Just wanted to address the issue most have with the dragged out storyline of Amy refusing to tell anyone her and Ty are dating. It may seem like a long time since they first got together but it's not. Most chapters only a few days have gone by. Also like the idea of the secret hidden romance. Makes things exciting. And felt like both have a lot they need to deal with before going public. Their relationship is complicated enough without judgment from Amy's family.
Amy followed her dad into her room. Tim opened her closet and grabbed a suitcase. "Dad! Please?!" She bagged in a raised voice. Tim didn't stop he opened it up on her bed before going over to her dresser. "I'm not going!" She shouted as she stood in front of him now leaning against the drawer closing it. Tim only now making eye contact with his daughter. "I told you earlier. I'm not going." She said this time in a calm voice. "I have a client horse I'm working on."
Tim sighed as she crossed his arms. "It's 3 days?"
"I know. But I can't."
"Sweetie, you need this little getaway. Especially after everything." He touched her shoulder. Amy nodded. "Shane wants to see you."
"I wanna see him too but not this weekend."
"Is this about Miranda?" Tim's tone changed slightly.
"No. Of course not. She's great."
"Then come, please?"
Amy sighed as she sat down on her bed. "Dad, what is this about?"
He wrinkled his eyebrow. "Nothing." Amy glanced at him. "Fine." He said in defeat. He walked toward Amy and pulled her desk chair closer. "When Jack called me, I have to be honest I was terrified. I didn't know what to expect. Or how bad it was." He paused. "I wasn't around when...well, when you had your first accident. Lou..."
"Dad, it's okay." Amy placed her hand on his knee.
"I wasn't there for you. And I realized I was once again away. I still regret the way things were... before."
"Dad, I'm fine."
"What if it had been like last time?" He asked serious.
"I'm always gonna need you. No matter what." Amy paused. "I know how serious it could have been. And I'm sorry for worrying everyone."
"I've been too hard on you. And I know your struggling with all this." Amy looked at him. "You think your hiding it but your not. Lisa noticed right away. Your sleeping in. Grumpy mood." It was his turn to put his hand on Amy's knee. "That's why this weekend was so important to me. I want to spend time with you. But also because I think you need a little time away."
Amy felt guilty now for not wanting to go. "Dad, I know. And I'm sorry. Maybe next weekend?"
Tim nodded reluctantly before pulling her into a hug. "Promise?" She nodded against him.
"Hey." Amy said as she approached Ty. "Want to help me with Milo? You were so good at reading him before?"
Ty hesitated before kicking a stone with his boot. "I'd love to but I have plans." He started to walk away.
"What?" Amy asked with a slight laugh following him.
"I said I can't. Not today anyway." Ty continued to walk toward the house.
"Does Jack have you running errands?" She ran now to catch him. She tugged on his backpack stopping him.
"No. But I'm busy, Amy."
She sighed not caring for his tone and secretary. "Okay. Whatever."
"We'll go for a trail ride later, okay?" He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Before turning back toward Jack's truck parked near the fence.
"You want some company?" She asked a smile on her face.
"Nope." He opened the truck door and hopped inside. Amy's frown caused him to stop. "Don't take it personally, okay? It's just boring stuff. I'll be back later." Amy forced a nod which Ty noticed. "I'm only taking Jack's truck cause of my arm." He leaned out the window to give Amy a kiss but she stepped back. "Amy?"
"It's okay. I'll ask Caleb." She said knowing how it bothered him. The slight smirk rubbing it in. Even though they had broken up Ty still found the mention of Caleb to be a sore subjust. He tried not to feel jealous or worried. But he couldn't help it. They had more history. Heck she almost married the guy. So to him what was stopping Amy from realizing she made a mistake and would want to go back to Caleb. He watched as Amy turned back toward the barn not saying a single word more to him. He layed his head against the head rest mentally cursing himself before pulling out of the driveway.
"Hey...look at that?" Jack said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Glancing out the window to see Caleb and Amy in the round pen.
Lisa met Jack at the window to see what he was looking at. A smile formed on her lips. "Well, well looks like the two have patched things up."
"Seems like it."
Lisa tipped her head to study Jack. "What?"
"I just don't get it. And maybe I never will." He sighed as he walked back to the dining room. Lisa sighed following him. "One minute she's happy the next she's upset." He continued.
