In Times of Trouble |A Heartland Fanfiction

Chapter One

It was a warm spring day, a PA day meant the kids had a long weekend and Lou had come home, taking Georgie and Katie out for the day. Ty and Amy were out and about somewhere; leaving the ranch to them for the day. Jack Bartlett didn't mind that at all, he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren but a day at home with his wife was special.

Lisa had just gotten home from France and while it had been a short trip they had missed each other. But it was good for her business, and the trip had gone well, she had sold rather than bought; even if one sale surprised him.

Alberta Wind  had been hot every  season she had been on the track, the horse had made enough money in their season that she had sent the mare to France to race for the winter; he hadn't expected her to come home without it. Lisa needed a new mount herself and had been talking about keeping the mare when she was done, for broodstock and enjoyment.

“It was a deal I couldn't pass up, and Wind is four now, she brought home some of the top prizes and the offer was more than I would have asked. I've sold to Maria before, she is an excellent young trainer and if she is serious about making this happen she needs good bloodlines of her own.” Lisa passed him a glass of tea as she joined him on the couch.

“So what will you do for a horse?” Lisa bred and sold thoroughbreds, but usually didn't ride them; preferring more relaxed temperaments. She usually didn't keep a horse that long either and Jack sometimes wondered if there was a reason.

“I've got some sales coming up, I'll keep my eyes open.” She shrugged.

“You know Amy's got a horse she's been trying re-home, sweet little mare.” Well, with an experienced rider, the little horse had been seized by the humane society as a two year old and was skittish around men. There was a special place for the man who had torn up that filly's mouth and traumatized her. Twice Amy had found her a place only to have her come back.

First because the little horse was not friendly enough and the second time because the young owner, supposedly an experienced rider, found her hard to handle; his granddaughter had to start over each time.

“Jack, I'll find a horse. If I'm going to be home more I want something a little more flexible; at least comfortable mixing saddles.” Lisa leaned I to his side as he hid his grin; they'd been talking about that for awhile.

Lisa would always go to France a few times a year, but it was the market  in the states that was growing, anymore it had representatives from all over the world; and Jack could be convinced to go if they drove down. That was an idea that appealed to both of them as he wasn't the only one bothered by her absences.

“I think you should try her; she gets on well with Buddy.” And he had been trying to help Amy change the little horse's mind about men; she no longer panicked when he passed her stall or led her out to pasture. His wife only rolled her eyes, Jack smiled; that was a yes. “We'll take her out for a ride and let the two of you get to know each other.”

“Your horse likes her?” Lisa eyes him with amusement, probably thinking he was going soft on her; but Buddy  hadn't formed a tight bond with another horse since Bear. Her hand slid up his thigh as she rested her cheek against his chest. “Later, it is nice to just sit.”

He smirked a little, she had come home to jump back into child care with Lyndy during the day and Katie in the mornings and evenings. Whether she admitted it or not she was fighting jet lag; tossing and turning next to him the past three nights.

He rubbed her back, silence between them comfortable as Jack listened to her soft breathing; she was going to drift off.

And then the screen door slammed and she startled as Katie came charging in; the little girl looked unhappy. Pausing barely a moment before climbing into his lap. “Abraham and Cyla are lost.”