ariats, a dark green button down cotton shirt and his black boots. He had folded up his cuffs a couple turns and without any effort at all Ty was sexy as hell, his shirt highlighting his eyes and the stubble completing the package.
They had both unpacked before their shower and when Amy came out of the bedroom they stopped to admire each other. "You cut quite the handsome country gentleman Dr. Borden."
"You're just beautiful Ames, country or not you take my breath away."
She blushed when he said it and turned her head, her smile tore at his heart. For as far as she had come she was still as much the shy Alberta cowgirl she always was. Ty was lost, she was in every one of his thoughts.
They came out to way more activity than there was when they went in. The kids had returned and changed. JT was struggling with his new boot and Jack was telling him to calm down and lay the boot on the floor, step into it, then push down and pull up. When it popped he smiled. "Whew, tough work being a cowboy huh GG."
JT was wearing clean dress blue jeans and a striped blue and white shirt. He wore his hat proudly and well. Mom's little cowpoke. He and Cars were adorable. The girls wore flowered sundresses in a dark burnt orange, similar to Amy's but with a younger cut. They had their hair down. Brin was also wearing a dress, dark green with a nice geometric border at the bottom. The dress showed off her hazel eyes. She sat holding hands with Maddie in their small group of four. Bobby wore a paisley blue shirt with dress blue jeans and Doc Marten's. Her girls wore white hats, the other two didn't. All three girls wore cowboy boots. Amy had gotten Cars a hat like JT's and he loved it.
"Dinner in about an hour Amy, we could put some finger foods out if people are hungry ?"
"Thank you Pavel, that would be wonderful."
"Ty would you like to come for a stroll over to the horses, I have a ranch manager to tan."
"Roberta's with her sister Amy."
"That's great Betty, he still shouldn't be here, I know how he feels about his job and I love him for it but he needs to be with Roberta right now. Who leaves their pregnant wife to come to a jumping event of all places. If this was a rescue, working a cull, fine, but this ? Four horses ?"
"I'm with you Amy, go, give him hell. That is a beautiful dress by the way, sort of makes you shine, it's nice to see."
Amy smiled, she was happy and although there was still an underlying nervousness in everybody she couldn't hide that happiness from her expression. She could never seem to conquer not showing that one emotion, love.
"Can we come visit the horses mom ?"
"Sure JT, come on. You four braiding in the morning ?" She asked the teenagers.
Maddie and Brin nodded.
"Three for sure, I'm terrible at it."
"I'll braid Crater for you Bobby."
"Thanks, Charlie."
He smiled and kissed her cheek. Her smile was radiant and then she leaned over and kissed him back, on the lips.
Amy turned and stepped over to Lisa who was also watching. "I guess we're up to one step forward or is that two steps." She whispered.
"Why bother counting, none of that with Brin and Maddie though."
"For a while already, that's a lovely dress Lisa and you look very sharp Grandpa." Amy said with a smile.
"You are kind of crisp Jack, and that hat is perfect."
"Thank you Ty, Amy, tell you the truth I can't wait til tomorrow to wear that black one. One hundred percent beaver, it feels like a million bucks."
"You are a miracle girl aren't you ?" Lisa laughed "I've been trying to get him to at least try a casual look, something between manure stains and a suit and tie. Jack that shirt looks wonderful on you."
"We'll be back for dinner, I assume John and Trish will be by and the Carmichaels and Caldwells."
"How does John fit in with this look ?"
"They'll ride in with their colors and when he takes off his vest he'll be dressed nice. Trish too. She's my best friend Grandpa, she and John know everything about my life. They've been there for us and the kids for years. They're good decent people, my family and frankly, I don't care how they dress."
"Well said Amy." Jack agreed. "Lisa why don't we stroll a little, Betty join us ?"
"I'd love to Jack, girls you staying ?
"I think so Gran, Maddie and I were going to play a little."
"We won't be long, there's some apps coming up if you get hungry."
"And don't play out you two, Amy owes me at least a song and I'd like one from you two as well."
"Ok GG, we'll figure something out. Mom, one of Great Grandma Lyndy's for you ?"
"Absolutely."
Amy and Ty walked holding hands and Jackson reached up for Amy's other. She looked down and smiled at him. After about 5 minutes he broke away and pointed "there are the paints mom."
"Go ahead sweetheart I need to speak with Bryce."
"Hey Amy, Dr. Borden."
"It's Ty, have we met ?"
"Not officially but it's a small ranch. I'm Bryce."
"They're all fine if you came to check." Bryce told her.
"Are you insane Bryce ?"
"Look Amy, they're all driving me nuts, her sister's with her and I had to get away."
"How about just going to the ranch to get away, you had to come here ?"
"I read that damned script for weeks while Brin was away, I am going to see them do it under the lights Amy."
"We have two choppers on call in the area, but damn you for saying the one thing I can't yell about."
