Amy agonized about Dexter the entire drive home to Heartland. If she road Sage to win, would that just spur on Janice to ride Dexter harder? If she eased up on Sage, would Janice do the same?

The truth was she made a commitment to Lisa that she was going to keep. Lisa has been a steady advisor and confidante and she wanted to make her proud. She wanted Sage to win for her.

But, Dexter. What will she do about Dexter? Could she talk her Dad out of racing? What if Dexter got disqualified from racing? She wondered if Lou had some ideas? She usually had Dad's "number", so to speak, and knew how to handle him.

All these thoughts rushed out of her head when she saw Constable Holmes truck and trailer parked in front of the barn.

"Hello Constable. Hope I haven't kept you waiting long. How are you?"

"Amy. Just got here. I am well, you?"

"Good. Well, your boys are ready. Manning, Butch and Juno are going to be solid police horses. They have calm, steady temperaments and aren't spooked by sudden annoyances. Do you want to see them in action?"

"Why, yes."

Just then Ty drove up, and walked over. "Hello Constable, Amy. Need some help?"

"Just in time, yes. Constance Holmes, this is Ty Borden. Ty is in veterinary school and has assisting with the desensitizing of your bunch."

"Nice meet you, Ty."

"Likewise. You have rock steady horses there."

"So, I hear. Looking for a peek."

"Amy, I'll get the bottle rockets, balls, the Norton and riot gear."

"Good. Thanks."

About that time, Jack joined the group with more introductions. Amy, Jack and the constable mounted the horses while Ty handled the irritants. The horse passed with flying colors with and without riot gear.

"Amy, I am well pleased with your work. I would like you to train all of our new horses as they arrive. Interested?"

"You bet. I would like that. Thank you."

"I will be in touch."

Before each horse was loaded into the trailer, Amy spent a moment with each, talking, patting, and finally giving each a kiss. She wished each a happy life. Once loaded, the truck and trailer headed out.

"Thanks. You both were a great help in getting the horses ready." She kissed both Jack and Ty on their cheeks.

"Any time."

As she turned toward the barn, she added. "Scott is coming by to vet our two new horses."

"New horses?"

"Yea, Grandpa and I rescued them this morning from a farm on Cherry Lane. Apparently the owner passed away recently so they hadn't been receiving food and water. I'm hoping that Scott has background info on them, maybe their names."

"Maybe he'll know the farmer's next of kin as well."

"That would be helpful." Amy walked to the barn.

"Ty, I understand the fish are biting this afternoon . Why don't you join me?" Jack said.

"I'd love that. I'd like to help Scott with the vetting but after that? Maybe in any hour?"

"Meet you at the house." Jack headed towards the house.

When Ty entered the barn, Amy was clipping one of the horses for grooming. "Hey. I'll get the other clipped." Ty said.

"Thanks."

As they groomed their horse on opposite ends of the barn, Ty remarked. "These guys look like they could some fatting up and some work in their coats, but overall they look pretty solid."

"Yea, they do. And they've calm down quite a bit from this morning. Seems the oats and herbs worked, maybe they were just really hungry."

"Food makes me happy." They both laughed.

"Dexter and Sage are racing together at the Timbre Classic."

"Yea. I knew that."

"I mean in the same race."

"Oh. Wow. What are you going to do? Do you have a plan?"

"No plan yet. Who is that track's race vet?"

"Don't know. Scott will likely know. Here he comes."

"Ty. Amy. And these two are Silk Stockings and Star. Star is the gelding with the white patch on his forehead and Silk is the mare with white socks."

"Appropriate names."

"The owner was Joe Harris. He has one daughter, Valerie. Here's here number."

"So, what else do you know about these guys."

"Not much. They have been vetted in the last 6 months and they used to perform in a traveling horse show."

"Oh?"

"Don't know much more then that. Ty, want to do the check up?"

Ty was surprised. "Ah. Sure. I just started classes, you know."

"You got to start somewhere."

Ty did the check-up with Scott confirming each pronouncement. "Overall they are in good shape other than the need to regain their strength and weight."

