A/N – Here's another, love your reviews. Few more chapters of weekend and then we move things along.
Chapter 42
Amy opened her eyes and rolled out of bed at a few seconds before 5 AM. Ty had kissed her goodbye a little before 3 with a 911 call to the barn. When she set up the coffee pot she checked the status log and found Ty and Georgie in surgery with hopefully the last colic of the weekend.
After showering and dressing in riding gear she sat with her first cup reading through schedules. Wyatt came out dressed and joined her at the table frowning at his emails.
"Plans for today Wyatt ?"
"Heading to Syracuse with Betty and Lisa."
"What's with that face ? Something up with your emails Wyatt ?"
"Rent and some other bills due in Hudson, we'll figure it out."
"How do you pay your rent ?"
"Online, either direct transfer or credit card."
"You can do that from here." Amy said "I don't think there's a border issue"
"Yeah, no that's not it."
"Money ?"
Wyatt looked at her and then down on the screen.
"Wyatt ? Do you have any money to take today ?"
"Not really and our credit card is, uhm."
"Maxed out ?"
"And we both haven't worked in the past week so our checks."
"Call up the rent, I'll pay it, don't worry, if it bothers you, feel free to pay me back. I'll give you $1000 cash in the interim and we'll set up an account locally. Anything else pressing on you both Wyatt and be honest please."
"We have that credit card bill."
"Hand it over."
"I can't do this, Georgie and I."
"Ok, I understand, I get it, I do, how about you come to the house and we'll talk it all out with Georgie and Ty, would that be better ?"
"That would definitely be better, yes, thanks Amy."
They left soon after and joined Betty, Lisa, Lou and Katie on the porch taking in the morning over coffee and muffins.
"Dad up yet ?" Amy asked.
"Haven't seen him, Lou and Katie are coming with us for the morning." Lisa said. "The girls are out in rescue, Jack and Jack are with the cows."
Amy called over to the thoroughbred stables and arranged to come over a little later after learning that Ty and Georgie were just scrubbing out of surgery before heading back. She sat with Wyatt, Betty and Lisa who also delayed for a little and all were having coffee when Ty and Georgie walked by.
"How was the surgery ?" Amy called out.
"Not bad actually, minor obstruction, in and out, that should be the last in this group I think." Ty answered back accepting a cup of coffee along with Georgie.
"I thought you'd all be gone by now ?" Georgie asked.
"I think we need to sit down and talk for a few minutes Georgie, I asked Wyatt to wait." Amy said.
"Is there a problem ?" Lisa asked.
"I wouldn't call it one, it's fine Lisa." Amy assured her. "Why don't the four of us head to the library for a few minutes and we can all get on with our days."
"Will this take long ?" Lou asked.
"We just need 5 minutes Lou." Amy said.
"Should I join you, is this important."
"Probably not a good idea Lou, it's more employment related."
"Fine" she said pulling out her phone..
"What's wrong" was the first thing out of Georgie's mouth when the library door closed.
"You tell me Georgie, I came across Wyatt worrying over his emails this morning. You have no money with you, rent that's due and a maxed credit card that obviously needs paying."
"We'll deal with it" Georgie said.
"And right now" Amy said "I need you focused when you're working Georgie, whether you ultimately take the job or not, Ty and I can help and there's no shame in that. Ty took help when he needed it and I didn't do this all with no help, I had to let people pay Jackson's bills or they would have taken his leg. The girl's rehab, construction issues and everything else. I'm not judging you, I get it, no one's made this easy for you."
"We'll pay you back though." Georgie said quietly.
"We wouldn't have it any other way Georgie." Ty said.
"Ok, but."
"No one will ever know, you have my word on that, besides even if you go back you have worked here." Amy assured her. She then opened her drawer and took out an envelope removing a wrapped bundle of $50 bills that read $1000.
"Here's a thousand dollars, and here, use this credit card to pay off this months rent and the rest through the end of the year. Later I'll need to sit with one of you and we'll take care of your credit card. For now the truck you came in is yours to use. If you decide to stay we'll get you an unmarked one and get Wyatt's ride down here. Are we good or is there more ?"
