A/N – Thanks so much for being patient while I recover. All the notes and well wishes were great and especially Patty for her recovery advice and exercises. Also, thanks for the reviews.
Chapter 74
Amy walked Eli Hershman, his wife Rachel and son Zachary from medical to the ranch house. She settled them on the porch and went inside to talk with Betty who came out with her and sat down. They had visited with Barnum and were now sitting anxiously knowing that he was heading into surgery.
The surgical plan was simple, they would repair both the breaks with between 4 and 6 pins each and then use sheathing, a process used on Jackson's leg to strengthen and remove stress from the repairs. It was wholly unknown in the veterinary orthopedic community until Bert with the blessing of Jackson's surgical team, first used it 3 years before. As all new procedures there was controversy in the veterinary community but Bert and Pegasus' reputation took care of a lot of the flack at least among the equine surgeons, several of whom had visited the ranch and observed the surgeries and more importantly, several horses far past initial recovery. The process did what it was purported to do, once pinned the break was sheathed in thin titanium sleeve providing instantaneous support and stability to the break during the long healing process. They would also make sure Barnum's pelvis was healing as it should and the bone sets were healing properly. Recovery and rehab would probably take up to a year.
"So we're looking at how long Amy ?" Eli asked.
"Let me preface the answer with it may change once they're inside but I'd say 4 – 6 hours."
"So we just wait huh ?"
"Sorry Eli, that's the way it works. Jeff should be back soon."
"So we'll all wait together."
"Why don't you all head into town for a couple of hours when he gets back from the barracks ?"
"I can't leave Barnum."
"Well I have an appointment at Cornell so I should change." Amy said getting up.
"I thought Sandy cleared your schedule." Betty said as Amy walked to the door.
"This wasn't on my schedule". She answered going through into the house.
"Mysterious." Rachel murmured with a smile.
Rachel Hershman spoke with Betty and Amy several times through the week after the accident and arrived Sunday in a whirlwind and a day early because Eli was driving her crazy. By Wednesday afternoon, she, Betty and Amy were fast friends. Zachary, their 3 year old, almost 4 was a sweet kid who thought horses walked on water. By Sunday evening Amy had dug out JT's old ranch clothes and outfitted Zach in a hat which he refused to go anywhere without, jeans, flannels and a passable pair of boots. When Amy trotted him out to his folks at dinner Rachel was beside herself at how he looked and all he wanted to do was ride which is what he would do again today as soon as the girls got in from school to take him out. First a lesson and then riding double with one of them on a trail.
"You should ride with the girls and Zach Rachel, I'll be fine."
"I know Eli, I just worry."
"I'm capable of sitting with my leg up without you sweetheart."
"I'll watch over him Rachel."
"Thank you Betty, I'll think about it."
"You're impossible." Eli muttered.
Zach had climbed next to Eli and handed him one of the horses. Eli smiled and together they concocted an adventure. Betty sat and knitted along with Rachel who it turns out came fully supplied with a pattern for Zach. She felt right at home sitting on the porch looking up every now and again as she knitted a small sleeve in a denim blue and red pattern.
Betty heard Amy through the kitchen window and excused herself.
"We set for dinner, do I need to stop for anything ?" Amy asked checking the fridge.
"Nothing unless you see something, I have a nice turkey and all the trimmings set and ready which will be fine for us. What's the secret, where you heading Amy ?"
"Ty loves turkey" she said grabbing her bag "I'll be a couple hours, I may stop at the foundation and see Bridget."
"Amy ?" Betty asked softly.
"Barry Porter" she responded looking up "between us please."
"You Ok sweetheart ?"
"I guess yes and no is the best way to answer that question Gran, I need some sorting."
"Then go get sorted" Betty answered reaching around to hug her "I'll hold down the fort."
"Are we set for tomorrow ?"
"We'll pick the kids up at noon, have lunch, see Don and start the festivities. School slips are done, x-rays should be fairly quick, back at the ranch by 3:00 probably. I assume we'll give Jackson something tomorrow for his actual birthday ?"
"We'll save Ty's for Saturday with the big garage presentation so I guess his rod and reel which I'm sure will become some late afternoon fishing."
"Sounds reasonable, he lives to fish with that man of yours."
