A/N – I'm so happy you all liked the last chapter and I guess hope you like this one two. Taxes week 2 so I'll try to get the next chapter up during the week, no promises but the taxes are almost done. Cold and snowy here, hope you're all warm. Love your reviews and comments keep them coming.
Chapter 57
Amy had settled into the library after breakfast on Thursday. Charlie had insisted that she get up to date before the school rush and she was just finishing her last stack when she heard the helicopter over the house.
"Betty am I missing something on my schedule ?" She called out.
"You'd better check sweetheart, your schedule's been cleared."
"My schedule's been cleared, is it a computer problem ?"
"Come see and try to contain yourself."
Amy looked out the screen door as a lone figure stepped out "Betty it's TY !" And ran out. She wasn't near as quick as Maddie charging him from the barn. She leaped at him and he caught her and swung her around.
"Wow, you must have really missed me to come back like this !" She said pressed against him.
"I missed you the most scarecrow."
"That's sweet but we both know that's not true. It's good to see you Doc !"
"Mad, get off my man" Amy said jogging up.
Maddie got down then reached up to kiss his cheek.
"Gran's got instructions Mad you have" Ty began and then turned to the pilot "Mike ?" "23 minutes Ty". "23 minutes till take off." Ty repeated.
"Where ?"
"22 minutes sir."
"You heard him Mad."
"Who's in the chopper ?"
"Surprises, better get ready, Brin will be here in a minute."
"Ty ?" Amy whispered reaching up to touch his face.
"Where's JT ?"
"Fishing Cabin with Jack. Dancing this evening Ames ?"
"And touching ?"
"Very much touching." He whispered leaning over towards her lips.
"Uhm, sir, excuse me, 18 minutes."
"You better go Ames."
"What do I pack ?"
"Toothbrush ? Hair things ? I've covered everything else."
"You've ?"
"Evening wear by Chateau Devereaux, the rest by Christy, go."
"Oh Ty." She started back to him.
"Go Ames, run !" He said laughing and stepping back, palms up.
Charlie came running up "I know hurry, hug please !"
Ty smiled and hugged her then she tore off towards the house.
"You and Maddie have a thing going Ty ?" Lisa asked with a laugh.
"Maddie's the more up front in your face emotional one. I have a thing with both, all I guess."
They figured that if they all stepped out the hugging would just burn time so Lisa and Ashley's presence was only known by Bridget and Betty who handled the arrangements and reservations.
"Time Mike ?"
"With the 10 minute buffer we built in we'll be fine Ty. As long as I confirm wheels up they'll hold our approach spot."
Meg Caldwell pulled up to the house and she and Brin wheeled bags to the chopper which Mike promptly deposited in the hold.
Brin ran up and hugged him "Hi Ty, this is exciting, I approve. Hair at 1:00 ?"
"My haircut is at one, Sara Nicole at Fleischman's Midtown West."
"I can't wait to watch her work. When did you shave ?"
"You're not going to watch her work and about 5 hours ago."
"I am definitely going to watch and you need her to shave you first, shave at 1:00 perfect by 7:00."
Maddie came out with her suitcase followed by Charlie, Katie, Amy and Betty.
"We'll discuss this en route Sabrina."
"Thirteen minutes Ty."
Ty woke up Sunday morning and found Jackson at the kitchen table with a glass of milk waiting for Lisa to lay some pancakes on his plate.
"Good morning Jackson, Lisa."
"Ty, pancakes ?"
"Sure, good fuel for a morning ride."
"Where we heading anyway ?"
"We're going up to the north ridge of Heartland Jackson, where Samuel Bartlett first looked down on the land and claimed it for your family. Your family cemetery is up there."
"Cool."
Ty passed behind Jackson and squeezed his shoulder "It is cool, I'm glad you feel that way Jackson."
"Mom has buckles in her room, roping, penning, barrel racing. What's the Ring of Fire ? She won that when she was 17, Grandma Marion too, it's all in that room."
"Your mom and Grandma Marion were and are pretty special people Jackson. Your Grandpa, GG, Aunt Lou and Georgie and are all champion riders, jumpers and rodeo stars."
"I know, mom says some people think GG is the best bronc rider ever."
"That's nice but I don't know JT" Jack said walking in and kissing Lisa.
"What does she say about me ?" Tim said walking through the door.
"Good morning Grandpa, well she says you're the best rodeo star ever, at least in Canada, maybe the world."
"She said that huh ?" Tim said a bit taken aback.
"Surprised Tim ?" Ty asked low.
"Uhm, no, I guess not. So what's on for today, why am I here ?"
"We're taking Jackson up to the cemetery Tim, I figured you'd want to be there for that."
"Go get washed up and dressed Jackson, then we'll saddle up." Ty said when JT had finished.
"What did she tell them about me ?" Tim asked "And thanks Ty I would like to go up with him, did you ask Lou ?"
"Lou's fine with you two, so is Amy. Jackson defines the world in somewhat simpler terms Tim, Amy told him you got sick and had to go away and you came back when you were better."
"Somewhat nicer than I would have told the story." Jack muttered.
