A/N – Pretty cold and snowy in NY, colder than Alberta. Here's one more chapter, hope you all like it. Let me know in you reviews. Good stuff here.
Chapter 43
After lunch Ty was waiting for Amy to gather some stuff and found himself on the porch with Jackson. "you Ok buddy ?"
"Yeah, fine, how's fishing tomorrow looking ?"
"Pretty good I'd say, three hours on the schedule."
Jackson smiled "that's good. Ok if we talk about some stuff while we fish ?"
"That would always be Ok with me Jackson. Something important ?"
"Well just some questions."
"April ?"
"Yeah that's some for sure."
"Got a list huh ?"
"They sort of keep popping up."
"We'll straighten it all out buddy, we're a team right ?"
Jack smiled "yup, well, I gotta go get Turk saddled."
"Have fun Jackson."
"Like mom says how hard is that, I'm a 6 year old off to saddle a horse ?" He said with a smile heading down the stairs.
Amy came out and smiled taking in Ty's gaze watching Jackson walking away.
"What have you two been taking about ?" Amy asked handing Ty his leather jacket and glasses.
"We riding over ?"
"The Norton is finished, passenger or alone ?"
"Passenger."
"You and Jackson ?"
"He wants to talk and fish. April and other stuff that's popped up."
"Adoption, step, dad and not step dad was the conversation of the evening amongst the three last night."
"Seriously ?"
"Things move fast on the ranch I guess, I heard this morning and you were in surgery, then Wyatt and Georgie."
"Yeah this is the first alone we've had."
"You want me to talk to him ?" Amy asked stopping and turning towards Ty.
"Let's go see the baby, maybe we can find a few minutes to actually sit and talk, besides, how do we know that's what he wants to talk about."
"Sure, that's the ticket" Amy said with a grin. "Look Ty, this conversation is bound to happen. You, Betty, the girls and him. He's confused and he's turned to the girls because that's what he's confused about most, his relationship to them if he's adopted and they choose no."
"Yeah, I've gone a few rounds with that."
Ty stopped when the garage door was pulled up. He looked at the Norton and then tilted his head. He went in while Amy waited and pushed it out into the daylight. They hadn't gone overboard but it was clean and shining in the sunshine. He noticed that the telltale scratches everyone notices on their bikes were gone, all buffed away. Every bit of rust was gone, the chrome was bright and small dents in his gas tank were gone and they had even replaced some of the gold leaf on the Norton insignia on the tank. He rode his fingers over the lines, he felt the smoothness of the metal and knew the work that went into it. He had a set of new Michelin Pilot tires, the rims were perfect and the spokes, which all sparkled were either straightened or replaced.
Amy was smiling watching him walk around the bike "Start her up."
Ty pulled himself over and reached back. The kick was smooth as silk and the bike roared to life with no hesitation. As he raised the RPM's and revved it, the engine sang and then releasing the throttle it purred, not a latent tick, skip, sound or knock. Sitting back he noticed the extra springiness to the suspension and smiled.
He got off and then stood along side it and raised the engine again watching it. When he turned to Amy he saw the girls sitting on the stoop of the house across the road and the lawn watching him. He smiled and then bowed with his arms stretched out like a showman. Then he stood straight and brought his hands to his heart and bowed his head.
He could see them both smiling, their hats shading their faces as they both reached up and tipped their brims. Amy noticed the look on Ty's face when he turned. Through the years she had learned it, Ty's emotional well and the wall he had always constructed to hide it breaking down for a second when he felt love bestowed on him unexpectedly.
"Come on tough guy, let's ride." Amy said reaching up to kiss him and gently wiping the tear from his cheek with her thumb.
Bryce and Roberta actually lived just down the road but Amy had Ty take a longer route to let the Norton out a little. When they pulled in and up to the rail in front of the house Ty whistled.
"This is a nice spread for a ranch manager." Ty said.
"True, but how many ranches generate millions in revenue boarding and caring for thoroughbreds at our level. He deserves everything he has Ty."
Bryce came out as they walked up to the porch and Amy immediately hugged him and kissed both cheeks. Ty was surprised but accepted and returned a hug from Bryce as well.
The house reminded him of Pegasus, modern western with what seemed to be all the amenities. Roberta got up slowly although Amy told her to sit. Ty watched them both in tears a second later and hugging like sisters. When they broke apart she looked Ty up and down "been waiting to meet you for a while Ty."