"They both do, Ty bought this raft thing I showed you, turns out it's not for the new house, he wants to explore the Finger Lakes. Ty is discovering the wonder that is Central New York."
"Ok, that should make for some adventures, I assume the Alberta crew will get here at maybe 5 depending on traffic from Syracuse, Carlotta has everything set so don't worry. The Harwells should be a little earlier, do they know ?"
"No, I want to feel them out. I'll be back long before that." Amy said grabbing a cap.
She stopped to say goodbye on the porch and then headed out to grab the Scout.
Having some time before her appointment and not worrying at all about parking since she had the bike, Amy took the time to just ride and try to clear her head. As always lately, it was a half hearted process. Moments of peace or exhilaration tempered by her memory and subconscious dragging her back to that time and the conclusions her mind adopted that drove her to where she was today. She checked her watch momentarily and made the turn towards town and Cornell.
She parked along a line of motorcycles in the medical center lot, hung her faculty badge around her neck and walked into the building and straight past the security check. The guard, servicing a line of visitors glanced up and Amy flashed her badge and kept going. Technically as a vet school faculty member she should have stopped but Amy had no desire to wait in the open on a line or to sign in.
Grabbing the first elevator she came to, she exited on the fifth floor, checked her watch and walked past a row of suite offices to an unmarked door and knocked gently. A moment later the door opened and a smiling man in his sixties appeared and welcomed her in.
"Amy how are you, come in and sit and I'll get you a bottle of water."
Amy walked over and sat down on one of the two large leather chairs facing each other in the corner of the room. The gentleman sat down across from her a minute later and placed a bottle and glass on a coaster on the small table between them.
"Thanks Barry, it's good to see you. I guess in the scheme of life if you asked me how I was in passing I would say I'm fine."
"And here in your psychologist's office that you haven't visited in 3 years ?"
"Anxious and conflicted, confused, scared."
"Tell me about Ty."
Dutifully, Amy bent a little and took some water then sat back for the next 30 or so minutes and described the events leading to Ty's arrival and those subsequent through until this day in the office.
Dr. Porter listened for the most part but stopped her to clarify some points along the way all the while making notes on this pad.
"Ok, the words you used at the beginning of our session were anxious, conflicted, confused and scared. We have about 20 minutes left, which of those four would you like to begin with ?"
Passing the nurses station on her way to the elevator Amy glanced over to see Trish's smiling face coming around the counter while waving at the other nurses.
"Did Betty call you ?" Amy demanded stopping at the elevator.
"No, I saw the Scout which is pretty distinctive and worried so I looked you up in the system and found you had no appointments scheduled and that you weren't in the emergency room."
"And ?"
"And you weren't listed at all so I assumed paying cash."
"Aren't there privacy rules ?"
"Gonna report me ?"
"I should demand they spank you. I just needed to talk Trish."
"Is this about Hudson ?"
"What else ?"
"Not Ty is what else."
"Not our relationship, no Trish, but I'm thinking he sees visits back as part of us and I'm so put off about the whole thing."
"How about I treat you to a donut and coffee at the bakery ?"
"Ice cream and you have a deal, meet you over there ?"
"20 minutes ?"
"I'll stop and see Bridget in the meantime."
Trish was just getting off her Harley when Amy pulled up next to her. They grabbed double cones from the counter and walked over to an isolated outdoor table with an umbrella.
"This is going to spoil my lunch" Amy said working on her cone.
"This isn't lunch ?" Trish asked.
"I guess."
"So what is it baby sister, out with it."
"I just did this at $300 an hour Trish."
"Please don't freak out Amy but John mentioned it to Ty."
"What ? Why ? When ?"
"Shhh, when they were in Alberta and Ty was talking about us four riding the Rockies to Banff or something."
"And ?"
"John was torn about it Amy but he was scared that Ty would pressure you or worse yet get you on a jet and surprise you with a detour trip he'd arranged."
Amy sighed and paid attention to a latent melting drip about to fall.
"Say something."
"What can I say Trish, I'm all twisted around. I'm not mad I just haven't really spoken to him about it, any of them."
"Well, I'm glad you took this step."
"Bert said something didn't he ?"
"Amy, don't put me in the middle, you know how it is."
"You coming to dinner ?"