"Let's try not to disillusion him today fellas, huh ?"
"We'll be on our best behavior Ty." Jack said looking at Tim.
"I want them to feel an attachment to this place, that this history is their history too."
"I appreciate that Ty." Jack said.
They met Mitch finishing up in the barn. Georgie had left instructions that Jackson should ride Phoenix and he was excited. Standing on a hay bale Jackson got close and ran his hands up down an appreciative horse. They were buddies in a minute.
"Don't know how she did that ?" Jack said softly "They are just like her."
Mitch was heading into town for the day and asked Ty to ride Maverick, with Jack on Buddy and Tim on Champ they rode out into the Alberta morning, Ty following behind Jackson who was between Tim and Jack.
Ty took out his phone and connected to the microphone in JT's hat and then to the Go Pro attached to Ty's baseball cap. With an earbud in, Ty could hear Jack and Tim as clear as a bell. He checked the screen, so that everything was going well and tucked the phone away. He felt bad in a way not telling anyone he was doing this but he knew that this ride and this talk had never been recorded, they all knew the various parts by heart, Jack had recited them so many times but this somehow felt more solid. He had already told Jack that under no circumstances was JT to be given a stone until they were all together but Amy thought this ride would be special for JT and was a little glad that she wouldn't be first to show him Marion's grave. She secretly dreaded breaking down in front of them. He didn't tell Amy about the recording either.
As they rode Ty listened in as Jack wove Heartland's tale. He pointed off and rode through meadows where he told stories of his father and grandfather and himself as a boy growing up. The legends he was told about his grand sires came through as well. Stories about Marion and Lou and Amy. Tim also pointed out his and Marion's special places, those places she found special that would draw her. For his part Jackson was quiet, turning his head this way and that. He asked a question here and there but for the most part he listened to Jack and Tim. Ty added a little here and there about his time with Amy, where they liked to watch sunsets and sunrises, Jack turned around and looked at him a few times not remembering sunsets let alone sunrises.
Ty was silent but thoughtful when he rode through their fields and meadows, the places where he and Amy would tuck themselves away to be together. He secretly hoped to visit them with her again, he was sure Amy did.
When they reached the meadow and since it was summer Ty suggested they gather Wildflowers and although he got a look from Tim at the suggestion they all got down and made small bouquets. When it came time to cut a makeshift tie on a bouquets Ty reached into his pocket and pulled out an old Case XX pocket knife and snapped it open.
"Well I'll be" Jack whispered. Ty looked over and smiled.
"Here Jackson, always be careful where you cut."
"I will" he whispered and cut the tie short. He then did the same for GG and Tim and then careful snapped it shut and handed it back to Ty.
"That's yours Jackson, it's a very special knife, GG's grandfather gave it to GG's dad in 1926 and then he gave it to GG who gave to to me. Now I'm giving it to you, but you have to remember that it's dangerous and you have to be very careful with it, you only open it to use not show off."
"I will, I promise" Jackson said reverently holding it in his hand and then he tucked it in his jeans pocket. "Let's go." He had Phoenix by the lead and reached up to take Jack's hand as they walked up the ridge towards the cemetery. They tied the horses loosely and walked in. Ty placed the flowers at the entrance as Jack walked JT around past the graves, pointing out Bartlett's and some about their lives and hardships. Ty followed behind, the video running. Jackson held Jacks' hand the whole time and it was cute to see him looking up or Jack leaning over to point to the words.
"Where's Grandma Lyndy's grave ?"
"Grandma Lyndy wanted to be close to the fishing cabin, it was her favorite place." Jack explained. "We can visit her marker when we're there Jackson " Jack explained.
"Ok, are we going, that would be great."
"We are Jack, just working out details." Ty said leaning over to grab the bouquets meant for Marion's grave.
Ty had been snapping photos or stills off the video feed when he saw something good, he now snapped several shots of Jackson, standing between Tim and Jack. All three holding their hats, heads down. After a time Tim and Jack told JT about Marion from their perspectives with some stories thrown in. They had laid the flowers down and were quiet as the two older men led Jackson away.
Ty switched off the feeds then, he had what he wanted, a history preserved for posterity told by the 86 year old patriarch of a determined and noble family, caretakers of a great land as told to his great grandson.
"I'll just be a minute Jack." Ty said walking over to Marion's grave and laying down his flowers. He took off his baseball cap and knelt by the grave, bowed his head and closed his eyes."
"What's that about ?" Tim muttered.
"He's probably saying thank you for saving his life." Jackson whispered.
"That's exactly what he's probably doing Jackson" Jack said shaking his head at Tim.
Lisa had lunch waiting for them when they got back. Georgie and Wyatt joined them.
Jackson went over to the seat he had taken the night before when Tim wasn't at dinner, the seat Tim was heading to now, his normal self appointed seat except Jackson had his eyes on him and Tim noticed.
"Here too ?" Tim said looking down.
"Hey I'm just a kid Ok."
"Fine" Tim said taking the seat across from Jackson. Ty walked in and stopped, Jackson smiled and kicked the chair out.
