A/N – I hope you've all been enjoying the kid's trips to Hudson. Thanks for all the reviews, comments, both good and "questionable" and certainly your PM's full of ideas. For those that have PM'ed me about future stories, I have several but I'm focusing on AfterTyme which I can't just leave.
Chapter 63
Ty sat on the porch and watched Charlotte from across the lawn. She was in the pen working with Diamond, the heeler. They were both strong competitors and proud horses. Charlotte had been working him for 45 minutes and Ty could see him slowing. Maddie and Katie sat on the railing on the far side watching.
Betty came out and smiled at him. She sat down right next to him on the bench and handed him a beer.
"Watching your beautiful daughters work their magic ?"
"Is it that obvious ?"
Betty didn't take her eyes off the girls but laid her hand on Ty's and squeezed.
"You have something to say Ty, best to get it out."
"Is it that obvious ?"
"I could say I'd have to be blind to miss it, but Lisa sent me out." She said with a smile.
Ty sipped his beer and told Betty about his time with Jackson. She watched as he stared off to the round pen and described the conversations.
"Bert took him outside, first snow that season, JT had learned the J letter first when we were teaching him to write, he spent a lot of time homebound that year so we read and learned. Bert had him pee the letter J in the snow. He was so proud we all had to go out and see."
"And the other stuff ?"
Betty leaned over and kissed his cheek then turned to him and took his hands in hers and squeezed.
"I love you Ty but if you want to officially ask me for my daughter's hand in marriage you'll have to do better than "and the other stuff ?"
"You and Amy are a lot alike Betty" he said looking at her with that silly grin of his.
"She was broken when we became a family, we were too, we fixed each other. She leaves a part of herself with every soul she touches, equine, canine, human, it doesn't matter, that's her gift. I've never seen a horse she's been in contact with forget her, even after years. People too. Those kids and I, we carry her in our hearts with every breath we take. She took our pain away and replaced it with a love so deep and profound. You're a lot like her too son. She has a streak of insecurity that runs deep, just like you do. You two were meant to be with each other, that streak disappears when you're together."
"There look." Ty said standing up and leaning against the rail. A warm feeling spread across his body watching Charlotte turn away and slowly walk a few steps then stop, her back turned away from the large horse. It took only a moment to see him nod his head and walk forward. He snorted next to her and she reached up and drew his head down to her against her cheek and then turned. He watched the connection of the horses' focus to her, joined in spirit. Charlotte walked to his side and pulled herself over then rode him to the edge and cantered around the ring, a moment later she let go of his mane and rode with her arms out and then leaned over hugging him.
He watched her lead Diamond away, she turned and waved, her smile wide and he smiled back and cupped his hands over his heart. Maddie followed her a few minutes later and then returned to the pen leading Pimo.
He sat back down and watched Maddie approach the horse and start the bonding. She pushed him back and side to side. He could hear her but couldn't make out the reassurances he was sure she was giving the horse. He watched her send him out and got him into a canter heading counter clockwise around the pen.
"I've had a dull pain I've carried around for a long time Betty. I can't describe it because there are no words to describe a broken heart. Seeing her again was and is the most amazing feeling and I can't describe that either. I love her so much, being here again away from her before JT came was horrible. When I held him in that moment, the healing that washed over me, feeling his love and hers fill me …." His tears streaked his face and Betty reached out to hold him "Shhhh, shhh, don't go back there, it's all past, go on sweetheart ask the question."
Ty reached over and took Betty's hands "I don't deserve any of you, but if you would do me the honor of accepting me into your family Betty I promise I will do my best to be the best husband, father and son that I can."
"That's all I need to hear son, you have my blessing." Betty said cupping his cheeks and
kissing his forehead. "Look, Maddie's not the one to pussy foot around."
Ty turned and Betty grabbed for her hanky and pressed it into his hands while he watched Maddie raise her hat and arms to turn Pimo back clockwise and then a minute later reverse him again.
"So confident" Ty whispered.
"Amy knew she needed that, both of them but especially her."
"Can't wait to bail that one out of jail."
Betty laughed "yeah, that's crossed our minds."