Georgie sighed, "we're more than good, Amy, I don't."
"Hey Georgie, you can thank us by being happy and being a part of our lives, full time or not, in Ithaca or anywhere you choose." Amy said interrupting her.
Georgie smiled and took Wyatt's hand when there was a knock at the door and Tim popped in.
"Good morning Dad, sleep well ?"
"Yeah, slept great, they said you were in here."
"We were just done." Amy answered getting up and giving him a hug followed by handshakes from Ty and Wyatt and another hug by Georgie. "Any idea what you want to do today ?"
"Well I was hoping to spend some time with you, maybe show me around ?" Tim said.
"I have rounds at the training stables, you can certainly come with me. Ty and Georgie I assume are back to bed and Wyatt's off to Syracuse."
"Sounds great. You two were up all night ?" Tim asked.
"Georgie's been, I got around 5 hours, a few more wouldn't hurt. I didn't even check the schedule." Ty answered.
"I switched grand rounds to 3 so Georgie can be up and so you and I can hold a baby at 1:00." Amy said.
"Thanks Amy, didn't look forward to the 1:00 rounds." Georgie said.
"Ok, just get me at the cottage" Ty said, "I'll be up, I'll do charts after a few hours sleep."
"You're blocked out for 3 hours tomorrow morning." Amy asked.
Ty smiled "Fishing with Jackson, horses allowing of course."
Amy smiled and sighed, Ty took as an I love you so much and smiled back.
Georgie saw it that way as well and smiled along.
They broke off at the porch, the Syracuse truck loading in front. Ty and Georgie walking the cottage path and Amy and Tim heading towards the family barn.
"Pretty big spread Amy."
"1200 acres is ours the additional 5500 we keep in trust for various wildlife agencies."
"You have others ?"
"Pegasus currently owns three additional ranches other than this one, White Horse, Arizona and Montana."
"Some big land down that way." Tim said walking into the barn.
A few hands nodded and Amy checked the board.
"I'm taking Spartan, want to ride Pal ?"
"Sure, Pal is fine."
"Hey Amy, can I help with something ?" Chuck came over asking. He stopped and pulled off his hat to wipe his brow.
"No Chuck, we're good but it's good you're here so you can meet my dad. "Chuck Rodgers is our head wrangler at the rescue compound for the time being, Chuck this is my father Tim Fleming."
Chuck reached out his hand and Tim shook it. "Good to meet you sir. Well if you don't need me Amy the girls are about to move some of the rescues to exercise and I, well."
"You don't like them doing it alone. Go ahead Chuck." Amy said.
Amy walked Tim down the line of family horses. Spartan reacted to Tim nicely and after a little brushing they saddled.
"All these horses yours ?"
Amy chuckled "this is the family barn, usually family and staff, rescues up to training if we need to. I guess the immediate family has about 15, 20 – 25 if we add the regular friends horses that come and go."
They rode past rescue and Amy whistled in. Two dogs came rushing out a second later and a minute after that the girls walked out squinting into the sun and pulling their hats down to see.
"Girls we'll visit later, this is your grandfather Tim, my dad. Dad, Madelyn is on the right and Charlotte on the left, Maddie or Charlie."
"I'll take your word for it. Here let me get down."
"No no Grandpa, we've been mucking, we're sort of stinky" Maddie said laughing. "We'll see you clean and huggable later."
"Ok, well you're both beautiful." Tim said smiling.
"Thanks" they answered together.
"How are they doing ?" Amy asked nodding at the barn.
"We've definitely had worse, they're a little skittish being led around, aside from that they've been pretty responsive." Charlotte answered.
"Let Chuck help you move them and be careful." Amy said.
"We will Mom." Maddie nodded.
"Ok, JT said he'd help you two later, I'm going over at one to hold the baby, thoroughbreds till then."
"Taking the dogs ?" Charlotte asked.
"Need them ?"