"I wonder what your parents were like." Tim muttered.
"Mom's a horse whisperer, dad's a vet." Jackson said across the table. "You know Grandpa, if something's bothering you should just say it."
"And then what ?"
"I guess then it depends on what's bothering you."
"What if nothing's bothering me."
"Well, if I told Mom or Gran nothing was bothering me when it was they would stare at me until I told them, you know ? So you got someone like that ?"
"Casey, my wife."
"Oh yeah, she's in the rodeo."
"She runs a rodeo, she's away."
"Oh, so that's what's bothering you. I know because that was bothering mom this week, still is I guess, we talked about it. Mom misses you like crazy ."
"Me too." Ty said.
"So how does that help ?" Tim asked.
"You should call her and tell her you love her and miss her like Dr. Borden does, uh, to mom, not to Grandma Casey."
"What did you call her ?"
"Grandma Casey."
"She's gonna love that."
"I'm betting she'll be thrilled Tim." Lisa said.
"Jack, Jackson's itching to see some cows, you up to taking him out to the herd while I get my paperwork done ?"
"Sure thing Ty, easy riding's never a problem. Lis ?"
"I don't think so Jack, I may just sit with Ty and catch up myself."
"Tim ?"
"Sorry Jack and sorry to you JT, I have to meet Caleb at the rodeo grounds to show some stock."
"Just you and me then GG."
"JT"
"I know mind GG."
Ty smiled "Yes but call your mom too before you head out."
"Georgie what are you doing this afternoon ?"
"We were going for a ride, do you need something ?"
"I'm going over the jumping facility plans, just starting now that they're being finalized, stop in before you leave in case I'm stuck on something."
"Sure thing, there's muffins in the oven Ty, we were going to stop back anyway."
Ty was fine with staying in for the rest of the day, he went through the plans, made notes, spoke with Georgie about the pools and rehab end of the facility and went through the financials and proposed schedule of construction progress and payments.
"They actually get a bonus for finishing on time, isn't that their job ?"
Lisa smiled, "They have no control over acts of nature. If there's a heavy snow or a wet frost they get the day off, there are laws involved. We order three endless pools two come in on time one is delayed a week, there are some things beyond their control. Say they were building now, depending on where they were they might have to stop for over a week."
"I'll go through this financing with Charlie, it's sort of split, it makes sense boarding and training have nothing to do with rehab but we plan on using the pools for the thoroughbreds too so I'm lost in the financial formulas."
"I'll tell you a secret Ty, you never get it all, not on that level unless you're on the finance side. At some point you just have to trust your people."
"That's what Amy says. Ok, I'm going up to give her a call. Can I help with dinner ?"
"No, the stew's up and Lou's bringing biscuits. It's just us, Georgie's going out with Wyatt, they have the Porsche, they have money and they're very excited."
"Good for them, they deserve some sort of a life."
Ty had packed up and turned towards the stairs, he stopped and leaned back to kiss Lisa on the cheek.
"What was that for ?"
"Do I need a reason, you should relax a little before dinner."
"I'm not that old."
"You're old enough to put your feet up for an hour."
"Fine, I'll read for a while."
"Do it with your eyes closed."
"Very funny, go call Amy."
"There's one of my handsome men in Alberta."
"Hey Ames, JT's out scoping the herd with Jack."
"How was this morning ?"
"I have pictures, it was nice, he just absorbed all that history, I uhm, taped it."
"Really, Grandpa was Ok with that ?"
"Well, not yet. How's your day been beautiful ?"
She smiled when he said it, "I miss you."
"Besides missing me."
"Working on rescues with the girls in a very confined place and falling behind, we're down hands to the flu, the alpacas are huddled together in their enclosures, ugh."
"I'm so sorry I'm not there to help."
"We're fine Ty, it's almost over. By next weekend we'll be dry and running stock again."
"Ok I've arranged for Jackson to swim at the high school Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The swim team has access to keep toned and the coach said it'll be fine."
"Old Coach Price still around ?"
"Actually I had thought so but it's his daughter Kim."
"Oh, I remember her, dark hair, a grade ahead of me I think."
"Whatever, we'll be there at 8 and then the clinic for the morning."
"Your little helper, take pictures."
"I'll be working Amy."
"Please Ty." She said it with those eyes and that pout.
"I'll try."
"Tell me you love me."
Ty smiled "I love you Amy Fleming."
"I wish I could just hold you for a second."
"Way more than a second."
"Mom, you coming ?" Charlie called out.
"Got go do the work Ty, I'll talk to you later my love."
"Kiss the girls for me and stay safe."
By Wednesday evening all of Ty's plans for the next 36 hours seemed locked. Betty stopped at the Caldwell's on Monday morning not long after she knew Sabrina would be at Ithaca College practicing. After filling in an ever more excited Meg as the plans were laid out she drove in to caucus with Bridget, Trevor and Charlie. She learned about the brooch but not the photographer and the plans Ty and the group had put in place for the other gifts.
