The Village Idiot - Part Two
"Congratulations Amy!" A chorus of four excited voices shouted in unison through the phone, tickling her ear.
"Wow! Thanks everyone! News sure travels fast!"
"GG spilled the beans." Katie tattled.
"He did, huh?" Amy laughed.
"We just called Grandpa and Lisa to give them an update on school when he let the cat out of the bag." Lou explained. "They are so proud of you. Us too."
"Thanks. I'm pretty proud of me too!" Amy said, then steered the conversation away. "So, how was the first day of school?"
"Great! I wore my new blue dress. My homeroom teacher, Mrs. York, wore a blue one too." Katie replied. "I like her."
"No more pink?"
"Pink is for babies."
"Good to know. And, how about you, Georgie? First day as a senior!"
"Boring. I would rather be with you in North Carolina at the games." Georgie lamented.
"I'll send you lots of pictures." Amy reassured her.
"Better than nothing, I guess." She groused.
"Heard you and Phoenix did well in Saugerties. Before we know it, we'll all be at the games to watch you compete." Amy suggested.
"That would be pretty cool." She said, brighting some.
"Well, you just need to keep up the great work." She encouraged her niece.
"So, Amy, tell us about vet school." Lou steered the conversation back.
"There's not much to tell yet. I was on the beach when received an email from the dean saying that my application was accepted."
"Did you do a happy dance?" Katie asked with a giggle.
"As a matter of fact I did!" Amy said, smiling at the memory.
"Heard you got straight A's!" Georgie blurted out.
"Yeah. That surprised me too, Georgie." Amy replied modestly.
"I'm not surprised at all. You worked your butt off, Amy. I knew you would do it. We all did." Lou added, then asked. "Did you get a scholarship too?"
"It's only a partial scholarship, but still, I'm excited."
"Yea Aunt Amy!" Katie cheered.
"When's your first day of school?" Peter asked.
"Monday. Can you believe it? I'm not sure I'll be ready. I don't even have my schedule, my books or anything yet. Crazy!"
"You'll do great." Peter continued.
"No doubt." Lou agreed, adding. "We love you."
"I love you all too."
"We should let you get back to your celebration." Lou said.
"Yeah, we hear music in the background. Bet it's gonna be a late night." Georgie surmised.
Amy laughed. "Hope not too late...I've got to get up early in the morning. Like 4:30am."
"4:30? You're supposed to be on vacation." Before Amy could respond, Lou remembered. "Oh, that's right. You have a flight to Mill Spring. You're such a jet-setter. Well, we should let you go then."
"Well, thank you again for calling everyone. It was a nice surprise!"
"Congratulations Amy!"
"Thanks guys...Um, Lou, before you go, do you have a minute to talk?"
"Ah sure." Lou said, then muttered something to Peter.
"Well, congrats again, Amy." Peter said, before he and the girls signed off.
"Okay, it's just me now. What's up?"
"Are you sitting down?"
"Sitting down? Did something happen? Did you meet someone? Wait, are you and Andrew back together?" Lou asked, guessing.
"I ran into Ty, here in Corolla at the beach." Amy said bluntly. "He's here for work."
"Oh my god, Amy. Are you kidding? Are you okay?" Lou's voice grew concerned, immediately shifting into overprotective older sister mode.
"Lou, you worry too much. I'm fine."
"Tell me everything, starting from the beginning."
Purposefully light on details, Amy gave a quick synopsis of the situation with the horses and her agreement to assist in the morning.
"Wow, so you and Ty...saving wild horses on a gorgeous beach and then riding off into the sunset? Sounds like something straight out of a Harlequin romance novel." She said her tone laced with cynicism. "Almost too good to be true."
"I'm only doing it for the horses. Nothing more. He's got a girlfriend, remember?"
"Right…" Lou replied, clearly unconvinced.
When Amy didn't respond, Lou pressed. "I'm not saying that you shouldn't work with Ty, or anything. You know I've always loved him, he's like a little brother to me...and, honestly, I do miss him."
"Yeah, I do too." She confessed.
"And, I get it. He's a good guy. Funny, handsome, smart, and all that. After seeing that video, it's clear that he still has feelings for you. No doubt you have feelings too. It would be so easy to fall back into that again. But…" She paused, letting the word dangle, heavy with meaning.
"He left." Amy said quietly, finishing Lou's sentence.
"More than that, Amy. He broke your heart." Lou said gently, correcting her. "I was there. I saw how devasted you were. I don't want you to go through that again."
"Me neither."
"You have a huge heart, a giving soul and an incredible gift. Those horses need you, and I understand why you want to help them...and Ty. And, you should. You two make a great team. But…"
"But what?" Amy asked.
"But please, please be careful. Protect your heart. If working with Ty is going to reopen old wounds, make you doubt yourself, or hold you back in any way, don't do it. It's not worth it. You and your happiness matter more to me than Ty, or even a whole herd of wild horses. Remember, I'm always on your side."
"Always?" Amy countered.
Lou sighed heavily. "You're right. I was wrong to take his side during that whole Ahmed mess and everything that came after. I'm so sorry that I did that. But, honestly, I am in your corner."
"I know. I shouldn't have questioned you." Amy said quickly. "I'm sorry too."
"No, I deserved it. I wasn't there for you back then like I should have been." She admitted.
An uncomfortable silence hung between them for a long three seconds.
"Just promise me one thing." Lou asked.
"What's that?"
"You said you're only doing it for the horses. Nothing more." She echoed her words. "Right?"
"Right." Amy reassured her.
"Then treat this like any other job. Think of Ty as just another client. Set your boundaries, stay focused, and keep your distance. Be the professional that you are. Promise me."
"Promise." Amy said softly.
"And if he does or says something that crosses that line, stirs up old pain, walk away. No, run. Then call me. Better yet, call me no matter what, okay?"
Amy let out a small laugh, her shoulders easing slightly. "Okay."
"Good. Cuz I love you."
"I love you too. Thanks Lou."
"We'll talk tomorrow night."
Ending the call, Amy took a deep breath. She knew Lou was right. Just like on the beach today, it would be so easy to fall back into that again with Ty, pretend nothing had happened.
But it did. He left. He broke her heart. He's with someone else.
She wasn't willing to risk the heartache again. Especially now, with vet school on the horizon. She made herself a silent vow. Tomorrow was just about the horses. Period.
Dialing his number next, her call went directly to his voicemail. Thankful, she left a message. "Dad. I got into vet school. I start Monday. Thought you'd want to know. Love you."
Suddenly exhausted, all she wanted was to go back to their rental, crawl into bed, maybe do a bit of reading.
But, leaving Alicia was not an option. Yet not quite ready to go back out there, she headed to the bar, now mostly void of patrons.
"What can I get ya?" The bartender put a napkin on the bar before her.
"Um. Do you have orange juice?"
"Yes. Vodka? We have several local ones, Blue Shark, Bedlam, Redd Rose..."
"No. Just orange juice, please."
"Coming right up."
Taking a sip from a chilled wine glass, she caught her own reflection in the mirror behind the bar. The two vertal creases between her brows had returned. She frowned, deepening the lines.
"Not listening to the music with the others?" He asked in his southern twang.
"I was thirsty." She replied, glancing only briefly at him.
"Hmm." He said unconvinced, taking the stool next to her. "Cheerwine, Don please." He asked the bartender.
"You got it, Zach."