Roberta was a couple inches shorter than Ty with long black hair and dark eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, "welcome to Ithaca."
The baby started awake then and Roberta looked at Amy "go on, it's not official yet but Edward Tucker, we're already using Tuck."
Amy smiled and took off her jacket, grabbed a disinfectant towel to wipe her hands and then smiling reached over to lift the infant. "Hey Tuck, I've got a pony for you."
"Amy you didn't." Roberta jabbed.
"Of course I did, he's a little paint named Spackle, and he's adorable just like this guy."
Ty sat down and helped himself to a cup of coffee from the pot. He watched Amy cooing at little Tuck and his bright eyes as he haphazardly reached for her hair.
"He's gorgeous Roberta. Where's the rest of the clan ?"
"My sister has them until tomorrow, I'm in sleep mode."
"Well we won't keep you" Amy said.
"Ty want a snuggle ?" Roberta asked.
"Sure, I'd love to."
He also cleaned off his hands and Amy gently laid Tuck in Ty's arms.
Ty smiled and offered a finger that tuck grappled immediately.
"Looks like he's a natural." Bryce said.
"Well, I've actually delivered a baby Bryce, Lou's daughter Katie, our niece."
"Seriously ?" Roberta asked. "You never mentioned that Amy."
"What can I say Roberta, Ty's stint as an Obstetrician never came up."
"Can't imagine how it would have actually. I'm almost done with that logo work by the way, I'll get the final to Bridget in a few days."
"Take your time 'berta , just telling the family tonight."
"Telling them what ?" Ty asked.
"That Pegasus is a working name that we use for what is actually Pegasus, the Marion Bartlett Fleming Foundation, the new logo which we'll roll out will have mom and Pegasus. Roberta is our graphic designer."
"Oh wow Amy. Everyone's going to be awful proud of that." Ty said.
"Yeah, mom started this all, she deserves it."
"You started this all Amy." Bryce said.
"No more than you two and a dozen or so others." Amy answered.
When the baby fussed again Bryce came over and took him over to Roberta in the rocker.
"We'll go and let you get on with your quiet time" Amy said standing. "Bye Tuck" she whispered bending over to kiss his cheek.
Bryce shook hands with Ty who bent over to kiss Roberta after Amy did. Bryce walked them out and hugged Amy goodbye. "I'll stop in over the week, I know I don't have to."
"Just when you're here, be here Bryce, we're fine." Amy answered.
He nodded and they dropped their helmets. Amy pointed Ty around the edge of Pegasus and had him pull into a rear service road to the training stables and then off to a meadow where he parked and they got off. There were sticks with colored flags scattered around in the ground marking whatever imaginary boundaries they were meant for.
"This is where the indoor training and rehab center will be, new stables and all."
She grabbed a water bottle out of the saddle bag and walked over to a tree. Ty sat down and Amy sat in front of him and snuggled in.
"This is nice." Ty whispered.
"Breathing ?" Amy whispered back.
"I missed this the most, over all those years, just holding you, the in the moment stuff."
"Any thought about the kids ?"
"Well, I have lots of thoughts of watching you hold that baby."
"Ty" Amy whispered.
"Too soon ?"
"You looked pretty good too you know."
"Still everyone says you held Jackson all the time, that he would be most calm in your arms, I can see that."
Amy sighed and Ty reached down to kiss her. "I do want to be their dad Amy."
"I know, I see the way you look at them. So show them that, let them know and give them time. Spend time with them, be a part of their lives, and you know Ty, you can be their dad without any paperwork at all."
"We should get back, I have rounds."
They kissed before they stood and then held each other before walking back to the bike arm in arm and getting their helmets.
They went straight to the cottage where they found Georgie and Wyatt sitting in the kitchen. Georgie was having coffee and a sandwich.
Wyatt handed Amy her credit card, "thanks Amy, rent's done through December which is when our lease ends so we're good."
"No problem Wyatt, glad we could help. If you have a minute we could deal with the credit card."
Wyatt looked over at Georgie "go ahead Wy, this is family with no judgement."
"Absolutely not" Amy agreed.
Wyatt stayed behind to read over several files that the foundation had sent over for him. Amy stopped at the house while Ty and Georgie went on to medical. She found Lou, Trish, Lisa, Betty and Jack at the table over coffee.
"Oh hey, where's dad ?"
"Walking around looking." Jack said.
"Is that Katie's phone ?" Amy asked.