Bridget laid out the tickets, times, takes offs and landings,"8:00 Am lift off, fashion show and fittings at Sebastian's first then check in to the hotels, Roxy for Amy and The Greenwich Hotel for the group , then the Shibui Spa at the Greenwich for lunch and spa treatments for the afternoon, then the groups split, you all to Le Bernadin for a tasting menu dinner and Amy and Ty for romantic dinner and Latin dancing."
"Latin dancing huh, I wonder what that's all about ?" Trev asked, "I mean Steph and I go but I grew up on Latin dance."
"Ty made those arrangements, I'm out of the loop." Bridget said with a shrug.
"I think Amy and the girls will be absolutely thrilled by the whole thing." Charlie said "The Spa and the Greenwich is beautiful. Eric Ripert himself will take care of the food at the chef's table tasting."
"Wine for the adults please Charlie." Betty implored.
"Of course Betty."
By the time Betty was done with her meetings Ty and Jackson were having a ball together seeing patients. It was an easy morning and they showed up in a good mood after Jackson fleeced the coach out of $30. Ty watched in awe as Jackson affected a limp walking in "You Ok Jackson ?"
"Just fine, lunch is on me, follow along."
"You're in charge Jackson."
Jackson was all smiles meeting several young men, one the team captain. They all looked like swimmers, their bodies athletic and trim. Coach will be back soon, she told us you'd be over. You're Dr. Borden right, from the vet clinic ?"
"And my son Jackson, we're here for a few weeks."
"So you're racers huh ?"
"We're the swimming team so I guess so. I'm Terry, the captain."
"You any good ?"
"We hold our own little man."
"Wanna race ?" Jackson asked.
"I don't know little guy, think you can keep up ?"
"Er, I think so, you guys don't look that fast."
"So you're a tough kid huh ?"
"We can bet."
"We can huh and what do you have to bet."
"Well, there's five of you, I've got $30, if you guys all beat me it's yours but I get $10 for every one of you I beat and you get nuthin."
"Ok little man, your on. What's your race ?"
"500 meters breast stroke." Jackson said as straight faced as he could and then pulled off his shirt and held out his hand to shake.
"10 laps ?"
"Not enough ? I'll do 1000 if you want ?" Jackson said looking up his hand still out.
"Coach is back, I don't know if she'll go for this."
Ty was standing back against the wall watching JT work his scam. At first he thought it was insane, he knew deep down that there was no way Jackson could out swim these guys, they were twice his height and he assumed seasoned athletes. It wasn't until Jackson named the race, 500 meters that he understood. JT figured at least a few of them would drop out, 10 laps breast stroke at race speed was grueling, at least to Ty. JT did it several times a week and Ty had been told he was a rocket in the pool.
Ty turned to see Kim Price walking over. She was no old man, she was 27 and had swam all her life. With long dark hair in a braid down her back, dark eyes, a very nice smile and a very shapely hard body tucked away very nicely in a Hudson High swimsuit she was a looker. Out of habit Ty immediately noticed that she did not have a ring and so did she, though he did have a son, not necessarily a deal breaker. Dr. Borden was hot.
"Dr. Borden, I'm Kim Price and you must be Jackson."
"It's Ty, thanks for letting us do this."
"Not at all, you meet the team Jackson ?"
"Yup, we were just going to have a little race."
"A race ?"
"500 meter breast stroke."
"500, are you kidding ?"
"Gotta make it interesting." Jackson said with a smile.
"You're Ok with this Ty?"
"Sure, kids gotta make a living."
"Tell me they didn't bet, there's a big sign over there."
"Lunch at Maggie's on Jackson Kim, can I call you Kim ?" Ty asked with just that smile.
"You're going to cute your way out of this aren't you ?"
Ty smiled wider, his face and eyes lit up. "Let's see what your guys got coach, unless of course you think, you know, your guys can't handle a seven year old."
"Cripple" Jackson added pointing at his leg.
"Don't push it kid" Kim said. "You guys sure you want to do this, what's the bet ?"
After listening to the terms Kim nodded.
"I'll cover the $30, I can't let students bet, I don't ever want to hear about this again. One race and that's it."
"uhm, can I borrow a set of goggles ?" Jackson asked looking up at the coach.
"Seriously, you should come prepared, whoever heard of a pool sharp without a cue, hold on." She said walking over to a cabinet and fishing out a card of children's goggles.
Jackson, wet and fitted them and then stood on his mark in lane 6. He shook out his arms and legs as did the other swimmers.
"My swimmers, I don't care how long it takes, you've agreed to swim 500 meters breast stroke and you will before you leave this pool today."
Kim plugged in her bell sounder, "At the bell on three, swimmers, ready"
"One, two, three" and the horn sounded.
Ty watched Kim who stared at Jackson dive and then he heard her sigh as Jackson's body contorted in a smooth whipping motion and he shot forward and out of the water in a powerful stroke, he hit that air at 35 meters, two powerful strokes later she sighed again as he flipped perfectly, kicked him the wall, spun and propelled himself once again.
"He's amazing" Kim whispered leaned back towards Ty.
"Our little otter" Ty whispered back amazed at the control JT had of his body.
"So you're taken ?"