They watched her work as the minutes passed, Maddie picked up the pace and Ty noticed the tell tale signs on Pimo, heavy breathing, watching her, chewing and then his ears which rose to her voice attentively until that moment when Maddie released the pressure and turned away.
Pimo nodded and stared and then walked over and nudged her hand. She smiled and after hugging and whispering to him, she attached his lead.
Pimo followed her gently a few minutes later and she passed Charlie coming out with a saddled Diamond, who tied him to a post and returned to the barn.
"Go wash up Ty, I guess you'll be talking to them soon ?"
"I will, do you mind if I did it without you ?"
"Not at all."
"Thank you Betty, so much for your love and trust."
"Ty ?"
"Betty ?"
"Don't screw it up."
"I won't, I promise."
Betty smiled and patted his hand and then got up, looked towards the barns and went back inside.
Ty walked in and left his beer on the sideboard in the kitchen and hurried past. He smiled going by a few seconds later returning to the porch. They all noticed that his eyes were a bit puffy but his smile was golden.
He sat looking at mountains and the horses in the meadow past the paddocks and finished his beer. He checked his phone for emails and messages and sent a text to Amy, it was simple, Forever, she would understand. The heart emoji came back a second later as Jack came out with his own and a replacement beer for Ty.
"Having a good afternoon son ?"
"I've been having a few of those lately Jack, yes, this is a particularly good afternoon."
They watched Maddie lead Pimo out along with Charlotte who unhitched Diamond. They talked to Katie for a second before mounting. Katie started back and the girls turned and waved at the porch and then back to spur their horses. Jack and Ty watched them bring the horses to a canter and then kick them into a gallop, rising naturally in their seats as jockeys would as they rode out of sight.
"Ok Katie ?" Jack asked when she climbed the stairs.
"Oh sure, they needed to ride them out and I don't think I'm that good. I need to ride more."
"Well, you'll be here now so I'm sure that would be fine with the horses." Jack said.
"Yeah, I'll ride more." She said opening the screen door and heading inside.
"I assume you'll be there to see the roping ?"
"Absolutely, Georgie and I have morning rounds and then we'll head to the rodeo grounds. I wouldn't miss it."
"How good you think they are ?"
"Those two ? They wouldn't have made the challenge unless they were damn good."
"I asked Amy back at Pegasus" Jack remembered "she said they'd make me proud, it really is a teamwork event and those two ?"
"I know what you mean Jack." Ty said when Lisa popped her head out. "We can eat anytime."
"Girls just rode off to stretch the horses, keep it warm and I'll try to text." Ty said.
"Their phones are in the kitchen don't waste your time."
"Then we'll wait." Ty said sitting back and sipping his beer. "Might as well join us Lisa."
"Teenager's phones left behind, if they could bottle that we'd be rich." Jack added.
Ty smiled when he heard the Porsche come down the road and Wyatt pumped the throttle "or we could just be Wyatt in a $175000 Porsche."
"He just loves that car" Lisa said laughing.
"We have to give it back." Ty said laughing as well.
"What's so funny ?" Georgie asked walking around after getting out.
"Just Wyatt and his Porsche Georgie." Jack said laughing. Betty joined them on the porch a moment later and hugged Wyatt and Georgie before sitting down and handing Lisa a glass of wine.
"Help yourself inside kids and join us, we're waiting for the girls to get back." Lisa said.
"Beer Wyatt ?"
"Thanks Georgie" he said heading over to a seat near Ty. "So we all meeting at the rodeo grounds tomorrow ?"
"We are Wyatt, what's up with Clint on Friday ?"
"Oh, not Calgary, he'll be in the area so at Haddie's, uh White Horse, yours I guess, not Haddie's."
"It is confusing trying to separate what Ty owns these days." Jack muttered. "might be better thinking about what he don't own."
"Ok, enough" Ty said blushing.
"So Georgie, Lisa tells me that you're leaning towards Erma ?" Betty asked.
"I am, she really has a way."
"Amy will as well, the rest of us will chime in but Erma will lead the way." Betty said "and she speaks Amy, she'll have glass displays, her Steuben pieces, ice sculptures of horses and it'll all look matter of fact. It's all placement, I've seen her work a room and I don't get it until she's done."
"It's being able to just understate enough to touch elegance while still being country." Lisa said.