"Excellent. Thanks Scott and Ty. Let me call the daughter right now. I will be back."

"Hey Scott."

"Ty?"

"Thanks for everything. You've been great to me. All the vet stuff..and Amy. Thanks."

"Things good?"

"Good. And, getting better all the time."

"Glad to hear."

Just then Amy walked in. "Valerie will be here tomorrow afternoon." She paused. "Scott, who is the Timbre Classic vet?"

"Stuart Jackson."

Jack and Ty stood side-by-side in the pond bank baiting their hooks with Catalpa worms. The sun was warm but there was definitely a chill in the air. This was likely the last opportunity to fish that season.

"How's it going, Ty?"

"Good. I almost have the worm on good."

"Good. And with school?"

"School is great. Enjoying my classes and most of my teachers. Anatomy will be a bear."

"Good. Amy?"

"Good. I think. We have decided to keep it a friendship level, for now. We have a pact not to date anyone else."

"Oh?"

"Amy wants us to work on trusting each other."

"Trust, huh?"

"Yeah. And me not running."

"And the Blair thing?"

"It's behind us."

"Amy forgave you then?"

"Well, no."

"Seems like you may have to deal with that then. Maybe sooner than later,"

"Yeah."

"Love her?"

"Yes. Jack, I want to marry her... some day."

"You got to come clean then so you have a hope of a some day."

Just then Jack rod slightly bent and the focus shift to reeling in the two pounder.

"Ames. We have some time before dinner, want go for a ride on the Norton?"

"Sure. It's been way too long."

They rode for a while before Ty pulled onto a overview spot on the road. They got off their bike and sat on the rock wall taking in the view.

"Ah. The view of the valley and mountains is so beautiful." Ty reflected.

"Yeah, it is."

Ty took a deep breath. "Amy. Let's talk."

"Twice in one day? Some one give you truth serum?"

"Funny, horsey girl." He pushed him shoulder into hers. He took another deep breath. "I want to tell about my road trip."

"Last one or new one."

"Last one. I am not going anywhere."

"Ok. Why now?"

"Because Amy, my trip caused us to break-up. You don't trust me anymore. You said so. So I want to tell you about it and be honest."

"Ty. I am not ready to get back together."

"I know. And, that's okay. I just want to be honest with you about that stupid trip so maybe we can get over this."

She nodded. "Okay."

"After my airplane crash, I was messed up, more than I admitted. Life seemed so fragile, so short. I needed to get my head right before school."

"I get that."

"Caleb had rodeo. You had Ring of Fire. I wanted an adventure, to travel, to explore, to see if I could make it on my own."

"You could have come with me."

"Yes. But the tour was your adventure and it included Chase. I didn't want to see him day in, day out."

"Ok."

"Traveling alone got lonely, quick. When I picked up Grant and Blair on the side of the road in the pouring rain, it was to help them out and honestly, I wanted company."

"Makes sense."

"From the start, the three of us hit it off. We worked and traveled well together. And, we had fun. Grant and Blair were a couple. They slept together in the same bunk. I never was alone with Blair."

"Except when she was in the back of your motorcycle." She said sarcastically.

He sighed. "That was stupid of me." He took a deep breath, "I told them all about you, showed them your picture, told them that I loved you. I told them everything. I talked about my goals, my hopes, Heartland, Jack, Vet School."

"Why didn't you tell me everything? Or at least that Connor was Blair, was a girl."

"Amy, You know, we talked or emailed almost every night. I told you about my trip, work, fun and even, Blair and Grant. But, you are right, I didn't tell you that one of the three amigos was a woman. I didn't want to upset you. So I didn't mention it, I wasn't honest."

"Woman? Was it because you were attracted to her? You said that you were."

"No. I didn't want to upset you." He took a long breath. "So, the day before I came back, Grant and Blair were holding hands and kissing. I realized how much I missed you. I wanted to come home. The next day we headed to Hudson and called you from the road."

"I was so excited to get your call and that you were coming home."