"Afraid so."
"Can I have him in a few years ?"
"Afraid not, we live in New York."
"This should be fun though, Terry the captain will probably make it, the other 4 who knows, 2 and 3 are already losing it. They train for 100 they won't do 200 until college."
After 6 laps Jackson stopped and popped his head out of the water "how they doing ?"
"Finish up Jackson" Ty laughed as he kicked away.
"He's a confident little shit isn't he ?" Kim laughed as he swam away.
"He gets it from his mother, Amy Fleming."
"Wait, Miracle Girl Amy Fleming ?"
"The same."
"I remember her, I thought she left town."
"Ended up in NY."
Terry made the 10 laps without stopping but Jackson was sitting toweling off his head at the head of Terry's lane when he climbed out and collapsed.
"Damn your fast Jackson." Terry said breathing deeply, filling his lungs.
"The trick is getting you to agree to the race before naming it. You guys could kick my butt in the 100, well some of you, 500 is hard core."
"That's enough Jackson, get changed." Ty said laughing.
"1:15 at Maggie's Ty ?"
"We'll look forward to it Kim."
Later on the way to lunch they met coincidentally on the street, Ty parked the truck and Kim her Prius nearby.
Lunch was fun, Lou came right over when the group sat themselves.
"Lou do you know Kim ?"
"Can't say that I do."
"Kim Price this is Lou Fleming, proprietor of Maggie's, Lou this is Kim Price, the Hudson High swim coach. She lost a bet and owes us lunch." Ty explained.
"I beat the swimming team in a race."
"The whole swimming team ?"
"Nah just 5 of 'em, unless that's the whole team."
"The whole team is 11 Jackson, though you probably would have beat them too. Want to try me next ?"
"Do I look like a sucker to you ?"
"Nope, I guess you don't" she laughed.
When they were finishing up Kim said good bye and went over to pay the bill, Ty insisted on leaving the tip. Lou came over and sat down when Jackson got up to get washed.
"What was that ?"
"What Lou ?"
"Scared of losing your touch ?"
"We made friends, she likes Jackson and we'll see her every time we swim, are you jealous of nothing for Amy's sake ?"
"She had that look, that's all."
"We'd already discussed that I was taken Lou, no look."
"Where you both off to now ?"
"Rodeo grounds to see some bronc riders, we're meeting Tim and Caleb."
"How did you like your lunch Jackson ?"
Jackson climbed into his seat "Great."
"Great is good" Lou added. "I'll see you both at dinner ?"
"Nope, dinner with the Odells tonight but after we're good."
"I'll be home, Georgie texted, they've decided to book a hotel for the night in Calgary."
"Good for them, they should relax a night."
"Wyatt's got simple desires, he wants to hand the keys of that Porsche to a valet and tell him to keep it close."
"Nothing wrong with the simple pleasures Lou, ready Jackson ?"
"Let's ride" he said swinging off his chair and grabbing his hat.
"What's that buckle you're wearing JT ?"
"Mom's double roping buckle from her room, Dr. Borden says you were a champion too."
"I jumped when I was young but no where near as good as your mom and Georgie."
"Bye Aunt Lou" Jackson said reaching up. Lou smiled and bent over for her hug and kiss, she had to admit Jackson was adorable.
They spent the afternoon at the rodeo grounds and went home from there with Caleb.
Jackson loved the rodeo grounds. Tim brought him up top at the chute so he could sit above the bronc and watch the rider get ready, feel the excitement and the snap of the chute when it was opened.
When Tim went off to take a phone call Caleb took his place. During a lull while one of the riders had a problem with his protective gear needing adjustments Caleb grabbed JT. Want to just sit on one of these guys for a picture Jackson ?"
"Oh yeah, Mom will freak but."
"We won't open the chute buddy."
"Here Jackson, try this on." Jade said reaching over and handing him her vest. It was big as was her helmet but in the end the pictures were awesome and combined with a video shot of the next rider leaving the chute a great series that at first glance would make you think that they sent this seven year old out on a bronc. Jade took putting the pictures together along with a short video into a photo set on her iPad then texted Georgie for Amy's cell number.
"Tim, my phones dead, can I use yours to text my mom ?"
"Here, step down though, I don't like those things on near the chute."
Jade nodded, transferred the pictures to Tim's phone and sent them off.
She turned off Tim's phone then and handed it back to him "thanks Tim"
"Get to work Jade, get the next bronc up."
Amy sat on the ground opposite Boxer's large double stall. She looked up at him every now and then but mostly she braided two pieces of hay together.
The crew at Pegasus had gotten used to Amy's weird moods and new hands were instructed in how to deal with them which basically consisted of one rule. When Amy was in the zone with a horse and you'll know it when you see it, just go about your business, around her. So when Amy sat in a meadow watching a horse you stayed away. In the round pen, you stay away and in those few minutes before she ran a horse full out, you stayed away.
Today, Amy sat on the ground in the stables, her back against the stall directly across from Boxer, her legs out in front of her when her phone chirped from its spot on the ground.