"We're pulling out as soon as it's over, back at the ranch by 1:00 AM Tomorrow, er Sunday."
"Feel free to stop by the site but I assume there's a wrangler thing tonight so see you in the morning and stay in touch with Roberta."
"You worry too much boss."
Amy looked at him and pulled him in for a hug "You miss that birth and you're fired."
"We've been through way too much for that Amy, I'd just come to work anyway." He said hugging her back.
"Jackson, Cars, dinner time." She called out and turned back to walk.
"You two been together a long time ?"
"Not if you're going to put it that way Ty" she said laughing. "Bryce was my first employee. Ranch Manager. He's Albertan, from Lethbridge, gave it up to be here with Roberta. He marched right up to the door a week after I got here, he was working as a heavy machinery mechanic, I was living here all alone. He wore a Smithbilt cowboy hat, boots and all. Introduced himself, said he heard through the grapevine I was opening a horse rescue and handed me a resume. I hired him over coffee."
"And you've had some times ?"
"Shot at, threatened by some pretty pissed off people and chased by the border patrol North and South, I'd say we've had some times."
"And now ?"
"And now, I have a family that's already lost their parents so this may sound horrible to you but I have people who do that for us."
"No Ames, it sounds perfectly reasonable. Your kids are amazing."
"Thanks Doc", Jackson said with a big grin, yeah, we sort of blend in down here if we're quiet."
"You two and the girls are amazing." Ty said "no reason you shouldn't hear that."
Amy squeezed Ty's hand.
"JT, I."
"It's Ok mom, I don't remember, when I hear the word Mom, you're what I get in my head, the girls too, they remember them but you're their mom."
Amy's face scrunched up and Ty put his arm around her shoulder when she stopped walking her head bent.
"Really ?" JT looked up and entreated her "You're going to blubber, great, what a headline, crippled kid makes his mom blubber."
"News and weather at 6." Cars added deadpan which made Amy laugh and brush away her tears.
They turned the corner into the camp to more people than Amy expected. Lisa ran into a couple of breeders that she knew and invited them and their wives to dinner after Betty gave her a discreet nod. John and Trish had also arrived. Betty had also not surprisingly ran into Harold Bergman the Chairman of the Saratoga Race Association and whom was widely expected to be Betty's dance partner the next night.
The Caldwells and Carmichaels came by as well so it was an interesting group of people that stayed. As always Pavel did a great job, he and his wife Yvette ran a small catering business in Ithaca and Amy used them as often as she could.
As usual Amy shied away from the crowd and sat with Trish, Ty and John off to the side at a small table Pavel just happened to have.
"Pavel, you know, that I know, you'll bring that table anywhere I sit right ?"
"We each have our roll to play Amy. Is 9:00 Ok for the Pantry ?"
"More than fine, you can be packed by 9:00 and empty out tomorrow night, just keep breakfast."
"Thanks Amy."
"The Pantry ?" Ty asked.
"They collect usable food and distribute it to the poor, elderly, shut-ins, people who can't get out. Tomorrow a bunch of people are having Rib Tips for lunch."
"Nice."
"I like the Pantry, I give them money, they do good work."
"You do good work Amy." John said. Ty smiled, Amy just nodded.
They sat and ate, the four talking about a day trip to Watkins Glen with John mentioning that they had never gone out just the three of them in all these years. "You might actually get her to have a life Ty."
"Stop John, I'm not exactly suffering."
"I'd be willing to argue that point if you want Amy, this is us."
"You too ?"
"Yes me too." Trish said leaning over to kiss her cheek then rub her thumb over the lipstick mark.
Lisa's friends had stopped by to thank them for their hospitality, the Caldwell's had also left, Sam was exhausted after the surgery and with the drive he just wanted to shower and sleep. As the sun set, Ty and John got a small fire going, the girls had their guitars out. The teens would be heading out to their own bonfire for their favorite event of the weekend, Friday night snuggling, neither Amy, the Caldwells or the Carmichaels were the least bit concerned even if this year there would actually be snuggling. They all trusted their kids.
"Ok, we promised two songs." Charlie said "which first ?"
"Let me have some tea if I have to sing Charlotte, you go first."
When Amy stood a minute later to fix herself a cup Yvette turned and handed her one. "Honey and Ginger."
"You're a wonder Yvette."
Amy sat down next to Lisa knowing that sipping tea in a chaise invariably ruined her dress. She never quite got dainty down either.
The girls sat down across from Jack and both started strumming, then one alternated lead ins with the other.
(A/N – This song is "Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor with some of the lyrics changed for effect.)
Maddie started, her voice was sweet, they were both sopranos.
"There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range.
His horse and his cattle are his only companions"
As she sang the verse Lisa sighed and Jack smiled. And then Charlie took over.
"He works in the saddle and sleeps in the canyons
Waiting for summer, his pastures to change"
Then Maddie,
"And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer,
And Charlie again.