"No, we'll all come tomorrow night though. I have to get back for rounds, kiss everyone hi for me."
"Later Trish."
Back at Pegasus soon after, Amy checked the progress in the medical barn, learned that they'd be using six pins on each but that nothing more severe was evident along with no laminitis and it looked to be a clean surgery, by the plan.
She stopped on the porch where Betty was sitting and Eli was napping and Betty followed her inside.
"We convinced Rachel to go with Zach and the girls, Nick and Claire are waiting for their chopper clearance from Newark."
"All good with rooms ?"
"Katie is with the girls, Lou is in the next guest. Jack and Lisa in the master, your dad and Casey in the open one bedroom loft, Jade with Georgie in the spare, Nick and Claire in the suite next to you and Ty's mom in the small suite across from your granfolks."
"Shame Wade couldn't get away."
"Lily said his conference was scheduled months ago, they'll be back in a few weeks as originally scheduled, I'm glad she decided to come for the party."
"She's very excited." Amy laughed. "Jackson home ?"
"Any minute."
"I'm going to wash up and see to some paperwork."
"How did it go Amy ?"
"Fine, going back Monday and Trish knows, she caught me."
"Does Ty know ?"
"No he doesn't and I will tell him."
"Sooner than later please."
"I will Gran."
She ran into Jackson as she was coming downstairs and he barreled smiling right into her arms.
"Hey Mom !"
"How was school sweetheart ?"
"Great ! New book assignments so reading."
"Reading is good JT. Go get washed up and grab a snack."
"And homework."
"Yes homework, I'll be in the library if you want to do it with me. The girls are out with Zach."
"Ok, I'll be down soon. Dr Borden ?"
"Surgery my love, a few more hours I think."
It was about an hour later when they heard the chopper. Amy at her desk and Jackson spread out on the floor. The girls were upstairs getting their homework done.
"Who's that ?" Jackson asked.
"Uncle Nick and Aunt Claire, are you done ?"
"Yup a while, just reading ahead."
"Let's go meet them."
Amy was smiling ear to ear as Nick helped Claire out of the chopper. She ran over when the rotors stopped and the pilot stepped out to unload the luggage from the rear compartment. She was in Nick's arms a second later exchanging kisses European style and just staying for the hug from an old friend. Claire had JT seconds later.
"My how you've grown Jackson." Claire declared with a big smile and a hug.
After Amy and Claire broke apart and they walked towards the house, the chopper lifted off back to wherever and Betty came out all smiles.
"How was the flight kids ?" She asked coming down the stairs to hug and kiss both.
"Nothing like first class travel" Claire said smiling. "So where is he ?"
"Surgery for a little time longer I think. Come on, let's get you settled. You're upstairs next to us." Amy said leading the way into the house.
"So who's coming from Alberta ?" Nick asked wheeling his suitcase in and then following up the stairs.
"Get the other bag and we'll talk in the room Nick."
They sat in the small seating area in the suite and Amy grabbed some bottled water from the fridge which she showed them in her brief tour.
"My dad and his wife Casey, Lou and Katie her daughter, Grandpa and Lisa, Jade who's Georgie's friend and Ty's mom by way of BC."
"Oh, it'll be nice to see Lou, how's she doing ?"
"Fine Nick and I think ready to settle back in Canada, we'll get to it, a bit of a story there, how about you two, any luck on finding a way back ?"
"Couple of nibbles on the property, we should have sold off a few years ago, not a lot of people buying these days. I guess if we had a plan for the future it would be easier, we could survive a year and keep the property, taxes and upkeep aren't that bad but to go where and do what ?" Claire said before taking a sip.
"Think Lisa or Jack know of anything ?"
"It's come up Nick" Amy said as her phone went off. "Surgery's over, let's go meet Ty."
They settled on the porch waiting they assumed for Ty and probably Georgie to get cleaned up. The text had a thumbs up that Amy relayed to those they joined, namely, Betty, Eli, Jeff and Richard who stood to greet Amy who then introduced everyone to Nick and Claire.
"Welcome back Richard, you two have everything you need ?"
"We're great Amy." Jeff said smiling as Wyatt turned the corner and joined them.