"She's riding with the kids, I made her leave it."
"Well, I don't want to freak her out Lou."
"She'll be fine, I find it annoying too you know."
"I'm sorry if I sounded harsh before Lou."
"it's fine Amy, I've missed the sister jabs, it's kind of harder now though."
"Yeah, the whole me raising kids thing is a bit of a shock, Dad said the same."
"How's he been ?" Lisa asked.
"Fine I guess, quiet, maybe thoughtful, the Ty thing is an issue with him."
"Not the money ?" Jack asked.
"Look, the money was always going to be an issue for all of you. It's probably still an issue for you and Lou Grandpa, and I'm sure Dad. I think Georgie is taking it all in. We work hard though and she's seen that first hand."
"As have I" Jack said.
"I think you actually have to experience a Pegasus Center to get to the heart of what all this means to us. I think Ty's perspective was different when he got here having seen one."
"Betty showed me a promotional video of one" Lou said. "You have over 40 of them ?"
"Hard to believe, it's been so frenzied over the years, we even combined work with Disney trips and vacations."
"Seems you're ready to slow down a little." Betty said patting her hand. "How's the baby, I haven't gone yet."
"He's perfect, they haven't made it official yet but Edward Tucker, they're calling him Tuck."
"That's adorable." Lisa said. "he was unnamed when we looked in."
"Well, I have rounds with Sarah and Violette, you all have plans ?"
"I'm getting in a nap before tonight." Jack said.
"Betty and I are baking and I guess waiting for Pavel's folks to get the Library ready for tomorrow."
"How many are we ?
"About 20 I think, kids just for eat and greet, not in the 20." Betty said
"Ok, do we have an inkling of a plan ?"
"Not me, this is Meg and Bert, Cornell politics are beyond me Amy."
"Me too though Ty and I are on the block for sure. We'll see what Lorin wants."
"So what is this exactly ?"
"Well Lou, we are asking the Dean of the vet school to lay aside all principles so that Georgie can attend in September. We have Bert, Ty and I as bargaining chips plus some other things but he will get a price for this."
"Well, from what I've heard I get Bert, but you and Ty ?" Lou asked.
"He wants more of my time. My classes are in demand and though some of the faculty are not much for my methods, the students are, more of me and certainly more association with Pegasus is a coup for him. Ty will one day be the Medical Director here, getting him on board while Assistant Director, another coup. We're about to build a rehab complex and are completing a state of the art surgical facility something else the school might want access too."
"And the books" Betty added.
"And those."
"Books ?"
"Amy hands out material in class every year. All together it's two books, case studies in one, specific methods in the other. Cornell wants to publish it."
"Whatever, hopefully the smoked fish and alcohol will temper our dear Dean's appetite."
"All for Georgie." Lou said questioningly.
"All for Pegasus Lou."
"Somehow I don't believe that, I hope she appreciates this."
"She does." Amy said.
"And Wyatt ?"
"Out of my hands unless there's a plaque involved."
"A plaque ?" Jack asked.
"Straight up money Grandpa, it's the law school, they lack finesse, and their morals, well."
"A bribe ?"
"Not quite Grandpa, they'll want full tuition, that's double the vet school plus. And if there's a lounge they want to redo for say a plaque and donation they may mention it. We have other law school chips as well, we'll see."
The afternoon went by without incident. Lou met Sarah and Violette and accompanied Amy on her rounds. They invariably met the vet group on their grands and stopped for a second to watch Bert down on his knees with Georgie running through the surgery that was performed on the horse. Her hands following the noted vet's down the leg noting points of interest in the horses anatomy that came into play. They had discovered that through a minor injury the blood supply to several nerves and muscles in the horses front right leg had been blocked, not drastically but enough to hinder and affect performance. He explained the arthroscopic procedure they had used, the herbs like Hawthorne that were prescribed to increase blood flow for healing and the exercise regimen they were using to bring him back to performance standard over time.
"I've never really seen her working" Lou said "I've heard her talking shop with Ty but in scrubs in this kind of a setting."
"Something to be proud of Lou, she's impressed us for sure, he's perhaps the finest equine orthopedic surgeon in the world and he's down there teaching her."
"So you think she'll stay ?"
"I think she belongs here Lou, this was mom's dream, Georgie should be a part of it."
"Mom never dreamed this Amy."