Taking a long swig from a red can of soda, he turned to Amy and asked bluntly. "Is that dude at y'alls table bothering you? The scruffy one with long hair."
One corner of her mouth twitched at his description of Ty, then shook her head. "No, he's not bothering me."
"I saw him follow you back into the restuarant." He continued. "We can get him removed."
"No, don't."
"Are you sure? Cuz you seem...bothered."
She sighed heavily. "No, not bothered exactly. It's just..." She paused, searching for the right word, then settling. "awkward."
"Why's that?"
"We used to...ah, date." Amy answered, avoiding anything more.
"No kidding!" He blurted out, not expecting her reply.
"Yeah."
"So, you broke his heart." He said with certainy.
"Actually, it was the other way around." She countered with a nonchalant shrug, yet her expression said something different.
"Well, he's an idiot then."
She gave a half-smile. "Doesn't matter any way. It was a long time ago, we've both moved on." She said half-heartedly.
"If you've both moved on, then you should definitely go back out there, enjoy yourself. Remind him what he gave up."
"Ha!" She smirked.
"No, really. You wouldn't believe the number of women I've seen let some guy ruin their evening." He caught the bartender's eye. "Right, Don?"
"Too many to count."
"Really?" Amy asked.
"Really." Zach said with authority. "Don't be one of them."
She nodded thoughtfully, considering his words.
"Hey, don't you have some celebrating to do?" He reminded her.
"I do, don't I? Thanks." Amy gave them a grateful smile, before walking away, orange juice in hand.
Back at the table, Amy took a seat across from Alicia and Michael and next to Frank.
"Finally, you're back. Did you get a hold of everyone? Were they super excited for you?" Alicia asked her best friend.
"I did and they were. Of course, Lou being Lou, she had a load of big sisterly advice." She rolled her eyes. "I could barely get her off the phone. Sisters!"
"Naturally." Lowering her voice, she asked. "Did you tell her about you know who?"
Amy nodded. From the corner of her eye, she caught Ty watching her. Though still at the far end of the table, he had shifted to the opposite side, now seated across from her and facing the stage.
"Whatever she told you, take it with a grain of salt and a cup of sugar. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Remember, you're a grown woman. You get to make own decisions." Alicia advised, reaching across the table, grasping her hand. "I'll support you no matter what."
"Thanks. You're a real friend." Amy smiled gratefully.
"Right back at ya." She smiled back, then suggested to Michael. "Michael, why don't you introduce Amy to the guys."
"Sure thing." Michael stood slightly from his seat. "Hey everyone, this is Amy. Amy, that's Frank and Sid, they operate Corolla Wild Tours. And, Henry and David. They're UC vet students and our externs. And, of course, you know Ty."
She leaned in, smiled, raising her hand in a slight wave. "Hi Everyone. Nice to meet you all."
"Amy's a very well-known equine trainer and behavioralist in Alberta. And, she's starting UC vet school on Monday. She just found out today!"
"Congratulations! That's terrific. Congrats!" Congratulatory words rose up from the table.
"Thanks." She blushed modestly, took a sip of her juice.
"And, lucky for us, Ty convinced her to work with us tomorrow." Michael continued.
"I'm looking forward to it. Hope I can be of some use." Amy said sincerely.
"So, you're going to be a first-year?" Henry asked immediately from across the table. "David and I are both fourth-years. We're happy to help you navigate the UC system."
"Good to know. Any words of wisdom?" She asked politely.
"Yeah, stay clear of Reginald Parker for Genetics and Molecular Biology. He's militant." Henry said with a smirk.
"He is that." Amy agreed. "But he's also an excellent professor. I had him for Biology 241 and lab."
"You liked him?" Henry asked, clearly surprised. "You must have gotten an A."
"I thought he was good too." David chimed in.
Recognizing a kindred spirit, Amy turned to him with a curious smile. "David, any words of wisdom?"
"Wisdom?" He paused, considering her question for a moment. "Um, surround yourself with people that you can count on and learn from. People who challenge you and have your back. Oh, and, do the same in return."
Intrigued, she tilted her head. "Like a study group?"
He chuckled lightly. "I wasn't thinking about that, but yeah, guess that's one way." He hedged, then continued. "I was actually thinking about the last three days with these guys."
"So, the externship?"
He nodded purposefully. "It's been such an incredible experience. I've learned a lot from everyone, but especially from Ty here." He gestered toward Ty, sitting across from him. "Honestly, they've already made me a better vet and surgeon, maybe even a better person."
"Wow. That's saying a lot." Her smile drifted from David to Ty, lingering briefly. "Maybe I should sign-up for an externship in my fourth year too."
"Oh, and sleep." Henry interjected with a grin. "Get it now, because you won't have time in the next four years once school starts."
"Geez, that's the truth," Michael chuckled. "Especially fourth year, I was dead on my feet most of the time. Between school, externship, and work, I was completely spent. Right Ty?"
"Yeah. Fourth year was rough. I didn't do a good job balancing anything. Sleep wasn't the only thing I lost, just the least important." He admitted crypticly.
"Speaking of sleep, we won't be getting much tonight." Frank offered.
"So, what are the plans for tomorrow?" Amy said, trying to refocus the conversation on the horses as the music continued to play in the background.
Pulling up a detailed map of the Currituck and Corolla from his back pocket, Michael laid it out on the table. Though they had heard it earlier, everyone moved closer together to take a look.
"The plan is relatively simple. There are approximately 100 horses assembled in small bands spread across 7500 acres of publicly and privately owned land." His finger traced the area on the map. "Thus far, we have 19 volunteers including you and Alicia."
Not wholly surprised, Amy looked to Alicia, who shrugged, then said. "What can I say, Michael is very persuasive." Amy laughed.
"So, how many vets?" Ty asked.
"Just three, you, me and Dr. Cook."
"What's the rest of the group look like?" Ty asked.
"So 3 vets, 3 vet students. A couple of vet techs. And, one medical doctor." He winked at Alicia. "And, 10 volunteers. Everyone has experience with horses."
"Better than I expected." Ty confessed.
"We also have four 4x4s, couresty of Sid and Frank. And two trucks, horse trailers and drivers."
"We have a 4x4 too." Alicia offered, glancing across the table. "Amy has to drive it though. It's a rental."
"Sure, I can drive." Amy affirmed.
"We'll take it. Thanks." Michael squeezed Alicia's knee under the table.
"We'll need another guide then." Frank offered. "You can get lost in those backroads."
"Right. I'll send out a text for a volunteer." Sid said.
"Great. That will make 20, 4 per vehicle." He did some quick calculating. "Each team will be assigned 1500 acres, give or take. Is that doable in day, Frank and Sid?"
"With a drone and guide in each cruiser? Yes. I think so." Frank answered. "If we're lucky, we can be done by noon."
"Good. We're just looking for visual evidence. Infected horses will be trailered to the farm in Grandy for treatment. Like I said relatively simple. Questions?"
"Straightforward to me." Henry piped up. The others nodded in agreement.
"Oh, and before I forget. We heard from Dr. Cook just before we got here. Good news. Maude, that horse killed in Virginia, the one thought to have Pythiosis?"
"You mean the reason we're all here?" David said.
"Yep. That's the one. Turns out, she's negative. The six remaining horses of the Renegade 7 band have been successfully transported to the Grandy farm. They and the other 20 horses at the farm also tested negative." Michael grinned.
"That is good news." David agreed.
"But, didn't you say we were going to rely solely on visual evidence tomorrow?" Amy asked.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" Michael replied.