"Georgie and the seconds are done changing, they'll be out in a second. Ty and Bert will be a little longer. I'm Wyatt, you must be Nick and Claire."
"We are, it's good to meet you Wyatt, let's see you are" Nick started.
"Marrying Georgie, Lou's oldest." Claire said.
They watched Georgie and the seconds leave medical and stop a few minutes in front of the rescue barn with hugs for each other before Georgie continued on to the house and the other two waved to the porch and then went into the barn.
"How is he Georgie, can I see him ?" Eli asked leaning forward.
"Let us clean him up first Eli. The surgery went well, nothing out of the ordinary, I think we're all looking for a good outcome. Ty and Bert are just washing up."
"And you Georgie ?"
"I'm on call with Ty overnight so I can be with the family and the others can head home, Barnum should rest easy through the night but I'll check and Carlo's in the barn."
"Georgie, this is Nick and Claire Harwell."
Georgie introduced herself as the Mercedes bus pulled down the road.
"Just in time Georgie" Amy said getting up and walking off the porch to meet everyone.
Joined by Jackson, Betty and Georgie they welcomed each of the family as they got off the bus and two hands strolled up from the compound to carry the luggage along with Bryce who drove up to Syracuse for the pick-up.
Lisa, Jack, Lou, Katie, Tim, Casey, Jade and lastly Lily who looked at Amy at arm's length before they hugged.
"Jackson, this is Lily, Ty's mom."
Jackson smiled and Amy lifted him so that he could hug her.
"Ty's told me all about you Jackson, it's good to meet you."
Jackson smiled again "so Grandma ok ?"
"Grandma is perfect" Lily said starting to tear up.
Betty got some refreshments while their newly arrived guests used bathrooms and they settled on the large porch. Jackson had flown off to let Ty know that Lily had arrived and returned moments later on his shoulders with Bert along side.
Ty dropped Jackson and hugged and kissed his mom who was smiling from ear to ear.
"You two've met ?" Ty asked pointing to JT.
"We sure did." Jackson answered smiling.
"Bert Koenig, this is my mom Lily Dalton.
Bert shook hands with her and greeted his way down to sit beside Eli.
Ty stopped with a long smile and a hug with Nick before he was introduced to Claire.
He excused himself and joined Eli and friends.
"I'm sure you've heard Eli, the surgery went well and he's resting and still pretty out of it. Sarah will be with him for awhile and Georgie and Ty will see him through the night." Bert said smiling.
"Prognosis ?" Jeff asked.
"We're confident" Ty said "we need to be patient and see how he stalls in place."
"We'll do everything we can to help him Eli" Amy said coming over "we have all the time in the world."
"Anyway, I think waiting the extra day was a good decision." Bert said. "I'd prefer waiting until he's off the anesthesia to see you though Eli, after dinner might be best."
"You can see him on the video feed Eli." Amy suggested reaching for an iPad.
Lisa asked after this girls and found out they were riding and due back soon.
Bert left home and they all visited until the girls and Hershman's returned.
Roberta walked alongside the girls when they left the barn. Charlotte and Maddie each holding one of Zach's hands between them. He became fast friends with his new riding instructors.
"Katie and Barb tell us the surgery went well ?" Roberta asked walking over to Eli and leaning over for a kiss before meeting the rest of the family.
"It went fine" Ty confirmed "the rest is up to him and providence."
"He's a strong horse" Roberta confirmed.
The girls had left to wash and get their homework done before dinner leaving the adults to visit and catch up for a time. Nick and Claire spent their time with Lou and Ty talking about Europe and where they were. Amy sat with Jack and Lisa. Georgie and Wyatt with Jade. Katie had gone to start her assignments as well, she was missing school on Friday and had make-up work.
Jackson had gone with the pups to round up the compound Alpacas who had once again escaped and were wandering around on an inspection tour.
Ty stood during a lull in conversation,"I'm going up to get changed out of these scrubs for dinner, I won't be long."
"I'll change too" Georgie said "Jade, come on you're all set up at our place."
This set the group in motion. Jack and Lisa to their room, followed by everyone else to theirs with Amy making the rounds to see that everyone was comfortable and had what they needed and Betty seeing to dinner.
Amy's last stop before checking on Ty was with the girl's who had Katie set up in their spare room on one of the futons. They were all in the bedroom doing work.
