Amy took a deep breath and let it out. Shaking her hands as she looked into the distance. "I can't do this." She said glancing back at Ty who stood behind her. He raised his eyebrow. "I changed my mind." She shoved her helmet at him as she walked back toward Storm's stall.
"Amy..." Ty walked over to her leaning on the rail. "What's the matter?"
"I can't do this. I'm not ready." She said it like it was obvious.
He sighed. "Why?"
Amy glared at him. "Why?" She mocked.
"Yes, why?!" He folded his arms. "Is it cause of the accident?"
"No. The bruises are mostly gone. And I am sleeping better, thanks to you."
"Then what is it?"
"My dad. He'll be so mad if I lose."
"You really think that?" Ty watched her shrug. "He may be...unreasonable but he'll understand given what happened. As if he'll expect you to win your first race."
Amy rolled her eyes at him. "My father? Okay with losing? Right."
Ty laughed. "You got this. Know why?"
"Why?"
"I'm in the stands. You are gonna be great." He smiled at her warmly causing her heart to melt with joy.
"Hey, kiddo. Ready?" Tim said patting her shoulder just as Amy smiled back at Ty.
"I think so." She said hesitant until Ty nodded at her. "Yes! Let's do this." Ty grabbed the lead and secured it to Storm as he led him out of the stall and toward the starting gate with the other horses.
"Dad what if I don't win?"
"I don't need a win. I just want you to do your best. But next time...I need a win." She forced a smile as Tim laughed. "Come here." He kissed the top of her head. "Good luck."

Amy mounted Storm nervously. "Amy, you got this. Forget about everyone watching. Forget the pressure from your dad. It's just me and you. Okay? Like at the Fall Finale." He whispered to her as he walked the pair to the starting gate now. He regretted bring up that night but was happy it caused Amy to smile again.
"Rider Amy Fleming, riding Storm. Owner Tim Fleming of Big River Ranch." The announcer said as she stepped up to her spot at the gate.
"Ty..." Amy said as Ty stepped away to leave the track his job done. "Thank you." She smiled widely wishing she could kiss him but knew she couldn't risk being caught. Ty returned the smile.
"How's Amy?" Jack asked as Ty sat down next to him in the stands.
"Honestly?"
"Nevermind." He shrugged rolling his eyes already knowing the answer. All he had to do was glance at Tim leaning on the rail at the bottom of the stands. His eagerness was blatantly obviously. As was Amy's tense posture in the saddle.
The buzzer sounded and the riders were off. Surprisingly to the family Amy found her own and was looking more confident as she darted out of the starting gate already in third. Ty smiled proudly. He shouted and stood up clapping awkwardly with his broken arm. He suddenly felt the glares of people around him. Including Jack and Lisa. He cleared his throat and sat back down. He wasn't use to fancy events like this. He caught Jack's expression out of the corner of his eye hoping he didn't just blow their cover. "Sports always get me all ryelled up." He lied nodding in Jack's direction his eyes never leaving Amy on the track. He had to contain his excitement once again when the race ended. Amy placing 6th. Not exactly the place Tim was hoping for. But Ty was proud of her either way. He tooned out his bellyaching as he approached Amy on Storm. She jumped down and into her fathers arms. "I'm sorry." She apologized.
"It's okay. We'll just train a little more. You'll be ready next time." He said draping her arm around her.
Ty watched as they walked away leaving him with Storm. He hadn't gotten much of a chance to really get to know Tim while he was at Heartland. He had just came back into Amy's life. And she hadn't been very fond of him. Seemed like the two had really gotten close over his absence. But it wasn't anything new to Ty to see someone try to impress and please a parent. After all, he himself use to do anything and everything to avoid being caught in his angry step-dads way. Sure with Amy it was different. But he had to admit Tim had that threatening quality his step-dad had even if Tim didn't mean it.

"Hey, sweetie. You did good." Lisa said pulling Amy into a hug again as they got out of the truck.
"Why do you let him push you around like that?" Ty asked boldly. Amy shot him a look. Lisa seemed confused. "You aim to please him. I'm not even sure first place would have been good enough."
"Ty, it's not like that. He said he was happy."
"It's a great first run." Lisa commented. "I'm gonna get started on dinner." She said excusing herself.
Jack rounded the truck. "Can you get this Ty? My joins just aren't happy with me for sitting on those uncomfortable benches for that long."
Amy chucked. "I can get it."
"Thanks, sweetheart." He too left toward the house leaving Amy and Ty alone.
Ty got started unloading the track and other smaller items he could handle with one arm. "Why'd you say that?" Amy asked coming into the barn. "Grandpa put you up to it?"
"No. Why?"
Amy paused. "Seriously? It's been his go to since I announced I was gonna be a jockey for my dad."
"Amy, it's just it seems like he was pushing you around."
"That's not true." She defended.
"He may not say it but his body language. Believe me, I've seen it."
Amy sighed. "He can be difficult. At times. But he means well. I think."
Ty grabbed Amy's hand and led her to the stack of bails. Pulling her down onto his lap. "I didn't mean it like I said. I'm proud of you. It was your first race."
Amy nodded against him as she lay her head against his shoulder. She traced her finger over his cast. She stayed quiet like that for a few minutes. "It's just hard sometimes. I want to impress him. That's what every kid wants for their dad to support them. And love them. And I know he does. It's just hard to not fear messing up and having him disown me like he did Lou. You don't know what it's like to witness that. It was painful."
"You can't live in fear like that." Ty touched her chin forcing her to look up at him. "I know people leave. But you gonna know that your special enough for people to want to come back. He came back didn't he?"
Amy nodded. "And you came back."
He forced a sad smile. "I did. And I want you to know I'm not gonna ever do that again. Leave like I did. Promise." Tears stinging his eyes.
Amy nuzzled back into Ty's shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her. "I trust you." She whispered. Ty tightened his grip on her arm.