"Well, if there's a test, shouldn't we confirm before we trailer the suspected horses?" Amy asked, surprising everyone with her question.
"Good question, Amy." Michael replied, sounding very professorial. "The best test for diagnosing pythiosis is a blood test called an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay or ELISA for short. The test detects antibodies against the Pythium insidiosum organism, providing a serological confirmation of the infection."
"But ELISA is a fairly standard diagnostic test. So why not test first to confirm?" She challenged.
"The problem is logistics. First, we'd have to draw the sample in the field, without any means of corralling. Not simple, but certainly doable. More problematic is that closest vet clinic with a lab is in Kitty Hawk. From our search location, it will take at least 90 minutes to get the samples there plus another 90 minutes to process the test. So, unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of testing." Michael answered. "We'll have to rely on visual inspection until we get to Grandy."
"Don't worry. We're know what Swamp Cancer looks like." Henry said with a hint of pride.
"How far away is Grandy?" Amy persisted.
"90 minutes." Michael replied.
She paused, quickly doing the math in her head. "So, five or more hours of trailering, trauma, and captivity for wild horses that may test negative?" She pressed, her tone unwavering.
"Amy has a good point. We should confirm before we trailer." Ty interjected, following Amy's lead.
"I agree with them. Confirm first. With Maude, visual diagnosis was incorrect." David piled on. "We confirmed all the ones in Assateague before trailered them to Blacksburg."
"Points well taken. We have a problem to solve then. What are our options?" Michael challenged them.
"Wouldn't it be great to have that Virginia Tech trailer that we had in Assateague." David said wistfully.
"That would be." Ty agreed, working his own phone.
"Or HokieBird." Henry suggested.
"An option but probably not possible."
"How about a mobile lab could process labs at the search site?" Alicia suggested. Amy pulled out her phone.
"Excellent idea, Alicia. That's a strong possibility." Michael grinned at her.
"Michael, what about this place? Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital and Mobile Clinic. They're in Kitty Hawk." Amy handed him her phone. "They have an after-hour number."
"This looks real promising Amy. Maybe Meg or Dr. Cook have a connection there." Michael's eyes dropped to his phone, his thumbs flying across its screen. A moment later, he smiled. "Meg's on it."
"We'll also need supplies. Maybe half a dozen or so draws per each vehicle, so 30 sets in total." Ty figured, still on his phone.
"Good point. I'll add that to the list." Michael replied.
"Do we have an identification system and spray markers?" David asked. "Like we use cattle?"
"Good idea, David. Putting it on the list." Michael said. "Anything else?"
Everyone shook their head no.
As the flurry of plan making slowed, the group turned their attention to the band, now playing a slow song. With the dance floor filling with couples, Michael took Alicia's hand, asking her to dance. Before accepting, Alicia looked quizzically at Amy.
"Don't be silly. Go!" Amy shooed them.
She watched as Michael whisked her away, taking her in his arms, swaying to the music, both of them lost in the other's eyes. She was happy for her best friend, even if it meant things would change between once they married.
"So Miss Amy. How much experience do you have driving in the sand?" Sid asked from across the table, redirecting her gaze to him.
"In the beach sand?" She chuckled. "About an hour. And, please call me Amy."
"The thing is, Amy, it can get real tricky on the backroads." He said in a warm fatherly tone.
"No doubt. But, I didn't have any trouble this evening." She replied confidently, adding. "Our 4x4 is fully equipped for offroad."
"Good." He replied, then hedged. "Miss, excuse me, Amy. I'd just hate for you to get that rental of yours stuck and burn out the engine."
"Me too." She agreed readily.
"Well shoot, Amy. Maybe you should let someone more experienced drive." Frank suggested, adding on to Sid's commentary.
Amy raised a brow and the corner of her mouth, finding humor in his words despite his patronizing tone. Her gaze remained steady as she replied politely. "Why, thank you, Frank. I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
Ty chuckled. "You two are worrying about the wrong person. I'd bet anything that Amy can outmaneuver most anyone in any vehicle on any terrain. She's even a pro at backing an 8-horse trailer around a tight hairpin curve."
"Is that so?" Frank turned to her, apologetic. "Well, ma'am. I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to insult your driving skills."
"No worries." She answered sincerely.
"How'd ya get so skilled?"
"Necessity." She said with a slight shrug. "I grew up on 600 acre cattle ranch in the foothills of the Rockies. I've driven in all sorts of conditions, snow, mud, bogs, ice. And, I had a great teacher."
Her gaze flicked briefly to Ty, a moment that didn't escape Frank's notice.
"Well, I'll be." Frank muttered under his breath.
The band was performing their rendition of John Prine's song, Angel from Montgomery. Moved by the tune, she turned around in her seat and began to hum along softly, her voice blending with the song's melody. Taking Amy's cue, Frank repositioned and joined in, humming along with her.
As the song ended and next one introduced, Frank complimented her. "So not only a driving ace and famous horse expert, you also have the hum of an angel."
"I wouldn't go that far." She laughed. "You're pretty good yourself."
"I'll have you know, me and the missus are in the Corolla Senior Chorus. Our Christmas pageant is famous." He said, eyes sparkling.
"I bet."
"Come back at Christmas. Y'all be in for a real treat." He suggested, as the next song began.
"I'll see what I can do."
From the other end of the table, Ty watched the two, side by side, listening to the band, song after song, their enjoyment more than evident. He longed to be the one sitting next to her, sharing the music, but he stayed in his seat, waiting for his chance.
As the applause faded, Matthew introduced the last song of the set.
"We're so fortunate to travel, perform, and meet incredible people throughout Canada, the U.S., and, of course, the great state of North Carolina."
Cheers and applause rippled through the crowd. As it quieted, someone called out, "I love you Jill!"
The band members chuckled, and Jill shouted back with a grin, "Love you back!" prompting more laughter and clapping.
Matthew grinned at his sister. "This last song is a favorite of ours. Tonight, we dedicate it to all the strong women out there who follow their dreams." He glanced at Amy for a split second.
"And, to all those who love and support them along the way!" Jill finished his sentence.
Strumming the first few chords on his guitar, he added, "It's called Modern Woman."
Modern woman, let's make a home
Go do what you wanted
But don't leave me alone
...
Stunned, Amy froze, her body and expression completely motionless, save for her smile that slowly faded away. Her chest tightened, air caught in her throat, and for a moment, it felt nearly impossible to breathe. A flood of emotion rushed in, pressing hard against built up walls surrounding her bruised heart.
As band's harmonized voices swelled and the sweet melody filled the air, she was carried back to that night, slow dancing with Ty in the bed of Old Blue, broken down on the roadside. Bittersweet memories washed over her, his strong arms wrapped around her, his warm lips meeting hers, his promise sealed in the ring he slipped onto her finger. The warmth of the memories were a stark reminder of the emptiness she carried with her now.
Equally stunned, his thoughts immediately went to her. Without hesitation, Ty rose from his seat and crossed to Amy's side, more than ready to offer comfort.
From the stage, Jill had a clear view of the audience and how their songs shaped the room's energy, stirring sadness, sparking joy, mending old rifts, and creating new ones. In turn, the audience's mood influenced her, feeding into her performance. This song was no exception. As she sang, she observed them, their visible reactions, the dynamic between them unfold, feeling their longing and heartache so vividly that she naturally wove it into every note.
