A/N – More a nuisance amount of snow up here for New Years. Happy New Year to all you readers out there, no, this is not a New Year's special though I considered it for a second. Thanks for all the reviews and messages !

Chapter 36

Amy opened her eyes and glanced up at her watch on the night table just above her head. It was 5:25. She thought for a second, shrugged and turned over wrapping herself entirely around Ty's body, the last thing she did was hike up the light blanket around them and close her eyes. She smiled when Ty's arm snaked under her and pulled her closer. They sighed together and dosed back off.

At 6:55 after a rather enjoyable wake up for them both they showered and sat down to check on any updates on the rescues and to get on with breakfast. Amy shocked Ty by setting up food and getting started.

"I make the kids breakfast and lunch all the time, stop staring at me Ty. Well, stare at me but, you know, the other way."

The smell of coffee and pork shops was enough to rouse Georgie and Wyatt out of their room and soon the four sat down about to eat a hearty ranch breakfast, fresh pork chops, eggs, sliced freshly picked tomatoes, fried potatoes and rolls which were the ready made roll up kind Amy had popped in the oven. The knock on the door was unexpected. Ty got up and walked over to find the kids all standing outside.

"Surprise, we've come for breakfast" Jackson said as Ty hoisted him up and everyone started making room at the table.

"The grands headed into town for breakfast." Charlotte said "sent us waifs a packing."

Amy laughed, "Come in sit down, JT is there a note for Phyl to find you here ?"

"Gran texted and got an answer Mom."

"So horses for you two, "Amy continued the conversation they had started, "Jackson, I think Georgie will be riding and training Turq for you, Wyatt is a rotation horse good for you for now ?"

"Fine Amy" Wyatt said.

"Training Turq for what ?"

"Turq's my hunter jumper but I can't jump him until the all clear after my last surgery so you'd really be doing me a big favor Georgie, I exercise him and the girls and mom, so if"

"Ok JT, enough" she said it hands up, "Not a morning person, I'm fine with it. Do we have a course ?"

"The girls will show you, for now use him to trail ride Georgie, get to know each other." Amy said reaching over to kiss her head and getting a smile back.

"He's a solid jumper Georgie and quick." Maddie said.

"Good, you two will jump it with me." Georgie nodded to them both with a smile.

"No problem, it'll be fun" Charlotte agreed returning the smile.

Ty had divided the food on the platters to share for more and even with three extra mouths there was still more than enough.

"I guess if we stay you can get my guys down here ?"

"Sure Georgie, you have three, I know Checkers and of course Phoenix ?" Amy asked.

"Phoenix, Trouble and Checkers. Trouble was abandoned, Scott brought him a few months after you left."

"Not a problem, no horse for you Wyatt ?"

"Never came up, there's always a horse around."

"Wouldn't be right, if you stay we'll find you a horse."

"That would be nice, thanks." Wyatt said smiling.

Amy and Ty's phones buzzed and they both grabbed for the iPad between them at the round table. "Take it Ty." She said with a laugh and he leaned over to kiss her gently then turned his chair and shared.

Ty sat back and scanned down pages, his phone buzzed as he was reading. It read Bert. "You're on speaker and we're looking now Bert, these 4 are under a lot of sedation."

"Agreed, Amy we need to switch them to full dose Valarian and local anesthetics and hope that's enough, we need everyone on board for these 4."

The horses were being brought by Pegasus transport from Northwestern Pennsylvania and were found beaten and half dead by police authorities when they arrested a suspected Methamphetamine manufacturer and dealer. His family had long left him and he lived in squalor with his partners, both violent and sadistic. After a long days work where they were high all the time, the nature of the business when cooking meth, they took turns getting pleasure out of torturing whatever animals were left on the farm. The authorities found shallow graves with three dogs and the remains of two dead horses on the outskirts of the property. A local vet and wildlife authorities were called and they did the best they could under the circumstances, high doses of phenobarbital switched off with Valium coupled with equal amounts of antibiotics. It was the local vet that called Pegasus and spoke with Sandra. The story tore at her heart.

Initially, the PA authorities were dead set against any transfer and were insistent that the horses be put down from their suffering and misery. Sandra however was very good at her job and even better at threats and wielding the hammer of political clout Pegasus had cultivated through their wealthy clients and contributors. In the end she threatened to alert the media in a full on press conference that she guaranteed would be picked up nationally and they acquiesced. Pegasus picked up the tab for their treatment and now the local vet assured them that the horses could make the trip and were on their way. He would be a part of the transport in case of emergency. It took Sandra just 72 hours from that first call to make all the arrangements.

