"How are you okay with this?" Tim asked as he took a bite of a muffin.
"Tim?" Jack said firmly. "We can't control her. She's not a little kid."
"She's making a mistake."
"That's hers to make. But I don't see that. She and Ty are close. And she's good for him." Jack sipped his coffee at the breakfast table.
"I still don't like it."
"You don't have to. But if you aren't anything but supportive you'll risk a repeat of Lou. You want that?"
Tim sighed. "Why him? There's so many other guys."
"What's so wrong with Ty anyway?"
"Came on, a few months ago you didn't like him anymore then I do."
"I got to know him." He raised a suggestive eyebrow at him.
"I hate that he rides a motorcycle. It's dangerous. The two got into a car accident for pete's sake. They clearly are a disaster when it comes to that bike." Jack chuckled at the comment. "He has a past, Jack. You can't tell me that doesn't bother you?"
"Of course it does. But he's made it very clear he's not gonna hurt Amy. And if she can overlook that then so can we." He stood from the table to put his coffee cup in the sink. "She's happy, Tim. For the first time in months. Isn't that what matters?"
"What do I pack? None of my clothes scream cowboy." Ty said frustrated his clothes littering his bed.
Amy laughed. "I like the way you dress. If I wanted a cowboy I would have invited Caleb." She picked up a black tshirt.
"Haha very funny." He said wrapping his arms around Amy.
"I'm serious Ty. You're not him. That's kinda a big selling point." She settled into his arms. Ty nodded as he glanced over at his clothes.
"That's the only selling point?" He smirked.
"Well...there are other things." She said looking up at him. "I like your smile. And your eyes. They shine like nothing I've seen. You're different. I've never felt this way for anyone before. You are special."
Ty nodded. "We aren't gonna get anywhere if we keep playing this game."
"What game?" She joked. Ty let her go.
"Be serious I need your help here." He threw his hands in the air toward his bed.
"I don't care what you wear."
"I do. I want to bend in. And then there's your dad to consider." He sighed.
"Forget him and forget what everyone else thinks." She smiled. "Pack this." She tossed the shirt back to him. He nodded smiling back.
"Hey, Dad. I'm all packed." Amy said as she came into the kitchen from the barn. "I'll grab my stuff."
Tim reached out and grabbed her arm stopping her. "Jack tells me Ty is coming." He asked it more as a question.
Amy shot Jack a look. "Yes, he is. We need someone to handle Storm."
"It's a good idea."
"Really?" Jack and Amy said at the exact same time.
"Sure. I'm busy coaching and Storm will need walked out, brushed, etc. So it's good." He paused. "He does know how to ride?" He glanced between Jack and Amy.
"A bit." Jack said. "He's coming along."
"How much is along?"
"He hasn't fallen off." Amy said quietly.
"Great." Tim stood. "I'll be in the truck." He shot Jack a look before heading out the door.
They weren't too far down the road when Tim started asking questions. Too many questions. Amy could tell by Ty's answers he was getting frustrated. "Dad, can we talk about something else?"
"I just want to get to know him."
"There's not much to tell." Ty said from the back seat. "I'm an only child. Grew up in Vancouver. Landed at Heartland after my probation."
"Why was that again?" Tim asked looking into his rearview.
"Just an argument I got into with my stepdad. That kinda turned physical."
Tim raised an eyebrow. "Physical as in assault?" He was shocked. "Amy."
"I knew all this already, Dad. You know from four years ago." Amy was slightly annoyed.
"Anything else you care to add?" He said sarcastic.
"Nope."
"Great cause it's bond to be awkward at the hotel if we don't sort this out now."
"What?" Amy said looking over at him.
"They only pay for one room."
Amy turned to face Ty who looked at her disgusted. It was gonna be a long drive.
"Hey." Lisa said as she came in through the door her hands full of luggage.
"Lisa." Jack said happily as he joined her at the door trying to get a hug but got nothing but bags. "Did you have this much when you left?" He joked.
"Very funny."
"How was the trip?"
"Great. Got lots of stock. And a few clients." She set her one suitcase on the kitchen chair as she undid her coat. "It's quiet. Where is everyone?"
"Amy's at a race." He said juggling the suitcase he was holding. "Why is this so heavy?"
"I could not do some shopping."
"Of course. Where we gonna put that? The closet is already too small for all your shoes." Jack said making his way to their bedroom.
"I told you I'll pack up my winter things and being them to Fairfield." She said from the kitchen. "Wait, isn't Tim still away? Amy went alone to Montana?"
"No, Tim got back the other day." He walked back into the kitchen to grab the other bag. "Tim knows."
"What?" She was shocked.
"Tim seen them in town making out. Luckily he was civil enough to let it go and decide to not make a scene."
"How's Amy?"
"She's fine. Tim acted...okay she she told him."
"That's great, isn't it?" She said catching his tone.
"He's not okay with it. He's made that perfectly clear. And to make things worse Ty joined them."
Lisa's mouth hung open for a second while she processed that. "You realize that's gonna end well? Right, I mean he's likely to leave to Ty there."
"Oh I know." He sighed.
"I go away for a few days and everything..." She threw her hands up having no words.
Jack nodded before finally getting that hug he wanted earlier. "Welcome home." Kissing her cheek as she laughed.
Amy and Ty hauled in their bags exchanging a glance as they let them thump to the floor of the hotel. "Well, at least we are alone. Finally!"
Amy laughed slightly shaking her head before she flopped down on the bed. "We won't be alone long."
"Amy..." Ty tapped her shoulder after she didn't respond. "Amy!"
"What?" She said irritated as she sat up.
"There's only one bed." He said horrified.
She glanced around seeing he was right. The small room only had the one double sided bed and a couch on the far wall. "Why?" Her voice matched his.
Ty flopped down on the bed beside Amy. "This is punishment?"
Amy layed back down and placed her hand on his stomach. Ty reached for it. "This is gonna be a long two days."
"My guess is your dad didn't want to pay to upgrade the room."
"Alright. All settled?" Tim said as he bounded through the door startling the couple who jumped up in a sitting position.
"Yes."
"Great. Ty you can get the horse out of the trailer and get the gear set up." He said grabbing his suitcase from the pile.
"Sure." He said giving Amy a half smile before leaving the room.
"Amy, I need you to exercise Storm. Then once he's settled we'll grab dinner." Tim said too happy for Amy's liking. She just nodded as he went into the bathroom. She flopped back onto the bed letting out a sigh.