"You have everything you need Katie ?"
"Yup, all good."
"You have something to do tomorrow while we're all at the doctor's office ?"
"Ride with Georgie and Wyatt if Georgie can if not just Wyatt. Both have class in the afternoon."
"Good, that should be nice. About 30 minutes to dinner kids."
"K mom" they both answered.
She caught Jackson coming up to get ready on her way down the hall.
"30 minutes, gran said already."
"Good, go ahead and I'll check on Ty."
Amy found the door to the bedroom locked and thumbed the small pad on the side unlocking the door. She heard him in the bathroom and walked to the door.
"Hey Ames. Dinner ?"
"20 minutes or so sweetheart, you Ok ?"
"Tired and distracted, going over the surgery in my head."
"Anything ?"
"Can't think of anything else we could have done."
"Then that's what we have to be satisfied with."
She sat and grabbed her iPad to check her schedule and messages and responded to several while Ty dressed and then joined her. He noticed the chair across from theirs with the matching ottoman and a small stationary basket.
"What's in the basket ?"
"Meg Caldwell found it in a shop, it's an Amish made knitting basket, I liked it so she picked it up for me. Betty can leave her stuff in it. Nice seeing your mom again Ty."
"Yeah, she was pretty psyched when her boss gave her the extra time and she can still come back in October for my birthday and then Christmas."
"Wade will come for Christmas ?"
"Yup, he's booked solid this weekend and then in October. You're off all day tomorrow ?"
"I am, it's Jackson's birthday and x-ray day, lunch in town and then let the celebrations begin."
"Do we save gifts for the girls actual birthday Monday ?"
"One each just for the notion, you can throw open the garage Saturday. We'll give Jackson his tackle tomorrow."
"And we'll fish in the afternoon."
"I would say yes but it's up to him, finger's crossed dad." Amy said laughing.
They heard Nick and Claire leave the suite next door and Amy walked over to peek out. "Come on in for a minute and we'll go down together"
Amy offered limited drinks and Claire grabbed a water.
"So November 26 ?" Nick asked.
"That's the date, you'll come with the kids ?"
"We will come with the kids." Claire agreed. "So Ty how are you getting along in your new environment ?"
"It's been a rush for sure but a good rush, a lot to take in. So last time I saw you Nick was 12 years ago maybe ?"
"That's about right, polo team, boy that sucked."
"At least you came looking for me Nick, something good came of it." Claire said with a loving smile.
"We all stumble Nick." Amy agreed as the girls followed seconds later by Jackson came to the door seeing that it was open.
"Did you ask him mom ?" Maddie said walking in.
"Ask who what Mad ?"
"Nick, about the hunter course."
"That's a ways off Mad, we need to own the property first and Nick doesn't have time this weekend."
"What are we talking about ?"
"Sorry Nick, we're buying a vacation property in the Adirondacks and the girls came up with idea of a cross country course. It'll wait until the New Year."
"Let's head down to dinner." Ty said getting up and waiting to close the door with Amy. Dinner was still a few minutes off and Ty invited the adults for drinks. Georgie's gang had come back so a decent sized crew joined them and after taking requests Ty set off to try making his first pitcher of Manhattan's.
"Dad, Lily, ginger ale or water, juice."
"Ginger ale please Amy." Lily answered.
"Fine, thanks" Tim nodded.
"So Amy, the house ?"
"We put in a bid Lou, waiting to meet Mrs. Spelts, the owner and matriarch."
"No counter ?"
"If it was me and I stipulated a meet I would counter in person."
"Definitely the way to go." Nick agreed.
"So you guys all made CBC with that horse Barnum" Jack said "it was mostly about the horse and officer Hershman over there but they mentioned Pegasus."
"Good I hope ?" Amy asked.
"Oh, it was a nice story." Lisa said.
"Well Roberta sent out a press release today after the surgery and the press conference will be Monday."
"Where are we doing this Ames ?"
"They say the weather will be nice Monday, I was thinking outside the new building. Signage is going up tomorrow."
"Intentionally ?"
"Yes Lisa, we called today, everyone's fine with it. You're staying the week so you can watch. You too Lily."
"And wedding planning, so exciting !" Lily said beaming.