"No, just don't want to worry where they've gone off to." Charlotte answered.
Amy smiled and nudged Spartan as the girls turned.
"They work hard ?" Tim asked.
"They work their share, like everyone. The kids all love working with horses."
"So not like Katie."
"I can't answer for Katie dad, there's us in there somewhere. You know, you actually have to show a kid how a shovel is used."
"I don't know Amy, she goes off for a couple months and changes then eventually she's almost back and off they go again."
"Wyatt says the same thing, you can't parent other people's kids dad, it doesn't work. You get an opinion that you can voice or not, but that's it. She asked about staying rather than Nashville, we'll get her riding and she'll go back to Alberta with Georgie all horsey girl."
Tim laughed, "I was about to point out that you might think differently about kids one day but I guess that ship has sailed. You've had them for 6 years ?"
"Six amazing years." Amy repeated.
"You like it ?"
"I love being a mother. It's the most important thing I've ever done and the most humbling."
"So you've been happy ?"
"It's a fine mix, I have been happy, I have been sad and I have been lonely. Grandpa calls it life."
"Your Grandpa isn't always wrong." Tim muttered laughing.
They rode along quietly, Tim had glanced into medical and looked at the surgical facility. Amy took the long way around and pointed out the just shorn herd, she kept the dogs at her side.
As they rode up past the race track "Lisa mentioned you had one of those. Is Cloister here ?"
"Sure, you can meet him, I think he's running a couple of stakes races in September. He'll be here until then."
"What's it cost to stable a horse like that here ?"
"$2000 to $3500 a week depending on what we're doing, rehab can go over."
"That's a nut and a half." Tim exclaimed.
"Horse racing is not a cheap game dad. These horses are some of the fastest in the world, probably 100 million in winnings and winning costs more.
"You don't have to tell me."
"Guess not."
Benny Castro, the head thoroughbred wrangler and trainer came out to meet Amy and take the horses. Amy introduced Tim and Benny who handed the horses off to a hand that showed up immediately.
"We'll be here a while Chap, unsaddle them and let them graze please."
"Sure thing Amy" the hand replied tipping his hat and leading them off.
"How we starting boss ? Benny asked.
"Any problems ?"
"No thankfully considering what you all have. How's Chuck doing ?"
"He's been pretty amazing."
"So, walk the stalls ? Breezing ? Boxer ? Or are we sitting ?"
"Let's walk and stop at Boxer, I told John I'd breeze Prince."
"He's anxious."
"John or Prince ?" Amy laughed.
"Both I guess, I'll have him wrapped and warmed up. You saw Cloister's work out times ?"
"He's ready to go, that's for sure." Amy answered.
Amy walked along the stalls stopping at hands and speaking with trainers walking along the way, checking iPads. It took about an hour to walk all 72 inside and 36 outside stalls. They talked about the horses as they walked. Tim still kept up a bit with the track world and knew several of the horses. Amy took a picture of him with Cloister and then all three of them together with the help of one of the trainers.
After, they met Benny at the small medical stall unit and Amy approached Boxer. Clearly a Belgian Warmblood, his coat, a dark chestnut and mane which was dark black were shiny and silky. He was as handsome a horse in person as he was on screen. She walked up to him slowly and caught his attention. Speaking softly and in her telltale patter Boxer allowed her to run her hands over him, exerting slight pressure here and there looking for weakness.
"When's the medical team scheduled Benny ?" Amy asked.
"Monday morning."
"I want to ride him first, before they get to him."
"I'll make the change, see something ?"
"Nope, still I want to see if the he exhibits the same problem with a different rider though I'd guess someone tried that before now. I'd like to feel how he moves. Have Georgie scheduled to be here for me, she's Ty's second, text Sandra."
In the office Benny and Amy discussed the new diet changes and exercise schedules for those horses about to "change status" to race ready. Rehab progress for those with issues or recovering from surgery and finally the new facility.
"You have any idea who'll be running the new place ?" Benny asked.
"Some preliminary stuff running around in my head, we'll all sit and talk it out before we finalize both the plans and operations. I have someone in mind, actually a family, but we'll see."
