Lyndy & Jackson

Chapter - 10-2

Lyndy & Jackson
Chapter 10; part-2
By: Mike Hurley

'.....she was drop dead gorgeous'!!

The GMC pickup crested the steep 6% hill, and stopped. The Millar Ranch kept giving Amy opportunities to stop, stare, and marvel at nature's paintbrush. Before them stood a large bowl shaped valley. Circling the back half towards the mountains was a forest of lodge pole and Jack pines, white and black spruce, and quaking aspen. The valley itself was void of trees, and slowly fell 300 meters before a lower forest arose. The back side of the valley was guarded by The Canadian Rockies; towering, silent, still, and majestic. To the east beyond the valley, the beautiful sea of Alberta plains flowed as far as the eye could see. Dotted with trees, ranches, and cattle. The valley was full of grasses and millions of wildflowers; some already fully grown and showing off magnificent flowers of every color. Amy continued following the long driveway as it veered left and traversed the top of the valley. On their left, owls, eagles, and squirrels watched from the trees, as Amy & Ty soon arrived in front of a sprawling log home. It was an oasis of protection and comfort in a land known for fierce winters. Smoke drifted lazily up from a kitchen wood burning stove. 

Amy, I forgot to mention that Jim has worked many years as one of 12 Inter-agency coordinators, who oversee all forest fire deployments in Canada and the United States. He is semi retired now, but helps find appropriate personal from Smoke Jumpers, Fire Departments and the military to deploy anywhere for any emergency involving forest fires.  Wow Ty, replied Amy, that's amazing!! Jim must know people all over North America.

Ty opened his door, to two old friends waiting patiently to greet him. Their tails wagged like they had been waiting years for Ty's return. Ginger and Tiffany sat eagerly for Ty's permission to approach. Ty knelt down and said: 'come', and the girls ran to him, smacking him with their tails, and politely licking his face. All 3 were awash in emotion. Ginger & Tiffany adored Ty!! Amy came around and stood a few meters away. Ty stood & motioned for the girls to be still and sit. He introduced Amy to his two friends. Amy smiled and was excited to meet them!! She dropped to her knees and said: 'come'. The girls approached friendly but slowly. Amy held her hand out and after a quick sniff the two long hair collies recognized Amy's scent. They had smelled her scent many times on Ty's clothing. They immediately fell head over tails in love with Amy. Ever gentle and polite, they bestowed kisses on her cheeks and wondered why this delightful, new friend had not visited them before. Tiffany and Ginger instantly loved her; they could tell Amy was someone very, very special. Tiffany thought that perhaps she had met Amy before; her scent was similar to the scent still lingering on a quilt on the wall, just inside the house.

The door creaked open, as Millie and Jim came out to greet Ty and Amy. Ty stepped towards them, while Amy stood with the girls. Ty shook Jim's hand and hugged Millie. Then he said: Millie & Jim, I'd like you to meet my wife, Amy. Hi Amy!! Millie said as the two women greeted each other with a hug. Amy told Millie that it was nice to finally meet her. Millie pulled back, smiled, and held onto one of Amy's hands as she said: Amy, I know you don't remember us, but we used to babysit you when you were a little girl. You spent many days playing right here in our front yard. Jim installed a play set with a slide and swings, right over there!! Amy was speechless and had no idea. Ty looked puzzled.

Amy, I was your Grandmother Lyndy's best friend from grade 3, until the moment she passed away. We watched your mum when she was little, then you and Lou. We were in Normandy when your mother died; Jim and I were devastated to hear Marion died. She was a wonderful lady. Oh, let me look at you. Amy you grew up to be just as beautiful as your mum and grandmother!! Millie looked at Ty, and said, you were a lucky man Ty Borden, the day you married Amy!! Ty smiled.

The dogs were standing politely right next to Amy, their bodies were pressed up against her; tails still wagging!! Amy knelt down again to be near the girls. Amy, I see you have met Tiffy and Ginger, said Jim. The dogs started giving Amy kisses again, her arms were wrapped around them, their tails were wagging excitedly, brushing up against her pretty purple jacket.
Amy's face lit up as she replied: oh my, your dogs are just delightful!! They are so polite and well mannered. Haha!! Jim laughed , don't let their kisses fool you; they normally are out all day chasing squirrels and any bird that they deem lands to close to the house. Millie spoke next: you know Tiffy & Ginger are always friendly and inquisitive with strangers but we have never seen them befriend anyone so quickly!! Just amazing!! You know, I should have realized; your great grandfather, your grandma Lyndy and your mum all had a way with animals!! Amy, you have the same gift!! It makes sense that you specialize in animal behavior. Your great grandfather was simply amazing in the way he could communicate with animals. I will never forget Lyndy and I were little girls & he was watching us while Lyndy's mum went to town. A young man came on his bicycle to fetch Mr Payne, one of their horses had been terribly injured by an accident on the farm. Lyndy's dad put us in his truck and we drove about 2 kilometers to the farm. He told us to wait in the truck. We could see the poor horse thrashing about on the ground and screaming. Mr Payne ran over, & knelt down next to the horse. He covered the horses eye, put his other hand on the horses shoulder, and gently talked to the animal. Instantly the horse calmed down. After about 30 minutes a vet came and administered anesthesia and preformed some type of surgery. Amy & Ty, I was probably 8 years old and it seems like it happened last week. I can still see Tom Payne helping that horse!! One of the most amazing things I have ever seen!! Ty looked at Amy, amazed at that story and how similar it was to her experience with a trailer of  injured horses. Ty was so proud of the special gift his wife has with animals.