Amy got up and looked over Ty's shoulder for a better view and was joined a second later by Georgie.

"That's a lot to debride" Georgie added looking at the photos Ty was flicking past.

"Violette has these Bert ?"

"She does and the next groups as well Amy, I think she's already in the potions room with Sarah."

"Potions room ?" Georgie asked.

"It's where Mom's staff puts together treatment regimens and supplements." Charlotte answered.

"That room you took me to."

"That's my small potions room, the staff one is quite larger." Amy said.

"And Violette and Sarah ?" Ty asked.

"Violette is a botanist and Sarah is, uhm, a"

'She's a witch Ty."

"She's not a witch Bert." Amy laughed "she is well versed in herbs and remedies and has a way with horses."

"Critters." Bert corrected.

"Enough Bert, Sarah is special, don't mock her."

"I can't wait to smell what she cooks up today, granny's magic debrideing juice."

"Are we quite done Bertram ?" Amy said in a terrible British accent.

"We are Mary Poppins, I'm at Cornell, I'll be at the ranch in an hour or so maybe 90 minutes. Ty can you handle rounds this morning with the seconds ?"

"No problem Bert."

"Good, how are you at public speaking by the way ?"

"Never really tried Bert."

"Nothing like a trial by fire, you'll be great. Looks like the second group in are more yours than ours Amy, we'll deal with the first 4 and then get ready for the state load."

"I'll head over and sit with my team in the meantime, get all the feeds up and ready."

"Oh, is Wyatt with you ?"

"I'm right here Bert."

"Meg's coming to get you for some fittings and her and Lisa have pictures for Georgie."

"I'll be here, thanks." Wyatt answered.

Bert wished everyone a successful day and got off.

"I'm sorry there isn't much for you now Wyatt, is there something you'd like to help out with or do ?" Amy asked.

"I wouldn't mind a ride around later honestly, I need to do some thinking."

"You ok Wyatt ?" Georgie asked softly leaning over and putting her arm around him.

"Oh I'm good but I need to speak with Mom later and I have to formulate that."

"Yeah, she should be good though."

"Sure but she was counting on me, us, planning and all that, part of the wedding, spending time with Mitch and being there for Brick."

"We'll call her together and nothing is set in stone yet." Georgie said. "I assume we'll be able to bring them down for a visit and Brick can come visit."

"That wouldn't ever be a problem Georgie" Ty said.

"Absolutely !" Amy agreed.

"Concentrate on your work Georgie, this won't be bad." Wyatt said leaning over to kiss her.

"Where do you want us mom ?" Maddie asked.

"These 4 are going to need all three of us Mad. JT, you ask Chuck what needs doing."

"Ok mom, after PT."

"We'll all work on the rescue transfers, that seems fairly staid. The state adoptions will be what they are. Thankfully they're coming last.

Ty and Georgie headed off to rounds when Phyllis arrived for JT's therapy in the gym. Amy and the girls cleaned up breakfast and straightened up before heading over to the house with Wyatt after Amy stopped to talk with Phyllis for a moment.

"Let's have a day when you don't argue with Phyllis JT."

"Ok mom, I'll listen, I promise."

Amy looked at him for a second.

"Really, go."

"Hold him to it Phyl."

"I'll do my best Amy." She answered laughing.

Amy stopped at the house while the girls were going to make a best effort to get the Norton back together or at least mostly back together. Wyatt joined the girls and was soon showing off his Mustang which they thought was the bomb.

Betty and Lisa who had just returned pulled Amy into a quick sit down with the menu and a tentative guest list for Sunday's brunch. Amy decided she wanted the kids to at least join them to eat and Betty noted that, as well as the choices for flowers, linens and drinks.

"Your father gets in Sunday at 4:00, we'll drop Jack and Lisa and pick him up at the same time." Betty told her handing her the itinerary.

"Deep breath Amy." Lisa said.

"I'm more worried about him and Ty at this stage, only my dad can hold a senseless grudge for that long."

"Ty will be fine." Lisa said.

"Where's Grandpa Lisa, I need to talk to him about this."

"He's helping Chuck with the turnout, he's a nice young man, Jack likes him."

"I'm glad, he's very special to me Lisa and Pegasus."

"Meg and Bert told us about the early days, you all just agreed to do this watching him ride huh ?"

"All from an off the cuff comment Amy made." Betty added "those were some days."

"Seems so long ago" Amy whispered. "Well, I have to get to work."