Noticing the subtle change in her voice, Matthew glanced her way, a subtle brow raised in question. Responding, she lifted of her chin, only slightly, toward the two, a gesture only her brother would understand.
When the song finally ended, Amy exhaled and stood, joining the others in applause. She hadn't realized Ty had slipped onto the bench beside her until he also rose, his presence so close it made her breath catch once again.
"Are you okay?" He asked, leaning in closely, his green eyes searching her with a mix of concern and something all too familiar, something she willed herself to forget.
She met his gaze for a moment, before she had no choice but to look away. "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" She replied, her tone purposely light.
Though not at all convinced, Ty didn't respond immediately. She felt him studying her, and the weight of his eyes on her was almost too much to bear.
"That's our song." He said softly.
"Used to be." She replied, shrugging him off. "A long time ago."
"Amy." Her name was all he could muster, she continued to clap, her focus solely on the band.
After the applause died down, Matthew thanked the crowd again, then announced. "We're gonna take a short break before our next set. Maybe grab some local brew. Suggest you do the same. Be sure to generously tip your waitstaff."
Returning from the dance floor, Alicia saw Ty return to his seat at the far end, his expression flat.
"Everything okay?" Alicia asked, taking the empty seat next to Amy. "I saw Ty over here."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just bushed." She said, giving an easy excuse. "Mind if I take-off?"
"I'm going with you." Alicia replied without hesitation.
"No, no. You stay, dance with Michael." She insisted. "I'm just gonna go to bed anyhow."
"You sure?" Alicia hedged.
"Absolutely." She reassured her. "Will you be okay to get back?"
"Yeah, Michael will walk me home. It's not that far." She replied, glancing to him standing a few feet away.
"I was hoping he would."
"Now, you be safe. Go straight home. Lock the door. I'll be there right after the second set. Call me if you need me."
"Yes ma'am! I'll leave the light on for you. Have fun!" The two friends hugged.
About the same time, Sid and Frank rose from their seat as well, making room for the band as promised. "Well. This is our cue to pack it up and head home. Morning's gonna come awful early." The elder of the two said to the group.
"We'll see you both tomorrow. 5am sharp at the chapel." Michael said as he shook Frank's hand, then Sid's.
"We'll be there."
"You two headed out?" Matthew said as he and Jill rejoined the group.
"Yeah, but, man, wish we could stay. Y'all sure know how to pluck out something real special. We enjoyed ourselves." Frank offered.
"We'll see you next time you're in town." Sid added. "Guaranteed."
"Counting on it." Matthew replied, shaking hands with the older men.
"And, I'll see you both in Calgary in the spring." Amy said, now standing next to Jill. "You were really great. I loved the show."
"You're leaving too?" Jill asked, sounding disappointed.
"Yeah. I had an early start today and I'll have another early one in the morning." She explained. "I'm looking for wild horses with these guys."
"So, Ty convinced you to go with, huh?" The singer asked perceptibly.
Amy blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Yeah, he did but it didn't take much. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Jill's knowing smile deepened. "Hmm. Well, good luck tomorrow and in vet school." She said, pulling Amy in for a quick hug. Then, as they separated, she added in a low voice. "Give him a chance. You never know."
Unsure how to respond, she simply nodded.
"Leaving too?" Matthew asked, joining the two women.
"Yeah. I'm gonna head out with Frank and Sid." She replied. "I really enjoyed the show, your harmonies are beautiful."
"Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it."
"I did. I'll see you again in the spring." She gave him a friendly hug.
With the goodbyes said and Frank leading the way, the three departed from the table in single file, Amy trailing at the rear. Ty's eyes lingered on her as she walked away.
"Are you all leaving too?" Matthew asked of the others.
"David and I are staying for the second set." Henry spoke for the two of them.
"Us too." Michael glanced at Alicia. "We're gonna take a few more turns on the dance floor."
"Ty?" Matthew inquired.
Tearing his gaze away from Amy, he replied somewhat absently. "Oh, um. I'm gonna head out too."
"Hope it isn't the music." Jill said sarcastically.
"No, absolutely not. The show was fantastic. Especially that last song." He hesitated for a moment before adding. "It holds a lot of meaning, at least for me."
"Oh, I think you're not the only one." She smiled, then urged. "You should come to the show in Calgary."
"Not sure I can make that one. But I definitely plan on seeing you, Jill, at that festival in Vancouver next summer."
"Hope so." She replied, then lowering her voice. "Bring Amy along."
He shook his head, not surprised at her suggestion. "Past tomorrow, I doubt she'll want anything to do with me."
"Guess that's up to you. Now go."
Quickening his stride, Ty caught up them just as they parted from the front deck of the Village Idiot, heading in different directions.
"Good night Amy." Frank said from several steps away.
"See you two in the morning." She called over her shoulder.
"Mind if I walk you to your car?" Ty asked, at her side, accompanying her into the parking lot.
"It's a Jeep, and it's not necessary." She replied briskly, continuing her stride.
"I'd feel better." He countered undeterred, easily keeping pace with her.
"Fine, as long as you feel better." She said sarcastically. Amy sighed, catching herself before slowing her stride. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Grandpa wouldn't approve."
"Don't worry about it." He said lightly.
They walked in silence until they reached the camouflaged Jeep.
"This is me." She said, gesturing to the vehicle.
"Dang, you weren't kidding. It is loaded. And wrapped in camo!" Ty chuckled, his eyes wide, his face lighting up as he circled the Jeep. He stooped to inspect its gear. "A winch too?"
"Yeah, and a tow package." She added with a touch of pride.
"No kidding. Man, this thing is sweet." He grinned, fully transfixed by the Jeep. "Bet it's a blast to drive."
"Must say, it is. Driving down the highway at night without doors was crazy."
"Wow, I can imagine." He glanced up at her with his boyish grin.
"Wanna take it for a spin on the beach?" She offered, unable to resist his enthusiasm.
"You serious? Absolutely!" Pure joy radiated from his entire being.
With a small grin, she tossed him the keys, which he caught effortlessly. "Tires are already aired down. Get in."
Laughing, the two climbed into the Jeep, Ty sliding into the driver's seat. With the engine roaring to life, they set off together, heading toward the open sands of Corolla Beach.
As the paved road ended, a sandy track wound between tall dunes, spilling them onto Corolla's deserted 4x4 beach, illuminated by the soft glow of a mostly full moon. Grinning like a little kid, Ty skillfully maneuvered the Jeep, its tires slipping and spinning through the loose backshore sands before finding traction on the compacted tideline.
As they headed north, their headlights lit the path ahead, casting light across the ripples and crests of the incoming and receding waves. Silvery sparkles shimmered in the dark water, dancing like tiny stars on the restless surface.
With the top down and doors off, the open Jeep felt like an exhilarating extension of their surroundings, the roaring ocean, endless sky, and wide-open beach.
Tilting his head back, Ty let out a deafening yelp, releasing his inhibitions.
"Hold on Amy!"
Wasting no time, Ty pushed the Jeep and his driving skills to the limit. He gunned the engine, reaching the legal limit in no time, spraying salty water in all directions. Amy squealed as the cold droplets pelted her.
Then, slamming on the brakes, he sent the Jeep skidding and fishtailing until the aggressive tire treads finally found grip. He quickly veered left, carving ruts in the soft, dry sand. Their tires slipped and spun, slowing their progress as he alternated between getting nearly stuck and unstuck, sand flying in every direction. Beside him, as he whooped and hollered, Amy laughed, swept up in the thrill of his every stunt.