"While still being Erma, that's what it is" Betty said. "I think it was two summers ago she used old Christmas ornaments to adorn tables, some broken, there's a blurb in one of the Bridal magazines about it, it was, I don't know, darling and precious they described it as."
"Well, I spent a day with her and the woman is the salt of the earth." Jack said. "born and bred to the land, like Marion and Amy."
"As is April" Ty said "way past you or Mallory on the precocious scale too Georgie, that girl is going to be dangerous when she gets older."
The girls showed up walking back down the small hill with their horses following behind them.
"Here they come, Ty, Georgie, help them get done so we can eat."
"Sure thing Lisa" Ty said getting up.
Amy shook the cobwebs out of her head, picked up her phone and sighed. After showering and two quickly gulped cups of coffee she left Betty a note and headed out to the barn to brush down Spartan. She really only needed him to carry her back and forth so she grabbed a bridle and blanket and hopped aboard. "I'll make sure they feed you at our first stop sweetheart, I promise."
Amy pulled up at the thoroughbred stables at exactly 5:30 and was not surprisingly met by Benny who she had texted when she left. "Figured it out huh boss ?"
"We'll see but I think so, his films are in the office ?"
"All queued up, Spartan ?"
"Give him a bucket of mash and let him in a pasture please."
"Sure thing, come on boy, let's get you some breakfast while Amy works."
Amy sat down in front of the big screen set-up in the trainers office and pulled up several routines where Boxer faltered and saved those to a separate file. Benny came in a few minutes after she started and poured her a coffee along with grabbing a plate and getting her a fresh Churro. "Jesse's making them for school and heard you were here, it's still hot."
"She's a doll, I did not get enough sleep last night."
"Well the coffee's strong, what have you got."
Amy took a bite of the Churro and worked the hot pastry around in her mouth.
"Are you insane " Benny asked laughing.
"No they're best like that but they burn. Here, when he makes this bendy turn of his head here." She said stopping the film and moving to a second screen. "He pushes back on his rear haunch to turn himself away. I think because something is blocking or he's losing his extreme peripheral vision. "
"Show me another." Benny asked sipping his coffee and grabbing a churro for himself.
Amy called up two more "I'm sure I can find more."
"What do you think it is ?"
"Don't know, haven't I done enough, I pay people for the rest of this."
"Well, just like a racer, the injury started someplace, how long back ?"
"It's a few months, I'm thinking something they wouldn't notice, stall injury, trailer, something like that. Whatever" Amy said "let's finish these and get him saddled, I wish Georgie were here or the girls were available."
"So you can watch, I can ride a horse Amy."
"Can you ? Have I ever seen you on a horse ?" Amy asked laughing.
They were laughing when Bert came in. "Oh hot churros, good choice."
He too poured a cup of coffee and Benny moved back so Amy could show him the films.
"What could that be ?"
"If I answer that question Bert, I want my money back."
"Has Ty seen these ?"
"I told him but seeing, just you two so far, I'd like to see and feel Boxer's reaction up close before we set everyone loose speculating."
"This looks promising and why it hasn't shown up yet, intermittent problems. Let's finish up and go look."
It took 20 minutes to confirm. There was no doubt.
"Could it be pain and not vision ?"
"I don't think so Benny, you felt it, a horse in pain rears away way more violently than that, this is more, hey wait, what just happened."
"So next step." Bert said.
"Hold on, hey Betty, right, we're almost done here figure I'll be half hour or so."
"Let's start by going over what we have for that whole area, let's not stress him any worse than he is. Benny, see it you can figure out a way to alter a bridle and halter that will get him to that position but don't make it yet, that's an extreme. I want an ophthalmologist to see him and measure the extent of the vision loss if we can and at least another set of tests focusing on the head and neck."
"Sounds good, I'll fill Kate and Barb in and they can send the report and films on to Ty in Alberta. Just keep him fed and happy Benny."
"You got it Bert, Amy 9:00 at the track ?"
"Yup, hear from Tappy ?"
"Sleeping in my guest bedroom, he got in at midnight."
"Excellent. I have to get back, you coming Bert ?"
"Yes I'm coming, that's good work Amy."
"Thank my stiff neck."
"Whatever works."