"Ok, last thing, Cheryl is sending a few suits and outfits for Wyatt, he prefers more vintage gear so she's handling that. Sebastian has about a dozen size six and eight dresses for Georgie that he's getting ready too."

"That's great and Dad will miss it which is perfect, I can live without the stress of him being part of that."

"And Lou ?"

"I'll talk to Lou Lisa, she'll be fine."

"How's that going ?"

"We've spoken twice, we'll be ok."

"You know what's going to come up."

"I know and Ty mentioned it so I'll say the same thing to you, I will gladly back a Maggie's in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver in that order, as long as Heartland is home for her."

"And Nashville ?"

"On her own, her grandfather needs her close by."

"He doesn't need her that close by." Jack said from the door.

"Yes he does Grandpa but now I need to speak with you about dad."

"You've spoken to Ty I guess."

"How did you all let this happen ? Why can't you all just tell him no."

"He doesn't hear no Amy." Lisa said.

"He'll hear it here Lisa. Grandpa you tell him that Ty is going to be those kids father and I will not have dad denigrate him in front of them, nor will he raise his voice to anyone on this ranch or I will have him removed. This is not Heartland and I am not Lou, he's used us and turned his back on me twice, I don't owe him a damn thing."

"This is not going to go well, maybe Lisa and I should stay."

"You have to get back and he needs to learn to mind his tongue and accept the consequences of his actions and words. No one raises their voice to me on my ranch."

"Amy."

"Just tell him Grandpa, I have to go, we have patients coming." Amy got up and kissed the grands. "Please Grandpa, make him understand."

"What's up with Jackson, he seems anxious." Jack asked.

"Erma called late last night, storm brewing down south so they're a day early coming home to beat it. April's coming home." Amy explained on the way out, "hope she's not bringing a boyfriend with him."

Lisa stared at her for a second and laughed. "I hope not."

Betty topped off the three coffees and sighed.

"Jack at least tell Tim that any number of people here will just deck him if he says the wrong thing to her. People like John, or Trish for that matter. Trust me, he doesn't want John as an enemy."

"We'll talk to him Betty." Lisa said "I hope he doesn't say the wrong thing to those kids though."

"He wouldn't." Betty said incredulously.

"He'll say whatever pops into his head at the moment, always has." Jack sighed.

"Then I might hit him."

"Go ahead Betty, sounds like someone will." Lisa said sighing as well "Lord knows we've all come close to it."

"Some closer than others" Jack said with a grin.

Amy walked through all three barns checking on horses and the readiness of the rescue barn. In the family barn, she met up with Sandra who was trying to come up with a plan for the rescues coming in and stopped to talk.

"Roberta stopped progressing at 6 cm. They're giving her a few more hours before they intercede." Sandra told her.

"Poor thing she's always been one for long drawn out labors."

"She's fine, Bryce is a wreck."

"I can imagine" Amy said laughing "I'm surprised he didn't take a couple hours to breeze some horses."

Amy walked through to the medical barn and sidled up to Ty who was changing one of the horses treatment schedules on exercise. "How are my horses ?"

"This lot is pretty damn good, I think we can send these 4 over to the thoroughbred stables to start an exercise regime."

"And Boxer or Yankee Pride ?" Amy asked.

"Boxer is a mystery to all of us at this stage, Yankee Pride, that's going to depend on his recovery. We're hoping he'll be able to stand transport sometime next week, it's a long ride up from Tennessee." Ty said. "We are all agreed that he'll be a comfortable retirement, those two breaks can be fixed but he won't race again."

"Almost done with rounds ?"

"Are done actually," Katie said "we were heading over to potions."

"Don't bother for now, I asked Chuck to saddle Turq and 2 others, take Georgie over to meet Cassidy and relax for an hour. Long hours of sitting coming up."

"I can definitely do that." Barb said.

"I'm definitely up for a ride." Georgie smiled "thanks boss."

"You too ?"

"I guess it's a thing." Georgie answered.

"Go have fun."

"And me ?" Ty asked leaning down for a kiss.

"You come meet the potions crew." She said turning him from the stall towards one of the rooms along the back hall.

Amy opened the door and led Ty in.

"It's about time you got here Amy, they have dosed those poor tortured horses with so many damn drugs Violette and me are fit to be tied. How the blazes are we supposed to work on these baes ?"

"Down Sarah I'm on your side and so are Bert and Ty but we need to deal with them so we need a plan." Amy said patting her on the shoulder.

"Ty Borden, I'd like you too meet Sarah McCoy and Violette Tournot, our herbalists."