"She's a teenage girl. If she knew what she wanted she be someone else." Lisa chuckled. "You worry too much."
"Maybe." He frowned.
"I'll talk to her again if you want. But I don't see it doing much good. She won't open up."
Jack nodded. "No, forget it. Like you said she's gonna do what she wants." Lisa smiled as she patted his shoulder.
"Yes! Like that." Amy giggled as she ran around the pen catching up to Caleb as he attempted to saddle the reluctant horse. He was failing at it miserably.
"Should we try something else?" He asked frustrated. Which only made her laugh more.
She turned her head at the sound of gravel to see Ty pulling up to the barn. She swallowed hard before glancing back at Caleb. "I'll be right back." She seen Caleb nod as she left out the gate.
"Thought you and I were going for a trail ride." Ty said his eyes on Caleb instead of her.
"Well, I kinda gave up when you didn't come home." Ty shook his head. "You've been gone all day. What was I supposed to do, Ty?"
"I don't know. Maybe wait."
"Why? I'm glad I didn't." She shouted back.
"You know what I don't have to answer to you. I'm only your pretend boyfriend or fake boyfriend anyway." He shoved his backpack over his shoulder and headed for the loft.
Amy glanced back at Caleb for a second before running after Ty. "What are you talking about?"
"The same thing as yesterday and last week. The thing that you are ashamed of."
"Oh my gosh, Ty. I'm not ashamed. I don't know where you got that from. But I care about you."
"Your actions say otherwise." Ty defended looking stern.
"I'm sorry that I don't wanna kiss you at the dining room table in front of everyone." Amy watched as Ty now crossed his arms. "I know you don't understand. But how many times do I have to tell you. It's not personal. My family is nuts. Do you know what they'd do?" She shouted.
Ty seen she was getting upset. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so mean this morning. I just needed to do something for me." He grabbed her shoulders trying to calm her.
She looked away. "I need you to trust me on this. Please, Ty?" She bagged tears in her eyes.
"Why?"
Amy bit her lip. "They didn't want you to come back to the ranch." She whispered ashamed.
Ty wrinkled his eyebrows. "What?"
Amy looked up at Ty. "After the accident. They bought you a bus ticket back to Vancouver." Tears spilled down her cheeks. Ty let his arms fall from Amy's shoulders. The look of shock and hurt matching hers. "Ty, I'm sorry."
Ty rubbed this hand over his face. "I don't understand? Why am I still here then?" His voice was irritated but wasn't directed at Amy.
"I had to bag them to let you stay."
"So they don't want me here. And you're..."
"No!" Amy cut him off grabbing his hands in hers. "I want you here." Ty glanced away. "They just don't see what I see yet. But they will." She forced a smile as Ty looked down at her. "There is nothing I want more then to tell them. I love you, Ty. And nothing's gonna change that. I tried remember?!" She giggled referring to Caleb.
Ty squeezed her hands and smiled. "I love you too." He leaned in and kissed her. "You're crazy. Defending me to your family." He shook his head as Amy smiled wider.
"Hey... Oh sorry." Caleb said coming into the barn. Ty dropped Amy's hands again and nodded in his direction. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's cool."
"Just wanted to know if we could call it a day? I got rodeo practice in the morning."
"Sure, Caleb. And thanks for helping out today." Amy said giving him a hug.
"No problem. Anything for a friend." Amy noticed the awkward way he said friend which only made the three of them standing there feel more awkward. "Let me know of you want me to come over on Monday."
"Sure, if I ever get him figured out."
Amy turned around as Caleb left the barn to find Ty had disappeared. She raced up the stairs. "I promise you I'll do a whole crazy promposal reveal." She said answering an earlier question.
Ty shook his head and laughed. "Don't embarrass me too much."
"Nope, I'm gonna go all out. Prove to you just how proud I am to call you mine."
Ty wrapped his arms around Amy proudly. "I look forward it."
"Don't worry about my family. They've already come around. It was just after the crash they blamed you. Which I said was never your fault."
He nodded. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For everything. Letting me stay. Not pushing me away, too much." He laughed. "I'll try to be patient. But no promises."
Amy hugged Ty. "Can I ask one thing? Why are you being so secretive?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yeah, that's kinda why I asked." She smiled looking up at him from his embrace. "I'll let you in on my secret when I'm no longer yours."
"Ty!" Ty kissed her before she could protest.