Chapter One

Amy watched as Jasmine peacefully galloped through the open pasture. "I wish Mom was here; I miss her so much!"Amy called across the field to Jasmine.

"I understand," a voice said from behind as a warm hand rested on her shoulder. Amy jumped, but then turned around to see the familiar face of Heartland's four-year stable hand, and Amy's recent boyfriend, Ty Baldwin. Ty was nineteen and one of her best friends. He was the only person in the world who understood horses in the same way that she did. (After all, they are both horses.) Through Marion's death and many other struggles he stood by her and helped her cope. (Even though he was in a freaking coma for like five years!) As Amy gazed into Ty's reassuring green eyes, she felt a sense of comfort embrace her. (Because, duh, they never actually hug!) Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted their silent conversation and they came to their senses. It was the voice of Jack Bartlett, Amy and Lou's grandfather and Marion's dad. Jack had recently recovered from a harsh bout of pneumonia and he was still on the mend. But with Nancy and her tremendous cooking skills at his side, he could get through anything.

"Amy, Ty, remember a new horse will be here tomorrow."

"What?" Amy and Ty said at exactly the same time. (There's that horse telepathy coming through!)

"Is everything alright?" Grandpa questioned, sounding concerned. (Who wouldn't be with Amy!)

"Yeah Grandpa, we'll be up to the house later," Amy replied, trying to the hide the annoyance in her voice.

"OK…" He answered, still sounding worried.

"Did Lou mention anything about a horse to you?" Ty asked Amy.

"No….doesn't she remember the last time she didn't tell me something?" Amy's voice rose rapidly in volume. "Swallow was picked up too early and Mrs. Roache blamed Heartland for Swallow's misbehavior. And then, to make matters worse, Mrs. Roache took him to Green Briar and they were given all the credit for our hard work! That was all because Lou didn't tell me she was coming!" Amy said angrily.

"Don't worry Amy, there's probably some explanation. Remember, it wasn't all Lou's fault," Ty answered diplomatically.

"Are you suggesting it was MY entire fault?" Amy screamed, causing Jasmine to start.

"Amy, you know that's not what I meant! I just-"

"NO TY! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Amy bellowed, all the anger rushing out in one big shriek. She took one last look at Ty, and stormed away, leaving him alone in the pasture.

When Amy ran into the kitchen, she saw Lou and Grandpa sitting at the table with their heads bent, deep in conversation. "Lou, how could you? I thought we had an understanding. You come to ME first if there's a possibility of a horse arriving. Don't you know that I'M the one that treats all the horses around here?" (Can anyone say selfish?)

"Oh, I didn't know that's how you felt," Ty said coolly as he walked into the room, his usual soft emerald eyes now bitter with disappointment.

"Amy, how could you be so self-centered! You aren't the only who works around here!" Lou said with an icy glare. (She looked at Ty with a questioning expression, notice, they never talk.)

"Oh Lou, you know how I get when I'm angry, I don't mean it!" Amy tried to apologize.

"Well Amy, you say it so much I'm beginning to think it's true," Lou retorted.

Suddenly, Jack pounded his fist against the table. "Everybody stop! (Everybody clap your hands! Er hooves.) I'm so tired of this constant bickering. Before you treat any more horses, you need to learn how to get along with each other! It makes me sick; these are the people you love. They're your family, and sometimes family is all you've got." The room was so silent after Jack's outburst that you could hear a pin drop. (And you could definitely hear when Scott barged cheerfully in.)

"Hey everybody, I just stopped at…oh…" Scott trailed off as he sensed the tension in the room. "Is everything alright?" He asked. (Though he obviously knew it wasn't.)

Jack Bartlett sighed. He walked over and put a hand on Scott's arm. (Creeper.) "Well, Scott, it will be. It's decided. Heartland's going to therapy."

Scott, Lou, Amy, and Ty all screamed in surprise. "WHAT?" Jack Bartlett covered his ears to the alarming noise.

"HOLD YOUR HORSES!" Jack yelled. (Haha, horses. That will get their attention.) Everyone immediately froze. (Everybody clap your hands!) "Yes, we are going to therapy, whether you like it or not."

"Oh Grandpa, why? How will we make time to take care of the horses?" Amy questioned. (As usual, thinking about nothing but horses.)

"Are you sure we can financially afford this?" Lou asked. "I've heard therapy is pretty expensive; not to mention it takes up a lot of time."

"Am I part of this, Jack?" Ty pondered.

"ITHINKITSAGREATIDEA!" Scott sputtered out, looking embarrassed after he saw everyone's astonished expressions. "Um, I mean…I think it's…a good idea, if everyone's all for it," he quickly added.