His curiosities satisfied, he steered the Jeep back to the tideline, just beyond the reach of the water, slowing their pace as they continued north.
"God, that was the bomb!" He flashed her a wide grin. "Thank you. I promise I'll hose her off and fill her up when we get back."
"I'm holding you to it." She replied, her smile just as wide.
Hair dancing in the breeze and hearts light, they bounced along with the Jeep, its tires following on the sandy terrain. Occasionally, they stole glances as if to needing to confirm that this moment they shared was truly real. When their eyes met, they smiled, sometimes laughed, or even quickly looked away, but somehow each cautiously reassured.
A constant wind whistled through the open Jeep, cutting through the warm evening air. Dressed in a now damp sundress and sandals, Amy began to chill, goosebumps rising on her skin as she wrapped her arms around herself to stay warm.
Noticing, he eased off the gas, slowing the vehicle.
"You're cold." Ty said, leaning closer so she could hear him over the wind.
She nodded then shuddered involuntarily.
"Do you have a sweater or something?" He asked, glancing at her with concern.
She shook her head. "No."
"There's the border fence." He said, pointing ahead. "Let's stop there and see if there's anything in the trunk."
Strading the outerbanks line between North Carolina and Virginia, the sound-to-sea border fence was built in 1995 to keep vehicles from crossing and, more importantly, to keep wild horses from migrating to the Virginia side of the border. The mile-long fence, constructed of 20-foot wooden piles driven deep into the sand with steel cables strung in between, extended well beyond the land into the waters on both ends. At its base, windblown sand piled up, creating a series of shifting dunes.
Backing the Jeep into a crevice between two dunes, shielding it from the wind, Ty shutoff the engine. "I'll be back." He said, hopping out of the vehicle.
Rummaging through the trunk, Ty returned with a silver thermal blanket. Standing outside her open framed door, he draped it around her shoulders and asked. "Better?"
"Much. Thanks." She said, pulling it tighter around herself.
"Good." He smiled tenderly, brushing a splat of sand from her face with his thumb, before heading back to his side. Settling back into the driver's seat, he frowned, then flicked on the wipers and fluid, clearing the sand splattered on the windshield.
"That's better." He said. Gazing through the clean windshield, his voice filled with quiet wonder. "Wow."
Before them, the ocean stretched out in shimmering brilliance, lit by the glow of the moon, with countless stars scattered across the clear sky, twinkling in the dark.
Amy nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on the breathtaking view. "Wow."
"This is really nice."
She breathed out the word. "Yeah."
They sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts as the sound of the waves filled the air. After a few minutes, his gaze drifted to her face, her beauty unmistakable even in the dim light of the moon.
"Amy." He began, leaning in slightly toward her. Her familiar scent drifted to him, soft and soothing, like a field of lavender.
"Hmmm?"
"We need to talk."
"Let's just enjoy the view in silence for a little while longer." She suggested instead, pulling the shiny blanket even closer, snuggling into her seat a little more. Her eyes steadied on the view ahead.
"Still think talking's overrated, huh?" He asked with a smirk.
"Depends on the topic." She quipped, her eyes flicking to him briefly. A shiver ran through her body as she noticed the intensity of his gaze fixed on her.
"You cold still?"
She nodded. "A little."
Awkwardly, he tried to manuever in his seat so he could put his arm around her shoulder, but the console between the bucket seats made it impossible. "Urgh. Stupid thing."
She laughed, turning her head towards him. "What in the world are you trying to do?"
"I was going to put my arm around you. To warm you up." He replied, then quickly added. "You said you were cold."
"Very chivalrous of you. Well, don't tie yourself up in knots. I'm not that cold." She said with a bit of attitude. "I'll survive."
"It was never a problem in Old Blue." He lamented.
"What? Being cold? Ha. Her heater almost never works."
"I was talking about her bench seat."
"Oh right." An image of sitting close to him, his arm wrapped around her flashed in her brain.
"Still have her, huh?"
"Yeah, I do. I drive her every day, even to school. Or at least when she's up for it." She rolled her eyes. "She can be a bit finicky."
"Like most women." He joked.
"Ha ha." She deadpanned.
"I see her in that lot off Crowchild when I'm on main campus." He ventured. "She looks good. You've taken great care of her."
Curious, she asked, finally turning fully toward him. "So, are you on campus often?"
"Main campus, no. Only when I have a meeting with Singh."
"So, you're meeting with the Dean these days? Well, look at you!" She teased, though clearly impressed.
He replied. "We only met a few times."
"Still." She said, then guessed. "For the externship?"
"Partly, but, mostly because this summer I taught Basic Surgical Practicals on Mondays at Spy Hill. That and I guest-lectured in Clinical Skills. You'll take those classes second year." He added for reference. "Anyhow, he was keeping tabs on me, making sure I didn't screw up."
Ignoring his last comment, she was elated for him. "Wow! Teaching at the vet school too! Ty, that's really great." She said, her tone warm and genuine. "I can imagine you're a terrific professor."
"Not a professor, just an instructor." He replied humbly.
"Still. Very impressive. You've done well for yourself. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks."
"Do you like teaching?" She asked, truly interested.
"Funny, you should ask. I didn't, at first. Especially when the students asked hard questions. And, honestly, they all seemed hard. I swear they were just trying to trip me up." He laughed at himself. "But, as the summer went on, I got used to it and learned how to prepare for class. And, not tie myself up in knots over it."
"Like a minute ago?" She interjected.
"Exactly." He smiled, relishing their banter. "I was ridiculous."
"That's how I felt when I first started doing clinics. Scared out of my mind. Until I realized that I actually knew something that they wanted to learn. Their questions were just a part of their learning. Mine too. Now, instead of doing them because Lou forced me, I set them up myself and, honestly, look forward to them." She shared.
"Get that. I ended up liking it way more than I ever thought I would. And, the students turned out to be really great. Intelligent, curious, funny." He said, then, almost as an afterthought, he quickly added. "But, that's over. I'm not teaching at UC any more."
"That's too bad. I was hoping to experience Dr. Borden, professor extraordinaire, first hand." She flirted a bit. "I mean, purely from an academic standpoint, of course."
"Of course." He chuckled, then added modestly. "I promise, you're not missing anything though."
"Not according to David. In his eyes, you're the best kind of teacher. You've made quite an impact on him, you know."
"So he says."
"And, your departure will certainly be a loss for your students and the university. For sure Dr. Singh will regret losing you."
"Singh? What makes you say that?"
"During my vet school interview, he spent half the time bragging on you."
"Ha! No way!"
"Seriously." She said, leaning in a bit more. "According to him, you were a top student who morphed into this larger-than-life vet, risking your life for animals...including wrestling a large ring of bear poachers in your spare time. TaDa! Super Vet!" She struck a pose, head held high, chest out, hands on hips.
"Ridiculous." He shook his head in disbelief. "Why did I even come up in your interview?"
"Scott recommended me. Dr. Singh asked me if I was as good as his last recommendation."
"Hope you told him the truth." He said, his tone softening.
"What's that?"
"How truly gifted you are. That you're my inspiration and encouragement for everything I am and have ever achieved." His gaze settled on her, his heart beating just a little quicker. "You are."
"Hardly." She laughed, slightly embarrassed, then added with a teasing glint in her eye. "But I did tell him what an idiot you were when you first came to Heartland."