"Working hand in hand, the natural and the scientific was her dream Lou, you can read it in her journals, doing what was best for the horses, making them strong on their own, giving them a chance to heal on their own naturally and accepting the need for the science when the need existed, an honest and open joining of the holistic and the veterinary."
"We've got a ways to go on that account but little by little." Sarah said on the way out with the group.
"We'll get these all set up Amy, you were up at training this morning ?"
"I was Vi, all signed off and I ran Prince, he's back to snuff I think."
"I think we're in the clear on most of these." Sarah added tucking her iPad under her arm. "When do we start working them ?"
"Monday morning, I assume there will be dollars on the table and horses in the round pens Sarah. Want to play ?"
"I think I will, teach those girls of you'rn a lesson."
"Bring it on witch." Amy said with a big grin.
"You parlay with horses and I'm the witch, seems somehow backward to me but I'm just a simple mountain girl who trusts in the lord."
"Nothing simple about you Sarah, I'll check in later."
Amy and Lou found Tim standing by a paddock behind the family barn.
"You good Dad ?" Amy asked as Lou and she leaned against the fence on either side of him.
"You feel comfortable with the whole boyfriend girlfriend girlfriend thing with your girls Amy ?"
"In what way dad ?"
"Well they are 14."
"That they are, 15 next month, what do you suggest ?"
"They seem awful chummy is all."
"They kiss and hold hands Dad, snuggle, and they have almost 7000 acres to roam, I trust them, I raised them to think before they act, well, Jackson's still a work in progress but the girls are good to go."
"Well, he got a kiss too."
"He did huh ?" Amy grinned "how'd that go ?"
"She kissed him on the cheek, he blushed, he held her hand when they road off though. It was cute, ok ?"
"Poor little guy's been bombarded lately."
"Want me to talk to him ?"
"No dad, definitely not, he's got someone lined up for Q & A."
"Ty I assume."
"Dad."
"Amy, you have got to give this some thought."
"Give what some thought dad ? Ty ? I've given it way too much thought, we've given it way too much thought, it's not hard, listen to my words, I'm not happy without him, yes I have moments, huge chunks of joy, but in the end there is always something missing and it's him, I'm not confused, drugged or anything else. I have loved Ty Borden for 16 years, it's not like I'm rushing into this."
"So just like that you're giving him half of everything you've worked for."
"Just making sure I'm right here, when you and mom got married you didn't consider half of everything you had hers ? How about you Lou, you married a millionaire oil man, did you not consider it half yours ? You did right dad ?, I mean you considered Peter's money half Lou's didn't you ?"
"What a disappointment that turned into." Tim muttered.
"Feel that way about Ahmed too Dad, half a kingdom would have stood you in well at the cowboy club ?"
"Is that what you think ?" Tim asked.
"That's the funny thing Dad, with you I never seem to know what to think or what you are ever thinking, especially when it deals with money. Sure seems you had an Ahmed agenda 8 years ago."
"Not in the way you're implying, and now I'm thinking what's in your best interest in this Amy, I understand I don't know the whole of your life but this seems pretty quick for my tastes."
Amy was quiet and turned to the horses.
"Amy ?" Lou said softly.
"Sorry Lou, I'm trying to come up with something, anything from the past where Dad acted in my best interest."
"How can you say that ?" Tim and Lou asked together.
"I've had eight years to think about it. I love you Dad but I just think that everything you think you did for my benefit was for yours and things like Dexter, Hot Shots and Ahmed just blow my mind altogether."
"Look, I know I haven't been perfect but I was always on your side."
"I don't see that either dad, I know you love me and you may think that was the case, I don't know, I've had a lot of time to think about a lot of things. I'm sorry but I really don't know what to say, the idea of pitting one of my kids against their grandmother, going into business against their fiancé, fawning and throwing yourself and your child at wealth, how does any of that fit what you've built up in your head. You left me Dad, at the point in my life I actually needed you and you ran rather than cowboy up."
"I didn't know."
"You chose not to know which is worse in my opinion. You chose not to come back when I was a kid and you chose not to know about Ty and I."
"Amy, I'm sorry you feel this way, I'm just sorry."
"I know Dad, I do and you seem changed but the past is what it was."
They were interrupted as 8 horses came around the bend walking towards them.
"How was your ride ?" Amy asked walking up to take April and Carson's leads as they climbed down. Tim had taken Jackson's, the teens just got down on their own.
"Great, they all rode fine and easy." Brin said.