"I think we're ready to eat" Betty said standing and putting her tumbler on the small table. Ty could you bring the turkey to the table, who's carving in Bert's absence."
"Jack ?" Ty asked "I've never so I'll watch."
"I'll mention it during the next surgery Ty, we can get maybe an hour or two soliloquy on carving turkeys from Bert and then a question and answer period." Georgie said laughing.
The Hirshmans, Jeff and Richard left the family to their own for dinner and went into town for the evening. The table at Pegasus was loud and fun. The girls and JT doted on Lily who sat across from JT on Ty's left while Amy and Betty took questions from Casey, Lou and Lisa about how plans for the first wedding were coming together while Georgie and Wyatt caught up with Jade. Jack and Tim bickered amongst themselves.
Dessert was set up in Georgie and Wyatt's loft and after clearing off dinner the group strolled over to the barn. Ty and Amy took Lily over to see Spartan and Harley, part of the plan for the week was getting Lily on a horse, over the intervening years Ty had mostly visited in Vancouver. The peace between Wade and Ty that started with Cisco and stumbled along had strengthened as Wade joined Lily in rehab on several fronts and his lot changed at work.
Wade had applied for a job with Paladin Transport's security department and convinced them to give him a shot at his idea. Wade came clean about his past and the head of security liked the idea that Wade would travel to Paladin depots and look for what was called in the trade, loss, simply the product that fell off the truck and disappeared. In everyday speech, Wade's job was to watch and stop theft. He was very good and security systems he set up worked. He was saving Paladin a fortune in insurance claims and they rewarded him for his efforts.
Ty had to admit a certain pride in Wade's change as a person and Jack pushed that idea at Ty asking him to remember his life and the forgiveness and love he was given when he changed and measured himself a better man.
While those who had seen the loft before started on dessert Georgie proudly gave the loft tour to those who had not seen it before, Jack, Lisa, Casey and Lily walked the space commenting and smiling.
"How's it been living here Georgie, different huh ?" Jack asked.
"Different and not, it's weird. In the mornings or after work between shifts and school I come up here and grab a cup of coffee and sit down in that widow seat. That meadow right there" she said walking over and showing the group "is I guess more the family meadow than anything and just the other day I felt that I was still at Heartland, my horses, Harley and Spartan just standing to the side grazing peacefully. Then Amy walked over and they all came by to get to her. She was laughing at them vying for a place. It's so much like home."
"And then you turn around." Jack said laughing.
"I'm not going there Jack, I turn around and I have a beautiful home with the man of my dreams, on a family ranch where we are getting married and building a future."
"Good for you Georgie, I'm happy for you." Lisa said hugging her.
"I'm happy for you as well Georgie, I wasn't trying to."
"Please Jack, I know you want what we do."
"This is beautiful Georgie, you and Wyatt, well I couldn't be happier for both of you" Casey gushed pulling her in for a hug.
"Thanks Casey." Georgie said with a wide smile.
The knock wasn't expected but not as they had learned out of the ordinary and Georgie smiled seeing Bert standing there.
"Hey Bert, miss me ?"
"Barnum's coming around, Amy wanted to see him."
"Ty and I are on call Bert."
"You have guests for the time being Georgie, I won't come back."
"Bert ?" Amy asked walking over with Ty.
"He's coming around."
"Georgie, we'll be back in a few minutes, is Eli back Bert ?"
"Not yet, Sarah's on her way."
"Ok, I'll text Rachel on the way, I'd like him to see Barnum before we dose him for the night."
On the way downstairs Amy's text informed her that the Hershmans were five minutes out. "Ty, could I ask you t go meet Eli at the house and walk him over please, they'll be here in a minute. Jeff and Richard can help with Zach if Rachel needs it."
"No problem, see you in a few minutes."
"How's re-entry ?" Bert asked as they walked to the barn.
"So far so good I guess. You know you've been summoned on a fishing quest tomorrow ?"
"What is that all about ?"
"Jackson has decided it would be a real hoot if he got to fish on his birthday with his assorted fathers, God, Grand and Great Grand."
"And Ty ?"
"He's dad between them Bert, you may hear him blurt it out."
"That's actually nice."
They found Carlo at Amy's desk, his head buried in a biochemistry text.