"Ladies, pleased to meet you both."

"Damn he's good lookin Amy !"

Ty smiled.

"Do you have a brother Ty ?" Violette asked.

"Not that I know of Violette, no."

"Oh well, I will stick with my Marcel I guess."

Sarah spoke slowly and with a heavy drawl and patois very hard to follow. Ty later learned that she was 41 years old, born and raised in West Virginia Appalachia. Her mother was a healer woman as was her mother and so on and Sarah was as well but better with critters. She had a way, they said at least. She had two kids, both attending Cornell, one in Botany, her daughter Anna or Annabelle and one as pre vet Crey or Creighton. Anna was Sophomore and Crey a Freshman. They both dormed at the school.

Violette had a heavy French accent. She had come to the US in conjunction with a botany program at Cornell that was exploring herbal medicinals. She volunteered as part of a team that traveled around Appalachia gathering herbal folklore, methods and samples. Violette also loved horses and after listening to Amy lecture about her use of herbs, wild herd health and allowing a horse to choose it's own methods of healing contrived to meet her. Soon after they were friends. Violette met Sarah on one of her trips and Amy sent a letter inviting Sarah to visit Pegasus.

In response to the letter Sarah showed up one day with suitcases and never left.

Violette joined the team after she received her degree in Paris a year later. Her husband Marcel was thrilled to work for the foundation as an accountant.

Ty thought the combination of these three was definitely the most comical working group he'd ever seen and had no idea how Amy understood either of them, let alone them understanding each other.

"Just passing through Amy or do you plan on signing some of these here charts ?" Sarah drawled matter of factly.

"I just wanted to introduce you Sarah I'm staying, did you call Trish ?"

"Woman's an angel, her and two others as soon as we call."

"Trish ?"

"Military trained debriders Ty, Trish and her trauma nurses debride burns and wounds, we should be able to do all four horses together if they'll let us."

"That's great Ames, I've got charts to enter and sign off and Bert will be here soon."

Amy leaned up to kiss him, he nodded to the other two and shut the door behind him.

"Just gonna say that I can't imagine how much fun it is rubbin' up against that on a cold night." Sarah said laughing and turning to the desk.

"Hot nights too." Amy answered with a smirk sitting down across from them and reaching for a stack.

"Yes, well, that goes without saying." Violette added opening a file with a smiling sidelong glance at Amy.

Ty returned at about noon holding a plate of sandwiches and waited while Jackson opened the door for him. "Betty sent lunch over and Jackson was hungry."

"Jackson is 7 and always hungry, isn't he" Amy said grabbing him and kissing his neck.

"Hey Vi, Sarah !"

"Bon jour Jacque"

"Hey whippersnapper"

"I can use a break" Amy said stretching which Ty took advantage of and leaned over between her arms for a kiss.

Looking around while people washed and others came in to join them at the large stainless steel tables where soon Georgie, Katie, Barb and Sandra were getting to know each other and gossiping. Ty saw two rows along two walls that seemed to be the same devices used in self serve bulk markets except with digital readouts on the front. Each had a supply of whatever was inside and was clearly labeled. A closer look revealed that they were herbs and medicinals. Another wall had the same type of devices for bulk storage except these held liquids. There were lines of buckets and several printers.

"She's full on 9cm and going strong Amy." Sandra said showing a text that had come in.

"She'd be done if she'd a listened to me." Sarah muttered. "Juniper Berry tea when she felt the first pang and she'd of popped that kid like a watermelon pit by now."

"Oui, it turns our that the old adage of a shot of gin in labor had some truth to it." Violette added nodding.

"So what's the order of events for the first group ?" Ty asked shaking his head.

"You stand back and let us work to start." Sarah said with a laugh. "We'll get 'em clean and calm and then you and Bert can have your blood."

"More specifically Ty" Amy said with an exasperated look at Sarah "we'll mash them and try to get them washed. If they let us we'll set to debriding them and get them covered."

"I know it's a dirty word but for these ?"

"No antibiotics, not unless they show a specific sign of infection Ty, instead we'll supercharge their immune systems and see what we get. These four have already been shot full of whatever they can think of it seems." She said holding up symbolic reams of drug orders on her iPad.

"So what do they get ?" Ty asked.

Amy smiled and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Apple juice willow tea to start. They'll get a mash of buckwheat, oats, protein cubes, we use pea protein, fenugreek and red clover. To that we'll add our tonic which is soaking over there, here's the list we've put together for the first 4. Bergamot, bee pollen, black oil sunflower seeds, cayenne, couchgrass, echinacea, rose hips, garlic, ginseng, milk thistle and yellow dock. They'll also get Valerian and Vervain to hopefully keep them calm."