"Good because the schedule is up and you four are jumping for Georgie from 8 – 10 tomorrow morning." Amy told them on their way into the barn.
"Katie, have fun ?" Lou asked.
"Yeah, nice being on a horse again."
"It's good to see you on one" Lou answered.
"Ok, so let's get these guys brushed and mashed and then we'll transfer the rescues that we're starting to these empties." Maddie said.
"Are we all staying for dinner and going to movie night together ?" Charlotte added.
"It's Katz's so there'll be plenty, I'm heading to the house so I'll tell Gran and call your folks."
"I can go right mom ?" Katie asked
"Of course."
On the way back to the house Lou asked "What is movie night actually ?"
"Our friends Trish who you met and John have the local motorcycle shop. They set up a big screen and show movies and cartoons on the wall and neighborhood kids and families come and watch. Blankets and beach chairs, it's fun. They have cotton candy, ice cream and stuff."
"I thought she was a nurse ?"
"She is dad, he runs the shop and she's a head nurse at Cornell."
"Maddie's girlfriend Brin, I think, her folks, I guess."
"Yes Dad, they know, we're good friends and with Bobby's folks, Carson is Bobby's younger brother and JT's best friend."
"And April ?"
"The Potter's live just down the road. Erma brought welcome bread and cookies with April the first day we were here. There's a path through the woods though the road is faster. The kids ride the path. The Carmichael's can also ride over, Bobby and Cars. April and JT grew up side by side Cars a couple years later."
"Sounds like Alberta."
"Not quite and sometimes Lou, it's nice the kids can ride over and you're not looked at like a nut in a cowboy hat most places. We have wonderful friends and neighbors, but even for Bartletts, they settled here early, April's family has been here on that farm for almost 250 years. They fought the British for independence, I feel like the enemy."
"Wow, that's part of history huh ?"
"April is like 9th generation on both sides. She's literally a part of the earth here."
"Like Heartland." Lou said.
"I guess and of course there are the Rockies. This is not Alberta. No Northern Lights"
"Georgie mentioned a mountain retreat."
"We're looking, that's what the lake fishing is all about. Most of these properties appear to include lake frontage. We fish the river, I mean, they'll fish anywhere but they prefer rapids. A few hundred acres in the central Adirondacks."
"Sounds like a good life."
"I try dad, I really do."
"I'm happy you can Amy."
"Thanks dad."
They found the house a beehive of activity, Betty and Lisa were sorting through bags, boxes and trays of deli that Pavel brought and Amy heard Meg's tell tale stream of instructions to the crew setting up the library.
"Go save Pavel Amy."
"I have to call Trish, the Caldwells and Carmichaels Lisa." Amy said walking around the table grabbing a bottle water.
"Trish is coming with the bus at 7 for the kids." Betty said. "The folks know and dropped off clothing changes and John and Trish will drop everyone home later."
"Oh, great, Meg and Pavel then. Lou, come help."
"What are we helping ?"
"Sounds like choosing the proper combo for service." Amy said walking though the dining room towards the library.
"Where is Amy, this is her ball."
"She's right behind you Margaret all you had to do was text."
"Ok, sorry, stemware, plates ?"
"Not the vintage or Pat will talk about it endlessly. Casual, let's do the Steuben Whisper stemware, the Lenox Glories on Grey and the Tuttle or Christofle Silver ?"
"This one" Lou said "with lilac napkins."
"Christofle it is, Meg ?"
"Good, lilac napkins on grey linen" she noted to herself and pulled the stack of lilac linens off and handed them to Pavel, "now, we have champagne, white wine." Meg listed.
"Juice, coffee, appetizing and Pavel ? Desserts ?" Amy took over.
"The Ithaca Bakery is putting together a few platters, they know it's for you."
Amy, Lou and Meg then walked the room. The desk and reading desk had been removed and any tell tale signs of them removed. The furniture in the room as well as several pieces brought in were arranged in separate seating arrangements but opened to the center so that a conversation or comment from another area wouldn't seem awkward.
"What's the weather for tomorrow, should we open the patio ?" Amy asked.
"Nice tomorrow 70's and clear" Pavel said. "The terrace would spread the group out."
"That's true, how about setting it lightly and keeping it closed. We'll open it if the room seems stuffy or close." Meg suggested.
"Ok flowers ?" Amy asked.
"I asked Sarah and Vi to do something local and Pegasus like, dry and wildflower."
"Good, I like that, ask them to add some scent, mild, maybe a wild sage."