"So you went easy on me!" He laughed, as the moment passed.
"Yes, I did!" She joked, sounding a bit like Caleb.
"How's he doing, anyway?"
"Caleb? He's great." Amy replied, a smile tugging at her lips. "Did you know he and Cass got married?"
"Married? No way." Surprise touched his tone.
"And, they've had a baby. Carson. Cutest little guy you'll ever see."
"You're kidding. Caleb's a dad now?"
"And a really good one too. I'm his godmom, believe it or not. I even babysit him a couple hours every week, all by myself."
"Amy Fleming, voluntarily babysitting? That's a shocker."
"Crazy, right? But I love it. And, him. Every week, it feels like he's grown so much and learned something new. It's an amazing thing to watch."
"That's really wonderful, Amy."
"Yeah…" Her voice trailed off, a wistful smile lingering as her thoughts wandered back her godchild.
A comfortable quiet settled between them as the pounding ocean waves sounded around them, each smiling to themselves as they looked out into the open.
He sighed, turning to her. "God, I miss this. Just talking and laughing..." He wanted to say more, but stopped short.
"Me too." She responded softly, gazing at his handsome face.
"Singh offered me an assistant professor position in the surgery department." He confessed, seemingly out of the blue. His voice steady but thoughtful as he stared out the windshield.
"Congratulations, Ty! A professorship! That's an incredible opportunity." She said, though her brows knit in confusion. "I thought you said you weren't teaching anymore?"
"I turned him down."
"Why's that?" She tilted her head toward him. "It sounds perfect for you. You always loved surgery. And, now teaching."
"I do." He admitted with a faint smile, his next words tumbling out like a run-on sentence. "But I have to get back to the rescue full-time. We've been struggling for a while to pay our bills so I need to figure out a way to get more donations and paying clients. Teaching brought in extra funds, but not nearly enough. And, now we're short-handed with Mirna off doing her stint at the university and me away with the externship."
"Oh, Ty, I'm sorry." She commiserated. "I had no idea."
"Yeah." He let out a heavy sigh, then lamented. "The rescue has been my life for the last 3 years. Now I'm worried that it's just gonna fall apart."
"I'm sorry." She reiterated. "I know how hard it is to pour everything you have into something you love, only to feel like it's not enough, that it's gonna fall apart any way." Her mind went straight to her own struggles with Heartland and keeping it afloat after her mom died.
But, her thoughts quickly drifted to their relationship, its highs and lows, seemingly always the teetering on the edge of collapse until, finally, it did.
"Are you talking about Heartland?" Ty asked, sensing there was something more.
"Of course." She replied quickly. "When things looked hopeless and everything felt lost, it would have been easier to give up. At times, I wanted to just stay in bed, honestly. But I couldn't, so kept at it. Tried new things, succeeded at some, failed at others, but I kept moving forward. In the end, I came out stronger than I've ever been." She paused, her smile softening. "Well, me and Heartland, of course."
"Of course." He knew better. Touching her cool, smooth knee, his warm fingers lingered for a second. "Amy, you've always been stronger than you gave yourself credit for."
"Well, it's not just me. I have a lot of folks in my corner." She admitted.
"Jack, Lou?"
She nodded. "But, mostly Lisa and Alicia. They didn't coodle me." She replied, then refocused on his dilemma. "Ty. You're strong too. You just have to keep moving forward. You'll figure it out." She tried to reassure him. "You've got folks in your corner too. Michael, at least."
"Yeah. Celina and Mirna too." He hummed. "It just seems those two are okay with shutting the rescue down, moving on to something else."
"Really? Mirna didn't strike me as someone who would take the easy way out and walk away."
"She's not." He admitted.
"Then talk to her. Maybe you don't know the whole story."
"Maybe." He conceded. "She's pushing hard for me to take the UC position. Actually they both are."
"Talk to them." She reiterated. "After you have the facts, you can weigh all your options, set a path for the rescue and for yourself. It doesn't have to be all or nothing."
"When did you become so wise?"
"Ha." She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "School of hard knocks."
"Get that."
"If you go back to Vancouver full-time, what will happen to the externship?"
"That will continue. Funny, we started it to raise money and awareness for the rescue in the first place. Or that was the hope."
"That seems to have panned out well."
"Yeah, except the donor of our biggest donation seems to have disappeared."
"Oh, an anonymous donor. How mysterious! At least you have the funds, right?"
"Yes."
"And, you have the backing of the university."
"Not really. Other than Michael and our externs themselves, the university has little to do with it. Though Singh does like to claim credit for it." He smirked.
"Oh. So, no more meetings on campus with the dean then?" She speculated.
"Not likely." He retorted.
"That's too bad."
Shifting his focus to her, he tried to figure out what she really meant. "Why? What are you thinking?"
"It's silly." She demurred, brushing it off with a shrug.
"Come on Amy. Nothing you think is silly."
"I thought it'd be nice to run into you on campus every once in a while, that's all." She shrugged, opening the door just a crack.
"Yeah, it would."
"You know, I thought I saw you driving New Blue on campus once or twice this summer." She ventured.
"I saw you too." He admitted without hesitation, surprising her. "It was the second day of the semester. You were walking along Crowchild with some guy. You were wearing a short bluish dress. And tennis shoes?" He shook his head. "What happened to your cowboy hat and boots?"
"You should have stopped. Said hi." She said point blank.
"Amy. I wanted to. I really did but with the traffic and the accident, I couldn't."
"Yeah, the traffic can be bad in the morning. Especially on Crowchild." She gave him an out.
"I drove around the block, trying to find you."
"You did?" She was surprised.
"Yeah. I even left you a note on Old Blue's windshield. Um, wait. That was the day before." Ty said, his voice now uncertain.
"Really? You left me a note?" Her voice lit up. "'Cuz I never got it."
"You didn't?" Ty was disappointed. "You sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. No note. I'd remember that. What did it say?"
"Hi Amy. Call me. If you want. Ty." He recited, the simple message etched in his memory. "I left my number too."
"Oh, how very poetic!" She teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"Writing was never my forte. You know that."
"True that. So, the first day of the classes?"
"Yeah."
"Let's see. It was definitely raining cats and dogs that day. I remember being drenched, then irked because a parking ticket was shoved under my windshield wiper." She pursed her lips, hummed. "Funny thing was, the ticket was soaked through, so much so that the..." She stopped mid sentence, tilting her head. "Wait. Did you write it with blue pen?"
"Um, I don't know, maybe? Why?"
She laughed. "When I looked at the ticket, it was blank. Completely blank. Which was strange. All the blue ink had run right off the paper."
"That is strange."
"Don't you see? It wasn't a parking ticket afterall. Ty, it was your note."
"Geez, no wonder you didn't call." He paused for a moment. "Would you have? If you had my number. Would you have called me?"
"Yes." She said confidently, then paused. "I mean, I think would now. Back then? I don't know. Maybe? I was in a weird place, school and...everything." She shrugged, didn't offer any further explanation.
"No, I get it. After all that time...and Andrew."
"Would you have called me?" Ignoring his comment about Andrew, she countered, turning it back on him.
"I wanted to." He confessed. "I didn't have your number."
"Ridiculous. You could have called Heartland." She reasoned.
"I tried." He admitted without details. "But Amy, your...your text. You said not to contact you. Or your family." He continued cautiously. "I wanted to respect that."
She froze, her mind racing, not certain what to say.