"And Bryce ?"
"He say anything to you ?"
"Nothing he hasn't said under an apple tree before."
"I think Bryce's wrangling days are over Benny." Amy said. "I'm leaning towards Ranch Manager and Head Trainer over all three."
"Office job." Benny said laughing.
"As much as Sandra or I Benny and if it. Keeps him with the kids a little longer that's a good thing." Amy said. "I've got to head back, let's get Prince on the track."
"This is Crooked Prince, he had that stumble ?" Tim asked.
"Yeah, they send him here, it didn't seem to turn out to be anything serious, this will be his first real run with any speed."
"And you're doing it ?"
"Yes Dad, I get the big money."
"And you love it, the speed I mean."
"Guilty as charged and all your fault I guess." Amy said walking over to an energized Prince. There were several other horses out being exercised along with trainers and riders. When they saw Prince and Amy several wandered over. Tim smiled as they leaned against trees waiting for Amy. Amy was on her knees, her hands running across Princes front haunches then got up and back up to Prince's head.
"Ready for a run boy ?" She whispered.
Tim smiled again when Prince snorted and nudged her.
"Gate boss ?" One of the hands asked.
"I don't think so, next week I think. I'll take him around slow and if he's game let him loose at least a little."
"Have fun Amy, we'll wait here." Benny said putting out his hands to give her a leg up. Amy settled herself and walked Prince around before settling him on the track and kicking him forward, she walked him in to a canter and then a light gallop. She sped him up a bit on the far straightaway and then again coming around the turn, she waited until she was close enough and let him go. Tim noticed at least 4 stopwatches pulled as Amy guided Prince around. She kept him from full extension but she could tell that as soon as she gave him the go he would fly. She wouldn't give him that chance and kept him a couple notches down. She was very happy with the result when she hopped down and handed him to one of the trainers. When she pulled off her helmet she knelt down alongside Benny and checked him.
"He looked great from here" Benny said running his hand up and over his leg.
"He was itching for me to let him go, just like Cloister, finding two horses like that in a life time, who would have ever thought."
"You probably have a better chance than most Amy."
"I guess, not bad being you either huh Benny ?"
"Can't say I have any complaints."
"Let's check him every few hours today and get his diet up to race ready. We'll breeze him again Monday and hopefully turn him loose sometime soon. I have a funny feeling we'll have company for that one."
"And Bryce I bet."
"Probably, well, take care of our Prince here I'm guessing he'll be California bound by the end of the month and I'll be back on the other side if you need me."
"You have a name Amy ?" Benny asked standing.
"I do actually, I want to bang it around a little though."
"Family ?"
"Like you all, this is husband and wife."
"Good, Bryce and I have a design change you may consider by the way, for the new facility, we'll have Sandra get it on the agenda."
"Ok well, so do the seconds so we'll sit soon."
They rode back quietly and again Amy took him the long way through the preserve and around past the Alpacas who it seems were being moved.
Amy rode over with Tim and she kept the dogs close. "What's up Derrick ?"
"We'll be bringing steers down in a couple weeks and Chuck wants to let this meadow grow out a little. They're mostly on hay at this point so they can move." He said nodding at the bald Alpaca herd.
"Want some help ?" Amy asked
"Bring 'em on boss" he said smiling "should we just stand back ?"
"Take up the sides, Derrick Colby, this is Tim Fleming, my dad." They both nodded and tipped their hats. "dad want to watch or herd ?"
"I'll help, why not."
"Well you take this edge then sir and we'll get the far."
"And the middle ?" Tim asked.
"I've got it dad." Amy said with a smile.
"Far gate Amy" Derrick said as Amy rode on, "Duncan, Dodger, line up."
"The dogs ?" Tim asked
Amy smiled, and whistled two short commands as she rode Spartan to the center edge of the herd and the dogs took their places resting on their haunches at the ready on either side of her.
"Move 'em up boys" she called out followed by a whistle.