"Ok, that's good." Meg repeated.
"Good, Ok so Pavel what are we having ?" Amy asked.
"Bagels, croissants and brioche, three different sturgeon caviars, lox of course, smoked sable, whitefish, trout and sturgeon, Erma's doing a cheese platter, crudités and spreads and Yvette will prepare blintzes, both for the caviar and cheese and fruit stuffed of course as an on buffet prepared entree."
"Can't wait" Amy said.
They were interrupted by the teenagers pulling boots and walking towards the stairs.
"Stop, what's happening ?" Amy said walking out.
"Showers and changing for dinner" Maddie said.
"Maddie, April and Katie in the twins shower, Bobby, Cars and JT in his room and Charlotte and Brin in my room. Go."
"Fine" Maddie said walking past.
"Madelyn, do you have an objection ?"
"Nope."
"Good, see you all shiny then." Amy said as the group made their way upstairs.
"What was that ?" Lou asked.
"Maddie thinks it's ridiculous that she and Brin can't shower in the same room."
"Why would she think that ?"
"Because in a month they'll change next to each other in school, shower next to each other, they'll go on overnight school trips together, swim club, just like last year, the school is of course fine with it, need more ?"
"That's a 1st world, 21st century problem huh ?" Lou commented thoughtfully. "Good luck with that." She finished with a smile.
"Thanks Lou."
They settled around the kitchen table, Amy, Meg, Lou, Lisa and Betty. Jack and Tim had gone to their rooms to wash up. They talked about local stuff and ranch doings, the Watson baby as kids wandered downstairs, clean and changed. Ty, Georgie and Bert joined the group after a while and Amy and Lou excused themselves to get cleaned up.
Amy bent over the sink in her bathroom washing her face. She had stripped down to underwear to change from work clothes. She sighed when a pair of warm searching and welcome hands landed on her hips and then moved up to raise her back against a strong chest and his lips found the base of her neck and her pulse.
"Miss me Ty ?"
"I have" he whispered moving his lips over her shoulder, "been" then to her ear "missing you."
"We can't do this," she sighed turning her head and reaching up to catch his lips with hers. She turned and fell into his arms laying her head against his chest.
"How about a dress for you ?" Ty asked stepping back and smiling.
"As you desire sweetheart." She said skipping over to a closet and walking in. She came out a few minutes later with a light weight embroidered jeans dress that fell to her knees.
"Nice" he said from the chair he had dropped into. She stepped into a pair of cozy flat slippers and held out her hand for his.
Downstairs in the living room the teenagers were standing off to the side and Ty walked over.
"I'm here to hug my girls." Ty said with a big smile.
When Charlotte looked up and smiled he opened his arms and drew her in, Charlotte laid her head down on his shoulder and hugged him back. "So my girls huh ?" She whispered. "Guess so Charlie, that Ok with you ?"
"Yes Dr. Borden, that's fine with me." She whispered back and gave him a last squeeze before letting go. Ty smiled at her and turned to Maddie.
"Can't just shake on it I guess ?" Maddie said opening her arms.
Ty wrapped his arms around her and Maddie did the same, laid her head down like Charlotte and hugged him back. "Ok with you Mad ?"
"We come as a set Doc, it's weird."
"Give it up scarecrow." Ty looked down at her.
"Yes Dr Borden I'm just fine being one of your girls."
"And the hugging ?"
"Way nicer than I thought it would be Doc."
"See Mad, told you." Brin said smiling.
Ty stood back "you two are amazing."
"We're a pretty good catch Doc, no doubt." Charlie said.
"Up there with winning the lottery." Mad said with a grin.
"It feels like that Mad. What are you grinning at Jackson ?"
"My sisters are awesome."
"Hungry buddy ?" Ty asked him
"You bet he is." April answered straight off.
"Ok then, let's eat." Amy said with a sniffle, a laugh at April and wiping her hand across her eyes. They walked in to the large table set up as a buffet. There were platters of cold cuts, breads and side dishes which Bert was patient enough to walk Ty through while gathering his own food. Meg and Betty took Jack and Lisa in hand and Amy took Wyatt and Georgie through. Lou and Katie were familiar with the fare as most were who spent any time in New York City.
Tim came in from the porch tucking his phone away. "Casey sends her love to everyone I guess and Ty FedEx just dropped this off special for you from the Alberta Department of Motor Vehicles. Something we should know about ?"