"How's he doing Carlo ?"
"He's coming out slowly, not sweating and he took some water. Check his gums Amy, color's a bit off. He's one of the most naturally calm horses I've ever treated."
"Nature of the best police horses for sure." Amy said nodding.
"Bert I emailed you that chunk of my thesis for you to read over, I'm stuck, the wording seems off."
"I'll look at it tomorrow Carlo, you're a good writer, I'm sure it's just a twist of words."
Carlo smiled and nodded as Bert and Amy approached Barnum.
"Hey Barnum, how ya doin' boy" Amy asked softly opening the stall and entering. Barnum looked over and Amy reached to stroke his mane. After a few minutes of gentling and T Touch Amy checked his gums and eyes, felt for his respiration and grabbed a stethoscope to check his heart.
"Sure you don't want me to do that ?" Bert asked.
"I don't think we need a parade of people through here Bert, don't ya trust me ?" Amy asked innocently.
"Trust you before half the teaching staff at Cornell." He muttered.
"Eli, how's that leg coming along ?"
"Just fine Sarah, thanks."
Take it easy, Barnum's not going anywhere." She chided Eli stopping to wait for Ty and him to get to the barn.
Barnum reacted immediately to Eli's presence and strained a little to get to him as Eli hobbled over and handed Amy his crutch. He leaned right onto Barnum who thought nothing of the burden. Amy smiled, leaned the crutch on the stall wall and stepped out.
"Sarah you said he reacted well to lavender so I think maybe a light, say 20% diffuser just to steady him would be good. Bert is vervane good or should we use valerian as calm as he is ?"
"Let's not press him tonight, he's still got a couple hours of detox ahead. Sarah you staying ?"
"Georgie will be by around one, we'll decide then. Eli I assume you want a shift tomorrow ?"
"Please, I can sit in here with him ?"
"Set you up with a chair and a stool for that foot." Sarah smiled obligingly. "So we ready to see if he'll take some food and water ?"
"I think so" Ty said with Bert nodding.
"We'll leave you to it then" Amy said "Have Carlo get Eli set up, he's got the tea and the mash ready except for the valerian, asses him in the morning before he gets more, I'd like him on this side of alert please."
"We'll take good care of him Amy." Sarah assured her.
Amy walked over to Carlo "Could I ask that you walk Eli back Carlo ?"
"No problem Amy."
"Jeff would have come Amy."
"I know Eli but my asking Carlo insures you just won't hobble on your own."
"You're just like Rachel you know that ?"
"I do Eli, I do, have a good night you all, come in Bert, we'll walk you to your truck."
"You go ahead Amy, Ty, I'll be along."
"Now Bertram, you're off the clock go home and obsess over Meg."
"Fine, fine, didn't realize Rachel was such a pain in the butt." Bert said laughing at Eli.
"If they love you Bert, you're sunk, have a good night and thanks."
"You're very welcome Eli." Bert said turning to Amy and Ty "well, get walking."
Bert and Ty made up to meet at 7:30 as they both had to be at Cornell by 10:00. Amy and Ty returned To Georgie's to find the group tired and breaking up. Travel was rough with or without the luxury.
As people were gathering their stuff Ty and Amy went over Barnum's overnight orders before following Nick and Claire down. They were the last in the house and after making sure Lily, Jack and Lisa were comfortable on the first floor went upstairs to say goodnight to the kids and Lou.
They were surprised to find Nick and Claire waiting outside their bedroom.
"Problem guys ?" Ty asked.
"What's up Amy. We asked Lisa about anything she'd heard that might work for us and she looked like a deer in the headlights." Claire said.
Amy sighed, "come down to the library and we'll talk, you can have a night cap."
Settling in the library Ty grabbed a bottle of cognac and three glasses. Amy had grabbed a bottle of water before sitting on one of the couches and grabbing a tube leaning against it's side.
When they were all settled and served Amy pulled out a several sheets resembling maps, found one in the pile that she handed to Ty and after she lay the rest to the side they rolled it out.
The picture was a drawn overview of the jumping and rehab facility without a roof so you could see everything from above without hinderance. You could also see the immediate area, parking facilities, trailer parking, the surrounding woods, the road access and the road to the thoroughbred barns.