She'd been ignoring it mostly, reading the texts on the front screen which mostly were informative and didn't require a response. This one was different, it was from her father.
"Check out my grandson, chip off the ole' block."
Amy smiled and figured it was a picture of JT doing something funny so she picked it up and swiped the screen and gasped.
She dialed her dad's number which went straight to message and then dialed Ty.
"Hey beautiful."
"Don't you beautiful me Tyler Borden, did you let them put JT on a bronc ?"
"He was in the chute Amy, wearing Jade's Vest and helmet, he was perfectly safe."
Amy send the video to Ty.
"That never happened Amy, that's a different kid, somebody put that together, Jackson, come say hi to your mom, turn on the FaceTime so she can see you."
Amy actually insisted that Jackson hand the phone back to Ty so that she could scan his entire body, then had him walk away and back.
"Ok, I believe you, how was swimming ?"
"I won $30, well lunch anyways."
"Jackson you didn't, which one ?"
"500 meter breast stroke, that usually ends it quick."
"And Ty just stood there ?"
"Well, he smiled at Coach Kim and got her to agree but she bet lunch with us."
"She did. OK, well I'm glad you two are having fun, I'll talk to you later sweetheart you go back to Grandpa and give the phone to Dr. Borden."
"Love you mom, here you go Doc."
"Hey Ames."
"Ty ?"
"Don't tell me you're jealous ?"
"I'm not jealous, I've talked to him about this betting though."
"It's a kids bet Amy."
"This might sound silly Ty but our business is horse racing, I'd prefer our kids never use the word bet. This is harmless, I'm not dressing you down but there's a bigger picture for us."
"I get it and thanks for being gentle about it, I just never."
"I know sweetheart but we have to be honest with each other when it comes to us and the kids and everything actually. Betty and I have never allowed them to use expressions like wanna bet ?"
"Got it."
"So how'd he do ?"
Ty smiled, Amy was still Amy, "The captain actually finished."
"You didn't let him sit there drying off did you ?"
"Yeah guilty."
"And the coach ?"
"Amy, I"
"Ty, Ty, no sweetheart, what did she think of Jackson ?"
"Oh, pretty disappointed we lived in Ithaca."
"What did you think ?"
"I think our son's an otter Ames, Oh thanks for the April pictures, how's she doing ?"
"Scabs are drying so she'll be good to go soon. So what are your plans ?"
"Dinner with Caleb's family, clinic in the morning, Calgary in the afternoon, Wednesday is clinic and fishing."
"Sick of him yet ?"
"No actually, not at all, he, well, thinks he might be a vet."
"Does he now, who would have thought." She answered smiling "Go ahead Ty, I love you and I miss you so much."
"Same here gorgeous, I love you."
"Oh and find out who sent that video please ?"
"I intend too."
Dinner at the Odell's was nice, the kids got along well together Jackson made friends with Caleb's 4 year old son CJ for Caleb Jr., 2 year old Rose, named for Cass's grandmother fell asleep early. Jackson and CJ played with CJ's horse and corral until it was time for CJ to say goodnight when Ty and JT went back to Heartland and the fireplace with family.
Ash had decided to extend her stay in Hudson and just head back to Vancouver after the NY trip. She told Ty that she was staying for ease and she had some work she could take care of in town, she actually stayed because Jesse was in town and she felt responsible for what he might do and more importantly she was having a good time which she hadn't had in Hudson for years. On Tuesday she had meetings in Calgary on Briar Ridge business and Ty had arranged to have her meet him and JT at the mall for lunch, clothing pick up and then to accompany them to the zoo.
Jackson woke up excited about the zoo but when it started raining got disheartened. "Well no zoo I guess" he said between patients.
"Of course we're still going to the zoo but you have to trust me. Lunch with Ash and a quick stop at the mall and then the zoo, I promise."
Ty pulled the Porsche up to the Mall's valet parking entrance where after stopping for a second the Valet just pointed to a spot while an assistant pulled away the cones to let him park. "You can just leave it there sir."
Ty smiled, Wyatt was right, it's the simple things.
They met Ash at a small restaurant near Hugo Boss where they ate. After at the stores, JT sat while Ty tried on the suits and clothes the shops altered. He sat patiently playing a fly fishing game on Ty's iPad or wandering in the store close by. Hugo Boss had an outside entrance near where Ty saw him standing staring out into the rain.
"Not gonna stop 'till later."
"Fishing will be good tomorrow." Ty said with a smile.
"We're gonna get soaked today you know."
"Trust Jackson."
Ty spoke with Ash before leaving to the zoo, she followed behind the Porsche as Ty pulled around the closed public entrance to the zoo.
"They're closed." Jackson sighed.
"It's raining Jackson, what did you think ?"
"But you said."
"To trust me" as Ty pulled into a lot and stopped by the guard's gate.
"Dr. Borden good to see you again."
"Thanks Phil, could you write up a temporary pass for the nice woman in the Mercedes behind me."
"I sure can Doc, some spiffy car you have there yourself. I'll call Dr. Woehrle and tell him you're here."
"Wow, that guy knows you, now what ?"