He swallowed hard, aware that his next words would determine if she ever spoke to him again. Turning in his seat, fully facing her, he started. "Amy. I want to talk about what happened with Nova Scotia."
Shifting in her seat away from him, she pulled the thermal blanket tighter around herself.
"Ty. Let's not ruin things. We've had fun today, getting caught up and all. But, it's late, we should go." She said, her voice controlled and even, despite the turmoil of emotions building inside. She was certain she didn't want to talk about Nova Scotia; she wanted to pretend it never happened.
"Please, Amy." He begged, softly. "I want you to know everything. The truth."
"Does it even matter what I want?" She asked sharply, her eyes locked on his.
"Of course it matters. You matter to me." Ty replied firmly.
"If I had actually mattered to you four years ago, we wouldn't even be having this conversation about Nova Scotia." She shot back, her voice sharp.
Ty flinched, her words hitting harder than he expected. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. "Amy, I know I messed up. I was an idiot. I didn't come home that weekend like I promised—like we planned. I'm sorry. I really am."
"Not coming home? That's what you're apologizing for?" She asked incredulously. "Ty, I did everything to support you and your decision to take the externship. I knew how much it meant to you. Even when you called from Nova Scotia, hours after you were supposed to be home, I wasn't upset. I stood by you. Even when my dad said you were cheating, I didn't believe him. I stuck up for you."
"I know." He said quietly.
"Clearly, you don't." Her eyes steeled, her voice wavered as she sniffled once, emotions spilling through the cracks. "Ty, I thought we were good, that we were committed to each other. That giving myself to you actually meant something, damn it. I loved you, Ty. You said you loved me." She paused, her words trembling with anger and raw hurt.
"I did love you." He tried to reassure her. "I still.."
"Horseshit!" She cut him off. "Then why did you sleep with Claire?"
"Wait, what? Claire? In Nova Scotia?" His eyes widened as he stumbled over his words. "No, Amy, I didn't. I couldn't have—I was sick. You can ask her!"
"So, you're saying you weren't in bed, naked with her that night when I called you in Nova Scotia?" Her voice was steady, but her pain was written all over her face. "Claire said as much."
"You talked to Claire?" His voice wavered, the conversation spinning in a direction he hadn't expected.
"Are you denying it?" She pressed, unwavering.
"Please, Amy." He pleaded, his voice low and raw. "It's not what you think. Let me explain."
"So you were." She said flatly, her expression hardening as her heart shattered all over again.
"Amy." He whispered, his tone heavy with regret.
"No." She said, her body stiffening as if shielding herself from further pain. When she spoke again, her voice was cool and detached. "Let's just forget it, Ty. It was a long time ago. I've moved on."
"I know you have." He said quietly. "But Amy, I haven't."
A long silence hung in the air.
"Ty, I want to go home." She said quietly as she turned away from him, her eyes burning with tears that threatened.
He didn't argue, he simply nodded, turned the key. The engine rumbled to life. He looked at her one last time, his heart heavy. Putting the jeep in gear, easing off the brake, he began the drive south, pushing it to the limit.
The silence between them was deafening, making the relatively short drive seem unbearably long. The night air had turned thick and sticky, heavy with a pungent, salty twang. A mist had rolled in, enveloping them, cutting visibility short. As the jeep bounced over the uneven terrain, its headlights casting ominous shadows of unforeseen dips and bumps in the sand.
Though she stared straight ahead, her jaw clenched, refusing to look at him, her thoughts stubbornly clung him. Likewise, his unfocused eyes were on the path ahead, his lips drawn into a tight line, desperate to look at her as his mind circled endlessly around her.
"Ty! Stop!" Amy's scream cut the air, sharp with panic. She clutched the rollbar, bracing for impact.
Reflexively, his foot mashed the brake, his left hand gripping the steering wheel as his right reached across her, instinctively shielding her from whatever lay ahead. The tires locked, dug into the wet sand with a jerk, sending the 4x4 uncontrollably wobbling, fishtailing across the slippery surface. Momentum hurled them both forward, their seatbelts straining against their bodies. A split second later, they were slammed back into their seats as the vehicle ground to a halt.
"You okay?" Shaken, he looked at her, his heart racing, his chest heaving, adrenaline pumping through his blood.
"I think so. You?" She replied, her voice trembling as she caught her breath, afraid to move, wide eyes fixed straight ahead.
"Yeah." He mumbled, still stunned. "What..what was that?"
"Look." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she gestured with her chin, straight ahead.
His eyes followed her gaze. Standing frozen in their headlights was a foal, its body shimmering a surreal silvery sheen, its eyes glowing a bluish green in the light.
"Oh my god." He whispered, suddenly realizing what could have happened if he wasn't able to stop in time.
"Oww." Amy winced in pain as she tried to reached over to unbuckle her seatbelt.
"Amy, where does it hurt?" Concerned, he unbuckled his own, not noticing the tear where it had sliced through his t-shirt. He leaned toward her.
"My shoulder. I must have hit it against rollbar or something." She replied, grimacing as her hand went to her right shoulder.
"Let me see." He offered, releasing her from the seatbelt.
"No. It's not that bad." She said, shaking it off, pretending it was nothing.
She attempted to rise from her seat, keeping her shoulder still, but couldn't. "Ooo." She murmured under her breath.
"Maybe we should go to the hospital."
"No." She said adamantly. "We need to check on the horses. Please."
"Here, then. Let me at least help you." He said, resigned to her stubornness, offering his hand, helping her to feet. The thermal blanket fell away.
Now standing in their seats, they leaned against the roll bar to get a better view. The young horse hadn't moved.
"He seems okay." She said, scanning the foal from a dozen feet away.
"Yeah. Seems like." He squinted, trying to get a better view. "Look." He gestured. "There's another one back there. Lying in the sand."
She nodded. "Do you think it's injured?"
"Oh god, I hope not." He bent down, flicked off the high beams, leaving the fog lights, then slowly rose. The softer glow cast a low, wide beam close to the ground, illuminating the scene before them.
"Ty. They're the ones from today."
"You sure?" He replied.
"I think so." She frowned. "Stay here." She said, starting to lower herself into her seat. "Ooo."
He grasped her elbow. "Let me help you."
"Thanks." She gave him a grateful smile. "I'm just gonna check."
Gingerly, she eased out of the vehicle, careful to protect her shoulder. Once on the ground, she took a steadying breath, trying to block out the pain, her gaze and focus shifting to the horses. She stood still, quietly observing them.
"Hey there, pretty boy." She cooed, her voice calm and reassuring.
The foal stood its ground, warily eyeing her.
"Do you remember me? I saw you earlier." She stretched left hand in greeting, taking a step forward. "I'm not going to hurt you. Promise. Just want to check on you and your momma."
The foal hesitated, glancing back at his mare lying on her side. She lifted her head from the sand and looked at him briefly before dropping it down again. With one continuous motion, she rolled onto her back, kicking her legs into the air, grunting as she twisted and turned, side to side, rubbing her entire body in the sand.
"She's rolling in the sand." Ty reported from his perch in the jeep.
With one last roll and a heave of her body, she brought herself to her feet. Beginning with her head and ended with her tail, she shook off the sand from her coat.
"She's on her feet now." He said.
"That's a good sign."
"Yeah. She's coming your way."
"How's her gait?"
"Hard to tell. It doesn't look like she's hurt." Ty reported, then warned. "Just be careful, Amy."
The mare ambled to her foal's side, gently pressed her nose against his neck, giving him a soft nudge.