And closing his eyes as the doggies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear,
And then together,
As if maybe someone could hear
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet GG Jack
Deep greens and blues are the colors we choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye our sweet GG Jack"
Lisa had tears on her cheek and Jack was a bit watery as was everyone listening to the girls sing to their great grandfather. Charlotte took the next verse which elicited chuckles.
"Now the first of December was covered with snow
So was the turnpike from Calgary to Hudson"
And then Maddie
"The Rockies seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go oh oh a oh"
Then together:
"There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me
So goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet GG Jack
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye our sweet GG Jack."
The applause and sniffling was kept low, the girls put down their guitars and went over to hug him and Lisa.
"So GG, apparently I am sometime heiress to a ranch in the Rockies that my great great great great grandad started in 1858. Pretty cool huh ?"
"It sure is Maddie."
"You know we haven't seen it yet."
"I do Charlotte."
"And we have a fishing cabin, so one day GG, you and me."
"I look forward to it Jackson." He answered laughing.
"Mom, what'll it be ?"
"Got somewhere to be Charlie ?"
"And someone to be there with" she answered with a grin.
Amy laughed, she remembered that feeling and glanced at Ty who smiled at her "night check."
"Just start Charlotte and I'll figure it out and you'll both help with the chorus."
"I remember you two and night checks." Lisa said laughing.
"And how sometimes they took way too long" Jack added glancing over at Ty who smiled with his hands up.
"Come on Mom, sit here between us." Maddie was patting the spot next to her.
JT walked over and sat on Amy's lap and Lisa took a picture while the girls began playing, she smiled when she recognized the song and waited. Amy's voice had become more mature than they remembered, she had a strong beautifully toned and rounded alto voice.
(A/N – This is known as both "Small Town Dreamer" or "Lyndy's Song" it was performed by Stephanie LaRochelle and Amber Marshall in Season 8's episode Broken Heartland. It was written by Shaun Johnston (who plays Jack) and Kevin Simpson (a Teamster on the crew). In this story, Amy had left and this episode never happened. Ty has never heard this song before tonight.)
"She used to sit down by the highway,
and watch all the cars going by,
and hang out down at the pool hall,
and listen to the old man tell lies.
They'd fill her head full of stories,
about places and things that they'd seen.
She'd tell her friends about all her plans,
and now she's a kid full of dreams"
The girls joined in.
"Small towns can't hold on to dreamers,
they grow up and just drift away,
And later we'll read in the papers,
about how well they're doing today.
Small towns can't hold on to dreamers,
but the world ain't as big as it seems,
You can live in a castle,
you can walk in the sand,
but you can't take the home out of dreams.
You can't take the home out of dreams."
Again the applause was soft and Jack got up to hug the girls and Amy.
"It's getting chilly our here, boys you go get ready for bed while Cars folks are here and we can all kiss goodnight. Here's the iPad, it's set to get Carlo so you can say goodnight to Buck. Girls, give Lisa her gifts before you leave please."
"Gifts ?"
"Some things from the ranch we wanted you to have and tonight seemed appropriate." Amy answered smiling as the girls came out of their trailer with two decent sized boxes.
"What are these ?" Lisa asked excitedly.
"Time to be the husband GG" Maddie said as she put the one box on his lap while Charlotte handed the other to Lisa and stood back.
It was a pretty mottled color box which that was tied with a bow. She was surprised that it was a sweater in a dark cream color interwoven with a dark brown leaf pattern. It had toggle buttons, a belt, a tall fold over collar and big outside pockets. She ran her hand across it and smiled.
"Try it on Lisa" Maddie said stepping over and taking it from her. Lisa stood and Maddie helped her get it on. The sweater was very soft and Lisa warmed immediately. It was longer than she had thought but she liked it's simple feel, it was cuddly.
"What is this, it's very warm"
"It's a porch sweater you can sit on it and keep your butt warm and snuggle up, hypoallergenic, thermal and naturally water repellent too." Maddie answered.
"It's so soft and inviting, is it Cashmere ?"
"It's Pegasus Alpaca Lisa" Amy said with the girls smiling on.
"I absolutely love it. What's in the other one ?"
Jack pulled the bow and revealed a large buckskin colored throw blanket with a beautiful western geometric pattern across the edges. It was also alpaca.
"Oh Amy, it's beautiful, we'll put it on the couch for everyone to enjoy."
The girls put away their guitars and Brin ran back to get a sweater from her trailer. Amy and the Carmichaels kissed the boys goodnight.
"You want a kiss too Dr. Borden ?"
"Sure Jackson" Sally Carmichael smiled at Amy when Ty bent over for his kiss.
"Maybe we can bring Merlin to Alberta and we can go out with Harley."
"I look forward to it."
The Carmichaels had left and the remaining adults were settling when Brin came around the corner, she was hugging herself and walked quickly to Maddie, her head was down and she was crying.