"Just two books Tim, nothing to worry about."
"Books ?" Amy asked.
"Later would be better Ames."
"Ty ?"
"They're just books Amy."
"Then open it up." She said coyly.
They had sat on the floor in a semicircle with the kids. Jack and Lisa were with Betty and Tim and Lou were off to the side.
"I was going to talk to you about this in private but you insist so" Ty grabbed the outside of the envelope and grabbed the long imbedded tab. He pulled it open and then reached for the two books which he dropped on the floor in front of where they had all sat to eat.
Amy picked one up and read "Class 7 Motorcycle Learner's Permit Test Manual and Study Guide ?"
"Tell me you don't have a motorcycle license." Amy asked.
"Seriously, of course I have a license." Ty answered indignantly.
"Then I don't get it."
"Just remember you asked for this Amy," he started. "Girls, in the states the legal age to ride a motorcycle for the most part is 17, but you're Canadian citizens with a home, several actually in Canada. The legal age to ride a motorcycle in Canada is 16. You may have a Class 7 Motorcycle Learner's Permit on your 15th birthday and ride unencumbered along with a licensed driver. You may take the test two weeks before your birthday. Study up."
"We can ride on our birthday, this birthday ?" Maddie asked.
"In Canada, with a licensed driver alongside you, if you pass the written exam." Ty said.
"Wow." Charlotte said. "Could we do that, we have school ?"
"I think we can arrange to get you over a border before your birthday for the test, of course it's up to your mom, who couldn't wait to hear."
"Mom ?" Maddie asked
Amy looked over at Ty "when were you going to ask me ?"
"Any time before Sunday evening when I had planned to give them the books."
Amy smiled and shook her head, "I don't see why not, they can't ride down here can they ?"
"No, not in NY until they're 17 or 16 with a permit, we'll check, an actual license may supersede the need for an actual learner's permit." Ty said.
"I walked right into that didn't I."
"In some ways you haven't changed at all in 16 years Ames." He said smiling. "I wouldn't have it any other way you know."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Ready for later ?" He said low leaning over and whispering.
"As ready as I'll be, how do like this stuff ?"
"Pastrami is pretty amazing, not much for chopped liver, these pickles are the best I've ever had and knishes rock. I'll try brisket next. Oh and the mustard is perfect."
He looked around and saw that Betty, Lisa and Jack had made their way onto the porch. "I've got to talk to Betty for a second." He said getting up and balancing his plate. He grabbed half a brisket sandwich and some health slaw onto his plate and walked out the door.
"Ty, join us" Jack said nodding at a seat.
"Don't mind if I do Jack, have you spent any time with Tim since he's been here ?"
"Nope, Amy and Lou have. Any idea how that's going ?"
"Nope. Betty ?"
"Yes Ty ?"
"We Ok, you and I ?"
"In what way son ?" She answered with a glance up from her plate and a smile.
Ty smiled back, "never mind."
"Already forgotten."
They were done eating and clearing away when the small school bus pulled up with Trish and Sally Carmichael who was coming along to help. The small yellow bus, another piece of the Marauders equipment they had for some reason. The kids all lined up for kisses and hugs all around before hopping aboard.
"What the hell were the girls wearing ?" Tim asked.
"They're members of the motorcycle club, movie night is run by the club so they're in vests." Amy explained.
"They're 14." Tim stated.
"You actually don't have to remind me of their ages Dad, it's a social club, the girls are gear-heads, Trish and John are our best friends."
"How are they in a motorcycle club do they have motorcycles ?"
"We all have motorcycles except for Jax who actually now has a side car. Well he has a small dirt bike."
"The girls ?"
"1958 Harley's they built themselves, they're excellent riders."
"Whatever, where's this meeting happening ?"
"In the guest cottage as soon as we're done clearing."
"You don't have people to do that ?"
"Actually I do, they're called kids but they've gone so it's up to us."
By 7:15 quite a crowd made their way from the ranch house over to the cottage.
Ty, Amy, Georgie and Wyatt had gone on ahead to set up coffee and light the symbolic summer fire for the coziness effect.
Tim walked along with Jack and Lisa at the end of the folks walking.
"Why are all these people coming to a family meeting ?" Tim asked quietly nodding at Betty, Bert and Meg who were ahead and heading through the door.
"Obviously they're family Tim" Jack said matter of factly.
"Great." Tim muttered as he went though the door and took off his hat.