Hi guys, here's your new chapter of the week! Hope you enjoy and please add this to your alert/subscriptions to know when I update next! Also, please review. But, and this is important as I have felt kinda down after one review I received, this story is MINE and is not meant to follow the season 11 story line and if you have nothing nice to say, other than CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, DO NOT say anything. Thanks, and in reply to a Guest's review, I am sorry that is is being blown out of proportion, and if you don't like it, don't read it.
Thanks to everyone who left nice reviews and enjoys this. I have a few surprises for all of you later in the story, so please continue reading! It's currently going to be just over 22 chapters, and that could all change, meaning there might be more chapters! And with that, please read on!

Chapter 3 - A Day of Excitement

The next morning, it was just TJ up at eight for breakfast. His mom and dad were out looking at a pregnant mare in Calgary, his Lyndy had left around seven to help Tim with herding the cattle, something TJ normally loved doing. But he had a guest coming over at nine, which meant he couldn't go.

After clearing away his dishes and brushing his teeth, TJ sighed as he saw on the clock that it was only half past eight. He decided to go out to the barn, where he knew his thoughts would be lost in the hay and horse smell.

But when he got to the barn, it was already occupied. "Auntie?" he said, tilting his head in surprise at his aunt, who was coming down the loft stairs with a suitcase in hand.

"Oh hey TJ, glad I caught you. I texted your mom, but she hasn't responded. Mitch just called and said that there's some problem with Maggie's back in New York, so I'm flying out there right now. Katie's staying until Friday though," Lou added, patting down her hair. "Tell you mom thanks for having me, and that Katie's plane ticket will be mailed immediately after I get home!" Lou called over her shoulder, leaving the barn in a rush, and her sudden departure made TJ's head spin. He had barely heard what she had said, and wondered if he'd be able to remember it all for his mom when she got home.

"Katie?" TJ peered into the office. He thought he saw movement, but it turned out it was just an open window blowing papers around.

Laughing to himself about thinking there was someone there, TJ closed the window and rearranged his dad's papers. Then he got started on brushing Arlo. Esme was timid around horses, but determined to try to learn how to ride. TJ had promised her he'd show her the basics and that's why she was coming over.

"Hello? Is anybody home?" called two voices from the driveway. TJ poked his head out of the barn to see Cass and Caleb crossing over from their truck. Nine year-old cutting across the yard.

"Hey TJ!" Cass smiled and hugged her godson. She and Caleb were TJ's godparents, as well as the guardians of all three kids in case something happened to Amy and Ty. But out of the three, Cass and Caleb saw the most of TJ, mainly because of his friendship with their daughter, Esme.

"Hi." TJ smiled back and gave Caleb a fist-bump. He looked around for Esme, but he didn't see her behind Cass or leaping out of the truck.

Suddenly, two hands clasped over his eyes. "Surprise!" a voice shouted into his ear.

TJ knew immediately that it was Esme. Despite her quiet nature, she sure knew how to have fun! "Good one Ezzy," he said, turning around to face her.

"Aww, I thought I actually got you for once!" Esme laughed.

"In your dreams!" TJ took the moment of pause to look at the changes of Esme. He hadn't seen her in a week or so, since she and her dad had been on the rodeo circuit for a few competitions lower down. Esme was a total horse fan, and although she didn't ride yet, she loved to watch. It had been a tradition over the years that Esme would go with her dad for a few competitions each year. It was a highlight for Ezzy, and TJ loved her hear about her adventures afterwards.

There wasn't much different with Esme, other than the fact her hair was back to being short. She had tried to grow it out a few months prior, but it got all tangled in some tree branches when they'd been exploring a week ago and she needed to have it cut to remove the leaves and twigs. Esme didn't mind; she preferred shorter hair. And besides, it wasn't too short, just above her waist level. She was like a smaller version of Lyndy in the looks, except Ezzy had those hazel eyes that shone when she got excited about something.

"So we'll come back at four? Is that okay TJ?" Cass waited to hear response. She wasn't concerned that it seemed like Amy was out; these two were the most responsible kids in the world. Beside Lyndy of course, who was allowed to do lots more than a typical eleven year-old by themselves.

"That's great! See you guys later!" TJ and Esme waved, as Cass and Caleb drove off for a day by themselves.

"So what did you want to do first?" TJ asked his guest.

"I thought you were going to teach me to ride?" Esme looked at her friend, slightly confused.

"Oh right!" TJ smacked the pal of his hand to his forehead. He had just started brushing Arlo before their truck pulled up! How could he be so forgetful?

"Shall we tack up?" Esme made a move for Arlo's saddle, struggling with the weight.

"Yeah, then we can go to the circle pen." TJ nodded, and they quickly began to tack up Arlo. It took longer than normal, but that's because the two of them were talking non-stop. And surely, when Amy drove in a while later, it would strike a little memory between her and her husband.

Amy had driven in with her husband to Calgary, only to find that the pregnant mare was fine. So they turned around and after dropping Ty off at the vet clinic to take over for Cass, she headed home to keep an eye on Lily. She had gone out with Casey earlier that day, but was going to return home around lunch. So Amy drove straight to Big River where her dad lived, and grabbed Lily. Then she headed home to Heartland.