"Assign Georgie to Boxer's testing regimen, I'd like her to get familiar with Boxer's manner."
"You doing rounds today Amy" Bert asked on the way back.
"Saturday unless they decide to remove a brain tumor or something."
"That's right, sorry, mandatory check-up."
"Sarah's got it, don't bicker."
"We've been getting along lately. How are you ?"
"I'm fine why ?"
"I can't ask how you are ?"
"I'm sorry, I've been snapping at everybody, I thought it was Boxer and those damn dressage videos."
"It's Ty and it's Ok Amy, you're allowed to miss him and allowed to be a little snappy."
"I'm not ready to go Bert, back to Hudson."
"It's a long time ago Amy, half of them won't recognize you."
"I could care less about other people Bert, I don't want to go back to that place in my life, that time, it was brutal, I don't want to think about Ty that way."
"Ok, you're a big girl, take your time, how's the boy billionaire ?"
"He's fine, here with Rachel and the kids. Ty and I are going to have to go to California for a weekend in the fall."
"I'm glad you're friends then and go for a week, leave the kids."
"Ty and I will have plenty of time together when he gets back though a week on a private beach would be nice."
"I'm actually looking forward to this cruise."
"The Scheldt is beautiful in the fall, I'd love to meet you in Antwerp."
"Come, you can surprise Meg, we'll have a ball."
"And who's gonna watch the proverbial farm ?"
"We're only in Antwerp for two days."
"California for a week and Belgium for a weekend."
"Actually I think Antwerp is like a Wednesday and Thursday."
"Good morning Chuck, I'll keep Spartan near the house. Everything good ?"
"Georgie has four horses."
"Yeah sorry sweetheart it's actually five, Sarah is giving Wallace to Wyatt."
"That's nice, five horses Amy."
"I know."
"Six with Harley."
"Why am I sorry we taught you to count Chuck."
"Because I'm right, we need to do something."
"Ok you're right." Amy said rubbing her face "I'll talk to Sandra and Bryce but it may just be an outdoor stable with heaters this year with the indoor arena being built.
"Anything will help, if we want them separate Amy."
"I know and we do, thanks for reminding me sweetheart."
"It's my job."
"When are Georgie's horses coming here ?"
"Next week I think, no day on the calendar yet."
"Have Wallace near Spartan a few days before, he can bridge the new ones between Spartan and Phoenix and Wallace and Phoenix can get to know each other."
"I'll change the stall chart, and find out if I can take Wallace from rescue."
Thanks Chuck."
"I can brush him if you want Uncle Bert."
"That's Ok Chuck I've been neglecting him, I'll take care of Browning today."
"Amy I'll saddle Dancer and Chrystal for Mr. and Mrs. Branch ?"
"If they want horses that's fine, I wasn't sure."
"Sabrina is here to say goodbye to Maddie and she's going to babysit." Chuck said facing the chart where he was assigning horses.
"You said goodbye Chuck ?"
"Last night, Jackson's coming home though."
"That he is, but later, you go home and see him tomorrow. I'd better go say my goodbye's to the girls, come on Spartan."
She found everyone gathered in the kitchen. The girls each had a suitcase and a guitar, they shared a hat and boot case. Betty had two suitcases. Trish got up to hug her, Meg was holding little Connor. Brin was arm in arm with Mad and held Cliff's hand with her free one.
"John and Rach ?" Amy asked.
"In the cottage." Meg answered.
"Ok, I'm dense should have realized that. Brin, you're staying ?"
"Until Rachel gets tired of the smell of dozens of sweaty thoroughbreds."
"It can get overwhelming even for me" Amy agreed.
"We have to head out." Betty said as two hands walked in to move the luggage.
While Brin and Maddie backed away into the kitchen for their goodbye, Trish took Cliff on her lap and Amy hugged Charlie.
"Don't drive him nuts, he's still got training wheels on."
"Don't worry, Maddie won't let anything happen to him."
"What's up with that ?"
"He's a safe good hugging male, I've got Bobby, less safe but."
Amy laughed "I get it, can't wait to have Jackson's side of things."
"We'll be fine."
"Be safe and I'll be happy."
Brin and Charlie hugged and Maddie and Amy wrapped their arms around each other. "We'll hug him for you."