"Hey there, pretty momma. Have a good roll?"
She blew out a short snort, as if in response.
"You have a good boy. Such a gentleman, protecting you while you rested." She said gently, then turned her praise to the young horse. "You're such a good boy, aren't you? Taking care of your momma. Yes, you are."
Taking hesitant steps, the colt slowly closed the gap between them. Stretching his neck, he brushed his muzzle against her outstretched hand.
Amy laughed, soft and low, delight flickering in her eyes.
"You are a good boy! Sweet boy."
Her fingers slid to either side of the young horse's muzzle, rubbing gently. The foal closed its eyes, almost purred with contentment.
From the Jeep, Ty watched her, mesmerized. He loved watching her, always had. He had seen her practice her craft hundreds of times, yet each time it felt new, breathtaking, like witnessing a miracle unfold. From the very beginning, as a delinquent fresh out of juvie, he was captivated by her, her rare gift with horses, her gentle soul, her healing nature, her stubborn refusal to ever give up.
Except she had given up on him, she had moved on. A dull ache rose in his chest as the missing returned, and with it, the loneliness.
The mare called to her offspring, her nicker soft and low pitched. The foal turned his head back to her, she nickered again as she ambled to the dunes. He hesitated, glancing back at Amy.
"Go on. Go with your momma. She needs you." Amy encouraged him, with a happy laugh. "We'll see you tomorrow."
The sound of her laugh took flight into the night, landing like a whisper in Ty's ear.
She watched until they disappeared into the dunes, then carefully climbed back into the Jeep, holding her breath.
In the seat beside her, Ty leaned forward, his arms draped around the steering wheel, staring off into the distance.
"We should get going." Amy said absently, fumbling with her seatbelt, wincing as she struggled to buckle it with her left hand. She exhaled in frustration. "Could you help me?"
"Yeah." He said, twisting in his seat toward her. A sharp pain shot through his side, causing a wince of his own. He swallowed hard, then moved carefully to adjust and buckle her seatbelt. Even in the dark, she could see faint shine of emotion in his eyes.
"Ty." She said gently, his name rolling off her tongue, soothing like a lullaby. Their eyes met.
"You did good." He said simply.
"We make a good team." A small smile touched her lips. "We always did."
Ty blinked, breaking the moment first. He turned back to the wheel, setting his sights south. "Let's go."
After exiting 4x4 Beach and arriving back in the village, Amy gave Ty directions to her rental.
"Make that right across from the schoolhouse." She instructed.
Ty glanced at her. "Are you staying above the kayak shop?" He turned onto a narrow road lined with live oaks.
"Yeah… why?" Her eyes narrowed.
He shrugged. "We're above the bike shop."
"You're kidding me?"
"Apparently, we're next door neighbors."
Ty pulled the sand-encrusted Jeep to a stop in front of the twin structures housing Coastal Kayaks and Bikes. Before the engine was even off, Alicia rushed down the front porch steps toward the passenger-side door. Michael followed but veered toward Ty shooting him a smirk and a shake of his head.
"Where have you been?" Alicia demanded. "You said you were coming straight home."
"We took a drive on the beach." Amy answered as she carefully stepped out of the Jeep, cradling her elbow to ease the pulsing pain in her shoulder. Her hair and dress were damp, spattered with sand.
"A beautiful night for it." Michael gave them a plausable excuse as Ty climbed out of the Jeep.
Alicia gave Amy a once-over. "Did you go for a swim too?" She asked sarcastically, but her expression quickly shifted. "What's wrong with your shoulder?"
"It's nothing." Amy said, brushing it off. "Just bumped it on the roll bar."
Alicia stepped closer, eyeing the already-swelling bruise. "That must've been some bump. What happened?"
"I had to stop short to avoid hitting… something." Ty explained, keeping the details vague. "Amy spotted it just in time."
Alicia shot him a look, taking in his own disheveled appearance, damp, sand-speckled, and wincing as he moved. "How fast were you going?"
"The speed limit. Thirty-five." He admitted, one arm wrapped around his side as he walked to the front of the Jeep.
"You're lucky that thing didn't roll." She shook her head. "Did you think to take her to the hospital."
Ty sighed. "Yeah. But.."
"Let me guess—she said no." Alicia crossed her arms.
He nodded.
Her gaze dropped to his torn t-shirt, then pointed. "What happened there?"
He looked down, shrugged. "Seatbelt."
"Does it hurt?" She reached out, pressing her fingers gently against his left side.
He winced again but glanced at Amy.
"Ty." Amy whispered, concern flashing in her eyes.
Alicia didn't hesitate. "Upstairs. Both of you. I need to check you out." She turned to Michael. "Do you have a vet bag?"
"We have four. I'll grab one and meet you there."
"Thanks. Come on, you two."
Upstairs, after a careful examination, Alicia sighed. "You're both lucky you were wearing seatbelts. But that didn't come without a price." She crossed her arms. "Amy, you have a fractured clavicle, and Ty, a fractured rib. Both are hairline fractures and should heal on their own in six to eight weeks."
"So… just rest?" Amy asked.
"Rest, ice, and ibuprofen," Alicia confirmed. "And Amy, you'll need a sling."
Ty frowned. "And, an Ace bandage for my ribs."
"No. That's old-school cowboy thinking." Alicia said. "Wrapping it would just make breathing and healing harder. After a couple days rest, you'll both want to move, but slowly. Movement will help ensure you heal properly without restriction."
Amy and Ty exchanged a look before turning back to her.
"So… tomorrow?" They asked in unison.
"Absolutely not. You both need rest, preferably sitting up." Alicia said firmly. "You two are more than lucky. If you had hit that log at that speed, you would've rolled."
Amy glanced at Ty, her expression softening. "Ty handled the Jeep well."
Alicia handed them each a glass of water. "Good thing." She said, shaking orange-pink pills into her palm, three for each of them. "600 mg Ibuprofen. Take them every six hours for the first day. Ease back to 400 every eight hours after that. They'll help ease the pain."
Michael returned from the kitchen, handing each of them a ziplock bag of ice wrapped in a kitchen towel.
"These will help." He said.
"Fifteen to twenty minutes every few hours." Alicia instructed.
They nodded, following her directions.
"Michael, we need to pick up a sling for Amy and a couple of those reusable ice packs. Maybe some button up shirts. Can you drive stick?"
"Yes." He said, then turned to Ty. "Keys?"
Ty reached into his pocket and tossed them over.
Alicia glanced at Amy and Ty, then at her bed. "Seeing as you already got sand in my sheets, you're both staying here tonight. Sitting up. Pillows against the headboard."
Michael smirked. "I've got extra room at our place, Alicia."
Alicia smiled back at him before turning to Amy. "I suggest you take a shower first. Or you'll be even more miserable than you already are."
"I'll get you a change of clothes," Michael said to Ty.
"Thanks." Ty replied.
Amy hesitated. "I might need some help."
Alicia nodded. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
As they closed the bathroom door behind them, Ty looked to Michael. "I can't miss tomorrow."
"Don't worry. You won't. You and Amy will be in the middle of everything."
"Think Alicia will go for that?"
"Leave that to me." Michael said, with a knowing smile. "Hey. I'm gonna get your backpack."
"Thanks. Um. Do you happen to have an extra razor?" He hesitated, then added. "And some deordant?"
Hey Readers. Happy New Year. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had fun writing it. Let me know your thoughts!
SBR