"Once they've eaten we hope they'll allow themselves to be washed with the solutions in those barrels soaking over there, willow, oatmeal, sage, mild soap and neem and those will also be used as a wetting agent for the debriding. That will also provide an analgesic, soothing and antiseptic agent to work with for rinsing. We have a poultice ready which hopefully will soothe them in the stall and stave off infection as they heal as naturally as they can."

"Once that's squared away or as best as we can we let the meds wear off and see where we are. We'll monitor vitals, intake, bowel movements and urine and keep an eye on their demeanor as they come back and go from there. Those wounds have to be dealt with, they look horrible, that's got to be first if there are no other signs of evident disease or sickness."

"They'll be fed every four hours with supplements every eight." Amy concluded.

"And the vets ?"

"You'll get vitals and once they're calm enough blood work Ty, feel free to sit and debride with us, those wounds are filthy, they need to be cleaned."

The girls showed up a few minutes later, Ty was surprised to see them in scrubs with their hair pulled back and braided under surgical hats. They told Georgie that Wyatt had taken a horse out and was trail riding. They each grabbed bottles of water and sandwiches and joked around with the others while they ate.

"What are you doing this afternoon Jackson ?" Ty asked.

"Jack's waiting on his girlfriend." Charlotte said,

"Oh is that today ?" Ty asked smiling.

"You know it's today Dr. Borden."

"I do Jackson, I can't wait to meet April and her folks."

Sandra's phone beeped and then rang. She looked down, "20 minutes folks, Ty let Bert know please," then she answered "Hey partner, congratulations Bryce, kiss 'berta for us all, yup she's right here, text the details."

"Hey Bryce, yeah 10 and10 huh, good count, 7lbs. 8 oz., I'm so happy for you two. Ty and I'll stop by when we can, kiss her for me Bryce, sure thing tell her to drop them at the house. Bye !"

Amy sat back and sighed.

"Roberta doing well ?"

"She is Sarah."

"Girls, we may need help with the Watson kids in the morning so Roberta's sister can visit and help her get ready to come home."

"Sure thing mom, whatever they need."

Sarah looked over and saw the kids across the room back to joking with the seconds. She lowered her voice conspiratorially "Rumor is you and this handsome man are planning one."

"The rumor is correct but we're not there yet Sarah, I'll see you all in a few minutes." Ty said with a smile as he closed the door behind him.

Amy stood up "Washed and gloved everyone, let's meet them outside, Sarah text Trish. I've got to change"

10 minutes later Amy walked out in scrubs and Ty looked up watching her walk by. A couple minutes later he joined her outside and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"This might be totally inappropriate for the moment Ames" he said low and bending towards her ear "but your ass is amazing in those scrubs."

"So is yours my love." Amy whispered back and then reached her arm through his and her hand over his ass and onto his hip.

"Very professional." Ty whispered.

"I can separate you two you know." Sandra whispered from behind them.

Amy giggled. The group milled around waiting for the first of their charges to arrive when the girls wandered over.

"Problem sweethearts ?" Amy asked.

"With Dr. Borden." They said together.

"Excuse me ?" Ty asked.

"No more watches, rings or baubles until there's been some dating." Charlotte said.

"Dating ?"

"We've pinned down what's been bugging us." Maddie said. "This is on the same level with calling Grand Mere Lisa for us, it's completely unfamiliar territory, there's no history. We always expected dating. Mom rushing around getting ready, excited and nervous. A handsome suitor with flowers and little gifts for the kids. A gentle kiss goodnight at the door. Eventually, y, pretty gifts, earrings or a nice necklace, not too gaudy. You know dating, courting, wooing."

"Maddie, we've been engaged." Ty said.

"Says you, you need to date our mom Dr. Borden." Charlotte said.

"Uh Ames ?"

"Yes my love ?" Amy answered with the biggest grin in the world on her face.

"Would you like to go to dinner say Sunday night ?"

"That would be wonderful Ty, I'd love to."

"I'll pick you up 6:30 at your place."

"I'll be ready."

"Did we ever actually date, like date date ?" Ty asked.

"This will be novel, dating with money, are we staying local ?"

"Hadn't thought about that, I think this time yes but that does open interesting possibilities. Thanks girls, I'd love to date your mom."

The girls smiled at them both and turned as the trailer came down the road.