"You're such a liar." Amy whispered back for an extra squeeze.
She hugged Betty next "you'll see he's Ok and tell him I love him."
"Of course I will."
"Katie you hug grand mere and GG for me sweetie" Amy said hugging her. "Maybe you'll come down for the big birthday party."
She hugged Meg and Trish last "thanks for doing this you two, you bringing back bar b que ?"
"You're outrageous you know that ?" Meg said "Was it really necessary to call Bert in the middle of the morning ?"
"You know it was so stop, Ty called 10 minutes later, I thought it was Bert again, that was fun."
"Ok, we don't have time for this so we'll just make the rest up later." Trish said laughing.
She waved them away and then walked over to Spartan. "I can't wait for whatever they're up to boy" she said pulling out her phone. She texted John your horses are saddled, meet you at the track."
"We're here" Rachel called out. She and John were walking down the path holding hands.
"Never pass up a babysitter and a luxury suite Amy, that's a lesson you and Ty will need." Rachel said leaning over for a hug.
"I have 12 babysitters at my beckoning call Rach, we'll get by."
Amy took Spartan's lead and walked the Branch's over to the barn where two horses were waiting saddled.
John gave Rachel a leg up, Amy caught him copping a feel.
Rachel glanced at her and shook her head "he's incorrigible."
"And we put up with them."
"Because you love it" John said "Let's go race fast horses"
"Is that what you call what you do ?" Amy asked.
"Cut a guy some slack."
"All I'm saying John is once around the track at 60."
"I don't even like fast cars." He laughed.
"How did you choose this again ?"
"I love the whole racing thing, it's exciting, aren't you glad I like racing ?"
"I'm thrilled you like racing John." Amy confirmed.
"Leave him alone Amy, I have to pick up the pieces later."
"Ok Rach, we're here anyway."
"The meadow green Benny ?"
"Sure is, all snug, couple out there already."
Benny motioned to two hands who took the horses, unsaddled the two, checked them and let them into the meadow. Each meadow on the ranch had electronic sensor gates. The light only showed green when the meadow was secure, all gates closed. If a gate was unsecured the red light would flash in a succession that told anyone checking which gate was not secure.
Amy knocked on the small cabin door. "the boss needs to change" she called in.
"I'm dressed Amy, come on in."
"Hey Tappy, glad you could make it."
"Can't wait to ride him again."
Peter "Tappy" Tapper weighed 52 kg and stood 5'2" and stood up to greet Amy with a big smile on his face.
"You're looking good Tap, life been treating you well ?"
"Get a lot of calls when you race a triple crown winner Amy, thanks for that."
"No sweat, I sure as hell wasn't doing it, I think we have Carlos on to switch off with you."
"I heard and I'm glad, he's a smart jockey and he cares about the horses."
"Let me change Tap, I'll be out in five."
Amy joined the other jockeys a few minutes later and joked around a little. She checked the roster, she'd run five horses. The 4th was Prince with Cloister. All told they were running 30 horses today, they'd break for a track harrow half way though. Kate and Barb came over to check the thoroughbreds before and after their runs. Bert was on site at the medical barn. One of the advantages of having Ty here most of the time would free Bert from his on site requirement so he can focus more on his time at Cornell. John Anderson would be in for rounds with him and take over on site.
There was virtually no other full on training establishment on earth that boasted a staffed medical facility of this caliber on site. The waiting list for Pegasus was long.
Amy's first two runs were two year olds and it was both their maiden runs. They had never been allowed to go full out before and in keeping with Amy's philosophy that while she was able she wouldn't ask anyone else to do something she wouldn't do herself, these were hers. They were owned by Charles Prittner, a media guy from Long Island who got into horse racing when he saw the movie Seabiscuit and learning that the horse was sired from not only his town but actually down the road from him in Brookville and he was hooked.
He met Amy randomly at an event in Saratoga which he also visited because of it's connection to the movie and of course the storied track. He was a strange bird and Amy thought he was fun to hang with. He had no idea who she was at the time just that they sat together for an enjoyable afternoon of racing. When he actually found out who she was sometime later he showed up at Pegasus one day and spent the week as their guest engrossed in the training of horses. Then, he started buying. He kept 8 horses at Pegasus that ran the east coast and the Sarasota/Florida tracks in the spring and fall. They lived at Pegasus the rest of the time.