"Me too. But half way home the damn truck broke down in the middle of nowhere. With no cell service. Grant and Blair both knew that I was missing you. Grant suggested that I go home on the Norton. They would stay with the truck. I was about to head out and Blair asked if she could come. I was surprised but figured it only be a few hours before Grant showed up with the truck."

Amy took a deep breath. "Then you showed up with her on the back of your motorcycle at Heartland, my home. You blindsided me." She hopped off the stone wall, put on her helmet and walked to the bike.

"Amy. Amy please."

"Ty. Stop. This is very hard. I don't want to hear anymore right now. I am not ready." Then she added. "We need to get back for dinner. Let's go."

Amy and Ty walked in late. Jack, Lisa, Lou and Scott were already seated and eating.

"Hope you have a good reason for being late." Scolded Jack.

"No. Not a good reason at all." Amy said. Amy and Ty look their seats.

"So Amy, ready for the Classic? Just 2 days away." Lou asked.

"One more light day to train. But, Sage and I are ready. She is a dream to ride."

"We got our tickets. We'll be cheering you on."

"Good. Canter Project is a really worthy charity. Hope the event raises a lot of money."

Jack asked. "Lisa, how does this work? How does the charity make money?"

"Well, each horse has a entrance fee of 10k for the main race with a 50k purse. The other three races have a lower entrance fee and purse. Folks can bet win, place and/or show for each race. The charity gets all the admissions and the horse entrance fees minus the purse. The track gets lost bets and concessions." Said Lisa.

"So if Amy and Sage win?"

"She and I will split the 50k. But, I plan to donate my half to Canter." Said Lisa.

"I will donate my half too." Said Amy.

"Amy, you don't have to donate your half" said Lisa.

"Amy, that's a lot of money. Are you sure?" Said Lou. "That would cover the two rescue horses in the barn."

"Canter is a good charity with a good mission Plus, Lisa's already paying me to train and exercise Sage. So I am sure." Answered Amy.

Lisa exclaimed. "Wonderful! I am proud of you Amy."

Just then Tim walked in. "Proud of what? Amy, I hear you are racing against me in the Classic."

"I am not racing against you, Dad. I am racing for Canter Project and I hope to win." Amy said. Ty put his hand on her thigh.

"Canter Project?"

"You know, the charity that links disabled adults and children with horses. It's the reason for the Classic."

"Tim, why are you here? Did someone invite you?" Jack asked.

"I wanted to confirm that Amy was riding Sage against Dexter."

"Dad. I am riding Old Sweet Sage in the main race at the Timbre Classic."

"Amy, Dexter's riding in that race. He needs to win."

"Dexter should not be racing. I told you that." replied Amy.

"Amy. Your fees are not cheap. I have to recoup that."

"You could sell him as a hunter-jumper and recoup that way. You don't need to race him."

"He's racing"

"Dad. You are going to injure Dexter by racing him. You know that. But if you do race him, you can be assured that I will no longer have any contact with you. Your choice."

"Amy. Come on."

"Excuse me. I am going to my room." with that, she put her dishes in the kitchen, went to her bedroom closing the door.

"Tim. Amy is right. Dexter isn't ready to race," Scott added.

"What do you know?" Tim retorted.

"Tim. I suggest you leave. You've overstayed your welcome tonight." Jack said.

"Come on Jack." Tim looked at him and said, "Fine. I am going. Lou, I will call you later."

"Bye Dad", said Lou.

Small talk continued around the table. When the dishes were done, Ty knocked in Amy's door. "It's me, Amy." He entered when she responded.

"Hey." She looked at him. She had been crying.

"Hey. Come here." He opened his arms to her. She rose and let him embrace her.

"Why?"

"Why what, Amy?"

"Why do people disregard my feelings? Am I that unimportant, forgettable?"

"You are not unimportant or forgettable. You are incredible, wonderful. Your dad is just an idiot."

"He's not the only one."

Ty chuckled. "You are right. I am an idiot too." He held her stroking her back, playing with her hair. He pulled back, looked at her and kissed her forehead.

"Night check?" Amy said.