"Now we wait for Dr. Woehrle. Go stand under that portico while I get Ash."
"She's pulling up right there."
"Go Jackson" Ty said walking over and snapping open an umbrella to hold over Ash's door keeping her dry. He gave her a hand up and gave her the umbrella while closing the door. Ty was wearing a raincoat, Jackson wore a poncho they had snatched from the house, Jackson watched the whole thing.
"That was nice, keeping Aunt Ashley dry like that."
"Dr. Borden is a gentleman JT, that's what a gentleman does."
Ty smiled and imagined JT storing this information away in his brain for retrieval later and opened the door for him and Ash to go through.
Uhli Woehrle was in his early 60's. He had come to Calgary from the Berlin Zoo 22 years before as an Assistant Veterinary Administrator. 5 years later he was named Chief Veterinarian at the Zoo and Chairman of the Exotic Animals Department at UC Vet School and as such was one of Ty's instructors. Of course Ty had had dealings with him through the years, even cases. Ty's work with Vets without Borders brought him in contact with Uhli as well and they had developed a friendship on more than a professional level. When Ty had called the day before he was thrilled at the tale his erstwhile protégé wove and was all smiles when he welcomed a fellow professor and friend to his zoo.
After introducing Uhli to Ash and Jackson they walked down the hall past administration offices and then out into an enclosed breezeway.
"What about the zoo ?" Jackson asked.
"Patience young man, I'm too old to get wet." Uhli said with a smile and a pat on Jackson's shoulder.
Dr. Woehrle stepped ahead to open the door and Jackson walked through first and stopped dead in his tracks as 100 monkeys ran to a fence and stared at him.
"Woah we're inside the zoo, like behind everything, that's so cool."
Two young volunteers came over to Dr Woehrle who approached Jackson. "Well young man it's monkey feeding time, how about lending us a hand ?"
"Really, yeah, that'd be awesome, is it Ok da, uh Dr. Borden ?"
"It's fine Jackson."
Ashley reached over and squeezed his hand, she heard the slip and almost felt Ty's reaction.
Ty looked over and smiled.
"Jackson, I'm Steve and this is Renata, we're animal attendants here, so you'd like to help with our little friends huh, let's get their chow ready."
Ash volunteered to record Jackson, sleeves rolled up filling carts with fruits, berries, greens, veggies and nuts. The monkeys seeing this started hooting at Jackson who smiled and threw over a strawberry which was caught and consumed. He was fine wheeling one of the carts, used to it as a matter of fact and was shocked when Steve held the door open and Jackson wheeled in his cart behind Renata.
"Most of them wait, they're wary of humans" Renata said tossing a banana up into the tree and having it caught by a monkey. Jackson smiled and did the same. A small monkey walked forward and looked at him.
"That's Bilbo, he hurt his arm as a baby so he's used to humans because of all the hands on care he's received, you can hand feed him." She said.
Jackson reached for a banana and held it out to Bilbo who scurried forward and grabbed it. He sat down right by Jackson's feet who was fascinated watching him eat. Then Bilbo got up and walked over to JT and picked up his arms.
Jackson had the biggest grin and looked over at Ty. "Just lean over Jackson and he'll put his arms around your neck" Dr. Woehrle instructed.
Jackson leaned over and a second later stood, Bilbo was staring him in the face and then leaning over towards the food.
"He likes apples Jackson" Steve said, "Just hand him one."
Jackson smiled when Bilbo took a bite and had no idea what to do when Bilbo handed it back. He smiled at the monkey and then took a bite himself. Bilbo immediately jumped down suddenly, spun, jumped up and down and took the apple back all recorded by Ash.
"Come on Jackson, more to see." Ty said laughing "you've officially been fed by a monkey."
"What do we do now ?" He asked Renata. She smiled and up ended her barrel onto the ground. When JT and Steve did the same they walked to the door. JT watched as the monkeys approached and taking fruits, they sat around eating.
They spent the afternoon walking through the inner sanctums of the zoo, those places the public almost never saw. At the main veterinary center Jackson got to do something not many people ever got to do, touch a lion who was anesthetized having his teeth worked on. He also held a baby cougar, snakes and much to Ty's delight several otters and immediately shot off pictures to Erma for April to see. By the end of the day which included Jackson feeding a romaine lettuce to a giraffe and a carrot to a zebra Ty pulled onto the highway with Jackson sleeping contentedly in a very comfortable Porsche bucket seat.
"Call from Amy" the car informed him and Ty reached over into the charger and pulled out the Bluetooth ear pod and fit it to his ear.
"Hey Ames, I'm in the car, can't speak louder than this, JT's out like a light."
"I hear you fine, he must be in heaven, holding that monkey ?"
"He was so upset that it was raining."
"I can imagine, what a memory for him Ty, thank you so much for giving him that."
"You don't have to thank me Ames, I had the best time watching him, he was so happy and excited about everything, it was amazing."
"Is that mom ?" JT whispered, "tell her I petted a lion and held a cougar baby"
"She knows Jackson, Ash sent pictures."
"ok" he said and nodded off again.