"QUIET DOWN! One at a time!" Grandpa said, exasperated, "Amy- Heartland may have to, yes, go on quarantine, and not accept new horses for the time being, but-"

"REMEMBER LAST TIME?" Amy shrieked uncontrollably. (Her horse instincts taking over.)

Jack gave Amy a withering glance, and continued on, "Anyway, it will all be worthwhile. And Lou-it may cost a lot, but I'm sure we will be able to afford it. Also, Ty-if you would please go along with this, I would be ever so grateful. (a.k.a. Do you really think you're getting out of this? You're the main problem, besides Amy.) Finally, Scott-thank you for the support. I greatly appreciate it. Hopefully the youngsters will have the same opinion as you. Now, I must confer with Nancy and I will get back to you all as soon as possible. Bye!" With that final note, Jack Bartlett left.

Back in the house, tempers were flaring. Amy, Ty, and Lou were all in separate corners of the kitchen glaring at each other. During this exchange, Scott was sitting at the table happily munching on one of Jack's famous blueberry muffins.

"Well," Lou said after a few moments of silence, "I guess we're going."

"How could you Lou? I thought you would stick up for Heartland! We NEED to help these horses, especially the one YOU ordered without telling ME!" Amy screamed. Ty looked over at her, disgusted. "Or Ty!" she quickly added.

"Thanks a lot Amy; it's good to know I'm appreciated," Ty replied. He gave one last reproachful glance, and then stalked out of the house; banging the screen door as he went.

Amy and Lou stared after Ty, astounded. Amy felt hurt, how could he? He knew how she was! (Everyone knew that!) She didn't mean it. (Full defense mode Amy!) The room was momentarily silent. (Until, of course, Scott butted in.)

"He'll come back Amy; they always do!" Scott said, trying to be helpful. (Like Ty was a pet who ran away. As usual, Scott was oblivious to the situation.)

Amy glared at Scott, and then stopped once she realized he wasn't even worth it.

"Welll," Lou said awkwardly. "There's no use fighting it now, and we might as well make the most of it. Who knows, maybe this could be….fun?"

"FUN!" Scott repeated, like a puppy dog himself. (He is a vet after all!)

"I'll call Chance's owner and say we'll have to postpone working with him. I hope this therapy will be worth it," Lou continued, as though Scott had never interrupted.

"Oh Lou…" Amy muttered, (can't you just hear the unspoken, "how could you?") and then ran upstairs to her room, locking the door.

"Yes, I'm sorry we won't be able to," Lou explained.

"Mhm, mhm….oh, why? Um well just some personal, family matters," Lou paused.

"Oh, I see, well, OK, I'm really sorry about that. But yes, I understand."

"OK, good bye. Have a good holiday!" Lou sighed and then hung up the phone.

"Lou," Amy called from the stairs, causing Lou to jump, "was that Chance's owner?"

"Uh yes, I'm sorry about that Amy but you know that we have to do this, if not for ourselves, than at least for Grandpa," Lou replied, unhappiness clear in her voice.

"I just wish there was something we could do to help both Grandpa and the horses!" Amy exclaimed, "You understand how I feel, right?"

"Oh yes Amy, don't worry about that, I get it," Lou reassured.

"So, after this therapy thing we'll be able to take Chance, right?" Amy asked hopefully. She was already getting excited about the prospect of helping a new horse and couldn't wait to start working with him. Even if that meant she was just learning about Chance through asking questions.

"Oh, about that Amy…sorry, but Heartland won't be helping Chance, at least not working directly with him. I know I know! Don't give me that look but Chance had to be helped now. They're…they're taking him elsewhere," Lou said somberly.

"No, don't tell me…" Amy whispered. But of course, Amy already knew the answer. Chance was being taken to Green Briar. He was pretty much out of her reach, but just maybe she could visit him there?

"Amy, you've got to let this one go," Lou replied, as if reading her thoughts, "I'm sorry, truly sorry. All we can do is help the next horse that comes around. I'm sure that…" Lou trailed off, she had no idea what would happen to Chance at Green Briar. Green Briar was a stable that treated horses too. But with harsh practices run by the Grants. Ashley Grant was in Amy's grade and constantly made fun of Heartland. The two were bitter enemies and Amy was definitely upset about the news.

"Well, maybe you can visit him there," Lou said, but it sounded more like a question. She knew that the Grants would not be pleased about Amy helping Chance in their stables.

"Don't even try to make this situation sound better Lou, you just can't." And for the second time that day Amy ran upstairs. This time more dejectedly than the first. "I'm sorry Mom! We've failed Chance. I thought the horses would always come first, but this time we're doing this for us. Let's hope it benefits them in the long run," Amy whispered, a pang of sadness piercing her heart.