With donations to the foundation, and Pegasus fees for upkeep and training, Charles Prittner handed Amy Fleming slightly over 2.8 million dollars a year. A good customer and friend.
Charley also loved trains, he was obsessed with them and actually paid to take the last ride of the Ringling Bros. Train to retirement and several other trains that retired as well. The horses Amy was running today "Hampton Express" and "Brighton Shuttle" were both named after trains or subways Charley rode as a child. As far as Amy was concerned not the worse names for horses she'd ever heard by a long shot. Amy invited him to the runs todays but he had previous plans to be in Europe for meetings so they were being simulcast to him and videos forwarded after.
The plan was to run them both alone hoping for a first time close of about 2 ½ minutes, safe, close to the money and an excellent time for a first full out stretch. Hampton was first and Amy walked him around, the trainers had warmed him and Amy had worked with him before. He was a bit antsy but Amy calmed him into the chute. He ran well and several cameras radar tracked the horses body to see how he handled track or rider changes, commands, turns and several other things. Benny would watch each ride later and comment on the performance and response times of the horse. He'd also go over the ride with the jockey. Hampton ran 2:31 to the cheers of those at the finish. Charley was ecstatic from his hotel room in Rome.
"How'd he feel ?" Tap asked coming over and taking her helmet. Benny walked over a minute later.
"He's got a great gait, came out nice and clean, no drift. He could respond better on the track but that may be because he's alone, some horses do better with other horses around."
"That's true, I'll be around for the week if you want to run some Amy."
"Thanks Tap, let's see how Brighton does. Schedule Hampton for some close training, see if we can get that response time down off the track."
Brighton ran a 2:28 in a valiant effort. "Get him in with Prince next week, this one is looking for someone to run against."
"Hamp needs some work Charley, not much, some response stuff. Brighton's ready, we'll get him in a small field and see what he does. Early next week I think."
"Let me know Amy and thanks, made my day."
Prince and Cloister were first after the break and Amy sat with Tappy and a bottle of water under a tree. "I'm not letting Prince out all the way but run Cloister normal."
"Wait, why not all the way ?" John said from against the building.
"He can't win John, this is to get him to push the last turn, he'll run a field next week against 2 year olds. He's not ready to chase Cloister in that last turn, you gotta let us do our job and this isn't news."
"Ok, Ok, you're the boss."
"Then it's unanimous" Amy said getting up and brushing herself off.
Both horses shot out of the gate and kept pace through the first turn and Amy was hard pressed to slow Prince down. "Easy boy, easy, that's it." Prince pushed to catch up in the straightaway but just the sight of the far turn set Cloister off and Amy could hear him ready himself even from a full length behind and when she saw Tappy rise a hair in his saddle Cloister took off like a rocket, he came into the far turn at 58 mph and finished the race at 71 mph. 2.01 was his time, not derby time but excellent mid training and easily in the money.
Amy was hard pressed to keep Prince back and he ran in impressive 2:14. Amy was thrilled and couldn't wait to run him in a field.
John Branch was thrilled as well and hugged her swinging her around and then did the same to Tappy.
Amy was exhausted by the time she finished her 5th run. She was tired and sore and made an executive decision to head back to her empty house, fill a tub with water and sink into it. She rode back with Rachel who was also ready for both getting changed and seeing her kids.
Brin called her mom when they got to the house, Amy waited for the pick up and sent Rachel to the cottage with the kids who were both in a good mood.
She was laying in a hot steamy tub, a hot towel around her neck when the text came in. One word from Ty Forever, she smiled and sent back a big heart. He loved her and she lay back with her eyes closed and let that warmth join the water to sooth her mind.
After, she lay down on her bed, grabbed Ty's pillow to snuggle and napped until her phone signaled and she saw that Meg and Trish were on their way back with Lou, Jackson and dinner. It was 6:30 and she was starved but would wait the hour.
"Girls, your Grandmothers should not be clearing or doing dishes please." Ty said getting up with his plate.
"Neither should you Doc, give me that and go relax." Charlie said walking over.