"Right back out" Ty said with a chuckle.
"Lunch at the club tomorrow and fishing ?"
"Swimming and clinic first."
"Ames, I'm getting off the highway, I'll talk to you later."
"Ok, Ty, drive safe, love you."
"Love you too."
Jackson was a celebrity Wednesday morning, 10 of the 11 swim team members showed up. After speaking with Jackson at lunch Kim began to understand. Jackson didn't just learn to swim like most kids, Jackson was taught to swim by the Cornell swim coach and later on coached by an Olympic gold medalist. He looked like an otter in the water because he didn't know how else to be. His form was perfect so Kim had the team watch Jackson who of course showed off.
Ty arranged for a surprise for Lisa and asked Georgie and Wyatt to also join them for lunch. Ty and Jackson were a little late having to stop at Heartland to change but it was worth it when Ty and Jackson walked through the door.
Lisa smiled wide when she turned, she expected him in jeans and a button down. What she got was Ty in a grey Hugo Boss lightweight herringbone jacket, a crisp blue shirt and dark grey slacks.
"Well done Ashley" Lisa whispered as Ash took a picture of the duo walking towards them.
"He does clean up well." Ash agreed
Georgie and Wyatt showed up a few minutes later. Wyatt wore a blue vintage double breasted jacket with a white shirt and grey slacks. Georgie in one of Lyndy's flowered dresses which seemed in endless supply from her singing days.
"Georgie, Wyatt, I didn't expect you what a wonderful surprise" Lisa said kissing and hugging each, she was in heaven. Ty had asked the young couple to join them and had Ash change the reservation to add the two.
Between friends coming by to welcome Ashley home and fawn over Jackson, Georgie and Wyatt the pre lunch went slow and Jackson put up with it like a pro, all smiles and quips, his demeanor reminded Ty so much of Amy and the girls that he figured Jackson like his sisters had just learned from the master.
Lunch loosened things up a lot, Georgie and Val talked about the local jumping scene. Flame was in California on the circuit and doing well. She learned that both Dylan and Peyton were in Europe for the summer and got dirt on several of the jumpers neither Val or Georgie liked.
After lunch Ty and Jackson excused themselves for a fishing date. It was a little late but Ty had a spot 10 minutes by truck from Heartland that had some nice moving river they could be at pretty quick. It was here that Ty would let Jackson know about the plans for his trip to NY and JT's heading up to the fishing cabin with Jack. He assumed that Jackson would be fine with that but if he balked too much Ty was ready to fly him to NY and hand him off to the Carmichaels' for the night.
"If fish lived on land, which country would they live in?"
Ty laughed "no idea Jackson"
"Finland !"
"That's a good one."
"Ok, what's wrong, these are pretty silly"
"I guess it shows huh, come sit down."
On the bank Ty handed Jackson a bottle of water and grabbed one himself.
"Just say it, it's easier."
"Well hear the whole thing before you react."
"Tell me the part that'll make it better at the end first."
"You and I are going to spend the whole weekend together at the fishing cabin. Friday late afternoon until Monday morning."
"That's pretty much a dream come true so what's the first part ?"
"Grand mere, Aunt Ashley and I are heading to NY early in the morning. GG will take you up to the cabin tomorrow. Lisa and I will be back Friday and drive out. She'll come back with GG and I'll stay."
"Sounds good to me, see, you just had to say it, what's up in NY ?"
"I'm taking mom on a date."
"You should definitely do that, mom misses you."
"Yeah, I miss her too. No more swimming until next week though champ but you still have to do your stretches."
"I know, so we gonna fish some more ?"
"Got more jokes ?"
"Oh sure, they get worse though."
Lisa watched from the hallway while TY sat alongside a sleeping Jackson. He reached over idly and moved some hair off his forehead. She smiled watching him bend over to kiss the spot his hair had been a minute before and then back out.
"He'll be fine Ty."
"I know he'll be fine Lisa, come on, the limo has Ash and is on the way."
Ashley and Lisa were seasoned travelers and Ty grew up learned to sleep anywhere so they slept for the no traffic early morning 40 minutes to Calgary. They had coffee and croissants while they were passed by customs and state and boarded right on time.
"Good morning Dr. Borden, so nice to see you again."
"Good morning Heather, heading back to NY ?"
"Flight back this evening, no rest for the weary." She introduced herself to Lisa and Ashley and sat them in what was obviously a seating for three, Ty assumed they had someway of doing this but no idea how, there were no three's on the flight over. Along with Heather and Ty wondered if it was because there were women on this flight, David was their steward.
Two other business men joined them for the flight. All chose a dark cabin and breakfast during the last 45 minutes.
Ty laid his seat back and closed his eyes, his seat was next to Ash's.
"This is cozy" she whispered.
"Ash you're like my sister and we're sleeping in Mom's room."
"Still" Ash laughed.
"You two are incorrigible, try to get some sleep."
"Yes mom" they said together.
Better rested and washed up a few hours later, they finished breakfast a few minutes before their flight landed in Syracuse. 20 minutes of processing and the chopper lifted off towards Pegasus.