"Wow, pretty impressive" Nick said leaning over. "A jumping facility, 4 rings two very large, stables, pools ? What is this ?"
"It's the final draft of the Jumping and Medical Rehab center we're building."
"Why show us ?"
"I, well we" she said smiling at Ty "want you to take it over Claire, kids and all."
"This is here ?"
"Along one of our side roads." Amy showed him from the picture on the wall. "Right here, 50 acres near the thoroughbred facility."
"So the pools are for rehab."
"Actually Claire it's great low impact exercise for them, so perhaps not exclusively."
"What's this here ?" Nick asked.
"Separate medical stables, 24 stalls, set aside specifically to be used for rehab."
"And these stalls on this side ?"
"24 indoor and 36 outdoor semi enclosed for outsiders; shows and events."
"We'd live here ?" Claire asked.
"You would live here, either we would make part of this into living quarters or I guess we could look into a house, you can buy a place off site too, we'd work it all out an employment package."
"So we'd work for you ?"
"Well Nick, technically for Pegasus."
"So we'd work for you ?"
"Yes Nick for me."
"Us." Ty said.
"You know Ty, the three of us were in business together, equal partners, Amy insisted that Nick and I each have a third and there was not one second of those years where I ever felt I wasn't working for Amy, it's a thing you come to accept."
Ty smiled "bust my bubble why don't ya."
"I'm not bossy." Amy pouted.
"You are the most disarming person on the face of the earth which is way worse than bossy."
"I think you mean way better Nick, so is that a no ?"
"It's definitely not a no, you could possibly be the best boss in the world." Claire said laughing. "We just didn't think it was a job, just an idea."
"It's more than a job Claire, it's a place."
"We're well aware of that Amy" Nick said appreciatively and thoughtfully "Have a time frame in mind ?"
"I'd certainly not pull the kids away from school, so June I would say or whenever the American School is over. We may not be done building by June. This decision won't get made tonight or probably this weekend, sleep on it and we'll talk again."
Nick and Claire got up and Amy gathered the glasses for the dishwasher. They waited a second for Amy to stop in the kitchen and headed upstairs together.
"Can't say we expected this, just some brainstorming." Claire said hugging her. "It would be nice being together again." She added softly.
"It would" Amy said hugging her back tightly and then switching to Nick. We'll see you at breakfast, or at least I will, not sure when Ty will head out."
Amy lay with her back against Ty and settled in as his arm took up it's familiar spot across her belly Ty kissed her neck "so that went well with Nick and Claire though not according to plan I take it ?"
"Well I wanted to ask how things were going and what they were thinking first but this was just as well. Ty, I need to tell you something, maybe I should have told you before but I went in to talk with a psychologist today."
"Ok, about you, the kids, uh me ?"
"Not you in the us sense my love, I have no doubts about us. Trish told me you know Ty."
"Hudson or Heartland ?"
"Easier to just call it Alberta."
"So what now, how can I help, my experience with psychologists is probably very similar to Georgie's, assessments for release or placement, basically lying to get out."
"Well, this is not that."
"I'm well aware so ?"
"Tell me you love me and you'll wait for me."
"I love you more than anything Ames and I will wait forever, it's engraved on that watch and in my heart."
Amy somehow snuggled herself closer and Ty instinctively tightened his hold on her pulling her in.
"Who knows ?"
"Betty, Trish and I assume John. That's probably all who know about this step. I've seen him before, coping with stuff through the years."
"Me stuff ?"
"He's a psychologist Ty, it's all me stuff actually."
"I get that."
"To say that none of how I feel concerns you would obviously not be true Ty but it's not you any more than anyone else I don't think. It's a feeling of stress and I don't even know how to describe it."
"How did you describe it to him uh ?"
"Dr. Barry Porter, Barry is fine. The words I used were anxious, conflicted, confused, scared."
"He's helped you before ?"
"He has, I'm comfortable talking to him."
"Then I'm glad you're going and that you felt able to tell me."
"I wanted to tell you."
"What time do we expect Jackson on his actual birthday ?"
"The same, his alarm goes off by 5:15."
"Let's get some sleep."
"I love you Ty."
"So you keep telling me."
"Mmmmm." Amy sighed.