Tim was impressed and proud actually watching her all morning and even this, stopping to have some fun and lend a hand. She moved the dogs back and forth, never pushing too hard keeping the dogs back. He stopped and rounded up one of two stray hembra that pulled back and took off, Amy sent Dodger after the second. Tim noticed that the dog had no problem turning the stray and soon had her back in the herd while the dog returned to his post, crouched a bit and moving the herd forward. It took them about twenty minutes before they were riding back to the house and waving at the two hands.
"That was fun, you're pretty handy with those dogs."
"They were fun to train and they're good with the alpacas."
"Amy, uhm, geez I feel like I'm walking on eggshells every time I speak."
"Ask what you want Dad, I can always not answer."
"Is this all yours ?"
"This ranch belongs to me, well, us, my family."
"And the rest, White Horse, the other ranches ?"
"We own White Horse outright as well, the other two are a mix."
"A mix ?"
"There are three main entities, my family which for this conversation are the kids, Betty and I and now or soon enough Ty."
"Ty ?"
"If it's going to work Dad, yes."
Tim sighed, "go on."
"There's Pegasus, the Ranch, the corporate entity of which the family controls a majority interest and the foundation where I'm Chairperson."
"The Pegasus Foundation ?"
"Let's do that part with the family." Amy said as they approached the barn where several hands were in a group around Chuck.
Two broke off immediately and came over to take the horses from Amy and Tim. "We've got them guys, thanks." Amy said after getting down. They both tipped their hats and went back to the group.
"Dad, take these two back and clip them up please, I'll be back in a second."
Tim nodded as Amy walked over.
"Problem guys ?"
"No, just switching things around." Chuck answered. "We should meadow seed that field we just cleared and water in good while we have the two weeks open."
"Makes sense" Amy agreed. "Derrick mentioned it."
"We need to switch that and Benny says we need a deep harrow on the track and I want that to settle for a couple days. We've got it Amy just dividing up." Chuck added.
"The Jumping paddocks need harrowing as well, we're jumping again."
"Already done Amy" one of the hands replied.
"I'll leave you to it then. Girls in the house Chuck ?"
"Yeah, little while ago."
Amy and Tim brushed down the horses and seeing the others in the "family meadow" behind the house led them out rather than putting them in the stalls.
"Some of these look pretty expensive."
"The girls Liberty and Jumping horses are probably worth a pretty penny. Those three are hunter jumpers."
"What's a pretty penny to you these days ?"
"I guess its all relative Dad, I was speaking from your perspective, come on let's get some lunch."
They came out of the barn and watched a truck with a spreader pulling out followed by a sprayer.
"All good Chuck ?" Amy called out.
Chuck nodded and waved as he got on a horse and headed past the medical barn.
"He, uhm, your head wrangler."
"Was born with Down's Syndrome."
"I guess there's a story there for a later date."
The girls were helping to unload the truck from the market trip to Syracuse when Amy and Tim walked up.
"What did you think Lisa ?" Amy asked grabbing a box.
"Well I've certainly never seen a farmers market that big, good home made food too and the nicest people."
"And the distillery pavilion ?"
"Interesting, we bought gin, very good,"
"It's a fun morning for sure, I'll leave the gin to you." Amy agreed pulling off her boots and heading into the house continuing on with the box.
"Hey Sweetie !" Trish said coming into the kitchen from the dining room.
"You alone or is second platoon lurking somewhere ?" Amy asked her walking over for a hug.
"She's got the next shift." Trish said with a smile. "How's it been ?"
"Not bad I guess, we haven't all been together though really."
"Well table's set, let's see it Betty needs help and then we'll see how that goes."
Amy and Trish set out laying out salads that were picked up at the market for lunch while Lisa cut up fresh veggies and Betty unpacked. Tim was on the porch sitting with the now clean girls.
"How was your morning ?" Lisa asked.
"So far so good, it was nice." Amy answered. "He may just be impressed."
"I can imagine." Lisa muttered. "Oh, here's Jack and I guess JT."