"Thanks Charlie." He looked over and Charlotte's smile was so sweet, her eye's shining.
"What ?" She asked.
"Nothing, you're beautiful Charlie."
"Thanks Doc !" Maddie called from the kitchen. "I'll start, you and Katie finish clearing Cha."
Ty walked towards the living room and Betty moved over on the couch for him.
"They want to spend the evening in Amy's room looking at the trophies and buckles." Betty said, "It's all JT could talk about."
"Speaking of buckles" Jack said getting up and walking over to the large multi drawer cabinet in the corner and opened several drawers. "Here they are."
He closed the drawers and grabbed a rag out of the top one and then spent a moment polishing.
"What is that Jack ?" Lisa asked.
"Just wait. Maddie, Charlie when you have a minute ?" He called out.
"We're Done GG" Charlie said coming over and sitting at his feet, she was joined a second later by Maddie and Katie behind her.
"This was your Grandpa's idea and he's sorry he couldn't be here for this but he and I won the Calgary Stampede Team Roping event in 1980. I'm the heeler before you ask. Anyways, we wanted you girls to wear these tomorrow and then keep 'em to sort of commemorate ."
He handed them down and they each ran their hands over them.
"There are cases in the bottom drawer, just grab two." Jack said smiling.
Maddie was first to lean forward, she had tears in her eyes "thank you so much GG, you don't know how honored I feel that you would give these to us." Charlotte joined her "we say the same things usually."
"That's nice Jack" Ty said.
"You two be sure to thank Tim tomorrow."
"We will GG."
"Girls you wanted to check out your mom's room, Katie can show you, there's also the barn office that has the horse trophies and stuff." Ty said. "Not too late tonite you're on eastern time."
"Already getting tired." Charlie called back.
"I have some stuff to take care up upstairs, Betty, honestly this 24 hour thing ?"
"It's really nothing Ty, last year we had pizza in the room for dinner, she sleeps, they do some tests and the MRI and it's done until the results come back and most are immediate by the way."
"I'll be back." Ty said heading upstairs.
"Calgary Stampede, Amy's talked about that." Betty said.
"It's big around here and with the rodeo crowd." Lisa said.
"And Tim's the best or was."
"Between us three Betty, please, 4 National Championships in a row makes him the best in modern times I guess. He gave up his family for the pleasure."
"You know what they say Jack, youth is wasted on the young."
"It doesn't seem to have been wasted on Amy, she's accomplished so much." Lisa said.
"The Amy I've come to love just became young it seems. She's had a sadness around her. Not morose, she certainly laughed enough, just, at the end of the day you know, just this side of excited about tomorrow. Seeing her out of breath at a gesture is new. That light in her eyes, the way she looks at him."
"Ty spiraled for a solid year and then took the next to crawl out. He didn't go off the deep end but we had to reign him back. Every time they ever split he fell apart." Lisa said.
"Amy mentioned that, it really hurt her that he would, well do what he did and she's always felt guilty about it, like I don't know somehow she could have figured out something."
"I hear she called Scott, who called me." Jack said
"We were more than ready for a change." Lisa agreed. "It's long over, let's let it be."
"I have to go down and shoo them off to bed, it's after 11:00 their time, you're time. Go back to sleep Ames, I love you."
"I love you too Ty, kiss them all for me and I'll talk to them all in the morning."
Ty hit end on his way down the stairs.
"How's NY ?"
"Fine. She stayed up with Jax until he passed out. I'm off to goad them to bed."
"Katie's already in her room." Lisa said.
Ty nodded and walked over to Amy's old door and gently knocked. When he got no answer he opened the door a touch and found the girls fast asleep on Amy's old bed.
He grabbed a blanket off of the chair and spread it over them them backed out.
"Everything Ok ?" Betty asked softly when he walked back.
"Your across the hall tonight Gran, they're out cold on Amy's bed."
"They can stay in there if they'd like" she answered "they don't mind sharing a small bed, never have."
"I have early rounds with Georgie, have them call me when they're up."
"Night Ty."
