Tim, Jack, Amy, Ty and Caleb walked the horses slowly through the field pushing the herd of cows. Winter had came and gone for the most part. It was time to push the cattle back to the back field. The snow was melted at the ranch but patches littered the ground the closer they got. But they'd be fine. The green grass was already poking through from not being eaten all winter all long. "Hey." Amy nudged her horse closer to Ty's shooting him a warm smile. It was nice to be able to do the cattle drive with him. It brought back memories of when Ty had gone with Jack all those years ago. His first cattle drive ever, Mallory giving him riding lessons. He came back with bruised ribs and a scraped up face. He had come a long way as a rider.
"Hey." He smiled.
"You have really come along." She laughed.
"Just cause I didn't fall down a cliff." He joked knowing where her comment was going.
"Exactly." She leaned over and they kissed.
"Are we heading west?" Caleb asked riding between the two out of spite.
Amy shoot him an annoyed glance. "Yes. Dad's only been telling us for the last 4 miles."
Caleb shot her his signature smile. She'd fallen in love with the smile but now she was just annoyed. And didn't understand why she had loved him at all. "Okay." He said as he rode up ahead of them.
Ty shrugged his shoulders as he rode on too. "I'll never understand him."
Amy giggled.
Jack rode up beside her. "It's so cold out here it's a wonder your father isn't complaining."
"Oh he was. Guess that's why he's a mile ahead." Both looked to see Tim so far ahead it was hard to see him.
"I think he's planning on going to Moosejaw this weekend."
"You and Ty excited about your trip?"
"Yes! It's he can talk about." She smiled watching him seeming like a natural. Ranching really looked good on him. Lately he's been wrestling with what to do after graduation. He's liked school better then he had before and was considering college. But money and time was an issue. Jack was getting older and needed the help. Caleb and Tim weren't as reliable. He also didn't know what he even wanted to do. But having the option was something he never imagined. Not for someone like him. Amy didn't want to make him feel like he had to stay at the ranch just for her or Jack's sake. Jack nudged her elbow getting her attention. "Sorry, grandpa did you say something?"
"No, just wondered where your head was at."
"Just thinking."
"About tomorrow?" He asked.
"No, I'm excited too. I'm thinking about Ty."
"Oh?" Jack asked concerned looking ahead at him now riding with Caleb.
"It's nothing like that. Just graduation is around the corner and he's be thinking about his future. I guess I'm just afraid he's not gonna much time for us if he goes to college. He's been thinking about it."
Jack nodded. "I think that's good. Him thinking about his life and what he wants. But don't worry he'll always have a place for you. He's crazy about you."
"What's that look?"
"I just knew you two liked each other more then you were letting on."
Amy laughed. "Maybe. But it's not like either you or dad liked the idea. You did tell Ty any part of him that crossed that line would be removed."

"Are we okay with this?" Tim asked as he unsaddled his horse in the barn. Jack was doing the same.
"Sure. Why?" He asked never looking at him.
"Because." He answered.
"We can't baby them, Tim. It's only for the day." He set his saddle down now facing him.
"It's a long drive. And we don't know the weather conditions up there."
"They checked the weather yesterday and so did I." He said putting his horse in the stall. "I'll even check again tomorrow morning before they leave. Besides it's late March. The snow is mostly done for the season or we wouldn't have brought the cattle back up to the ridge."
"Just cause you have a point doesn't mean I'm okay with this. Ty is...a boy."
"Yes, and Amy's a girl." Jack joked.
Tim scoffed. "I just don't like the idea of them being alone together."
"Newsflash, they've been alone a lot."
"I know we can't be with them 24/7 but we could try." Tim said grabbing his stuff and heading out of the barn.
"Don't ruin this for them. Besides it was you who got the truck for Ty. Which was nice by the way."
"Yeah, I know." Jack shook his head at him as he got in his truck and drove away. He'd never change.

Jack kissed the side of Amy's head the next morning. "Please be careful."
"I've packed you breakfast for the road." Lisa said handing her the cooler.
"Thanks, Lisa." Amy said. "I will. Ty's driving and the roads are clear."
"Okay. Well, you know your father. He's always concerned."
"I know." She smiled over at Ty as he came in through the back door.
"Ready?"
"Yes." She said happily.
"Alright, we'll see you both at supper." Lisa asked more as a question.
"Definitely." Ty said grabbing the cooler from Amy.
"Have fun."

Amy smiled over at Ty for what felt like the hundredth time. She loved seeing Ty so happy. He was beaming as he drove his old truck along the highway. He caught her smiling and blushed. "Are you gonna watch me drive the whole way?"
"Maybe. Your just so darn cute." She giggled.
Ty reached over and grabbed her hand. "I love you."
"Yeah?" Amy joked. "I didn't notice."
"Do you remember the last time we were in this truck together?"
Amy thought hard but she couldn't remember. That was over 5 years ago and she had tried her best to push any memory of Ty out of her head. His leaving was painful. But now she didn't care about that. She just wished she could have told herself not to worry so much about if she had done something to drive him away. Or that one day he'd be back and they'd be together. It would have saved her so much heartbreak.
"Give up?" He asked after Amy hadn't answered him.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I don't remember. But I do remember the first time I rode with you in this truck." She blushed knowingly at him. She had been so angry at him that night. Punching her then boyfriend. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why'd you punch Jesse that night?"
Ty turned the truck onto the next road. "I seen the way he was getting rough with you. Wanting to take you home after he'd been drinking. That's all. Plus I knew if I came back to the ranch without Jack would have shot me." He laughed.
"Well, that was very sweet. Thank you."
"The last time we were in this truck together was when I took you back to the jumping ring. To calm you down. You were all worked up about the Fall Finale." He laughed.
"I do remember. It was snowing." She paused. "I almost told you that day that I liked you. Just remembering how special it was that you made that course to begin with then taking me back there to regain that feeling."
Ty smiled but looked away. That conversation led him to leave. To give his parents a second chance. He learned that some people, like Tim where capable of change. His parents not so much. "I'm glad you remembered."

Amy and Ty stepped out of the truck looking around taking in the scenery. Amy smiled over at Ty it was so beautiful. "Have I thanked you yet for getting my truck back?" He asked joining Amy on her side of the truck.
"Only a few times." She smiled. He put his arm around her. "I love you. And happy birthday again."
Ty smiled. "What'd you have in mind?" He asked looking at the ice covered lake and trees that lined the remote area.
Amy grabbed Ty's hand and they walked toward the small dock The area was off the beaten path. The dirt road turned into a one way path into the woods. There was nothing around for miles. The birds singing in the near by trees made it perfect. Amy smiled over at Ty. This was already the best day. Ty's birthday had been special but was spend with her family. As much as she liked that, especially now that they have excepted him. This was their day alone. "This is so magical."
"It sure is. Look at the way the sun glistens on the lake." They stood like that for a little bit before Amy pulled away from Ty. She stepped forward leaving Ty closer to land as she made her way toward the end of small peer. "There's a deer." Ty said pointing it out. As Amy turned the wooden dock cracked. The noise loud and starling. It happened before either one of them could do anything about it. The dock let go, the boards breaking and sending Amy down with it. As it went so did Ty's end. Ty heard the loud splash as the ice cracked. The cold water shocking Ty's body as he reached for the edge of land. In a flight or fight attempt to get out of the cold water. His panicked state settled slighting realizing he was only waist deep. He pulled himself up onto land ignoring the stinging pain of his skin as it hit the cold air. Standing he looked to see if he could see Amy. If she had been as lucky as he had. His breath catching as he seen nothing but broken ice shards. "Amy!" He screamed.