Jack walked in a minute later. "JT's with Tim and the girls, cow's all moved and doing well, beautiful animals, all uhm, Ok here ?"
"Fine Grandpa." Amy said smiling. "They are beautiful cows for sure, Erma just loves them."
Lou was coming down the stairs and called back. "Sorry, Katie, lunch is with the family and leave the phone."
"But !"
"No buts !"
"Fine !"
"Stand strong Lou !" Amy said with a grin.
"I'm going to sit with dad and my nieces and nephew."
"I thought Ty was sleeping." Betty said looking over at the window.
"He was going to nap and do paperwork, he's either done or hungry." Amy answered.
"Now it's a party" Jack said leaning over and looking out watching Ty stop near Tim.
"It'll be fine Grandpa." Amy said carrying a pitcher out to the dining room.
"Lisa, I think we're good, mind fetching the girls." Betty asked carrying two bowls of salads.
The kids, Tim and Lou came in and walked towards the dining room.
"Dr. Borden will be a second Mom, he's on the phone with Uncle Bert." Jackson said walking over to his usual seat.
"Uncle Bert ?" Tim asked.
"Bert Koenig, our Medical Director, he and his wife Meg are JT's god parents."
"And the girls ?" Tim asked.
"Trish over there and her husband John are as close as we get. Trish Enchino, this is my dad Tim Fleming."
"Good to meet you sir." Trish said walking over to shake his hand.
"Sir ?" Tim laughed.
"Sorry 20 years in the service, treat everyone with respect until they don't deserve it anymore."
"20 years huh, what did you end up as ?"
"I retired a Major, Mr. Fleming."
"Wow, a Major huh, oh and it's Tim please."
"Trish." She replied.
"Let's all sit, we've waited enough, Ty will be in soon" Amy announced when almost simultaneously Ty walked though the door and over to kiss Amy just as Tim sat down in Ty's seat which unsurprisingly stopped several people in mid stride.
"Problem ?" Tim asked.
"That's Dr. Borden's place" JT whispered.
"Are you kidding me ?" Tim muttered.
"No, why would I kid about that." JT whispered "you should get up Grandpa."
Everybody smiled at Jackson's logic and matter of fact statement.
"Come sit between us Grandpa" Charlotte said moving over one seat so that there was a gap.
"Fine I guess, no big deal, wouldn't want to put Ty out" He muttered moving over.
Ty stood where he was and watched, a second later he kissed Amy again, then walked down the table and sat.
"Let's eat" Jackson said reaching for a bowl the second Ty's butt hit the table.
"You heard the boss" Amy said smiling and reaching for a roll.
"Girls, anything in your group that we have to deal with ?" Ty asked.
"Farrier stuff and teeth floating, most just need some good regular feeding and love." Maddie said.
"Rain rot seems under control." Charlie added. "Sarah wants them tested before they get another Strep shot."
"So after lunch ?" Amy asked.
"Bobby, Cars, Brin and April are coming. We're going to get the jumpers out for a ride, loosen them up a bit and spend time with them." Maddie said.
"Can I ride Turk mom ?"
"Sure Jackson, no jumping though and that's for April and Cars too."
"We know" Jackson assured her.
"Keep the jumpers on our side when the new rescues get shifted."
"Sure thing mom." Charlie said.
"So who are all these kids and horses ?" Tim asked.
"Well, Charlie, Brin, Bobby and I all jump on the Junior Circuit for Pegasus. So our horses, Rocky and Baggins and their horses Crater and Chester get stabled here when we train for events."
"Cars, April and I are going to start cross country in the spring so we have Turk, who's mine and Kite who's April's and Preston is Cars who's really Carson like Brin is really Sabrina."
"And you all just jump together ?" Tim asked.
"Well, Bobby is Charlie's boyfriend and Brin is Mad's girlfriend."
"And April ?" Tim asked.
"Uhm well, April's my girlfriend."
"That's official then JT ?" Charlotte asked grinning.
"I suppose."
"You suppose ?" Ty asked.
"It's official Ok ? Can we change the subject ?"