Amy came downstairs and set out plates and some platters for the food. Filled pitchers with water and juice and walked out to wait on the porch. She grabbed her iPad and checked texts of pictures from Ty and the girls and sent back a few messages. She had several emails from Sandy, 6 of the rescues were heading to Montana and Wallace was officially being released at the end of the week to the family barn, she saw that the email was copied to Chuck who had already signed off. The horses leaving were all signed off by her girls and Sarah as quick, responsive, calm with steers, Alpacas and people. They'd been worked before and came in from a rescue facility. A second email was to chuck and copied to her. This one she'd heard about, the Montana trailer was returning with Georgie's horses.
She had spoken to the girls, Betty and Ty, found out about the team roping and the trip. She had seen pictures of them at Heartland and teared up. She grabbed a cup of coffee and sipped it for a few minutes when Trish's pickup beeped coming down the road.
Jackson charged out into her arms and gave her several kisses. They never spent much time apart and he was happy to be back home. From the ground dealing with two very excited dogs he promised to hurry but he had to see his Merlin and the rest. Amy sent him off and they carried in the bags, it was late and she told Chuck that they'd be fine, no need to keep a hand around waiting.
She hugged Lou and then Meg and Trish. Lou went in to settle her room for a few minutes and Amy and friends set out food.
JT returned soon and kicked off his boots, hung his hat and ran off to wash and get changed. No bbq in good clothes. They let Jackson have the floor during dinner but wouldn't allow the use of the iPad with those fingers so he just rambled describing each thing as they all nodded on and Lou interjected.
For a second Lou glanced over at Amy and really saw her as a mother. Her focus on Jackson was one of pride and love and her smile and eyes were bright and happy. From the stories she was told Lou knew that Amy held Jackson close to her for almost a year and a half before he could be allowed to roam on his own. She refused to keep him inside under someone else's care so she brought him along, in a stroller when he would stand it or in her arms the rest of the time. She made sure he had contact with horses and dogs and cows and everything else ranch life stood for. She took him out in the snow and the rain and brought him to the grotto in the summer and let him float in the water.
She cared for him during seven major surgeries and stayed with him during his rehabs cheering him on. She had him on a pony at 3, and put a rod in his small hand and he rode alone and caught his first fish at 4. She pushed him to be as normal as any other kid on a ranch and included him in everything she could. Assigned chores when he was 5 mostly helping his sisters and the care of his horses when he was 6. Amy made him proud of his body and his accomplishments, he didn't shy away from shorts to hide his scars, they were a symbol of pride to him. He did foot races though he knew he couldn't win and urged other kids on in climbing contests where legs were unimportant, even though he would always win those and Jackson ruled the water.
After dinner Lou excused herself to make some calls and deal with some business and Amy settled in her room with Jackson and the dogs. He sat snuggled against her tucked loosely in Amy's arms. Here she looked at pictures and answered questions about what he had seen and heard. They talked about what was going on at Pegasus and that she thinks she figured out what was wrong with Boxer.
"Did you have fun with your dad JT ?"
Jackson looked at her for a second "it's just us sweetheart."
"We had a great time, he misses you though."
"I know he does, I miss him too. I'm glad you could make his time away easier. Do you think he had a good time ?"
"Sure did, he sure smiled a lot and he called me son which is nice."
"I heard you had some questions about us getting married, you want to talk about that ?"
"I guess I don't get the dating part, I mean you did all that together before right, and you can still do it when your married right ?"
"Let's start here, are you worried about something happening and us not getting married or is it the other stuff, the adoption ?"
"Both I guess."
"So what do you suggest, Ty told me that he would propose by Christmas and we would plan to get married in the early summer. That's too long huh ?"
"It's summer now, that's a whole year."
"What did Ty say ?"
"I don't know I'm supposed to tell you."
"Ah Ok, well how about this, Ty said when he got back we would go see Tom and find out all the rules about him adopting you guys. Once we know we can decide."
"And married ?" He asked yawning.
"And married, is above your pay grade so I will discuss it with Ty when he returns home."
"You want to get married right ?"
"More than anything Jackson. Come on, off to bed with you."
Amy wasn't what time it was when her phone went off.
"I love you Ty Borden" she whispered into the phone.
"No I'm Ok, they all settled ? The room tour huh, yeah. Oh that was so sweet, I've seen all those buckles and heard all the stories. Ok, I love you, bye."