It was when she was pulling into the roundabout driveway, that she noticed her son in sitting on the edge of the circle pen and his horse Arlo in the center with Esme O'dell on his back. Pausing just past the pen, she watched with her window down as her son coached the young girl how to ride. It made Amy think back to when she herself at fifteen had helped teach Ty how to ride, with the help of Mallory Wells. She remembered how funny Ty looked on the horse and that's also when she first felt any sort of feeling for Ty. Maybe that's what TJ was trying to feel. She had told her kids that story many times, and it brought back how distant she and Ty had been back then. If they saw a glimpse of where they'd be now, her fifteen year-old self would have probably backed away and laughed. But it was true, and twenty years later, they had three beautiful children, a strong marriage and great friends. The only thing that was missing was the rest of the family.

Amy didn't want to disturb her son and his friend, so she and Lily walked into the house, and decided to get some lunch. It wasn't until she saw some blonde hair out of the living room window, that Lily also noticed the extra car in the driveway. Amy thought she knew the car from somewhere, but she couldn't place it, and neither could Lily. So who was over at Heartland?

When Amy was reminiscing about Ty, Katie was feeling a whole different set of emotions. She had woken up to hear TJ and his friend heading out for lesson in the ring, so she took her time getting dressed and going to the main house for a bite to eat. But when she reached the house, it wasn't empty like she thought it was. No, there was someone else there. And the last person she'd expect to be there.

"Brick?" Katie almost dropped the jacket she was holding. She looked around to see if Jenn had come too, but there was no sign of the blonde who ran Maggie's and the Dude Ranch.

"Hey Katie." Brick jammed his hands into his pockets, looking sheepish. "I just wanted to know why you seemed so distant from me at dinner last night."

Katie was taken aback. He noticed her odd behavior of all things last night? "Uh, it was nothing."

"I think that you and I both know that's a lie." Brick took a step closer towards Katie and she backed up, startled.

"How about we go outside?" Katie made a move for the screen door. "Let's at least go to the back porch. She didn't want anyone to see her with Brick, and start gossip.

"Okay." Brick held the door open for Katie, who scuttled to the back porch and out of sight from the driveway. Brick followed in silence, although he was confused. "Why are we back here?" he asked.

"No reason." Katie cringed as she heard how lame her excuse sounded. "I just wanted to have a chance to talk without interruptions," she added.

"Fair enough." Brick looked at the ground, then up at Katie's face.

"So what did you want to say?" Katie knew she sounded rude, but it was all she could do to not run away. Not that she didn't like Brick, but anyone could see that he liked her and Katie tried to hide the fact that she liked him back. It was just too complicating; the two of them had been friends since Jenn had taken over running the Dude Ranch and Maggie's, which was at least ten years ago. But back then feelings were nothing more than a silly kiss at Christmas. Now, anything they felt counted for something. Like it was a step into their future.

Brick's eyes searched her face. "Okay, look. I think I know what's bothering you. You like me, but you're not willing to admit it because you think it'll mess up the friendship we already have. Am I right?" Katie's eyebrows rise. Brick's statement was dead on; how did her know her so well?

"Maybe," was all the Katie could muster. Brick almost knew her better than she knew herself. It was scary in a way.

"But Katie, we've been friends since my dad died just under eleven years ago! We've always been there for each other, just like Georgie and Wyatt. And look where they ended up! So, can't we at least try? C'mon, go out on a date with me once. If it doesn't work out, I'll forget I even asked and we'll stay friends no matter what. But if it does…" Brick trailed off, staring at the ground.

Katie could see sense in his words. She knew he'd stay true to his words if it didn't work out. But what if it did? Then what? Katie lived in New York of all places! So visits would be limited, and would a long-distance relationship work? Those were all questions that no one had the answer to. Or if there was an answer, it wasn't very promising. Lou and Peter had tried long-distance and it lead to divorce!

Yet Katie knew it was worth a try. She and Brick were young, and marriage had to come before divorce. What's the worst that could happen? If anything, it would be a learning curve. If things didn't work out, they'd still be friends at least. So Katie went against all her previous thoughts and did something she didn't know if she'd regret.

"One date Brick. That'll decide if what we have is something special or not." Katie looked up at Brick, as he was tall and she was short.

"Once is enough for me." Brick leaned closer to Katie and she stood on her tippy toes to reach him. His lips brushed hers, and it was then that Katie knew this was a smart choice. She liked the feel of his lips against hers and wanted more. From the shine in brick's eyes, it seemed as though he was going to grant her wish. But then there was a tap on the window and Lily was looking at them with a silly grin on her face. Brick looked at Katie and laughed. Maybe it was for the best, that Brick had asked her out, before the unthinkable happened. Because if the question had been asked any later, everyone would be too damaged to give a straight answer.

Bwahaha! Left you on a cliff hanger! Get ready, as the next chapter will be up by next Sunday (November 13) Also, for those actually following the story, there's some more hints about Georgie and Wyatt's whereabouts coming soon!

Next update/chapter

TJ and Esme run into some trouble on the trails, but some unknown-about skills help them out